Fear - ThinnerTimes

eena04 · 11-06-2004, 01:38 PM

Hi! I'm new to this website and found it through research of the Gastric Bypass surgery. I was reading some of the postings and decided that it would be best for me to join what seems to be such a close online community.

All my life I have been over weight. When I was a Junior in high school I went through a time of actually losing weight. I felt so great, I lost over 30 pounds and was actually feeling healthy. For some reason though, I gained it all back plus a lot more, and just gave up after feeling like a failure. Last night was the first night that I ever broken down and cried to my mother about my weight issue and told her that I have been looking into this surgery. To my surprise, she told me that she supports me if I made the decision to go through with it.

I haven't decided for sure yet, but I have my first doctors appoint over Thanksgiving break. I have mixed feelings on just seeing the doctor to talk to him about it, because my biggest fear ever is everything that could go wrong. (Death)

Let me explain: I took it as a sign when a show came on NBC about Gastric Bypass surgery and all those who have gone through with it. It had a lot of people my age and younger, and I always thought that you weren't allowed to do this surgery unless you were older, around the age 21. I was so happy to hear that I could get this done now and get my life on the right track. Then they showed the part where one man lost his life. I know there are two sides to everything and that even being over weight I am killing myself as it is, but the thought of getting the infection inside of me, having a leakage problem, or anything else, is what scares me so much! I guess in the end, what I am trying to find out is what is the percentage of this happening? What are the reasons that it can happen? What can be done to cause these risks to not happen?

I have a few weeks now until I get started on my journy, but any information now would be great. Thank you all for listening to my novel! Any help would be great...and thank you so much!

fairydust · 11-06-2004, 04:46 PM

Hello, and welcome.. I am new to this group as of today as well. I am three months into my post op preperation, and I have the same fears you and a lot of other people have. I too, have been heavy all of my life... since i was a child,and I did the yoyo dieting, then lost alot of weight, become pregnant and after the baby I gained it all back and more.... my higest has been 322 which was three months ago, and with the pre op dieting i am down to 309. It is scary, I am very scared, and it gets worse as time goes on.. because it is along process... of six months pre-op prep.
I looked into the surgery for about a year before i decided to go ahead and acutally begin the process of getting it done....
being overweight in my case is due to my food additction.. i eat when im happy, sad, mad, etc.. i knew i had to make some changes before I did die, i have extemly high blood pressure... and it only kept getting worse and im only 29. I know my area has local support groups...and i am sure there are some in ur area.. go to one....see what they say.. the ppl i have met on my journy have been wonderful, and do help me feel better, although lately as i posted somewhere else I am getting more nervous as the days go on... but you have to do what is best for you.. good luck in whatever choice you make..

MaryClipper · 11-08-2004, 08:51 AM

Welcome,

I am glad to hear you are looking into this surgery, it has saved many lives and allowed us to live healthy happy lives. Most of us are from the same surgical practice in San Diego County, with Dr. Callery and Dr. Potts. We do have people from other areas of the country and all are welcome.

Talk to your Doctor, learn as much as you can about the surgery and the changes that you will have to make after surgery. These changes are forever and are not always easy. The surgery for the most part is not reversable so make sure you are willing to live with the changes. Find a good surgeon who will listen to you and explain everything to you.

It would help us help you better if you gave us a little more information.

What is you name?
Your height and weight.
What diets have you tried?
and what is your insurance.

I will be glad to answer any questions you have and help in anyway that I can.

Mary

Christina · 11-08-2004, 09:23 AM

eena,

Your fears and thoughts are valid. This is a very serious surgery. I went into it fully informed of the risks, benefits, and mortality rate. The average rate is 1-200 people will die from surgical complications. My Surgeons rate was lower than the national average, however it doesn't mean that complications can still not happen. The best thing you can do for yourself before surgery is be aware of the risks. Anything can happen to anyone. When I finally decided to have the surgery I felt a sense of relief. Relief from my pains, my worries, and my obesity. However, I was told my my Doctor that I would not live to see the age of 35 if I didn't do something to lose weight NOW! So after finding out that Insurance covers the surgery, I was relieved.. I finally had a head up on what I needed to ensure a longer healthier life. I was 31 when I had my surgery. I am 5'4" and I was 274 pounds.. my BMI was 47. I am now 167 lbs.. with a BMI of 28.7 I think?? Therefore I am still overweight but no longer obese or morbidly obese. I have relieved many of my co-morbidities that I had. I will find out tomorrow at my Doctors appointment if I have lowered my Cholesterol and my Triglycerides.. (My cardiac risk factors) and I will post those results after I get them.

However, my greatest fear was not that of a leak or anything.. it was a blood clot. I knew this could happen.. MY SURGEON ensures we are very well informed about this. He explained they do give us blood thinners in the hospital but stresses we MUST get up and walk after surgery .. every hour. So I did.. and I did not develop this life threatening complication. I know someone who did get a blood clot though.. and she admitted that she was NOT getting up and walking after her surgery. She survived thankfully. I saw the same NBC program with Al Roker and it was a good show. However, like you said there are two sides to the story. I know that man must have been very sick and therefore unable to get up and walk. However, they maybe could have used the bear huggers on his legs to try and prevent blood clots while he was immobile.. I don't know if they did or not, but that sure could have helped while he was in the hospital. I just think the main thing is you MUST go into the surgery well informed.. and not ignore any problems you have post-operatively no matter how small you may think it is.

Most Insurance companies require a 6 month medically supervised diet prior to approving surgery. Have you gotten that documentation already or are you just doing it now? Either way you will need that prior to being approved for surgery.

I do wish you the best of luck no matter which road you choose. This is a life time commitment. Do not think this is the "easy way out." It isn't. You must still deal with the demons that haunt you in regards to food. After you have the surgery, you will lose your best friend.. food. Not forever, you still must eat... but you will not be able to cover up your anger, sadness or grief by gorging on food. You must DEAL with those head on and for most of us that is a scary and unfamiliar. I know I still have problems with that myself.

Wishing you the best of luck on your jouney.. and let us know if you have any further questions..

watergirl · 11-09-2004, 07:46 AM

Welcome to the forum. We're glad you're here. I'm glad to hear that you are doing your homework and researching weight loss surgery. It's not a decision that you can make lightly.

I wish you much luck with your journey.

Dormattoo · 11-10-2004, 05:20 AM

hi i have found a book called "a surgeon's guide to weight loss surgery" has answer a lot of my pre surgery questions. it tells you a lot about the different surgeries and how to make an appeal if you get denied. i bought my book at barnes and noble off the web it maybe something you want to look at and GOOD LUCK on your new journey

Christina · 11-10-2004, 08:14 AM

I still refer to it from time to time because it has a lot of good information for post-ops as well.

It's a great book!!!