One week away from surgery and worried!!!!

Ok .. just to clarify I'm happy that my surgery is next week. I'm thrilled!!! But I'm also really nervous. I'm actually feeling really depressed. I feel like crying and I'm at work so I try to keep myself busy but it's sort of not working for me. Anyway .. I guess I just need some reassurance that everything will be O.K. Thanks, Jen

Jen, Everything's going to be great for you! Expect some discomfort in the beginning, but just wait until you start FALLING out of your clothes!!! It is the BEST feeling ever! And it doesn't take long at all! You will be fine and even better, you'll find happiness and confidence that you didn't know was inside you!! Keep that in mind! Wishing you ALL THE BEST! Jo

Hi Jennifer, The only thing I was sorry about was that I didn't have my surgery 10 years ago! The little discomfort you will feel will be forgotten when you see how much better you feel every day! Just hook up with some friends you can borrow smaller clothes from because it doesn't make any sense to buy stuff till you settle into your new you. So,plan out your recovery and if any question pop up know you have the whole board here waiting to help out! Good Luck! Julio

Hey Jen: You will do fine next week. We are all praying for you and will be here after you get home for recovery. Just remember your doing this for your health and well being sweetie. Good luck with your surgery and welcome to the losing side. You will be so happy when this is over and you can look back and say I did it and I am fine. God Bless and Be Strong. Hugs KimC

I have alittle story for you that I hope will make you smile! It might also be something to remember for when your in the hospital... Its been almost 15 months since my surgery. The anesthia really lasted with me I had a hard time being able to get up and moving cause I kept sleeping. The nurses god bless them tried very hard but we just had to wait til it left my system. That happened about 4am on the day after the surgery. They had let me sleep in the recliner I was the most comfy in that. When I woke up I remembered everything and wasn't in alot of pain of course that little magic medicine button helps too! So I was connected to the pain med tube, had some kind of tube going in my nose another on my wrist and another going you know were that was attached to a bag. There were those inflatable booties pumping away. Well I was awake! I wanted to get up and walk! So I kicked the booties off my feet and started to stand. I was alittle weak and getting up from sitting the day after took time to do plus just before I had sat in the recliner chair a nurse had put a towel to make it more comfy. As I started to stand up my butt cheeks grabbed ahold of that towel and wouldn't let go. I had all I could do to hold onto the different poles that had all those tubes connected to me! I couldn't reach around to get that darn towel. It was stuck. Well, I was so thrilled that I was up and moving and figured what the heck just get out there and walk! My room was right across from the nurses station as I came to my door the nurses yelled yeah pams up and walking! You go girl good for you! I was facing them and smiling they couldn't see that behind me I had a very long towel tail following me. As I turned the corner and started down the hallway I heard them giggle and then start to laugh. hahaha They ccame and got the towel but it didn't matter to me I made it all aroudn the station! My first lap done! One thing I wish I had done was to keep my old belt. Over the course of the last 15 months it would have been something neat to keep. I did keep a pair of pants and a shirt that I worn into the hospital the day of the surgery. Thinking back I can't believe how 30cc's can fill you up like thanksgiving dinner. sip sip sip Take a big T-shirt cause if your doctor has you use the elastic binder you put it on under that it makes it more comfy especially in the warm weather. Be prepared to feel the cold for the first few weeks. ME who always had hot flashes actually wore sweaters for the first time! Congratulations! BESt wishes! Goodluck and god bless, pam we'll save you a seat on the losers bench!

Hi Jen~ Call Danielle and speak with her about your nervousness. She will tell you that it is natural (and to be expected) to be nervous. In fact she would be worried if you were not. So know that this is not out of the normal range of emotions. You will have your sisters and brothers in the support groups with you... you, Jen, will not be walking through those doors of the hospital alone! So when you become afraid, remember the image of all of us walking along side you. YOU ARE IMPORTANT. This is YOUR time. This may sound odd...but...talk to your body... This is a good time to start talking to your body, letting it know you are with it all the way, as it has stuck by you all these years. My wish for you as you approach your surgery next week... May you rest as the hold you in their wings, while your surgeon gives you the lifesaving tool that will open your life to things you have dreamed of. May all your hopes and wishes come true in your new POST-op life. Be well... Towanda

Hi Jen! I can relate to your anxiety. As you know I am scheduled for July 5th with Dr. Ehrlich too. Although I am having the lap-band, the nervousness about having surgery, recovery, new lifestyle, the unknown, etc. are all the same. I think Towanda is right, maybe a call to Danielle would help ease some of your concerns. I remember attending a pre-op support group meeting where pre & post ops were there and one post-op man(gastric bypass) said something very profound and I repeat it often to myself. He said "whatever brought you to the surgery- will get you through the surgery". So whatever it was inside you determined that this WLS was right for you needs to be "tapped" again to support you through the tough times. Personally, when I was in the process of deciding whether or not to get WLS or not, I remember thinking about it in the car while I was driving and the song "Breakaway" from Kelly Clarkson came on the radio. The words to the song hit me and I can apply those words to my past efforts and future dealings with weight loss. So much so, that I went out and bought the CD and I play that song when I start to quiver about surgery to this day. To be honest, it has become my mantra--"I'll do what it takes til I touch the sky", "I know it's not easy to tell you (food in my case) goodbye", "I've got to keep moving on, flyaway, breakaway", "Out of the darkness and into the sun", "I won't forget from where I come from". Anyway, if you've heard the song all these lines can apply to where I feel I've been or am going to. Well, keep your chin up and I will be thinking about you on the 5th. I have to be at St. V's by 7:30 as surgery is scheduled for 9am. How about you? Keep in touch, you are in my prayers....