Sorry for the ominous title, I didn?t know what else to call this post. So as my surgery date approaches, I am beginning to reach the reality that I am going to undergo major surgery. Death is currently the main topic on my mind. I know that 1 in 1,000 people die from WLS but does anyone know if there are any ?reasons? for the death?for example, not following the pre surgery diets, family history, etc. The clinic that I am going through has had 1 death in the last 10 years. He was having gastric bypass and had heart issues and never came off the ventilator.

If there is anything I can do to prevent death, I am going to do it. I know that the percentages are low but I want to make sure that I come out of this surgery.

I also found out that my Doctor has never had a leak from Gastric Sleeve so that is awesome!

Thanks for the help!

Sorry for the ominous title, I didn?t know what else to call this post. So as my surgery date approaches, I am beginning to reach the reality that I am going to undergo major surgery. Death is currently the main topic on my mind. I know that 1 in 1,000 people die from WLS but does anyone know if there are any ?reasons? for the death?for example, not following the pre surgery diets, family history, etc. The clinic that I am going through has had 1 death in the last 10 years. He was having gastric bypass and had heart issues and never came off the ventilator.

If there is anything I can do to prevent death, I am going to do it. I know that the percentages are low but I want to make sure that I come out of this surgery.

I also found out that my Doctor has never had a leak from Gastric Sleeve so that is awesome!

Thanks for the help!

Hey! I completly understand, I've had an hysterectomy, thyroid cancer twice both major surgeries and I had the same feelings prior to both. Now I'm having WLS and those feelings of death are coming back. All I can say is have faith in God and trust in your surgeon this is what help me through my prior surgeries and my pending WLS.:thumbup::thumbup:

It sounds as if the person who passed away had several co-morbidities that probably would have resulted in death no matter what the surgery was.

What you can do is to do exactly what your surgeon and his team tell you. If you're a smoker, quit now. Start exercising now. Start drinking water, and stop drinking soda and coffee. Start following a healthy, balanced diet. All of these things will put you at optimum health for the surgery.

Most importantly, try to stop thinking about death and think about the life you're going to have after the surgery; healthy, happy and on your way to your goals.

Hello Kate The Great,

First, everything Kansas and Yolanda said is spot on. The more you can do as far as following everything your surgeon recommends, the better your odds.

Second, you must go into this with a positive attitude!! This is soooo important, not just to prevent dying but for the entire journey. This was my third surgery (cesarean, parotidectomy prior) and one of my most vivid memories about this one was grinning from ear to ear when they finally came to wheel me in. I was so sure and committed to this... and happy! My husband was near tears, however, and still thinks I'm a freak for the delight I was expressing. Once I made the decision, I couldn't get on the operating table fast enough!

Third, you are not going to die... but... always a but and it's wise to be smart about it... get a will, get a living will, buy life insurance or more life insurance if you already have some. It's cheap, relatively speaking, even for fat people. You can always cancel it later. I did all three because, even though I may have died doing something I wanted to do, it seemed like a great excuse to totally set my family up if I did go.

Good luck, you're going to do great!!!

C

Don't worry about it too much. Yes, there's a very small risk of a complication and an even smaller risk of death. The risks increases a bit if you are very overweight. However, as an overeater, you already subject yourself to a lot of these risks every day - just think about it this way. Some complications are preventable - follow the post-op diet to a T, don't overstuff your sleeve, make sure to walk around as much as you can after the surgery and especially during your travel time to prevent a blood clot from forming. Some complications are beyond your control (infection, accidentally cut blood vessel), but if you choose an experienced surgical team and a well-equipped facility, these risks are minimized. I had my sleeve at 10 am today - I was awake by noon, and could function independently by 3 pm (move in my bed, talk to friends online, go to the bathroom, walk a few steps). I'm shocked by how easy it's been for me today. You'll be fine!

Originally, I considered writing a personal directive and a letter regarding my financial affairs and other issues that'd have to be sorted out by my boyfriend and then parents if I passed away, but I didn't do it in the end because I felt so calm and confident about my choice last night. All I wrote was just a Facebook message to my boyfriend asking him to tell his grandma to feed my cats a few extra days in case my recovery is slow and I end up staying an extra day or two. But considering how I feel now, I'll probably be ready to check out tomorrow, for all I know! Don't worry!

Congrats BBJ!!

I have SOOOOO been there. I had a myomectomy in 2001 (removal of a fibroid tumor from the uterus) and for weeks before the surgery I drove my family nuts fretting. That surgery sucked just because it was my first ever surgery and I had no idea what to expect and I completely lost it in the pre-op staging area. They couldn't shoot me up w/ "Simmer down, now!" fast enough. LOL

Fast forward to today...exactly 3 weeks out from my surgery date. I do think about things going wrong sometimes, and then I remember my doctor has NEVER had a leak. So far as I know, my ticker is fine. So YAY!

Then, out of the blue, it will hit me that I am WILLINGLY subjecting myself to a surgery where someone is going to CUT OUT 85% (or so) of my STOMACH! My brain starts to scream, "I NEED THAT! NO!" And then just seconds later, something else inside me answers back, "This surgery is the 1st step of a DS, which THOUSANDS of people have had and survived." A friend of mine had a DS 5 yrs ago and is healthy as a horse today. No issues at all. So that's when I go back to feeling excellent about surgery.

Realistically, I know I have the odds on my side. I also know I will continue to get hit w/ the "I NEED THAT! NO!" argument over and over and over until suddenly that part of me that I thought I needed is gone and I will realize that HEY! LIFE IS SO MUCH BETTER W/ ABOUT 85% OF MY STOMACH GONE! WHOO HOO! BRING IT ON!

Gosh, I had a pretty major complication that involved two follow up surgeries. So, three surgeries in 3 weeks. I am young, no comorbities, etc. I never really felt like I could die though, even in the midst of a leak. I agree with the pp that mentioned no smoking, follow your pre op diet to a T. And pray, pray, pray for peace in your heart and competent surgeons.

If it helps, I'm still alive. You will be, too! Everyone on this board is alive! Try to change your mindset--going into surgery with fear will make it harder on your body. Accept that everything is going to be alright. We'll see you on the loser's bench!

Secretly that was my main fear, that I left in god's hands he he walked me through this coming sunday will be 4 months I am down 97lbs

You've got a lot of good advice. I have a friend that has to be close to 500lbs. She quit smoking for 4 years after smoking for 20. She developed primary pulmonary hypertension, couldn't walk 50 feet without panting, had sleep apnea, caught the flu and almost died. She was discharged on O2 24/7. After being out on short term disability, her pulmonologist found a surgeon that agreed to do an RNY. Her choices were do nothing and die or do something and maybe die. She was very high risk. She crashed on the table. After 20 minutes of compressions and bagging, she was stabilized. That was 7 weeks ago. I saw her today and she has lost 80 pounds, is off the oxygen, and doing a trial without her cpap. She feels great! She is hopeful. Her prognosis is not a cure but prolonging life and decreasing symptoms.

Anything can happen, but unless you are really ill already, the odds are stacked in your favor. Take a deep breath and as Suzanne would say, put your big girl panties on and do it.:thumbup:

Maybe because it's an elective surgery, we question if we should have it, or keep trying the diets and keep failing, I second guessed myself up to the minute they rolled me into the OR and then I realized this was a gift, a second chance to live a healthier,longer life and here I am 53 yrs old feeling 10 yrs younger. Grab the chance, it is wonderful to feel good about yourself, to succeed at the weight loss.

Maybe because it's an elective surgery, we question if we should have it, or keep trying the diets and keep failing

this is definitely me. I have guilt about the money, the potential risks. I would hate for my friends and family to think I'm selfish, or that I didn't value my life. I think these are the kinds of things I'll be leaving in a note, rather than an actual will.

I feel like I'm dying already but it is a slow, sad death. Its watching my babies grow up and knowing I can't take care of them properly because of my weight. I'm ready to live. I have total peace with this surgery. Know matter what happens, I know God is with me. I'm ready to start living :thumbup: