Problems, Complications, Horror Stories, OH MY!!

Oct 13, 2012

 The closer my PATS get, the more nervous I feel.  

Last weekend I was working a booth at a Women's Expo for my stay at home business.  The sizzle product that I sell happens to Tighten, Tone, Firm the skin & reduce the appearance of stretch marks & cellulite in 45 minutes, with even better progressive results over 72 hours.  Naturally I have a lot of clients who have undergone WLS and have loose, sagging skin.  They love the Ultimate Body Applicator because they get instant results and even better results over time.  It is a huge confidence saver for WLS patients.  (I'm feel like I have a secret weapon to use after my own WLS, so I don't have any anxiety over loose skin worries.)  In fact, I will be starting a vigorous regimen using the Ultimate Body Applicators now to provide good jump start for when WLS happens.

Throughout the expo, I had several ladies approach my booth who have had WLS.  The first day a lady approached me & explained that she had RNY done.  (The same surgery I have scheduled)  The first thing she said after mentioning her surgery was that she would gladly give a gun to anyone who was considering RNY so they could just shoot themselves in the head & get it over with.  (Gasp!)  This lady continued to tell me that she has severe ulcers & other complications.  In fact she threw up blood right before she came to the expo.  All of her family/friends who were with her just stood behind her & nodded their head in agreement.  This lady really rattled me.

The whole drive home, I could not stop talking about this lady to my husband.  I was seriously having 2nd thoughts about going through with my surgery.  I don't have any comorbidities right now and I was really questioning my decision. My husband, who is of course the logical one, reminded me that this is just one lady & her experience.  We have NO idea how well she sticks to the plan, stays away from carbonated drinks, follows her surgeons instructions, etc.  Even though what he said is 100% correct, I still couldn't stop feeling uneasy about it.

The next day while working the expo, I met 2 more ladies who had WLS.  While I was wrapping one of them, I had some personal 1 on 1 time with her.  I confided in her that I have RNY surgery scheduled for Nov 5th & I was second guessing myself.  She looked at me & asked me if I had children, to which I replied I have 3.  A 13 year old, 9 year old & 2 year old.  She told me that being overweight doesn't just affect my own quality of life.  It is also affecting my husband & my 3 children.  She explained that she can't make the decision for me, but for herself she would do it over again 100 times.  Her quality of life is SO different for her & her family.  She has 1 minor complication in the beginning but has stuck to the plan & her surgeons rules.  She hasn't looked back once.  I liked this lady that I had only known for 5 minutes.  She gave me hope & made me feel at peace with my decision.

Today I found out a friend of mine (well aquaintance really) had gone through Lap Band surgery last February.  (I found this out on Facebook of course!!!  Where I find out everything thats news worthy!!)  She had posted a vague post about her doctor putting her on a 500 calorie diet to "jumpstart" her weight loss.  A number of people commented on her status that 500 calories is starving herself & not an efficent way to lose weight.  To which my friend commented that she is following her doctor & surgeons plan & not to worry about her.  People started commenting that her doctor was crazy & that was just unheard of.  Of course since I have been researching WLS & am going through it myself...I put 2 & 2 together.  I sent her a message & she told me to call her.  She told me the day after she got home from the hospital, she couldn't breathe & colapsed.  Her husband had to call 911.  The gas that they filled her with pushed her bowels up & tangled them...putting pressure against her lungs & collapsing them.  Now, She said that her body is fighting the weight loss & it is very rare.  Only 1% of people can develop this issue & it is hormone related.  She has only lost 27 lbs since last February.  Thats 8 months!!  She is really frustrated but working closely with her doctor to get her body in sync to lose the excess weight.

All these things have been playing with my head & emotions.  Lately I have been looking at this last month before surgery as my "Last month" to live.  I know there is that chance that I could not make it through the surgery or right after.  The funny thing is that I am normally a SUPER positive, cheerleader type person!!  I always look for the positives.  I have been holding my children tighter, laughing with them more & giving them more attention.  I have been making sure to tell my husband every night as we lay cuddled before I fall asleep that I love him SO very much.  I have been praying and I am not a religious person.  I just need a "sign" that I'm doing the right thing for myself & family.  I so wish someone would hurry up & invent a crystal ball!!
 

Thanks for letting me get all of my emotions/fears out of my head.  If anyone is actually reading this & got this far, you are a trooper!!  haha

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