Question:
Nerves
Is it normal to have periods of stress and self doubt while you are in the waiting period? I have approval and my surgery date. My emotions just seem to change daily. — GingerKS (posted on October 22, 2008)
October 22, 2008
That is completely normal, up until after my surgery I was the same way.
It's a big change to go through and most of it is mental, so don't feel
bad. Good Luck
— traly77
October 22, 2008
I was kind of nervous too. I was sure that weight loss surgery would work
for everyone but not for me. Needless to say I was so wrong. I have lost
53 pounds since August 22. So hang in there. What you are going through
is pretty normal. It it starts really interrupting your daily routine, you
may need to talk it over with your Doctor. Good luck
— katiecakes
October 22, 2008
This is completely normal. I am 5 weeks out from surgery and the agonizing
wait put me through a ton of emotions prior. I was extremely excited
through most of it, but as it got closer I went from excited to completely
dreading it and worried about if it would really work or not. Heck even in
the pre op surgery waiting room I started balling my eyes out because I was
so scared at the last moment. They were kind enough to send my surgeon in
to talk to me prior to me going into surgery who calmed me down and eased
my fears. So far I have lost 42 lbs. I have had some minor complications,
for starters my lapro RNY turned into an open RNY right in the middle of
surgery, but I did not even know about it until the next day really and
everything turned out just fine with it. I just have a lot more incisions
than the normal lapro or open RNY now. But I am still living and on my way
to a much healthier person!! Being down 42 lbs so far makes me feel like a
new person because I am becoming a little more mobile and it is a little
easier to do certain things. So even though I had that one complication
during surgery and more incisions than I ever thought I would have, it so
far is well worth it. It is human nature to have doubts and worries. I
think that it helps you to be honest with what you are about to embark on
because we all know anything is possible either bad or good and I think it
helps to prepare you some for it. Just try to stay as positive as you can
about it all and everything will turn out just fine and you will be on the
losers side very soon!!! Tons of luck to you! :)
— bicngillette
October 22, 2008
Boy do I ever have trouble with that.
In the morning, I am excited, by noon, I am scared and by evening, I am not
sure I even want to do this.
The next day I am just wanting it to be over yesterday.
Sometimes I think I am going crazy with the way the days are taking forever
to pass.
Sheri
— sheri139
October 22, 2008
What you're going through is perfectly normal. I was scheduled for
bariatric surgery about 10 years ago and at the last minute, I cancelled.
Something wasn't right at that time and I guess I wasn't ready. When I
made up my mind in '06, put my money down and was scheduled, I think I went
through every emotion possible. Elation, excitement, nervousness, anxiety,
you name it. I just knew that what I had been doing wasn't working and I
was well on my way to death at 402#. I didn't think I had any other
alternative and had tried just about everything else. The positives
outweighed the negatives so I just decided to go with it.
Rapidly swaying emotions are perfectly normal from hour to hour, day to
day. Hang in there and lean on us, we're here.
Best of luck to you,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
October 22, 2008
YES!!! Just try to relax and know that you have made the right decision for
yourself. Congratulations. You will be very happy.
— datagirl2
October 22, 2008
Oh boy...My surgery (RNY) is Monday and my emotions are all over the place.
Especially after starting the pre-surgery liquid diet! I have questioned
myself a few times as to if this is really the right thing to do (it is!)
and if I can succeed and keep the weight off after surgery (I will) What
you feel is normal, I am right there with you! Make a list of the pros and
cons of surgery and refer back to it when you get stressed. Try to find a
local WLS support group. It really helps to know folks who have been where
you are. Good Luck!
— Pittysmama
October 22, 2008
Hi - Yes - sounds completely normal. In fact, I've found that even after
the surgery, it's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, too. Try to stop
yourself from worrying - IMO, the surgery is a fantastic thing. You'll do
fine (: -Barbara W.
— oakroom
October 23, 2008
So normal. You will go through all stages of emotions until surgery and
even when they are wheeling you in to the operating room you will be
thinking - what did I do and why am I doing this and what if this and what
if that. It's so normal. It's an elective surgery - not something you have
to do because your life depends on it, etc. It's a decision you make on
your own and follow through with and have to live with forever. You will be
fine. Your rollercoaster of emotions have just begun. Enjoy the ride and
the honeymoon phase and enjoy all of the little wow moments you have in the
first 6 months or so. Write them down, journal them and look back on them
when you feel like you have hit a plateau or whatever - they will help
motivate you and keep you positive. Good luck and see you on the losers
bench.
— jammerz
October 23, 2008
Yes all this is normal. You are about to make a major change in your lfie
and the stress you feel is normal. However, if it starts to interfere with
your normal daily activities talk to your doctor about what is going on.
— vinnigirl
October 23, 2008
u will be fine best of luck!
— peggy R.
October 24, 2008
I sure hope it's normal. I haven't got a date yet, haven't talked to the
surgeon, have a million questions for the surgeon, but I have to complete a
3-mo. weight loss program (I'm in the last month now), get clearance from a
cardiologist I saw last summer (I don't have heart disease), and then MAYBE
I can get a appointment for a surgical consult. Meanwhile, I may be
changing insurance carriers effective Jan 1, so possibly will be going back
to step 1 towards having the surgery. I keep thinking and re-thinking
about my decision, and going back & forth between being excited about
it and being depressed about it. ARGH!!!!!!
— sem51
October 24, 2008
Of course it is. Even the most optimistic of us have periods of stress and
self doubt both before and after surgery. Surgery of any sort has the
potential to be a major source of stress. Remind yourself of why you
decided surgery is your best course of action to get your life under
control.
— [Deactivated Member]
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