Question:
When you hear about so many people dying after their WLS, does it make you afraid?
I have read about so many people the last couple of weeks dying after their WLS that it really scares me. I know I want and need the surgery and I know I will not back out of it, but I have this fear that this may happen to me also. I feel like I may never see my family again. Does anyone else feel these fears as much as I do? — Teresa A. (posted on July 8, 2002)
July 8, 2002
Just try to remember why you are choosing to have surgery. You aren't(or at
least I wasn't) "living" now right? Merely existing. I wanted to
have a better quality of life and now I do. I think that if it doesn't
scare you then something is wrong. I was scared out of my mind. All I could
think about were embolisms. Just remember to get up and moving as soon as
you can to try to avoid that complication. Plus the hospital will probably
give you support hose and those boots that inflate and deflate to help with
circulation. They put those on before surgery. Good luck to you and try not
to worry.
— Cinna G.
July 8, 2002
Teresa you are damn right I am scared when I read about or hear of people
that had wls died. Quite afew in a row died right b4 my surgery. Was I
scared? Oh hell yes!! VERY. I was more scared thinking of my family being
burdened taking care of me and fetching for me 24/7? YUP!!!! I had surgery
7 weeks ago and I have lost 49 pounds. I feel better. I still get twinges
of fear about what if..... and so 'n so was 6 months out and died, I just
wonder if that fear ever completely leaves your mind. I would do it again
in a heart beat. You have to b nuts NOT to b scared when having this
surgery. Then again I have had 4 c sections, gallbladder removed,
tubiligation, and knee surgerys. I was SCARED during each and every one of
them. Make sure its what you want to do, and if not dont do it! But PLEASE
dont let fear of death be what holds you back from LIVING!!!~ Best of Luck
— Sassy M.
July 8, 2002
You'd have to be an idiot not to be scared of surgery like this. But you
have to also decide if you are really living as you are now? With that
comes the decision also are you going to do as the doctor advises? Are you
going to commit to the exercise as told. Are you going to follow to the
letter the nutrition instructions given? Are you going to make sure you
get the right supplements as instructed? If you can make that committment,
and you feel you are not really living right now, it may be the correct
decision for you. If not, it's best to seek another alternative. Don't
let memorial pages sway you, though. You have know way of knowing the
circumstances of each and every situation. Life's a risk and sometimes
you have to take one if you're going to get what you want out of life. It
is the correct decision for me, but only after careful education and soul
searching was I able to come to that decision.
— Cathy S.
July 8, 2002
Go and look up some statistics for death rates from obesity co-morbidities
such as heart disease, diabetes, etc. and that should help put things in
perspective! I just kept thinking I wouldn't live too long the way I was
going. As I once heard someone say "how many really obese, really old
people do you know?"
— sheltie
July 8, 2002
I am 2 years post op and still remember the fear you are talking about. I
seemed to be drawn to read the morbidity page over and over, but finally
wrote letters to my family 'just in case', prayed, and went ahead. I will
not say that there weren't times I did not wonder what in the world I had
done to myself, but for the most part then, and always now, I do not regret
taking the chance. I left it up to God and He decided I was worth it. Good
luck on your journey, there is a new person waiting for you at the end of
it. Jill
— Jill C.
July 8, 2002
I just had surgery on 6/12 and the fear of death is very real. I too read
the Memorial Page many times. Two things helped me.....First, I had
complete faith in my surgeon. and Second, I just prayed to God that is was
the right thing to do and that he would help me through it. Almost one
month out I can tell you I haven't regretted it not one day. I am very
happy. I also have a 1 year old daughter and was very afraid of leaving
her, but I just had to forge ahead. Good luck and keep coming to success
stories for support!
— emilyfink
July 10, 2002
Teresa-
I know exactly how you feel....being pre-op myself right now, it seems
to be mostly what I think about. I just keep asking myself, what kind of
life would you have if you continue being MO?? It doesn't take
away all of my fear but it at least puts it into perspective.
— Janine B.
July 12, 2002
this was brought up at our pre-op class, my dr has done over 2,000 w.l.s.
lost one woman to a blood clot,, and many of the people who have died were
in such poor shape to start with, i feared that at 425#'s, but i flew
through it, an open r,n.y. the odds are in our favor, i tried to
concentrate on the lives that have been saved,, not the poor souls who
passed on, when you have that w.l.s. you are in the best place and hands to
help you if you get into any trouble, fear?? that's laying in bed late at
night, listening to my heart labor through 425#'s of fat.. 8 months ago i
was 425#'s, today i've lost half my body weight, i weigh 212#'s, i've lost
213#'s and believe me i've been given a new life, and it was worth all the
pain, worry and fear,, good luck..
— bruce M.
September 8, 2003
I just read the most wonder article regarding mortality statistics
regarding surgery. If you go to:
http://gastricbypass.netfirms.com/surgicalmortalitygwclark.htm
It is written by a San Diego Bariatric Surgeon.
— faybay
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