Worried

Hello everyone, I have been on here a couple of times. I'm in the process of getting approved with insurance for surgery. My doctor will be Dr. Baker. I have gotten a lot of information about wls but there is one thing that keeps weighing heavy on my mind. And I'm so afraid that it will cause me to change my mind about having the surgery. That is the death rate from wls. I know it is about one out of every two hundred, or at least that is what I read. This really scares me. I keep telling myself that if God says it is my time to go, then it is my time.  I think Dr. Baker is a very good surgeon, but ya know, things happen. I also know that complications from the surgery is low. When I go for my first visit with him, provided I get approved by insurance, I would really hate to ask if he has lost any patients. That would be tacky. I know some of you out there must of had these worries also. Can any of you please tell me how you handled it. I would appreciate any help with this.  Thanks so much, Ann

If I remember correctly from Dr. Baker's seminar in June of this year, he's only lost 4 patients & all 4 had heart related problems & didn't follow his instructions. WLS scared me too, especially since I have a little girl at home, but I felt it was the right choice for me.  I also felt like God knew how much she needed me and since He gave her to me, He knew I'd be the best Momma for her. I believe you are making a wonderful choice for yourself!

Thank you Amy. I went to Dr. Baker's seminar in September, but I don't remember him saying anything about how many patients he had lost. It was a good seminar and I learned a lot. I know I am doing the right thing for me, but I guess it is only human for us to worry about things like that. I go Nov. 30 for my psych evaluation. Hope she doesn't tell me I'm crazy....lol.

Thanks Amy

it is NOT tacky to ask about losing patients.  you are, in effect, interviewing surgeons to do your surgery, and you want to make sure you find the very best!  it's your responsibiliity to ask some of those hard questions!  and then, if you don't like the answers, go interview another one!

Thanks, I need all the input I can get. I have a short list of questions for the doctor. I may add that one to my list. That is when I get approved by insurance and can make my appointment with the doctor. You know how it is. You gotta go by the insurance rules.... :)

Hi Ann  , First let me say your fears are perfectly natural.  I'll let you in on my thought process when I was getting ready for surgery and maybe it will help.  I had already had 3 major surgeries prior to WLS so I was well aware of all the risks, and I kind of felt like I was pushing my luck by having another one.  However, I had to stop and really evaluate my reasons for wanting this surgery...it came down to this:  I wanted my life back and I wanted to give my kids and husband a mother and wife that they deserved, because I was not that person at 246lbs.  I asked myself this question:  Where will I be, what kind of shape will I be in and what will the quality of life be for me and my family in 10 yrs. if I don't have this surgery?  The answer was pretty grim.  My PCM told me I was looking at high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis complications and possibly a whole slew of other conditions within the next 5 years if I didn't get the weight off.  I decided I didn't want my family to watch  me die a slow death over the next few years, and be a miserable person, my quality of life was at rock bottom...they deserve better than that.  So, I handed it over to God and told Him I would follow His will for my life, no matter which path it may take me down.  Everything for the surgery fell into place and I knew in my heart that I was doing the right thing.  I had my moments when I thought:  What if something goes wrong and I never see my children again?  But then I would think, No stop that thinking, you're in God's hands now...if I die, then it will be my time to go and He will comfort them and see them through it. So, basically I decided that I would rather die trying to improve my quality of life and that of my family than to remain fat and miserable for the rest of my life and theirs too.  I came through surgery without any complications and have had no complications since.  I will never regret my decision, no matter what happens in the future because for right now I have my life back and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.   I hope this helps you some.  If you'd like to talk about it more you can PM me, or if you have any other questions I'd be happy to answer them for you.  Good luck to you!

Oh Denise, you can't imagine how much that has helped me. I have been thinking along those same lines. I too have had major surgeries. The last one being a mastectomy because of breast cancer. I am a five year survivor now and doing well. I do have high blood pressure and degenerative arthritis in my knees and my hip. My doctor told me the weight is taking it's toll on my body. So together we made the decision that I needed to have this done. I feel like there is another person inside of me just waiting to bust out. One that wants to enjoy life and not just suffer through it. I want to enjoy the time I have left with my husband of 37 years, my kids and grandkids. I want to be active and do things I haven't done in years. I have always believed that when it is your time to go, then it is just your time to go. God has a plan for all of us. So I will put this in God's hands and pray to him for the strength to get me through this. Thank you so much for your encouragement.

Oh How I know how you are feeling. I am feeling the same way that you are! I am waiting to here from my insurance company and the longer I wait the more I keep trying to talk myself out of it. But, I know it is all for the right reasons. I have three kids that I worry about. I have had three major surgeries myself but had no choice the kiddos were coming out regardless if I wanted them too. I keep thinking the worse that is how I have always been but I look at it like this that I will atleast be asleep and not awake through two hours of anxiety attacks laying awake while they are trying to get a baby out of my belly. I am the worst worry wart. I just keep telling myself to be positive and everything will be o.k. and I look at my friends that have had it done and think that I am going to be o.k.  My problem is that my better half is so worried that he doesn't want me getting it done. It is hard to get him to fully support me and I have to keep working on him so that he will fully support me. I have a friend or two that is very supportive but sometimes you just need that friend to be there with you and that is what I have to rely on also my friends and their support. I am hoping that my friends will be there to hold my other hand and make me feel less scared about the whole thing.  It is a very hard decision and it goes through my mind everyday thousands of times a day. I have to find me a supportive friend and support them and they support me and we will make it through this and think positive. I have to keep telling myself positive things and the great outcomes that I am looking forward too.

Maybe we can muddle through this together and give each other support. People's resonses to my message have been great. They have made me feel much better about my decision. I am so sorry your husband is not more supportive. Maybe he will be by the time you get approved for surgery. We do differ there. My husband has been very supportive. Every time I have thrown up a road block not to have this surgery, he knocks it down. I am so grateful for him. The rest of my family is also very supportive. Our family is very close and we support each other when in times of need. So I know they will be there for me when I need them. So.....whenever you just want to talk just hollar and I will be here to support you along with the other wonderful people on this sit. Just don't give up and stay positive.