Getting Extremely Nervous as My WLS date Gets Closer

Hi all! I am new to the site, but heard a great deal of positive things about it from another patient in my surgeons office. I will be 21 in August, and have been over weight my whole life. I feel like I have tried everything and that I do not want to continue wasting the best years of my life. My friends are very supportive, however my family is not. My family is constantly trying to bribe me not to have surgery. They focus on all the negative outcomes of surgery instead of holding an optomistic view like I do. My surgery date is scheduled for July 25th and I go for my presurgical testing on Thurseday. I have chosen to have the gastric bypass because I have over 150 pounds of excess weight to loose. I am beginning to second think myself and that this is not a good idea. I have begun thinking that maybe the band would be better, but then I also think that if I failed at the band I would be devastated, and if I am going to under go surgery I am going to do it right. I also think about how much of a life long change is, but I am sooo sure that I can do it! Basically, I am getting very very nervous! I figured I would write a post in hopes of getting a response from someone in a similar situation, or some one that was in this situation prior to surgery, or anyone that has anything to help me through this situation. One more quick question... after surgery will I ever be able to drink again? Will I be able to get drunk.. or will that damage the pouch? Just one more thing I have been thinking about and haven't gotten definate answers to. Thank you in advance to everyone!!!

You sound like me b4 I had my surgery. I cried all the way up until they put me to sleep. I mean I was so scared, I was shaking! But I'm here and feeling great. Read my profile. It should help you with your nerves and to see what I went thru. Good luck and email me anytime.. Kimberlina 3/15/2006 273/210/145 [email protected]

If you are debating lapband vs RNY you should check into a few things. Does your insurance cover lapband? Does your surgeon do lapband? Is there a seminar/support group in your area for lapbands that you could speak to?? Try talking to your surgeon as well - mine gave a information out on all the surgeries and their pros and cons so you could compare side by side. Cant give you any more advice than that since I havent been in the same situtation - my insurance doesnt cover lapband so it was RNY or nada! Post-op - you *can* drink, some surgeons say dont drink ever again.. some say a year... some say six months. You will get drunker quicker and off less alcohol since your plumbing has been rerouted. You also have to watch out for all the sugar if you are prone to dumping - mixers are typically extremely high in sugar (margaritas, juices etc). I personally am not going to drink for at least 6 months post-op. I figure if I put myself thru all this for surgery why dump "poision" into my body this early out? Also its wasted calories (for the most part) and sugar. Another point Ive read is that when you drink, since it lowers your inhibitions (duh!) you may "stray" and eat badly or not follow your surgeons orders etc. I know previously after a night o' drinkin nothing was better than a good greasy plate of food (mmm dennys, mcdonalds, tacobell!!!) I also read a study that on average WLS patients BAC is higher post-op than a "normal" person because of the surgery. So you also have to watch out how much you drink Otherwise you are pretty much good to go.

I am August 10th for my surgery, and I am not too nervous yet but I am sure I will be as the day gets closer and closer. Has anyone on here asked their surgeon for a sedative (valium) like 24 hours before surgery?