Question:
High Anxiety!!!!

I would really like to talk to other people who have anxiety. I really want this surgery my bmi is 57 and i am 22 yrs old. I don't have any co-morbids, but i know if i don't do something i will. My problem is that i know if i have the surgery every time i feel dizzy or have any of the other normal things, I'm gonna freak out. I know it's normal to be scared, and i have been doing a lot of research, so that i am more informed. I guess i would just like someone to talk to post or pre-op with the same issues of anxiety, leave a post or you can e mail me at [email protected] Thanks!    — Amber F. (posted on March 15, 2002)

March 14, 2002
I'm pretty wigged out myself - we started a prayer group for this exact sort of thing ... trying to release the fear. Feel free to join, we're a small group right now - just started this last week. Email me at [email protected]. To be quite honest, the more I read on this page, which I am addicted to, the more wiggier (is that a word) I am getting. I believe the previous poster was right though and I heard it on here...not only those people with medical problems could go today as easily as any other day - ANYONE can. If our ticket is up, our ticket is up...we could go just as easily sitting on a couch as we could on that table. We've got to hang on to that belief...write me if you'd like - we can be buddy pen-pals. :) Good Luck
   — Lisa J.

March 14, 2002
Hi Amber, I am 3 months post-op with the DS. I am down 65 lbs. (started at 360 lbs.) and five pants sizes. I feel absolutely wonderful!!! Please ask yourself how you will feel in five years without the surgery? You are so young and deserve a full, happy life. The excess weight will just keep adding up and the quality of your life will go down. It's so normal to be afraid, but we have to decide which of the choices gives us the best life. The best confidence builder is a surgeon you trust. Check them out thoroughly and talk to as many patients of theirs as you can. Also, trust in yourself and whatever higher being you believe in. It is not an easy decision but one that will affect you for many, many years. Make a list of pros and cons and see whether that helps ease your fears. Good Luck!
   — grammie5

March 15, 2002
Amber...the situation you just described is exactly what I am going through. I am 21 (Will be turning 22 the day of my surgery which is April 30th) and I have a BMI of 57. As each day passes, I get more and more anxiety about going through with this. I know it's the only thing that will work for me and I am positive that this is what I want to do, but I'm scared at the same time. I just wanted to let you know that I can totally relate to what you're going through and feel free to email me.
   — Kelly M.

March 15, 2002
Hi, I am 23 and experience a lot of anxiety myself. My surgery is in 3 months, so I am not too bad yet. I do a lot of things to try and keep my mind off surgery (you can see my profile for details). Basically I just try and ignore it for now. I did extensive research for a very long time, and feel very informed. That is about all I felt I can do, and other than that I just try to keep busy. I have created a webpage where I put all my goals and a weight loss chart, among other things. I know that when my surgery gets closer my anxiety will get worse. I am prone to panic attacks, but I take Ativan as needed, which I find to be a very nice drug. If you don't already have some, you should ask your doctor about it, because it helps me a lot when I have anxiety. Also, I have heard when you go into surgery they will give you Versed if you ask for it, which calms you down as well. I plan on taking Ativan the night before and then having plenty of Versed going into surgery. Anyway, feel free to read my profile and look at my web page www.geocities.com/toolgrl150/WLS.html for ideas on keeping your mind off surgery. I feel that if you have researched it all you can so you are well informed, all you can really do is find ways to bide your time while surgery comes. Hope this helps, and feel free to email me!
   — Jennifer Y.