Question:
Is it normal to be nervous, scared, excited?

I know everyone asks this, but I am up and cannot go to sleep because my date isscheduled for this Wednesday. One I want to thank the two emails I received wishing me luck etc... that was very nice, it blessed me. Two, I have read sooooo many posts asking if it is "normal" to be nervous, scared, excited...etc. so I do know what I am feeling is normal. But I still did need to post this. I also want to thank every member for their participation on this site. Your participation and input is what keeps all of us preop going and gives us hope. I read this site two times a day to learn from all of the members here. This site was in my daily routine of ...get up, check emails, check bank accounts, check obesityhelp.com Q/A's. You are all encouraging. I think out of eight months of research and jumping through hoops for preop tests how many times I felt discouraged to just quit, then I would read and be encouraged again. Also there are so many post ops out there with no photos, please please PLEASE post your photos of preop and postop, those were very encouraging. Thanks again! And Thank you Eric for having this available.    — Patricia C. (posted on February 5, 2001)

February 5, 2001
Dear Patricia, I'm 5 months post op and can still remember vividly the anxiety that I felt before surgery. I was so excited and felt that I was really prepared. What I wasn't prepared for was the anxiety that I felt the 24 hours prior to my surgery. I wish I had asked for something to calm me down or a sleeping pill the night before. I also wish I had asked for the "happy shot" when I got to the hospital. I don't know why I felt the way I did, and knowing what I know now I would do it again, anxiety and all! Good luck - you'll be just fine!!!
   — georgiacarol

February 5, 2001
I am in the same boat you are. My sugery is just over a week away, the 13th. Sometimes I'm so happy, I think I could just burt. Other times I just want to cry, because I'm terrified. I think it's completely normal to have mixed emotions, we are all making a huge step towards a better life, and we have every right to feel scared, happy,and nervous.
   — claudia C.

February 5, 2001
You are not alone. My surgery is Thurday 2-8-01. I feel like I am on an emotional rollercoaster. I am up and down, I have been having an anxiety attack all day. I am excited, scared, anxious, nervous, happy, & overwhelmed all at once. I feel like I have so many things to do and not enough time to them in. I feel like this is very normal considering we are going to have major life-changing surgery very soon. Hang in there and GOOD LUCK!!
   — Courtney B.

February 5, 2001
I can't believe how I can have these emotions and not know why...My surgery is 3 weeks away and I have been having panic attacks like crazy...I couldn't figure out why...I thought I was totally OK...2 nights ago I had nightmares about my surgery and now I realize this must be bothering me more than I thought...What am I gonna do 3 days pre op when it really hits me. LOL
   — Kathy831

February 5, 2001
Patricia, I certainly know what you're going through. I was climbing the walls about a week before my surgery. I was so excited, scared, nervous, thrilled and apprehensive all at the same time. I felt like crying sometimes and was starting to have panic attacks. I could barely sleep. On a routine visit to my PCP, I mentioned how I was feeling, and being the sweetheart he is, reassured me that this was normal and told me of course I should feel that way, anticipating such a life changing event. He asked if I needed a little something to calm down and gave me a prescription for a very mild sedative. I don't think I could have survived the three days before surgery without my wonderful PCP. Check with your PCP if it gets too bad. Those little pills will work wonders, or at least let you calm down. Good luck.
   — Maria H.

July 9, 2001
Yes it is ok to have all those emotional feelings, this is a major change in our lives that we need to get ready and make our own changes in our minds as well as friends, family, co workers. I for one is having a hard time with the rollar coaster feelings. Im up one day the next im down, but I know in the long run this is for me. This will make my life more gratifying more challenging. We have to have a more positive feeling that we can do this no matter what. I have talked to few people that have had the surgery and they tell me it's like having their life back, their new beginning, I can't wait to have those feelings. I want more for me also. I know it's going to be hard at first, but I also know that I can do it!!!. I also come to WLS web site for support that has helped me tremendously.
   — Wendy G.

Click Here to Return