Pre-op.

Good Morning, I am  pre-op, sugery is scheduled for Dec. 7th. Needless to say I am excited, scared, nervus, wondering am I doing the ritgh thing???  Please help me with some of these feelings. Is this all normal?

Thank you

You're "pre post-op?" So, that means you are pre-op? It's normal to be scared and nervous. I can't say that I think you're doing the right thing, however.  I don't think the lapband is a good weight loss surgical option, personally, having had major complications from it. Have you researched other types of surgery? If you have and you're convinced the lapband is the best one for you, then I wish you the best of luck.

How long have you researched? Do you have a very experienced surgeon? Are you aware of the post op facts... both about diet and pain management?

I'd highly recommend going with a surgeon who is very experienced. Expect to have left shoulder pain immediately after surgery, if it's being performed laparoscopically. It's from the CO2 gas used to "blow out" the abdomen during surgery. IF the pain lasts longer, don't wait to contact your surgeon.

You might need several fills before you feel any sort of restriction, so don't get frustrated if you don't lose right away. It's important to follow the post op instructions so you don't damage anything after surgery. It's difficult, I'm not going to lie. You might feel angry and/or depressed for a while. Especially when you can't eat solid foods and everyone around you is! 

Good luck.

edited to add: according to your profile, you started researching in mid-October? Is that correct? You may want to visit the Revisions forum here on OH to get ALL the information you might need.

Yes that's it i am pre-op, was not sure how to say it. ugh. Yes I have done lots of researcher & I am not up to having parts of my body cut out just yet, that's why I am going with the LB. I have been researching for about a year now & yes I have a very experienced surgeon at a ABCenter. I am aware of the post op fact and the diet & pain managemnet. So what kind of complications have you had from your LB and why would you not have it removed if you have had so many problems?

Thank you.

I did have my band removed... over 6 years ago. I still have damage from it, however.

The lapband causes the diaphragm to get irritated and damaged in a lot of people. But doctors don't seem to divulge this information as much as they probably should.  

I'm glad you have an experienced surgeon. That's incredibly important. I chose a very bad surgeon back in 2002... and trusted that he had my best interest in mind. But he didn't. And I suffered because of it.

Best of luck to you. I hope all goes smoothly for you.

That is a VERY normal reaction. In fact, if you weren't nervous I'd be more worried! I'm a licensed therapist and I do bariatric surgery evaluations on the side; I have maybe seen just a handful of patients who weren't nervous and usually those are the ones who have a close family member who has had surgery or the ones who just refuse to admit their anxiety.

So you're very normal! 

Thank you Celesta, this is suck a great site to be able to read and be right at home.

Thank you all again..

 Good to be nervous. My band was put in one year ago on dec 7. So far I've lost about 30 lbs. it's a very slow process, but it didn't come on over night! Just buying new clothes now.
Good luck!
Mary

Being nervous before any surgery is completely normal. I was actually in tears as I was wheeled into the OR.

However, I, too, would urge you to use the next couple of weeks to soak up any information you can about the band.

My band experience was also miserable (like so many others) and I hate to think of people going for the band when there are more effective surgeries with less post-op complications available. You deserve to be a healthy weight, so make sure you stack the deck in your favor with a procedure that can help you get there.


Best,
Lindsey

I am also pre-op. I am waiting for my surgery date. I am like you, I did not want to immediately jump in and start rearranging my organs. I felt that, for me, I would rather go with the lap band procedure. I have known a lot of people who have had lap band done that have been very successful. It is work. It is not a magic bullet. It is a tool that has to be used in conjunction with good nutrition and exercise. I have come here with questions and have found that instead I get inundated with those it "failed" and I end up more anxious than before I started. It feels like some think if you don't go RNY then you haven't done the right thing. Hogwash. I have seen people "fail" with that too. So, go to the support groups locally. Actually meet people and see how it has worked for them. Do your homework. Maintain a good relationship with your nutritionist and a trainer at your local gym. Do what you are supposed to do as outlined by your surgeon. Don't cheat. I have a great team through my surgeon's office and feel very confident in my choice. I did a lot of research and again, I know several people personally that this has worked wonders for. I can't wait to see how you do (and how I do for that matter).

Cheers,
Jen

Just a note for clarification as I am one of those trying to help pre-ops pick a more successful route (this is both my personal experience and that of research statistics), I never recommended RNY.

There are 4 types of WLS. Be sure to look into them all! You would hate to be post-op and then realize there was a different WLS that would have been a better fit for you and your needs.

Best,
Lindsey