Sis/Donna: Totally normal to waffle between doing and not doing it—right up until they put you on the table. Anxiety was at a peak with this surgery (I've had about 10 other surgeries, but not like this). If you have serious concerns about being ready postpone it. You can do that even today. They want you READY for the process because you can't go back to the way you were (how many times I wished I could!)
Pain was not an issue for me (I have a high pain tolerance) but the Lortab (liquified pain medication) helped when I tried to sleep. Your surgery will be quite different.
You won't feel hunger unless you stretch the pouch, which will happen over time. Stick to the one ounce measure. SIP. You'll have to learn to sip without taking in air because air causes pain until you burp (it also made me feel a little queasy until I burped).
Swallowing is no problem. The problem comes when you do not chew items VERY well. They told me to "chew your ABC's" with every bite once I got to solid food. They're right. The narrowing isn't at your throat, it is at the bottom of your stomach. If you swallow something too large, your stomach can't grind it up like it used to. I saw someone's post on here where they were upset because they have to give up gum. See, if you accidentally swallow gum, you have to have a surgeon go through your mouth and extract it because it will block that hole in the bottom of your stomach, which is only a quarter of an inch wide and won't grow any larger.
No, you're not sounding crazy. I hope you have a good support person in your life. Here's what they didn't tell me:
* I was very emotional the first week (called "hell week" by some). If you've never had yo-yo emotions, warn whomever cares for you during that week that you're going to cry for a reason, cry for no reason, be elated and excited, then do it all over again. You're going to have doubts even AFTER surgery.
* Your surgery will be different than mine because of the dual nature of the operation. I had the six-hole type (turned out to be seven holes-lol-what's one more?).
*Support your stomach (gently) when you're up and around. I pulled a muscle in my abdomen and it was the worst pain I had ever experienced. They did a CT scan, but everything was okay and it wasn't an issue from the surgery. Oh boy, was I scared.
* I was shocked the first time I took in too much liquid, or liquid with solid food, because I erupted like a volcano. Everything I had swallowed decided to leave through my mouth. It is so natural to drink while you're eating; no-no-no.
*Getting enough water seems impossible. That will get better. If you're dehydrated severely, go to your regular physician and they will fill you with IV saline solution and you can start again with trying to get enough water.
*Protein is a pain in the…. I tried out my protein shakes before I went into surgery. All was well. After surgery, none agreed with me and my husband figured out it was the artificial sweeteners, etc., that turned my stomach. That will change, too. Some days I can eat X food and the next day X food will not sit well in my stomach. Strange journey. Listen to your body.
Just know that first few weeks is going to be a roller coaster. I would like very much to stay in contact with you, but this thing doesn't let me reply to you by email.
Tom