I’m new and my surgery is next week
Hi! My name is Debby and my surgery is next week. About 5 weeks ago I
received insurance approval, met with the surgeon and got my date -
June 22. How do you get through the final week before the surgery? I am
on an optifast diet (5 drinks and 1 candy bar per day - yiich!). I was
supposed to be on it for the two weeks prior to the surgery but went to
one meal and 3 drinks last week with a few slip ups. I am going to
sincerely try to follow the opti-fast regime this week. I am nervous
about the surgery for the regular reasons but also because I had major
back surgery two years ago with complications, so the thought of
surgery again is scary. I have been in an exercise/support group since
February and have been doing all the reading and research and feel
ready. BUT, I’m still so scared. What if it doesn’t work? What if I
have complications? What if I have an open surgery instead of a
laproscopic one? I know I have to think positively, so any positive
support, feedback or suggestions would be really great. My surgery will
be at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York. My surgeon is Dr.
Marc Bessler.
Thanks,
Debby
May 11th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Hi, Debby, welcome to our group. I think a lot of your fears are very
common. I know that even though I had NO complications, I’m more conscious
of a desire not to have additional surgery. The odds are with you for the
surgery without complications, though, if that’s any help at all. Maybe
some of the other listmembers will have some suggestions. I focused on my
plastics before my surgery, so the GBS itself was just a little blip on the
way to getting rid of all the extra skin LOL.
Pam in Niceville
_____
Hi! My name is Debby and my surgery is next week. About 5 weeks ago I
received insurance approval, met with the surgeon and got my date -
June 22. How do you get through the final week before the surgery? I am
on an optifast diet (5 drinks and 1 candy bar per day - yiich!). I was
supposed to be on it for the two weeks prior to the surgery but went to
one meal and 3 drinks last week with a few slip ups. I am going to
sincerely try to follow the opti-fast regime this week. I am nervous
about the surgery for the regular reasons but also because I had major
back surgery two years ago with complications, so the thought of
surgery again is scary. I have been in an exercise/support group since
February and have been doing all the reading and research and feel
ready. BUT, I’m still so scared. What if it doesn’t work? What if I
have complications? What if I have an open surgery instead of a
laproscopic one? I know I have to think positively, so any positive
support, feedback or suggestions would be really great. My surgery will
be at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York. My surgeon is Dr.
Marc Bessler.
Thanks,
Debby
_____
May 12th, 2007 at 4:59 am
Dear Debbie,
Welcome to the group. If you do the optifast diet this week where it is so
critical just before your surgery, the Dr’s will be able to do the lesser
surgery.He wants you to loss some weight before the surgery so he has more room
to work. Thats the whole thing in a nut shell. I was a nurse for 20 years. But
ended up having the Lap Band done in April .What a difference in me personality
wise look wise and pateint wise. Good Luck on this week !We are all pulling for
you. We all know it is not the most wonderful thing to do and we know it’s hard
But your on count down..Just a few more days to go…You can do it!
Pam in Niceville
_____
Hi! My name is Debby and my surgery is next week. About 5 weeks ago I
received insurance approval, met with the surgeon and got my date -
June 22. How do you get through the final week before the surgery? I am
on an optifast diet (5 drinks and 1 candy bar per day - yiich!). I was
supposed to be on it for the two weeks prior to the surgery but went to
one meal and 3 drinks last week with a few slip ups. I am going to
sincerely try to follow the opti-fast regime this week. I am nervous
about the surgery for the regular reasons but also because I had major
back surgery two years ago with complications, so the thought of
surgery again is scary. I have been in an exercise/support group since
February and have been doing all the reading and research and feel
ready. BUT, I’m still so scared. What if it doesn’t work? What if I
have complications? What if I have an open surgery instead of a
laproscopic one? I know I have to think positively, so any positive
support, feedback or suggestions would be really great. My surgery will
be at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York. My surgeon is Dr.
Marc Bessler.
Thanks,
Debby
_____
Donna Bhalla
May 12th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Deb you’ll do fine. It’s normal for the jitters and the fears that you have.
The most important thing for you right now is to stick to the liquid diet
religiously. It could make the difference between a Lap procedure and an open
one. If your liver is too large to effectively perform the Lap, then they may
have to open you up. Buckle down now, and save yourself the discomfort of an
open procedure scar later. Good luck. You can do it!
Brian in S FL