13 days before my surgery and I'm a ball of nerves!!

Hello All,

I know I'm not the only one who has experienced this but I am having a moment. My surgery is on Jan 20th and while it seemed to take forever, time is now moving fast. I'm having second thoughts AGAIN about the type of surgery I chose (VSG) feeling that it may not work for me, yet I'm afraid of the side effects and complications I've heard about with RNY. I'm struggling with the decision of "to tell or not to tell"...wondering what people will think of me. I am also worried about my anemia. My iron counts are very low and if my hemoglobin falls any lower, my surgeon won't perform the surgery. Can I really be successful at this thing?! Why am I doubting myselft now?!

UGH! I promise I'm not crazy, just venting frustration and sharing thoughts.

Tanya

Thanks! That's just what I needed. :)

If you weren't nervous I would be MORE concerned! This is a big undertaking. VSG will work if you follow the plan. It has worked for others so why not you? I would tell myself over and over prior to surgery "Others did this, why not you? You can be successful too!". In terms of telling, I have had mixed reactions. Few people at work know - if they ask I say I have made lifestyle changes with diet and exercise (which is true). I tend to try to keep my private life private and separate from work. Obviously, I told my supervisor so if I need additional time off I could take it (which I did). You will get people who think this is the easy way out. They are entitled to their opinion but don't really get it. If I could have lost the weight and KEPT it off without the surgery I would have a long time ago. However, I couldn't. I respect their opinion but also expect them to respect mine. I am an adult and this was my decision to make. I didn't need their approval (my son was one that thought it was the easy way out - he was very respectful when he said that to me but he is also a chef so I wonder if he felt threatened in some way) nor was I asking for it. Good luck!

Thanks Sharon! Everything you said makes a lot of sense. I'm going to the Bariatric support group tonight. Hopefully that will help too. 

almost eight years out of surgery and i went to one last night. not at my hospital, and i was brand new there. a couple others there were pre-op and found great info and yes.....relief. it was an open well run group and one pre-op newbie came in with "nerves" and left saying she felt she was standing on Mt Everest. IOW, on top of things. i hope the same luck for you tonight. you'll do great!

Go to support groups and look at this as your job for right now... you will do fine. Follow the rules. Everyone I think questions - am I doing the right thing - ????

We've all gone through the nervous stage! It's quite normal! I know people who have/had the same issues and they are taking iron pills. I Would recommend having the surgery. You can always go talk to a nutritionist again before the surgery and see what they recommend about keeping your iron levels up. Good luck!! 

We've all gone through the nervous stage! It's quite normal! I know people who have/had the same issues and they are taking iron pills. I Would recommend having the surgery. You can always go talk to a nutritionist again before the surgery and see what they recommend about keeping your iron levels up. Good luck!! 

OH, YOUR CRAZY ALRIGHT!

Just like the rest of us. And gonna get crazier every day.

I can't begin to list all the crazy emotions I went through in the days leading up to it.

It was actually pretty cool, I haven't felt" butterflies" in many years.

Alot like an athlete before a big game, or fight. I used to call it PUMPED in my jock days.

Enjoy the feelings, keeping in mind that this is one phase of many. Each phase equally important in our successes.

Think  mindfully, if that makes since. Attitude is 50% of the battle, the want to win!

You'll  do great, trust me, they will make you comfortable quickly, and before you know it, your awake and healing.

I hope this eases your mind a little. Embrace this part of the journey, cuzz ...the road is gonna have some bumps.

How you navigate the bumps will change your life.

Be positive....

Rod