OMG 5 days to Go!!!!

So, I have surgery on the 25th, and I am beginning to get really really nervous. I am so excited, but then I see all this negative press about the surgery on the news in Des Moines. I have lost about 14 pounds on the liquid diet, and I am ready to be on the "losing side"! After 2.5 years it's funny to hear myself say this is all happening so fast. One day I had my psych consult then the next I was approved and had a date!!! I am so grateful, and I'm glad I have the nerves because it just means that I'm human. Thank you all so much for your kind words and inspirational stories!!! -Miranda

Good luck, Miranda! It really is sad about all the negative stories lately... You just have to keep in mind that they can find any stats they want and national stats include all the surguries that probably shouldn't have been done in the first place. Your surgeon's stats are so much more important. The time does go fast when you look back, huh?! Amy

Hi Miranda, Are you referring to the lawsuits in the DM area against the surgeon who has left? If you're referring to the study they released this week about the number of WLS patients having surgery within 3 years of their bypasses, I wouldn't be too concerned. Consider that so many of us were told we need knees, hips, feet, back surgery but to lose weight first.Those ones most likely are having the surgery to repair the damage done by obesity within 3 years . And then consider the large number who choose to have reconstructive surgery (TT, LBL, boob jobs, batwings). They are all included in the number they refer to. Granted, there are problems that can come up due to the change in our systems that may require surgey. If your gall bladder isn't removed, there is a chance it will go bad due to our change of diet. That's why many surgeons require you to take a drug for 6 or so months to help prevent stones. And, there are problems caused by the surgery sometimes but I suspect that the majority of the surgeries during the first 3 years are orthopedic and cosmetic. The other study released had to do with the mortality rate of individuals 65 & older. I went to the JAMA website & read that study as it was free to read. I know that my surgeon doesn't do the surgery on seniors In case you hadn't heard, the study said that the mortality rate nationwide was 4.7% for patients over 65, compared to .5% of those under. Reasons given were problems of older patients in general & also the wear & tear on the body of the patient for so many years due to the excess weight. This study also compared the mortality rates of surgeons who do few surgerys compared to those who do many each year. Obviously, the inexperienced surgeons had a much higher mortality rate. Oh, and if I rememebr correctly, the statistics were taken from 1999 to 2002. There have been big advances since then. It's normal to be nervous, as you said, you're human. You'll do just fine. Try not to be too concerned about negative press. Dixie

Miranda, I agree that many times the press lumps all outcomes into one big heap of stink just to get a story out. Some doctors will operate on very, very ill individuals. And let's be honest, the obese have a lot of comorbid conditions that lend themselves well to postop complications. Do not despair, it sounds like you have done an excellent job already of preparing your body for surgery. You ARE on the losing side already!! Good For You!! (Why do people who claim to be having our best interest at heart feel obligated to share stories of tragedy? This does not help our nerves!!) Spend these last preoperative days relaxing and dreaming of the beautiful changes that lie ahead for you!! Best Wishes to you! Nicole

WOW~tomorrow is the big day!!! Wishing you nothing but the best!!! You have been wanting this for a long time......I know you will do great and I can't wait to see ya back here posting!! Take Care Jesi