Being scared is normal for many of us. It is totally expected. I mean, they are gonna go inside your torso, remove some of your stomach, then staple it back up again. Try to stay relaxed, and focus on the positive things. Before long you'll be on the losers bench!!!

Personally, I was over the top scared. I went as far as writing a letter to my five year old daughter, my hubby, and my parents just in case. It was horrible, I just cried like a blubbering idiot while writing my daughters letter. I was freaked out, and it got worse as the date got closer, then I started to feel excitement along with the fear a few days before, and then the oddest thing is the morning of I woke up at 4am so I could get there at 5 like they requested (my surgery was scheduled for 7am) and I was as calm as could be. I felt a sense of peace. I just knew that my life would be different when I woke up and it would be a good thing. It really is true, too. I'm 7.5 months out and my quality of life has improved dramatically and it gets noticeably better every month, week, day. Seriously. It's crazy awesome!

As far as the 10 lb loss. I personally did not have to lose any weight, but I was put on a very restricted diet for two weeks before surgery. (for me it was 2-3 protein shakes per day, one lean cuisine or other frozen meal that was under 300 calories, and if I wanted a cup of plain veggies (not corn or peas, but anything else). It ended up being about 800 calories per day and I lost 11 pounds during that two weeks.

Do you have a pre-op diet? If so, you will see a drop in weight then. Most WLS patients have some kind of similar diet and often lost between 10-25 lbs depending on the diet (some people it's protein shakes ONLY!!)

On the stuffing of the face thing - while I didn't have an "all out" food funeral for days I did go out to eat almost every night for a week or two before I started the two week special diet. They were my favorite restaurants and I just got a normal meal. I didn't gain or lose during my "tour of favorite restaurants" thing.

Good luck with it all!!

Hi Jackie,

I think it is normal to feel scared and happy all at once. I am very much feeling this too, my surgery is booked for the 26th July. I have a 2 week liver shrinkage pre op diet consisting of 5x slim fasts a day which I know isn't going to be pleasant but I am looking at it as preparation for after surgery because I will be on clear liquids and shakes for a while after too.

I was shovelling food in too and gained weight which made me panic. My pre-op is due 16th June and I have lost a few of the pounds I gained but cannot bring myself to get on the scales. I think its an unconscious thing to do when you know that you wont be eating 'food' for a while. My nurse advised that whilst I have gained, it is not the end of the world and to try and get some off before my pre op appt. She said the Key is the 2 week liver shrinkage pre op diet. If the surgeon cannot lift the liver via keyhole they are likely to either not do the operation or they will do open surgery which really is not an option for me as it will be even more invasive with too many weeks/months off work to heal.

The other thing I did was remove my trigger foods so there is nothing in the house for me to have and not to buy any. I go shopping with friends that are aware of what I can/should be having and that helps lol so I'm not tempted to buy anything I shouldn't. If you choose to give it up it is different to being forced to give it up. I got that tip from one of the ladies I'm friends with on MFP.

xx

Yup, it's normal to feel that this is your last chance to eat as much and anything you want....however, IT IS NOT!

I'm almost 3 months out and CAN eat anything I want BUT I can't eat much of it. That was the toughest part for me...quantity. I still feel like I want to eat the buffet out of business (head hunger) when we go out, however I can't even hold a kids meal and I feel uncomfortably stuffed. I've had to learn to quit eating before feeling so stuffed.

If you were not afraid you would not be normal. It is an exciting ride for sure.

You won't be able to eat the quantity that you have in the past. That's a given, but for me at least, the sleeve has allowed me to become a "picky" eater. I know I can't hold very much so I focus on quality over quantity. I do protein first, almost always, but I haven't found anything that just doesn't agree after full post op healing and I've found that if I stick with regular exercise, (which was not a part of my life before), I have the flexibility to have a treat now and then. I no longer feel like I'm on a "diet". This is the absolute best gift I've ever given myself!

Most people are scared, the ones who are not are probably not wise enough to understand the significance of this surgery and will suffer later mental anguish.

Now as for the eating, this is where I would suggest to stand fast and start to make the commitment to your upcoming lifestyle change. The importance of the pre-op diet is to shrink internal organs so as to lower the probability of potential complications during the surgery. Keep this in mind when you are tempted to cheat. By breaking the pre-op diet, you endanger the success of your pending operation. I had only one week of pre-op to drop 20 lbs. I went for a strip down liquid fast on low carb protine shakes. I dropped 25 lbs in 1 week. It was hard and I don't recommend it. I suggest you stick to the 2 week pre-op. Don't allow your fear to get the best of you.

I have often described the differences in personalities as a person standing on a ledge. Their are souls who fear the edge, and want to recourse to safety! Yet their are others who feel this insane urge to jump! Its time for you to familiarize your self with the urge to jump.

I had my sleeve on the 13th of May 2014. I am now down 71 lbs! I feel incredible. I feel full on minimal amounts of food. Every day is beautiful because I don't worry about not fitting into my cloths. I feel AWESOME! Trust me in a couple of weeks, you will feel the same way too. Let go of the urge to flee to safety and just jump into the new lifestyle, you will not regret it.