Let me start off by saying my name is Frankie And I currently weigh 499 lbs I'm currently getting the gastric sleeve surgery. My date is September 3 and I am terrified about getting a leak because I know they can be fatal and I live about 300 miles away from my surgeon. Someone please give me advice I'm breaking down I don't know if. Can go through with this ..

You can do this! Pay attention to your body and read about symptoms of a leak. You are your own advocate. You've got this.

A man in my surgery group lost 400 pounds from this surgery. If you did that, you'd be bones!

You've got this. The complications are scary, but the risks of obesity are worse for sure.

Hi Frankie, I have the same surgery date as you and I started at 513lbs,,,,we are in the same boat,,,,must be a hell of a big boat,,,LOL. Yes, there can be complications but there can be complications with anything. You and I both know that if we don't act and do this surgery, our days are numbered. I am 42yo and I feel that my luck will run out soon if I don't make the change. Just stay positive and think about all the good things that will come out of the surgery. For me, it is playing with my kids, going on rides with them and just being here for a long time with my wife and kids and someday grandkids. Good luck and keep your head up!!!!

Not sure why that post had a strike through,,,,sorry guys.

Frankie,

Surgery has risks, a small risk, but very real.

Here is how I looked at it, I was 150# overweight and had 100% chance of weight related disability and early death. i was willing to risk the very small chance of a leak or other serious complication given those odds. Best decision of my life - but I too was terrified.

I just went through my own complete freak on here yesterday frankie. I am not that overweight. I have one of the lower bmi's but I am so sick and tired of living (not living... ) the way i am. There are so many things I am missing out on because of my weight. I am only existing and not living. I'm sure you can relate to that just as most of us can. If you think that the small risks of a leak are worth the daily heartache of being overweight and being virtually disabled because of your weight then by all means, rethink what you are doing but this WILL save your life. this will give you a life. You will wake up happier, healthier, and proud of yourself for doing something about your life. You will make positive impacts on other people and you will undergo a complete life change for the better. People will look at you differently adn you will look at yourself differently. In a new and positive light. do this for you and noone else but you. do this to take the power back and be strong. You can do this, I can do this.. we can do this.

Congrats on your surgery date. Even most of us who had complications would still have this surgery again. You can do this. Don't let your fear stop you.

You're on your way to doing something excellent for your health, keep going and don't look back.

BTW, complications are wayyyyy rare. So while it is good to arm yourself with knowledge it is not good to stress out over something so uncommon.

Stay strong!

I am quite nervous also, one, because I am going alone and two, because I am voluntarily altering my body.

But when I sit down and think about the heartache and insecurities I have about my body, and how much it has held me back from doing everything I have always wanted to do, I look at it like a piece of cake and totally life-changing!

I don't want to buy bigger and bigger clothes, I don't want to look pregnant in a dress, I don't want to constantly cry about the way I look, I don't want to hate myself, I don't want to be sick and lazy. I don't want to acquire diabetes and get even more sick. I want to be able to move, get active etc.

I know it is scary, my surgery is right after yours. Sept 9th. Just as Birdmadgirl said, we can all do this.

If you need someone to talk to, shoot me a message!

Mariah