Scared As Hell!

[leighx 12]

I was just on one of the forums of a lot of people with leak complications and abscesses. I was a little nervous before. Now I'm scared as hell! What do I do? I know there are always complications involved in surgery but I'm honestly on the verge of tears now.

[angelakay2 117]

I did the same thing to myself. I was seeking out the negative topics and almost talked myself out of it. I decided that I have been working so hard to get to the surgery date so I said a prayer and let God have it and you would not believe how calm I was the morning of surgery!

You got this!

[Nate 292]

First thing to do is stop and take a deep breath and try to relax some.

The odds of a leak is something like less than 2% I do believe. Figure all of the people having sleeves done in the world and that's next to nothing. When you have your surgery, your Doctor will most likely be stapling, clamping, and gluing your stomach to ensure it's closed properly. The majority of Doctors will also have you tested for leaks before they start you on any liquids. They've been performing this procedure for well over 50 yrs with success so honestly, you have nothing to worry about.

Stop reading all the negative things and start reading the good stuff!!

[NancyJerry 139]

Leighx,

Of course you know there can be complications with any surgery. If you look for it, you'll find people that have gone through horror stories. I've had many procedures in my life that haven't "worked." I had In-vitro and 4 miscarriages (my friends all got pregnant the first time), I had a bladder sling 1 week before my sister (her's worked perfectly, mine did not), I have periods from hell that never stop and so got and IUD that stops "most" peoples' periods (guess what? mine did not) - don't even ask about my bunion surgery! LOL. This is NOT pity-me parade, just stick with me here. So when I went to have my surgery, I was so scared (certain really) that I would be that ONE PERCENT of people with complications. I just knew it wouldn't work for me. When I woke with gas pains (because you will have these and nauseous - which you MAY be), I figured this was it and I'd made the biggest mistake of my life....

Here's where the story gets good, I got home and within a couple of days I had ankle bones!! YES - I said ANKEL BONES. I was so excited to have the edema go down in my legs and feet. And I could WALK, and I STOPPED hurting! My feet, my legs, my knees, my back. Within a couple of weeks I was already happier and healthier than I'd been in a very long time. I'm now more than 3 months post op and I RUNNING. I started the Couch to 5K program, I joined a gym and I can do things my body has refused to let me do before. I don't need daily naps, I'm happier to be around. I can go into stores and by a LARGE shirt and know it will fit when I get it home without trying it on. I could go on and on, but people here have already done this - find the good!

If you still want this and need this, then please spend some time searching success stories and find the reasons to have this surgery, not the reasons to not have it. IMO you'll be much calmer about the whole thing! :-D Best of luck to you while you make this decision!!

[Wolfgirl1978 256]

I also did the same thing pre-surgery.. Read all the stories about the leaks, PE's, clots etc. I scared myself silly. In the end, I just kept telling myself that the odds are low for complications. I made sure I followed Drs pre op instructions and am now following the post op instructions.

Don't let the bad stuff freak you out, there are plenty more good stories

[kyllfalcon 768]

Be aware, as you are, that complications can occur. But also be confident in your surgeon. If you are not, find another one. My surgeon took my hands, looked me in the eye, and assured me I would have no regrets, and that any risks were greatly mitigated by my putting myself in his expert care. I was sold.

Was I scared on the way to the operating room? Yes, I was, a little. I cried when my husband and son kissed me as they wheeled me away. Woke up one minute later, and have not had one regret since.

What you're experiencing is normal. Work through it.

Best of luck!

[leighx 12]

First thing to do is stop and take a deep breath and try to relax some.

The odds of a leak is something like less than 2% I do believe. Figure all of the people having sleeves done in the world and that's next to nothing. When you have your surgery' date=' your Doctor will most likely be stapling, clamping, and gluing your stomach to ensure it's closed properly. The majority of Doctors will also have you tested for leaks before they start you on any liquids. They've been performing this procedure for well over 50 yrs with success so honestly, you have nothing to worry about.

Stop reading all the negative things and start reading the good stuff!! [/quote']

Thank you Nate. That made me feel better. It's just a lot scarier then I realized.

[leighx 12]

Leighx' date='

Of course you know there can be complications with any surgery. If you look for it, you'll find people that have gone through horror stories. I've had many procedures in my life that haven't "worked." I had In-vitro and 4 miscarriages (my friends all got pregnant the first time), I had a bladder sling 1 week before my sister (her's worked perfectly, mine did not), I have periods from hell that never stop and so got and IUD that stops "most" peoples' periods (guess what? mine did not) - don't even ask about my bunion surgery! LOL. This is NOT pity-me parade, just stick with me here. So when I went to have my surgery, I was so scared (certain really) that I would be that ONE PERCENT of people with complications. I just knew it wouldn't work for me. When I woke with gas pains (because you will have these and nauseous - which you MAY be), I figured this was it and I'd made the biggest mistake of my life....

Here's where the story gets good, I got home and within a couple of days I had ankle bones!! YES - I said ANKEL BONES. I was so excited to have the edema go down in my legs and feet. And I could WALK, and I STOPPED hurting! My feet, my legs, my knees, my back. Within a couple of weeks I was already happier and healthier than I'd been in a very long time. I'm now more than 3 months post op and I RUNNING. I started the Couch to 5K program, I joined a gym and I can do things my body has refused to let me do before. I don't need daily naps, I'm happier to be around. I can go into stores and by a LARGE shirt and know it will fit when I get it home without trying it on. I could go on and on, but people here have already done this - find the good!

If you still want this and need this, then please spend some time searching success stories and find the reasons to have this surgery, not the reasons to not have it. IMO you'll be much calmer about the whole thing! :-D Best of luck to you while you make this decision!![/quote']

Thank you. I appreciate all the advice. And congratulations to you in complication free surgery!

[leighx 12]

I also did the same thing pre-surgery.. Read all the stories about the leaks' date=' PE's, clots etc. I scared myself silly. In the end, I just kept telling myself that the odds are low for complications. I made sure I followed Drs pre op instructions and am now following the post op instructions.

Don't let the bad stuff freak you out, there are plenty more good stories[/quote']

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words!

[leighx 12]

Be aware' date=' as you are, that complications can occur. But also be confident in your surgeon. If you are not, find another one. My surgeon took my hands, looked me in the eye, and assured me I would have no regrets, and that any risks were greatly mitigated by my putting myself in his expert care. I was sold.

Was I scared on the way to the operating room? Yes, I was, a little. I cried when my husband and son kissed me as they wheeled me away. Woke up one minute later, and have not had one regret since.

What you're experiencing is normal. Work through it.

Best of luck![/quote']

Thank you. I appreciate the advice. My surgeon is ranked one of the top surgeons in the country. I have alot of confidence in him. It's my own silly worries. I know it's normal but some of those stories were such nightmares!

[Wheetsin 714]

It's a very scary procedure. There are a lot of things that can go wrong. On top of the natural risks, you seem to carry quite a bit of anxiety (I remem,ber you were posting about blood clots yesterday), which is probably going to exacerbate things a bit.

Here's an old post of mine on the "real story" behind complication reporting & rates. It's a long post, but it has a lot if information. HTH

[Helene13 9]

I am scared as heck too. My surgery date is July 13, yes Friday the 13th. This is a great day for me and yes I picked it. I have a 6 month old and a 6 year old (who I had 10 years after first trying to get prego) and I am obese. This is something that I have been contemplating for over 3 years now and finally have decided to do it. I am doing this for myself, first and my babies second. I want to be here for them, with them, and do the things they like to do..play, run and be silly. I am scared of anytime going under, however I have total faith in my doctor, I even made him meet my daughters, I know crazy uh? However,I am more scared of what if I don't do the surgery what is going to happen to me? I have been obese all my life and I want to live. I am no spring chicken, 39 years old but I still have a life that I want to live.

I have read such good things on here, thank you. I have also read the bad, but with a 1% chance I am going to risk it. Because there is a greater risk for other things to kill me at this point.

I am getting more and more excited whereas a month ago I was thinking I shouldn't do this to myself, what if, what if...But I am over it...Anyways, be POSITIVE, pray and be excited. Think of the after, rather than now ~