Why does these things happen? Im scared and sad!!

I am scheduled for surgery on March 6th. Back in December I met another girl that happen to be my neighbor at a seminar at the surgeons office that I chose to do my surgery. To make a long story short, my friend had surgery on Feb 27th. She is now on a ventilator in ICU. Her family told me tonight that she had a leak and pop-ed a stitch and has stomach fluid and what not going into her system. I am very upset over this her and I became great friends. Her prognosis is good and I guess they are keeping her on the ventilator basically out of it so she doesn't move. I guess this happens to like 1 in a 1000 people. I also heard of 3 people passing away from RNY. One person on the board here and two other from people through conversation. The reason for this post is because I'm scared so so scared. I honestly think I dont want to do the surgery now. I don't know what to do, I need to lose 100 plus pounds mainly for my health but also for my self esteem. I really think that this is my only way to lose weight, Ive tried everything else!! I'm in tears typing this because I'm confused, scared, disappointed and so worried for my friend.

Like any surgery there are certain risks involved.  Everybody goes through being scared before surgery.  I was scared till the minute I was put under. But now 7 months and 176lbs lighter I would never trade this feeling I am having in my new body.

There have been people who have passed away from this surgery, but there have been more that have had great success.  I had scare tissue build up around my new stomach, but I keep in constant contact with Dr. Kane and we got through it. 

On a side note I had a student pass away in the dentist chair several years ago, and I still go to the dentist twice a year.

I hope this helps

shane

I agree with everything that has been said. If you didn't take pause right now to be a little scared that wouldn't seem right. I think you have every right to be scared. The night before surgery I was thinking, I can stop right now and not do this, but I also knew I would never do this on my own.

It's sort of like getting married and having the wedding gitters only you wear air boots instead of heels and you drink ensure instead of champagne.

I am sorry about your friend. I'm sure she is good hands.

Well, like anything in life, you have to weight the risks against the possible rewards. With 100 pounds to lose, your health is at risk now. You are on a path that could include a lot of grim things, from diabetes to sleep apnea to joint pain to heart attack. And you could even get fatter (I know I wished I had stopped at being "only" 100 pounds overweight), compounding the problems more and making surgery even riskier.

Complications can occur, but most of them are fixable. Leaks are near the top of the list. 

You have to make up your own mind. We all do. No one would blame you if you wanted to pause a moment and catch your breath. Reschedule. However, the same risks will be present, and if you should gain more weight while you wait, your risks could be even greater.

You are experiencing the "two-week freak," I think. Most of us had it. I actually didn't because my health was soooo bad that I knew this risk was worth taking. Now, one year from my DS, I am so absolutely happy and delighted with my weight loss, regained health and amazing post-op lifestyle. Any fears I had seem a million miles away today.

Best of luck on your decision!

Nicolle