Surgery Date and What am I doing?

Hey Everybody:  Just wanted to drop a line and let everyone know that I have a tentative date forJune 8th.  I could have taken an earlier date, but par of my job is to coordinate student programs and the students arrive on June 2nd.  I wanted to be there for the first day just to make sure they are ok.  The doctor's office hasn't submitted everything for the insurance, but hopefully that will be soon.  I'm not sure if to be excited.  I was reading some of the main OH message boards about honestly had a twinge of panic.  What am I doing?  Can I handle this? Of course the answer is yes, but not that a date is marked on the calendar for me to be ready, it is sort of a reality check.  I'm supposed to hear from the head nurse soon about what I am supposed to do between now and then.  Any suggestions?

Hey dear, just to let you know, all that you are feeling right now is totally normal at this stage of the game.  You will undoubtedly have at least one (if not more than one) moment where you are wondering if you will call and cancel.   This is a normal part of the process; it is also normal to feel this way right after surgery too.  My take on it is that if you went through all of the process and jumped through all the hoops to get this far then you know you're ready for it.  That's actually the good part of all the crap they (insurance companies) make you go through, it helps affirm in your mind how determined you are, it's too hard of a process to go through if you have any real doubts.  It's just pre-surgery jitters.   So are you going to the May support group meeting?  I'd like to meet you, hope to see you there! 

Bonnie: When and where are the support group meetings?

Dr. Kligman's group is the second Wednesday of each month (next one 5/14), 7 pm at University of MD Hospital .  It's on the third floor in what I think is called the "round room"?  It's a conference room located behind an administrative desk type area in the "waiting room" atrium where your family will wait when you have your surgery.  Go up the main elevator (the one next to the fountain) to the third floor and make a right, walk down the hallway through the double doors and then make a right into the conference room.  Hope to see you there and don't be shy, come up and say hi to me, I like greeting new people!

Yeah Deena!!! You will soon be on the losing side of life. Take the date. You will be okay. You have of your new Maryland buddies to help you along the way. Avoid the naysayers. Don't let them scare you. I never read the main board. I stick to the boards wher I know people and people know me.

Congrats Deena ;  Know that we all understand what you are going thru. I remember just before they rolled me into the operating room and saying to my Mom I don't want to do this.  It happens to everyone at one point or another. But 9.5 months later I know it was the best thing I have ever done for myself and I bet 98% of WLS patients will say the same thing. Yes there are risks but the even bigger risk is not to have the surgury and live with all the comorbidities. It was great meeting you and Denver Saturday.  Just keep rolling along the process and before you know it June 8th will be here. Take care and God bless Darla 

Hey Deena:  Congratulations on your upcoming.  It is a bit scary, but think of how exciting it is.  I just finished all of my pre-op testing, so if you haven't done that yet, you will need to get those done (upper gi, chest xray and gall bladder ultrasound and about 14 vials of blood).  I also went for my pre-op seminar at UofMD yesterday.  The hospital is very impressive.  We met with Mary Beth and she answered all of our questions about what to do before and after surgery.  You'll even have to take a quiz.  My insurance approval came only in a couple of days after submission and I was very happy.  I've been down this road before, about 10 years ago and I didn't go through the surgery.  I don't think it was the right time, but I know with my growing health issues that now is the right time and I feel confident that Dr. Kligman is the right surgeon.  My date is 5/20, so you know if you have any questions, feel free to ask.  Nothing is too private with me.  I told some guy (Lewis, same surgery date as me) that I met at the seminar yesterday about my lotion routine at night to try to prevent sagging skin.  Try to be patient and pray and if you need support, we are all right here.

Congrats Deena. I say if you don't want that date I'll take it. Just kidding. I know I'll be thinkning the same thing soon enough. and like Aime said you have all of us here to support you. Keep us posted. Candie

Hey new friend Deena :)  I know exactly how you feel and I can assure you that following through to this point, you've already made up your mind that you want to go through this.  I, myself have been in "mourning" for my old lifestyle and my dear friend "food" these past two weeks.  However, we just have to take our "big person" pills and get in there and make Dr. Kligman proud of us :)  You know he kinda scares me sometimes but I think that's par for the course with him being the director and all.  I just signed off on the final release paperwork today with him.

Hi Deena! Congrats on having your date!! Time will sure fly by for you. I agree with everyone else, just relax, and trust in your head and your heart telling you that you are doing the right thing. I have nothing against th emain board, it's a great group of people. But, there can be a lot of negativity on there. I think people forget to post the positive thoughts too sometimes. I am a week shy of 5 months post-op and every day I think to myself what a great choice I made, and how happy I am with all of the positive changes in my health and in my life. As far as pre-op and what to do... you will get a definite list from your doctors practice. But, you might want to experiment with protein sources, like shakes, to find things that you like. You might find after surgery that you don't like them after all, as tastes can change post-op. But, at least you can rule out the ones you don't like now, and have a few to try for when you are newly post-op. Don't worry about not ever being able to have real food again. Except for high fat and high sugar desserts, most foods will be within reach, in moderation, over time post-op. Just concentrate on getting yourself in tip-top share for surgery. Start some good new habits, like drinking water slowly, cutting out caffiene, soda, etc. You'll do great!! I'm thrilled for you!