"Cold Feet"

Did you have "cold feet" as your surgery drew nearer? It's been over 30 years since I was in a hospital and that time I came home with a baby girl! Don't think that is going to happen this time!!! I"m trying to be brave--I know I am going to do this--I just need some tips on how to get that ever growing knot in my stomach to calm down so I can at least get all these butterflies going in the same direction. How did you cope with the "antsy pants" syndrome?

Honey, my feet were completely frozen, not just cold! Prior to my surgery, I had never been in the hospital and had never had surgery. Frankly, I was terrified. How did I deal with it? Well, I tried to keep myself busy, busy, busy so my conscious mind didn't have time to think about what I was going to do. And I also simply allowed myself to experience what I was feeling. I knew there were risks with surgery, but I trusted my surgeon and his team, and knew I would be in capable hands. Good luck finding some helpful coping mechanisms as your surgery date approaches! Kellie

Thank you, Kellie, for your response in connecting with my feelings. Presently, I'm preoccupied with finishing my degree but that will be over next week. I think I've been shoving those feelings down as finals approach. Perhaps it is best to just allow the feelings to come and experience them as part of my journey. Thanks for the thoughts.

I too felt like you, I had never been in a hospital before, what I did was just think about when I would be home from the hospital, and the time off I was going to enjoy, and boy did I ever enjoy it. I had never had more than a week off at a time my whole life, so I just kept thinking of that. Being able to sleep in, and just relax. I never got really freaked out until the nite before my surgery. You will be fine, it is so worth it. I just had my year anniversary and have loss 186lbs. So hang in there it will be great. Lynn

Congratulations on your loss, Lynn. That is fantastic! I'm trying to picture me after 186 pounds gone! Now that's a positive view to dwell on! Thanks for your help.

I had to wait so long to have surgery that I wasn't nervous until about a week before the big day. What I did was to keep busy -- I cleaned out closets, sorted through old papers, etc. The week flew by quickly, and by surgery morning, I was ready to go! When is your surgery scheduled? Kix

I have to admit, I was so excited for the change that was going to take place, I wasn't nervous at all! I had waited years for this to finally happen, and when it did I was the happiest person on earth! Jan

Thanks, Jan, I really am excited after dieting most of my life and finally having a tool that offers a real solution. Perhaps I am just daring to hope and afraid of disappointment once again. Perhaps I am just dwelling on all the "stories" of mishaps of hospital personnel that cause problems for patients. I'm usually such a positive person and I am positive that I want and need this surgery. Funny--I sign my emails, "Joy for the journey". Perhaps it is time I follow my own thoughts for others.

Thanks, Kix, and how are you doing? We are thinking of moving to Colorado next fall so maybe going through all those accumulations in every nook and cranny will serve more than just clean nooks! Thanks for your input; it is appreciated. My surgery is scheduled for Jan. 29th. An elderly gentleman in our church said, "You just think too much!" Maybe he's right!

Things are going pretty well, Faith. I'm almost on my fourth post-op month. I started out with a BMI close to 90 (I think) and my surgeon asked me to lose 10% of my weight prior to surgery. My endocrinologist put me on a modified Optifast plan (1200 calories) and it was so easy to do that I stayed on it until three days before surgery and ended up losing 20% (120 lbs) before surgery. Since surgery, I have lost an additional 70 lbs, for a total of 190 lbs lost since February 2006. My BMI is around 56 now, but my plan is to keep losing! I still have a long way to go yet. I like Colorado very much. I came here from Northern California (Oakland, but I try not to say it too loud due to the big football rivalry between the Broncos and the Raiders). People here are extremely friendly and even though it snows here in town, the sun usually comes out and melts it right away. The only thing that's tough for me is: no ocean! Oh, and no Trader Joe's! Try not to be afraid about your surgery. As my surgeon told me, "You will be amazed at how your life will change." Kix 530/407/338