I just got a date for surgery and now I am terrified..

I was just notified that my insurance approved my WLS and my hospital gave me a date of April 27. They wanted to do it sooner but I have things I need to take care of at work first.

After it set in, I realized I am terrified. I started thinking maybe this is a mistake, maybe I should just try a new diet etc. I know that is ridiculous but I am scared.

Has anyone else experienced terror after going thru the whole process and getting approved? I would love some feedback.

Thanks!
Kevin

Hi Kevin... guess what???? You are right on target with your panic!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

True, I was totally on board with my WLS until I got my date and then started backpedaling so fast my feet were smokin'. I kept thinking "Holy Crap, this is permanent and what if I'm sorry for it after and what if I can't follow the rules and what if I fail or worse... what if I succeed and what if it hurts or what if ... what if... omg ... what if...

And that is completely normal and actually a very healthy reaction. You should take a few minutes (after the panic calms down) and ask yourself if this is really what you want. It is a huge decision. I think you'll find the right answer for you. (smile)

For me, even with all the what if's ... I wouldn't change it for anything in the world and would do it all again. I've lost 110 pounds and am finally healthy and happy with my decision.

And each what if gets faced one at a time (or more) and becomes part of the entire process and it's okay... and some it I got through with the support and love on this forum. :) 

Congratulations, Kevin! 

What you are feeling now is normal.  I went through the same emotions you are experiencing now, and still do occasionally.  Raven is right about the what if's...  they'll get you every time!  It gets better over time. 

You obviously thought this through prior to going through the approval process, and I'd bet that the reasons you rationalized before still apply.  Keep in mind that you're doing this for good reasons and know that you've got all the support you need from your friends, family and all of us here on OH.

I look forward to seeing more posts from you in the future, Kevin!

Brent...

Kevin,

Congratulations. I went through the same thing, up until the night before my surgery. I was more prepared for my wls then any other surgery I have had. It is scary, but then for me not having it was even scarier. Let me know if I can help you with anything.

Jeff

everyone is right... the night before I checked into the hospital, I was ready to call it off.  Seriously.  I was CONVINCED that I should just try another diet, work out more, something.

My best friend who had the surgery about a year prior sent me a picture.  It was a picture of her the day before her surgery, and a current picture of her side-by-side.  She told me that she'd fly to NJ and beat the **** out of me if I backed out, and that I was just being stupid... sometimes it takes someone to kick you in the ass when you're feeling like that.

I couldn't be happier with what I've done.  I'm just over 8 months out, and have lost 132 lbs.  I am smaller now than I was when I started High School in 1986!

Just take a deep breath, and think about all that you've gone through to get where you are, how much preparation you have done, and think about your future.

Kevin,

Ditto to everything people have said here.  3 years ago, I was going to have bypass surgery, but during the 6 month required medically supervised diet, I had some success.  Forgetting about all the diet attempts I had tried before and lost SOME weight.  Key word SOME.  I ran away from my clinic AFTER getting approved by my insurance company thinking I could do it on my own.  Well, three years later, I went back to the clinic at an all time high weight of 409 lbs, blood pressure of 155/100, sleep apnea with a pressure setting of 15 on the CPAP, unbelieveable pain everywhere, and pre diabetes.

Well, 7 months out, I have lost 160 lbs, my BP is 106/60 with a resting pulse of 60.  CPAP pressure down to 8 and soon to be gone, and normal blood sugars.  I know that this decision is huge, but take it from me, the only regret I have is not doing it 3 years ago.  Take a deep breath and think about the health benefits that you will gain.  This is NOT the easy way out, but you won't be sorry. 

Big hugs to you!

Thank you to everyone for your posts today. After speaking to a few friends and reading this messages people have posted, I feel much better. I am really excited to start my new life. 

 It is nice to know that there are people out there who have been thru this and completely understand what I am going thru. I go to 12 step groups for other addictions but am not comfortable to talk about this stuff there so I am glad to have found this site.

My success during my preop weight loss almost made me reconsider having the surgery as well.  But, I remembered my previous weight loss attempts and the subsequent weight gains.  So, I went ahead and had the surgery.

I was trudging along in the process, being patient and just waiting for things to work out.  In early March 2007, I had no approval from the insurance company yet and no surgery was scheduled.  Then, on, like a Tuesday, I got my approval.  My surgeon wanted me to have my surgery the following Friday.  Whoa!  Things that were moving at a comfortable rate were all of a sudden moving along quicker than I could keep track of.  I had to turn that date down (I admit it, I was a little nervous that it all was actually going to happen and needed a few extra days to freak out a little more), and I made my appointment for a week from the following Monday.

My latent fears were overshadowed by excitement.  By the morning of my surgery, I was 100% ready.  It was a success with few complications, and I haven't looked back since.

Don't worry.  You're not acting out of the ordinary in any way.  It's a life altering decision.  And a little emotion along with it just shows that you're taking this as seriously as you should.

Best of luck and congrats,
Chris

Thanks, that is very comforting to hear .

I dont know what hurtles you jumped to get your surgery aprvl.. But, for me after the 6mo sprvsd diet, all the doctors appointments,, all the medical tests.. The blood draws, the stress test,, bla bla bla bla and all the talking about it and reading about it and preparing for it.. I was READY.. I went  in with out a fear in my mind. But, I will say that the day that I got approved part of me just didnt want to give up on the old way yet... But, after I took a deep breath a remembered all that I had gone through just for this one moment and compared what I had to gain from surgery and what I might loose if I didnt go through with it. The choice to go on was clearly YES..
But, you have to do what's good for you. I understand the fear.. But, is the greatest risk surgery or not having surgery?????