Question:
How long are these feelings gonna last?
Do these intense emotional feelings last all the way until surgery, progressively increasing as the date nears? Any advice as to how to keep from thinking (or being obsessed/consumed) about it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? No matter what else I am doing - its still on my mind. From 9:00 - 5:00 somehow I manage not to let it consume me... but at 5:01 ... it gets the best of me .... cant think of anything else..... HELP !! — Rene` B. (posted on September 11, 2000)
September 11, 2000
I hear ya loud and clear....Im going CRAZZY just waiting.....My dog on the
other hand, thank god he can't talk or I would be in serious trouble cause
he would have killed me by now or glued my lips shut....I just talk to my
self out loud and that relieves the tension, but heaven forbid anyone ask
me a question about it cause once I get going there is no stopping. Good
luck and keep paddeling we are in the same boat......HUGS
— Tennille
September 11, 2000
RENE---I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HOW YOU ARE FEELING. I AM HAVING SURGERY ON
SEPT 26 AND MY HUBBY IS GOING THE 28TH. I THINK ABOUT IT CONSTANTLY
ALSO...MOSTLY ABOUT HOW OUR HEALTH AND LIVES ARE GOING TO BE. SO I KNOW
ITS HARD TO RELAX ALSO :) KEEP US POSTED!
— MICHELLE D.
September 11, 2000
I was the same way! It lasts until you go under. Sorry!
I would go to the store and look at all the cute, normal size clothes and
plan what I was going to wear. I came on here and looked at all the before
and after stories and photos. It helped some, but I totally understand how
you feel. GOOD LUCK!!!
— ZZ S.
September 11, 2000
I understand exactly how you feel, and believe me it's normal. I am 8
weeks post-op now, and those feelings are completly gone. Before my
surgery I was totally obsessed. I couldn't think about anything else. At
night I would go to bed and start thinking about it, and have to sit up for
fear I would have an anxiety attack. You wonder if you are doing the right
thing, and are you going to screw your organs up....will you ever be normal
again, or will this surgery make you miserable?
Well let me tell you.....it's awesome!!!! I'm knocking on wood as I say
this, but so far it's been so easy it's unbelievable. Don't get me wrong,
the first 3 days were rough, but adjusting to eating right and following
your dr.'s requirements, has been soooooo much easier than I thought it
would be. I finally have self control! It's amazing!
The funny part is, the anxiety, and stress will absolutly disappear once
the surgery part is over. I work in a beauty shop, and every person that
comes in say's "Tess, you are glowing". Because I was so
stressed out before the surgery, and now it's all over. So trust me,
things will get better! You will become less obsessed! I used to subscribe
to 3 boards, and now I only read this one. My life will revolve around
LIVING now! Take it day to day and you will be fine! Take care of
yourself, and listen to your Dr.!!! Good Luck!
— Theresa S.
September 11, 2000
I am with you all the way. Today at my pcp appointment I had a panic
attack (anxiety). It was a mini one and the doc was not in the room. It
took me by surprise, because while I know I have a significant amount of
anxiety I do not usually have panic attacks. The most is occassional heart
flutters. I was so built up and worried about getting the pcp referral. I
have devoted so much of myself to this surgery. When the doc came back and
gave me the exam she listened and listened it seemed like forever to my
heart. I asked her if it was fluttering? She said yes. I told her I was
so anxious and nervous about disclosing so much personal information to her
about my weight and my hopes for this surgery. She was very kind. I know
she did not know I just had an anxiety attack a moment before she came in
the room. We invest so much in this. I have so much to do, the house is a
mess, my computer desk...don't go there, etc. But my mind is on this
surgery. I am now trying to limit my computer time so I do other things.
The fall season offers better movies I hear!
— JennyLynn A.
September 11, 2000
I guess we are all in the same boat after reading the previous posts. My
surgery is scheduled for September 26 and I hardly think about anything
else. I've been experiencing what I think are panic attacks. I've also
found myself holding my breath a lot for some reason. I don't know WHAT
that is from. My husband said it's "wake apnea" instead of sleep
apnea. Whatever it is, it gives me a headache!! I don't know if I've
helped you at all, but I'm glad you asked the question, because now I know
that I'm not going crazy.
— Terry M.
September 11, 2000
I don't know if these thoughts will ever go away! I haven't even had my
date set yet, and I think about the surgery every day. My next consultation
is at the end of October, so I've got six weeks to keep thinking about the
surgery. Everytime I eat something I wonder if I'll be able to eat it after
the surgery. Everytime I go to the mall I wonder when I'll be able to buy
clothes again. Every overweight person I now see at work I think to myself
"I know something that would be great for you!" Just keep
thinking positively!!!!
— Kristy J.
September 11, 2000
I think this whole process (pre and post op) is a very emotional journey --
for me at least. I had a very short turnaround time from approval to
surgery date (two weeks) and didn't have time to think of much else than
this surgery! But afterwards, you have to think so much about what you are
doing (vitamins, supplements, exercise), and you are looking so forward to
what you will look/feel like, that it seems you still think about this
process a lot. Or at least I do. For instance, when I lost 50 pounds, I
thought I'd look so much better than I did ... it was almost a depressing
time, to realize how far I had to go still. Very emotional. But in a good
way. I'm now 4 1/2 months out, 85 pounds gone forever, and still it's my
number one favorite thing to talk about. I was FLIRTED WITH over the
weekend -- let me tell you, THAT was a huge emotional thing for me too!!!
This part of our lives is a huge step for all of us, and there will be a
lot of emotions attached to each phase, I would imagine. But then again, I
cry at Hallmark commercials, so ....
— Beth B.
September 11, 2000
Hi Rene! I remember this well - I was so absorbed with my date that I
tottered on depression. I had to stay off AMOS for a few weeks to preserve
my sanity! All these emotions are so closely related that sometimes it is
hard to identify which you are feeling at the moment. For anxiety and
anticipation, you need to keep active - even if you can't get your mind off
the surgery, it will make the time go by quicker. Find something you enjoy
doing, a manageable project is best - something you can see the results of
when its completed, such as painting a room, refinishing a small piece of
furniture, knitting a scarf, etc. For stress and fear, be realistic about
the surgery: yes there is pain, but if you've ever had a baby, you can
handle it and you do get a little better everyday; be prepared before you
go for the surgery by cleaning your house and stocking up on food for
yourself, easily prepared food for your family and the necessities you'll
need for your recovery. Just for my own peace of mind, I also prepared an
informal will, but I do this everytime I get on a plane, anyway... But
remember, there are so many people out there like Tess and myself that
found this surgery almost easy...so keep positive and have a great attitude
and your recovery will be much easier, too. Good Luck and God Bless!
— Allie B.
September 12, 2000
Rene, hang in there. I promise this will all go away. Your feelings are
normal. First, if you feel it is really a problem, talk to your doctor.
He can prescribe meds that will help you fell calmer. Otherwise, try to
keep yourself busy. I, too, was obsessed about the surgery before I had it
but managed to remain positive and anxiety-free by keeping myself busy. If
you're a list person, make yourself a list of stuff you need to do to
prepare for the surgery - logistics wise. Write in a journal. Clean your
house and closets like they've never been clean before. Make sure all your
little projects are done at work for when you go on leave. Make a list of
the health and social goals you would like to accomplish once the weight
starts coming off. Make a list of new things you would like to experience
but haven't because of your weight. Hang tough. The anxiety we feel prior
to the surgery is so much worse than the actual procedure! Best of luck.
— Paula G.
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