Am I wrong....

Ok, I think I've learned my lesson about casually mentioning WLS. I'm very tired of people's horror stories. Correct me if I'm wrong PLEASE - but when I told a certain person, she came back with a story of a lady who got a blood clot, ended up with an anurism (or something) - she didn't know all the details. All she knew is that she almost died from a blood clot. She didn't think the lady was "fat" enough to have the surgery. Went on and on about how drastic it is...and dangerous. Well - I calmly told her that this lady probably didn't have a blood clot because she had WLS. She most likely would have gotten the blood clot if she had any other kind of surgery, for example, a historectomy. I explained that you hear of horror stories BECAUSE it's weight loss surgery. Not sure why people don't realize that clots are a complication of ANY surgery. Am I wrong? Is there a higher risk with this particular kind of surgery? Thanks Kimberly

This is a very risky surgery, but so is every other surgery. Anytime you are knocked out you stand a chance of having something go wrong. Blood clots are the same way. When I had the surgery, I had to get up and walk constantly as I did when I had my hip surgery. So blood clots are a danger any time you are not able to be up and totally mobile. There are many horror stories with this surgery. I had a friend who died after having it. She didn't take care of herself. So when I signed up for the surgery, I knew I was going to have to be disciplined and do what was told of me of I would end up just like that. Along with all the horror stories though are all the success stories. All different too, I may add. Some people have complications, some don't. Don't let other people's stories influence you. You have to be totally ready for the commitment. I know that given the time you have been given to research that you will make the choice that is best for you. Just listen to people. They are not trying to talk you out of it. They are just telling you what they know. WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP SO EARLY? LOL Have you been to Sam's to get your PhillySwirls? I bought two boxes and they are so good!!!! 40 pops for $7 something. Kitsy

Thanks Kitsy, I know there are risks, and it's a big decision. I am still weighing the pros and cons. I had a dream last night that the docs office called and said my insurance approved me and I could have surgery in 3 days! LOL Boy oh boy - wouldn't that be grand? LOL It was one of those dreams that are SO real you wake up still convinced it happened, until you get a good cup of coffee! HUGS Kimberly - who's not able to sleep very much these days as you can tell!

Kitsy, I bought my swirls today. Boy oh boy are those orange ones good! Can't wait to tell my mom about them - she's diabetic. Hope all is going well! HUGS Kimberly

Nationally, the failure rate (death due to) this surgery is about 2%. That percentage rises depending on your size. For instance with a starting BMI of 79.3, my failure rate was at least 4%. HOWEVER, each doc has their very own statistics and my doc's death rate was 0%. Compare that with the possiblity of living 10 more years at your current weight or heavier. At my starting weight, I had an approximate survival rate of 25% over the next 5 or 10 years. Or to be blunt, I had a 75% chance of dying due to my weight BEFORE Em graduates high school. To combat blood clots, which can happen with any surgery, one is made to walk as much as possible afterwards. I was also given the anti-blood clotting shots for 10 days following my surgery. Some people have a greenfield filter inserted if they are at higher risk for blood clots - not sure who all this is except smokers...But yes, blood clots do happen.....I don't know the percentage on that. Various complications have various percentages of happening. And the first 30 days are the days when MOST of the complications arrive. All that said, you are reading info from a person whose only complications have been a god-awful virus shortly before her 1 month check-up. Even crackers made me sick! Remember most folks know a friend who had a friend whose best friend's former best friend's former best friend DIED or COULD NEVER EAT REAL FOOD AGAIN or POUCH BURST or THEY SPONTANENOUSLY COMBUSTED TWO DAYS AFTER SURGERY!!! Most people don't know the person who's "horor" story they are passing on......If you must, you can go to the Memorial Page and learn first hand some TRUE stories so you can either know what to watch for (if it's something you can have symptoms from) or be totally terrified. THINGS DO HAPPEN TO PEOPLE..... I am an optimist....Instead of a 4% chance of dying, I had a 96% chance of LIVING!!! Instead of a 25% chance of some complication, I had a 75% chance of never having that complication..... And, I too, like Kitsy had a friend to die of complications from her WLS back in the 80's. But looking back after learning more about the surgery, I realized SHE COULD HAVE PREVENTED HER OWN DEATH! When she came back from the hospital, she brought a gigantic bag of corn chips with her and sat at her desk, day after day, eating them....one by one...and in a couple of days, she emptied the bag....Guess why she did? Malnutrition and complications of that.... So, after this very, very long ramble. Unless the person can name names, take it with a grain of salt. Bazillions of horror stories are out there. Yes, some are true, but I hear and have heard alot that could not be confirmed. YOU need to decide for yourself and then rest easy in the decision. It helps to include God in your decision, cause after, all, no matter what happens, He WILL take care of you! Love you and hope you don't croak at my rant!!!! Smooch Arlies

Kim, just listen to the Queen! Very well put Arlies. You put it in the best prespective. Thanks for helping those of us who are still waiting. Have a good day and don't worry. Smiles, Jan

Thanks Queenie! I know there are risks, but who wants to hear them everytime you are in public! LOL Oh well - I've decided I'm just using the "I'm getting my gal bladder out" line! I guess my whole frustration really stems from ignorant people blaming WLS for complications that happen with ANY surgery. We have our own list of things particular to this surgery that can go wrong - don't add to it! LOL That's my philosophy anyway. No one is talking me out of it, no matter what! As long as I get approval - I'm there! If not, You poor people will have to hear my moaning and groaning! BIG HUGS Kimberly

You will hear stories like that about "somesone's beautician's daughter's room mate's aunt". These are scare tactics and statements of jeolousy. Yea its major but any surgery is. Make yur own decision. I'm glad I did.

How are you feeling? Hope all is well! HUGS Kimberly