Reality Reminder for The New Year

As we all know there are many things that can happen by having WLS. There are many wonderful things we can get out of WLS. A new leash on life ~ being able to go & do things we never could before. Going to the movies, walking in the malls & parks. Playing with our children or grandchildren. There are also plenty of bad things that can happen by having WLS. But all are a reality. Nobody wants any of the bad things to happen. But they do. People may have minor to major problems. And yes, some people will die. These are all possibilites that we should know about. We should be fully aware of them when we sign up to have this surgery. We don't want to think these are things that could & just may happen to us. Everytime that someone on this board post that they or a family member is having problems due to WLS, I try & remind myself that these are real people with real problems. Problems that I myself could have. Do I want all the different problems of WLS stuck down my throat ? No. Do I want the facts? Yes. When we hear the problems due to WLS & it causes fear in us, we should STOP & take another long look at the possibility of it happening to us. Because not one person should ever be able to say after surgery that "They did not know this could happen" if they encounter problems. If you have not had surgery PLEASE go to these pages. If you have had surgery & just want a reminder of how blessed you are, Please visit these pages. They are hard to face, but it is something we all should face up to. Complications: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/showcompl.phtml Death: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/wlsmemorial.phtml

Hi Tammy, I think that it is important for all of us to be knowledgeable of the risks of WLS. I would encourage everyone to look realistically at these possible complications. I would also encourage everyone to consider the risks of doing nothing. For many of us, we are unlikely to acheive significant and lasting weight loss with significant help. Be knowledgeable about the risks of intervention as well as the probable complications of doing nothing. james.

I, personally, prefer to bury my head in the sand and not think of the deaths or complications! No, you know I have thought of everything possible that could go wrong and then some, but I am with Psyco Doc, considering what would happen to me without the surgery is scareier than with the surgery. And I have known several people with awful complications and several that have died. I would hope that if a person is considering this surgery that both they AND THEIR SPOUSE should be very aware of the possiblities. I have heard SO MANY times from spouses that they had no idea anything like this could happen when the complications arrive. I know that both docs (surgeons) I have seen about this have acquainted me with all the possiblites and I really doubt any surgeon paints this as a bed of roses - tho some folks claim they did. I think alot of times, we hear what we want to hear. Another reminder, don't just educate yourself! Educate your spouse/significant other, children or what have you. PRAY that all goes well and trust God to take care of you no matter what! Smoochers, Arlies PS Sheesh, Tams, my knees are shaking already!!!!

Hey Doll, I agree also. Fully. Totally. But...... Reading Barbara's post up under this one made me realize that there are still people out there who DO NOT fully understand ALL the risk alone in HAVING this surgery. They read about others complications, then they get scared and question the choices they are making. I would assume that everyone knows the risk of doing nothing. Heck, they are checking into WLS. So that tells me that they know that they need help. I don't think anyone on this board is here for the great conversation, to pick up a date, or what ever else. They are crazy if that is why they are here Are the problems that others have had with WLS scary ? YES But are they going to make me question my choice to have it ? NO And everyone that is even thinking about this surgery should include their hubbys, wives, children or parents in it. Because they need that support. Also, if something was to happen, they wouldn't be able to say "Well, you didn't tell us that..." This way they know just as much as we do. And it makes you feel GREAT to have that support. Love ya, Tammy By the way..... WILL YOU PLEASE MOVE OVER, I can't get my head in the sand with you because your in the middle !!! AND MY KNEES ARE SHAKING TOO. AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE A DATE YET. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OH BTW FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO THINK I AM BEING UGLY TO ARLIES..... GET OVER IT AND GIVE IT UP. ITS NOT GONNA HAPPEN !!!!!

Ow!!! OW!!! OW!!!! OOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! She's a-twisting my arm!!! (tee hee) Smooch, Arlies

Will you PLEASE HOLD STILL till I get through a twisting !!! Whew.... That was like work. Tammy