Surgery Fears

Hi! I'm new to the board. My name is Rachel, I live in Fairfield, and I am 26. I am going through my second surgery referral through Kaiser in Fremont (my surgeon will be Dr. Eric Hahn). I was originally referred and almost completed the program in 2005. 5 lbs away from my pre-op goal weight I basically chickened out, and since then have gained 80 lbs. I know I have to do this, but I am still scared to death of going under the knife! I know I can't be the only one. What helped you all overcome your fears? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

See my posts below from Saturday.

(1) You don't have to do the pre-op diet
(2) If you want the DS instead (make SURE you learn about it! Your BMI is probably over 50 now, from your post), you can force Kaiser to pay for it.

Fears are normal for any type of surgery. We that have had surgery have all gone thru that too. Pre-op diets are important  for some of the problems. I truly believe that it helps with the surgeons understanding their patients and how committed they are at following guidelines.

Best of luck to you no matter what you choose. Your surgeon should be able to guide you on what is best for you...

Hey Rachel,

Welcome to the Cali board, glad you have joined us.  Your fears are very real for you and if you haven't gone under the knife before or only had limited experience, I can relate.  One of the things that I kept thinking about was that I was in the hands of experts who are very skilled at what they do.  That and a deep seated faith in God, knowing that my Mom and Dad who passed away in 2001 would be there with me, and that my loving husband was waiting for me set me at ease.  My Surgeon and Anesthesiologist allowed me to wear my iPod into surgery, and being a musician, this helped to sooth me greatly.

We're here for you and pulling for you every step of the way.  We're also having a luncheon in Pleasant Hill (Chevy's) on June 27th, come join us and meet those that have gone before you and some that are waiting for surgery too.  Support is a wonderful thing if you embrace it.

Welcome again,
Barb

Thank you for all the support everyone. :) All good thoughts and ideas. I never thought about the IPod thing, I could definitely go for that. :) I would love to attent the meeting in Pleasant Hill. I have no clue where that is but I will find out. :P

YOU know whatever type of surgery you wind up with, it is scary to go under the knife. We would be worried about you if you were not.

I really hope that you do not chicken out again....it is hard to make a life long committment to wls. This is not an easy way out for sure. However, if you do go through with the surgery, having the tool like we are given makes it a whole lot easier to live a healthy lifestyle. Even if you get off track like we all do (yeah it happens) it is so much easier to go back and get on the horse so to speak!

We are here to support you with your decisions whether you go through surgery or not!!!

Welcome!!!

Hi Rachel.  Im Rachel too and my surgery date is 6/22.  Pleasant Hill is just over the Benicia Bridge and down Hwy. 680... I live not too far from you in Pinole.  I fight my fear each and every day, and its not so much about the surgery itself its more about afterwards - pain and follow-through.. and the fear of it "not working" or the fear of gaining all the weight back after a time ... the best advice I can give you and what has helped me tremendously, is to find a counselor/therapist and nutritionist who understands what's involved with bariatric surgery and start going NOW, read every book you can find on the subject, I prefer books to the internet - and the ones I like have to do with once you lose the weight how to keep it off - in the emotional brain sense... and talk to everyone you can here on this board.  Come to the luncheon on 6/27... go to every support group you can find most accept anyone who is considering surgery... I will only be a couple of days out of surgery then, and my goal is to make it to that.. not only for the support but to support those who are where I am now - excited... scared... and waiting to start a new life... its a huge decision, but knowledge will take the fear out of it for you.. I promise.. it is working for me!!!

Love & Hugs...
Rachel

You guys are amazing. Thank you so much! All the of the advice has been great and it's comforting to know I'm not the only one scared about going under the knife. I'm going to do my best to make it to the luncheon in June. Hopefully by then I'll be a little more familiar with everyone. Rachel, good luck with your surgery. I'll make sure to keep you in my prayers. :) Do you have any suggestions for books that were particularly helpful to you? Thanks!

Here are the ones I have found to be most helpful:

Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies by Marina S. Kurian, Barbara Thompson, and Brian K. Davidson

Now That You've Lost It: How to Maintain Your Best Weight by Joyce D PhD Nash

Take It Off and Keep It Off by Anonymous

The first one is the most informative no-nonsense book I have found that covers everything WLS from a to z... the second book addresses lots of emotional issues and is very interesting.  I would be reading and I discovered so much about myself and my relationships - its amazing.. and the third is in the Overeater's Anonymous genre, and is informative and inspirational.  I like it that its small and I can pop it in my purse for those waiting room moments... it helps keep me on track and keep real world solutions to the issues that haunt me in the forefront of my mind...  

There are lots of other books that are inspirational that start out with the basics about the surgery and the person's journey.. one made me really mad when the woman who worked from home started jetting off all around the world and her adventures in traveling and eating gourmet food of all things.. and I got the point of it - that her life had completely changed from not wanting to do those things because she was fat and self conscious and now she could because she had lost weight with WLS... but for someone like me that will have to resume my life ... work... commute... taking care of my family and our home... and the stress of all that... I kinda did a WTF at it... I don't see me and the Mr. jetting off to Vegas on the weekends or boarding luxury yachts and what not... rather continuing to cram everything into weekends and vacations and keeping with the weekly grind to make a living...

so... hope the books help you as they have me.  And yeppers... I really hope to meet you on the 6/27!!! God willing on my part...

All the best.. email me anytime.
~Rachel