Surgery in 4 days and still haven't shook off the horror stories!

My name is Maggie and I'm scheduled for gastric bypass surgery on Tuesday with Dr. Kini of Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. I trust in him and his ability to perform this operation without incident but I trust in GOD way more. From the time I told friends and family that I was having this done, all I've heard were the horror stories about a cousin, friend, sister etc..whose had this done and something is wrong with them. From the person looking sick to the person can't eat without vomiting. Just today I had a really good friend call me today and told me that his friend his on his way down to VA. because his friend's sister is in ICU and has a 50/50 chance of pulling through. She's been vomiting blood. This is just an example of what I've been hearing for months now and it's really taking a toll on my mental state going into this....ya know? I don't know what to do. I'm very much aware of the complications but should I be preparing myself to die? Dr. Kini is a wonderful doctor and I've been in contact with a patient of his and she has also reassured me that I was in good hands. I'm just looking for advice as to how to get my mind right and how should I pray on this? Please help a sister out somebody, I'm loosing it and have been crying for a week now. Help!!!

I can not tell you that there might not be a problem, but I have seen and heard more good outcomes then bad. God is with you, and will always be there and I truly believe that. The good results out weigh the bad ones. Just know we are all with you on that day and through your wl, and we will be cheering you all the way. Good luck and God Bless Karen

Thanks Karen, you guys are the only real support i have right now. This means a lot to me, it really does. Thanks and please pray for me. Maggie

Maggie!! soooo sorry you are going through this! It is soooo normal to be scared.. but to be as scared as yourself....not fair.. and it is all because friends & family are not supporting your decision. Take a deep breath.. relax put your trust in god and your surgeon... all is going to be fine and you will join us on the losing side real soon! You'll be in my thought and prayers! All the best! Hugs Marla

That's all I want is to be on the loosing side with you guys. I just pray that God will guide my surgeon and bless him with a clear mind..ya know? I love you guys and thank you Marla Maggie

Maggie, Trust in God and your surgeon and all will be well. Many of us have heard the same horror stories from well meaning friends and family who only want the best for us...they just don't realize the stress they are putting us under. I had the same issues and concerns that you have. Do you have a support group you can turn too? They are who helped me through - unfortunately I hadn't heard about this site when I was pre-op. From what my surgeon told me, only about 2% of the folks having this surgery have problems. Try to keep your chin up and before you know it, you'll be with us on the loosing side. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. ~~Cindee

Thanks Cidee. I really don't have any real support, you and other loosers are my only support. I'm happy with that. I thank you Cindee for taking the time out to listen to me vent because I do need an ear. Thanks & God Bles you

Hi Maggie, I personally had a horrible WLS experience, many complications and was very sick for a very long time, but I do not regret having the WLS at all. but sometimes bad things happen. Sometimes complicatons can happen have nothing to do w/your surgeon level of experience. I just wished I knew I was going to be away in the hospital for so long from my three year old son. I knew I did the right thing by having the surgery. I was 255 and 5'2!! But I hope I can give you reassurance that you are doing the right thing. The worse complication I had was pneumonia which can be really bad(like I had it) for someone right after surgery. The best thing to avoid it is to get up and walk walk walk right away after the surgery to expand your lungs. I know it will hurt, trust me I know. I had blood soaked through my gown and running down my legs when I first starting walking. Also breathing deeply coughing helps open them up. They should give you this little thing in the hosptial that will help you take deep breaths, use it all the time!! Like I said I was in the ICU and all the jazz and I do not regard AT ALL having the surgery! I always get why I am not angry or bitter about my WLS experience, i just kind of say "you know doo-doo happens". I would say preparing yourself to "die" is a little extreme but just prepare yourself maybe for a longer hosptial stay than expected b/c if you had one thing wrong, even a minor one(a fever, feeling like you are going to throw up, increased heart rate,rash etc etc) they will not discharge you. I do hope that you will have a very smooth WLS and be up and going before you know it! You live so close to me so I hope I can be of support for you. Please feel free to email me at [email protected]. Please keep me posted about our success!! Tavia

Hi Maggie, Please put all your faith in God and believe that all is going to be fine. I too was scared as many of us were. But I can tell you that I personally know 4 people, 2 my daughter-in-laws, that had the surgery before me and they are all doing wonderfully. Everyone is different, so is the aftermath. Just follow your doctors rules and put yourself first. Keep thinking that this is going to give you a new lease on life. I am 3 1/2 months post-op and have never felt better in my life. Down 60 lbs. now. Read my profile to get more information. Best of Luck and please keep us informed. You will be in our prayers. All will be good. God Bless, Carmen

Hi Maggie, I had my surgery in April and was only hearing bad things from people around me (Family and friends) they didn't even know I was haveing the surgery which was a little scary. However, I did go to support meetings and that really helped me out. Just have faith in God and in your doctor. Make sure you do everything the doctor tells you after the surgery. Do NOT eat or do anything that the doctor does not say is ok. Make sure you walk, walk, walk. The more you walk, even though you will not want to, the better you will start feeling. Christine