Okay, Now I'm Terrified.

So I have been pretty good with being excited about my surgery on December 17th, but ever since I got my preop appointments booked I am becoming terrified. Ive had this uneasy, sick feeling in my stomach for the last 3 days. what if i am one of those people who are sick for the rest of their life?  I met a woman at my support group who had it done a year ago and has been sick every day since and can hardly keep anything down and the doctors cant figure out why,  so my mind has been wondering.  Is it common to feel this way? I dont really have anyone to talk to about this that understands where I'm coming from so any advice would be great. thanks.  

It is not at all uncommon to have these fears. While I know it is scarey to encounter one who has had difficulty in this journey, it is good to know that things can happen that we do not expect. It isn't typical, but does happen sometimes. Know that it is a very very low percentage of people who have these problems.

There are little complications that can occur too, but they are easy to take care of, such as strictures. It also is not uncommon for wls patients to need the galbladder out after surgery due to the fast weight loss.

Another thing to keep in mind, is that when she says she has been sick every day since surgery, is it actually a complication she is having, or is it the food choices she is making? I am not by any means saying that she is eating poorly, just suggesting that this may have a part to play in it possibly. If she is not eating poorly, I sure wish they could get to the bottom of things for her.

All you can do at this point is weigh the pro's and cons. Realize the complication rates to your life and wellbeing are higher as an obese person, then as a result of this surgery. Every day we are obese we are at risk for more and more co-morbidities, and the worsening of the ones we already have. But also be honest with yourself that wls is not the easy way out and that there are risks associated with it.

For me, I told my family that I was at a point when I decided to have surgery, that I would rather die on the table, and risk other possible complications, than live the rest of my life obese and suffering in the many ways I was. My weight kept climbing  and my health and energy and self esteem continued to decline. I was totally and completely miserable, and wouldn't have wantd to go another 10 years like that.. let alone the rest of my life. To me, my obesity was a complication I had to do something about, or i would have had a zero quality of life.

It is a very individual and personal choice. Weigh out the pro's and cons and be sure you want to move forward with this. Chances are you will not be one who has lifelong complications, but there are no guarantees. But know it is rare and the chances are very low for this to occur.

I have been extremely fortunate, in that I have had zero complications. My daughter has had a few, but relatively minor, and they were able to be corrected. (galbladder removed, stricture fixed twice). The stricture repair is a simple outpatient non invasive fix, done via scope. AND happens to be the most common complication after dehydration from not drinking enough fluids.

I wish you peace in your decision. If you plan to go forward, do it with positive intentions and thoughts. Once you are certain you are doing this, there is no benefit to dwelling on what-if's, as they may never happen. If and when they do, then it is time to deal with them. By dwelling on them you are just causing undue misery to yourself. As long as you know the risks, and stay aware of what is happening with your body, you have accomplished a beneficial skill that can serve you well in the future.

Hugs and peace to you.

thanks so much for the post. It made me feel a lot better! I am defiantly doing this 100% i just needed a little reassurance from people who understand. It took so long to get to this point and as soon as things started happening they were happening SOOOOO FAST!! it was just a little overwhelming.  Thanks again for the information and consideration!!

Mine is next week and I feel exactly the same way.  Terrified and excited, trying not to think of it too much and bury myself in my work.

Good luck to you!! I guess we just need to focus on the healthy positives over the scary stuff!!

Just joining the group, but glad to see real issues being dealt with.  And thanks for the open and honest responses.  I have been wondering about the possible complications myself.  Good to know that even a stricture can be handled non-invasively.