Really really scared...

Hi folks..

I'm new here. I am in the very early stages of getting a DS done. I just had my consult with the doctor, a seminar, and a visit with a dietician. I have ALOT more to do.. most appointments are made already... And I'm losing weight for "before the surgery".  I lost 3 lbs in 6 days. Wi**** would have been more.. lol   My starting weight at the docs was 296 and I'm now 293. I'm only 5 feet 2 inches so I know how important it is for me to lose this weight.  My problem?

IM SCARED TO DEATH OF SURGERY!!!!  Like I think it might be an abormal fear? I don't know. I just know that if I were to die from this surgery, my kids would be devastated and I don't know how to deal with those feelings.

Anyone ever feel the same?

Joan

I didn't have terrible fears of surgery but I know several who have before their DS. If you need to talk to a professional about it don't be shy, it might help. All the best.

--gina
 

I'd never had surgery before and didn't have a clue what was going to happen.  I was TERRIFIED, until about 3 days before.    Then I just wanted it over with.  The mad rush to get all the appointments taken care of, then playing phone tag to make sure everybody got the results sent in...I was almost relieved to be on the table. 

Granted, I don't have kids, but I do have a diabetic Schnauzer and I was sooo worried about what would happen to her if anything happened to me.  (I realize it's not the same as having kids, but she's still my baby)

But...everything was good.  You'll be fine!  Good luck! *hugs*

Hi,

I am a RNY to DS conversion patient. When I had the original RNY back in 2006 I was terrified. I was sure I would not wake up. My fear was unreasonable and in the end I just went ahead because I thought it was best. My weight was up in the 400s. There are risks for any surgery. Just make sure you are at a good hospital with a good surgeon - see www.dsfacts.com - that is the main thing. Then be sure to adhere to all their guidelines leading up to the surgery. Then you know you have done everything you could on your end. After that you have to trust your doctor which I always have.

Best of luck, Terri

ABSOLUTELY!!!

I had the sleeve in 2007.  I had those same fears.  I thought about my husband and children and what they would do if I didn't live through the surgery.  Scared the **** out of me!!!  But I was 425 at the time.  I'm also 5'2 and I was only 26 years old!  How much longer would I live at the rate I was going if I didn't do something???  So I did it. 

I just recently revised to the DS 2 weeks ago.  And I got to go through all those fears all over again.  But I did it again and everything was fine.  For me, I needed to be specific and pinpoint my fear.  I had faith in my surgeon.  I knew I was in good hands.  What freaked me out was being under anesthesia and not being able to be in control.  But honestly, everything goes so fast...  I really didn't have time to freak out. 

You will get through this!!!  Hugs to you!!!

The RNY didn't scare me at all, but was terrified of the DS.  Surgeon prescribed something for anxiety but don't remember the name of it.  Something like larryspam? Calmed me enough to think straight. Turns out lifelong obesity was ultimately more scary than a few hours of surgery so went through with the DS.  Talk to your doctor.

lorazepam?

 

*eyeroll*

I was terrified.  I have an 8 year old and a two year old, and I'm actually the sole income right now, my hubby is a fulltime student.  I had the lap band, and no other surgery in my life.  My aunt had a RNY and had a horrible surgeon, she was so sick and in for a long time because of it.  I was so worried about dying on the table I even went and bought necklaces that hold paper so I could leave them for my kids so they'd have a note from me telling them I loved them.

About a week before surgery, I got past it.  I never wrote the notes, I just realized that I was feeding the fear and making it worse.  My surgeon wasn't my aunt's surgeon.  He's a good one with an awesome track record.  I just decided to act like it was going to be OK and it was (ok, I admit I cried in the pre-op room.  blamed it on missing my youngest).

Try not to let the fear get to you.  Any surgery is a risk, even one not as serious as this.  If you have a good surgeon and a good staff/hospital, you will be just fine.  :-)

I was more afraid of my diabetes and the protein leak from my kidneys than the DS.  The DS was my lifesaver.  As long as you have a good DS surgeon, you should be fine.  Really, I just wanted my diabetes gone and it is.

Of course it's scary.  This is by no means an easy way out.  You need to consider the alternative.  What do you think at your weight your quality and length of life is destined to be?  To me, surgery was scary, but not as scary as remaining and becoming even more morbidly obese, along with all of the risks associated with that.  You're not doing this "to your kids" .. you're doing this "for your kids".  If you can reach that mindset, you'll be fine.  

Also, feeling prepared and knowing what to expect may put you at ease, too.  Read this:  

http://www.dsfacts.com/What-to-Expect-Following-Surgery.html