Second Guessing!?

[stephanie1678 80]

Is it also weird to second guess having the surgery done in Mexico just in case something went wrong!?

In some ways that is more scary. But think of this: surgeons in Mexico have more experience than most US doctors. The risk of complications goes down dramatically after each performed sleeve. I had a hard time finding a US surgeon with as much experience as my chosen Mexico doctor (dr Cirangle does, but he won't do leak tests which makes me uncomfortable).

I am sure you did your research and found a doctor you are comfortable with. Accept the fear as a normal part of this process, and not as a 'sign' that you should change your mind. I have to do the same myself.

[Jesser 295]

I think that statistic is way off. It is closer to 1 in 400 for death (which can be lower for an excellent surgeon or higher for a crummy one) and 20% for all complications combined (including skin rash). It is very similar to gallbladder surgery.

A scoring system recently developed by a Duke University bariatric surgeon appears to accurately predict which patients considering bariatric surgery are most likely to die from the procedure. The system adds up the following five risk factors; patients with four of them are six times as likely to die as those with only one:

[*]Body mass index. Patients with a BMI of 50 or more are at greatest risk.

[*]Gender. Men are more likely than women to suffer from conditions such as hypertension' date=' diabetes, and metabolic disorders that can increase surgical risks.

[*']Age. Older patients, particularly the elderly, are known to be at higher risk for death after bariatric surgery.

[*]Hypertension. Patients suffering from high blood pressure typically have heart disease or chronic inflammation of blood vessels that can add to the risks of surgery.

[*]Pulmonary embolus risk. People who have had a blood clot in the lungs, or who are at increased risk for developing such a clot, are at elevated risk

You can greatly reduce your risk by choosing a surgeon who has done at LEAST 300 gastric sleeves (not just any surgery, but the sleeve in particular. A lot of surgeons quote their total surgery experience, which is useless. It is all about his experience with the sleeve!), and who has a close to zero percent leak rate.

And just because a surgeon is part of a bariatric center of excellence does not mean he is experienced or even a great surgeon. My local surgeon at a center of excellence has only done 35 sleeves. I chose not to go with him.

I think the OP's choice of surgeon qualifies as one who is experienced.

And to respond to the OP's question: I am scared too. Very much so. I guess it is normal to be afraid, but knowing that does not alleviate the fear. I am right there with you, fighting through that fear. Right now I keep telling myself that if I don't do it now, I will probably come back to it in a few years. At that time I will be older, heavier, and probably have more co-morbidities. The safest time for me to do it is now.

I'm having a lot of anxiety tonight over this and reading your post has helped ease my mind somewhat lol thank you!

[Tripletmom 18]

I'm nervous too, my surgery Wednesday.