I'm getting scared.....

My big day is just around the corner and my anxiety is beginning. I know I'm making the right decision but I'm scared for the unknown. I'm having trouble sleeping and find myself "nesting" incase something goes wrong. I'm going to the "best of the best" hospital and surgeon in my area but my mind is my worst enemy right now. HELP....tell me this is normal.

It's normal. Me on the other hand wasnt nervous at all. Not even when they were prepping me for the surgery. Mine was done on Jan 16th and so far have lost 40lbs. Relax and good luck.

Hi Theresa, yes, it is normal...or at least it was for me...I had surgery in April 2004, wow, in so many ways it seems like yesterday and at other times it feels like a lifetime ago... anyway, if you go back and read my profile around March 2004 timeframe you will read how freaked out I was before my WLS... Keep in mind that you are making a major lifestyle change...you would be incredibly nervous (probably) if you moved to a new city, bought a new house, got married, or divorced...anyway, my point is that it is a major decision... For me, wls is probably the single best thing I have ever done for myself....I have lost 130 lbs, went from a size 22/24 to a solid size 6 on the bottom and 10 on the top.... Life is GREAT!!! BTW, I eat in restaurants on a regular basis, new folks I meet have no idea that I used to be heavy..... The first 8 weeks was a bit rough...slowly eating my meals, no drinking during meals, what settled well, what did not....also, in my almost 2 years of wls, I have NEVER thrown up!!! NEVER!!! Oops, forgot, I did have the flu one time and threw up a bit then, but never ever because something did not settle well... You talk about nesting...yep, I did that too....cleaned the carpets, scrubbed the floors, washed windows...you get the idea... BTW, I make sure that I take my vitamins every day and I still drink a protein drink almost every morning. Best of luck to you and keep us posted....

You have email! TraciL

It helps to know that THOUSANDS of people have had this operation, most without a hitch, and that while yours is going on, quite a few others on this board alone are having theirs. But I was scared to death, too - convinced that there was a good chance I was going to never wake up. I gave my wife all kinds of last minute advice and remarks, because I was afraid to die. I came out just fine. What you're feeling is normal.

Hi Theresa, I think you'd have to be nutty not to be anxious at this point! I'm preop so I can't really speak from experience about this particular surgery, but know that you've done your homework, researched this thing to death and prepared to the best of your ability and then try to let go! Think positive! Put that worry energy into what you have to do after surgery to remain healthy! You'll do great, hang in there!! How do you like Dr Sweitzer (SP?). I have my first consultation with him on the 20th of March! I hear he has no bedside manner, that you don't really see him after surgery (unless there's a problem I assume), but that he's a terrific surgeon. Since he is such a skilled surgeon, you must be a little put at ease?!? Good luck and let us know how you do. Sue