I am having surgery thursday and have a lot of questions...

Hi everyone. I have been lurking here for a while, but have yet to post anything. I guess I'll give you all a little background on me. I have been overweight my entire life and obese for the past 11 years. I am 31 years old, married and we just had our first child,  a son this past November.

I've always been okay with being a big girl. In fact, it has not hindered me as much as maybe it has some others. Somehow, I've gotten by just fine, and maybe that's why I've never really gotten my weight under control. I guess you could just say that if it didn't effect my health, I probably wouldn't be doing this.

But now I have a son, and from the minute he was put into my arms I realized I have to do something. I can't be 280 lbs and have that be okay my entire life. I know that while right now I may be healthy, eventually it can and will catch up with me.

I've got a mega problem with food. I know this. I know that this isn't going to be easy, I know that this is just a tool to help me lose weight and maybe make it easier. Let me tell you, and I'm sure you guys were all in the same boat, I have a world of a time losing weight. When ever I would, I'd drop it and then put it all right back on and then some and this is how I got to be 280. Oh yeah, and I'm not even 5' 2'' so my BMI is over 50.

SO......I have some questions for everyone. Number 1, my surgery is on Thursday. I've met my surgeon one time, at the consult back in May. He seems like he really knows what he is doing. He stated that he's done over 2000 of these surgeries without one death. He didn't seem overly friendly, but I'd rather have someone that knows what they are doing than suzy sunshine. Oh yeah and I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say this being that he is my Doctor, but he's pretty easy on the eyes too. LOL.

So onto my questions. I have a HUGE fear of surgery. I keep thinking in my head that what if something happens and I don't get to be with my husband and son anymore..? WHen I had my son, the epidural would not work on me, so the anethesiologist ending up putting me to sleep. I woke up when my son was 2 hours old. He explained to me that I was basically too fat (not in those words) to have the epidural work. He said I had " too much tissue" in my back. I think he just was getting frustrated I kept feeling pain and so he said screw it and put me under. But that made me so embarassed if it was true!

So I'd like to know some of your experiences with surgery and what not.

Also, I have not lost 1 lb since the day of my consult. It was never ordered me to do so. The only thing that the dr asked was to not gain any weight. I just kind of tried to maintain....so my next question is...is there anyone out there who did not lose weight beforehand? Will this put me at an extra risk? Look, I know it was bad of me, but ever since I had my son and I know this is going to sound crazy but my appetite has really increased. WHen I was pregnant, I had gesational diabetes, and so I ended up eating great the entire time and only gained 15 lbs, so I knew I could do it...but ever since he was born IDK I feel even more ravenously hungry so I am hoping GB helps a lot with that!


Third, does anyone have high liver enzymes? Mine have been high for ever and they told me that think it's because of fatty liver.....but I was just curious if anyone else has it and if they have dropped over time...


Okay sorry so long, thats it for my first post.

If anyone wants to add me as a friend, I am definitely open to it!


J~ 

It's completely normal to have fears about surgery.   Just think about how much healthier you will be when you lose the weight.  I looked at it like, I could die in a car accident, get hit by lightning or something of that sort.  I think it might have been a little easier for me because I have had a few surgeries over the years so I was more comfortable with it.  Just remember that your surgeon and his team are experienced with larger patients and should be able to manage the drugs appropriately.  I just posted this earlier today, as they were preparing me for surgery in the operating room. I was laying there and all of a sudden I felt really woozy and said "whoa, did someone just give me something?" and someone said "yep" and that was the last thing I remember before I woke up from surgery.  As far as weight loss before surgery, I was required to lose weight but not a specific amount.  I strongly suggest that you have some kind of support group or therapist for afterwards.  There is a lot of emotions that you are going to experience and it really helps to talk to someone about them.  Feel free to ask as many questions as you want here.  Nothing is a stupid question.  Good luck on your upcoming surgery.  You will do great!

thanks for the words. My surgeon stated to me that he has done 2000 of these without one death. I kept thinking to myself well it's gotta happen some time- what if that is me? I also though remember being put to sleep when I was pregnant with my son, and literally went out in 2 seconds and next thing I know I am waking up. How ever with that, they were just taking my son out of my belly and not cutting up all my insides. I think thats what worries me most...something going wrong inside......I am going to try my best to think positive and I hope that by prayers and good thoughts all will be well.

Every pound you're overweight increases the risk of surgery - not just this surgery but any surgery.  That said, I did not lose anything prior to surgery.  I was 270 on surgery day.

I think a lot of people are afraid of surgery.  For me, it was the idea of being knocked out and not knowing what was happening to me and the feeling of being so out of control then.  In reality, though, it was no big deal.  I told the anesthesiologist (who will come in a speak to you before you go into the OR) I was worried about nausea and he said he'd give me something in my IV to prevent that.  And it worked, I was not nauseous at all when I woke up.  They will usually give you something for anxious while you're waiting to go in if you ask, too.

It turned out not to be very scary at all.  I was awake and they took me into the OR and it was freezing cold in there but one of the nurses put some heated blankets (they were wonderful) on me right away and it was fine.  I was only on the table for a minute or two when the anesthesiologist came in.  He told me when he was putting the stuff in my IV to make me go to sleep and that was it.  Next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery.

I know it's scary to think of what might happen, and I won't tell you nothing bad will happen because there is a tiny chance it might.  But not a big chance.  A really small chance.  Also, what do you think will happen if you stay at 280 pounds?  How long do you think you'd have before having a heart attack or a stroke?  How much longer do you think you'd get to be with your husband and son if you stay at 280 pounds?

If you weren't scared of surgery, I'd be worried!  You are having a major change made to your body and there is always a risk of complications; but as has been said above, life is a risk.
I feel really blessed that I met with my surgeon several times before surgery and felt comfortable with him; that helped. They also had me fill prescriptions before surgery that included a patch that I put on behind my ear the night before surgery to prevent nausea after surgery (72 hour patch, very cool invention!).  I remember being wheeled into the surgery room, seeing those huge lights & my surgeons gloved up and I said "well, I guess it's too late to back out now!" - they actually assured me that if I didn't want to, now was the time to let them know!  But I didn't really want to back out, I just have a strange sense of humor & timing!  My anesthesiologist talked to me for a minute, and it seemed like minutes later, I woke up in my room craving water.
I know you are scared, like I said, that is sooooo normal. Try not to focus on the things that you can't do anything about at this point, and focus on what you CAN do. Do they have you on the 10 day pre-op liquids only diet?  if so, do your best to follow that. If not, I'd ask if you shoud be doing anything like that to prep for it. Are you having open or laparascopic procedure?  ANY amount of weight loss is helpful for the surgery, even 5 pounds.  I would highly recommend not having a bunch of "last meals" at this point - binging on a bunch of your favorite foods that you won't be able to have after surgery.  That time is past, and must be let go. 
That said, if you haven't had some serious counseling, talks with someone who's had the surgery, or at least some honest long talks with yourself, you may not be ready -- I want you to succeed, and to do so, you have to ask yourself: Are you REALLY ready to let go of the food?

If you are, and are just having cold feet (anxiety), don't worry, you WILL get through this.

For me, Surgery was definitely the right thing. And my attitude was the most important thing to have in place before the surgery.

Thank you. YES, I am ready to let go of the food. I've proven how much I want and need this by being on the clear liquid diet for over 2 days now, no food at all - just broth, tea, water, gingerale- and I've lost 7 lbs since Sunday. If I didn't want this- I would of caved and eaten 6 hours into it. I've been fighting hunger pains. My doctor sent me a thing in the mail and just said 3 days before I needed to do the clear liquid diet.

I've had anethesia 4 times previously, so it's not like I'm a stranger to it. I had it when I had my son. They literally put me on the table and I was out within a minute. I just feel different this time I think because they are going to cut up my insides. Something about that just gets to me. Like will i feel different after and stuff.

thanks!

you're so right. cant disagree on one thing u said. thanks!

J....You are doing the right thing.....I work in the OR and they will watch you and care for you every single second.  You have a great surgeon and a great staff......55 minutes in the OR and you will be free forever......next year at this time (I'm guess way sooner)....maybe you will be looking for new clothes in the skinny section!!!!!  Maybe sometime when I've got an appointment with Dr. Graber, we could meet up for coffee or something.......Wishing you the world of luck!!!! Will be thinking of you on Thursday!
--Trish

I would also think that the hosp staff that works with him would have experience dealing with obese patients. i heard anethesia is absorbed by your fat and an obese patient needs much more to have them stay asleep.....?? Thank u so much....and 55 minutes? it's done THAT fast? wow.

Do u remember how many surgeries they have both done together? i think it's around 4000....they are pretty good as well from what I hear.