Question:
Anybody out there ever have the same fears before they had surgery?
This is a heck of a thing to say, especially right before surgery, but...I was looking at the memorial page a few days ago, and I was looking at all of the people who died and all of sudden I thought..what if I dont wake up from anesthesia or a couple of days later a develop a blood clot and thats it??? I know that the chances of that happening are extremely rare and Im probably silly for thinking that, but I cant help it. Anybody out there ever have the same fears before they had surgery? Just wondering. Thanks! — Kris T. (posted on January 21, 2003)
January 20, 2003
Hi. I know how you feel. Today I am 8 weeks post-op and can tell you how
silly I was before surgery. I typed out letters to my immediate family in
case I didn't make it through the surgery. Told everyone what I wanted at
my funeral and everything. Not really a positive attitude, huh? But hey,
if you are scared and nervous, you are just scared and nervous, right? I
was more afraid dying on the table than anything. As far as blood clots
were concerned it was recommended for me to get a greenfield filter for
some extra insurance fighting bloot clots, so I never really worried about
it. But look at how silly I was acting. I am doing just fine. No real
complications. I just wanna smack myself for the way I was acting, but I
think anyone will tell you it's quite natural to be scared. If you weren't
I would wonder about you. lol It's a major surgery and I'm sure the
majority of us didn't take the risks litely and felt the same way you did.
Good Luck! :)
— NikkiCarter
January 20, 2003
First, it isn't silly to think that. As a matter of fact, I felt it was
very important to understand (and even accept) the risks that might happen.
I talked with my husband about it...made sure that he would know what to
do if something did happen to me...I made a will, and I let my family know
how much I loved them. I think you need to make peace with it, and then
go into surgery comfortable with your decision.
— thekatinthehat
January 20, 2003
April.......if that comment you made saying "first of all it isn't
silly" was from what I said you didn't read what I said correctly...I
said "I" felt silly. I was not referring to the poster. And
after all that worrying I did feel silly. So you can't speak for me only
speak for yourself. I spoke only about myself!
— NikkiCarter
January 20, 2003
First off - everyone has feelings and has different ways to express them.
Fear of the unknown is vey frightening but you can't let it paralyze you
from changing your life. Knowledge can soothe alot of fear - read about the
surgery, talk to others who have had it done and especially your doctor.
Then prepare for the outcome - NO ONE plans to die- so think positive of
the changes that will be good for you and your family. Make peace with God
and go into this surgery with his reassurance that no matter what happens
God will guide you. It's suggested that you write your love ones a letter
prior to surgery If this makes you feel more at peace, then do it. Nothing
we do is silly - it's real to us and that's what really matters. After it's
all done you'll look back and say I did alot of extra worrying for nothing-
and I'm glad i knew what was going to happen each step so I didn't have to
worry as much. May you find peace - May you put your trust in God and may
you plan for the future for your success with this tool. Love, Sally
— Sally P.
January 21, 2003
I was terrified!!! But now it is the best thing I ever did. I went from a
24 to a 4 in the first 6 months. Read my profile it should make you feel
better.
— Linda A.
January 21, 2003
Hi Kris,
I think we all did at some point. You know there are risks with this
surgery as with any other but the results are totally amazing. I am 5 mths
out, down 80+ lbs and doing great. I haven't had any problems at all. Do
exactly as your surgeon tells you and you will be fine..Best of luck to
you....
— Sharon1964
January 21, 2003
I thought the same thing as I was drifting away under anesthesia, wondering
if I would wake up. I think we all do. Its that lack of control, that you
are literally putting your life into someone elses hands (the surgeon).
Thats a scary thing. Just try to think positive-the risks are low, and
you'll beat those odds, easily...
— Cindy R.
January 21, 2003
I sooooo was sick of living the way I was by the time I got to have my
surgery (it took 14 months with Kaiser). I had already mulled it over and
over, and basically turned it over to Him. I said "Lord, you led me
here...if you want to take me now, you must have Your reasons". My
spiritual house was all in order...either way, I was ready to go. It gave
me peace to put it in His hands (as everything really is, after all).
Having that peace did not shield me from having tears rolling down my face
as the anesthesiologist put the Versed into my IV. I think everyone is
scared to some level when the actual moment comes. All I can say is, be
ready for this as best you can, and put your trust in your Higher Power.
As the previous poster said, the surgical risks in 2003 are really minimal.
You can't foretell who's going to get a blood clot, but they do try to
minimize that with Heparin post-op and also good pre-op care for those at
high risk. It's probably best at this point to not go back and obsessively
read the Memorial Page here. I think once is enough for any of us. Hugs,
Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
January 21, 2003
Nikki...I wasn't refering to your answer, the posters questions states
"I'm probably silly for thinking that"...I was telling her that
it wasn't silly.
— thekatinthehat
January 21, 2003
I can certainly understand your concerns. I did develope a blood clot
after surgery in my left calf. I was bed ridden for 10 days after that and
was put on blood thinners. It was scary,I won't say it wasn't but I just
wanted you to know that if you do develope a clot there are ways to take
care of them. Best of Luck and God Bless you on your WLS journey.
— Tinca-Thais J.
January 22, 2003
Hi Kris. I too read the memorial page. I guess I was spending too much
time doing that and was beginning to get that " I'm gonna chicken-out
feeling". But then you have to sit back and realize that you are more
at risk of bad things happening to you because of your weight. My daughter
has encouraged me to go ahead with this. She said " Mom you could
have a stroke or heart attack just sitting here" and I thought about
that and she is so right. I have diabetes, high blood pressure, high
cholestral, acid reflux and bad arthritis. So like how much of a risk
would the surgery be compared to all the complications that are waiting in
the wings for me if I don't have this surgery. I too like you and I bet
every one who has gone through with this has had exactly the same fears. I
am going for my lung eval. and phy. eval. tomorrow and am going straight
ahead with this. I wish you lots of luck and a fine recovery. Our lives
are about to change and we need to grab onto that and relish it. LOL.
Maureen
— Maureen M.
January 22, 2003
hi there :) i too had alot of the same fears. i did alot of praying,
thinking, soul searching. i took a good look at it and i realized that i
wasnt really living just merely existing on the couch, depressed and
miseable all the time. although i was pretty healthy even at 370 i knew
there was no way that would continue and knew that i was at much greater
risk for heartattck or stroke and the like that could happen just like
that. i decided to take the chance and am glad to say that i did wonderful
with it and am living now for the first time in years! i dont regret it at
all, its the best gift i could have givin myself. i have been freed from my
cage and life is beautiful. i read the memorial page when i was just a few
days out and i was an emotional wreck, it reduced me to tears within
seconds. it was sad to me that some had died waiting for approval.i said a
prayer for all on the page and for those of us amos fam either pre op, post
op. the number of people that dont do well with it is actually far less
than the number that do great. hang in there your fears are normal. best of
luck to you and ill be thinking and praying for you. :)
— carrie M.
January 22, 2003
IT HAPPEN MORE THEN YOU KNOW.AN SOME HAVE FEEDING TUBES AN NEVER GET ANY
BETTER.
— jan M.
February 20, 2003
2/20/03 I haven't had the surgery yet, and I am scared!
But I trust in God which is a comfort, & if it's my time to go, then
that's what God wants. I use the same reasoning
about flying- it helps tremandously!! I hope you are feeling better. God
Bless you! Grace L.
— Grace loves cats
February 20, 2003
Yep really glad I didnt back out. Saved both me and my wifes life. See
profile for pictures. Lost over 230 pounds between the 2 of us.
— bob-haller
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