Question:
Memorial Page just read and soooo scared

I made the mistake of reading the WLS Memorial page and began to cry when I think of leaving my husband and 4 small children...I know the percentage is so low, but it still scares me, especially since a lot of the people who have passed away were very young. I am only 29. Any encouraging words??    — Amy S. (posted on August 9, 2002)

August 9, 2002
Amy, I don't believe that any patient considers surgery of any type without some degree of anxiety. I would be more concerned about you if you weren't scared :-) Every surgery/general anesthesia carries a risk factor. Most women take childbirth somewhat for granted, but there is hardly any experience that pushes every system in the body to its limits more than hours of hard labor and the birthing experience itself...all equally as risky as any surgery! When my husband and I had our surgeries, we also worried about dying and leaving our two daughters...and they were grown. When my younger daughter had her surgery, she was single, but worried that she would die in surgery and never have a chance to "live her life". My older daughter is approved for surgery with Dr. Champion next month, and she has two little girls, ages 5 and 2....is she thinking about what it would mean to them if she died in surgery?...you bet she is! What each of us came to understand, however, is that our morbid obesity had already robbed us of a truly full and meaningful life, and that it would certainly shorten the restricted and miserable lives that we were living. When we looked at our children, we realized how important it was to be able to enjoy each day fully with them, and not to face the future kno6
   — Diana T.

August 9, 2002
Amy, I don't believe that any patient considers surgery of any type without some degree of anxiety. I would be more concerned about you if you weren't scared :-) Every surgery/general anesthesia carries a risk factor. Most women take childbirth somewhat for granted, but there is hardly any experience that pushes every system in the body to its limits more than hours of hard labor and the birthing experience itself...all equally as risky as any surgery! When my husband and I had our surgeries, we also worried about dying and leaving our two daughters...and they were grown. When my younger daughter had her surgery, she was single, but worried that she would die in surgery and never have a chance to "live her life". My older daughter is approved for surgery with Dr. Champion next month, and she has two little girls, ages 5 and 2....is she thinking about what it would mean to them if she died in surgery?...you bet she is! What each of us came to understand, however, is that our morbid obesity had already robbed us of a truly full and meaningful life, and that it would certainly shorten the restricted and miserable lives that we were living. When we looked at our children, we realized how important it was to be able to enjoy each day fully with them, and not to face the future knowing that our obesity-related health problems would be more of a burden on them in the future than we would ever wish. As for the "single" younger daughter....she was 406 lbs. with a BMI of 70....certainly a surgical "risk"! She had a completely uncomplicated lap RNY, lost 210 lbs., has since married, got pregnant on the honeymoon, and gave birth five weeks ago to the most gorgeous baby girl...and is back on the road to completing her weight loss. Evaluate thoroughly your needs and motivations to lose weight....re-examine all your past efforts to lose weight and the success or failure of maintaining the weight loss....be a pro-active consumer and self-advocate by doing all the research possible about WLS and experienced surgeons in the field. Dr. Champion has performed over 1000 lap WLS procedures with only two mortalities, neither of which was directly related to the surgery....you're in exquisitely good hands. All that is left now is to decide if this is the right move to make at the right time in your life. No one can tell you that, but you....and no one should try. Many of us with strong faith traditions have found our strength and support in relinquishing these concerns to the Higher Power in our lives. Others just know that they can't go on another day as morbidly obese individuals, and place their trust in the surgeon and the surgery itself. Also please remember that the Memorial Page represents only a tiny fraction of WLS patients. Most have completely successful surgical experiences and move on into full, active and exciting lives....never to post on sites like this again. Have faith that whatever decision you make will be the right one for you. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.