Question:
Anyone else NOT excited about having the surgery?

I hear SOOO often that preops are SO excited about the upcoming surgery. (Of course nervous too...) However, I am feeling (besides extreme nervousness) ho hum about it. FOr instance, a friend asked what was going on. I had said yup, I;m scheduled, but I'll probably be the one it doesn't suceeed for!! If I make it!! - You know trying to sound funny. She said, Gosh, with that kind of attitude, you shouldn't do it!! I guess I'm just so leary, everything else has failed me. I don't want to be disappointed again. Any others felt that way? Will it turn around once I have surgery? Or is this not a good sign? Thanks.    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 15, 2001)

January 15, 2001
This is a life changing procedure. You've probably read that this isn't a miracle cure, it is only a tool. I was scared spitless prior to surgery. Scared something would go wrong, scared the doctor would change his mind and not let me have it, scared I'd throw up and rip the staple line, scared I'd never eat beef again. And, I'm the biggest chicken I know. But, I refused to let anyone talk me out of it and I was extremely apprehensive - even for a month post op. I guess I felt the "hum" because I read so many success stories that I saw this as my chance to be "normal". If you aren't hearing the hum, maybe you really aren't comfortable with this. Are you comfortable with your life now? Are you happy? What was the deciding factor for you to pursue WLS? Is that not still a factor? I can't advise you to have the surgery, I can only tell you that I would do it again in a heartbeat. My favorite comment since surgery has been "I didn't recognize you!" I love it. And I'm positive you will too.
   — [Anonymous]

January 15, 2001
I CAN ONLY TELL YOU THAT I WAS WXTEMELY NERVOUS ABOUT HAVING THIS. AND FEERFUL THAT I WOULD FAIL. JUST LIKE I DID WITH EVERY DIET IVE EVER BEEN ON AND THE TRUTH IS THAT YOU CANT REALLY FAIL AT THIS . MY DOCTOR TOLD ME ITS FOOL PROOF AND YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT NO MATTER WHAT. AND YOU CAN GET SOME GOOD ADVICE ON HOW TO EAT AND EXCERCISE AND IT WILL WORK EVEN BETTER FOR YOU. BUT MY BIGGEST FEAR WAS DIEING AND I MADE IT. AND HAVE LOST 84 LBS IN 3 MONTHS AND HAVE LOST 12 SIZES. IT FEELS GREAT AND MY FAVORITE WAS WHEN I WENT TO SEE MY DR YESTERDAY AND HE SAID "WOW I HAD TO LOOK AT YOUR CHART TO SEE IF YOU WHERE WHO I THOUGHT YOU WHERE".AND YOU WILL FEEL GREAT WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE AND YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO A NEW YOU YOU WILL FEEL GREAT. GOOD LUCK AND FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME IF YOU NEED SOME ONE TO TALK TO.
   — Heather K.

January 16, 2001
I'm having my surgery very soon now and I don't feel a lot of excitement- more like calm acceptance. Some of us don't emote as strongly as others. Maybe you're like that. If you know in your own mind that the surgery will be helpful for you, don't worry about the lack of excitement. Just do what your heart and mind convince you to do.
   — [Anonymous]

April 21, 2001
I am having my second revision of an old VGB (1984) on 5/18/01. My husband doess not think it is anything to worry about - but the surgery entails a hiatal hernia repair and converting old VGB to RNY - about 4 hours on the table, 7 days in hospital and 4-10 wks out of work. I am not excited, I am scared! But the reflux from the hernia will kill me soon if ai do not do this...
   — kathryn O.

June 27, 2001
I'm not scheduled yet, but hope to be soon. I understand your reticence. In 19 years I have had 4 surgeries and am pretty much down to vital organs now! My concern, aside from normal pre-op nerves, is that I had to manipulate healthy organs, i.e. intestines and stomach. When I had my appendectomy, hysterectomy, gallbladder, etc., these were diseased organs and it made sense to remove them. So I do have a bit of a problem with it from that standpoint. But I also know that the 3 pills a day I take just for hypertension aren't enough to keep the pressure down and all the other side effects of being overweight are enough to make me think that it will be a fair trade.
   — scottiemaam O.

September 26, 2003
Hi, I am exactly 2 weeks away from laparoscopic Rouny-Y gastric bypass proceedure. I had originally investigated somewhat 14 months ago and went only to a seminar regarding. I was living in an apartment at my son's and daughter in laws home during that time. I had told them I was making an appt for 1st consult and before the date came up, my daughter in law had taken it upon herself to find every piece of neg info she could find and gave it to me. After reading it I chickened out..I suspect she had really alterior motives for making sure I had this neg info. I suspect she was afraid something would go wrong and they would be stuck with me forever. I was separated at that time. Last winter a friend told me they were going thru the steps to see if they qualified for the bypass, BMI and insurance wise. When I found out there was a laparoscopic proceedure instead of just an open available, I started investigating again. I decided I wanted to do this for health issues. Osteoarthritis, DM type II, hypertension, and just announced to my family that I was going to do this and don't even think about trying to dissuade me. They have respected my wishes. My mom and one brother are making me nutty! Everytime I talk with them it's, "aren't you just so excited about the surgery?" And it's like NO I AM NOT EXCITED ABOUT THE SURGERY!! I AM SCARED WITLESS! I AM A BIG BABY, NEVER EVEN HAD MY TONSILS OUT! I am having sleepless nites and am scared. But I am going to do this, because I have no quality life as it is right now. I want to feel much healthier and better again. I want to be there for my wonderful grandchildren and children. I am so lucky that I have the insurance and proceedure available to me to help me succeed in my weight loss journey. I know that I have made the right decision to get my life back in control again. Linda, wish me luck and your prayers..
   — Linda O.