I am having surgery thursday and have a lot of questions...

Hi J- I'm having surgery in about 5 weeks and I imagine that when the date gets closer I will be pretty nervous.  I'm just in the excited & impatient phase now.    It would probably be weird if you were NOT nervous!  I am short like you not quite 5'1" so my BMI is over 50 as well.  I have not lost hardly any weight either which I feel a little guilty about.  I have been eating healthier and trying to get more protein in and cut back on caffeine and sweets.   My surgeon advised to try to lose weight beforehand and said that with every 10 lbs lost recovery is easier (same for exercising).  So I'm trying...  Not sure where you are located but my surgeon is part of a group of surgeons that specialize in WLS so your surgeon should be well educated in dealing with obese patients as well as the hospital and anethesiologist that he uses. 
If it would make you feel better maybe you could speak to him before your surgery to get some re-assurance and ask him these questions...then you won't have this worry hanging over you?

At my last support group meeting the PA spoke about Fatty Liver Disease-it's very common for people seeking WLS.  I was not told that I have high liver enzymes but I guess I do too due to being so overweight for so long and yes losing weight should improve that condition for most.

Good luck to you I'll be looking forward to your posts after surgery to see how you are coming along!

thank u so much for the words...i wish u the best of luck in your journey as well!

Pre-surgery anxiety is normal.  The closest proceedure to surgery that I'd ever had done was blood test, and those weren't pleasant experiences for me.  Attending the wls program's support group and participating in the online group helped to alleviate many of my anxieties.  Information is power.

I was fortunate enough to meet with my surgeon several times during the process.  1st time we discussed the best type of surgery and he gave me a weight loss goal of 30 lbs.  He explained that the weight loss would decrease the size of my liver and increase success rates.  2nd appt, my support person and I asked him a million questions re: the proceedure and what to expect.  3rd time was a few minutes prior to surgery.  He also visited me during my hospital stay.   

I don't know why but I was really concerned about waking up during surgery, so I think the anestesiologist was kind enough to give me a little extra cause once in the OR, I moved to the operating table and I was out.  Dang! I wanted to count backwards.  LOL.

I'm sure you'll do fine and I  pray that the wls team where you are will take as good of care of you as the team where I had surgery. 

At one point or another, most of us have been in the same boat. For whatever reason, struggled to lose weight and were unsuccessful at keeping it off. Some will cite the addiction to food, others the emotional crutch of food and others boredom, simple overeating, hereditary or health conditions etc but regardless of why, every single one of us started this problem having a problem with food and being obese.

 

There are exceptions to what I’m about to tell you, but as a general rule – I’m proved wrong seldom. A great surgeon will typically have not so great bedside manner or “touchy feely" skills and a so-so surgeon will have incredible bedside manner. It’s very rare to find both. Personally, I’d opt for someone who can get me off the table and on my way to a better life while being incredibly rude to me than someone who I wonder if they can help me while smiling and holding my hand nicely.

 

My first surgery ever – unrelated – my surgeon flat out told me that if I were to have an accident he’d be terrified to take out my gallbladder that the weight was too much and I needed to make changes immediately. Ignored that for YEARS. Not ignored, but didn’t successfully complete that goal.  This surgery, I knew going in that the team I had chosen was the absolute best and that if death was coming for me, it was coming for me obese too.  I was terrified but it really was ok. They know what they are doing – you’re far from their largest patient and the tools, equipment and staff are designed and trained for bariatric patients. You’re going to be fine.

I'm scared right there with you as I approach my upcoming surgery in 3 weeks. I also have a BMI of around 50 but the reason I am scared has nothing to do with being put to sleep, that part doesn't bother me. The reason I am afraid is the fact that I have GAINED 15 lbs over the past 3 1/2 months where I should have lost or at least maintained. I know its no excuse but after summer vacations and the recent death of my stepdad I just really packed on more weight. I kept thinking in the back of my mind it would be ok, that I would lose enough during my 2 week pre-op diet and I really didn't expect things to progress so quickly with getting a surgery date either. So here I am getting ready to go for my pre-op visit in 3 days and will be sooo ashamed of myself when I have to step on the scale. I would'nt even be suprised if my surgeon postpones. So yea you are definitely not alone with losing any weight pre-op nor with having a mega food problem. At least you are'nt as bad as me with gaining so close to my surgery date....I'm really disgusted with myself right now.

Having some fear is normal, but try to focus on the amazing new life you'll have.
My surgery was an absolute breeze. The anesthesiologist put in my IV and said
she'd give me something pre-op to make me comfortable. That's the last
thing I remember! I have no memory of even going into the OR. I woke up
in my room, had folks checking me constantly which was very nice, and
took a nice nap. We're all here for many of the same reasons, but life
on the other side is amazing. Food doesn't control my life now at 7 months
out and I have the energy of a teenager (I'm 58). I made a list of things
before surgery that I wanted to see change- partly to take my mind off
the jittery days before surgery. It helped re-direct me a bit and I'm glad
I did it because I've been checking things off like crazy! YOu'll do fine. Good luck and we'll be here waiting for you on the losers' bench!

Your surgery is this Thursday?  If so so is mine.  I am 31 also, married with an 11 year old step son.  Same thing been overweight my whole life pretty much.  Funny my Doctor is rather cute also...lol  Did you have to do a preop 2 week liquid diet?  I am dying, it is driving me nuts.  I keep telling myself only 3 more days of this diet, I know I will be on liquids after also, but hopefully after I will not be hungry.  I am gonna add you as a friend.  good Luck Jenny