Will you be the one to die?

Unfortunately, I had to delete this post due to privacy concerns.

Shelli my point being that a well vetted surgeon is the base line with which anyone should proceed.  Complications do happen but not as often as you would think. For every post operative major I see I would say that 20% go on to develop minor complications like an ileous, or a large fluid shift or minor infection (mostly chest).  These are baselines to any abdominal surgery but strangely the Ds seems to generate even less of these complications than any other major resection....which is odd!  Maybe it is because you're watched like a hawk due to the possibility of leak etc. Could be because of the intensive care recovery for the first 24hrs??? Really have no answers to that.  Obviously the structure of any long range study needs to be free from bias and encompass both minor and major complications too.

I just can't get my head around anyone going to a surgeon who has been done for malpractice and believing there could be any outcome other than disaster.  Just my opinion......

I heart you.

I'd snog you.

Exhale......thank you Kirmy. Reading of difficulties and complications gives the mistaken perception that some complications are inevitable. It is easy to forget that many people are doing well and enjoying life; and therefore, are not compelled to seek support online. Reading this brought things back into perspective for me. Thank you!

That's ok pet.  Just look about and see all of the dickheads that you've wondered how they get dressed in the morning that seem to be still alive despite themselves and know it is no coincidence.  **** I couldn't break my DS and I'm a ******g chancer!

I thank you from the bottom of my newbie virgin DS heart.  This was a great read and helps put it all into perpective.  Stephanie's death was a hugh reminder of how SERIOUS surgery can be--any type of surgery.  But I (and the others) need to keep our eyes on the ball and look at the whole picture.

I heart you too,

Sher-

Thanks Sher.  Keep your eye on the prize girl and keep plodding towards it.  What a magnificent journey this operation is.  I have worked hard to overcome the hurdles to get the surgery and after a long recovery time I can attest that this is a series of greater adventures each day.

 True, all true.  Great post Kirmy and I wish your friend the best too.  You will be an excellent wing man.

I was pretty pragmatic about the whole thing.  I figured I had fought the fat my whole life and what was in front of me was the rest of my life as a sick person dealing with what happens after a long fat life.  I could either take a chance or live with all the illnesses.  I'm glad I had the balls to take the chance.

It CAN happen to anyone.  Just like you could be waxed going out to check the mail or pick up your dry cleaning.  We mitigate the odds by picking the best surgeon we can find.  If it was my time to die, I would die.  End of story.  At least I bought it trying to change instead of just accepting the inevitable.  I wouldn't have died a coward's death.  I didn't want to be one of the lemmings.

We all take our chances.  Eventually someone is going to lose.  Even the best of the surgeons out there has lost a patient.

Aye me too!  By the time I was for the knife I wasn't giving **** I just wanted to find a night dress that didn't show my massive hairy thighs.  I has a two week freak out for about 3hrs or so then hoovered the carpet and thought about bunnies and naked cowboys.

I was like you and thought "well I may die or I may not but I've absolutely no control over any of these events so bring it on".  That seemed to work for my recovery as well.


We started off sick mostly and have the worst co-morbs for any anesthetist to work on so losing some is likely but not probable with each surgery.  That is what we should focus on.  That and not splarting the first week out.