5 months feels like forever

**Petunia3** · 08-13-2017 09:12 PM

Booked my surgery for Jan 2018. Wish it was sooner but earlier was bad for my work schedule. Nervous and excited.

**Christie13** · 08-14-2017 05:49 AM

Try to focus on other things and it'll be here before you know it!!

**Tamera2** · 08-14-2017 03:00 PM

Good luck!! I would work on making life changing steps now with diet and exercise. Also recommend attending a support group while your waiting. It will help the time go faster if you are able to start life changing steps now. even if it's just working I'm sure the time will go faster than you think. Best of luck to you and congratulations on making the decision to better your life. Feel free to ask any questions if any come up. I'm happy to answer. Hang in there and just think how great next Summer will be.

**Ann2** · 08-14-2017 05:12 PM

Tamera has some very good advice for you. I agree with her.

I can so relate to the "How long?!?" Pre-op I almost drove everybody on my surgeon's team nuts. It took me even longer to get scheduled -- 7-8 months. Eventually, I started practicing all those post-op behaviors I was told about -- cut down on coffee, cut out sodas, bought a Fitbit, put myself on a little 1400 calorie/day diet to try and regain some kind of control over my eating, posted here a lot (actually over-posted, according to some vets around here back then

), and read my brains out about everything the vets here at the time were talking about.

Looking back, all my worrying / preparation / obsessions didn't hurt me at all. And three years post-op, I still prepare and obsess a bit.

I personally think obsession is a super power, not a disability.

**Petunia3** · 08-14-2017 09:09 PM

Everyone is so nice on here. Thank you so much!

**ShariBerry** · 08-15-2017 11:37 AM

5 months will fly by, especially with the holidays and everything coming up. Like the others have mentioned, there are things you can focus on now that should help. I spent quite a bit of time on the forums reading and researching before I ever signed up. It has helped me to ask questions I didnt know to ask, and start to set and work towards goals prior to surgery. I quit drinking coffee, and let me tell you that first month was tough! However, I'm so happy that is one less thing I will have to deal with right after surgery. I have also started to meet with a therapist, to hold myself accountable and focused on my goals. My surgery is in 6 days, and while I have prepared, I have to admit that I still hear on occasion that voice at the back of my head questioning and fearing that I will fail because every other diet or weight loss effort has failed to date. So I arm myself with good habits, because this time it has to be different. THERAPY, has helped me correct my mind, and focus on activities that are healthy. 5 months will fly by! This is a decision that you will live with, and hopefully like most on this site, will be grateful for. Get started with good habits now, the mind is a powerful tool. Best wishes to you on this journey. People on this site are great. You are not alone, good luck!

**Petunia3** · 08-15-2017 11:58 AM

Thank you for the sound advice. I am planning on giving up my coffee and I'm trying to cut way back on Diet Coke because I drink way too much of it. Eventually I want to be off of caffeine completely and well before my surgery. I think the therapist might not be a bad idea either.