ANXIETY!!!

Hi friends......
I was so excited last week to be able to post my surgery date (3/15). Since that time I have been completely consumed with anxiety to the point that I am making myself sick! I want so much to just be excited for what the future holds but I am terrified and I don't even know why. I am no stranger to surgey, I have had 15 in the last 20 years....why am I so freaked out and anybody got some good ideas of how to get past it??????

Cheryl..

 If you have had 15 surgeries in the past 20 years then this surgery will be a breeze.. It is not as bad as some people make it out to be..I too have had several surgeries and they were all a lot worse than this one.. I came home with liquid pain meds to take and never took any.. the hospital stay was short and sweet and then home to begin a new life... Being a cancer survivor I know you are a fighter and have made it through so much.. this will be like a grain of salt on a road that has many large boulders to go over.. you will do great and be so happy with your decision to better your life.. Dr. Edwards is a great surgeon and you will be in great hands..YOU CAN DO THIS..

Maybe some the anxiety is stemming from the effects the surgery will have on your life afterward.. we all fear the unknown and most of us have been heavy our whole life and do not know what life will be like skinnier.. but there is nothing to fear.. we all have endured years of limitations and pain and ridicule.. after the weight loss that will no longer be there.. there will be many WOW moments or mini victories along the way.. they are so awesome and really make the journey so worth it.. no it is not the easiest thing we will ever do for ourselves but it is the best thing we will ever do..

Also the anxiety can be from the feeling that you are loosing your relationship with food.. We have relied on food to be our comforter for so long it is hard to think of not having it to fall back on anymore.. we feel like once we have the surgery we cant eat our favorite foods anymore and that can really make you anxious about the surgery.. but you will find that after you are farther out you can eat most anything.. there can be struggles with some foods along the way but eventually most people can eat anything they want again..but in moderation..that is a new concept to us.. when the more the better has been our motto.. you will find that you do not crave the things you did before surgery.. especially the sugary ones.. you will not miss the big portions because you will be full.. you will not want to eat sugary foods or lots of carbs because as you see the numbers going down on the scale it is such a great motivator to stay on track and unlike the old diets this wls journey works..

Try to relax and look forward to a great new life.. It will be great... take up something to keep your mind busy until the surgery.  I started a scrap book and took myself through every step of the way.. I took before pictures and started the book off with them .. I also took my camera to the doctors visits and documented them.. My hubby took it to the hospital for the surgery and I have pictures there too.. It is so motivating  to have that to look back at to see where I have come from and it was something to keep me busy too.. find something you like to do and keep busy with it.. do not let the upcoming surgery consume your every minute of the day.. but if you think the unknown of knowing all about the surgery might be part of the anxiety then take the time you have to read every book you can and research it all and find out as much as possible.. sometimes knowing more means fearing less..

And the best advice I can give you is to keep posting here ... you will find so many great people here that will help you get through this and be there to encourage you and help with any questions you have. We all care about each other and the support is so great.. it will really make a difference.. so post away girl..

I will have you in my prayers for less anxiety..

huggs..

Thank you so much........You have been a real blessing to me today.

I think Teresa said it beautifully, but I just wanted to throw in some calming vibes to ya- good luck!

* p.s. it's the best decision I've ever made*

I'd say you are freaked out because this surgery is a total life changing experience. It's normal feel anxiety really. If you aren't able to calm down with doing something relaxing, you might want to contact your surgeon or even your PCP and see if they can give you something to ease this anxiety. Best wishes to you!

First ... Congratulations on your upcoming surgery date! 

I too was anxious before surgery.  I tried to concentrate on getting everything at home in order and organized, made sure my pantry and cubbords were clear of bad foods and things that would make it hard for me, then I put everything within an easy arms reach (no bending).... I paid all my bills and did all my personal paperwork and just tried to keep busy.  I also concentrated on my pre-op diet which was sometimes all consuming to keep focus on that.  I rearranged my closet as to sizes and did the same with the wide shoes, this made it easier to move into whatever smaller sizes I had on hand and fun to get rid of the big clothes.  I also read all the WLS books I could get my hands on and others regarding compulsive eating and how to manage relationships and scenarios to stay in control once the weight comes off.  I got a pedicure before surgery so I could look at my pretty toes while recuperating - got lots of compliments on day-glo pink which really made me smile when I looked at them.  I also collected little things and magazines to take and read while I was in the hospital - these I could just leave or throw away before coming home.  The surgery itself for me was a snap.  I didn't have any complications so it wasn't bad at all.  When the time came I was surprisingly calm.  And before you get comfortable in your bed they get you up to walk and the journey begins anew in earnest! 

All the best to you.  You will become a real LOSER like the rest of us! 

Love & Hugs,

I can't add much that previous responders haven't covered, just wanted to say I understand and I too struggled with pre-op anxiety.  Staying busy, doing lots of homework about post-op living, and remembering to take deep breaths all helped me through it.  Wishing you all the best!

I can't begin to thank you all enough for your input. I couldn't wait to get to work this morning and see the replies (my phone would tell me I had replies but I couldn't see them!)
I am feeling some better. It is a struggle, wondering what to expect and how everything will work, I am trying to focus on the fact that I NEVER know what one days holds before it happens and this is no different. Whatever it is, I will manage and get through.......
Thank you all for your wisdom and sharing that I am not unusual in my struggles....it helps so much to know that I am not alone!

((HUGS))

We've all been there. Everything will be all right.

ditto....you are normal! It will be ok...prob excitement  an fear mixed. Research post op life and play here on OH. Best wishes