Question:
I thought I was ready to go forward with this, but I just read over the Angels page..
...now I'm scared. I look at all the people that have passed away since having the surgery. I kept telling myself that most of the people that have passed had to have had other complications prior to the surgery but after reading over the Angels page, well that just doesn't seem so. A 22 yr old that had no previous complications and all of a sudden looses his life over a surgery that he thought would make his life more enjoyable. My motto was "either I die because I am overwieght or I take the chance and have the surgery"...now I'm not so sure. I'm really scared!!! Any answers from doctors regarding which is the safest option with the lowest death rate would be appreciated!!!! — Lori S. (posted on February 23, 2002)
February 23, 2002
Yes you can die from this or any other surgery. But what you read on the
memorial page doesn't give the whole story. Some people do not follow
their doctors orders. They fail to drink enough liquids and have heart
attacks due to dehydration. This is serious business and you have to do
what you are told. I know of one person who od'd on mash potatoes because
they read here that others eat mash potatoes even though her surgeon said
no. When their family called the surgeon, he told them to get the patient
to the ER. The patient refuse to go and died. You have to chose surgeons
carefully and make sure that you are willing to follow their post op
program. If you think you can fool around, don't have the surgery.
— faybay
February 23, 2002
I can understand your fears, I recently had the WLS myself. Lap-RNY and I
feel that you have to choose your surgeon carefully. Ask the questions you
have they won't be offended! If your surgeon has a good track record and
you feel comfortable with his knowledge of the surgery I believe the
benefits far outweigh the risks!! I know that having this surgery was the
best and most informed decision I've ever made for myself. Educate
yourself and you will feel alot more comfortable with your decision.
Follow all of YOUR surgeon's instructions and you should'nt have any
problems. Make sure that you talk with a nutrionist before and after
surgery. Check into the after surgery care and don't read the memorial
page before your surgery again!! Yes, people die after having this surgery
and almost after any other surgery. Most likely they would have died if
they didn't have this surgery too we have no control over that but we can
take control of our lives by having this surgery. Please do it for
yourself and your loved ones they deserve to have you around for a long,
long time!! Good luck.
Vicki Mize
— vmize
February 23, 2002
You poor thing! I bet you're totally scared. I remember those emotions
pre-op. I kept wobbling between wanting the surgery and being scared to
get it. Fortunately, my final wobble was toward having the surgery, which
I did on March 5, 2001. Now, about a year post-op, I am down 165+ lbs. and
have my life back. I can't promise you won't have any complications,
because nobody knows who is going to make it through with flying colors and
who might have complications or even pass away. What I can promise you is
that the risk is worth the reward. Chances of you dying are about 1 in 200
or 1 in 300, depending on how experienced and careful your surgeon is and
on who he is willing to operate on in the first place. Even if the chances
of death were 1 in 10, I believe the surgery would be worth it. Remember:
it's not just life we're seeking; it's QUALITY OF LIFE. Good luck!
— Terissa R.
February 23, 2002
There are a number of people on the memorial page, but it is a very small
number in relation to the number of people on this site. I think 1 in 300
is pretty high. I know I have seen 1 in 1,000 but don't know if there are
any really reliable statistics. Stay away from the memorial page until
after your surgery. As others have said, you are much more likely to have
a miserable life and die of MO than you are to die from WLS. There is a
risk to any surgery, but you wouldn't let that stop you from having your
appendix out if you needed to, would you? I know that it is scary and I am
also pre-op, but I truly believe that if I don't have this surgery, I will
slowly die from the effects of my extra weight. Good luck.
— garw
February 23, 2002
I was scared too. Sure glad I went thru with it. I have lost 123 pounds! My
blood work is normal for the first time since 1985. No longer diabetic.
Feel GREAT. You too can do it, read my profile for details. I was CERTAIN I
would die in surgery, guess whaT i SURVIVED!!
— bob-haller
February 23, 2002
Now is the time for soul searching, and Prayer. Weigh the pros and con.
If you decide to have this surgery, God is the only one who can truly bring
you thru safely. Ask him to bring you thru victoriously. Once ask then
all you can do is stand on faith. I know this sound so easy and simple.
But I have found as a christian, that standing in faith, when so much is at
stake, is the hardest part. You will be in my Prayers, and I wish you well
with what ever decision you make.
— Gloria G.
February 23, 2002
The memorial page scared me too but I'm glad I went through with it. It
also is a teaching tool because it shows how important it is to get moving
right after surgery to prevent blood clots. You also need to remember that
there are 63,000 people registered on this site.
— Candace F.
February 23, 2002
I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND HOW YOU'RE FEELING!!!!! I am 23, and after a TON
of research, and reading all of the good, bad, and the ugly, I have decided
to have the Lap RNY...
I too read the memorial page.. I sat here and bawled!! I, personally, do
think it is important for us to realize that there are people that die..
BUT, if you do your research, you will find the numbers to be relatively
low..
I know that this is all scary, for a while I was SURE that I wouldn't have
it done!! But the more research I did, the more comfortable I became!!
Just do what's right for you!
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!!!
Nicole
— Nicole A.
February 23, 2002
Remember, any surgery is a risk...what raises the risk varies from person
to person, I know being MO raised my risk at surgery, not the proceedure.
You really do need to feel comfortable with your doctor to get through
this, and it is normal to feel afraid from time to time before any surgery.
— Patricia R.
February 23, 2002
I, too, was terrified that I would die during surgery. I have known people
with negative outcomes and was fully aware that I could end up like they
did. But I also knew that I had to do something to lose weight to save my
life. I want to be there for my husband and my sons. Having WLS is
anything but the easy way out. It takes great bravery and trust in your
physician. But the rewards are likely to be a longer, healthier life. I
would encourage you to listen to your heart and follow what will work for
you. Good luck to you.
— Spunkwoman S.
February 23, 2002
I think we are all scared when we get close to our surgery date. I am a
mother of 2 w/ a great husband. I was soooo scared to leave my kids w/out
a mother. I cried for several days before my surgery. Only God knows when
it's time for us to go. I aggree w/ other posters, you will die
of being obese, before you die on the "table", and if yo choose
not to have the surgery, what quality of life will you have w/ diabete,
high bp, high choleserol, heart attacks,and many other medical problems,
and not to mention the self esteem, not able to fit in an airplane seat,
booth,
bend down and tie you shoes, play w/ your kids/grandkids, without huffing
and puffing. If you weigh the odds, WLS seems to be a good bet. We are all
human, and feel death
could befall us during surgery, but it could happen w/ ANY surgery because
you are obese.
— Cindee A.
February 25, 2002
Well with my surgery coming up in a week, I too have had feelings of being
afraid of the small possibility that I could die from this. But I currently
weigh about 435 lbs with a BMI of 63. I have severe sleep apnea, high
cholesterol & Blood pressure. Constant back, knee and ankle/foot pain.
Borderline diabetic. GERD and asthma. All weight related health problems.
My uncle who was about my size died of congestive heart failure at 42. I am
4 years away from that age.
I have come to the conclusion that if I don't get this surgery now, I will
probably die within 5-10 years of a miserable life. If I don't, I will
likely have a normal lifespan of much increased health. Other than weight
related problems, I am pretty healthy.
It is a risk that everybody has to decide for on their own, but for me, the
1/2% chance of dieing now is well worth the 99.5% chance of having a
better, longer, happier, more productive life. For me the possible benefits
far out-weigh (pun intended) the possible risks, and that is something you
will have to decide for yourself.
— Dell H.
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