2 days pre-op, got this email now I don't know what to do! HELP

I also posted this on the forum-- I am on my second day of the pre-op liquid diet and had a dr. appt yesterday. I had my final ekg, met with the anesthesia, nutritionist, etc. Everything went great and they said I am good to go for November 25th. I have been extremely thankful. Then when I returned to work I got this email under thoughts and concerns. I have blocked names for privacy. " ******'s husband when it for shoulder surgery today. When they were giving him the anesthesia, he went into cardiac arrest. They put him on a ventilator and shortly later, he died. She is about 3 months pregnant with their third child. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts." Now I am questioning if I am doing the right thing? I am a single mom of two very little ones. I am 29 and overall very healthy minus being 5'5" and 290 pounds. OH PLEASE HELP!!! I am in TEARS!

Christa,

I sent you a PM.

Peggy

I sent you want back! I am so sorry and again will be thinking about you and your family! Love, Christa

Don't let this spook you, especially if you've undergone surgery before with no problems.  You have no way of knowing this man's medical history.  He could have had underlying heart conditions or he could've had an allergic reaction, but the odds are in your favor that you will come through the procedure with flying colors.

When you made the decision to have surgery, I'm sure you weighed the health benefits very carefully.  Have those benefits changed?  Do you still believe you going to be better off without the extra weight on your frame?  Aren't  you taking preventative measures to avoid developing type II diabetes, heart trouble, or high blood pressure that might enter your life in 10 to 15 years from now? Don't you want to make sure you are there to share in the joy of your children and hopefully grandchildren?

This step you are taking is a big decision.  But don't let the unfortunate events associated with this one man scare you into a life you don't want for yourself.  You owe it to yourself to be happy and healthy for years to come.  Your children are counting on you to be there for them as well, and you have so much to look forward to with them. 

Dear Christa:  It's Dr. H.  The best thing I can tell you is that you all are evaluated more extensively than any other preoperative patients in medicine, more than total joint patients, more than brain surgery patients, more than even heart surgery patients!!  We don't offer surgery to anyone who hasn't been maximized, and, frankly, you are in remarkably good shape medically.  Please trust that you have made the right decision for your kids.  You gotta be able to chase them on the soccer fields and dance floors for the next 20 years.  Best wishes, and hope to see you soon!  Sincerely, Phillip M. Hornbostel, M.D.

I can't tell you what your words have meant to me!  Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you! I will see on November 25th!    You are the greatest!

I KNOW WHAT YOUR  THINKING CUZ WHEN I READ YOUR POST I WAS LIKE OMG !  I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO HAVE PC SURGERY OR NOT NOW BUT I JUST TOLD MY SELF SAME THING LADY ABOVE SAID WE DON'T KNOW HIS HISTORY .  WLS IS THE BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF OTHER THEN GIVING MY HEART TO THE LORD , I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN HEART BEAT . 

I HAVE 2 GRANDBABIES AND I AM 40 YRS OLD AND LET ME TELL YA I COULD NOT HAVE DONE BEFORE WITH THEM WHAT I DO NOW.  I GET OUT AND PLAY BALL , HIDE IN SEEK , CRAWL AROUND CHASING THEM YOU NAME WE DO IT.  BEFORE I WOULD HAVE BEEN SLEEPING AND HURTING ALL THE TIME.  THANK GOD FOR WLS ! ! !  

I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT TO DO BUT I KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO .  GOOD LUCK AND STOP WORRYING.

GOOD LUCK IN WHAT EVER YOU DECIDE 

KAREN

I have decided that I have to do it.  I have done EVERYTHING that I am suppose to.  I am going to put it into God's hands.  I want to be able to run around with my babies, go horse back riding, and I want to do the MS walkathon in 09' in memory of my beautiful mother!

       GET - R - DONE



KAREN