Pre-Op Jitters

Hello to all. I have sat many hours reading and listing to forums. I have learned a lot but still have question. I am in the VERY early stages of having Gastric Bypass. I spoke to my pcm last week, applies for insurance, and sent my application to the clinic of choice. I am VERY NERVOUS, now that I have finally made the decision to do this. Did all of you go thru this. Do any of you have regrets of having surgery?

Hi there and Welcome to the board.

This is a Major operation and more importantly,a life changing choice.This operation will change our lives forever so I'd be worried if you weren't having the jitters.

I too have not had it yet but am close to getting it done and I know I have the jitters...That is totally normal!If you're serious about the surgrey and have done your research on it,being scared is probably the right emotion to feel....If you weren't,Then I'd be worried that you think it's just a quick fix or walk in the park.

This is going to be one of the hardest IF NOT the hardest thing we will ever have to do...But all the thrills and happy times to come go right along with that too.It is for sure a scary thing and not to be taken lightly.

For me,I feel what have I got to lose?If I don't give this WLS my best shot then I'm right where I am now.I'm not living my life,enjoying my life...My quality of life is very poor...I have nothing to lose so I want to do what I can to ultimatly save my life.Anywho,I didn't mean to preach..I'm sure those that have had it done will say that being nervous is totally normal.

Thanks for the encouragement. I understand the quality of life issue, totally. I have read everything I can get my hands on, gone to seminars and forum. I am trying to be as informed as I can be. Forums like this really help. I read a lot of them. I have tried to find live chats so it is real time, but can't seem to find any. They are usually emply. Do you know of any ACTIVE live Chats.

I'm almost two months out and I am happy as can be with my decision.  I was really nervous before my surgery but I was at the point that I felt if I didn't go through with this I would end up dying at an early age from obesity related problems.  I was very depressed at not being able to enjoy life any more.  I was hardly able to move about, I was tired all the time, my legs hurt all the time.  Just felt yucky.  Now, with just 50 lbs gone, I can get around a lot better already, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea during the pre-op testing and now that I sleep with a c-pap, I wake up every morning refreshed, ready to go.  I don't get hungry any more.  Life's good.  The surgery was a breeze.  Dr. Roller did mine and it was laproscopic.  I was up that evening walking the hall (Wed.), went home Fri. morning and did just fine.  No real pain, no nausea or vomiting.  The five tiny incisions on my tummy have healed just fine.  Oh, I'm off my diabetic meds already too. 

Whoa, congrats on your progress. TThats what I want, better health and NO MORE SHOTS. This has been the most encouraging responce so far. I could hear myself tell my doctor the words you just expressed. You hit it on the nose. I do feel better after hearing this good news. I have heard all of the horror story about recover. It is good news to know that not everone experiences such negative side affects. Thanks again. 

I have been very happy with my surgery, ABSOLUTELY NO REGRETS!  I had that one night where I had my freak out night and read the Memorials on here, I think we all do that, but once you come to terms with your decision, put it in Gods hands and go into knowing that when you come out you now have to follow the rules and focus on you and making the right decisions, this peace comes over you and you are now just ready to do it!

AmyBeth

I think "cold feet" or "pre-op jitters" hit everyone a some point in their pre-op journey. 

For me, I wasn't scared at all until the insurance approval came through.  I guess at that moment, it became "real" to me that I really WAS going to be able to do this and I was instantly terrified. 

I just told myself that that terror was based on emotion which is not logical, that I had been researching and planning and working towards this for months - something I would NOT have been doing if it was REALLY something that I needed to be terrified over. 

I do NOT regret my surgery and I have felt better physically since my RNY than I have in YEARS. 

Good luck! 

Wen

I agree, once my insurance approved I thought "OMG, this is really gonna happen." Since I was approved in June and am waiting until October for my surgery I have lots of jitter time. It's excited anticipation mixed with nervous pre-op jitter.

Fear of the unknown....
That fear is both natural and healthy.   I spent several months before my surgery doing some very serious soul searching.  I was a 400+lb big old burley man, and I cried ALOT during my pre-op time.  Terrified didnt come close to it. 

3 months post op and 113lbs lost .....  I would not change my decision for anything.  The changes in this short amount of time have been amazing.  Literally life changing.  And I am only 92 days post op, so its also just beginning!

Stay the course, be strong, USE YOUR SUPPORT!!!  This will positively impact all of their lives in ways none of you can imagine at this point.

Thanks for your encouragement. I have gotten several replies and it sound like it is pretty common. I have decided to have the surgery. Now I have to work out all of the details. Currently waiting on others. Congrats on your weight loss. Keep up the good work, and thanks for caring.