I'm terrified - surgery is scheduled for Monday

 Let me tell you my thoughts as a nurse and as someone who just had vsg on September 24th. As far as the advanced directive question, they ask everyone, not that it is expected to use it, but so they have the information and cover themselves legally. Some people for religious reasons, dont want to receive blood in an emergency, so this where it is important to know these specifics. My surgery went flawlessly, not saying that I wasn't nervous prior to having surgery. I just kept  telli g myself that I trust my doctor, my research and God and that I am just afraid of the unknown, of how different my life is going to be and my relationship with food is going to be. But in order to get results, that's what has to happen. You can also tell your anesthesiologist the morning of surgery that you are nervous and that you want some Medicine  to relax you before surgery and they will give it to you then. The worst part of the whole experience for me was the air that they pump in your abdomen hurts and gives you all this gas pain, I just took my pain meds one day of surgery and started walking to get rid of it. I felt better and better as each day went by. You will too! Just follow your instructions and you will be on the road to recovery. I have already lost 22.2 pounds since starting my pre op diet, that was only in 2 1/2 weeks. When else has that ever happened? Never for me until now. It is  totally different reading the posts on this site, because before it was when I get the surgery and then all of the sudden you are on pre op diet and then you had surgery and you truly understand what people on here are talking about, because you are one of them. Hope that helped you. Sorry so long winded.

Thank you.  Not long-winded at all.  I appreciate reading real life experiences.  I get so caught up in my own head, my own fears, worst case scenarios. 

 You are welcome. Keep yourself busy until surgery to help distract your mind from wondering to those scary places and think about how you would feel if you didn't have the surgery. Scary thought isn't it?

Hi Ravenbrown, I am totally there with you. my surgery was just moved up from Thursday to tomorrow!!! I am doing this to regain my health, I have type 2 diabetes, asthma, probably sleep apnea and just am not happy. I have two amazing boys,ages 12 and the other is 6 today!!! My biggest fear has been dying. I want to be here for them. All I can tell you, is I am making myself talk back to that fear and I am refusing to let that fear keep me from reclaiming my life. The death rate for most surgeons combined is like under 1 percent, and mine has never lost someone. I am a lower BMI and fewer complications than many. I keep telling myself I would rather have a planned operation than an unexpected heart attack  or stroke while shopping with my 6 year old! If something's happens there, I am in the hospital And they will take care of me.
I want a risk free life, since having kids I have been terrified of death, but there is no risk free life. This is a very calculated risk. People, are having way more complex surgeries daily and doing fine. I have watched for 6 months on here, people going from pre op to post op, aNd they have all been fine, very few complications at all, and nothing fatal.
I had two c sections, the first one was much harder because I was not prepared mentally. The second one was easy. Tell yourself, you will be fine, it's a weird thing to wake up and have it over and have lost the time. You may be nauseous, they will give you something. If you have pain, they will give you something. You may feel crummy for a few days, but you have probably felt worse with a flu bug! Leaving our babies is th hardest part, but so many people on here have had the bravery to do it, and have reported being so glad they did even a week out.
We will be okay. You will be okay. And it is normal, I was at total peace until the hospital called me and started asking me the advance directive questions today....hello anxiety! One thing that helps me with my anxiety is to remember it is a feeling, it is not a premonition, it is my deepest fears coming to light, but I am not psychic and it is not a premonition, just a fear, if I look back on all of the things I have wasted hours worrying about, I will find that none of them happened. They were just my fears. So, breathe, distract, and if you know your dr. Is good at is job, let go and believe that's he's got this! I will retread my post tomorrow a.m. To myself, and from all of these others from this wonderful supportive group, my surgery is at 3:30 tomorrow. Keep me in your prayers, and I promise to do the same

 I cried my eyes out all the way down to the operating theatre, but now that I'm 2.5 weeks along, everything is great.  It's totally normal to feel tense and anxious, but we are all proof that it will be ok and you will be on the downhill slide to thin before you know it.

Just don't over-think it.  When you find yourself thinking about all the "what ifs' just distract yourself with something else.  I gave my family strict instructions that they were not to ask me how I was feeling, or talk about the surgery for the week before and that really helped me.

You will be fine!  

 Big hugs to you! :)

It is totally normal to feel nervous.  You are OK.
You are right there -ready to knock on the door of the new healthier, happier life-being the fabulous improved new you!!!!
Don't let fear rob you or your family of that.
I personally had an easy time with surgery and a speedy recovery.
I went into surgery at peace that I needed change...a drastic change to my life and I could not be happier that I chose the sleeve!
I am now at 145lbs. and I feel like life is a gift and I am finally enjoying it the way it was meant to be enjoyed!
You hang in there.  Look at the sweet face of your baby and know that you are choosing better for your self and your family.
Best wishes :)

Been there, done that. I am 32 days Post-op. When my insurance was denied, I thought, well maybe this is a sign. Then when I went to my pre-op appointment and they asked me about my Living Will I was like "Do I NEED ONE"??? I started freaking out. Then that night I went to eat Chinese and got my foturne cookie and IT WAS EMPTY. So I was like OK call the Doctor and cancel this I am not going to have surgery!!!!

My first month has been wonderful!!! I would suggest to anyone that was considering VSG DO IT!!! I don't think you would regret it. Any when you wake up in the recovery room you will wonder what all the worring was for. I know I did. Good luck!!!

It is normal to be scared before any surgery. I've had a few, and each one has brought a different kind of fear. I have problems with anesthesia (trouble waking up & nausea), so I'm more afraid of the vomiting than the pain. A few years ago, I had an ovarian cancer scare (love the word benign), that one was the worst.

Just keep in mind why you are doing this, it is to have your life back. You want to be there to watch your little one grow up. This is a step that will improve those odds. Will you have some pain? Probably, but there will be meds for that. Is it hard for the first few days? For some yes, and for some no. Is it all worth it, oh yes. Remember, you have your family, a good surgeon, and all of us here on the VSG forum.

Thank you all so much for your support and understanding.  I'm about to leave for my last appointment with the surgeon, and I feel so much better than I did yesterday.