Help...is this normal?
I have my date of surgery scheduled for April 16....in my opinion a long time away. The more days go by the more I want this but also the more I doubt myself. I know without this is what I need despite how drastic it is. But I can't help but think of every effort I have made and every failure. I can't afford to fail at this. I can do this but I am having a hard time convincing myself. The days of waiting just give me more time to second guess my will power and self confidence. I will not back out of this! I will not sabotage this process but I am so scared of myself. Please tell me I am not the only one who is scared to death of myself!
Oh my go**** is so normal that it is practically mandatory! Nearly everyone does just the same. I can only suggest that you keep yourself busy (I had to paint my kitchen and clean the whole house), try to get some extra exercise in, learn even more what it takes to be a success, and what it takes to fail. That is a lesson I learned and have been glad for it.
Good luck, Sue
I have posted this message or something very similar many times over. I want to say this to you now as I think it is important for you to think about this ... as you said you really can't afford to fail at this ... with that in mind you will be successful.
Aren't you more afraid not to have surgery? Being obese will kill you. Your life being obese is greatly diminished and it is a slow death. Getting surgery fixes so many health issues. There is no way to know what you will need or not need post op in the way of meds. There is tons of evidence of numerous bad health issues if you don't have the surgery.
By the way this is the same speech I have given several times before about all the negatives of not having the surgery should be way scarier than what may or may not happen with the surgery. This is usually written in response to the thousands of post that are placed a day or two prior to surgery when people start to second guess their choices and research. You will see these posts and they are usually written saying something like excited and nervous ... is this normal? Yep. Normal. I don't get the nervous part. I was way more nervous about doing nothing and slowly killing myself and all of the poor health associated with obesity.
There is no choice here ... have the surgery.
It's ABSOLUTELY normal. I can't tell you how many entries like yours I have read in this forum. I can also testify that if it isn't normal, I'm the most abnormal man on earth . We all have our doubts. I'm six weeks post op and I still have my moments of doubt. No words here can totally erase the doubts. Just keep reading all that you can here. I found it helpful to focus more on the reasons why I was having the surgery.
God be with you on your journey.
What you're feeling is normal...but as you know this will not be an effort, it will be a permanent physical change, how you deal with it mentally is up to you. You have a great opportunity to get your head in the game mentally before surgery by acting like you *already* had surgery. Eat like you've already been sleeved: protein first, 2-3 oz., chew chew chew (then chew some more), no drinking with meals etc. Build the habits now so they are easier to do after surgery.
Are you going to be perfect? Nah, no one is perfect. =) So recognize that while you may make choices that aren't best for you (OMG why did I eat that twinkie, the sugar dump!) that does NOT keep you from moving forward with positive choices that nourish and sustain your body.
I've lost 75 pounds with the sleeve and I still struggle with cravings, but you know what? I struggle 75 pounds lighter and a rocking bod! You can do this hon! *hugs*
on 3/11/13 11:50 am
on 3/11/13 12:59 pm
I'm 2 weeks post op and I feel like this is so worth it, but it takes a lot of work. I have to fight my compulsive side to want to overeat and self-sabotage (which, sadly, I have done in the past week - it was ugly). I am seeking lots and lots of help (coaches, therapists, etc.). In one of my bariatric support groups they say 10% is the Sleeve, 90% is me and my willingness = the formula for Success. But it is amazing that I used to eat 3,500 calories a day and not exercise and today I am eating about 600 - 700 calories a day, super low carb and walking about 30 minutes a day and drinking 80 - 100oz of water. I would do this surgery again in a heartbeat.