I'm getting really terrified!

Okay, maybe I'm reading too much on here! I'm almost shaking I'm so scared now! Yesterday I read about a girl who made it through surgery only to pass away 4 days later because one of her staples came out. Today I read that 40% of RNYs end up with a leak, which is life threatening and requires another surgery and a long hospital stay.... My surgery is Wednesday and I'm positively terrified now. Please, someone, give me some good news and some HUGE prayers to calm my fears.... maybe I should stop visiting the message boards! Thanks! Dawn

Lordy Mercy,Dawn....I felt the very same way when I started readin' this board. THEN,I got to thinkin'.....'ok...we're ALL different'. So.....I took a survey on those who WOULD do it again and those who would NOT. You can believe it or not,but even a couple of those I was just SURE would turn their back on it,after many major setbacks,ALL said they would do it again in a New York Second!!!!!! Hey,anytime I'm fixin' to go through any kinda pain....I tell my self that 'this too shall pass'. Labor did,didn't it???? I've had 5 kids and every time I got pregnant,I'd say 'I know how to make this labor not last long'.....I'd go back to the deal of 'it ain't gonna last forever'. Think of the rewards you are gonna have,Dawn!! Think of the ENERGY you are gonna have! How about the wonderful feelin' of holdin' your head up high and runnin' into those people who use to avoid you cause you were sooooo big? How about the very ones who made fun of you behind their backs,NOW?? Girlfriend,I can hardly wait. But,hey,I ain't no fool. I'm shakin' in MY boots too but I know my Dr. is totally and completely competent P>US I hear he has a mah-va-lous bedside manner. Yes,it matters,even if I AM 62 yrs. young!! haha Most of all....follow every detail of what he tells you to do,Dawn.If you do,there is no reason why you should go through the 'dumping syndrome' some talk about and you will be on your way to the 'losers' side. You go,girl. Let us hear from you often,ok? I'll be anxious to hear how it went,ok? If you wanna email me privately,you may do so at this..... retiredhunter64@hotmail. I'll sure look for you anytime I can help you. I really DO care I'll say prayers for you too. tata Patricia

Hi, Dawn, I just wanted to write you a quick note to give you some encouragement.. I had the same surgery you are going to have on september 13th, 6 days ago. I had surgery on monday and left the hospital on thursday. Every day I feel stronger and have more energy. Yes, it is still sore at times but I haven't needed any pain medication since early weds. morning. I am eating like i am supposed to and drinking alot so I won't get dehydrated. I am following all the instructions given to a tee. I am already so glad it is over and look forward to losing weight and becoming more healthy. I will definately keep you in my prayers and please write back to me to let me know of your success. Hang in There!!!!! Kari

Hi Dawn My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday and I must say I have been pretty calm. I have a very good feeling all will go well and I have been praying that if this surgery is not for me then please let it not happen. So far everything has gone smoothly, the hospital staff has been extremely helpful and nice and I have also put everything into God's hands to guide my surgeon through my procedure. Tomorrow is my last day at work and then I come home to call the hospital to find out what time to be there on Tuesday. You must keep a positive attitude. I have come to the conclusion it does not make sence to worry because what will be will be.....but, I plan on coming home to my family and my beautiful young daughters to live a life of happiness, good health, and lots of years of continued love! Good luck to you Dawn--and keep your cool OK? Hugs Marianne PS--the hardest part of all this is now watching my family eat real food as I sip on my chicken broth and sugar free jello! mmmmmmmm !

Oh, Dawn, bless your heart! I had my surgery on Tuesday and came home on Saturday. I found this board just about two days before I went in, and after doing a bit too much reading, had myself scared to death. I'm not sure where you got your information on leaks, but my doctor told me it was 2 to 4 percent. I'm praying I stay on the winning team on this one still! I will tell you when I woke up in the Recovery room and for the next twenty four hours I wondered why I did this, since I was in pain, and still very scared about what could go wrong. I have had no complications, and other than some pain and some very uncomfortable gas pains that cause me to burp and walk around moaning sometimes (okay, I admit, I'm dramatic!), I have been feeling better each day since the surgery. Yesterday I felt crummy; today I'm feeling somewhat better, and I'd like to think tomorrow will be even better, and it hasn't yet been a week. The one thing that comforted me really was my faith that this was in the Lord's hands. I was not (AM not) ready to die, but when I got really stressed I would just pray to my Heavenly Father to help me be comforted. Remember, however, you can back out if you really want to. Do what's best for you! I wish you luck with your decision, and will pray that you too feel comforted with whatever decision you make! Lesley

I am curious..where did you read that stuff? On the other hand, I to am scared but after weighing in the risks I face being overweight,ok...Morbidly obese; I think think the risk for me not having the surgery outweigh the surgery itself. I don't know if that helps you or not. I hope you are able to ease your fears. I have been able to ease my anxiety with hot showers and walks along the watrefront. Terri - Surgery 9/28

All I can say is, Let go and let God. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us. If you are supposed to have this surgery to have a better life, then it will work out the way it is supposed to. My sister would be dead by now if she hadn't had the RNY last november. Her diabetes was killing her by the foot. Her Diabetes is now under control and she has a life again. We are all grateful for that. I think if you are getting so scared by what you read, STOP READING!! I am a nurse and I know that if you are scared and expecting the worst, you may get what you fear. So Stop worrying and know that you are in the hands of a Heavenly Father who loves you and wants you to succeed. I will keep you in my prayers for your peace of mind. Remember, you can always back out of this surgery. Personally I have no life if I don't have this surgery and so that is the most important thing to remember. I'm having my surgery on the 27th. I cannot wait. Good Luck Dawn. You'll do fine. Jo Marie Miller

That 40% figure is way off. I bet it was 4%. Anyway, we are all scared. You would have to be crazy not to. Call you surgeons office and check the numbers! Good luck!

Dawn, darling, people tend to write much more about the bad than the good parts! I write how much I hurt the first two days home from the hospital, but not about how I haven't had any vomiting and I've been tolerating the liquid food well. This surgery is like pregnancy--everyone has a horror story. No one writes about the good parts half as much. As for statistics, remember that these include all the hacks who are doing these on the side for the money as well as all the specialists, all the 700 lb high-risk diabetics as well as the thirty-somethings in decent health who weight 300 lbs. So don't look at statistics. Look at YOUR surgeon's track record with patients like YOU. You will feel a lot better! But just to up your odds, I am saying a prayer for you right now. Take care, Lisa

Dear Dawn. Unfortunately, I didn't sit down and start writing on this site till right before my surgery so there's not much info in my profile...but I want to reassure you that all your anxiety will only make things worse! As soon as you get their in the AM, let them know you are nervous and they should give you something preop that will relax you. I'm 7 days Post Op tomorrow, have had a few complications including the pneumonia I'm still fighting, but would still do it over again!!!! I just came home yesterday. I had an open and awoke with 2 drains, the JP and a gastric tube out the other side. I am a 48 yr old with Lupus. I had just made up my mind before that living morbidly obese for much longer would probably kill me anyway! Please follow your heart and pray. Know that your in God's hands and if you decide not to go thru with it, it"s not a mortal sin, but if you do, think out past your present pain. When my mother asked me if I'd do it again last Thurs, I answered, probably not but ask me in 4 weeks and I'll bet I'd answer yes! Well 4 days later, yes, I'd do it again. I've even gained 7 lbs of fluid in the last week but I know as I get better, I'll filter out those extra fluids (from all the Iv's about 40) and start down. Please pray about it and set your mind on things that are good! You're in my prayers. May God Bless You! Hugs, Kathy