Question:
Has anyone backed out of surgery?

Has anyone ever gotten within a couple of weeks of their surgery and chickened out??? I was scheduled for LAP RNY on 11/29/00 and called my doc on the 19th and chickened out!! I kick myself in the BUTT EVERY day !! I want to reschedule this surgery SO bad!! I want it and NEED it ... I am just so scared!! Anyone else have these feelings??    — Donna H. (posted on February 3, 2001)

February 4, 2001
Donna -call and reschedule, do whatever it takes to make the smartest move of your life. I am 3 mos out and lost 46lbs and couldn't feel better or happier. It really was not so tough for me and the eating part is much easier than I thought it was going to be. I feel like telling everyone to do it -it is soooo worth it.Good luck.
   — Michele C.

February 7, 2001
In 1999 of December, I was scheduled to have weight loss surgery in Ft. Lauderdale with a top surgeon. I was in the hospital getting ready to be rolled in to the surgery room. I was given the drugs to make me sleepy. Nonetheless, I politely got up off of the operating gurney and said I can't do it. I was highly embarassed, but I was determined that I was not going to do it. They rolled me back to my room and said they would give me time to rethink my decision and that I was just nervous. Upon seeing my husband and family, I packed my clothing, and we left the hospital. I said all of that to say, you have to be extremely sure about your decision, and it is perfectly normal to feel that way. I never thought I would ever have the surgery ...but I did this year on January 19, 2001. I spent alot of time becoming more familiar with those that had experienced it(my personal friends) and reading AMOS to death. My first attempt, I had done all the research and support groups I could possibly do. It just wasn't the right time. I am now almost three weeks post op and lost 20 lbs at my appointment on the January 30th. I am sure I have lost more and will find out on the 13th of February. Also, what really made me follow through the second time around is that I found a surgeon that I met with several times, and felt VERY comfortable with him, I was fed up with just existing and not living, and I began to depend on a higher source GOD. I asked GOD to remove any doubt, and fear that would hamper me from overcoming this obstacle. I now feel free, peaceful, and happy. I hope that I have helped in some way. Rethink your decision and pray about it. GOD will give you the peace against your fear if you just ask. I did. I can now say this is the best decision I have ever made in my life.
   — Onesha R.

May 26, 2001
I had my RNY (open) 5 days ago. I was so scared! As soon as they rolled me into the "holding room", just outside the OR, I started to really shake. I reminded myself of WHY I was doing this surgery & all the benefits that would come of it (don't focus on the potential negative stuff), I then asked my anesthesiologist to PLEEAASE give me some Valium - HORSE STRENGTH (or whatever they use for anxiety). No sooner did they put it in the I.V. and I started floating on cloads; it was such a wonderful, peaceful feeling. They even said I was giggling & joking away. Anyway, I remember them saying to me, "It's your turn!" as they started wheeling me into the OR. I still was able to muster up (with difficulty though) enough fear & I was trying to say "I change my mind! I change my mind!" Maybe those words never made it past my vocal cords, I don't know. But the next thing I remember was waking up in recovery room thining, "I change my mind!...OUCH!!!...Too late!...Wait a minute, how'd they do all this in a just a few minutes?" (the surgery actually took about 2 hours, but it like just a minute or two passed) When the doctor came to check on me later, I told him that I REALLY WANTED TO BACK OUT! He said that he had people get right up off the operating table, only to come back 2 weeks later to have their surgery. So my advice is to ask yourself, is this something you REALLY want to do? Are you totally sure, FIRM in your decision? If yes, then accept the fact that you WILL get fearful. It's totally natural. And then when your turn comes, ask them for a Vallium!
   — lalasmommy

May 26, 2001
Being scared is understandable....I've had 8 major surgeries and each time I've wanted to run in the other direction. One time, as they were wheeling me in to the OR area, I had to get off the table several times just to go potty! At my last surgery, I asked my best friend to come with me as well as my husband. She has a tremendous sense of humor and she kept the mood light-hearted! However, right before I was wheeled into the OR her eyes filled up with tears....I looked at her like a deer frozen in the head lights. The traitor...she was supposed to hold it together for me. Just remember that fear is ok...have trust in your doctor. If the trust isn't there or your unsure about the timing, trust your instincts.
   — maclements