Going Crazy Maybe!!!

Okay the other day I wrote that i made up my mind and was not going to go through with the surgery...and in all honesty I think it was because I am getting cold feet and was thinking of all the bad things and not the good things. However, since the other day I have talked to a few good friends of mind and of course every single one of them said that I would be okay and that they would support me no matter what. I have on friend of mine that is pushing me to go through with it and says at least go to your PATS and learn more about the surgery and go from there. Soo....I am going to go to my PATS TOMORROW. And I will let everyone know what happens next!! Does anyone know when I will know if I pass PATS?

Good luck tomorrow! They will tell you everything right then and there.

Liz

Good luck with everything! Just don't let anyone push you or talk you into anything. Make your own decision and then "own" it. Good, bad or ugly, so to speak. There is alot to weigh and alot to think about but only you can decide whether this surgery is right for you. I will be thinking about you. Belinda

Its understandable when someone is scared of the surgery itself - I think most of us were because it is a major surgery - our bodies are altered and there is a chance of complication with ANY surgery, not just bariatric. So if its only the actual surgical day you're afraid of I would say to go on with your original plan to have the surgery.

On the other hand, if you're honestly not sure you can follow through with the lifestyle changes you have to make AFTER surgery then you really need to sit down and rethink having it done. Realize that this is not a 'quick fix' to lose weight - it is a tool - one you have to work with so it will work for you.

Its wonderful that your friends are being supportive, and hopefully they also realize the lifestyle changes you will have to make, but if they expect you to come out of recovery and go clubbing and drinking and eating like the old Queen Dee then they are also sadly mistaken. That is not going to happen for a long, long time, and its not something you really want to go back to anyway. Don't get me wrong - I go out - yes, I have alcohol but in very limited amounts, especially compared with what I used to consume. After one year I am eating sort of normally to the point where people around me really don't notice I'm 'different' anymore. And I'm far from perfect in my eating, but I am always conscious of what I'm eating now.

One more thing - have you quit smoking? Are you willing to quit smoking? You've been told by many (including me) that this is another commitment you must be willing to make - for you own good.

I'm not trying to discourage you and am not putting you down for not being sure of what you want to do - we all care about you out here and want to make sure YOU are making the best decision for YOU - not your friends, not your family - YOU. YOU are the one who has to make the changes and live with them. YOU are the one who has to work the tool to its best advantage. YOU are the one who has to make sure you take your vitamins and get your proteins in, change and rethink your eating habits and exercise - no one else but YOU can do these things, and no one else but YOU can make the decision to go through with the surgery.

I truly wish you all the best - it might be good to sit down and talk to a professional about the surgery - make sure you are truly ready to commit.

Denis can you make the POST-OP support meeting tonight prior to you PATS tomorrow. Maybe if you can talk to a group of us that have had surgery we can help you make the choice as well.

But in the end follow your heart and do what you think is right for you.  Once your OATS are done they will tell you if you are cleared for surgery.

I wish you the best of luck whatever your choice !

January 15, 2006.    That is the date of the last soda I drank, and I drank in excess of 64oz of soda a day.   Could drink (alcohol) a guy under the table and tell him all about his bad self the next day when he'd have no recall.    I now have maybe 6 beers-a-year, if that, and a sip of champagne on NYE, and my friends all wish I was "the Old Jackie".   I do too, sometimes.   

It's all about health; physical and mental.  YOU are having surgery, not your friends.   YOU are going to be giving up your food and drink loves, not your friends, not your husband.  YOU need to give up smoking.  YOU will probably experience transference addictions.   YOU need to think for yourself.  YOU need to make a decision.

PATS is time consuming and costly for Barix and the insurance company.  Maybe you breezed through requirements to get this surgery paid for.  Maybe they'll pay for it all again if you should go for it a second time.   Maybe it's not worrying you about canceling.  BUT, Maybe there is someone who has reorganized their work schedules, PTO, babysitters, caregiver's work schedule etc. to get this surgery and your cancellation might screw them up if they get rescheduled!   When they stick the needle in your wrist tomorrow to measure your blood gases, it's gonna hurt YOU.   24 hours.   Figure it out.

Denise, It's not easy, but it doesn't get any easier either.  Surgery was the easiest piece of this weight loss pie.   Here's hoping you come to a decision you won't regret....