[slim-a-bear]

OK... so... i have been waiting for this for so long. And i know its what i want to do. i know its what i NEED to do. But i am getting so nervous. i keep thinking about after...

...will i be in lots of pain?
...will i be able to handle the new diets?
...will i be able to get back to work in 2 weeks?
...will i be sick?

...so many thoughts running through my head and i can't stop being scared.

[Carol Jo B.]

Surgery would make anyone nervous! From my experience, the pain was manageable, yes, you can handle the new lifestyle (try not to think of it as a diet), depends on what sort of work you do, so I'm not sure, and everyone's experience is different, but I didn't feel sick.

Good luck. You can do this. Please let us know how you are progressing.

[nursesrock]

Surgery is scary, so acknowledge that feeling but don't panic over it- respect it. There is pain, but there is also medication for that so expect some but don't stress over it. You've made the decision because you know that the path you're on can't be good in the long run.....you want better health, less medication, and smaller clothes. So, the lifestyle change can be intimidating, but this is a journey, not a destination....you'll have alot of learning to do, and a lifetime to do it. Just like every other thing you've done, school, work, family- it's one day at a time and sometimes it's minute to minute. You've got this. I'm not going to comment on the 2 week thing, I believe all situations are different. I'm on my feet all over the hospital, so that wouldn't have worked for me. Many of these folks had no issue with it. Chin up, and good luck!!

[melanie6]

Originally Posted by slim-a-bear

...will i be in lots of pain?
...will i be able to handle the new diets?
...will i be able to get back to work in 2 weeks?
...will i be sick?

Its normal to feel nervous, it is major surgery. Pain? Everyone's pain threshold is different, but you will have a prescription for pain if you need it. I needed it, and I was really glad I had it.

Diets? Its not really a diet...its a lifelong journey to wellness and healthy living. Also, your pouch pretty much tells you what you can and cant tolerate after surgery so try not to worry about that. Trust me, one foamie or dumping episode and you wont want to eat anything that doesnt agree with you.

Work? This is another area that depends on the individual. There was no way I was able to go back to work so soon, but others have and without any problems.

Sick? It depends on what you mean - will you be tired? absolutely...count on it. nauseaus? possibly, but the doctor will prescribe stuff while you are both in and out of the hospital to help. You will feel less icky if you get in all your fluids...Im sure you've read it on here 100 times, but its soooo true. Dehydration will cause you to feel all kinds of sick.

Hope this helps, sweetie.

[Perfesser]

Originally Posted by slim-a-bear

... i keep thinking about after...

...will i be in lots of pain?

Lots? Probably not, but if you are, don't be shy about asking for a little extra something to knock it out. About a half-hour before we started on the 90-mile drive home, I took some good stuff, and thankfully I remember very little of that trip. (Take along a pillow to hold your guts in - you won't be sorry!!)

Originally Posted by slim-a-bear

...will i be able to handle the new diets?

Dunno. How well have you done adopting the WLS rules pre-op? As Melanie said, this isn't a diet - it's a complete and total transformation of your formerly dysfunctional relationship with food. You only need to follow the WLS rules for as long as you want good results. (In other words - this is for life! If you slip and fall off the wagon, you have plenty of time to repent and climb back on board.)

Originally Posted by slim-a-bear

...will i be able to get back to work in 2 weeks?

Your mileage may vary. How physical is your job? I think the record was 3 days (nursing student who insisted she couldn't afford to take time off from her training rounds), but that's extreme, and I don't think there was a happy ending on that one. I was back at half-days at two weeks (two-hour classes, up in front of the classroom). Did that for a couple of weeks and then went back to full-time. Some here, though, have taken the full 6 weeks their doctor prescribed, and say they needed it.

Originally Posted by slim-a-bear

...will i be sick?

Possibly, but a lot of that you can control by what you take in to your system. Have you ever had surgery? Do you have an idea of how you react to anesthesia? I've endured lots of operations and never once been sick, nor have I been sick since my WLS.

Only one way to find out how YOU will do, though, and that's to do it! Trust your medical team, and do exactly as they tell you. Post-op, get up and moving as soon as you can and you will have less pain from the inflation gas they use. Start sipping as soon as you can and your body will have some hydration to help prevent nausea.

Good luck!

CT

[slim-a-bear]

You guys and gals are the absolute best!!! Thank you all for your kindness and your words of wisdom.

I DO want this! I have to do this-- for my kids and hubby-- but mostly for ME.

Thanks for helping me think through all my questions. Are they still there? Yep! But I feel much more able to handle them now. And I trust my surgeon and his (MY!) team, with no qualms. I know others who have personally used this clinic, hospital, doctor, and team and have had great results.

So! I am ready! Let's get going!

Love and many many thanks,
april

[Tricia Igo]

you're asking a lot of the same questions that are running through my brain too!!

[dsptchr571]

It's ok to be nervous - this is a big step that will change you forever. I was checked into the hospital getting prepped for surgery and started to cry and couldn't stop. Luckily I had a great nurse who talked me through it.
Also as far as pain goes - I haven't heard anyone mention it here, but before my surgery they gave me what's called an "Intrethecal" Not sure on spelling on that. It was similar to getting an epidural for childbirth except you can walk around. It lasts about 18 hours. I think that is one of the reasons I did so well with my pain.

[MotoCO]

I was queen of freak outs but it was nowhere near what I thought it was going to be. What is worth it?? Absolutely!!

They will control your pain with pain pills.

I had to sleep in the recliner because I did not like laying down flat in bed.

My husband was a huge help because he made me get up and walk when I did not feel like it.

Make sure you eat those little tiny meals and don't try to forge ahead of yourself and that will help you from not being sick.

Luckily I did not have to worry about going back to work so I could not speak to that...Frankly, I don't think I could have but many people can. They are probably stronger than me! But that is what the pain pills are for!

You will do fine!

[dbyaya17]

I agree with everyones posts. I had never had surgery before and when I would think of the what ifs, I would just think about how happy I was going to be when I had the weight off. I still think of the day I had surgery and while getting prepped,I wasn't the least bit nervous. I was just so ready for the next chapter in my life. Just stay positive and taking 1 day at a time is the best advice.