Question:
I need help! I'm starting to freak out and my surgery is April 12!
Please help me! I was very excited about my surgery at the begining of this month and now that It's about a week before my surgery, I am seriously making myself sick worry about everything! I keep thinking well "what if" I'm also starting to feel like a prisoner on death row and eating everything I can get my hands on... — Smile9485 (posted on April 2, 2006)
April 2, 2006
Hi Erin
I am having surgery on the 11th, a day before yours...I am trying not to
think of the "what ifs", thankfully I believe that God has a plan
for all of us, and we all have a time to go, but I feel it in my heart,
that I have barely begun living and that, I will do awesomely!!!! As will
you!!! and we will be on the losers bench really soon!!!! Take care and
keep me posted.
((hugs))
Dawnya
— Dawn1
April 2, 2006
hey Erin. I remember that feeling very well. It was 9 short months ago i
was a week before my surgery and crying on my husband and father because
the pre surgery terror hit me. I thought" Oh my God i may never never
did i mention NEVER be able to eat this again...or this or this or this(and
i did not even really like that last thing)." And i had the
"what if's" too. I went through every possible scenerio , mostly
at night when i had time to really think too much. My best advice actually
came from a friend of mine who I was driving insane with my "what
if's" and my "going to eat myself into the next size pants".
She told me to think of where i'd be in a year. Take a deep breath. That
week will be over fast and your new live with a brand new you will be
starting. You can feel free to email me anytime. Sorry my AOL IM is not
working right now.
— cheshirecat
April 2, 2006
I had my surgery July 2004 and dont be scared just think about the new life
you will be getting. I want you too know that I would do it all over again.
I did have the doubts like you like what ifs but, just look at the new life
and how much better you will feel. will keep you in my prayers good luck
— wendycrosby
April 2, 2006
~Take a deep breathe and relax....I know exactly how you are feeling. I
have had anxiety about all of this since december/05 when i got my surgery
date. For a while there i was eating everything in sight thinking i would
never be able to eat again, but you really just need to focus on the
positives. Think about all of the things you will be able to do that
were'nt possible before without a struggle, clothes shopping, all the new
energy you'll have, a new healthier / happy you is about to be re-born. I
wish you all the best with your surgery and will pray that you have a
speedy recovery. See you on the losing side soon
(my date is 4/5....3 days~YIPPIE! )
SMILES 2 U~
— tiffany E.
April 2, 2006
I think your behavior is pretty natural. I kinda slowed down before the
surgery, but I'm 55 now, 53 when I had the surgery, and I knew it was my
only chance for a life. Not to worry you, but I went in for the surgery
twice. The first time was the day after Thanksgiving of 2004, my heart
stopped for a few seconds and the surgeon stapled me shut. It scared my
husband very badly but didn't bother me because when I woke up, well, I
woke up. I was very, very upset. The surgeon said we could try again if I
said it was a go, which I damned well did! I stayed on the clear liquid
diet until Dec. 1, showed up at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning in my
jammies and was ready to go. My husband really didn't want me to do it.
The surgeon was ready for anything my body tried to pull and everything
went like clockwork.
My "last meal" was Subway sandwiches. I know, steak, chicken,
pizza would have been nice, but for some reason the sandwich was what I
craved.
Please don't think you will NEVER be able to eat again. I worried about
that. I'm out a little over a year and I'm eating very well. I'm down
about 150 pounds. You will eat things you loved. The time goes so fast,
really, until you can sink your teeth in to something.
Don't give up! Hang in there. You are almost to the finish line.
Best,
Janice W.
— JaniceEstel
April 2, 2006
The fact that you are turning to food to help you through your fears should
be all the convincing you need that you are a good candidate for bariatric
surgery. You need something to help you break the hold that food has on
you.
I had a week from notification about my surgery date to my operation-- in
that time, I felt as if I was moving away from my best friend. When would
I be able to order two different drinks at the McDonald's drive-thru to
justify the two quarter pounder with cheese value meals? What if they
stopped making the Burger King fish sandwich before I could have another
one (because, as we know, it is a freakin' national treasure)? And, for
me, the true killer question as I prepared to leave my "friend"--
how could I celebrate another birthday if I couldn't have half a sheet
cake?
For me the "what if" wasn't about surgical complications (which
are far less dangerous than the risks of staying obese), it was the big
"what if" of "What if I can't live my life without food at
the center?"
But, with luck you will find that there is something even better than food
to put at the center of your post-operative life: YOU.
You do have a choice to make- and just like only you can decide to make the
most of the opportunity bariatric surgery can provide you, you can also
decide that the life-changes are too dramatic for you to tolerate.
Whatever you do, just remember that there is lots of natural fear about the
unknown, but the decision that you make for yourself should be based on
facts not fears.
Good luck.
— SteveColarossi
April 3, 2006
Erin- Listen to me very carefully - yes its natural to want to eat so much-
because you think you'll never have it again- Don't do it- by overeating
before surgery- you enlarge the liver so much- they might have to cancel
your surgery- when they go in- it HAS happened..second- once you get past
the first 90 days and can tolerate food well- you will see you can begin
eating meals with your family- just not the quantity you did before..three-
if you have a religious faith- I say go to your church and pray..open your
heart and fears to your priest or minister and have him pray with you..I
was fearful and did this for a month before surgery - and then I calmly
accepted everything- and you need that- you need peace of mind and faith
that you are doing the right thing- it made all the difference to me..I've
had no complications since my surgery- and that is what you need to focus
on..you are planning your journey..Plus I just read an article- that said-
patient who pray and meditate before their surgeries- elevate their
recovery and post op care.. So while it is natural- and I do understand-put
your fears to rest and visualize the new life and whats ahead..don't allow
your past and old pattern of behavior, sabotage your future success. You
are brave for making this choice, if you can conceive it - you can achieve
it. I wish you a safe surgery and recovery- Donna
— nybabe
April 3, 2006
I was in your shoes just 3 weeks ago. Try your best not to eat everything
(thinking its the last time) A friend of mine did this and had to have open
because it inlarged her liver. I would walk when my doubts started getting
the better of me. Stay strong!!!
— baskets
April 3, 2006
Erin, Everything will be just fine, remember if you gain weight they may
cancel your surgery. I had mine done on 3/13/06 and it has been easier
than I thought. Not feeling like eating is a real help and when I do eat
only a few bites makes me satisfied. The night of my surgery my
grandmother had a massive heartattack and a week later she passed; talk
about stress and food, but I was fine because of the things that I learned
with my dietician and social worker. Congratulations and good luck.
— Juju B
April 3, 2006
Erin,
Relax, in most cases there's really nothing to worry about. I had my
surgery May 09 2005 and it's the best thing I have ever done. I have lost
153 pounds so far and my health has return 100%+ . I am off all my meds
(all 14 of them). I am working out again - this is my 3rd month back in the
gym. I'm walking/hiking and even rock climbing when I get the chance. Life
is once again good...and it will be for you as well.
Good luck on the 12th!
Robert
— RobertMiller
April 3, 2006
Dear Erin...I can imagine what you are going through...Surgery is always a
serious matter. If you haven't already continue to read all you can about
your procedure. Keep yourself as busy as possible. Make sure you have
everything organized and plan for the time you will be in the hospital.
Prepare your home for the post op healing...clean and put things in order
so you will not have to do much when you return home. I don't know if you
are a spiritual person but start reading whatever your belief has for
inspiration and pray for calm and stillness. Surround yourself with
positive. Start a journal, dont forget to drink your water...Continue to
communication with your peers and support folks at this web site. You can
email me personally if you want and I'll help you as much as I can...Take
care, be positive [email protected] Frederica
— fdharris
April 7, 2006
Erin, let me tell you something. I had my surgery on 3-28-06. I was advised
not to eat carbs and sugars 1 week before sugery. Before that though I ate
like there was no tomorrow. I made a list of everything I loved and would
miss just in case I could never eat it again. Red Lobster, Swiss Chalet,
etc. As for the surgery itself I did not have a fear of dying or something
going wrong. I was crying every day of the thought of not be able to eat
the things I love every again. As of today, I am still crying every night
wondering if this was the right decision. I keep saying to myself,
"what the he-- have I done". I know people write in with their
success stories and all but take it from me now, please please think about
this carefully. I don't want to discourage anyone from the surgery but I
want to tell it like it is. My doctor told me I have to drink 1 ounce of
liquid every 15 minutes. Then get at least 2 protein shakes down and now
that I am on my second week I get to puree. Fun. The best thing to puree if
you like eggs is to make egg salad and I have vanilla yogurt. That's my
week now until next Wed. I hope this helps you and if you have any
questions please email me at [email protected].
— nygiantsfan1969
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