Nervous, Anxious, Excited...I need support

My surgery date is approaching...October 19th.  I'm a little nervous because I don't know what to expect and anxious because I've been waiting so long for this day to come.  Part of me is fearful that this won't work.  I know in my heart that it will but when you've failed at every other weight loss program it's hard to get that thought out of your head. 

I'm trying to get into the right frame of mind going forward.  On Monday the 12th I have to begin my liquid diet.  I just can't believe this day has come.

I need help staying positive and excited.  I always find such great support on these boards.  I'm so exhausted as my brain will not shut off at night.  ; ) 

Thanks!

Karen

Hi Karen!!  I am a Barker Babe.  I went through the same stuff you are going through.  Just remember you are in one of the best set of surgical hands there is.  I was so nervous the nigth before surgery that I was praying for a fever so that I wouldn't have to go through with it.  Once it was over I wondered why I worried so much.  There will  be ups and downs the first few weeks.  Just know that you are having major surgery and those things are normal.

As far as the liquid diet.  With Dr. B liquid mean anything that you can get through a straw.  I was diabetic so I couldn't have some of the things other people had like milk shakes, icees and such.  Buy up ALOT of SF popcicles.  Those count as liquids because they melt at room temp.  That will give you something to crunch on when you feel like you are going to go crazy.  I know it will sound crazy but that first week you won't have the urge to eat.  YOu just aren't hungry.  I didn't believe others when they told me that but it really is true.  Make sure you are getting in protein during your liquid diet because protein helps with your healling process.  I drank the Adkins Advantage shakes.  They were a little pricey but at first I just couldn't handle the powder.  They are thick though and that helped me to stay full.  Also keep busy that week.  That more than anything helped me to get through the week.  The first few days your body is going to hate you but at that point you will have the right frame of mind and nothing will stop you from succeeding.

If there are any questions I can answer for you just let me know.  If you need to talk with someone I will be glad to forward you my number or meet you somewhere before you have surgery.  Make sure you take pictures and your measurements before you have surgery.  You will need to know where you started.  When you hit stalls it helps to look back and see how far you have come.

Teena

 Karen......you are going through some of the same emotions that we all have.   It is hard to grasp in our minds that after a lifetime of failed diets and eating programs that this will actually work.....BUT ir DOES work if you do exactly as your surgeon will tell you to do.   My advice to you is do exactly as he or she tells you pre op and post op.....take advantage of that first  year....the called "honeymoon stage" and loose as mucn weight as possible during this time.   Good luck to you my friend and we will all be here to cheer you on to a smaller.....healthier you !!!!



Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Karen,

I, too, am a Barker Babe.  You are in the best possible hands.  Dr. B is amazing!!  You will have amazing success!!  I can't wait to see you on the loser's bench.  Be sure to measure everything, neck, arms, chest, waist, legs, whatever you can think of cuz the inches come off so fast, and its awesome to be able to say I have lost this many pounds, and this many inches.  I am so excited for you!   And take before pics, even if you don't enjoy getting your pic taken.  It will help you and your family to see your progress. 

Grace & Peace,

Jenn

YAY Karen!! It's coming so soon!!! I promise, I had all the same feelings you had. I honestly woke up from surgery with Dr. Barker a little sore, but after getting to go home, I was actually asking myself if they even did anything in there... I totally agree with Teena on the not wanting to eat anything part after surgery! I really tried to stock up on broth and jello, and didn't eat but like 1 time. I was concentrated on walking out that darn gas, and drinking as much fludis as possible, which kept me full!!! Also, during the liquid diet prior to surgery, I really tried to remain focused and follow what my diet AFTER surgery would be. Personally I found this to be helpful in the long run because I knew what I was getting myself into!!! 

Dr. Barker is the best!! You're not going to believe what you accomplish after surgery. I felt like I wouldn't get better either because I, like you tried EVERYTHING in the book and nothing worked for me... here I am almost 5 months, 100 lbs lighter! I weigh under 200 lbs right now and I NEVER expected things to happen so quick. There are ups and downs, but when you think about, and I have to tell myself this every now and then, I wanted this so bad I was really willing to do ANYTHING to make sure it worked. I've just really stuck to the diet and tried to keep up with all the vitamins and protein and my body has changed so much!!! You just won't believe your eyes, or your clothes!!! 

Good luck with everything and I live out in Richardson too... so if you feel like you need to get together and chat or something just let me know... I work full time and go to school, so sometimes the weekend is your best bet to catch me!!!! Best of luck!!! 

Wow...support runneth over!  You guys are awesome!  Thank you all so much for everything! 

You've heard this before but I have to say it again...this website is such an amazing place.  It's great to be "surrounded" by people who know exactly what you are going through. 

Teena - I have SF Popsicles on my grocery list.  How is your diabetes since having lost so much weight?  Are you walking in the ADA Step Out walk on the 31st?  I've heard so many people say that I will not have the urge to eat.  I can't wait to experience that for myself. 

Vivian - I will definitely follow orders to a T!  I am so looking forward to my "honeymoon stage" and plan on taking advantage of every second of it. 

Jennifer - Thanks for the tip...I never would have thought of taking measurements of my neck.  I will now.  Ever since I've read your post my neck has felt huge and feels like it's getting in my way.  I can't wait to have an "after" neck.  (he he he)

Stacey - 100 pounds in 5 months is incredible!  I've stocked up on broth and jello.  I start pre-op liquid next Monday and follow the same liquid the week after.  Did you do protein that week also?

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!  I find all of you to be very inspirational and hope to have as much success as each of you have had!

Hugs,

Karen

If you find that you are wanting some in person support before your surgery, look up the North Texas/Collin County support group on here.  I know that some of the girls are planning to rideshare this Saturday over to Ft. Worth's Rise & Shine meeting as well.  I am bummed that I can't make that one.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/Collin_County/

They have a meeting a few days before your  surgery in McKinney, on Wednesday, 10/14.  We are also meeting on the day of your surgery in Allen. 

Also, if you want to meet at Starbucks before surgery, a liquid refreshment mecca, I would be happy to schedule a meet up, and you can get some support from some of us who have walked the path you are on, and are in various stages of the journey.  

Yes, you did read my ticker right.  I have lost 170 pounds, and about 130 inches.  I need to measure again.  

Grace & Peace,

Jenn

I have not had any medication since the day before my surgery.  All I take are vitamins.  Within a week my sugar levels were in the normal range.  So there is something about this surgery that really does "cure" diabetes.  I lost 16 pounds the first week.  Now I have to worry about low blood sugars.  Not only are my blood sugars in the normal range so is my blood pressure and my cholesteral.  this last blood test was the first time I ever remember my cholesteral being normal, my blood sugar being normal, my triglycer. being normal, my good cholesteral was normal and my bad cholesteral was normal.  The only problem I had was my iron was a little low and that is because I wasn't taking any iron.

No I won't be walking then.  I was thinking about doing the turkey trot but still not sure about that.  You would think after 2 years I would have more confidence to do these type of things but it is still hard for me at times.

Read some profiles to keep yourself positive.  On my profile, I have something Jodie wrote about a year or so ago.  I is still so true.  Check it out.

Also, make sure you get a Magic Bullet or a knock off to help blend your foods in the stage between liquid and solid.  Mushy chicken, blended, is still chicken.