Need a little reassurance!

Hey all---I hate feeling like a needy pain--BUT Today, out of "no where", this feeling of panic set it. I got a call from the insurance company yesterday to tell me my case is being reviewed, to assign me a paitent rep for after surgery, etc. I don't even have a surgery date yet! Did any of you experience this panic? I think it may just be becoming more "real" to me. I know this is what I want to do AND need to do. I have never experienced anything like this in the past. All these things started racing through my head --the what ifs......you know.  I guess I just need a little support from those who have been through this journey.  Thanks. Andra

Andra -

This is soooo normal. You are about to embark on a no-return trip ... While it's going to get you to where you want to be ... A healthier you, it's still scary to think that there's no turning back. It's also scary because it's not without it's own inherent dangers. That said, I imagine that you are like the rest of us that have already taken the plunge, probably feel that this is your best opportunity to live a full, healthy life. Honestly, I'd be concerned if you didn't get the willies. It's huge committment and has it's risks, but it also has incredible rewards.

When your head is filling you with the what if's about what might go wrong, you could try to do something that I did. I made two lists ... one with the pros/cons of staying where I was, the other with the pros/cons of making the changes. I weighted the list, ranking things on a scale of 1 to 10 with how important they were to me. It helped me get some "perspective" ... We all know that this is not something to enter into lightly. Your mind is just trying to make sure that you've fully considered what you are about to undertake ... You have, you just need to find a way to look at it.

Hugs,

Barb

Barb, Thank you so much for the encouragement. I'm glad to know I'm "normal" lol I have looked at the pros and cons of my decision--haven't written it down. Thanks for the suggestion. Hugs back at ya, Andra

Hi Andra - I haven't been through the surgery yet but I felt the same anxiety you did a couple of weeks ago when I got declined and then approved all in the same week and then an insurance advocate was assigned before I got my date of surgery.  I'm happy to have an insurance advocate because now I have a direct number to scream at my insurance company - just kidding - actually my advocate is a nurse which makes me happy.   I was having ups and downs over the past week or two but I'm 11 days from surgery and I met my surgeon today and I have everything prepped and ready and I'm very, very, very excited about the surgery.  To me it's a new tool to help me get this weight off faster than I've been able to do in the past and to teach me how to keep it off, how to eat better, get me exercising again, and hey, I had to quit smoking on top of all that.   I know it's the right thing for me but you have to decide if it is the right thing for you.  Only you can answer that.  Same for all decisions in life.  Know what I mean?  Personally, if I WASN'T worrying about my surgery, I would think something was wrong with me.  :-)   Ok, I took the day off so time for a nap.  Take care.   Terri

Thanks Terri---- I know the decision I have made is the right one for me. Just last minute jitters I guess. I thank you for you advice.  Have a peaceful nap--I am so jealous!

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Andra

As said, TOTALLY NORMAL! 

Thanks! Andra

testing my ticker

I doubt there was one of us who did not think on the way to the OR... "Okay.. I can still say no.."...  We were all nervous and to be quite honest I think I would worry more if I were not nervous.  Have faith Andra.  Like I said before, if I had to do this once a year for the rest of my life I would do it.  Nothing can replace the feeling of actually fitting into booths without sqeezing, wearing regular sized clothing, actually feeling pretty some days, hearing so many compliments and comments, feeling comfortable in your own skin, running, walking up stairs without getting winded, racing my 7 year old across the football field, feeling "normal" and not always being the fat girl in the room, being one of the "skinny friends"... I could go on and on.  The blessings have far outweighed the MINOR inconvenience of having surgery.   I wish you luck and pray that your anxiety will go away.  Who is your surgeon?

I don't think there is any one of us that didn't have those same feelings! I was completely excited up until I got my date.  Then I got scared.  I discussed pros and cons and all of that till I was blue in the face.  My husband finally said, "I support you either way, if you're not sure, you don't have to do this!"  Then I got totally upset at the thought of not having the surgery!  That's when I knew I was ready!  :)  . I just kept wishing I could get a sheet of paper that would tell me exactly which of the side effects I would actually experience!  :)  I never did get that sheet of paper, but 3 months after surgery, I'll tell you it was worth it for me!  Now I enjoy going shopping.  Now I can take the dogs for a walk and they get tired before I do.  Now I can walk through a convenience store without stress, because I know I'm not going to buy any of the food in there.  This surgery was a gift for me, and I'm so thankful that I opened it!