When you were pre-op...

I'm about 6 weeks away from surgery and I'm going through waves of totally freaking out... I'm worried I'll fail at this the same way i failed at every other weight loss attempt... Did anyone else feel this way before surgery? It's too much to go through to end up the same place I started when I get to the other side... and I know it's not a cure, it's a tool... and I think that's what freaks me out... I don't think I trust myself to use the tool properly... I mean, if all my other attempts had been successful, i wouldn't be here now... am I making sense or do I sound like a total lunatic? ~raphie 'what you ignore is priceless to me'

These feelings are normal. Unfortunately I only had a week once my surgery was scheduled to think about these things. I was not a member of OH yet so you already have a head start on things. We will all be here to support you through these feelings. Just remember that because it is a tool you still have to use it and at times the tool will remind you that you need to follow the rules. I am 2 1/2 years out and still have moments where I am reminded that I have a tool. BTW you are not a lunatic.

Unfortunately some people do fail at it for any number of reasons. If you have your mind set that you will do what is required, not find ways to cheat or build tolerances and stick to an good nutrition and exercise program you will do well. Dumping is a good thing. If you can talk your doctor into a distal bypass so you are certain to dump the negative reinforcement will work every time. Ahmed

you sound like me raphie. but that sounds very normal and reasonable for a preop and i wouldnt think we're the only ones.  It IS too much to go through to end up the same place you started. and you're gonna keep that in your head and keep your before pictures around some big clothes around and Never forget that person you used to be. it's normal to have self doubt. but this is a chance at a new life, right? we have to be positive and grab the bull by the horns so to speak. we would be doing ourselves a huge disservice to go through all the insurance crap, rerouting our guts and pain, just to see what we can get away with and not follow the surgeons rules. you must be ready if you've came this far. get that self doubt out of your head! continue to read success stories, look at inspirational before and after pictures and amp up the positive self talk! you can dooo eeeet! :) that's just my two cents. take care!

I think we all feel that way from our past failures...but I think that it is probably a good thing to worry about.....I did also worry like you are..but hey I am 52 lbs. down and feeling great.....I am sure that you will do fine and you will relax a little after you are home from surgery.....

Raphie, What you are feeling is normal, but have faith you to will soon be on the losing side.  You are going to be in Great hands, Dr. Schram also did my daughters surgery 2 years ago. And we love him dearly for the gift he gives.  Cindi

I had the same fears and questions.  It didn't make sense to me.  I thought I was going to need a tremendous amount of will power to use this tool, and I was in the position I was in because I had no willpower.  What I will say is, to my relief, it's taking little will power to do this.  Actually, it's more of a challenge to get the food in than it is to keep it out of my mouth.  It takes so little food to feel very, very full.  I have to keep track of my food to make sure I get enough!  I don't know if I will dump from sugar because I've taken the advice very seriously - don't tempt the waters.  I've been without sweets for seven months now.  I'm trying to think of it just like an alcoholic - I refuse to take the first bite. Marie

Hey Raphie, You're normal :) You can gain your weight back if you don't use your tool properly. Rule #1 (in my book) DON'T TEST THE WATERS. If you ever get brave and try sugar, then I hope you dump very badly, the way I did. If you do then you will never touch the stuff again, Sugar is Poisson to me. Rule # 2 (in my book) DON'T TEST THE WATERS. I hope you never try chips and the like ~they call out to me and I always have a fight on my hands ~it's better to just not even go there. By the way I don't eat them (anymore) it’s too hard to stop. Rule #3 (in my book) DON'T TEST THE WATERS! Always remember to sip, sip, sip, chew, chew, chew, walk, walk, walk. You can do this raphie ~just follow all of the rules set up by your surgeon, It's not a pick and choose kind of thing. Support groups help a lot to. Best wishes to you. God bless, Annette

Thanks everyone for all the support. I guess it's normal to doubt myself somewhat. I think I'll probably go through waves of self doubt and confidence before surgery finally arrives... I feel really good about my surgery (cindi - I adored dr. schram. i felt so incredibly comfortable with him. he was thorough, informative, but not ****y.) i feel good about the venue i chose to have surgery at after researching multiple programs. it's myself i sometimes question... all the amazing success on this board is great motivation thought - crystal, i can't believe you're down 50+ pounds already - it seems like just yesterday you were counting down how many sleeps you had before surgery!

Hi Raphie, I felt the same exact way you do before I had my surgery.  I still felt like that 2-3 months out.  You're not alone and you're not a lunatic.  Just remember not to compare yourself to anyone else.  Everyone loses weight at a different pace.   You will have plateaus, you will have bad days, you will have wonderful days, and WLS does not fix your brain.  I still have issues with food, but I don't let it control me anymore.  I am almost 9 months out and I've lost between 73-75 lbs.  Its still crazy to me that I've lost that much, but you can do it, too. Just use the tool as its intended and I'm confident you will do great! <3 Anissa