Question:
Is anyone else consumed by their pending surgery?
Due to schedules (mine and the surgeon's) I won't be having my rny until August. Lately I can't even concentrate on anything! I feel like my whole life (and getting my life back!) hinges on this surgery, and almost everything else, with the exception of my family, has taken a backseat. I can't concentrate at work, I have to force myself to get my work done, and I am either daydreaming about what my life will be like or I'm on this website reading reading reading anything, questions, posts, etc. I can't stop doing my work for 4 months until I have surgery!! Am I the only one???? — beeda (posted on April 16, 2003)
April 16, 2003
Debra,
You are NOT the only one. trust me, I totally understand how you feel. No
one really understands this process unless you are going through it, or
have been through it. That's why this website is such a life saver of a
support system. I am pre-op and have been waiting since Dec. 1st for my
initial consultation, and I still have a month to go. What are you doing
to ensure that you will be approved? Maybe journaling all of this would be
helpful. Write to me if you want. I am from Denver.
Hugs!
— Michele B.
April 16, 2003
What you are feeling is totally normal. I think the excitement will
eventually die down and will pick back up closer to your date. I would spen
more time on this site looking at Before and After pics instead of
working.. August will be here before you know it.. Until then enjoy having
your last meals :)
— HelpMeRhonda !!
April 16, 2003
YES!!!!! I know exactly what you mean. I'm reading the website multiple
times a day, I think about my food choices, what the immediate changes are
going to be, the long term changes, etc. HOWEVER, I can't say that I was
always giving 100% because of my consuming interest in food, so.....it is
ok to be moderately selfish, right???? Good luck! I'm just two weeks to go,
so I am ALSO consumed.
— Jodie P.
April 16, 2003
Debra! Wow...do I ever feel your anxiety! I posted a similar topic last
week entitled, "Help, I'm a Freaked Out Pre-Op" -- LOL! My
surgery is scheduled for June 17th and I too, find it hard to concentrate
on anything else. So, I took some advice from some of the wonderful posters
in here and started creating a diversion, sort of. Planning. You and I
probably have a lot of loose ends to tie up before the big day. Like today,
I went and bought sugar-free jello and a big can of chicken broth. Then I
hit the vitamin store and bought a multi-vitamin, iron and calcium. My
intentions are to get prepared for surgery instead of sitting still going
nuts. (Actually, I'm still going nuts, hopefully that will pass) -- LOL!--
My next big adventure is to start walking. I also bought 3 big containers
from TARGET today so that I can start organizing my cloths. I have every
size from 24 - 13's.... Anyway, I guess I am passing on the same advise
given to me. Hey, if you think you are going to pop, feel free to, e-mail
me. I'm here!
— Kim W.
April 16, 2003
I wasn't consumed. I was obsessed! and continue to be so!! Is that
sooooo wrong? lol who cares!
— msmaryk
April 16, 2003
Debra, I completely understand how you feel. I am consumed by WLS every
minute of the day! I wonder about the food choices I will have, how I will
feel and look after surgery, and what other people will think about my
decision to have this surgery. My surgery date is a little sooner than
yours (May 16th, exactly one month from today. I can't wait (see I think
about it all the time). Don't worry, your date will be here before you
know it.
— Gene F.
April 16, 2003
I'm in the same boat - except I don't even have a surgery date yet. But, ya
know, we all have spent so much time feeling like there was no hope... like
we were destined to be fat (or fatter) the rest of our lives.. and now, we
have this great and shining hope in front of us. I don't see how we can
avoid being obsessed with the hope that will help set us free.
— Jolinda C.
April 16, 2003
Well, obviously, you're in good company. For 4 months, I lived on this
website. I had surgery exactly one week ago, and was SO thankful for all
the things I already knew from being on here. It's normal, what you're
going through...plus it helps your mind make sense of the stuff that might
scare you. Knowledge is power, so keep reading everything you can. Your
day will be here sooner than you know. 7 days post-op LAP RNY -16 pounds!
— Amy A.
April 16, 2003
Hi Deb...You know my story. I guess it's not just us! :)
— Bridget J.
April 16, 2003
I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one whose mind is becoming
completely consumed with thoughts of this surgery. I have my initial
consult scheduled for May 1, and at this rate, I will be a totally
irratically thinking bundle of nerves by the time I actually get to the
point of having surgery! I read this website, inside out, all the time and
am constantly thinking about how my life will hopefully change (for the
better, of course!) once I have surgery. I am officially a basket-case
already, and I am just at the beginning of this process!!!!!
— Trisha H.
April 16, 2003
I am constantly reading this website. I think it is natural to be always
wondering about it since it will change your life. I do not have a surgery
date yet but I talk alot about it and read about it all the time. I think
it helps to be fully prepared for the surgery and aftercare.
— horserider0146
April 16, 2003
WOW!!!!!!!!!!I thought I was the only one who seemed to live here! My
whole life seems to revolve around this surgery. I spend all my free time
reading questions, message boards, profiles....u name it I have read it!!
I even find my self calling my bank daily to make sure my money is still
there ( I am self pay)LOL...Don't worry you are not alone!!!!!!!
— jennap
April 16, 2003
ME Too... I have had a 4.0 average at school until I started this journey.
Now I am happily accepting B's and C's and actually figuring what the
lowest I can score on tests and still pass with a B. If I don't get gold
ropes when I graduate at least maybe I will be in a smaller gown... and I
am obsessing with all possibilitys. I got my first insurance denial last
week from Cigan HMO, and I already have a back up plan lined up for
self-pay. There is no turning back for me now. It me so long to make this
decision, I have to follow it through. I am frequenting Dr.s offices as
often as possible for medical papers to add to my appeal. I am constantly
reading and studying this site. (I would get an A in this course if they
offered it!!)I am glad to know I am not the only one going through this.
— kjonhjk
April 16, 2003
YEA! I read every day several times a day...message board, q&a forum.
But now as my surgery approaches (next Wed the 23) I feel so much more
prepared for it. Don't feel to bad about it. After all you are making a
major change in your life with this surgery and its best to be totally
prepared...When it came time to consult with my surgeon most of my
questions had been answered thru this site....My hubby asked more than me
LOL. I THANK GOD for this site and everyone on it! Jamie
— Jamie M.
April 16, 2003
Debra, you are not alone.....I should be in bed, I am exhausted, but here
I sit..... need I say more. :)
— Kriola
April 16, 2003
ME TOO! I get on this site every chance I get. It has already paid off.
When I went to my first consult, my Doctor said he could tell I had
educated myself well. I and my husband was very proud. This is a big
decison in our lives and I don't think you can do to much. I have Lap RNY
next Tuesday the 22nd. I am grateful to this site and the friendships I
have developed here I feel I have been blessed!
— Barbara S.
April 17, 2003
<font color="007000" face="tahoma">You are not
the only one! I have been on my WLS journey since October 02, my surgery is
now less thatn a week away. I have had a really hard time concentrating at
work! My boss even noticed it and said something to me about it. =c (
<br>Don't worry too much. Your time will come soon enough. I know
waiting is hard, but in a way, if you can get back into your work schedule,
the time flies by! Good Luck! *smile*</font>
— preop_wendyd
April 17, 2003
I too am consumed with thoughts of my surgery! I am scheduled on Monday
April 21st. That is only 4 days away! I cannot believe the time is here.
I guess MY biggest concern is the lifelong commitment to changes in eating
and exercise. I am just praying that the fact that I will experience
actual weight loss this time with these changes I will so encouraged I will
keep it up. The old me would work so hard and get zero results. This time
that won't happen! Well I wish all of you luck on this journey. maureen
— Maureen W.
April 17, 2003
My surgery is less than 4 weeks away and honey I know what you mean. I
work on full commission, yet I stay on this website and do enough to get
by. I figure after the surgery I'll have lots of time on my hands to get
back into my work with all of my brain. I would love some advice on this
too though as I have lots to do!
— Sharon B.
April 17, 2003
I have been on this journey since May 2002. I was approved by my insurance
in January and I am still waiting for a date. I am at this site daily just
waiting and biting at the bit. All I can think about is "When I am
healthy, thinner". Soon...My day will come.
— Stacie Z.
April 17, 2003
It has been 256 days since my initial phone call for a consult. If I keep
on this obsessive track I will need an increase in my BP meds before
surgery. I recently learned that someone in my town that got on the waiting
list 2 months before me finally got a surgery date. Now I'm even more
anxious, knowing that hopefully within 1-2 months I'll get that magical
call. Imagine the anxiety once I've got a date! Ugh.
— cj71
April 17, 2003
I understand!!!! I am sooooooooooo gald to know that it is not just me! I
think about this everyday almost every minute. I research as much as I
can. I pray everyday about my journey. God Bless everyone who is
consumed!
— Dayatra Latin
April 17, 2003
DITTO my pre-op friend! I am scheduled for May 13th for lap RNY, and the
closer it gets, the more I think about it, read about it, talk about it and
fret about the wait. Glad to know I'm in good company. God bless!
— Happy I.
April 17, 2003
Consumed is not the word. My cousine Christine Smith had her surgery 2
days ago with Dr. Beaton (my Dr. as well) it took longer than had expected,
when we saw her in ICU she was so pale and had that darn tube down her
throat that the doctor had promised her she wouldn't have. It was a sort
of birth control for me in terms of scaring the heck out of me. The first
thing she said was why did I do this? I would never want to ever do that
again. Geeze, made me feel like having my surgery with the same doctor on
June 10, 2003. I'm scared and so comsumed. My fiance is sick of me and so
is everyone else. As it gets closer I know it's only going to get worse.
And just one more thing...Why would they ever make you walk your butt into
the operating room and sit down on the table. As if I'm not nervous
enough, that just doesn't help the situation at all. This is going to be a
long month and a half. I'm gonna look into prozac (lol). Sandi
— Sandi R.
April 17, 2003
I think it's natural to be consumed and obsessed. This is a major life
changing event that we have sought after ourselves even though we know
there might be complictations ahead. Think positively, surround yourself
with people who support your decision. You are doing this for you! It's
wonderful on the other side!
— Susan B.
April 19, 2003
Man, are you kidding?! My date is June 9 and I feel as though I spend most
of my waking moments speeding ahead in time and fantasizing about the size
8 creme colored capris pants (from Old Navy, by the way) I'll be wearing
next summer on my birthday. Not to mention the first time I'm able to begin
a running program in my favorite park. I've even had dreams about my slim
future. And every night I pray to the Lord that He removes every obstacle
between me and my surgery date and that my surgery is safe and very
successful. So no, you're not alone.
— gina B.
April 19, 2003
My date is June 9th too and yep I'm obsessed and addicted...hard not to be,
about such an awesome life changing experience!
— jennifer A.
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