Willing to share?

I don't know if this is appropriate to post? I just need to feel more at ease about this whole decision making process, and would like to know where the fear stems from. A lot of us mention being afraid, yet there are not a lot of posts regarding complications/death from surgery. Does anyone know anybody who was impacted this way from the lap band surgery? I know I can't get a guarantee that surgery will be safe, but I just would like to know if there are ways to prevent complications or if some candidates are just at a higher risk. These are all questions that will better be answered by my doctor if I decide to take that next step. As I await insurance information, I figured I could try to ask here. Basically I'm young and relatively healthy... despite the extra 140 pounds I carry around with me. I'm hoping I have luck on my side. Actually, I'm hoping to leave luck out of the equation. Thanks for any information, dark as it may be. And if this is not a topic that should be discussed openly, I apologize for posting it.

The reason there are not a lot of posts regarding it - is becuase it is relatively rare. Statistically about 1% of surgerys will end in death and about 5% will have complications. When it DOES happen and there is a post about it - it really does make post ops re-think thier decision. I know it did for me! However - the risks of the surgery are less extreme than the risks of being overweight. There is a memorial board that I recommend reading (go up top to people - then memorials) NOT to scare you in any way, but more to understand what can happen. This is a life changing surgery and you need to be prepaired for it - body, mind and soul. Was I scared - most definatly. But now I have come to realize that I was MORE scared to get out their and live. My weight had been my "excuse" for so long - that I almost did not know how to behave without it. When it came down to it - I was finally TIRED of making excuses for myself. I was ready to get out there and see who I was and what I could truly do. So I guess any advice I can give is to go into this knowing in your heart that you are ready. Be confidant you made the right decision for YOU, not anyone else. Knowing that you choose the best doctor, the best procedure for you and the best chance at giving yourself the life that YOU deserve. Everything else will fall into place.

Dear Jen: I know that your doctor will answer most of your questions, but here's what I know about "hedging your bet." First of all.....follow HIS/HER instructions to the letter. It does not matter what you read here, or what other people had to do for their surgeon's program. Your doctor has his own program and wants it followed HIS way. They spend a lot of time working out the best way for you to stay safe, and you can stay the safest by doing what they tell you to do. (Research is very good, but in the end....do what YOUR SURGEON requires.) The first time you cheat sets your feet on the wrong path. 2nd: Exercise now to get in the best shape you can be for surgery. 3rd: If you smoke......STOP. 4th: Keep a positive attitude....it really does help. I am just over a week from having my surgery, and I have been getting ready for almost 2 years. I am doing everything I can to stay safe so that I can enjoy the rest of my life. I hope this helps, Dawn

Hi Jen Fear will keep you stuck right where you are. It's seductive in a very bad way. I know first hand fear kept me stuck for 20 years. Fear played a big part in keeping me fat. My question became.......why was I fearing being all I could be, all that lived on the inside of me. We can also "what if" ourselves to death as well. I was also a control freak, and realized that the more in control I thought I was the more OUT of control I became. I sought out the best surgeon in Illinois ran as fast as I could to his office, knew I was in the best place in so many ways and I have never looked back. I'm to busy living my life in the outside now. Look for a GREAT surgeon not a good one, commit to yourself. It worked for me. Good luck. VH

Thank you... and to all the responses prior to yours. Can I ask who your surgeon was? I have begun the process through Mercy Bariatric Clinic in Harvard, but since the seminar on Oct. 5th, I've heard nothing back. I called to find out what the hold up was, and the lady said that she couldn't elaborate, but that the doctor was on some sort of leave. I thought the least they could have done was to call all those that attended the seminar to say that it was going to take much longer to even get through the very preliminary steps. I'm frustrated. I asked if I should look elsewhere, since I had finally built up the courage to do something, and she was honest and said yes. It makes me wonder what happened, but also gives me caution and makes me think I should look into other facilities. I'm really wanting to find a surgeon that does this in a hospital setting... I get the idea that not all surgeries are performed in a hospital. So, if you could introduce me to the name of your surgeon/facility, I would really be grateful. Thanks.