Question:
I find myself getting nervous the closer my date gets that i will not survive surgery
Ive been retired law enforcement and Im a veteran but I will have no control over the surgery I must put my faith in someone elses hands.So has anyone felt or had thoughts that maybe they might not make through the surgery.Im 6 days from date for rny is this normal and Im just worried for nothing. — jerry1960 (posted on January 14, 2010)
January 14, 2010
I did, i was so scared i almost chickened out the morning of surgery. i was
more tore up about being put to sleep than the actual surgery. i had every
scarey thought possible and what ive read on here , most people have these
fears. but rest assured, you will be in great hands. just pray and ask god
to give you peace, then just rest in that peace. i will be praying for you,
not only concerning this thought but that you will have no complications
and have a speedy recovery. ive been fine and im 3 weeks out. and doing
great! you will too! blessings to you, michelle
— mishies33
January 14, 2010
Jerry,
I was scared to death also. I posted this same question on OH about a week
before my surgery because I was about to chicken out. I recieved so many
positive responses I knew I had to do this to have a better life. I will be
honest though, I could not eat or sleep for 3 days before my surgery. I
felt that it might be the last time I saw my family. But, I promise you it
is not nearly as traumatic as I thought it would be. Once you get the
anesthesia, you won't have a care in the world. When you wake up, your new
journey begins!! I am 3 weeks out and have already lost 27lbs. It took me
months to lose that much before. I feel it is one of the best things I
have ever done. I will be praying that you have peace about your decision.
I will also pray that your surgery is a breeze. Good luck on the new
you!!!!!
Susan
— txtchr
January 14, 2010
I almost didn't have the surgery, because I thought I wouldn't survive it.
My cardiologist shook me out of that feeling when he said that if I didn't
have it, I would certainly die. I was 57 years old when I had RNY, and I
have heart disease, having been through cardiac bypass surgery 10 years
ago. Today I am 130 pounds lighter, and I can move through life with much
greater ease.
It is hard to give upcontrol, but on the other hand, this means you are
taking control of your life and your future.
— pageturnr
January 14, 2010
I think everyone going under for any surgery wonders if they will wake up.
I told my husband all the things to tell my kids if I didn't wake up. Even
with thate, I knew I had to have the surgery to have any quality of life.
Your doctors have only your best interest and survival at heart. All the
best on your surgery. You will wake up a new person!
— Cynthia T.
January 14, 2010
Hi Jerry, from reading these Q & A's for several months I can tell you
it's normal to worry about the outcome of surgery. It's a big deal... major
abdominal surgery, and unlike an emergency situation, you actually have
time to think about the surgery and its effects. I'm three weeks out, and
my brain has begun to vibrate at a much higher frequency! Sometimes I'm
worried about pain, sometimes I'm worried about complications. Oddly, I'm
not worried about dying on the table (my doc has zero morbidities on his
record) but we each react differently to this very big change we've asked
into our lives. Have you gone to a support group meeting? I've found the
people at my group to be very helpful in calming my fears. I plan to keep
going after surgery, too.
I'm trying to focus on all the reasons I called my surgeon's office in the
first place... can't breathe well, trouble with my back, can't tie my own
shoes, etc etc. I'm looking forward to fitting in normal chairs one day...
shopping in a regular men's store... being able to walk up a flight of
stairs without feeling like I've run a mile. Focus on the good stuff... you
know what your personal dreams are, that's why you're doing this. You'll be
fine, and like others, you'll wonder why you didn't do the surgery sooner
in your life!
— Greg K.
January 14, 2010
Jerry,
I also worried about not making it through surgery, I had a BMI of 70 &
was 58 yrs old. I asked everyone I knew to pray for me. I don't know if you
are a church goer or not, but if you are, ask the congregation to pray for
you. I know that you will receive lots of prayers from everyone here, then
just trust that God will get you through surgery. I will pray for you too,
May God Bless You Abundantly!
— KathieV
January 15, 2010
I was just like you, never thought I'd survive it. I planned my will and
powers of attorney. Two days after I got home from surgery, my husband was
trying to console me because I was crying so hard...he asked me what was
wrong...I answered...Everything is NEW! I wasn't supposed to be
here...everything now is new to me like I have a second chance at life. It
was so overwhelming, yet such a profound feeling.
— [Deactivated Member]
January 15, 2010
Hi. I'm sure a lot of us felt the same way. I was so nervous that I would
have panic attacks. I would pray when the attacks came and God would give
me peace. The other thing that I did, was talk to the doctors b4 they put
me out. They explained the process of how they could tell how deep I was
out if I was coming out too soon. This was very comforting. So ask
questions and I think you will feel better. I will also keep you in my
prayers. You will be just fine.
— Tabitha C.
January 15, 2010
It is normal to be scared for any surgery.. we all had those same fears..
but I am sure you will be fine.. I had a high BMI of 63.3 and lost down to
just below (49) for surgery.. but I had every co morbidity there is.. I was
not in good health.. I knew the surery(any surgery) was a risk but without
it I would surely die.. I would rather take the risk and at least know I
did try then to not have it and die for no being scared of surgery.. the
death rate is very low for the surgery.. less that .5% that is really low
compared to other surgeries and we are not the healthiest group of people
so that is pretty good odds.. Relax and get a firm grip on the decision to
LIVE and you will be ok.. I will pray for you to have peace and calm before
surgery and an uneventful surgery and a great recover.. Go to your inner
peace place and find the calm.. if You are religious go to your church and
ask for prayers.. and get ready to Live the rest of your life...
— Teresa S.
January 15, 2010
my date is jan 25 and i have been so scared something is going to happen
during the surgrey but a friend told me about this site and since i been on
here 3 days ago i am feeling much better about having this done
— dlynch24775
January 15, 2010
Wow I thought I was the only one that felt like this this site is great I
feel a lot better now my surgery date is 27 jan
— abeaman
January 21, 2010
I had a weird feeling as well, I phoned my family and told them all that
what ever happened... to remember that I was very happy and and doing the
surgery with my eyes wide open. I remember an odd sensation of trying to
figure out how thin I would be after and comming up blank with my
future.....well I had the surgery and had many complications , I have been
home 5 days now after spending a harrowing 2months in the hospital, I say
heed your thoughts and remember 1% of people do not survive this operation
and 1to 2% have complications. It is major surgery and your life will
change dramatically... it hurts and it is difficult. Truly prepare yourself
for what ever eventuallity, I was not prepared.
— 3dogsplus
January 21, 2010
Jerry -- If you weren't nervous about your surgery I'd be worried about
you; what you're going through is completely normal and I would wager that
99.999% of the post-ops on this site have had the same feelings going in.
I know I did -- at the time of my surgery my kids were 9 and 13 and don't
think I didn't spend some time thinking about what it might mean for them
to grow up without a mother. Then I realized that, in many ways, they were
growing up without a mother anyway -- I couldn't walk ten feet without
needing to lie down, got winded tying my shoes, couldn't fit on theme park
rides or through turnstiles, etc., etc. I had high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, aching knees, moderately severe (how's that for an oxymoron?)
sleep apnea, etc., etc. -- and probably about a 100% chance of dying
prematurely from any or all of the above. The 0.5% chance of dying from
the surgery seemed -- and still seems, almost ten years later -- a fairly
safe bet in the long run. Even the complication rate of 1 - 2% is fairly
low. Yes, it's surgery, yes, there's anaethesia, yes, there's risks -- but
there's risks, and bigger ones, to be taken just by walking around dragging
150 - 200 extra pounds. It's normal to be nervous, but my bet is you --
like the vast majority of the rest of us -- will be just fine.
Congratulations on your decision and best of luck for your journey --
— Cheryl Denomy
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