Reading Memorials..scared

Hello!! I was just on the memorial board and got a bit frightened..i do see alot of the deaths occurred years ago and some not even related to the surgery..but i cant help but ? my decision to go through with this..can i ask your opinions? i am 27 - 300 lbs..very healthy otherwise....can stick and lose weight on a diet for about 3 months, then gain back plus more...its crazy and i feel the only way to lose the weight is the surgery...granted i am healthy now, but its only a matter of time till the blood pressure goes up, etc... please share your thoughts! thanks

Hi Dawn, First off your doctor would have flagged any concearns if there were any. While all surgery is very serious doctors and their staff go to great lenghts to see that you will get thru it with no complications. So, being aware and asking lots of questions is a good thing, don't be frightened. You are making a big decision that will change your life in a wonderful way. I had my surgery 3/29/05 and the only thing I am sorry about is that I didn't do it 10 years ago. Take care and good luck on your weight loss journey. Julio

Hi Dawn, Welcome to our CT Message board!!! you come to the right place to ask us for help or support. I would like to tell you about Summer Gathering Party on July 16th. you can meet post op , pre op or people who are researching or is thinkign about having this surgery at party. There are so many different doctors who opreated on us but you can ask us any kind of questions and you will choose the doctor you feel comfortable and trust when you are decide to have this surgery. See other Summer Gathering Party in other message. Congrats to think about to start healthy life!!! Also I will be at Middlesex hospital on June 27th at 630 pm to give lecture about this surgery to Pre-op people. you are welcome to come to listen me and other post op people there. Let me know if you need direction to that room. Have a nice weekend!!! Kathy K

Dear Dawn, All my life I was big and I just kept getting bigger. I'd lose weight only to gain it back plus 10 or 20 more pounds. When I first heard or this surgery I thought- NO WAY am I having surgery, but finally after losing 80# and gaining 120 back my doc said to me he felt WLS would help me. I started researching it- A LOT! I found that, for me, the benefits far out weighed the negatives. I was also a healthy person other than my weight, but at 30 the risk of heath issues were only moments away. So I decided on a doctor and went to my first meeting. On May 18, 2004, I had my surgery and for me(& my family) it was the best thing I could have done. I have lost a considerale amount of weight, but most importantly- I can run & play with my kids! I think that says it all. Just remember, this is NOT the "easy way out" as so my people like to say. I won't kid you, this IS a quicker way, but certainly not easy. There will be many difficulties along the way, but you can overcome them with a positive attitude. Well, I have babbled on enough! I wish you the best of luck with your journey, whatever you decide. Christine-145

Hi Dawn I'm glad to see you joined us on the CT board. It is scary reading the memorials, but I think it is good to know that there are risks that come along with every surgery. I'm sure Dr. Aranow will explain these to you along with the benefits when you meet with him. You have to decide if these risks are worth it to you. For me it was, but I had/have serious health issues so it was easy. I also know many who have said they could just have easily died getting hit by a car or in a car accident etc... No doubt about it, this surgery is a big decission and takes a lot of commitment on your part. If you can make it to the gathering and physically talk to post ops and hear their different experiences, it will really be a big help to you. I also would reccomend to keep reading profiles. Everyone has a different experience, so it's good to read the different perspectives and outlooks on WLS. In the meantime, just keep asking all the questions you need to. Hope this helps, Maggie

Hello Dawn: Welcome to the CT OH Message Board Family. You have come to the right place. We are all and were in the same boat as you. You have made the right decision in having the surgery. Its for your health and your future. Take it from me, I had high blood pressure, border line diabetes, stomach problems and cystic ovarian syndrome. I was a mess. Now I am no longer dealing with these medical problems, and was able to throw out all my medication too. I am 5 months 2 weeks post op and I have l lost 88.5lbs so far. I feel wonderful and have made alot of friends on this great site. You should come to our summer gathering in July on the 16th at 11am at Harkness Park in Waterford. You will have the opportunity to meet alot of post op and preop people. We would all love the opportunity to meet you and help you with any questions