Question:
Anyone else panic right before surgery?
I am having surgery in less then a week and I am suddenly in a panic. I keep thinking what am I doing? Did I make the right choice? I feel lost and unprepared. I have reseached this like crazy and worked at it for over 9 months and finally the day is coming and now I feel as if I have forgotten everything and I dont know what to do after and I have come realize I have a huge issue with food. It is emotional and very much about control and I am worried about how to learn to handle it and all the changes after. What if I fail? I am confussed on the stages of eating, of when to go from liquids to soft foods and for how long and if I will ever eat normal foods again, like pizza or pasta or chicken or birthday cake or a soda. I know not the best choices, but still not sure if will ever eat them again. Anyone else panic like this? — kristikat82 (posted on September 5, 2006)
September 5, 2006
It's normal to panic, I know I did. Trust in the research and thought you
have done already. Your surgeon will guide you through your eating phases.
I'm only a month + post op, so I'm not the best to say anything on the
"will I ever" but what I learned and readied myself for when I
had this surgery is a life change. Someday I will be able to eat all the
'normal' foods you listed, but I hope that I will do my best to stay away
from them. I didn't do all of this for nothing, and I will never be
'normal' again, but it isjust a tool....Best of luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
September 5, 2006
It is normal to panic - I know I did and so did my mother. I am almost 1
year post-op (9/26/05) and have lost over 100 lbs so far (not sure how much
since the last time I weighed wa about a month ago and then I was at 103
down). I can not tolerate soda but that is jut my taste - I can NOT drink
diet soda due to migraines and regular soda (sprite) is too sweet. I have
had cake but only in small amounts! I can eat Rice okay now but I struggle
BIG time with Pasta, but my mom can eat pasta but not rice - so everyone is
different when it comes to things you can and can not tolerate. It is just
a try-and-see game. Something may not agree with you one day but a week
later be just fine, or vice-versa, be fine one day and not the next. You
will do just fine - just rmemeber you didnt do all that research and
paperwork and wiating for nothing! You did it for YOU! Your doctor and/or
nutritionist will help you through any tough times. As will your OH
family!
— AnneRie
September 5, 2006
Hi Christina and peace! ***** I have a friend who is 3 years out and she
can eat pretty much anything anyone else can, but just in much much smaller
portions. This is also what my doctor told me. ***** As for the panic
attacks, might I suggest you find a notebook and a pencil or pen and write
like crazy (if you are able to) about your fears and your doubts when they
come on. Just write down everything you are thinking and feeling, all the
doubts, all the questions, and the second-guessing your decision. When you
have done that and calmed down, THEN continue to write, only this time
write down all your good reasons for having this surgery, all the pros, all
the benefits. Write down all the things you are looking forward to doing
after you've lost weight (tie your shoes, play with your kids, exercise
without hurting, shop in the normal people's section of the store, etc.)
Then, on top of all that, write down some positive affirmations to yourself
such as, "I am making the right decision by having WLS."
"My decision to have WLS is sound and I have no regrets."
"WLS is the best decision I can make for myself." "I am
calm and at peace with my decision to have WLS." You get the idea.
Just affirm to yourself peaceful and calm thoughts. It may sound silly but
it really works. I psyched myself up for a long time before surgery and
fed my brain positive thoughts, and so when the time came for surgery, I
was excited, happy, and at peace within myself for this decision. The
pictures of me before and after surgery show a positive and smiling woman
who is 100% sure of her decision! (Check out my profile and scroll
down...you'll see the pics and see what I mean.) Good luck to you!
**********Winnie***********
— utendn
September 5, 2006
I panicked about two nights beforehand, but once I reread all the
literature that led me to the decision, a calm descended over me. I was so
zen on the day of surgery that I actually fell asleep in the prep surgery
suite waiting for my turn to go in. :) My mom gave me a sleeping pill for
the night before surgery so I'd go into it well-rested, because I was so
excited it was hard to sleep!!
— j_coulter
September 5, 2006
Hi and congratulations on your decision to change your life. I am 21
months post op and I can tell you it is the best decision of my life! I
too had a HUGE issue with food. My main factor when deciding to have the
surgery was "food? or life?". I have never regretted choosing
life! I can tell you, I struggled. I even went through a grieving periord
where I actually mourned the food I could not eat any longer. The key is to
"accept" your new lifestyle. Remind yourself daily you are
eating to live, not living to eat! And remember to take baby steps. In
time you will be able to eat most anything again, just in much smaller
amounts. I went a full year not eating any sugar at all and then Christmas
and all its "cheer" came along. I caved, and ate sugar. It did
NOT make me dump. It is now my down fall. Stay away from sugar at all
costs. It will put the pounds back on you. I can eat pizza, and pasta
(but not much, it's very filling!) , but NO chicken. You will learn what
you can tolerate and not tolerate...NO soda! I was addicted to diet coke.
I can honestly say I have not had one since Jan. 6 2005.
If you will work hard to make the right choices and DO WHAT YOUR DOCTOR
SAYS, you will not regret your decision.
God bless!
— shar
September 6, 2006
Cristina,
Congradulations on your upcoming surgery. I too had a panic attack before
surgery. It is normal. It is a big deal and life changing decision. Just
take a deep breath and remember why you are doing this. You did the
research you know pro's and cons. Now for food. I am 7 months out I can
each all meats, pizza pasta, a little bit of rice. I do not eat any sweets
i.e. cake, cookies, candy. I do not know if I dump I never gave myself the
opportunity. I have not had any sweets since my surgery 01/30/2006. The
longer I go without eating them the easier it is to turn them down. I was
told not to drink soda regular or diet it could stretch your pouch
especially in the 1st year. Thats a big deal I was a soda attack.
Hope this help. Best Wishes and see you on the loosing side.
Tina
— Tina G.
September 6, 2006
I almost feel as if I wrote the post but I am about 2 months away from
surgery if I even go through with it. I think the whole food issue thing
must be resolved. Perhaps you need to talk to a professional about it.
I'm thinking of doing that. I hope you come to peace with your decision
but if you cannot, I suggest if you are unsure that you postpone the
surgery. Being under stress will not produce a good result!
— Sheri A.
September 6, 2006
i thought i would add in my 2 cents. like every on here we can all agree on
one thing, we all went through that. It's normal, I wasn't sure about doing
this until I went to a seminar by Dr. katzen in LA and I got to meet people
and watch them eat at lunch. I know that sounds silly, but i wanted to make
sure that i would be able to enjoy food again, just in smaller portions.
The day after surgery, i thought what the hell did i just do. But it gets
better. it's a change that you won't regret doing ever. Trust yourself and
know that you have done your research and that you have made an educated
choice and a choice that will prolong your life. You may not be able to eat
cake afterwards, but i would gladly give up cake to a healither life style
and a maller size waist. Good luck and god bless you! you made the right
choice don't let fear change that.
— Jenney
September 6, 2006
Hello!! I can't say I panicked, but I did have self-doubt. We all do! I
can say, like the previous poster, that when I woke up I thought what the
hell did I do? Cause it hurt - I won't lie. Please prepare yourself for
it. But I have never ever ever regretted this decision. I am so glad I
had the surgery. Keep in contact with your bariatric nurse and don't be
afraid to ask questions about which stage of eating you should be in.
There will be variations of pasta, chicken and pizza you **may** be able to
eat in a few months, but I bet after seeing and feeling those pounds melt
away, you may not miss those food that are fattening!!!! It may be a
cliche, but it's true: Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels! Best of
luck to you on your journey.
— Mrs. Crabapple
September 7, 2006
Hi - I think you are having a normal reaction to a major life altering
decision. You will be fine. Although it is challenging and requires work,
you will learn how to use this tool to your advantage. Don't think in
terms of never - think in terms of newer. You will learn and practice new
ways of eating, celebrating with food, etc. I am over two years out and
can eat a great variety of food following good pouch guidelines. I am not
a saint - I have had a piece of birthday cake - and you will probably find
over time that you can eat things you wish you couldn't. The key is that
the pouch is a tool that you can use to conquer your struggle with weight.
As for your list of foods you wonder about......Over time you can add most
of these back in your diet in varied amounts (more for chicken, maybe 1
slice of pizza, less pasta, and infrequent birthday cake). I realize there
are many different opinions on the subject of soda but that is one of my
never foods. I have found many satifsying replacements. Hang in there -
stick with the program of eating your doctor prescribes and you will do
well. Your doctor should tell you how long to stay on liquids, soft foods,
etc. Each doctor seems to have his/her own plan. My doctor had me on
liquids for 2 weeks, soft foods for 4-6 weeks with a gradual reintroduction
of foods at 6-8 weeks out. Plus, you can come here for support any time!
Good luck, Dee
— Dee G
September 7, 2006
Hi Christina!
I am a Bariatric physician. I am also a former WLS surgery patient!
Like you I was petrified before surgery... very nearly cancelled at the
last minute. However I went ahead with it and lost 120+ pounds.
It will be a grand adventur for you. The changes you will go through in
the next few months will be amazing...and delightful.
Do people have complications? Sure, rarely but it does happen. But the
benefits sooooooooooo far outweigh the risks that it would be a true shame
not to proceed. Your surgical team (and your friends here) will guide you
every step of the way
Your life is about to change...for the better... and in ways you havent
dreamed of!
Best Wishes
Steven E Frank MD, MS, FACP; Palm Springs; 760-416-5350
— sef826
September 7, 2006
Your feeling are quite normal. who in his right mind would not feel some
trepition at being under the nife? LOL. We all feel that way, and we all
wonder if we will be the only person who does not lose weight!
It willwork. You will find out what foods you can tolerate as you go
along.
— Novashannon
September 8, 2006
I know exactly what you are feeling! I am only 11 days post-op and am down
23 lbs. I freaked out the last 4 days before surgery. I know for me my
issue with food is also emotional but that is why I am in the condition I
am in. Start a journal!!
I started the day I began the approval journey. My program here in Des
Moines makes us see a counseler. You may want to check into that. Remember,
this is going to be hard for a while. If it were easy we wouldn't need
support groups.
Stay Strong!!!
— Lost4Ever
September 11, 2006
Thankyou for expressing these feelings. I am in the exact same position.
Surgery in less than a week. My biggest problem...words like
"forever" "can't have" and the most stupid
"cola", you know, love those bubbles. Mostly my head feels
different, and I am going to just admit it's my stomach
talking....Redshoeannie
— redshoeannie
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