Scared...advice please..Washington State

[Mauimamma???? 0]

Hi I'm about to have gastric bypass surgery in 3 weeks.....I really wanted gastric sleeve but was told by surgeon he would not do that on me because of past ulcer....so with him my only option is gastric bypass....as the date of my surgery approaches.... I find myself finding reasons not to have surgery....it all comes down to plain fear...I've worked so hard to get to this point to get surgery covered....I've spent years with my weight going up and down and now with my my back issues...getting the weight off is so important for my quality of life...is there someone out there that has had surgery and can give me advice...please...any feed back would be appericiated...Thanks in advance????????????

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[waterwoman 172]

@mauimamma, what are you most afraid of

Edited July 11, 2016 by waterwoman

[Mauimamma???? 0]

Complications???

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I haven't really been able to talk to anyone who has had surgery...

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[waterwoman 172]

I had gastric bypass on June 7 and I did have a complication. A stricture developed below the pouch that required a 2nd surgery. I'm now 5 weeks out and have lost 30 pounds. It wasn't ideal to have the stricture and 2nd surgery - however, it was all over in a few days. The benefits of the surgery are forever.

I was nervous before surgery as well - it's a big step to change how we eat for the rest of our lives. In my case, it was a necessary change that I could not effect on my own. I had tried for 45 years.

Can you think of a better solution to your problem?

[SweetPeas 117]

It is normal to feel scared. Surgery is a big deal and part of a complete lifestyle change. For a long time I was interested in having RNY but something (fear, shame) always kept me from approaching my doctor. Ten years passed and I had only succeeded in putting on more weight and adding elevated blood sugars and severe sleep apnea to the mix. I'm a newbie-just 5 months out- but can honestly say having the surgery was one of the best decisions I ever made. Yes, you still have to do a lot of hard work, eat right, exercise, commit to a total lifestyle overhaul- but for me the benefits have definitely been worth the risk.

[Cervidae 2,389]

Complications are real and entirely possible, but keep in mind that the chance of complications, especially the dangerous or long lasting kind, are minuscule compared to the chance of serious health issues and early death due to obesity. The odds are so good that you will become healthy and happy and prolong your life, should you have surgery. The odds are just as good or more so that you will get sick and lose decades of life if you continue being heavy.

I had the bypass last August. In six days, I will be 11 months post op. I've lost 166 pounds since surgery, and my health is perfect. My blood work is perfect. I had no complications. My life has become a dream I once believed was not even possible. Now that dream is my reality! Of the thousands of people I've interacted with here and in my own large support group at my hospital, the incidence of serious complications is seriously tiny. Honestly, barring bad luck and stuff that unfortunately just happens, I rarely see people who have long term complications when they actually follow their plan and seriously change their lifestyles. It's totally possible and a lot less scary than it feels.

Whatever you choose, there is a ton of support here! You're not alone. Ask any questions that pop into your head, readreadread past threads, watch videos made by people who are in various stages pre and post op. Feel free to message me or friend me if there is anything I can help you with. Good luck!