6 days pre-op and PETRIFIED

Hi I'm Tracy and I'm having WLS on 12/30 and I am so scared. I thought I understood all that I have to do after and now I'm scared I don't have the right vitamins, drinks etc...I feel like I'm risking my life selfishly and I'm not thinking of my 3 small kids. I got insurance approval right away and have had weeks of thinking and thinking and thinking. I have now got myself all confused with the after part. I'm having laproscopic RNY. Just needed a litte support I think. Thanks for listening

Hang in there! I'm still waiting on insurance approval, but I think the closer it gets the more reality sets in. You are taking a step to be around longer for those 3 kids. You aren't being selfish. Don't let yourself think that. You are doing something to make yourself the best you can be for them. Enjoy your Christmas. God Bless.

HI TRACY, I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM BECAUSE MY SURGERY IS ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 27TH AND I'M TERRIFIED! I WAS DENIED TWICE AND DURING THAT TIME I WAS SO SURE THIS WAS WHAT I WANTED, BUT NOW I'M NOT SO SURE. I'M KEEPING MY MINE ON GOD AND BEILEVING THAT HE WILL GET ME THROUGH THIS ON MONDAY. HANG IN THERE AND KEEP THE FAITH. TAKE CARE AND BE BLESSED. YVETTE

Hi Tracy, I'm in the same boat as you are, although I am single with no biological children of my own. I have been trying to get this surgery for over 5 years now, and now that the Dec 30th surgery date is looming over me, I too occasionally have feelings of fear and anxiety. To help me get past these feelings, I always call on someone that has a special place in my life for many years now. I do not know what your religion ,faith or beliefs are, but maybe now is a good time to call on the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and ask for his sweet Mercy, Love, and Grace. Tracy, I pray for you and your family, as I do for mine, that everything comes out fine, and that you will have a renewed life, both Physically and Spiritually. God Bless PS- I hope this reply does not violate the boards terms for Religious discussions. I do not mean to preach, or pass any kind of moral judgement or values on anyone here. I am simply sharing my feelings and prayers for a fellow AMOS member. Besides- this board does a pretty good job of lifting everyones moral all by itself...

Hi Tracy. My surgery is this Monday. You say you have 6 days, well that's plenty of time to do your shopping. Did you go to the nutrition class? Go get the vitamins they specified. Go to the store and get an assortment of sugar free jellos, puddings, powdered milk, Sweet and Low, Carnation sugar free instant breakfast, decaf tea and coffee, buillion cubes, cream soups, or chicken noodle soup, just strain out the chicken and noodles, the broth will be good. Remember your appetite will be cut drastically. Get some water bottles with the sippy tops, 100% grape and apple juice, sugar free lemonade powders and protein powder supplement. Variety will help with this I am sure. Your kids will love you for making this decision. Let us know how you get though this next week. We are pulling for you. Barbara

Good luck to you on your upcoming surgery! Just a word of advice---juice has a lot of natural sugar and it causes dumping! YUCK! If you feel the need to have a bit of juice--make sure you water it down a lot! I drank a lot of crystal lite and propel water and still do 11 months post op! Just wanted to pop over here tonight and wish you all well! Good luck! Char 269/161/137ish 01/13/2004

Hi Tracy...My surgery date is Tues and I am also petrified. The big difference is I am 62. But I have a 3 yr old granddaughter and I want to be around for her for a long time. So I am just trusting in God and going to do what the Dr. orders. So hang in there and know you are not alone in being scared...I think we all are when it gets so close to time.

Hi Kathy, I just wanted to say I completely understand how you feel. I am 63, and I had tremendous feelings of fear about the age factor. I am 12 days out from surgery, and it does seem to take a little longer to "snap back" than those of younger generations, but day by day, things are getting better. You are so right about following the doctors' orders...that is what I am doing, too...to the letter! I have been through many surgeries in my life time, so this was just another one...but the thing that really scared me was it had been 11 years since my last one, and my health had deteriorated since then. Please know that all is going to be just fine, and you are going to come through this with flying colors. I commend you on making this decision to get a new hold on your life, and create a new "you!" Please feel free to email me any time. I would love to keep in touch and know how you are doing, ok? I will be praying for you as your day approaches. God bless you! Pat

I had surgery nearly 4 months ago and was just here on this board to post a request for support for my angelette when I saw your thread. I think some anxiety is natural, but you have to remember why you decided to have this surgery in the first place and you have to decide how much you really trust your surgeon. My surgeon's complication rate is so far below the national average that I decided that if I had a problem, it would have to be some divine intervention of some kind!! I had NO problems at all and here I am, nearly 4 months out and already almost halfway to my goal and feeling like I haven't felt in many years. If your soul searching doesn't do it for you, then take another look at some of the many fantastic before/after pictures and think of yourself being there too. And if you never do get peace, then maybe you should cancel the surgery. How would you feel if you did cancel it? Disappointed or relieved?? If it's relief, then you should cancel it, and if it's disappointment, then you will know that your fear is just holding you back from something you really want. Good luck and happy holidays! Jan

Tracy, you are TOTALLY normal, trust me! I ran the whole gamut of emotions, fear being the biggest one, the closer my surgery date came. It was postponed twice, the first time due to a scheduling error on the part of the doctor's office, and the second time, when at the last minute they decided I needed a stress test. Each time, I was devastated, after having gone through so many roller coaster rides with emotions. I would suggest that you go to the main board, and your state board and ask people to please sign your surgery page with encouraging posts. Then, on the day of your surgery, print it out and take it with you. You just cannot BELIEVE how much this helps you to read over before you go into the OR that day. Also..and this is the BIGGEST thing, put your faith in God, and KNOW that He will get you through this. I fully believe that it is GOD that led you this far in making the decision turn your life around, and things are going to be just fine, you will see. As soon as I finish this post, I am going to go sign your surgery page, myself...see if you can get others to sign it, too, ok? It worked for me...when I didn't have many posts on mine, I got the nerve to ASK people to sign it, and WOW...I couldn't believe how many came forward and added their wonderful words of encouragement there. I printed mine out, and while waiting to be rolled into surgery, I read all the words others had sent to me. Each time I had uncomfortable or painful moments in the hospital or since then, I bring out that page, and read it again. Most of the posts are from those that have been there, done that, and it helps immensely! Please know that you are going to be in my prayers as your day approaches. God bless you! Pat