Getting Cold Feet

jbflorida · 05-08-2008, 07:51 PM

I am getting cold feet. My surgery is this coming Tuesday.

I am on Day 10 of Preop and have lost 11.5 lbs. Today I was able to fit into a pair of size 16 pants and a 1x shirt that I haven't worn for awhile.
I feel I look "chubby," rather than obese which I felt 2 weeks ago.

So now I am thinking WHY AM I DOING THIS?

Should I go through all of this (self pay) to lose 60 lbs? I KNOW I can do it myself--I've done it before! That is the only thing that I am hanging on to! That I HAVE done it before and back it came--with its friends (more lbs).

I guess I am not feeling the food addiction that I KNOW I have. The Optifast was only bad on days 4-6. Now I am not hungry and have no cravings...not one cheat in 10 days. But I can't live on Optifast!

Some advice or support would be so appreciated....I think the surgery in 5 days and the size 16 pants have me confused and worried about my decision.

Judy

jbflorida · 05-09-2008, 08:51 AM

I wrote the above post and noticed that 13 people have viewed it, but no one responded to the support I need.

Did I write something that offended others?

Please let me know if I wrote something wrong or hurtful. I try to be sensitive. I will be needing this message board to "survive" what I am about to go through on Tuesday and the thought of being "ostracized" scares me!

Judy

Di4AU · 05-09-2008, 09:10 AM

Judy, I have thought the same thing a time or two myself. But, I've lost the weight so many times, too. That's the easy part. I just want to do it one more time and keep it off for good. I really feel at our age this is the most important thing we can do for our health. Our chance for success is so much greater with the band than without. And our risk for so many life threatening issues increase tremendously with every pound we gain. I have no doubts, but if you're having serious doubts, perhaps you should postpone your surgery until you feel more comfortable about your decision.

Blund · 05-09-2008, 09:15 AM

Hi Judy,

I'm just over 2 weeks post-op so I'm no expert, but I had simular feelings pre-op. My BMI was not very high to begin with (36-ish), so I struggled with the "should I just try on my own one more time??" But, I remind myself of all the yo-yo-ing I've done and its always the KEEPING IT OFF part that I screwed up! My band will help me with that. Besides, the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver before surgery.

When I got the pre-op jitters, I told myself that when I made this decision to have LBS, my state of mind was much better. Being nervous prior to any surgery is normal. And with me, all of the "what ifs" were flying through my head if I let them. I would try to stay busy and not think about it, knowing that my head is NOT exactly on straight right now. Also my primary Dr, surgeon, & shrink all agreed it was a good decision for me.

I hope this was helpful, and I dont see why anyone would be offended by your posts.

Good luck,
Barb

nicolerose · 05-09-2008, 09:27 AM

Hey yeah some ppl are like that and I appoligize for them. I havent been banded yet but im sorta in the position you are. My op is set for the 27th of may. I have lost 13 some odd pounds by using the weight loss pill called Meridia but i dont want to have to be popping weight loss pills for the rest of my life,ya know? I have felt the same way you do but i figure, honestly its your life and your decision but if you know that when you do lose weight and it eventually comes back and comes back with a fury, then wouldn't you want to have the support of the band that will help you keep the weight off and begin a new life?

jbflorida · 05-09-2008, 09:56 AM

Diane, Barb and Nicole--thanks so much for the support I needed! It helps sooo much when someone has walked (is walking!) in your shoes! You're right...it's the keeping off that is so hard. I NEVER thought I'd get to 200. Here I am! (and some) If I do not take charge--300 is around the corner as well as diabetes, maybe a stroke, more meds and more PAIN --medical, physical, EMOTIONAL--than I have now.

I am praying for the day that I spend 24 hours without a "weight" thought.

And I pray for everyone here. Hugs.

tapshoes · 05-09-2008, 10:03 AM

I too was a veteran of the diet wars...I usually won the battle, but never the war. The lost pounds kept returning, with their friends. And with each defeat I felt ...well, I felt I was a loser.

Getting cold feet is natural. But ask yourself is your anxiety really about you being able to do this on your own, or whether really the anxiety is just that it is surgery? Both are understandable, but make your decision knowing what it really is that is making you feel this way.

If the fear is surgery - again that is understandable. But balance that fear against the known health risks of both yo-yo dieting and obesity. Knowing yourself (and only you do), if it is likely you would regain without the surgery then by not having the surgery you are (in my opinion) risking more.

Make your decision based on knowledge not fear.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide. We'll support you no matter what.

SueAZ · 05-13-2008, 07:58 PM

I share your thoughts on surgery. I am scheduled for May 23. I started looking into Lap Band last July. Thought about it some more and finally in Jan talked to my doctor about it. He wasn't gung ho on weight surgery but still supported my decison. I still have thoughts about it, but at this stage of life I don't want to be overweight for the rest of my life. At 51 I don't feel old and the only thing keeping be back right now is my weight.

Carrie_C · 05-13-2008, 08:57 PM

I am scheduled for May 22, and I feel like you do. I keep asking myself why am I spending this much money on this? But then I think about how long I have wanted it. I have been looking into the Lap Band for YEARS. Now that I'm approved and it's about to happen, I'm not as excited as I thought I would be. I also never thought I would get up to 250 pounds. I am very scared of the actual surgery, but going on like this (FAT) is not an option. That is the main thing I keep thinking about.

jbflorida · 05-14-2008, 01:30 PM

If you go to the first message of this thread, you will see ME as the author. Well, I conquered the confusion and anxiety as--

I just got home from the hospital! day 2 and I feel like I did 9495448 situps.

More to come.

Judy who is now in The Band! (I want to name my band and so far, all I can think of is Phillip----fill up?)

Di4AU · 05-14-2008, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbflorida

If you go to the first message of this thread, you will see ME as the author. Well, I conquered the confusion and anxiety as--

I just got home from the hospital! day 2 and I feel like I did 9495448 situps.

More to come.

Judy who is now in The Band! (I want to name my band and so far, all I can think of is Phillip----fill up?)

I knew you could do it!! Congrats! And just think what those 9495448 situps are going to do for you. LOL! I think Phillip is a perfect name.

MacMadame · 05-14-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbflorida

(I want to name my band and so far, all I can think of is Phillip----fill up?)

My band is called The MacMadames. Oh wait, we aren't talking about playing Rock Band?

IndioGirl55 · 05-14-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbflorida

I am getting cold feet. My surgery is this coming Tuesday.

I am on Day 10 of Preop and have lost 11.5 lbs. Today I was able to fit into a pair of size 16 pants and a 1x shirt that I haven't worn for awhile.
I feel I look "chubby," rather than obese which I felt 2 weeks ago.

So now I am thinking WHY AM I DOING THIS?

Should I go through all of this (self pay) to lose 60 lbs? I KNOW I can do it myself--I've done it before! That is the only thing that I am hanging on to! That I HAVE done it before and back it came--with its friends (more lbs).

I guess I am not feeling the food addiction that I KNOW I have. The Optifast was only bad on days 4-6. Now I am not hungry and have no cravings...not one cheat in 10 days. But I can't live on Optifast!

Some advice or support would be so appreciated....I think the surgery in 5 days and the size 16 pants have me confused and worried about my decision.

Judy

Judy
You are normal with the 2nd thoughts - but the band is the tool that will help you with the portion control for the rest of your life as long as you maintain it - I can my band my interior motivator - as we all know after a few months we go back to our old eating habits - which inturn had the re-gain of the weight we lost and then some.

You are installing a permanet fixture in your stomach - it will be a constant reminder when you try and over eat (once you have proper restriction) - I have read where some call it forced bulima (non-banders say this) cuz you will pb if you over eat -

At our age we have done this a thousand time - for us it's no longer a game - we finally want to win the frickin war - not just the battle.

For me I love my tool - it is just what I needed - I need that little motivation wrapped around my stomach to make me have the AH HA MOMENT that I really have made this a lifetime lifestyle change.

SueAZ · 05-14-2008, 05:10 PM

Congrats Julie on a sucessful surgery. I hope it all comes together for you. I hadn't thought about naming the band. I'm going to give it some thought.

Apples2 · 05-14-2008, 05:22 PM

JBFlorida...happy to hear that your fears have settled some. After I got my ins. approval last Thursday, I went into panic mode. By Monday it was worse. I woke up this morning and decided just to let all the fear, anxiety and anticipation go. I now feel as if I am fully prepared for this surgery. I think I was just letting the "what if's" rule. I have always been a person to accept what comes my way and that is the way I am going to treat this situation.

Never thought of naming my band once I get it. Will have to think on that. Good health to you!