I am scared---i got a date
I have come soooo far. I finally got a date and its may 23rd. I got my approval letter yesterday in the mail. I thought I would be so excited and happy but I went to bed and cried myself to sleep. I will be having surgery in greenville, nc with dr john pender---anyone had him???? I just look at my babies and I wonder --- am I doing the right thing??? I am so afraid of the risk. I am 287 at 5ft 4, I am 31 and I dont have any serious health problems yet... Should I be so afraid. I try to be positive but I look at my children and think to myself what if this is the wrong decision-----what if never see them again??? Any help out there?????? Thanks, Carol
Carol - I understand all your feelings, I am now almost 5 days post op and a lot older then you. The crying is partially due to fear but I felt mine was mostly due to feeling like yet again a failure that I must go to this extreme to deal with my weight. You are very courageous for taking this step, you are giving yourself a tool to help make the lifetyle changes you must make. Making yourself more healthy is the best thing you can do for your children - so you can be there when they grow up. As a mother it's not often something we do - put ourselves first - but we must take care of ourselves if we are ever going to be able to take care of others.
As far as risks of surgery, they of course are there though as nurse I can say with a high degree of confidence you will make it through the surgery. You are young and healthy you will do well.
There will be some rough days but you will feel better before long just work hard at doing what you're told to reduce possible complications - you are on the road to a new you!
I'll keep you in my prayers.
Amy
Carol, I think when the date actually comes to us, it is actually a reality check! I believe that most of us have the same or at least a similar reaction as what you have had. This is how I looked at the "fear" factor. What are my risks of having a heart attack at my 327 lbs and 5'2"? Quite high - and what about the risks of not being able to walk long distances??? Well, that has gone by the wayside...and I am in a wheel chair now...just since the last 27 lbs were put on! Children? Well, I have grandchildren....and even though I am having this surgery primarily for me, I am having it secondarily for them...just to be able to get down and play with them, to hear them say "Wow, grammy, your getting littler", rather than "grammy my friend said you were fat." There are a lot of reasons, to have the surgery - only you can make the decision.....Take the time with your doctor, write down all of the questions you have, and present them to him. Tell him your fears. Seek some sort of counseling to express those fears there.
I had to wait 10 months to get to the point where I could have my surgery.....and I feel lucky that I had to wait that long, because it gave me plenty of times to research, read, process and think about what sort of life long decision I was about to make. My surgery is May 23 also, I am feeling very much at peace with my decision....but I had a lot of time to process it. If you have any doubts about it, post pone it for a few months...and take your time to make sure you REALLY want the surgery...and that your REALLY willing to do what it takes to make this life changing decision! This isn't a lecture, just some caring and friendly advice!
Sincerely,
Gesch
Carol,
Don't be afraid. I just went to my seminar and the doc said you have more of a chance of dying in a car accident on the way to the hospital than from this surgery. The surgery has been around for a long time and has been perfected over the years. It is a very safe surgery, as long as you follow the rules. Your weight is much more likely to kill you than this surgery. Sorry to sound so blunt, but it is true and that is what I keep telling myself. We need to get the weight off, so we can live healthy and for a long, long time. Good luck to you!
Mouse
Most Active
Recent Topics
