TERRIFIED.
For the past few days I've felt like I'm going insane. Maybe its just me, and I'm not mentally ready for this surgery. I am terrified. I have cried every single day since I got my surgery date. I haven't figured out if its because of the surgery or because I haven't eaten much in the past 5 days because I don't know what to eat. I've been living off of protein shakes and grilled chicken or salmon and veggies once a day. Maybe I'm hungry. Maybe I'm just losing my mind. I got into a huge fight with my sister and Dad today for no reason. I am being unreasonable. I feel crazy. I'm aggitated and confused. Did anyone else go through this? Help!
omg i remember that feeling! i didnt want to even go into my office. I sat in the car and called a co worker that had bypass surgery and she gave me support.She totally explained that what i was going thru was totally normal and that she went thru that also. So stay encouraged, know that you are fine and that you are finally going to have the body that you have wanted for so long!!! stay in touch and hit up OH when ever u can its a life saver for me.
DITTO - and I don't even have my date yet.....I'm prone to anxiety, anyway, so this decision and all that it entails/will entail/the unknowns is driving me crazy - I hear you big time! I'm going back to my old therapist in a few weeks to support me throughout the process and after...lol
January 8th, 2013 - VSG with Dr Paul Sullivan (St Joe's Toronto)
LJ123
on 8/21/12 3:08 pm
on 8/21/12 3:08 pm
I was strangely calm before my surgery (strange because I am an anxious person), but I have seen many many similar posts like yours since I have been on OH.
It's a life changing event, one that requires major lifestyle changes. It's scary!
But it is worth it!! You'll move beyond the scared stage soon after surgery. Don't worry, emotional upheaval is normal.
It's a life changing event, one that requires major lifestyle changes. It's scary!
But it is worth it!! You'll move beyond the scared stage soon after surgery. Don't worry, emotional upheaval is normal.
Hi Lauren 
Everyone goes through something in anticipation of this surgery. Some feel like you do -- nervous, emotional, confused, unsure of themselves, etc. Others feel like I did -- totally ready and gung-ho with few, if any, anxieties. And there are others who felt all the emotions that fit between. It's all normal -- for each person.
First, you need to relax and breathe. Ask yourself why you think you aren't ready for this surgery. If it's fear of pain, discomfort, not knowing what to expect, etc., then talk to your surgeon and his staff. You must be totally informed about what is going to happen and what to expect post surgery.
If you don't feel ready to have the surgery for other reasons, you need to figure out exactly what it is that is causing the anxiety about having it. Are you afraid of giving up foods for good? That won't happen. Eventually, you'll be able to eat everything -- just much smaller portions and some foods very infrequently. Are you afraid you don't have the fortitude to commit to the plan your surgeon/nutritionist has shown you? Do you feel that you need to do more research about the surgery before having it? Ask yourself questions along these lines. Once you feel you've figured it out what your biggest concerns are, talk to the surgeon and his staff for some guidance.
Another question to ask yourself -- are you afraid that you will be hungry all the time? I can assure you that you won't feel much hunger early out -- the part of the stomach that makes the most ghrelin is removed, so you won't feel hunger for several months, at least. That's what my surgeon told me and so far, it's been true in my case.
When you say you haven't eaten much in the last 5 days, what do you mean? If you are drinking protein shakes, eating grilled chicken and fish and having some veggies, that's typical of what a surgeon might want you to eat pre-op. It sounds a lot like a carb detox diet. You can get really emotional, cranky, fussy, crazy, and all those things when you detox from carbs. And you definitely want to detox prior to your surgery.
Your family members will forgive you for this brief period prior to surgery -- just let them know this is a temporary thing with you.
I don't know how to help you other than what I've said above. I'm only 8 weeks out and can advise only from my own experience and what I've read about that others have had happen. There are vets here who have much wisdom to share and probably help you better than I can.
What I can promise is that if you pose your questions here on OH, you will get a lot of responses and advice. Take what you read and use what most applies to YOU. This s YOUR surgery, YOUR journey. Those of us who are post-op, no matter how far out we are, will do our best for you.
Sending you ((((((((( HUGS ))))))))))..............you can get through this!
Ree
Everyone goes through something in anticipation of this surgery. Some feel like you do -- nervous, emotional, confused, unsure of themselves, etc. Others feel like I did -- totally ready and gung-ho with few, if any, anxieties. And there are others who felt all the emotions that fit between. It's all normal -- for each person.
First, you need to relax and breathe. Ask yourself why you think you aren't ready for this surgery. If it's fear of pain, discomfort, not knowing what to expect, etc., then talk to your surgeon and his staff. You must be totally informed about what is going to happen and what to expect post surgery.
If you don't feel ready to have the surgery for other reasons, you need to figure out exactly what it is that is causing the anxiety about having it. Are you afraid of giving up foods for good? That won't happen. Eventually, you'll be able to eat everything -- just much smaller portions and some foods very infrequently. Are you afraid you don't have the fortitude to commit to the plan your surgeon/nutritionist has shown you? Do you feel that you need to do more research about the surgery before having it? Ask yourself questions along these lines. Once you feel you've figured it out what your biggest concerns are, talk to the surgeon and his staff for some guidance.
Another question to ask yourself -- are you afraid that you will be hungry all the time? I can assure you that you won't feel much hunger early out -- the part of the stomach that makes the most ghrelin is removed, so you won't feel hunger for several months, at least. That's what my surgeon told me and so far, it's been true in my case.
When you say you haven't eaten much in the last 5 days, what do you mean? If you are drinking protein shakes, eating grilled chicken and fish and having some veggies, that's typical of what a surgeon might want you to eat pre-op. It sounds a lot like a carb detox diet. You can get really emotional, cranky, fussy, crazy, and all those things when you detox from carbs. And you definitely want to detox prior to your surgery.
Your family members will forgive you for this brief period prior to surgery -- just let them know this is a temporary thing with you.
I don't know how to help you other than what I've said above. I'm only 8 weeks out and can advise only from my own experience and what I've read about that others have had happen. There are vets here who have much wisdom to share and probably help you better than I can.
What I can promise is that if you pose your questions here on OH, you will get a lot of responses and advice. Take what you read and use what most applies to YOU. This s YOUR surgery, YOUR journey. Those of us who are post-op, no matter how far out we are, will do our best for you.
Sending you ((((((((( HUGS ))))))))))..............you can get through this!
Ree
Thank you so much for your response. I really feel like it is a carb withdrawl. I keep having these terrible thoughts like I wont be able to live my life normally and be there for my kids after the surgery. I know its a bit ridiculous to think about, but also, I am terrified to the surgery in general. I've had a c-section and wisdom teeth removed, but I have never been put under anesthesia. Its one of those fears of dying. I used to have these thoughts a lot when I was suffering with depression and it scared me when they popped back into my head. I'll make sure to keep it in mind when I start having panic attacks and severe irritability.
Tina
Hang in there I went through the same thing before my surgery. I looked for support here as well, this is very normal. My surgery went well and I had very little pain (never more than a 3-4), the first few days are the hardest mostly because you are trying to get use to how much you can drink at a time. I am 15 days post op and have already lost 10 pounds and I am super excited to see where I will be in 3 months from now.
If you have thought about this and are sure you want to do it don't hesitate because you are scared, its really not that bad and once you start seeing the pounds coming off you will see it was well worth it. So far I have no regrets. Good luck everything will go well I'm sure.
If you have thought about this and are sure you want to do it don't hesitate because you are scared, its really not that bad and once you start seeing the pounds coming off you will see it was well worth it. So far I have no regrets. Good luck everything will go well I'm sure.
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