Question:
Scared me so much!
Wow I have heard about the meorial page but just now I finished reading it. It is so scary you read about actual deaths from surgery. I thought that I was so absolutely positive about this and now... I know that I don't have any real choice if I want to live a "normal" life but what if... I am so depressed. I have had heart palpitations for years now-they say it is from stress and caffine(Spelling-sorry) I am now worried about that. HELP!!!! I don't want to die... — Jill E. (posted on August 14, 2000)
August 14, 2000
Jill, no one ever wants to face the fact that major surgery could end a
life. It is a reality that has to be looked at, some people won't make it
through or will die of complications later on.. The mortality rate is low,
around 2%, considering that we all have so many co-morbitidies. Any one day
could be our last from one of them. Put it in prespective, you really do
have a good chance for a longer yet different life! Good luck in making the
right choice for yourself.
— char T.
August 14, 2000
Hi Jill--I can totally sympathize with you and what you are feeling. I am
feeling the same way. I chose to look at it a few different ways. In
relation to the amount of people that are on this site, there is actually a
small few on the memorial page that have died due to surgery. Also, I am
placing my trust in God. I am not trying to preach, but I believe that my
name and date of death is already in the book of life, and if it is my
time, then it is my time. There is nothing I can do to control it. I
could get hit by a bus on the same day if I don't have the surgery!! It's
in God's hands. Plus I felt a lot better once I had my first appointment
with my surgeon. I had a list of 40 questions to ask him, and one of them
was about his mortality rate. He has done about 2000 of these surgeries,
and has had 5 or 6 deaths. That was comforting. He knows what he is
doing. I have my up days and my down days, but I know that this is the
right path for me. I wish you luck in your journey.
— enjo4
August 14, 2000
Jill:
I felt the same way - but I would not have changed my mind for anything in
this world. even though I am not losing as I should - I have lost and I
feel so much better. I too suffered and continue to suffer from heart
palpitation - but your Dr. is probably right - but also you might want to
consider panic attacks. I have those too. I know we are all scared of
dying put if you loo at the truth - we are all going to die - but it
doesn't have to be now. Would you rather die as you are or have this
surgery and die 40 or 50 years from now and hundreds on pounds thinner and
healthier. Sweetheart - we are all scared but the Lord would not have put
the decision to have this surgery in your heart if it was not meant to be.
Good luck and bless you. You as well as all the other wonderful people I
have met on this site are always in my heart.
— anitawilson
August 14, 2000
Dear Jill, We've all got to face it, Life is Terminal...No one gets out
alive:) However, I do understand, I am 44yrs old, my father had a coronary
at age 47, his mother died when he was 5yrs old. I don't WANT to Die
either! It took my being referred to a Cardiologist for possible Congestive
Heart Failure before I came to grips with the need to really consider WLS.
I check the Memorial Page everyday for any new additions. I feel for their
families, but that does not lessen my need for the surgery. We all suffer
from a variety of health problems, in addition to our excess weight, some
more than others. You really cannot compare your situation to anyone else
with regard to your "State of Health". You can only consult with
your Surgeon, make sure he/she is aware of all your health problems &
medications that you take, (including any over the counter type meds!) and
weigh the possible risks vs possible benefits and then make your decision.
No one will force you to have WLS. Even if you change your mind at the last
minute, the decision is yours. If you decide that WLS is what you truely
want and you are still worried, talk to your Surgeon and he can give you a
Rx to calm your nerves. You might also talk to a psychotherapist to
determine exactly what you are afraid of. Is it a fear of: death, surgery,
failure, needles, hospitals, strange people in white coats? Whatever your
fears, once you recognize them and face them they will be easier to deal
with. But remember no matter what you decide, people here will support your
decision. Sending Warm Calming Skinny thoughts your way:) ttfn
— Barbara I.
August 14, 2000
I, too, have heart palpitations from stress. I would give almost anything
to have this surgery. I am so glad that these palpitations are from stress
and that my weight has not YET caused high blood pressure, cardiac problems
and diabetes. For so many people this is truly a life threatening decision
they have to make. There is a risk to every surgery...no matter the type,
however it is a small risk. Whatever your other conditions are if you need
this surgery, and you know the future for your conditions does not look
good, you need to keep that in mind and not dwell on the negative. If you
are having problems letting go of the gloomy thoughts you may need to talk
with your doc. Keep your chin up hon, and just know inside you will be OK.
There are so many stories of people who have been saved, here.
— JennyLynn A.
August 15, 2000
I've had heart palpitations for about 12 years and am five months postop
from WLS. After a battery of tests from my cardiologist the palps were
thought to be minimal heart damage from a muscle disease I had 12 years ago
(I cut out caffeine and that didn't help). Your surgeon should order you
to see a cardiologist for cardiac clearance before the surgery. If he
doesn't then I would seriously think about going to another surgeon. My
cardiologist said the weight loss would help lessen the palps and I can't
wait for that! I'm down about 83 lbs so far and was able to recently stop
my blood pressure medication. I also was afraid of dying but I had reached
the point where I would have rather died than to keep living the way I was
living. I was so ashamed to be seen in public that I only left the house
when I absolutely had to. I was out of breath all the time and could
barely walk to the mailbox. The smallest amount of exertion would get my
sweat factory working overtime. I decided that the risk of death or
serious complication was worth it if I could live a normal life again (and
hopefully have kids someday!). You're the only one that can decide if the
very slim chance of death is worth the benefits of WLS. Finding someplace
that only deals with bariatric surgery might help ease your mind. Those
hospitals/doctors/nurses know the extra care that morbidly obese surgical
patients need in order to cut down on complications.
— Kellie L.
August 15, 2000
I hear ya, hon. As others have said, everything in life -- including
getting out of bed in the morning -- has risks attached to it. WLS is no
different -- but then again, people have died having their teeth cleaned.
The way I looked at it was, there is about a 1% (or less) mortality rate
from the surgery, and I would venture that many of those who die as a
result of the surgery have other significant health issues. On the other
hand, the high blood pressure, the risk of heart attack and/or stroke, the
athritis, the diabetes, the sleep apnea, and the God knows what else would
likely have a 100% probability of killing me off eventually. In the end, I
decided I was less scared of dying than I was of making a permanent change
in my life. I had an open VBG on April 17 (-85#) and haven't regretted it
for one second. You have to do what's right for you, but don't allow what
are actually normal fears about the unknown to dictate the decision for
you. Good thoughts no matter what you choose,
— Cheryl Denomy
August 19, 2000
Hi, Jill. Like you, I just saw the memorial site yesterday. I am
currently being evaluated for the surgery and my primary is very supportive
of my decision to pursue a roux en Y procedure. In my case, I'm 35 and
suffering diabetes and elevated BP (among other, lesser issues). And like
you, the site scared me, too; I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I do have
trepidations, and I'm sure most feel that way. However, in looking through
each, I found that many experienced pulmonary emboli (which can cause heart
attack), and while that can occur with ANY major medical procedure, talk to
your doctor about any predisposition factors you may have, such as taking
birth control pills and smoking (both are huge contributing factors to the
development of blood clots). Having had a PE myself after starting birth
control pills in '96, I know the signs/symptoms to watch for and I know my
doctors will be more alert due to my history. On the other hand, I also
know that these complications are rare, and I trust the doctors I am
working with. More so, I know that without drastic intervention, I am
facing my own certain demise. At 320 lbs and 5'3", my body cannot
sustain the weight that it carries. I think of myself as a beautiful woman
with so many possibilities, yet I'm trapped in this shell and only
exhisting now, not LIVING. How much worse will it be in 5 years? Will I
even be alive in 5 years if I don't find a way to change my outcome NOW? I
still plan to pursue the surgery, but only because I know my risks are
greater without it and my chances of dying are guaranteed if I do nothing
at all. Talk to your doctor -- Find out your risk factors and arm yourself
with knowledge.
— Michelle F.
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