So I'm waiting on insurance approval for RNY, and I'm scared to death about surgery. I don't care about post op pain, etc. I Just want to live through it. I'm 5'5 264, and 35 years old. I have 2 young kids and just want to wake up from surgery. I can't get over this fear. I've had 2 c-sections, i shouldn't be scared, but i am. Any advice? Thanks.

Hello

It is normal to have fear. I also was afraid till the moment they put me to sleep. Think positive and you will be ok. It is ok to be concern but stressing out is not healthy when going to get Surgury. You have to be relax and confident that you will be awake in few hours. The surgeon will make sure you are ok. I told the surgeon before going in that I was very nervous. He reassure me that everything will be ok and it was. You will be fine and will wake up and start a new journey that will bring you best of health and transform you into a new heathly person. When you start thinking , start speaking positive thoughts to yourself and it will help you. Everything will be just fine. Good luck ??

Hello SouthDakotaSomeone,
I am 52 years old and had my RNY gastric bypass done on March 31st, 2017. I am an RN so I've been around plenty of surgeries but never had one myself! I, like you was unreasonably (or perhaps reasonably!) fearful of the surgery but kept thinking I can get this done or live a much shorter and definitely unhappy life because I have tried Everything to lose weight! And I am soooo happy I pushed through that fear! This has been the best decision I've made in years! I feel so much more in control of my life and you will too! Take a deep breath, ask all the questions of the surgery team and dive in! You won't regret it!

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Since you are at the beginning of this process, I would recommend three things.

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.

2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.

3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery.

Thank you all! I have stopped drinking caffeine/ carbonated drinks when i started my 6 month pre op requirements. I am doing this to live a long healthy fulfilled life, and be the best for my children. Thank you all for your encouraging words!

So I'm waiting on insurance approval for RNY, and I'm scared to death about surgery. I don't care about post op pain, etc. I Just want to live through it. I'm 5'5 264, and 35 years old. I have 2 young kids and just want to wake up from surgery. I can't get over this fear. I've had 2 c-sections, i shouldn't be scared, but i am. Any advice? Thanks.

I have the exact same fears!! I have a small toddler, and I almost chose the vsg, even though I didn't feel it was the right surgery for me, solely because of the lower complication rate. I've also been very concerned about the possible, though rare, complications down the line.

Sending good thoughts for a safe surgery and quick recovery your way.

I had RNY also...I just didn't think about negatives kept positive. if you ruminate over fears it'll make u miserable. Embrace your decision and be positive. It's as safe as having your gallbladder taken out. Which is very common these days. If you're having laparoscopic surgery it's going to seem so easy compared to a c section!

Sounds like you're doing the right things pre-op, which will help minimize risks during surgery, especially losing as much weight as possible ahead of time. Try to not have food funerals and instead focus on getting as healthy as possible prior to RNY. You can do this!!!

I have the exact same fears!! I have a small toddler, and I almost chose the vsg, even though I didn't feel it was the right surgery for me, solely because of the lower complication rate. I've also been very concerned about the possible, though rare, complications down the line.

Sending good thoughts for a safe surgery and quick recovery your way.

Thank you! I'm trying to think positively. Good luck to you!

I had RNY also...I just didn't think about negatives kept positive. if you ruminate over fears it'll make u miserable. Embrace your decision and be positive. It's as safe as having your gallbladder taken out. Which is very common these days. If you're having laparoscopic surgery it's going to seem so easy compared to a c section!

Thanks! I'm really trying to think positive!

Sounds like you're doing the right things pre-op, which will help minimize risks during surgery, especially losing as much weight as possible ahead of time. Try to not have food funerals and instead focus on getting as healthy as possible prior to RNY. You can do this!!! [emoji4]

Thank you!

mortality rate is ridiculously low on weight loss surgeries - 0.3% for RNY, even less for VSG. They're one of the safest surgeries out there - even safer than a hip replacement surgery. People have died, yes - but people have also died getting their tonsils out. It's extremely, extremely rare. You have almost a 100% chance of surviving the surgery. Those are some fantastic odds! I wouldn't worry about that *at all* (I know it's easy for me to say, two years out, but it's not gonna happen. You will pull through just fine!)

mortality rate is ridiculously low on weight loss surgeries - 0.3% for RNY, even less for VSG. They're one of the safest surgeries out there - even safer than a hip replacement surgery. People have died, yes - but people have also died getting their tonsils out. It's extremely, extremely rare. You have almost a 100% chance of surviving the surgery. Those are some fantastic odds! I wouldn't worry about that *at all* (I know it's easy for me to say, two years out, but it's not gonna happen. You will pull through just fine!)

Thank you! I've researched my surgeon and all, i just need to relax. Lol

Heck I got knocked on my butt by a bicyclist the evening I got released. Got up and just kept going. so its a very non-invasive surgery. Does little actual physical changes.

My only issue was due to diabetes it was supposedly harder to get my bleeding to stop when they stitched my new stomach together.