The scary thing...

[Hiccup 32]

Ok so straight to the point... I'm dead scared from the anesthesia part of the OP... I have my initial appointment with the surgeon next week and he will evaluate when I can be sleeved... So I've had a kidney stone like 5 years back and the doctor said that they can extract it from my penis (excuse my language) but to do so I have to be put on anesthesia so at first I agreed and I met with the anesthesia specialist as part of the procedure to learn more about it and that was the day this trauma and severe phobia was born in me after he started explaining to me how difficult it is to keep me alive while I'm asleep and how high the chances are that I could have a stroke and die... I'm a little over 440lbs now (200kg) and 32 years old. I have finally taken the decision to be sleeved because I know for a fact that if I don't, my chances of living more than 6-7 years ahead are very less so this is my last resort. Told my wife about it and she's super excited too (of course).

Please help me out with my phobia, tell me what is true and what is not and whether I should really be all that concerned about the anesthesia and if it is true then what precautions should be taken while I'm asleep and what should be done during the OP?

Thanks in advance!

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[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

There is risk to any surgery and any component of it, including anesthesia. I'm not a medical professional and, therefore, unable to say whether your weight alone adds to the risk. I do know that countless people of all weights have anesthesia and come through just fine.

You're not alone in being fearful of anesthesia. Many who are don't even have particular weight problems. Something you may want to consider is the risk of staying at your weight. The risks there are major. Take into account the reasons that made you start exploring surgery. THere are always choices to be made and I think you want to choose what gives you the best chances for a long, happy, productive life.

Talk about the fear with the surgeon. It's routine to speak with the anesthesiologist as preparations for the OR are going on. You can arrange to speak with the anesthesiologist before that day to go over your questions about precautions, etc.

Another thing. I'm sure that your pre-surgery plan will require you to lose weight. You can make the decision to take a little longer to lose more than you're told if it will give you more peace of mind. It's something else to discuss with the surgeon.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

There is risk to any surgery and any component of it, including anesthesia. I'm not a medical professional and, therefore, unable to say whether your weight alone adds to the risk. I do know that countless people of all weights have anesthesia and come through just fine.

You're not alone in being fearful of anesthesia. Many who are don't even have particular weight problems. Something you may want to consider is the risk of staying at your weight. The risks there are major. Take into account the reasons that made you start exploring surgery. THere are always choices to be made and I think you want to choose what gives you the best chances for a long, happy, productive life.

Talk about the fear with the surgeon. It's routine to speak with the anesthesiologist as preparations for the OR are going on. You can arrange to speak with the anesthesiologist before that day to go over your questions about precautions, etc.

Another thing. I'm sure that your pre-surgery plan will require you to lose weight. You can make the decision to take a little longer to lose more than you're told if it will give you more peace of mind. It's something else to discuss with the surgeon.

What she said.

And penis isn't a bad word.

[Hiccup 32]

True it isn't my weight alone that could be the problem during anesthesia but the good news is that I don't drink alcohol at all, I don't smoke at all and I don't eat meat at all (yes I'm an obese vegetarian). I also don't take any kind of medications and thankfully I don't have a single health issue (yet), no blood sugar, no blood pressure, no cholesterol etc. so I think everything else is fine.

And yes you're also right about the risks of my weight against the risks of the surgery, I mentioned that myself that if I stay as I am now then I give myself 6-7 years or 10 maximum and then poof I'm a goner. So yes this surgery is definitely the only way to life for someone in my weight.

And last, I already started with a diet 2 days ago even before my first visit to the surgeon next week, I have already started to train myself to be more "food disciplined".

Anyway let's hope for the best... Hope I can get some more inputs from more people who have gone through this. Appreciate it.

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[ShelterDog64 2,364]

The best reassurance I can give you is that anesthesiologists who are associated with bariatric groups generally have extensive experience with obese patients and are probably your best bet for a safe anesthesia episode.

If you share ever aspect of your health with them, being 100% truthful about the good, bad and ugly, they can do the job they need to do. They need to know if you have sleep apnea or suspect sleep apnea, your drug/alcohol usage (both prescribed and OTC drugs as well as any herbal/vitamins/etc), your activity level, and so on and so forth.

There's no guarantee for any of us, but we can up the odds we'll get through surgery safely but being honest and trusting our caregivers with all of our information.

Good luck to you!

[KristenLe 5,979]

The mortality rate during surgery is extremely low! The anesthesiologist will do everything possible to ensure you're OK during surgery. They are experienced in anesthetizing morbidly obese people for WLS. They will take the necessary precautions. You may need to have a sleep study and cardiac clearance but that's not unusual. Talk to your surgeon about your fears. They can give you some statistics. I believe you won't hear the same scare tactic speech that you did previously. Good luck!

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[dede_mont 105]

@@Hiccup

Have no fear, they put you to sleep with iv meds and after your out they then insert all the other tubes and oxygen mask.

I've had more surgeries and have back injections ever few months all have been good knock out docs.

Trust in them to keep you safe.

Congrats and good luck on your journey

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[Valentina 2,642]

First of all---WELCOME!

Why not talk your surgical fears through with a therapist? Couldn't hurt, right?

A therapist should be able to see you through and out of your fears. He/she should also be able to teach you some "calming" techniques you can use to ease the stress and anxiety the day of surgery.

What goes on "while you're asleep" is best left to the professionals who have spent many many years training --becoming expertly capable of performing your WLS. You will be "napping peacefully" while they are hard at work ensuring the rest of your life will be ever changed for the better.

Do all of your pre op research. Read, view, attend, discuss and FOLLOW YOUR PRE-OP PLAN TO THE LETTER. Include in those weeks and months consultations with a bariatric friendly therapist to work through your surgical fears. You can do this. You know it.

You have much to do. Get moving!

Keep posting and letting us know how your progress is going. I for one, am looking forward to following your successful WLS journey.

Best wishes, and WELCOME, Friend.

[#BirdDog 604]

It scared me too, until I met my anesthesiologist. He had 30 years of experience and has been working with bariatric patients for many many years. He really put my fears to rest. I went into it feeling like they really have it down to a science now. Gone are the days of having you lay back on your saddle and have a few swigs of whiskey before surgery. Your surgeon will be very careful of who he allows on his team, just open up to them about your fears.

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[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

And penis isn't a bad word.

What she said, but only in the right hands.

@@Hiccup, for what it's worth, you're fabulous for having already begun food changes.

[Hiccup 32]

Thanks everyone really appreciate the support! This is an amazing place I must say, really helps a lot to see and speak (or chat) to people who are going or have already gone through the same thing you're going through too... Thanks again, it really helped.

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