Question:
Scared of Complications

I am realy scared of the complication related to surgery. I would be interested in finding out if there is increased risk with sleep apnea, increased cranial pressure or congestive cardiac failure?? Was any one scared of not making it through the surgery and leaving behind their families?? Did anyone make final arrangements just in case??? Am I nuts to be thinking all this stuff but still looking forward to surgery????    — [Anonymous] (posted on April 17, 2001)

April 17, 2001
Hi - I can understand your fears..I am pre-op with a surgery date of May 29th...Yes, I am getting things taken care...checked my life insurance policies today...will be doing a will over the next couple of days...discussing the what ifs very subtly with my husband and 19 year old daughter...HOWEVER, I would be doing the same thing regardless of what type of surgery....Now a question for you....if you had appendisitis (spelling..lol) would you not have the surgery because of the risks?? How about breast cancer...would you just let it grow?? That's how I feel about WLS....I want a shot at a longer, healthier life....am I scared?? Yes!!! But I have and am putting my faith in God and my surgeon....So there you have it...Some may not believe in God as I know him...but everyone pretty much has some form of belief...look to that, your family and us a AMOS for support!! Good Luck, Luv Ya, Karan
   — chance2lv

April 17, 2001
NO you are not nuts, Reality is WITH any surgery that you may ever need to have in your life, it is good to have "Your house in Order". I did all my stuff too. I had 3 years of filing, insurance papers, mortage documents, life insurance policies, etc. I did not want Sam to not know where to begin. Let me share with you I have been on the other side of this fence too. When I was 26 my first husband was killed in a motorcycle accident (only lived 4 hrs after accident). We both were young i thought we had a life time of being together, You know growing old and rocking on the front porch with grandkids playing the yard) This all ended way to early and we had no insurance policies, i had to deal with all this and had no ideal where to begin. over $25,000 in medical and furinal and cematary expenses to hit me in the face within 2 days. This was totally hell for me. and I swore that I would never leave myself to be a burden on anyone. even when we knew it was getting closer for my mother who died 3 years ago we made all the arrangements and got her house in order too. Reality this is just being responsible. I didnt dwell on it like I wasnt comeing back. because deep down i knew in my heart that this surgery was going to be ok and I will survive. I trusted my surgion and God and all I had to do was relax. and hang on for my new life. I have sleep Apnea also and I did just find they just monitored me more closely. I had also been a smoker for 22-23 years and I quit smoking 3 months before surgery and I had no complications. You will do fine. If you need anything else or I can be of help in any way please email me. Take care and God bless you. Dreams do come true for those who believes
   — jay B.