Question:
Anyonoe else nervous about surgery?

My height is 5 feet 6 inches. I weigh 270. I have a scheduled appointment with a doctor for wls. I was very excited about surgery, but after reading the memorials of people that died after complications, it has made me rethink my decision. I am a healthy 28 year old. Yeah I'm tired, and can't walk 5 miles, but I feel pretty good. The major toll my weight has taken upon me has been more emotional than physical. I can't even look at myself in the mirror without disgust. I have a little girl and the thought of dying during surgery or after surgery scares me to death. I want to be thin more than anything in the whole world, but death is so scary for me. Anyone with advice please e-mail me at [email protected] Thank you so much    — Gena B. (posted on September 5, 2000)

September 5, 2000
You're lucky you are healthy, but are you really? Have you read all the successful story on this sight? Those who have died should never be forgotten; but I'm sure they were at the end over their weight. If you know that the weight is keeping you from being there for your loved one, now that your healthy is the time to really consider your option.
   — [Anonymous]

September 5, 2000
Dear Gena, I can't say that I was nervous prior to surgery, in fact I was Extremely CALM about the whole thing. I know that when people read the Memorial Page some will decide that the risk is too great for them. But would you rather not be informed that Death is a Possibility? I Thank Eric and Ken and all those who keep this site going for the Memorial Page, it's the very first thing I check everytime I come here. By creating the Memorial Page and telling everyone about those who did not live to have their surgery or those that died from complications, we are allowed to view the REALITY of WLS in it's entirety. Yes, the possibility of Death is there, but so is the possibility of a much Healthier LIFE! Consider all the Pros & Cons and make an Informed decision as to whether WLS is for You. Only You can make that decision. I myself am in the Super Morbidly Obese catagory and I would not even consider the thought of WLS prior to March of this year. I am now 2 weeks post-op and doing fine and down 51 lbs:) Keep reading this site and other related links, get as much information as you possibly can and then make an informed decision. You'll get support here either way you decide:) Sending Warm Healing Skinny thoughts your way:) ttfn
   — Barbara I.

September 6, 2000
I understand your fears, and it's natural to have them. It's very sad to hear of members of our group - our friends - who have not made it. No one can say there are no risks associated with this surgery. You say you are healthy - but are you REALLY? The reason I ask this is that it has been my observation that we learn to live with our health problems. I did the same thing. As I have gotten older, I have had increasing problems due to my weight - diabetes, sleep apnea, worsening asthma, high blood pressure, and increasing joint pain. None of these things happened overnight, and I gradually got "used to" all the symptoms I was having. I am a very active person - involved in a lot of different activities, and I just ignored what was happening to my body and kept trudging along. My weight has incresed every year since puberty. I finally reached a point at 300 pounds, 5 feet tall, and 36 years old where I decided my health issues were going to be the death of me (literally) if I did not do something about my weight. So take a hard look at yourself. You may not have gotten something officially diagnosed from your doctor, but do you have symptoms of diabetes, sleep apnea, etc? When is the last time you had a very thorough physical? Have you had your sugar tested lately? How much weight do you gain on a yearly basis? Also, what is your family history - a lot of heart disease or diabetes? The challenge for me over the last few years has been to know what is "normal". How should a "normal" sized person be feeling? Should a "normal" sized person have the same health issues as I had? Yes, there are risks with WLS, but the risks associated with these serious health issues is far greater. Taking care of your weight is like an insurance policy, not just for you, but for your little girl as well. You will be in a better position to take care of her and to do all the things parents can do with their kids. Hang in there. Decide what is best for you. Good luck!
   — Paula G.

September 6, 2000
Gena, I started at 5'6-1/2", 277, about the same size as you. I am very healthy, 35 years old and the only co-morb I have is bad knees, that incidently, is due to repeated injury rather than weight (shh, don't tell my insurance company!) I was never nervous because of my excellent health, and because I have had 5 prior surgeries (none were related to illness, just babies and injuries) that I tolerated well. When I read the memorials, I was always looking for someone who closely resembled my own profile, and found none. Sadly, most of these individuals were super-obese and had a host of health problems to overcome. Certainly you need to take the time to think this decision through, but I just wanted to share with you my success story: no complications, feeling great and down 30 pounds in 6 weeks. Good Luck to you!
   — Allie B.

September 6, 2000
Gena ... we've all felt that way. It's normal to be scared, and normal to think if we just give the old diet thing one more good try for the Gipper, all of our problems will disappear ... and they won't. I would venture that most of those who die post-op from WLS have, as others have pointed out, pre-existing serious health problems. There are thousands and thousands of us who have had this surgery and survived with few, or with no, complications. I had an open VBG on April 17/00 (90# gone forever) and haven't looked back once, even when it's not going "perfectly". As we get older (I'm 43) the problems caused by the weight -- the sleep apnea, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, arthritis, etc., etc. -- get worse, not better. I wish I'd done this about ten years ago! As I've said before in posts, people can drop dead getting their teeth cleaned. The mortality rate from WLS is less than 1% ... I think you have probably better odds of being struck by lightning. All surgery is scary, and all but a very small statistical percentage of surgery is safe ... and WLS is far safer than living with the excess weight. I know you're fearful, but fear is what kept us fat. Good luck, whatever you choose, and warm thoughts always.
   — Cheryl Denomy