Question:
Has anyone else been scared the night before their first surgical consult?

. I continue to think about it and how many ways he can say "no". Or he may be a total creep and I might not notice because I'm so anxious to be there and get the ball rolling. I am really scared s***less. Suppose I sound stupid or stutter, which years ago I did.    — alecsnana (posted on July 2, 2003)

July 2, 2003
I think that the way you are feeling is totally common! Don't be so nervous, or at least try not to be. Just about everyone who goes in has the same type of anxiety before they visit. I think that is why you read over and over in everyone's profile that the doc was sooo great. Cause they half expected the fat police to come in the room and stamp a denied sign on their forhead! lol. I felt like I was soo hungry the night before my consult (last friday!) and I realized one big A** sandwich later, that it was just nerves. I have performed in front of thousands of people, and I rarely experience nerves, but in this instance, I sure did. Just relax. Prepare your questions ahead of time, cause it is hard to remember them when you are afraid you are going to say the wrong thing. Now take a deep breath, and just do what you need to do. You will do fine. Good luck to you! :>
   — TameraD

July 2, 2003
GOOD LUCK, I'LL BE IN YOUR SHOES NEXT WEEK!! I JUST CANT WAIT!!
   — ALLYSON C.

July 2, 2003
Everyone is afraid. You will be deciding on a procedure that will impact your life. It is natural. But just wait, for me the night before surgery I was scared to death.The fear will be present until a decision is made as to procedure and the outcome
   — Patricia W.

July 2, 2003
What you havent realized is that for the surgeon its his JOB to operate on you. Its a business and your a customer. If no one wanted surgery he or she would be unemployeed. Given this they have to qualify us for insurance approval and do pre op testing so surgery can be safe and effective. These hurdles weed out some folks. But each one of us are part of your surgeons livelyhood and as such they REALLY dont want to say no. <P> I know how stressful this all is but try to relax a bit. Sadly I lost the better part of a year worrying about all of this for no reason, it consumed me so I wasted that part of my life. So take a walk, visit a friend, go to the movies or do something else you enjoy to relax. Soon you will be like me and say: POST OP IS THE PLACE TO BE!!!
   — bob-haller

July 2, 2003
I have epilepsy. I have Grand Mal (convulsion) seizures. The night before my first consult I was a nervous wreck. I was sure the doctor was going to say no. I was so nervous went in for my first consult my blood pressure was very high. My surgein said fine to the surgery, but first I had to see a cardiologist. He was worried about my blood pressure!!! I did fine and will be having surgery 7/29. So calm down. I had to have a stress test just to prove my heart was ok. God bless
   — Leica R.

July 2, 2003
CONGRATULATIONS! You are completely NORMAL! Nervousness is just a way for human beings to protect themselves. Remember: THE DOCTOR WORKS FOR YOU - YOU ARE HIRING HIM! You can also fire him. It's your body and your life and you are taking steps to care for it and protect it - WAY TO GO! If you think the guy is a creep or you don't like him - move on to another doc. This website is so informative and there are lots of people out there willing to help. Take a friend or family member with you, write down a list of questions and don't leave until you have your answers. Take care, let us all know how the visit went.
   — Deborah F.

July 2, 2003
I was afraid that I would be my doc's largest patient (I was in the normal range of his patients). I was afraid that he'd be like so many medical professionals I'd met before him - rude, mean to me (I liked my surgeon immediately). I was scared of making this life altering decision and coming to terms with the realization that my weight problem was this out of control. So you feel some confidence going into the consultation (but it's a good idea anyway), go prepared with lists of how your weight affects your life (financially, emotionally, physically), all of the diet/drugs you've tried, list of comorbids, support people, and questions you may have for the surgeon. And like the others said, he works for you. If he doesn't seem up to par, fire him and hire someone else. Good luck!
   — Yolanda J.

July 3, 2003
I was so nervous after I made my appointment that I "power ate" until then so I'd be sure that my BMI was high enough. I was considred a light weight at 255 lbs.. Maybe to him, but not to me. I was fine, approved, and all went well. But if you really want to know when I was nervous, it was the day of surgery, in the hospital, walking into the operating room. I thought "what the heck am I doing to myself" and that this was the last day of my life. I think almost everyone must have some anxiety at some point along the road to having surgery. Even with the discomfort of healing, and all my anxiety, I did not for one minute ever regret having it done. I only wish the idea came into my thoughts years ago. Best of luck!!!
   — Fixnmyself