Am I doing the right thing?

I am so close to my surgery date and I have gone through a lot of tests and appointments to get to this point. Today I went in for pre-admission testing and on my way home I was second guessing myself. I am really nervous and wondering am I doing the right thing?

The fact that you have persevered thorough ALL the tests and appointments is testament to the fact that this is the right  direction.  Of course you are second guessing, you are intelligent enough to have done all the reasearch and things to educate yourself, so you know its a LIFE change. You'd be silly not to have some concerns!! Its scary, but unlike a lifetime of being obese, this scary thing is going to be over and done before you know it and you will be on to bigger and better things


Stay Strong, you did all the research, followups and groundwork right? Trust yourself :)

 I think that it is natural to question yourself prior to any big/life altering decision.  The only person that can answer that is you.  I always look to the handy Pro/con list to help me decide if I am making a decision that is right for me at the time.  Ask yourself what you have to gain from having the surgery vs. what life is like as it is today.  When I did this for myself a few short months ago it was clear that my health and living a life that I wanted was worth the risks of surgery and I knew deep down in my soul that I was ready for the changes, otherwise I wouldn't have jumped through so many hoops.  Hang in there and use us to lean on through this process.  We are here to support you regardless of your final decision.
I hope that this helps.  Hang in there!
Cynthia

I don't like to post from work but I can view the messge boards.  This is the first time I have posted on this board.

I started my weight loss surgery journey when I had my first appointment on January 31, 2008.  I went through the 6 months of testing, had a bunch of co-morbidities (sleep apnea (to the point I slept 2 hours a night ON AVERAGE), asthma, high blood pressure, borderline high blood sugar, bad knees, back pain, edema and anything else you can think of.  I was approved 1 year ago yesterday and had my surgery on July 9, 2008 (ironically 6 days after my actual birthday).  I had just turned 53. 

I started out at 386 on surgery date and my highest weight was 407 (I am 5'5-1/2").  I now weigh 235 and the loss has slowed down but I'm still losing.

I was so focused on getting approved and once I did, I didn't start second guessing myself until the morning of surgery.  I was so busy at work I didn't have time to worry before that point.  I prayed a lot (I had to be at the hospital by 5:15 a.m. for a 7:30 surgery) and wondered.  The only thing I wonder now is what took me so long.  I know actually--no insurance coverage.  My previous employer excluded it and I was fortunate enough to have a new one that did cover it

What you are feeling is very normal.  I can't tell you how much my life has changed in the last year.  I can walk without back pain, I gave back my CPAP 3 weeks ago, I hope to go off of 4 medications when I see my PCP in a couple of months and just keep my inhaler until next year (hopefully it will be gone by then too).

Hang in there--if anyone told me this time last year that I would be feeling this much better, I would have told them they were crazy.  But I'm here to tell you--enjoy the journey.

Sylvia

 Its Perfectly normal to second guess yourself at this point.. most of us do.. only u can decide if the surgery is right for u.. most of us only have one regret.. that we didnt do it Sooner.. with that said... i'd like to share with u the fact that since surgery im no longer on diabetes medication, diagnosed 2001 lived with diabetes for 8 yrs...have far less pain then i did 100+lbs ago and i actually look forward to tomorrow.. instead of dreading waking up each day.. my sleep apnea is improving.. my relationship with food is healthier... i no longer live to eat.. i eat when im supposed to scheduled meals an snacks is so freeing.. u wont believe how easy it is... im still early out so im never hungry.. least for now..  im told that comes back down the road.. but im prepared.. i only eat when its time to eat... no grazing.. being nervous is natural.. if u werent nervous then i would worry...  u just have to ask yourself if its worth it to u... i know i was tired of "existing" i was ready to start living... 

"The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it." ~W. M. Lewis

~Peggy

It's normal to feel that way after PATs, I think.  I sure did!  Part of what got me through it was remembering that I made the decision for WLS when I was feeling rational and with the help of lots of knowledgeable and rational physicians.  So I shouldn't let some irrational feelings or fears undermine what I know to be a good, rational choice for myself.  Just be gentle with yourself in the coming days because you will be feeling every feeling under the sun -- excited, sad, happy, terrified, and everything in between.  I also remember feeling like I was working with half a brain, because I felt distracted by everything on my mind and wasn't feeling like my usual self.  It's all normal though!  I promise!

You will do great, I think.  Of course I am biased, but I believe that you will be going to the very best surgeon at the very best bariatric hospital!   

I have to say I went through the same thing for the two weeks leading to my surgery. From what I have read on OH just about all of us have at some point during the whole pre op process.
One thing that helped me was just talking with a few people on this site.
Remember a key part to success with WLS is having a good support structure.
The other thing I did was line up all the medications I was taking for Diabetes and HBP along with the bills associated with them. Hearing all of the success stories of those who got off there meds was a real motivating factor to me.  The other reason is displayed on my profile my daughter and the fact that I need to be around for her.

Hang in there and you will be fine just remember all of the work and research that you put into making this decision to begin with.

Awwwww Sweetie
I did  the same thing kept thinking about the what ifs and my mind kept going back to the question should i cancel?
The day of my surgery i weighed over 500 pounds and could varily move but i kept wanting to get up and run away .
I went to the bathroom and my hubby knew i was scared came in and i wasnt in my bed so he freaked thinking i had ran away.lol I couldnt run only waddle and wouldnt have got far.
But sweetie it was the best thing i done for my self and my family and i would do it over in a heartbeat.
You have done all your research and you are only normal so hang in there and it helped me to keep my mind and self busy..
huggs

You are so doing the right thing. When a person second guesses themselves, it means they've made the right decision.  Just remember one question:  Where would you be if you don't have this surgery?

I know you are all right and I am trying to think about the positive side and how this surgery is going to help me. My family is very supportive and I know this is going to help me get and stay healthy. Thank you all for your tremendous support, it means a lot!!