@womanwithn79 I had that same fear but it was outweighed by the fact that if I didn't have surgery, I wouldn't pull through so I had to take the chance. We all have the fear and if we have done our homework and found a great surgeon, all will be well. I am sorry you are scared. It is normal but just keep in mind what life would be if you don't have surgery. For me, the risk was well worth it. I was able to go after and grab everything I wanted. I will be sending good thoughts your way :)
I have a real fear about having a tube put down my throat. I gag just thinking about it...are you aware they are doing it? Are you REALLY asleep when they do it? My rear is so deep that I am rethinking the surgery because of it. Please give more details about your experience...that may help me.
You will be great! You will hear most people say on their videos that you won't have much pain at all unless you have a hernia repaired as well and then THAT is what hurts. The surgery itself was not so painful. DO make sure you get a nurse who is experienced in putting in your IV so you dont get a big bruise like me. Tell them to practice on someone else :) GOOD LUCK _ YOU WILL DO GREAT!!
Hi everyone! My name is BWitch77, I am 3weeks pre-op, and I am TERRIFIED of being unsuccessful! Everyone keeps telling me that WLS is going to change my life and I'll lose so much weight, but what if it doesn't work for me? I'm trying to lose weight before the surgery and I'm struggling. What if I don't lose weight after suregery? I'm not scared of dying from the operation, I'm scared of dying from obesity.
ooh gawd yes ive considered surgery before, my family wants me to get it, and im only 20, but i know they are conserned with my weight as am i, i just cant get over the fact of, what im going to have to go though before the surgery in terms of getting prepared, and the day of surgery, all the scares running through your mind of if your gonna be ok, and even after surgery, if i can cope and how to go through with it, what complications there are!..
My fear is the J-tube and the first two weeks after the surgery. I know after the first two weeks I will be fine... I do have more fears about the surgery in general but those are the main two.
Well, tried to post a video response and even though my video is listed in my videos and sems to work, for some reason it won't attach...sigh. I am slowly learning the youtube ups and downs....
hi! i've really wanted to reply to this video in "person" but haven't found the time yet to post a new video.i do have concerns! 1) terrified that i'm going to ruin the 2 weeks pre-op liquid diet. 2) signing the consent form was like signing my life away! this is the first time ive had surgery before, and something going wrong has troubled me. 3) scared of failure!! having a friend with lap band, and watching these videos STILL hasn't made me sure that i will succeed! must build up confidence.
Oh man. I have lots of fears. Mostly I'm worried about long-term health complications- like things we don't even know about yet. What about if it turns out that everyone drops dead on their 20 year surgiversary? I know that's unreasonable, but it's such a realatively new procedure that I feel like we just don't really have a handle on the long-term consequences.
True - the way I see it is that if I did not have surgery, my health would have continued to deteriorate and I would probably be dead in 20 years or less anyway, so really I felt I had nothing to lose by taking this gamble. But you are right, there are a lot of unknowns out there. I would rather have 20 years of great health and adventures than 20 years of poor health, homebound with lousy quality of life. It is a risk, I feel I made the right choice for me and hope for long term success.
I can definitely sympathize with that. I am prone to clotting myself and that was a big concern for me as well. What reassured me was my surgeon's success rate; he made me feel very comfortable because he had so much experience. Also they put the squeezy things on you during surgery to prevent clotting in your limbs. I was just going under when they put them on me; that also was reassuring. You are so close to your new life! Be happy - soon you will be on the loser's bench!
I'm scared of the excess skin! I am also not too sure about having to chew your food like crazy, but I know it will be worth it. I'm just hoping I won't have to have plastic surgery after losing 100 pounds!
My biggest fear is that I`ve read somewhere that the organs of WLS patients age more rapidly. Do you know anything about this?
I also think a lot about the liquid period after the surgery, and the soft food period. Here in Norway it is common to recommend a 3 week soft food period after surgery, but I will probably want to keep the soft foods for 5-6 weeks to be sure that I`ve healed properly.
Ok, I realize that it may sound silly, but these are fears and concerns that I have.
Totally valid concerns. I have not heard that about the aging organs - news to me. I have to say that the 2 week Pre-op diet, liquid & soft food phase post-op were the most challenging because of head hunger. You are so used to eating a certain way & it's hard to get past the mentality of binge/frequent/unhealthy eating. Now I have a hard time remembering to eat!! Remember that your tastes will change so it will change what you crave which will make it easier to eat well.
I hear you there. I even bought Gas-X strips that dissolve in your mouth in case I felt gassy after surgery and I was fine - not gassy at all. The surgeon and nurse told me I could not take the Gas-x Anyway so save your money!
i bought the gas-x strips too but i havent had an gas pains,, really the only pain i have is on the incisions *shrugs* i'm lucky i guess.. i think its because ive been walking my ass off
I think the thing Im most scared of is what this surgery may do to my body 10 yrs from now or even just 5 yrs from now. I keep reading more and more about people, such as MM having siezures after WLS that cant be explained...and that scares the crap out of me.
Keep in mind what life will be like if you don't have surgery. More than likely, your health will be much worse and you may have multiple health concerns. Either way, it is a risk. You just have to hope for the best and go into surgery with the thought that you will most likely not have those complications post-op and due to weight loss, your health problems will be significantly reduced. It is a gamble and I was fine with the risk knowing that most likely my health would be improved.
i have that exact same fear as croyall23 i am so afraid i am going to fail... like it says... absolutly nothing has worked in the past, why would it work now. I have no idea what it feels like to be thin, or healthy in that matter, and i do want those things very much, but if i have been fat all my life then how is it going to change for me now? i have to loose 40 pounds before surgery which is supposed to be in august and i have only lost 7 pounds.... i am doomed!!!!!
I had the same fears. The most important thing to remember is that this is a lifestyle change so you are going to be craving more healthy food and able to get out and have adventures. Moving your body and doing all the things you can't do now are key! If you have surgery, continue to eat crap and sit around on your butt, you will not lose much. Find the energy and get out there and have fun, eat well and enjoy life and you will have great success. It is as easy as that!
I am afraid of the surgery itself. I have panic disorder with health anxiety and I feel that being at a lower weight and healthy (i have high bp and am pre diabetic) that it would make the anxiety a bit better. I want it so bad..and I want to be "normal".
I used to have really crippling anxiety and frequent panic attacks. Since loosing 100+ pounds, my anxiety is significantly reduced and continues to ebb away. I can't remember the last time I needed Xanax or hyperventilated. It seems that every now and then I will hide out from the world to think and have bad dreams when I sleep but all in all, the anxiety issue has improved significantly. I hope you have the same good luck!
The only fear that I have at this moment is if this is going to work for me. Nothing else has in the past and I just have that fear in the back of my head that this WLS is going to be just like everything else. FAILURE!!! I try to have a good outlook on it but sometimes I can't. And if I'm going to be able to loose any weight before I see my surgeon on June 14th. I haven't lost ANYTHING and I've really got to get on the ball. If you have anything that might help I'm all ears!! :)
Last year I was right there in your shoes! I failed continuously & it ate away at my esteem. I only lost 14 lbs pre-op but was only able to do that on a 2 week protein diet prescribed by my doctor. Try & lower your carb intake by reducing cereal, bread & pasta & get a walk in every day, even if it is just walking around at the mall or something. Drink a ton of water & herbal tea. Lower your caffeine intake & this will help your body. You can try the 2 week protein diet, let me know if you want.
well my fear is the anestesia being put to sleep im scared of everything but i know in my heart i have to do this more than anything
victoriusvee10 3 months ago
my only fear is that my surgery will go bad, what if i dont pull through!!!!
womanwithn79 8 months ago
@womanwithn79 I had that same fear but it was outweighed by the fact that if I didn't have surgery, I wouldn't pull through so I had to take the chance. We all have the fear and if we have done our homework and found a great surgeon, all will be well. I am sorry you are scared. It is normal but just keep in mind what life would be if you don't have surgery. For me, the risk was well worth it. I was able to go after and grab everything I wanted. I will be sending good thoughts your way :)
BeTheBestMe 8 months ago
I have a real fear about having a tube put down my throat. I gag just thinking about it...are you aware they are doing it? Are you REALLY asleep when they do it? My rear is so deep that I am rethinking the surgery because of it. Please give more details about your experience...that may help me.
cathy54ify 1 year ago
I'm scared to gain the weight back after lap band? Thats what I'm scared of.
JiveGirl24 1 year ago
i am terrified of the pain i am going to feel after surgery...how much is ot going to hurt????my surgery is march 18! yes tomorrow
littlemexican 1 year ago
You will be great! You will hear most people say on their videos that you won't have much pain at all unless you have a hernia repaired as well and then THAT is what hurts. The surgery itself was not so painful. DO make sure you get a nurse who is experienced in putting in your IV so you dont get a big bruise like me. Tell them to practice on someone else :) GOOD LUCK _ YOU WILL DO GREAT!!
BeTheBestMe 1 year ago
Hi everyone! My name is BWitch77, I am 3weeks pre-op, and I am TERRIFIED of being unsuccessful! Everyone keeps telling me that WLS is going to change my life and I'll lose so much weight, but what if it doesn't work for me? I'm trying to lose weight before the surgery and I'm struggling. What if I don't lose weight after suregery? I'm not scared of dying from the operation, I'm scared of dying from obesity.
BWitch77 2 years ago
I'm scared of death! OMG. That is my biggest fear, I'm getting the surgery done anyways but its a fear that I'm having trouble getting past.
sweetsnowpea 2 years ago
For the DS-
Something going wrong on table or shortly after. Leaks, twists.
Osteoporosis, malnourishment, unknown health issues down the road that may need medication that will be malabsorbed. Bathroom issues.
ShilohMN 2 years ago
i have 2 fears. one is the tube they put down ur throat n two is when they do the blood gas test where they take blood from ur pulse on ur wrist
TorresNY155 2 years ago
ooh gawd yes ive considered surgery before, my family wants me to get it, and im only 20, but i know they are conserned with my weight as am i, i just cant get over the fact of, what im going to have to go though before the surgery in terms of getting prepared, and the day of surgery, all the scares running through your mind of if your gonna be ok, and even after surgery, if i can cope and how to go through with it, what complications there are!..
crazypearl88 2 years ago
My fear is the J-tube and the first two weeks after the surgery. I know after the first two weeks I will be fine... I do have more fears about the surgery in general but those are the main two.
sirrahmai 2 years ago
Well, tried to post a video response and even though my video is listed in my videos and sems to work, for some reason it won't attach...sigh. I am slowly learning the youtube ups and downs....
ChubbyBear1960 2 years ago
hi! i've really wanted to reply to this video in "person" but haven't found the time yet to post a new video.i do have concerns! 1) terrified that i'm going to ruin the 2 weeks pre-op liquid diet. 2) signing the consent form was like signing my life away! this is the first time ive had surgery before, and something going wrong has troubled me. 3) scared of failure!! having a friend with lap band, and watching these videos STILL hasn't made me sure that i will succeed! must build up confidence.
becksgetsbanded 2 years ago
Thank you Julie for doing this video. I love all the responses you got out of it!! :) It really helps.
croyall23 2 years ago
Oh man. I have lots of fears. Mostly I'm worried about long-term health complications- like things we don't even know about yet. What about if it turns out that everyone drops dead on their 20 year surgiversary? I know that's unreasonable, but it's such a realatively new procedure that I feel like we just don't really have a handle on the long-term consequences.
strongisfighting 2 years ago
True - the way I see it is that if I did not have surgery, my health would have continued to deteriorate and I would probably be dead in 20 years or less anyway, so really I felt I had nothing to lose by taking this gamble. But you are right, there are a lot of unknowns out there. I would rather have 20 years of great health and adventures than 20 years of poor health, homebound with lousy quality of life. It is a risk, I feel I made the right choice for me and hope for long term success.
BeTheBestMe 2 years ago
I can definitely sympathize with that. I am prone to clotting myself and that was a big concern for me as well. What reassured me was my surgeon's success rate; he made me feel very comfortable because he had so much experience. Also they put the squeezy things on you during surgery to prevent clotting in your limbs. I was just going under when they put them on me; that also was reassuring. You are so close to your new life! Be happy - soon you will be on the loser's bench!
BeTheBestMe 2 years ago
great idea for a video Julie. my opinion is that you look FANTASTIC! =)
mark45acp 2 years ago
You are so sweet - thank you my friend :)
BeTheBestMe 2 years ago
I'm scared of the excess skin! I am also not too sure about having to chew your food like crazy, but I know it will be worth it. I'm just hoping I won't have to have plastic surgery after losing 100 pounds!
soarhigh09 2 years ago
My biggest fear is that I`ve read somewhere that the organs of WLS patients age more rapidly. Do you know anything about this?
I also think a lot about the liquid period after the surgery, and the soft food period. Here in Norway it is common to recommend a 3 week soft food period after surgery, but I will probably want to keep the soft foods for 5-6 weeks to be sure that I`ve healed properly.
Ok, I realize that it may sound silly, but these are fears and concerns that I have.
GBPkariann 2 years ago
Totally valid concerns. I have not heard that about the aging organs - news to me. I have to say that the 2 week Pre-op diet, liquid & soft food phase post-op were the most challenging because of head hunger. You are so used to eating a certain way & it's hard to get past the mentality of binge/frequent/unhealthy eating. Now I have a hard time remembering to eat!! Remember that your tastes will change so it will change what you crave which will make it easier to eat well.
BeTheBestMe 2 years ago
i was pre-op until 3 days ago i was most afraid of the gas pain... (of which i'm feeling none of)
ThatzHotxoxo 2 years ago
I hear you there. I even bought Gas-X strips that dissolve in your mouth in case I felt gassy after surgery and I was fine - not gassy at all. The surgeon and nurse told me I could not take the Gas-x Anyway so save your money!
BeTheBestMe 2 years ago
i bought the gas-x strips too but i havent had an gas pains,, really the only pain i have is on the incisions *shrugs* i'm lucky i guess.. i think its because ive been walking my ass off
reshmecka 2 years ago
Good job! All that walking is really going to pay off. Keep up the good work!
BeTheBestMe 2 years ago
I think the thing Im most scared of is what this surgery may do to my body 10 yrs from now or even just 5 yrs from now. I keep reading more and more about people, such as MM having siezures after WLS that cant be explained...and that scares the crap out of me.
tinacrook 2 years ago
Keep in mind what life will be like if you don't have surgery. More than likely, your health will be much worse and you may have multiple health concerns. Either way, it is a risk. You just have to hope for the best and go into surgery with the thought that you will most likely not have those complications post-op and due to weight loss, your health problems will be significantly reduced. It is a gamble and I was fine with the risk knowing that most likely my health would be improved.
BeTheBestMe 2 years ago
i have that exact same fear as croyall23 i am so afraid i am going to fail... like it says... absolutly nothing has worked in the past, why would it work now. I have no idea what it feels like to be thin, or healthy in that matter, and i do want those things very much, but if i have been fat all my life then how is it going to change for me now? i have to loose 40 pounds before surgery which is supposed to be in august and i have only lost 7 pounds.... i am doomed!!!!!
jamie9841 2 years ago
I had the same fears. The most important thing to remember is that this is a lifestyle change so you are going to be craving more healthy food and able to get out and have adventures. Moving your body and doing all the things you can't do now are key! If you have surgery, continue to eat crap and sit around on your butt, you will not lose much. Find the energy and get out there and have fun, eat well and enjoy life and you will have great success. It is as easy as that!
BeTheBestMe 2 years ago
I am afraid of the surgery itself. I have panic disorder with health anxiety and I feel that being at a lower weight and healthy (i have high bp and am pre diabetic) that it would make the anxiety a bit better. I want it so bad..and I want to be "normal".
DottieCVaughn 2 years ago
I used to have really crippling anxiety and frequent panic attacks. Since loosing 100+ pounds, my anxiety is significantly reduced and continues to ebb away. I can't remember the last time I needed Xanax or hyperventilated. It seems that every now and then I will hide out from the world to think and have bad dreams when I sleep but all in all, the anxiety issue has improved significantly. I hope you have the same good luck!
BeTheBestMe 2 years ago
GREAT VIDEO TOPIC!!!!! I already have some answers for pre-op, but I will have them post op.
WeightingMyTurn 2 years ago
Awesome!
BeTheBestMe 2 years ago
The only fear that I have at this moment is if this is going to work for me. Nothing else has in the past and I just have that fear in the back of my head that this WLS is going to be just like everything else. FAILURE!!! I try to have a good outlook on it but sometimes I can't. And if I'm going to be able to loose any weight before I see my surgeon on June 14th. I haven't lost ANYTHING and I've really got to get on the ball. If you have anything that might help I'm all ears!! :)
croyall23 2 years ago
Last year I was right there in your shoes! I failed continuously & it ate away at my esteem. I only lost 14 lbs pre-op but was only able to do that on a 2 week protein diet prescribed by my doctor. Try & lower your carb intake by reducing cereal, bread & pasta & get a walk in every day, even if it is just walking around at the mall or something. Drink a ton of water & herbal tea. Lower your caffeine intake & this will help your body. You can try the 2 week protein diet, let me know if you want.
BeTheBestMe 2 years ago