Question:
should I be afriad of this surgery. I read so much about it and the risks.

I have been thinking about this surgery for 2 years and I think I may finally be close to getting the surgery. But I am afraid that something might happen. is this normal for me to think like this. And with me feeling like this should I go foward?    — Theresa L. (posted on March 29, 2002)

March 29, 2002
Hi, I am pre-op, probably having surgery in 2-3 months, and like you, I am very scared. I am scared about the risks and scareed about dying, etc. I do not have life-threatening illnesses right now such as heart disease, diabetes, etc, because I am still only 22. But i fear that because I am so heavy now and have been unable for 6 years to lose the weight, i think this is right for me. I am scared about long term risks, because there is not much info on it, but i think anything is better than being obese. I am going to go through with it because I want to feel healthy, and I know this is the only right decision for me personally to lose weight to be healthy. i feel it in my gut that this is right for me. Goodluck with your decision, only you can make the right choice.
   — Lezlie Y.

March 29, 2002
Hi, I'm scheduled for surgery on May 14 and I too was very nervous at first. It took about 6 months of reading, mainly this website before I finally felt comfortable enough to move forward. I think it's normal to sometimes worry about the unexpected but I also believe that one should be comfortable with their decision.
   — S D.

March 29, 2002
This surgery is a scary thing, plus there is a lot of distressing in thinking "How could I have let myself get to this point!?!" BUT please know that plenty of people are having no problems, or minor complications that can be easily corrected. My surgery is in just a few days and I am scared, but I think about where I could end up if I don't have the surgery, and I think about how ready I am for my issues with food/weight to just be OVER, and I think about all the health problems that have floated around my MO family, and I think about how much I love myself and I want to give myself a chance at living life at 100%, full speed ahead...and I think I am making the right decision. All the best to you!
   — rebeccamayhew

March 29, 2002
We are all scared when we got our surgery. Who ever said that they weren't is a fool or a liar. That said this is the single most important thing that I have ever done for myself!! I was more scared to remain MO and lose my mobility and quality of life as I got older,************* Good Luck
   — Robert L.

March 30, 2002
Even though you said you have been thinking about this surgery is that all you have done?? No researching on this?? Every surgery has some kind of risks. Personally I like the low odds of this type surgery!!! I would do again at the drop of a hat!! If this surgery is too scary for you I feel you shouldn't do at all. Yes, it is normal to worry but its usually people who are getting ready to have their surgery within a week. Last minute jitters!!! But you are stressed out just thinking about it and haven't even started the process yet or just starting. So my advice to you is don't go through with it until you are older and can handle this with more maturity. Best of Luck on what ever you decide!!!
   — Laura G.

March 30, 2002
I'm sure that everyone is concerned at the prospect of having a life-altering major surgery. I know I was. However, you can worry yourself to death over it if you let yourself. I've seen people change their minds about having surgery after reading the memorials page. I think we have to weigh the issues here. There are over 71,000 people who are members here. The vast majority of them are happy with their decision to have weight loss surgery. Research is very important to this process. Accepting that there are risks involved is also very important. For me personally, I felt that my comorbidities presented a greater risk than the surgery itself. Sometimes people know that it's in thier best interest to have surgery but they simply can't do it. That's o.k. While I feel like WLS is usually the only hope or last hope for morbidly obese people it's still not right for everyone. If you are worried to the point of misery and distraction then it seems like you might need to do further research, find a support group or even reconsider. Normal jitters and concerns are expected. High anxiety is not a good thing. Best wishes to you - I know you'll reach the decision that's right for you!
   — ronascott

April 1, 2002
i WAS VERY SCARED AFTER CHECKING OUT A FEW WEBSITES THAT SAID "READ THIS BEFORE YOU HAVE WLS" AND MY SISTER WHO IS A PARAMEDIC SAID THAT THE DOCTORS SHE KNOWS DISCOURAGE IT BECAUSE OF ALL THE RISKS. AFTER THAT I ASKED MY DOCTOR, SURGEON AND SEARCHED THE JAMA SITE AND FOUND OUT THAT MOST OF THE INFO I HAD BEEN GIVEN THAT SCARED ME WAS INCORRECT. THE SURGERY IS DANGEROUS ONLY BECAUSE A LOT OF OBESE PEOPLE ARE IN SUCH BAD HEALTH THAT MOST DOCTORS WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND SURGERY. BUT THIS SURGERY IS NEEDED FOR JUST THAT REASON. ALSO THE ONLY PROBLEM POST-OP THAT JAMA, OR MY DOCTORS SITED AS DANGEROUS IS VITAMIN DEFICIENTCIES (THEY MENTIONED OTHERS THAT WERE EASILY CORRECTED IE DIALATIONS AND HERNIAS) TAKE YOUR VITAMINS AND DRINK YOUR WATER AND YOU SHOULD BE FINE. HOWEVER, THIS IS A MAJOR SURGERY, AND IF YOU DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE -DON'T DO IT. TALK TO YOUR DOCTORS MORE AND SEE IF THEY CAN'T EASE YOUR MIND.
   — Laurie V.