I've been reading tonight about the risks involved with this prodedure and I'm beginning to talk myself out of it little by little. The thought of a leak, abscess, rupture, bleeding, or stricture scares me to DEATH! I think... well... is losing weight really worth the risk of having any of these like threating complications?? I keep going back to the thought that I will probably be one of those people with a complication. I wish I could be more positive!! I need this surgery so badly.

I do know that all of the problems I have now are going to kill me eventually. I get VERY ANGRY with myself for not being able to do this on my own. Why can't I?? Why can't I be "normal"? Naturally thin? I'm sure everyone on this forum has asked themselves this question many many times. Seems "we" have to go to extreme measures to get healthy. Or what we define as healthy. But is it really? After removing 85 percent of the stomach, can you be healthy? Seems I can't find the answer to that question any where.

I need to convince myself this is worth it. I know there are no guarantees. No one can tell me that I will make it to the other side unscaved, without , or complications. I wish there were guarantees in life but there aren't.

I like to say I admire all you who have gone through this surgery. I admire your courage and strength. I hope I can convince myself and have the courage to go through with it. I want to be on the losers bench. On the other side.......

I've been reading tonight about the risks involved with this prodedure and I'm beginning to talk myself out of it little by little. The thought of a leak, abscess, rupture, bleeding, or stricture scares me to DEATH! I think... well... is losing weight really worth the risk of having any of these like threating complications?? I keep going back to the thought that I will probably be one of those people with a complication. I wish I could be more positive!! I need this surgery so badly.

I do know that all of the problems I have now are going to kill me eventually. I get VERY ANGRY with myself for not being able to do this on my own. Why can't I?? Why can't I be "normal"? Naturally thin? I'm sure everyone on this forum has asked themselves this question many many times. Seems "we" have to go to extreme measures to get healthy. Or what we define as healthy. But is it really? After removing 85 percent of the stomach, can you be healthy? Seems I can't find the answer to that question any where.

I need to convince myself this is worth it. I know there are no guarantees. No one can tell me that I will make it to the other side unscaved, without , or complications. I wish there were guarantees in life but there aren't.

I like to say I admire all you who have gone through this surgery. I admire your courage and strength. I hope I can convince myself and have the courage to go through with it. I want to be on the losers bench. On the other side.......

You're right to worry @ what you state but the chances of those happening are small enough to "go with it." If you want something to worry @ big time, its the need for lifestyle change that remains after the surgery. I dunno who/what you are but if you're older and experienced with losing wt, you'll KNOW in your heart that the mind is what controls our habits and that isnext to impossible to accomplish. You will be fighting with yourself the rest of your life. It'll be just a trifle easier. I am 66. I had my surgery 12/5 and have lost @65#.

The decision is mostly a choice between 'devils'...a lot like voting for president! Good luck whatever you do.

I think it depends on whats behind door number two. If you are looking at diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, renal failure , risk of blindness with pseudotumour and untreated sleep apnea or diabetes, just to name a few the risks become strongly in the favor of the surgery. I have a young son and I have to be there for him for me it was an easy decision. Two years ago I was set for surgery and I tried diet and exercise again and I lost 50 plus pounds. I regained it and decided to have have surgery. I am at peace currently and am ready for surgery tuesday am.

You're right to worry @ what you state but the chances of those happening are small enough to "go with it." If you want something to worry @ big time, its the need for lifestyle change that remains after the surgery. I dunno who/what you are but if you're older and experienced with losing wt, you'll KNOW in your heart that the mind is what controls our habits and that isnext to impossible to accomplish. You will be fighting with yourself the rest of your life. It'll be just a trifle easier. I am 66. I had my surgery 12/5 and have lost @65#.

The decision is mostly a choice between 'devils'...a lot like voting for president! Good luck whatever you do.

I like that last statement. So true!

Congratulations on your weight loss!! That's amazing.

My negative side always seems to take over. I'm not scared of the surgery. I've had several before. I know it is more the complications after if they happen because I'm self pay and I think. "oh Lord, what is something happens and no one will take care of me because I can't afford it and insurance won't pay because they didn't pay for the surgery to begin with.??"... That kind of thinking consumes me.

Thank you though. Getting these positive comments helps me so much!! I love this forum and love reading all of the success stories of the people who have made it.

God Bless!

I think it depends on whats behind door number two. If you are looking at diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, renal failure , risk of blindness with pseudotumour and untreated sleep apnea or diabetes, just to name a few the risks become strongly in the favor of the surgery. I have a young son and I have to be there for him for me it was an easy decision. Two years ago I was set for surgery and I tried diet and exercise again and I lost 50 plus pounds. I regained it and decided to have have surgery. I am at peace currently and am ready for surgery tuesday am.

I do have HBP and I was just diagnosed with borderline diabetes. I know it will only get worse. I've lost and gain back 100 pounds 5 times in my life. I can't keep it off no matter what. Now I have no thyroid due to hyperthyroidism. I had to it destroyed with radiation because it would eventually have killed me. So now I'm on synthroid for the rest of my life and am hypothyroid. Weight just crept back on me after that procedure. Fifty pounds in 4 months. It will still be a challenge for me even with the surgery but I know I need this and all of your comments help me so much.

Thank you. I admire your courage. My surgery should be at the end of May or the 1st of June. I really don't want to chicken out.. LOL