Question:
I'm only in the research stage, but obsessing already
I have been doing research on WLS for about a month, and I believe that I want to go through Compass. It seems like instead of my nerves settling as I come closer to making a decision, I get more fluttered and get scared of taking each step, no matter how small. Need to call the insurance company? Scared. Need to call the doctor's office? Scared. Need to ask a question of Compass? Scared! I was even afraid to post this question! I am normally a pretty calm and even headed person, but the possibility of having this surgery is really messing with my head. I would think that knowledge is power, or at least calm, but the opposite seems to be true with me. It's not necessarily the idea of actual surgery that is blowing my mind (yet), it's the process. I guess I just want to hear that someone else stayed freaked out like I am now, and got past it. Thanks. — Jeanie (posted on August 19, 2002)
August 19, 2002
— Tricia C.
August 19, 2002
I seriously started research earlier this year, and hove gone thru all the
test and evaluations requested by the surgeon, now that I have gotten a
date, I am obessing, anxious, freaking out, etc. on a daily basis. I do
not know if this is natural or not, but you are not alone. I am reading
everything I can both here and other sites. I talk about it to my friends
every day (they will soon tell me to shut up). I hope I can make it to
November without having a nervous break down :). Keep reading and
researching, the more you know the better equipt you will be.
— sharon E.
August 19, 2002
I know exactly how you feel. I'm past the research stage, and have already
had the consult. Know that at each stage, you will feel a little better
(even though you will still 'freak out'!) because you're closer to being
healthy. What 'slaps' me back into reality when I start freaking out is
that I'm doing something positive for myself, that I am taking a step
toward healthy living and looking foward to doing so. Freaking out is
normal because there are so many stages. Continue to research and I advise
you to bookmark this website. I go to it regularly every day - even more
often than I check my e-mail. Believe me, I freak out less now. Good luck
to you and know that you're not alone. :-)
— [Deactivated Member]
August 19, 2002
I know exactly how you feel. I'm past the research stage, and have already
had the consult. Know that at each stage, you will feel a little better
(even though you will still 'freak out'!) because you're closer to being
healthy. What 'slaps' me back into reality when I start freaking out is
that I'm doing something positive for myself, that I am taking a step
toward healthy living and looking foward to doing so. Freaking out is
normal because there are so many stages. Continue to research and I advise
you to bookmark this website. I go to it regularly every day - even more
often than I check my e-mail. Believe me, I freak out less now. Good luck
to you and know that you're not alone. :-)
— [Deactivated Member]
August 19, 2002
Sorry I posted twice. I don't know what happened, but I think it had to do
with hitting the reload button. OOPS :-(
— [Deactivated Member]
August 19, 2002
Hi Jeanie -- I think your feelings are absolutely normal. I began
obsessing about this in March, and I've already had my surgery, and I'm
still obsessing. What's good about it is that it makes you educate
yourself on all the issues surrounding WLS (and there are so many). It's
also preparing you for the surgery itself, because even though you may be
scared then (some aren't!), you will know you did so much reading and
thinking and asking that you've really done all you can to get ready. Keep
on obsessing if it helps you move forward in making your decision, no
matter which way you decide to go in the end. Good luck!
— Suzy C.
August 19, 2002
WHOA...pegged me too! I'm still a postie...waiting on my insurance to roll
over to a plan where it's possible for me to have the surgery. I'm also
going through Compass!! I still obsess...I'm working a job where I can
check this web site continuously throughout the day. (Before this web
site, it was the news sites because of all this terrorism crap...it's a
nervous obsession I guess.) Anyway...I keep reading and researching and
eventually, you'll get up the nerve to talk to your docs about the surgery.
Once you've cross that pothole, you'll feel better about the whole
situation. I mentioned it to one of my docs (with the biggest lump in my
throat argh!), and it didn't turn out nearly as bad as I had anticipated.
He gave me the eat right and exercise line, so I've done that for over a
month now (I'm waiting on my insurance anyway, so it didn't matter anyway).
When I go back for my check up for sleep apnea, I'm going to tell him he
needs to either give me a letter of medical necessity so I can move forward
with my insurance or he needs to give me a better reason why I
shouldn't...what is going to help me lose weight?--Diets have given me 150
lbs I don't need, so they're not the answer...drugs--ditto...there's only 1
option left, and NIH states that it's the most effective. NIH states that
97% of us MOs that go on diets are doomed to failure...is it any wonder we
are so scared and shamed everytime the subject of dieting comes up??? HANG
in there...talk to your doctor and BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE!! You would stand
up for your family members' health...so find a way to get the courage to do
this for the most important person in the world to you! YOURSELF!! :)
(Sorry so long...just explaining my situation)...I'm still obessing...but
now, I have CLARITY and FOCUS!! :) GOOD LUCK TO YOU!! :)
— Lynda L.
August 19, 2002
I know that it's nerve racking to say the least! It took me a year to make
the decision! I researched up until the last night before my surgery 4.5
weeks ago! It is a major decision. One must be prepared and to be honest
I thought I was, but once you get on the other side there are many
adjustments to make, but it's worthwhile every time I get onto the scale at
the Dr.'s and see I have dropped again...What your feeling is COMPLETELY
normal! Feel free to e-mail me, I would be happy to talk to you! Best of
luck no matter what decision you make! Smiles,
— Trish R.
August 19, 2002
Jeanie, I started doing the same things you have talked about and one day
realized for me I not only was scared to start the process. I was scared
to talk to anyone about it, including insurance reps I had never met and
even people over the phone about appointments. I then came to the
realization that to talk about it or start the proceedings meant that I was
admitting that I am MORBIDLY OBESE. That was it! That was what was
hanging me up so bad about talk to people about setting appointments and
insurance legalities. When I finally went to my PCP and confronted my
issues with admitting my obesity I then had no problems and can now talk to
anyone about it. I sure hope this helps you and good luck. GOD BLESS!!
— DRutherford
August 19, 2002
Hey thats ME pre op. I was even afraid to create a profile here:( Glad I
stuck with it lost 130 pounds.... Really HAVE to update my profile. Life is
just greatr and so busy..:)
— bob-haller
August 19, 2002
That sounds too much like me pre-op. I actually researched for 5 months
before scheduling my initial consultation. I was so scared, I decided about
2 months into researching that I didn't want the surgery. Well, low and
behold, 3 months later, 1 day I just decided this is what I want, no this
is what I need for me, for my health. Well, here I am almost 9 weeks post
op and would absolutely have the surgery all over again. The bariatric
center took care of all my insurance issues, and telling my pcp I am having
the surgery, turned out to be no big deal, she was happy for me. Good Luck
and Good Bless in your journey! What you are feeling is completely normal.
— stacjean
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