Ok, now I'm freaked out!

Julie, That's true, my PCP has been saying for two years that I need this, and that when I have it done I'm going to wish I did it sooner. Interesting about your father and them changing their minds. It's funny, because on thursday when I went for my last pre op appt, I was worried that they would change their minds and say they would not do it. I'm a worrier, can you tell? YEAH! Fountain of youth! Let me know if you find it. Julie

Hey Julie, Dont let these type of articles freak you out to bad. If you have done your homework which I know you probably have, yes, there is a chance of problems with this surgery just like any surgery being that size. I started out at bmi 67 and am five four and fourty six this month and I can tell ya I wouldnt have been around that much longer at the size I was. Both my parents were dead from heart attacks by the time I was fifteen so yes there was a need for WLS here.It is like poison to the body to walk around and be the size I was. I am now so much healthier and feel so great. I know I could have died on the operating table having WLS but also just having my tonsils out. The risks are so much greater being that large. Would I do it again.... Yes, in a new york minute. Have faith in your surgeon and thats most the worry. Gotta have a doctor that knows his stuff and also sticking to the plan of a weight loss patient. So dont you worry about the articles out there. There is always two sides to all articles lol.... Hugs Marge

my surgery is in the morning at 7 am ...i amnot even going to read it! misty

oops, Misty, I accidentally replied to Margaret on your thingy, but I wanted to say YES! Don't read it, I wish I had not, and I will be thinking of you tomorrow. I know you will do great. Let us know ASAP! Julie

Margaret, You are so right, what really got me going to do this was a few months ago I woke up with rapid heartbeat, and it scared me, so I went to ER, and it's always such a scary/humiliating experience, being this size and having medical personnel that I don't know and that don't know I am a wonderful valuable person despite my size. I thought on the way home from the hospital that one of these days, it's not going to be just a scare, it's going to be real. So I decided to look back into WLS. It is the right thing to do. Man, you are looking good, is that a new picture of you on your reply? Julie

Yeah, that would probably have scared me, too, but just let me say--I have all of those, except for being male, and I didn't have even one complication. I am 15 months out and have lost 194 lbs. I am off most of my meds, mostly off of my oxygen, off of my c-pap, can walk a mile w/out oxygen (pre op I couldn't even walk to my mailbox without my oxygen), and am no longer controlled by my appetite. Even with what I read in that article I would have gone ahead with this surgery; without it I didn't have much of a life anyway, and certainly wouldn't have had a long life, I don't think. I think I have lots of possibilities at this point.

I don't think being scared is a bad thing when it motivates us to think through and be sure of our decisions. It's only wrong when it immobilizes us. It's like getting "cold feet" before one's wedding. It's a last moment opportunity to rethink all the pros and cons and make sure that they add up to what you want for your life. I can only speak from my own experience. I kept putting off WLS thinking each year that I would lose the weight. Well...it didn't happen and I just kept losing and regaining while the years were passing. Now I am getting too old, and too heavy for surgeons to take the risk. Only you can weigh the pros and cons. There are risks either way. It's your life and only you can decide the level of quality you are willing to live with. It is a big decision and I will be thinking of you.