Question:
Was anyone fixated on the morbidity rate of wls before you had it done?
I've tried to do as much research as I can on wls but I stil fear the surgery may take my life before I get to see its benefits. I know at least 4 people who did not live past thier first 30 days post-op. Research says deaths are usually do to dvt(deep vein thrombosis) or infection and happen within the first 30 dys of surgery. Did anyone get into detail with their doctors about this pre-op or am I just being afraid of my own shadow. Help!!! I am very afraid and need all hands on board and all words of wisdom. — Ewanda S. (posted on October 9, 2004)
October 8, 2004
You describe me as a pre op. DO go into great detail with your surgeon. A
better educated pre op is a safer post op. Buy a book like barbara
thompsons. It list all the complications symptoms and how to avoid them.
<P>http://www.wlscenter.com<P> I was fixated on blood clots
too. This made me a driven man:) I insisted on walking as soon as I got
back to my room from recovery. walked the halls so much nurses finally
ordered me to bed. Blood clots are largely a result of inactivity. couch
potatoes beware, its putting your life at risk. I walked EVERY DAY when I
got home, one week to the day after surgery 1.3 miles. You can see all the
details in my profile. its very detailed after surgery.<P> You can
get a greenfield filter installed before surgery, that keeps you safe. it
prevents a blood clot from causing a serious problem.<P> WLS has
definite RISKS but also REWARDS.<P> You have to consider the risk of
remaining MO. It cuts years off our lives, and often makes us miserable.
People die from the effects of being MO everyday....<P> The biggest
way to keep us safe. Find a highly experienced surgeon at a high volume
teaching hospital who has a support group and MO friendly facilities. big
gowns, big chairs, etc. these details indicate the doc is aware of
challenges of our daily life. Docs who demand tons of tests are good too.
Those tests are for our safety, not to make money for the hospital. Just
blood work and chest X ray, run away! I know how scary this all is. I am 3
years out. But its the BEST decision I EVER MADE!
— bob-haller
October 8, 2004
I meant to add, my surgeons groups death rate after 8000 surgeries is .2%
Thats 2 deaths per thousand. Wish it were zero. But the average death rate
nationwide is about 1%thats 10 per thousand:( My surgeon does the highest
risks folks too. WLS can be done safe and effectively given the right
surgeon and hospital with the needed specioalists. Be certain to use a
surgeon that requires a psych approval. theres as many mental and emotional
changes from loosing weight as physical ones. Best to be prepared. LOOSING
THE WEIGHT WAS THE MOST FUN OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!
— bob-haller
October 8, 2004
It is good to go into this "eyes wide open to the risks".
HOWEVER, I was more concerned about "MY" mortality risk should I
NOT have WLS. You see I would'nt have WLS until I figured the risk of NOT
having WLS was greater. I'm not saying everyone should wait that long. I've
just had way to many surgeries in my life, some of them went very wrong. So
I did'nt want to have WLS until I was sure there was nothing else I could
do to lose weight and no other hope. Do check into the risks, but know
there are also risks for being to heavy. Only you can say if this is right
for you. It is understandable to have doubts and be scared half to death.
Everyone was terrified whether they will admit it or not. We are only human
and there is no shame in being afraid. Hang in there! Good luck. :)
— Danmark
October 8, 2004
I wasnt BUT if all of the 4 death are from the SAME surgeon; I would
certainly 'think twice' about using THAT surgeon and hospital. Blood clots
cant be predicted; but be sure they are using the 'right' precausions such
as heprin shots and the leg things... IF you have a history of them
yourself; discusss the filter. Some people start to think infections 'are
normal' and they are NOT... why does this doctor/hospital have a high
rate?? those are questions you need to find out.. If necessary go
elsewhere. After that; the rest is 'be aware' but what will be will be.
After discussion and research if your still overerly afraid, you might just
not be 'ready' and thats ok.. wait.
— star .
October 9, 2004
I had gall bladder surgery when I was 40 and developed a small clot in a
vericous vein in my leg. I had to have the vein stripped and it was the
most painful recovery I had ever had. I was very scared I would have
another clot. I didnt but much like Bob when I had WLS I walked and walked
and walked the any time I could at the hospital they finally drugged me.
When I got home it was the same way 2 nights after I got from the hospital
and an open rny I was at Walmart walking for an hour. I was scared of more
clots I have walked every day since, I work out cardo or strength training
for an hour a day. I talked to my surgeon in detail about my fears of more
clots and he assured me I would be okay. I am no wimp to pain went back to
work 2 weeks after the open rny and 1 week after an incisional hernia. If
I wouldnt have had the surgery I am sure I would have type 2 diabeties and
be on high blood pressure pills---I am in the best shape physically and
mentally that I have ever been in and I'm 50. Best wishes to you...you can
do it! be happy be healthy!
— debmi
October 10, 2004
Hi Ewanda!! I was absolutely petrified and convinced that I was going to
die on the table, if not there then afterwards from complications. So I
decided to be proactive and talk to my surgeon Dr Mary Murphy and she
calmed some fears and basically that I needed to get myself as healthy as
possible before surgery and that then I would feel like I had some control
over what happened and that I needed to start walking as much as possible
as soon as I was returned to my room after surgery. So I started to walk
on the treadmill starting at .5 mile building up to 4 miles, then I woked
out with weights building up the weights 5 lbs a weeks, drinking lots of
water, started drinking ProComplex protein drink once a day and taking
loads of vitamins. I also bought the books that Carnie Wilson wrote she
helped a lot also. Basically I was going to do everything in my power to
get up off that table that I possibly could and that the rest would be up
to God. As soon as I returned to my hospital room I got up and started to
walk laps on the hospital ward. As soon as I got home I was out walking
the streets. I was NOT going to be a casualty!! And that all quelled my
fears because I saw that I was ok and that made me stronger. Good Luck!!
It was the best decision I ever made.
— lstinson
October 10, 2004
Your note doesn't state what your current weight is so I don't know if you
are considered MO. I don't know your dieting history.
This is the way I looked at it. My weight before the surgery was 329 lbs
and I could have died just walking up a flight of stairs. I couldn't lose
the weight the normal way so what else was I to do. I research for over a
year and then I made up my mind. I wanted to eat to live NOT live to eat.
If I was going to die on the table, at least I was doing some thing
positive for me. It's was in God's hands. We could WHAT IF ourselves all
we want. Do you want the surgery? Are you ready for the restricted eating
that goes along with this surgery, the emotional issues that will follow
and possible medical complications. I don't mean to sound harsh but you
can die from any surgery. Have you joined a support group so you can get a
better understanding of what life is like after surgery. Maybe what is
holding you back is not the operation but what life is after. You need to
take a good long hard look at the pros and cons of this surgery. I wish you
the best of luck in your decision.
— Linda R.
October 11, 2004
At first I was scared about the possibility of death with WLS, but you
could die today from hundreds of other causes or more. WLS has a small
percentage of deaths, but what is the alternative? (1) You can continue
like you are and try to lose the weight on your own (was not an option for
me) (2) Continue like I was and my co-morbidities killed me or (3) Take an
educated risk that I could change my life. Glad I did. Worked well in my
case. All you can do is take educated risks in life.
— Cathy S.
October 11, 2004
Yes, I was beyond obsessed scaring myself half to death with all of the
possible negative outcomes. Yet I knew at
my weight, it was the only viable answer. I was frightened of the unknown
even up til the last days of surgery. Presurgically I made sure I knew all
I could know
about the procedures so I could ask intelligent questions.
I went to a very reputible surgeon who made me feel very
comfortable with his qualifications. I think obesity in
and of itself has a component of control issues for us all
we all need to be in control. When I relinquished that
control to trusting in G-d- was when I felt completely
relaxed. I don't know what your faith is like, but it
is not hokey. ASK for G-ds help and HE will give it.
Pray for yourself and for the surgeon- and put it in G-ds
hands which is where it has been all along.
With regard to blood clots, and infections- at a BMI of
70 ( like me too) you have a far greater risk of dying
by stroke, heart attack or cancer than if you don't do
the surgery. I wish you luck and if you need to talk
about this - feel free to e-mail me direct. The fear
issue was huge for me, and I overcame it..you can too.
Good luck - [email protected]
— Marcy B.
October 11, 2004
I was very afraid of having this surgery. My options were this have the
surgery and take a big chance of living a "normal" life, or not
having the surgery and dieing of one of the other many complications that I
would have if I would've stayed that big. I had a BMI of 73 and I knew that
I would not be around for much longer. I was only 28 when I had surgery,
but heart attack or stroke does not discriminate on age. I had a couple of
places in my incision that did not heal properly and they had to fix them.
I will not discuss here, but if you would like to hear about it feel free
to email me. I think that when it comes to the surgery, in my case, all of
the positives of the surgery outweighed the one huge negative...death. The
surgery is up to each person to decide, I had many doubts, but am very
happy for my outcome. If you would like to discuss this with me you may
email me and I will get back to you. I have not updated my profile in a
while, I need to but I have been busy. Good luck. Hope to hear from you.
Holly Harris [email protected]
— Holly H.
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