I feel overwhelmed...surgery is Jan 8

I am having my surgery on Jan 8. I started my liquid diet today. I am very nervous and feel overwhelmed with so much to loose.

I am scared for the surgery itself and worried about complications.

I am scared for any unknowns.

I am grateful to be able to have the surgery and know there is hope for me to have a more productive life, since my quality of life is not very good right now.

I am grateful that I found this board and I hope that like minded/bodied people will help me through this new journey.

Go Cathy!

Good for you for taking this step toward better health and a more fulfilling life!

Remember just take it one day at at time!

You've found the right place, this is a great board full of supportive and caring people!

It's okay to be scared, but remember that you're worth it, this surgery will give you your life back. At least it did that for me, I would have never been able to lose 150 pounds without it. I feel more in control of my life and of my self. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Prayers going out to you for an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery! 

Moving over on the Loser's Bench!  Cathy's on her way!

Diane

Thanks for such a kind reply and encourgement!

Cathy WELCOME! I am so glad you have found our little family (cause it's shrinking, LOL) I think most people would be worried if you weren't nervous. But I assume you have chosen a very competent surgeon and you are in excellent hands.  Read the boards here and there will not be very many unknowns.  this is a tremndous decision you have made for a healthier you, and while it is certainly not easy, you will be amazed at the quick progress you will make.  This board is especially helpful since the "lightweights" often don't understand the journey when it is so much longer for some.  But you will see there a support system of people here who have been successful even with a lot to lose.  Feel free to ask questions, rant or rave we are here for you.

PS The liquids get better at about the 4th day.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Thank you for the kind words. I am extremly grateful for this website. I have had a hard day today with the liquids, but the day is almost over!

I can understand your nervousness.....but you know what? it's all going to be ok...actually it's going to be better than ok, its gonna be great, fantastic and better than you could ever imagine!

I think I am the biggest chicken when it comes to pain. in fact, the thought of the pain kept me from getting the surgery for a long time, along with other issues.

BUT!!!! here you are, about to havelife changing surgery. congratultions on making it this , but rather than look at how far i have to go, i continue to celebrate how far i have come. it really helps me to enjoy this journey so much more, and keeps me going. I know most times the advice is to look ahead, but i think in this case it is more helpful to look backwards to measure your progress. the weight is going to come off almost effortlessly in the beginning. so prepare yourself to give yourself plenty of time to heal, promise to be patient with yourself. it is a journey, not a sprint. i got comfortable from the very beginning that the biggest hurlde was to get the surgery,after that,it's all about making a committment to myself and keeping it.

Best of luck on your surgery day, i hope it will be uneventful and you will be home before you know it posting with the rest of us!

Thank you for your kind words. Your encourgement is well taken. Hope to keep talking with you after surgery. I think you have made great progress, congrats!

Welcome!  It is perfectly normal to be nervous but for me when I got to the point where I was finally ready to have surgery I just decided to face the fear and do it anyway.  What I called a leap of faith to trust that what everyone was telling me for the last 10 years or so was what I really needed to do after all even though I never wanted to do it.  I decided to let all that go and just embrace it, and now I am glad I did.  I had VSG as well and started at 491 so we are very similar.  However, my doc made me lose weight first so I had my surgery 10/20/09 at 444 after struggling to lose beforehand since 8/2008.  I pretty much have barely any appetite still.  I occasionally have feelings that my stomach needs something if I have not eaten in about 4 hours.  Others I would say I really am not ever hungry.  I eat about 5 mini meals.  I average 70 g protein, 900 cals and about 80 ounces of fluid.  Gave up soda and caffeine.  Favorite drinks now Powerade Zero and decaf coffee.  I still have not been exercising that much.  Was getting back into walking before winter and the snow.  I have a bad right knee and do not walk on ice and snow.  Once winter is over, I will be reving up my walking again.  Doing freeweights now.  I am still on puree and moist protein stage right now and really dont miss the other foods I used to eat.  Just do protein first and ge****er in and without any hunger you will never really have any desire to eat any more.  there simple is no room and for me anyway I just dont want it.  Good luck with your surgery.  Let us know how you are doing when you are home.

PS:  Just wanted to add, I slept in a recliner chair in my living room for the first 2 weeks I was home.  Stomach too sore to get out of bed without pain.  Also, walk as much as possible and have GasX on hand because I for one had trapped air from the CO2 they pump in your stomach to do laprascopically and that was painful.  Walking around as much as possible helps move it on out.  Took me a good week to get over the most painful part.  I have a sit down job and was back to work after 2 weeks off.

You and I seem to be in the same boat! Even with loving dogs! I have need to get this surgery  for years, but at least now I am doing it. I was not required to loose any weight before, we are just going for it. If I can make it through this week, surgery and the 2 weeks after, I will be ok. I am not good at the protein drinks, so that is a major concern for me. I do not walk very well either, so I am worried about that also.
I sleep in my recliner chair alot also, I figured that is where I would land.
Why did you give up caffeine?

Thanks for the response and encourgement!

Why did you give up caffeine?

My doc requires no caffeine for at least 6 months with VSG to avoid getting ulcers.  Also, I have to take 2 pepcid a day.