Getting nervous..comfort me please.

I know my surgery isnt until the end of this month, but when I even think about it, I feel my heart rate start to increase.  I am so nervous...help

What an exciting time. It's very normal to be nervous. So many changes going on, a whole new life to look forward too.

Just know we're here for you!

thank you, its comforting to know that there are people out there cheering for me.
I hesistate to mention fears because there are so many other wonderful people who have their dates and I dont want to cause any worry for them.  These are personal hang ups like being afraid of how I will feel just before they knock me out.  Will I be scared?  Feel all alone?
My husband cant come into surgery with me and Its all foreign to me.  Will they tell me to do something that I dont understand what they mean?  Will they try to put that tube down my throat again to check for leaks?  Just fears....

The instructions they will give you will be very clear.  They will not stick any tubes down your throat while you are awake.  They check for leaks by having you drink something and checking it's progress on x-ray.  They are used to working with patients that are fearful and confused.  They will step you through everything.  It is OK to be scared and to express your concerns both here and at the hospital.  Stay in touch, we care.  Loris

The language barrier you have will be a bit of a challenge. You may want to check around for other folks who have had their surgery in places like Brazil, Mexico or Spain. I've heard that much of the senior staff in these places have good English, but the immediate caretakers don't know much English. Often hand motions and pointing can help, but there may be some better ideas.

I don't know if this is practical or not, but what if you try to come up with a list of things they might instruct you to do? Then you get your hubby to give you French versions of these phrases.  Practicing them might give you something concrete to do to prepare yourself, and also alleviate the fear of not being able to understand and comply.

You will probably be scared and without your Hubby probably lonely but you will get through it!  It will all be worth it to get this amazing tool that will help you improve your health and standard of living!

You'll be fine :)

Here is my two cents worth: I was supposed to have surgery July 14th. I started this journey about 5 or 6 years ago but I work for the State of Montana and they have an iron clad ademnity (sp) clause. I found out last August that they were picking the benefit up in January but you had to do a six month program called Why Weight. I jumped through all the hoops and got insurance approval in June, 2008. I started the presurgey diet June 30th and then got a phone call from my doctor three days before surgery. They said that the insurance did not have proof of a six month doctor supervised diet in the last two years and because of that I could not have surgery. I was diagnosed with diabetes in October of 2006 and did a sixth month program through the hospital so I knew the documentation was there. I called my GP and had all the records faxed. I was told that was not good enough and that I needed to do a six month program. I was angry, sad, frustrated, disapointed, and especially RELIEVED. I said to myself...to heck with surgery I will do this on my own. Even though I have over 200 pounds to lose. Three says after I was supposed to have surgery I got a call from the benefits bureau of my insurance. They said...I had the six months of documentation but they wanted me to see a dietician three times and then I would be approved. I called my surgeon and the earliest I could reschedule surgery was October 13, 2008. So here it was July and I was still doing well on my diet. I thought, I don't need surgery becuase I am rocking at this. Quickly however, the old habits started again and at this point I am right back where I started. I feel trapped in this body and though I am disapointed that I would be almost 2 months out at this point, I am grateful I had those two months to really decide that this is what I want and I am ready to make the commitment necessary. I now have no regrets and I can't wait until October 13th. It is scarey, and this is major surgery. Follow your heart and your gut and do what is best for you.

It is really hard doing this alone and without tools. I find that posting here regularly helps me be much more accountable about my eating and exercise (or lack thereof). I think the encouragement and sense of community is a fabulous tool.

I still waffle about surgery myself, but it's not really an option until I can quit smoking, so I continue on as I'm doing for now. I am afraid that at some point what I'm trying to do with my current tool (Medifast) will stop working - not due to any fault of the tool, but because I don't make the right choices anymore.

The surgery is a fabulous tool. It's common to second-guess youself. Hang in there.

I am sorry to see that you have had so much trouble.  I am glad that things are finally starting to come together for you.  I know it sounds like I am being a baby, but to be honest the bedside manners of the doctors that I have been to on my journey to WLS has been seriously lacking.

My surgeon, when I did what I was suppose to do and asked him about his experience, proceeded to correct me and tell me that it was France not the USA and that its not how they do that here.  That its me that needs him, not the other way around.  I am desperate for this surgery so I think maybe he has just had a bad experience with American patients and I overlooked it.
He teaches RNY at the clinic he works for and that is all I know about him because France does not allow patients information on their doctors.

Second he referred me to a doctor who knowing I didnt speak french started giving me direction for the proceedure while my husband stepped out of the room for 2 seconds.  I had to yell for him to come back in because apparently the doctor was frustrated with something I was doing and I was worried.  The doctors office looked sleezy to me, but I needed this proceedure done to be able to have my surgery.  He gives me spray that I swallow, I dont think I was suppose to, then he gives me some nasty gel stuff to swallow, and immediately without waiting for any anesthetic to kick in, if there even was any, he goes right to town shoving that things down my throat. Needless to say, it does not go well...and this is not the worst part.

When I go to sit in his chair afterwards he does dictation to my doctor basically saying what I a pain in the ass I was.

If I knew I would never have to have that done again, or if they would give me happy drugs before doing it, and NOT that doctor again, I think I would be ok with it.  Knowing that when you have a stricture they stick that same thing down your throat?  When they look for a leak after surgery they stick that same thing down your throat?

I just dont think I have enough confidence in what I have seen so far to trust that these doctors give a crap about me.  I am so scared and dont know what to do.

I think each and every one of us felt a mixture of emotion prior to and after our surgery. It is perfectly normal and part of the process. Let's face it, the fear of the unkown is always scary, no matter what our age.  If you have total confidence in surgeon and you are comitted to changing your lifestyle to better your health, try to go into this knowing that you can do this!  We are here to help you thru it all and share your triumphs. Good luck!  HUGS  Jeanine