Question:
Surgery next TUES. I'm totally having second thoughts, Did you?
I have been so emational today, mainly because of my father....See my profile, but I am so very nervous and I cant really tell, if it's me or other peoples opinion that is making me feel this way. I'm almost crying now (no, its not that time of the month). I want the surgery, and have worked hard to get it, I just need some advice from you and not from someone on the outside. — Karen W. (posted on December 6, 2002)
December 6, 2002
Karen,
You have to pray and ask God for peace. I was very emotional prior to my
surgery on 10/1/02 and when I went to church I would think about the
upcoming surgery and would cry Sunday after Sunday. Then I said to God
that I didn't won't to cry anymore and to give me peace about the surgery.
The Sunday before surgery I went to church and I did not cry. Even while
they were preping me for sugery I had such peace.
One more thing. Please do not allow family and friends to put negative
thoughts in your mind. If you have to avoid them, then that is what you
must do.
— Mary H.
December 6, 2002
It is normal to be emotional. My suggestion to you is to keep very busy. Be
with the people with whom you are comfortable. Go to work on Monday, be
busy and realize that Tuesday will be a very important day. I had LAP-RNY
on October 8, 2002, am 8 and a half weeks out and down 50 lbs. Best move I
ever made. Yes you will be emotional before and after but it will work
fine. Lots of good luck to you.
— Steve B.
December 6, 2002
I think that probably everyone here has had that second of doubt...it's
only normal to question such a life changing choice.....so what I did was
this...I took the time to first write down the pros and cons of this
surgery. What I could not do now that I wanted to do, and what I would be
able to do after the surgery. I also meditated often.. sometimes for 5 min,
sometimes a bit longer. Meditation "always" clears my mind of any
negative thoughts. But the very most important thing that I did was to turn
my fears and anxiety over to God, and when I did that, I found myself calm
and ready!! I simply put myself and this surgery in God's hands and I
became very peaceful about my choice, and the fear left. Even as I entered
the OR I had no fear about what I was about to undergo...I put my faith in
my God and in my surgeon, and that is all I needed!! Now, I am almost 3
weeks post-op and doing very well I think....no regrets so far. I have
chosen quality of life over quantity of food and I think the choice was a
wise one!
I wish you much luck and I will be sending you positive thoughts and
healing prayers so you might be able to relax a bit before your surgery.
Love and Light,
Lisa C.
— medium
December 6, 2002
What you are experiencing is perfectly natural. I had it before my surgery,
and what got me through was realizing that Fear is an emotion, and that was
a natural reaction to the uncertanties of an upcoming surgery. I also
realized that when I first made the decision to have surgery I was thinking
"logically" not reacting "emtionally" I just stood by
original decision and trusted myself to make the right decision. I Did,at 2
weeks out I'm down 40pds. I made the right decision.
— dkinson
December 6, 2002
You sound exactly like me before my surgery. I even just about bolted out
of the operating room. Now I am soooo glad I didn't. Please read my
profile it should make you feel better.
— Linda A.
December 6, 2002
I had myself dead and buried, right before surgery, left final instructions
the whole 9 yards. It actually turned out planning surgery was way tougher
than having it. A month from now you will wonder why you wasted so much
energy in worrying, I know cause I did. Fear is normal, but WLS saves so
many lives. Drop me a email, if you want. If I had backed out jen and me
would of both be dying of MO today. Rather than enjoying life. Together
were down over 230 POUNDS/ My wife had WLS after me. It will be fine. POST
OP IS THE PLACE TO BE.
— bob-haller
December 6, 2002
Such wonderful replies. I didn't ask the question but I certainly
appreciate the answers. My surgery is Monday and as I read the replies I
was doing a mental check list of all the things I am feeling. I started
the day out crying because I got an email from my cousin that read simply
"Happy Holidays". Then I got a call from the surgeons office.
See my surgery page about that one.
— Pat B.
December 6, 2002
Karen, I think we all have 2nd thought at one time or another. but when you
size it up as to where you are going with your weight. then your only
answer is the surgery.i dieted for several yrs and never kept it off.I had
lap gastric bypass a year ago i have lost 140 pounds and Ifeel so much
better. i can walk where i want now don't have to get help to do my
shopping.i had bad knees,hips and back.i am in such better health now. this
surgery has saved my life. you will never regret having this surgery.i
thank god every day for this surgery.i can't say i wasn't scared we all
are. but i also knew i wouldn't live much longer with all that weight i was
gaining every yrI'M STILL LOOSING EVEN AFTER A YR. IT'S ABOUT 6-8POUND A
MONTH BUT IT IS loosing AND NOT gaining.tHAT IS WORTH IT ALL. i've went
from a size 26-28 to a size 16-18 i never dream i would ever wear this size
again in my life time.I'mm 55 yr.old and feel even younger.so don't give in
to your fears, stand strong you will never regret it. god blees you.if I
can help just let me know.nancy [email protected].
— NANCY M.
December 6, 2002
My opinion: my surgery saved my life! I am 7 months out and have regained
not fat but a life! I'm down--drumroll please--150 pounds! I have 75 or
so more to go so I'm definitely not done but you will be amazed at how much
better EVERYTHING is when the weight comes off--everything is easier!
Ex.--walking, running, taking a shower, using the toilet, putting on
hosiery, zipping jeans, shopping, going to a restaurant and not having a
panic attack if seated in a booth that you're way too fat to fit into,
sleeping, PILATES, YOGA, tieing shoes in the middle not the side, wearing a
normal bra and not a double helmet, hugs are closer, kisses longer and
dancing is easier! This is just a sample of what you can expect in a few
months!
— jenn2002
December 6, 2002
hi karen :) i know exactly what you are going through. i think we all go
through this very thing. i was thankful to have such amazing support from
both family and friends that it really helped me. my hubby didnt express
his fear of it to me until it was all over as he didnt want it to change my
going through with it at all. i was so scared karen but you know the more i
thought about it, i realize that life is a risk just getting in the car to
go to get gas. i also realized that at the weight i was at, my world could
suddenly end due to heart attack and the like. i did much praying and
meditating. im spiritual and was talking to god and all my loved ones on
the other side asking for their guidance and their protection through this
and the very next day, a song came on that i hadnt heard in years, this
song i associate with a dear aunt i had lost some years ago and had been
talking to her the night before. this may sound crazy to some but i took it
as a sure sign that all would be well, and guess what... it was! :) im so
thankful everyday that i did so well and it has saved my life in so many
ways. its incredible! i dont regret a second of any of it.ill be praying
for you karen and you search within yourself the decision that is best for
you. god bless and good luck :)
— carrie M.
December 6, 2002
I had WLS on Sept. 16th. It was my first surgery. I was scared to death.
What kept me going was the realization of how disappointed I would be if I
didn't go through with it. I felt so hopeless before surgery and the
thought of ending that hopelessnes was enough to get me through. Best of
luck and you'll be in my prayers.
— Jamie H.
December 6, 2002
Karen, the day before my surgery, lap RNY, on Aug 22,02, I was having cold
feet. I made a comment to my 18 year old son about being nervous about
"no turning back after tomorrow". His comment to me was.....
"Mom, why would you want to??????"
It was the best thing that I could have ever done for myself. I have NO
REGRETS. It was his comment that gave me the strenght to move forward and
I've been moving forward since. Last night I went to Victoria Secret for
my first time and bought myself some pretty panties for the first time in
my life. I'M WORTH IT!!! AND SO ARE YOU
— Peggy B.
December 6, 2002
Karen, I believe we all go through the fear of the unknown.
I turned myself over to the Lord and said a little prayer.
" Lord if I'm to live as a thin person then let me wake up
if not then take me with you" I woke up and I'm the happiest
I've ever been. I have new WLS friends on AMOS, I'm finally
in a group where I belong and is respected for me and not
overlooked because of my size. I can go places and walk
without getting all sweaty. I can get rid of all those big
baggy dark, trying to hide the fat, clothes. I get up in
the morning and love life. I feel good about myself which
I never did before. I'm 7 months out and lost 75lbs. this
is slow compared to others I started at 294 but I will
tell you if I don't loose another lb I am less then I ever
was in a very long time- since high school and I'm 56 now,
and no diet I ever tried was ever that success full as
this wls tool that I have received. I'm glad I did it and
you will be too. Trust all the people who have replied to
your fears. We've been there and we understand and know the
outcome. Good Luck and Gods Bless you. Remember good things
will happen.
— Janet S.
December 7, 2002
Karen, i was scared too.. i cried the nite before.. told my husband i wasnt
going.. cried at the hospital.. i was terrified.. but i was more terrified
to keep living the life i was living.. yes it is risky.. but in the end it
was a risk i was willing to take.. It is all going to be ok.. email me if
ya need to talk.. hope this helped.. btw..im a huge fraidy cat..lol..
— johanna F.
December 7, 2002
Karen, I know how you are feeling. I cried the night before surgery, the
morning on my drive to the hospital, when I checked into the hospital, and
even cried a couple of tears waiting to be taken into the operating room.
But, I knew my life was in the Lord's hands. I had worked very hard to get
the surgery approved and waited a few months to get into see my surgeon. I
knew that the surgery is what I really desired, but I was scared and that
was natural. When I look back on my surgery experience the hardest things
that I had to face were my own fears of the unknown (being under anesthesia
as well as what I'd have to go through post-op), and my fear of changing my
life by having the surgery. Follow your dreams...it's worth it! I'll keep
you in my prayers.
— lezawomack
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