Question:
Okay, surgery is getting close - within 6 weeks or so...
and I'm scared to death! I read each and every profile of those on the memorial page - BIG mistake. It seems a huge amount of people dying from pulmonary embollisms (sp?). One person dying because they didn't get their protein in...and on and on. I'm 29, relatively healthy, BMI between 45-46. I have surgery with BTC soon. I need reassurances! I have a beautiful 3 year old boy and a husband that loves me dearly. I don't want to make a choice that could leave them without me. Is this a purely selfish decision - to have surgery? I want to feel better and be able to do more with my son, and encourage my hubby to lose weight, too...but there's this other part of me that wants to lose weight to show off to people I know and see if they treat me differently. How high school is that?? — vittycat (posted on January 7, 2003)
January 7, 2003
There are no guarantees that you won't die from any surgery-there is always
some risk, though that risk is low. You have a higher percent chance of
dying in a car accident than dying on the table. Put it into perspective.
Also, many of those on the memorial page were in bad shape to start with
with lots of co-morbidities and much heavier than you are. Your young,
relatively healthy, and should be OK. Think of it this way-you are having
this surgery so that you WILL be around for your son and your husband.
Being morbidly obese is a sure way to not be around for your son's future.
As to showing off for others, well, nothing wrong with that!! Your primary
goal should be good health, but looking good is also for your
health-mental, that is!
— Cindy R.
January 7, 2003
Glad to see I'm not the only one! I'm almost 7 months post, and honestly, I
almost backed out a dozen times. It was the forst time I'd ever been in a
hoppital (as a patient), and let's face it...the surgury is risky.
My doctor told me that 6 months after the operation, I would happy I did
it, and he was right. I've probably prolonged my life by several years, but
the biggest reward is the quality of life I now enjoy. We are judged by our
appearance, and how we look and what people think of us is important, so
don't worry about the part of you that wants to impress people. That makes
the surgury all the more desirable.
I wish I could tell you not to worry about it. But only you know if the
risk is worth it. i can only offer my experience. For me and thousands of
others, it was the right thing to do.
— Sporter
January 7, 2003
Kritsa,
Like the other post I too am 7 months post op, I like the other posts here,
Have no regrets, each day is taken one day at a time. I wasn't worried
about how I would look after surgery, what my scar looks like, how the skin
hangs or doesn't hang..... What size I would be or wouldn't be, I'm in the
best shape I've ever been in my life. take a minute and read my profile.
Things change and I believe it's all for the best, I've added years to my
life.... and thank God every day for giving me a great spouse and for
giving me the chance to use this tool. We all take risks every day we're
not aware of, this is one risk I went into whole heartly and put my trust
in my maker.
Post op 7 months down 109 pounds
— tannedtigress
January 7, 2003
My surgeon explained the mortality risk like this. There is about a 4 in
1000 chance of death. Most of the 4 entered surgery with pulmonary
problems and under normal circumstance would never have undergone surgery
but for the fact that without surgery they would not have lived long due to
the obesity and heart problems. So the chances of death are evern lower
unless you go in with major complications. Hope this helps.
<p> Take Care, Be Well, and Be Happy!
— John T.
January 7, 2003
Your more likely tro die from remaining MO than from surgery according to
my surgeon. The pre op tests often uncover other problems that can be
managed or fixed by WLS. Blood clots are the most likely killer. But
walking RIGHT after surgery cuts their risks a lot. So WALK WALK WALK. Some
of those memorial page members died WAITING for surgery, others died from
car accidents and such.
— bob-haller
January 7, 2003
Your decision to have surgery is not selfish. You are not having surgery
for cosmetic reasons, you are having surgery to rid yourself of pain so
that you can keep up with your little boy. There is nothing selfish about
that! Reading the memorials just shows how much thought you have put into
the whole process. You are aware of the positives as well asthe potential
risks. Preparing for surgery is scary (mine is just a few weeks away also),
but my husband keeps reminding me how much better I will feel both
physically and emotionally after surgery. I can't wait to see friends and
family who don't know I am having wls reactions to my weight loss either!
— Lydia S.
January 7, 2003
Krista, I read your profile and noticed that you are having a sleep study
done on Jan 16. I am so glad you are getting this done before your
surgery! I am the poster of the memorial on Ginger Brewster on the
memorial page. Although Ginger died from pulmonary embolism, believe me,
if her surgeon had made provisions for her having sleep apnea, such as
having her on CPAP/BiPap and having her in ICU the first night after
surgery she wouldn't have gone into respiratory arrest and been bedridden
so long that she developed blood clots. So, please if you have sleep apnea,
please get on CPAP and make sure your surgeon and anesthesiologist make
provisions for you having sleep apnea. If your sleep study comes back
negative for sleep apnea, that's even better. Best of Luck to you. If you
have any questions please feel free to e-mail me.
— Hackett
January 8, 2003
Everyone - thank you so much. These are just the kind of comments I needed
to hear. Scrolling through the library section on Emotional Issues, there
are many people in the past that have posted similar fears, and it's great
to read their postop profiles. Even though I read all the other fear
posts, there's nothing quite like your OWN fears. I have accepted the fact
that I'm not going to sleep well until after the surgery, and I've made my
husband promise to get me walking ASAP postop....again, thank you so much
for all of the support - it means more to me than you can know!
— vittycat
January 8, 2003
hi
i had my surgery on may 3, 2002 this is the best thing i could of ever done
for myself. i have lost 104lbs feel just great started out at 312 with bmi
over 50 and i am doing great i exercise 5 times a week for one hour and i
feel great can keep up with it. please have this done for yourself you will
feel great. write if you feel like it and good luck
— ROSEMARY A.
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