Having second thoughts

Hello again all, i was watching the Today show this am and thre was a lady on there who had the surgery and did really good and lost alot of weight so her sister wanted it to. SHe got the surgery and died. They said 1 out of every 200 die within 30 days? So now I am scared and so confused. I dont want to die from this and leave all my babies behind, but dont want to die from being so fat either. Did anyone out there go thru these feelings? All the confusion? the being scared as heck? please let me know. thanks again all

What surgery did she have? Have you tried l;ooking into the lap-band instead of the RNY? Darlene

Speaking purely for myself this has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. Just make sure you have a good doctor that your trust and lots of information. People die from complications of obesity as well. Just really weigh your options. email me if you have any other questions. I did not go thru the really scared part...and although my kids are young adults I didn't want to leave them. We want to se eour grandchildren once our kids grow up. 10 kids...you are quite a woman!! God Bless You for the hard work of raising a large family. With all the media sccare tactics I wonder if the insurance compnaies aren't paying them to try to scare people away from a life saving surgery. Alice

I agree with Alice. It has been a lONG time since I was this happy with life, and I am only 6 months out. I am looking forward to doing things I have not done in years. I am out in the yard, enjoying everything and anything. Yes, at first, I worried about leaving my family and friends. Fortunately I hvae no children, but I still was not ready to leave this world. But the way I was headed (already in excess for 400 pounds), I was killing myself every day I merely moved. I though over the course of my life. I had a great childhood, I have great friends and family. I have accomplished so much in my life, I became at peace with my decision. I researced docs. I found LivLite in Junction City. Drs Boleman and Stevens have done literally thousands of these surgeries. Their complication rate, (and morbidity rate) was incredibly low. Their bedside manner was of respect and careing. The hospital and it's staff is very well trained in this proceedure, and many of the nursing staff are post-op, so they are very understanding and compassionate. They are well equiped for the obese population. You are not far from Junction City, I would check them out if I was you. There is an informational meeting the second Tuesday of every month on the third floor of the medical building that is attached to the hospital. YOu can meet the doctors, the psychologist, and the Program manager of LivLite. LivLite also processed all of the documentation and kept on my insurance company to get approval. If you have ANY quiestion, feel free to e-mail me. Good luck

OH Honey, now don't let something like this discourage you.. I had my surgery sept 2003 and am sooooooo glad I did.. and would do it again in a heartbeat.. I had alot of problems and now am up and out of a wheelchair and walking and even am job hunting now.. Yes yes yes.. was scared that I would die.. of course, it is always a thought we have BUT without this surgery, It is definite I would have died.. My own son has had this surgery and is doing very well himself.. As a mother, I feared for his life, even tho I had already had this surgery myself.. So what you are feeling is perfectly normal.. There is a wonderful support group and informational surgical group in Topeka.. it is Tall Grass surgical group with Dr. Brent Steward and Dr. Bernita Berntsen.. fantastic folks and the meetings are once a month on the second saturday at St. Francis Hospital.. Topeka.. and any time you have ANY questions,those folks are ready to answer.. meanwhile you can look them up online anytime ... just have Faith in yourself and what you are doing.. look into every angle and be sure this is what you want to do for YOU. Wishing you well.. feel free to get in touch or e-mail anytime.. This is wonderful that you are asking questions Have a good day , Hugs to you, Fran

Hi, Angela Well if you were NOT scared then I would worry. I think everyone thinks about death, with or without the surgery. Like many others I too felt I could die any time if I didn't go through with the surgery, My highest weight was 439 at my dr's ofc. Day of surgery 415 and I had severe sleep apnea. Now I no longer have sleep apnea and have lost 135 lbs (today's weight.... 280) So I am not promoting this surgery to anyone because there is complications and one of them is death , so I suggest you accept that there could be complications but think about the complications now with your obesity from not having the surgery. So if you are serious about having this surgery I would find the best surgeon with EXPIERIENCE(sp?) I would research until I knew everything. Every wls story can't always be a happy ending, the Today show wanted to show all sides of the spectrum, Complications can happen, that is reality, But, They don't always happen, this surgery has saved so many people's lives. I would definatly do it again, even knowing the risks. God Bless, Kelly