Question:
What did people do during the weeks leading up to their surgery?

I am going crazy. I cant sleep..I am on this website constantly. All I think about is the surgery. I have a bout 6weeks before it goes down. How do I keep my mind occupied?    — Athinnermom (posted on November 29, 2009)


November 29, 2009
Hi I totally understand what your going thru. I searched for recipes while on the internet and OH. I started a file in word and just copied them there. Anytime I found something that sounded good. I also made my "list" of what to take to the hospital and what I needed to purchase for my liquid part of the pre-op and post op diets. Order sample vitamins and protein so you can try them ahead of time. I also shopped for smaller clothes, it made it seam more real. Nothing expensive but checked sale racks at Target and Kohls. I also sorted out my closet by sizes and started weeding out old stuff that I knew I would never wear again. Anything under $5.00 since you don't wear anything very long. Sounds like your ready to make this step. Good luck!!
   — ToniLee

November 29, 2009
I kept busy with work and family and tried to put it out of my mnd. I still worried myself to death with it. Try to stay busy, collect samples off websites and recipes. Anything to get you ready for the new life.
   — trible

November 30, 2009
I was the very same way, totally obsessed. And when I finally
   — Janell C.

November 30, 2009
I was the very same way, totally obsessed. And when I finally was waiting to be wheeled into surgery, my husband said I just glowed I was so happy. Pre-surgery I did what the others listed above, plus I spent lots of time going through the before & after photos on OH.com, as well as reading everything on the site. If you can avoid it though, don't put on wait with too many "last suppers" (I did). Happy journey.
   — Janell C.

November 30, 2009
I spent hours on this site, in addition to signing up for the free SparkPeople Website. It is addicting....it's a HUGE website, with a place to record not only your weight and measurments, but also your cardio, your other exercises, your goals (and you track them), and there is a "planner" where you can put appointments that will pop up and remind you, and also where you can journal what you're feeling or doing (and that can also be something you track and earn points for), and you can have your own home-page similar to OH, where you can write about your weight loss journey, and what your goals are, and what your daily status is (how you're feeling or good or bad things that have happened, just anything you want), and like here you can join interest groups - for instance, I belong to the "living with osteo-arthritis" group, and the "ethnic food lovers" group, and the "dealing with depression" group, and the "Over 50 with over 100 pounds to lose" group. They have groups for your home-town, and they have "challenges" and they have exercises of the day. They also have a complete list of core exercises, upper body exercises, and lower body exercises, and videos of how to do them (including using weight machines, free weights, balance balls and resistance bands). They have health articles, and blog posts, and weight-loss-oriented trivia questions.... and you earn points for everything you do on the site. And you can use those points to give your friends virtual gifts, or buy virtual gifts for yourself. You also earn "progressive" trophies as you earn points. I tell you, between these two sites, and my email, I was constantly on the computer. BUT... a good thing to do would be to get into some kind of exercise routine right now, since you'll have to be doing it after surgery anyway. My surgeon expected us to walk at least an hour daily - we could break it up into 6 10 minute walks, but walking was not optional. I signed up for the gym, and learned to do the stationary bike, and the treadmill, and the rowing machine, and the elliptical, and then I added swimming. It helps get your lungs in shape for the surgery, as well. The better shape you're in, the better you're going to do, and the faster you'll be up and around afterwards. Congratulations on having a date, and don't drive yourself crazy.... just keep your eyes on the prize!
   — Erica Alikchihoo

November 30, 2009
Oh my I totally understand-I am the same way!
   — Teresa C.

November 30, 2009
I found myself living, breathing, eating, sleeping about my surgery when I was going to have it 5 yrs ago (almost Jan) so I totally understand what you mean. It will absorb you until it comes. I just stayed on this website reading and looking at before and after pics. I really don't have an answer for you but I can relate if that helps you any. I think it is normal. One thing I can say, is don' read a lot from different website along with this one. You will end up so confused, by that I mean getting "TOO MUCH" info and sometimes the wrong info will confuse you. It made my head spin. So my doctor's office told me not to surf too much. Best wishes to you. It will go fast so maybe you should take up knitting??? LOL
   — Kristy

December 1, 2009
Mine is in 9 weeks and the wait seems INTERMINABLE. I feel like I'm simply not going to make it I am so impatient. I keep trying to scheme on getting it done sooner, but keep coming up empty. I am on this website and thinner times forum like someone is paying me. I am as prepared as I possibly can be. The only thing that helps me is to think about making it to an intermediate event (like Thanksgiving and now Christmas) and keep focused on that. Problem is that I now don't want to have to suffer through one more event fat when I know that next Thanksgiving (for example) I won't have to! So I'm totally in the same boat. This countdown and waiting is worse than when I was pregnant!
   — rsw




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