Pre-op Worries

My surgery date is Sept. 30th,. I am really anxious about it. I need to talk with others that have had the surgery.

I will let you know. My surgery is in 3 days (Sept 11). So far I have gotten many explanations from people that have gone through it. Some say that there is no pain at all, some say that the first 3 days are tough, others say that it was hell. I don't know. I suppose that it is different with each person. I do know one thing though, what will life be like in the next 10 or 20 years if you don't get this surgery? Statistics say that this procedure has a 80% sucess rate at keeping off the pounds. Diets have less than 5%, and an even lower percentage after 5 years. The risk rate is about 1 out of 200 or about 0.5% . Again, what about the risk rate if you don't have the surgery? I have diabetes and high blood pressure. The meds that I am taking are doing an ok job of keeping them both down. But my energy and comfort level is low. I want to do things, and have to sit down after a couple hours to rest. Anyway I don't mean to ramble, but I am also saying these very things to myself. My surgery is about 60 hours away and I do have a case of the jitters. So, I need to keep these same facts in mind and just get it over with and start my new life. --Tom Niderost, Jacksonville, Florida

I do think everyone responds differently to pain. I had my surgery, open RNY, on 6/30/03, about ten weeks ago. My husband told me I was in a lot of pain while still in the hospital, although I have no memory of it, but it was well managed with medication. By the time I came home a week later, the pain was very manageable with liquid vicodine every six hours. And by three weeks post, I wasn't taking any pain meds at all and there was virtually no pain. Please don't let the thought of pain distract you. You are definitely doing the right thing. And within a very short period of time, you'll be feeling and looking better than you have in a very long time. Please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] if you want to talk. I'd be happy to help in any way I can.

I will be going to the O.R. in about 15 hours, 8:30 AM 9/10/03 for a lap RNY. I am not nervous NOW as I am sure everything will be fine. I have faith in my surgeon, whose skills I trusted with my daughter's operation five months ago. She is doing well, and I am sure I will have the same result!! My best wishes to you for a speedy recovery after a successful procedure! John