New to the group - got my date and now I'm getting nervous

[smjaws 0]

I'm hoping for some reassurance. I'm 46 year's old and scheduled for gastric bypass on April 20th. I'm 266 pounds at 5'5" and really see no other way out of this weight issue. I'm a nursing student, set to graduate in December and I really want to be a healthy and energetic nurse. I can't walk up a flight of stairs now without becoming short of breath and in the hospital I'm always trying to squeeze by equipment and beds and can't fit in the small bathrooms when I have to help a patient. Not to mention, I hate how I look and don't want to interview for a job with all this extra weight. I've been very excited about the procedure up until I got the date and now I'm getting nervous. My 12 year old daughter is worried I'm going to die and I've done my best to reassure her but really, I'm getting scared too. I THINK I've done my research but I cant find specific statistics on my surgeon. I went to his seminar and he seems very confident and personable but is there a place to find complication rates, death rates, etc?

[James Marusek 5,244]

It is common for people to become nervous before an operation. In my case I consider my RNY gastric bypass operation to be one of the best decisions I ever made. Many of my health issues went into remission almost immediately after the operation. Those included high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, frequent urination, profuse sweating and severe heartburn (GERD). And I lost 110 pound to boot and kept the weight off.

I believe the death rate for this type of operation is listed as less than 1 percent. I suspect that one of the reasons why is because many of the individuals that undergo this type of surgery are suffering from a variety of serious health conditions. Before surgery, I underwent extensive pre-op testing. The goal was to identify any preexisting conditions and resolve them prior to surgery. I believe this is the normal approach. Also the operation is done laparoscopically today, which make the operation easier and provides a quicker recovery.

[BetterMEsoon 15]

I googled my doctor's name looking for malpractice information and thankfully didn't find any. After that I spoke with other doctors to find out what they thought. He was highly recommended by everyone I spoke to. Maybe you could check with doctors in your area and in the hospital where you are working?

[Laurac727 92]

I feel every thing you are saying. I just got my date today and it is March 23rd. I have been working on this forever it feels like. I am not a nursing student, but I am a master degree nurse and I understand every single thing you are saying about the job and your feelings. I have an excellent job that I would not trade for anything now but I do remember well the interviews and the judgment due to weight. Just keep telling your 12yr old the positives and why you are doing it and she will buy in very good and know that mom is doing it to be with her longer. Also I started at 298 and am 5ft5 right now down to 250 so we really are close in many ways. Keep your chin up and contact me if you need anything at all. You got this if you can do this during nursing school come on that makes you crazy or strong or both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MommaDawn 12]

My internist told me that this surgery has come so far that procedures used 3 years ago are like in the dark ages compared to today. She said surgeries are less risky than knee surgery. This put my mind at rest. Hope it does for you also.

[josefina 8]

@@smjaws as long as you follow guidelines set my your doctor inclusive of the pre and post diet you will be fine. I weight 354 and going up 6 steps on stairs i lose my breath. My projected surgery date is april 27th, we are exactly 7 days apart. I have been thinking about getting it done since 2005 and was always scared i would die on the table and didnt do it but I have realized that i am more likely to die from heart attack or stroke than the surgery. Try to involve your daughter with all the little things (shopping for the food, preparing meals etc.... and everytime explain that doing eating the right food will help you be healthier so you can be around for her longer. Will be praying for you that all goes smooth. We should keep in touch