Why am I so frightened?

       My surgery is schedule for next Wednesday the 22nd at 11am. This has been a long time coming. I started this process in September/October of 2010 and have been on a medically supervised diet ever since (because of insurance) The closer the date comes the more I am worrying. I understand the risks involved with any surgery but I truly love my life and feel I NEED to finally start living the way healthy people do. I am 25 and have so many plans in life. I am just so scared something bad will happen.

       Everyone seems so positive that they will be OK....why am I so worried? I try to be positive but can only think what if I don't make it? I have never had surgery before....not even wisdom teeth...nothing. So I don't even know what to expect and I don't know how my body will react. I am a VERY strong woman and come from a very strong family. Everyone says I have nothing to worry about. i don't know whats wrong with me. I don't know why I cant be positive like everyone else. I'm just so scared.

       My surgeon is the best in New England. Actually he was the first surgeon to perform RNY lapriscopically in New England. There has been one RNY death at my hospital in the last 6 years and it wasn't even my surgeon...not to mention it was a freak thing that had nothing to do with the surgeon. I dunno...I'm sorry for this rant. I guess I'm looking for an answer that will never come. Nothing in life is promised to us and I have a really hard time with that. I am grateful to have the opportunity to do this at such a young age. I really am....but i think it also makes it so much harder being young. Thank you for listening to my rant

It's perfectly normal to be afraid of the unknown.
You need to trust the doctors and nurses and listen to what they tell you.
Stick around here and do lots of reading. By the time your surgery date comes, you will feel much better, I promise.

i feel this way also at least every other day . i get on here and read and read and theres always somebody who always makes you feel so much better . everyone here has had surgery and are on your side.  every one will still be here when you get back .. its all gonna be ok. have faith . faith the size of a mustard seed. thats all you need. u r on your way to a better tomorrow . congradulations .

I know how you are feeling!  I am scheduled for surgery on Monday the 20th and am really scared!
I just finished all of my pre-op testing at the hospital today and  now that it's only a few days away I can't help but be nervous.  Like you, everyone tells me it will be okay and that I just need to have faith, but it's hard to digest I guess.  I keep telling myself that I will be happier and healthier (not to mention thinner).

Hi Amber,

I could have written this! Seriously my surgery is 5 days after yours...I live in New England (Maine), my surgeon is one of the top bariatric surgeons in the world, I've never been under general anesthesia, theres never been a death at my hospital, I am a strong strong woman, but this I am so worried. I have the added fact that I have two young children counting on me to be okay, but its also added incentive to have the surgery so I can be a healthy influence in their lives and not embarass them.  I know I need to do this, and if it is a success and I am able to make it through and hopefully have no complications than I will be the most diligent rny patient and do everything I am told and this will be a success. I wish I could just stop worrying about what could happen. I think to myself often..."am I really doing this? Am I really going to go through with this?" I know I will and I know I need to, I also know I don't dare say that to anyone in my life because I am afraid they will think I shouldn't if I feel this scared. I don't want to be talked out of it! I wish I had something to say that would make you feel better. You are absolutely right...every day is a gift and nothing is promised. I am trying to tell myself that as sad as it would be...if it is my time it is my time...any one can die at any time and I don't want to live my life in fear of what ifs. I don't know if that helps you at all but at least you know you aren't alone!

Kristie

Your surgeon is practically world-renowned!  When I started researching wls, he is the first surgeon I heard of.  Now, I live in CA so he couldn't be my surgeon, BUT, he actually trained the surgeon who I almost had.  There is a youtube video of your surgeon performing this surgery at Tufts NE Med Center, if you were interested.

HOWEVER, that is not the only concern.  No matter how awesome your surgeon is, there are very real risks.  You seem to know them, so there is nothing new to tell you about that.

It's normal to be nervous.  If you were not, I'd be concerned about your taking it too lightly!

Also, some of the veterans on here are good at reminding us that, many of the posts you see on here are from post-ops who are having trouble and need advice/help.  Many post-ops who are doing well don't feel the "need" to post so you seem to see more of the "HELP" posts!

It will be OK! You are normal to be concerned. That just means you are prepared and know what's coming. I hate it when people haven't had any preparation and just get approved with no realization of what they are facing. The surgery itself is the easy part - living your life after surgery can be challenging - lots of choices and changes. BUT, living the way you are is not really living and you are young and beautiful and need to be healthy and happy in a young beautiful body. If you don't have the surgery you will have more and more health problems. My general practitioner told me last fall that I had added 20 years to my life and being as young as you are you may well increase your lifespan by even more - and the best part is they are healthy years, not sickly, fat, unhappy years.
Don't worry about being afraid - just do it and you'll never look back. Hugs, love and I PROMISE!
Lana

I was so freaked out, I made up a will! I gave it so much thought I decided who in my family got which one of my possessions.  It's perfectly normal. And I honestly think, if you don't give it some sort of  thought then you aren't taking it seriously enough. This is serious surgery. There are risks. 

That being said, you do have a great surgeon with great statistics. Take confidence in that.

I am going through this myself. So you are not the only one out there with these fears. I think as another poster said if you weren't scared there would be worries you are taking it way too lightly. I also realized the other day that it is not just fear, it is actually excitement in some ways because we know we are going into a new chapter- an unknown chapter (the unknown to us) and that is something to be thrilled about. We have been putting our bodies through A LOT of things it is not used to and it is letting us know it is ready for the next step.

I will be sure to stop in my day the day of your surgery and send some warm wishes and good thoughts your way.