Started to Become Afraid Last Night

NeenBand · January 30, 2006

Hey all,

Last night I was visiting another board and stumbled onto a WLS memorial page.

YIKES!

Granted, all were RNY, but this snaking chill ran up my spine and I thought, what if I don't make it out of surgery??? What if I get phnumonia, a blood clot? What if I get an uncontrollable infection??

I was thinking am I doing the right thing? That yes, I'm fat but I don't want to die!

The realization that I am actually going to put myself under the knife to lose weight hit me like a ton of bricks last night.

Quite frankly....I'm scared!:help:

Alexandra · January 30, 2006

I think we can all relate to that fear, Leenerbups. It's one of the most frequent questions asked in the preop meetings I attend. The good news is that just the other night the surgeons in our practice said they have NEVER had someone die on the table (which includes all their thousands of RNY patients), and have only had a couple of post-operative deaths. Those were related to serious conditions the patients already had, or (I think) in one case due to extreme postop noncompliance.

They have never lost a band patient, and I'm sure you won't be the first. If they think you're too sick for surgery or have any other major risk factors, they'll let you know and possibly turn you down as a patient. You gotta have a little faith, but it is indeed scary. The question is what's scarier? Minor banding surgery? Or staying fat and getting fatter and even less healthy as time goes on?

Only you can answer that for yourself.

vinesqueen · January 30, 2006

That's true, you could die on the table, but you could also die from a chunk of skylab falling on you, or a bus crashes into you, or there could be a freak kitchen accedent where the fridge falls on you or industrial robots could go on a wild rampage or you could be drinking a bubble tea and choke on one of the bubbles.... The list goes on.

There is a reason LBT doesn't have a memorial page. We've only lost one bandster as far as I know. And she died because her tractor rolled over on her. She was Blossom, and very very sweet. I suppose her death could be attributed to the band because without it, she would have never had the energy, strength or desire to go do something she loved.

HeatherGurl · January 30, 2006

Great Points Alexandra and Vinesqueen!!!

gentlespirit · January 30, 2006

What Vinesqueen and Alexandra said! The chances of dying too soon from an obesity-related health problem are incalculably greater than the chances of dying in surgery. Don't let fear of something so unlikely keep you from doing something so good for yourself.

Emily

NeenBand · January 30, 2006

Thanks to all of you for your responses.

You have NO IDEA how much they help me.

This is why I post this stuff here. :-)

And Vine's list of possible deaths made me laugh.

imalene · January 30, 2006

I doubt that there was anyone more scared, hesitant, or worried than I was even after making the decision to have the surgery. I nearly cancelled it. Thankfully a sweet peace came over me 2 days before having it done - and I felt very good about my decision.

The decision must be your own. But you are not alone in your fear and hesitation.

By the way - I am about 19 days post op and I had a very good experience. No complications. Nothing. My bmi was 34-35 something like that.

Good luck with making a decision.

Patti

PhotoNut · January 30, 2006

Vines!!!

*sits in the corner chewing her nails, frantically looking around for the onslaught of rampaging industrial robots.. realizing she's in the kitchen, near the killer fridge, she runs to the bedroom and screams seeing a cup of buble tea on the bedside table. Jumping under the bed she covers her head and waits for the bus to run through the wall or sklylab to come crashing through the ceiling*

*grins* Ok ok.. a bit over humor there. Leener.. stop freaking and get your band so you can be nuts like the rest of us. *big smiles*

Sunta · January 30, 2006

Hi,

I can't tell you how much I totally relate to what you've said about fear. I am almost totally healthy (except for a hiatal hernia which will be fixed during surgery). The cardiologist I saw for pre-testing said my heart was "perfect", I don't have sleep apnea, no high blood pressure, no joint or back pain, etc. There is absolutely nothing wrong with me except for being 160 pounds overweight. But I am only 35 and I know what I'll be headed for being 160 pounds overweight if I don't do something now. The thought which has comforted me the most has been that I am vastly more likely to die from being overweight than from the procedure. Just being morbidly obese puts me at a great risk for a blood clot. So, the risk of a blood clot is greater for me if I *don't* lose weight. I keep saying that to myself. My date is February 22nd and yes I've definitely been having trouble sleeping at night because I'm so nervous! Another thought that helps me "it's only one hour out of my day". The surgery is very quick and thus lessens the risk of complications. I know what you're going through but maybe these thoughts can help a little bit.

Mikey · January 31, 2006

Ok - well this thread has definitely settled it for me. I absolutely have to go through with this surgery now!

Finally something has cut through the thick armor-plating of denial that I have placed around myself and my loved ones... Finally, something has penetrated the dense insulation of apathy that has for too long kept me out of the game... It's time for me to get off the bench and start training.

My lap band surgery is Feb. 13 - I've already started my pre-op diet, and my excercise program. But now I'm even more determined to follow through!

When the time comes - and we all know it will... if you don't believe, just watch Terminator, Terminator II, Terminator III, Terminator Strikes Back, Revenge of the Terminator, Terminator and the Killer Toaster from Hell (a great buddy movie, by the way!)...

When that time finally comes, I'll be prepared. I'll be 250 pounds lighter and in fighting shape! I'll be quick on my feet, and ready for action - with the only machine that has never failed me: my trusty blender - ready to blast those pesky rampaging industrial robots with Janet's spectacular ChocoVanillaMapleCoconut Protein smoothie Surprise!!!

JanetC · January 31, 2006

I do believe the fear has made Mikey crack, lol. Sorry ya'll had to live through it!

On the serious side, I'm dealing with it too. I'm swinging from hysteria, hope, delirious joy, fear, panic that I'll die or fail, back to hope, back to despair... I'm so tired!

I'll be praying for you Leener! And for all of us Feb banders. :Banane23:

NeenBand · January 31, 2006

Thank you all!! It's sooooooo goooood to know others felt the fear and did it anyway. You know what I mean? To know your not the only one and it's natural.

I also go from hope to fear back to optimism and back to fear.

And I need this weight off because my secret agent life demands explosive drop kicks!

lol

PhotoNut · January 31, 2006

I'll be quick on my feet, and ready for action - with the only machine that has never failed me: my trusty blender - ready to blast those pesky rampaging industrial robots with Janet's spectacular ChocoVanillaMapleCoconut Protein smoothie Surprise!!!

Holy buhjeezus! I want that recipe Janet!

mychevygirl · January 31, 2006

Hello, I am new to this site. I will be attending a seminar tomorrow in Tacoma, Washington and have a appointment set to meet with a surgeon on Monday Feburauy 6th. I have battled this my entire life and now can take the time for my self. I have so much support from my family but wish to has the support from some that have have the band or going to be banded soon. You all sound so positive and I am looking forward to joining the journey!

PhotoNut · January 31, 2006

Hiya de98338 - you've just added onto a thread that was about an ongoing topic. To get a truly great welcome, go to the main page then scroll down to the Introductions Forum, click on it and you'll see a button at the top for starting a new thread. Repost your message there and you'll get more responses.

And welcome to LBT!