Question:
Why is it that I am more afraid of dying this time?

I have had many surgeries in the past and have never had one complication. This surgery is suppose to be under 3 hours long so the anethesia is less than what I had with a hysterectomy. Then, why, is the fear of death alot greater with this operation? I mean if I were having an orthopedic procedure, death would of never crossed my mind.    — Jan S. (posted on January 9, 2003)

January 9, 2003
Everyone is afraid of dying iam 2yrs post op and i clearly remember it.I think it is because everyone scares you to death trying nto give you all of the "facts"Trust me the stats are on your side howevwe the obesity stats are not!Hope all of this helps you-Steph_2ypo-150lbs
   — steph W.

January 9, 2003
I too, think it has to do with it being our decision to have the surgery, not something a doctor is telling us to do. Of course, we need it but it's our choice and with that, you are basically deciding your own fate. I have these feelings too and feel that it would be horrible if something were to happen, meaning it would seem as though I was being selfish by choosing to do this on my own and possibly "abandoning my family". However, my quality of life is dimished by my being morbidly obese so I should be selfish in wanting to do something for myself. You can die from any procedure so this is nothing different from any of the other operations you've had, you'll do great. Good Luck!
   — Dee ,.

January 10, 2003
hiya..{hugs} i felt exactly the same way. rny was my 10th major operation but it was the first where i had a "choice" (as opposed to c-sections/hysterectomy etc) and the night before surgery i panicked and was convinced that i was going to die on the table... my "story" is on my website if you want to read what i went through. the feeling is very normal and i highly recommend attending wls support groups, if you don't already go. good luck, kate www.geocities.com/katebme2002 open rny 6-14-01 pre op: 268lbs goal: 135lbs current: 124lbs
   — jkb

January 11, 2003
Hi, For me I think it is the fact that I want to live now. Several years ago I didn't care if I lived or died. Actually I probably would have preferred death. After years of therapy and antidepressants I want to live. I want to enjoy life and feel better. This is a totally new feeling. I really like it. I am still in therapy and I am a totally different person than I was 5 years ago. 27 days and a wake up to go!
   — armonce G.

January 11, 2003
I FEEL THE EXACT SAME WAY. SOME TIMES I GET REALLY SCARED AND THEN THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I SAY I CAN DO THIS. ASK YOURSELF IF YOU HAD TO HAVE HEART SURGERY WOULD YOU WAKE UP AND TELL THE DR NO BECAUSE YOU ARE SCARED. NO! PEOPLE ARE MAKING A BIG DEAL OUT OF THIS SURGERY AND SAYING BAD STUFF BECAUSE IT IS ELECTIVE. MY SURGERY IS 55 DAYS AWAY AND I AM STILL AFRAID IT IS NATURALLY TO BE AFRAID. KEEP PRAYING LIKE ME AND EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND ME!!1
   — LUKESHA C.

January 13, 2003
I agree with what some of the others have said. Although this is a medically necessary surgery, the process for having it is usually initiated by the patient, rather than the Dr. or a trip to the ER. I have undergone 4 surgeries under general anesthesia in the past 10 years without a problem, and I am basing my likelihood of sucess with anesthesia this time on my past experiences. I also am reassured by the fact that my doctor has never lost a patient and that the hospital only staffs it's OR with board certified anesthesiologists. All this being said, I still have the jitters. I'm not sure if it is because of surgery/ anesthesia anxiety, or if I am just anticipating the drastic changes in diet I will have to deal with. I remember feeling "crappy" for the first 24 hours and being disoriented "foggy" in the recovery room. I'm hoping nothing unexpected or different happens this time.
   — Fixnmyself