THE COUNTDOWN!!!

Hi All, I am having laprascopic surgery on Monday, July 31, with Dr. Wood at Harper Hospital. I am getting so nervous and having all kinds of second thoughts. Can you please tell me what to expect right after surgery? I am flying back to CT the day I get out of the hospital (three days after surgery). Do you think that will be too much? Can someone who just had this surgery email me if you have a chance. I am so scared of complications and death. Is that normal? I am also scared of going through all this and gaining the weight back, since I have read so many stories of people who have gained it back. I don't want that to happen to me. I want to be a success story! But I've failed on so many diets that I am worried about regain. I don't understand how people gain it back if they can't eat sugar. After awhile can you eat anything? Does your pouch really stretch that much??? I am scared. Mousie

Hi Mouse - I'm pre-op too - so I can't answer many of your post-op questons. I'm going in August 9. I'm having the same mixture of fear and excitement that you are, so at least we both know this is all normal. Did you find someone to stay with you while you are having the srugery? I've been wondering how you have been doing. Julie

Thanks for your concern, Julie! Yes, my husband is taking off work and going with me. I am having major second thoughts. All of a sudden I'm like petrified and thinking about never being able to eat the foods I like EVER again and am I ready for this life style change. I was so positive up until now, but I'm so scared and so is my husband. I guess it is normal. Let's stay in touch through this! Mousie

Hey Mousie: I'm doing the exact same thing! I came home yesterday after the first day of my fast and said to my fiance' "I'm mourning the death of food in my life. I'm mourning that nice full feeling in my stomach" I was very pouty and cranky. But I saved one extra packet of "food" in case I woke up hungry, and I didn't get hungry, and I'm not even hungry yet this morning. So maybe this will all be okay. The good thing about getting the duodenal switch, is that I can eat more normal foods right at the start. But yesterday was definitely my first scary day! We'll help each other through this, okay? Julie

Hey Sweetie, You are normal! All of the emotions you are going through right are normal. We have all had them at some point or another pre-op. You are going to be fine. I did research and talked to many proffessionals about weight gain post-op. It is normal to regain some weight. Anywhere from 5 to 15% is considered normal. From every one I've spoken with (other than a medical issue~rare) there is only one way to to defeat this surgery. That is by grazing on the wrong types of food's. Namely CARB"S., and SUGAR! Yes sugar. Some people will eat small amount's of sugar get sick, eat more sugar get sick, et****il they rebuild their tolerance to sugars. Some people can tolerate sugar post-op. but the only way to know for sure is to try it. If you don't try it you will be fine. If you stay away from the bad carb's. you will be fine. Don't sweat it, as long as you follow the rules of the pouch you will lose the weight and get healithier. This surgery is the best thing I've ever done for my physical well being. Best wishes with your surgery. I will be praying that all goes well for you. I know it's not easy, but try to relax and do your best to try and keep your mind off of it ~I know not possible~ but you can try. May God bless you Always Annette 378/312/186/???

Hi Mousie, I too am pre-op and just last night I was having a panic attack about it and was second guessing my decision. I thought of all the worst case scenerios, mainly my death. I started thinking about my children and what would happen to them, etc. Of course it didn't help that I had just got done reading the memorials. But it really is something we all have to consider. It is surgery after all, and like all surgery, there are risks. There are also risks to remaining unhealthy. I was thinking that I would give dieting another try before undergoing surgery. Once I slept on it however, I realized that if 15+ years of "traditional" weight loss attempts have had lasting effect, why would another? I've decided that it is more risky for me to let the weight drop and creep back on and then some than to have surgery and change forever. I'm sending you a BIG HUG, and just know that your feelings are perfectly normal. In fact, I would be afraid if someone wasn't apprehensive and was gung ho with no worries.

Hi, Mousie Sounds like we're all having the same fears. My doctor's office called a couple hours ago with the good news that everything is set to go, and they want to schedule surgery - August 15!! I got scared, told her I would call back tomorrow. Marie

Hi Mousie, Good to hear from you! Glad you're going ahead with things. I'm still not scheduled....and I'm still scared too! It's normal to feel the way you do. I think you'll do great. I'm going to be laparascopic RNY with Dr. Wood as well. You'll be able to tell me all about it!!!! I'm rooting for you, and I'll keep you in my prayers.