Scared???

Okay, I know maybe I shouldn't but, I wasreading the memorials. Is it normal for that to have scared the crap out of me? I mean, my Doctor told me that there is probably a 0.5% chance of death for me but, I don't know. Just reading how excited they were and how much they wanted this, just like me, it scared me! Please help me. I know you can't take the mortality rate away but, I just need some comfort I guess. I do not want to tell my husband how it upset me because then he will say not to have the surgery. Am I over reacting? Please don't yell at me or criticize me. I know everyone has questions they need answered no matter how much someone else doesn't want to hear them. Thank you! Jodie

Ok Jodie, I don't really know what to tell you. I also went through the "oh crap! I might die" phase and I may go through it again before I actually have the surgery. However, I keep reminding myself that I really am not living life right now. I am too heavy to really enjoy things. If I continue on the path I am now, I will be miserable for the rest of my life. I trust the surgeon I have chosen and I feel that God will help me through. Also, .5%? I'm not much of a gambler but the odds are most certainly in your favor!!! Hang in there....and STOP READING THE MEMORIALS!!!! (you don't know what kinda underlying cir****tances they had) Rachel

Jodie, It is totally normal to feel that way. i am sure we have all at one time looked at the memorial forum. It is sad and really brings things into perspective. This is not an easy decision to make. It is life changing and you have to know that before you decide on this path. It is a wonderful thing for many, many people, but some have terrible complications. To not acknowledge that would be lying to yourself. Before my surgery I wrote a letter to my family just in case. I cried and it took me several days to write it. The first thing I did when i got home was delete it from my computer. It was easy for me to feel comfortable with my decision as soon as I turned it over to God. I asked for his guidance and as soon as I did I felt that he was leading me and I haven't had one regret since then. Research it and pray about it and you will know if it was meant to be! Melissa

First let me say no one's going to criticize you for being fearful, it's normal to run the gambit of emotions before WLS or any other surgery for that matter. I too read the memorial page, and when I said read it, I mean I read every memorial. I felt that once I had read a few, that everyones deserved to be read. They mattered!!! They were mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, wives, husbands, friends,someone's loved ones. I guess by reading them was a way I felt I could honor thier lives. I took away something a little different from reading them...I felt that even in thier deaths they wanted to let us know that life was worth the fight. So I weighed the risk and fought on. There comes a point in the fight when we've done all we can do, that's when I surrendered all to God. I put everything in His Hands. My surgeon, those that would assist the surgeon, the anesthisiologist, the nurses, my family, and my life, I gave it all to HIM!!! When I surrendered it all to Him, I was given such a peace. I knew no matter the outcome all would be well with my soul. So Jodie, know that you are not alone. There's something bigger than us all, and His love can cover a multitude All we have to do is ask, and it shall be done!!! Tonya

Hey guys, I want to thank evryone for their kind words! I know this is something I want more than anything nad I cannot wait! My phsyc. eval. is one week from today!!! Yeah!!! Thanks again you all! You are the best! Jodie