Hello let me start off by saying first my name is Frankie i just turned 30 in january and currently i weight 500 lbs and i am six foot, i have so many questions i cant seem to get any answers to i live about 200 miles from my doctor who will be preforming my operation and so far only have had one consultation with him so i only know whats basic about my surgery. I have done alot of research on the subject and have come across so many helpful people on the internet and youtube who say its the best thing they ever had done in there life however i did come across some sites that made me a little scared and shook me up a little.

First this article about pigs getting similar surgery out of 181 pigs 4 died from leakage from the staple line.

Water alot more difficult after the sleeve because i do worried about dehydration.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT~ Frankie.

Hey Frankie, much like yourself at am nervous about my upcoming surgery (10 May 13), but think about where are you going to be a year from now if you don't do it?

Hi all

Well my surgery is tomorrow and let's just say.....I am wide awake and should be sleeping lol. I am as nervous as ever!!

The focus should be on what you/we want to achieve - long term weight loss, longevity, improved health, happiness, etc.

Why did you embark on this journey? When you answer that with confidence, everything else shouldn't matter. As with all surgeries, there are risks. Just make sure you have a good hospital with good dr's and staff.

Take care

R

Hi Frankie,

The internet has its good and bad side. I obsessed over the doom and gloom stuff too before surgery..but then realized that there will ALWAYS be that 1% who are either negative or who have other complications that skew their perspective. Franc is right…where will you be one year from now if you don't do this? Turn off the youtube, quit searching for train wrecks on the internet and trust the facts.

Hey Frankie. Congratulations on making the decision to change your life. I understand your concerns and agree that having an operation to remove the biggest part of your stomach is a scary one. I can only speak from my own experience, but what I can tell you is this - There are certainly risks with any surgery and the sleeve is no exception. The risk factor is small especially when compared to the benefits. To take the risk or not is a very personal decision that only you can make. I do know that the risk of dying or developing complications from the sleeve procedure is very small when you consider the very real consequences of living the rest of your life as obese. That's why all of us are here. Recovery from the surgery is different for everyone but most will say its not so bad. The biggest issue that is guaranteed for everyone is changing your relationship with food. It will start with your pre op diet. You will learn right away that its not fun to change. Change is necessary yes, but that doesn't make it enjoyable. After surgery your real journey begins. You will have no choice except change because your body can no longer hold more than a few ounces and the simple act of putting food in your mouth and chewing it is completely new. You just can't do it like you did before. The emotions that run rampant post op are very real and hard to deal with. You will have to face your demons head on in a way you never did before. But face them you will and overcoming them is not optional. Having said all this, I can also tell you that when you see the pounds melt away and feel your body changing even more emotions appear. Except these are joyful emotions that only us fat folks can understand. Its like a dream that you never thought you could have. As an extra benefit you will become healthy. If I had to give a moral of the story I would say don't fear the surgery. Its the least of your worries. Make sure you understand the changes you will make post op. Then make them. Its a gift to yourself that will make you not only thinner and healthier physically, but healthier emotionally. That in itself is worth taking a chance. Let us know your progress and I wish you the very best:)