I'm becomeing really scared!

I have been looking over OH website and what it has to offer and have come across the Memorials page. I am so scared of passing away in my sleep after surgery. I know that there are alot of things that can happen but what, if anything can I do to help me be calm? The Memorials really is an eye opener and i'm finally scared.

Heather: Hi! Making the most educated and informed decision in regards to WLS is about the best any of us can do. People do die this is a fact, people also die from Morbid Obesity *or for many live a miserable and unhappy existance!*. WLS is not for everyone. Doing research in regards to your bariatric program, especially the surgeon, how experienced he is (or isn't!), his complication rate, his mortality rates can help some. national statistics say 1 in 200 dies....Having an experienced surgeon who has few/no deaths and lowr complication rates is a good step to 'beating the odds'. For most the surgery is the EASY part! Living w/ WLS for life and making the necessary lifestyle changes (dietary/emotional/exercise) to be successful and healhty LONGTERM is the greater challenge. So many focus on the surgery, getting the date, getting to the date, having the surgery and being a postop they fail to consideer living the life after as an issue! So many say the easiness was having the surgery! I too was concerned about death, but weighing the risks/benefits is what we have to do. For me the risk of dying was worth the benefits of having this surgery! That is how it had to come about for me. I grappled with the death thing, I couldn't get life insurance (I didn't have it w/ my employer at the time as I was only parttime) I hadn't bought any I was only 29 at the time, due to my MO and high BP, other comorbidities it was an eye opener. I tell others to get your affairs in order in case, have a will etc, nake your wishes known, so you cn have greatest peace of mind oing into this! Peole with small children are having this done as well, having even more to lose, but do manag to make the choice for themselves. The education I did on WLS itself, my surgeon and bariatric program allied many of my fears! HUGS! I didn't die, but I did have an unexpected compliction requiring a surgery 4 weeks postop, that could of been lifethreatening! I got through it and am happy and healthier in body/mind/spirit today. I guess being aware f the good/bad/ugly is important, so no one thinks this is easy or w/o risks! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

HEATHER, those fears are normal and thats a hard section to review. BUT this risk comes with any surgery. I had to sit and think of my pros and cons.... and honestly, i was at more risk walking around near death of a heart attack or stroke and my high weight of 310 lbs. THAT was enough for me to plunge forward and do this. 1 year post op now and its the best thing i ever did for ME! lisa

Hi! Like Jamie says, being educated and informed is the best way to prepare yourself! Anxiety/fear comes from the unknown. If you know as much as you can, you will have less anxiety/fear in making your decision and the surgery itself! I wish you nothing but the best! Good luck!

Hey Heather, My advice is to find a surgeon who does a lot of surgeries a year (my surgeons practice does over 1000 a year..there are 3 doctors in the practice). Find a surgeon who has a low mortality rate, many surgeons have mortality rates well below the standard 1 percent. And do everything in your power to be as healthy as possible for the surgery. Start taking vitamins now, start exercising now, get a pnumonia vacination now...etc etc. These things will make you as healthy as possible and give you the best chance of surviving your surgery. My surgeons practice had lost 1 patient in 7 years..and that was from a pre exisiting heart condition not surgey related. scott

Hey Heather, Talk to your doctor!! Fear is common before any surgical procedure. Your doctor will be able to jugde your level of anxiety and help you to overcome it! Lots of Love and Peaceful energy ... Hugs*Kisses Mary *Keep us 'posted' on your journey*