Re: You'll Be OK! Another reply

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I am writing you from the vantage point of being 14 months post-op and

having gained quite a bit of insight into some of what you are feeling now.

From the beginning of my research into WLS back in June of 1998, I was

totally confident that I understood the risks and benefits (although I never

expected to find a web site with the plethora of information available at

www.clos.net ) of major surgery.....heck, I'd come through thyroid, tubal

ligation, hysterectomy, gall bladder, rhinoplasty to open up my nasal air

ways which closed for 2-3 months each spring and fall during allergy season.

So, it's not like I was a virgin surgical patient

I believed I knew what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised to realize

that the surgery itself and the immediate post-op period (first couple of

months) were almost exactly as I had figured. It wasn't until later on that

problems developed and I had to have the surgery reversed in October 1999.

I posted my abbrev. journal and letter of explanation awhile back under the

heading " Dying To Be Thin " and sent it to both the pre-op

MiniGastricBypass (AT) e and to the MGB-PostOp (AT) e . It

details some of the " problems/complications " I have had.

If you are wondering why someone who had complications is writing to you as

you ponder whether MGB surgery is right for you.....I am writing to you as

someone who was non-chalant (? sp) and who felt totally comfortable with the

upcoming surgery......right up until 2-3 days before surgery. My surgery

was Jan 4, 1999, so you can imagine what occupied my thoughts on New Year's

Eve.......

The Friday before my surgery I started getting some serious " butterflies "

but I wanted my husband and daughter (who supported my decision to have the

sugery) to feel confident so I downplayed the normal and natural

" nervousness " angles. The night before surgery, I got MAYBE 5 MINUTES

(seriously) of sleep.

What you are feeling is perfectly natural. I would be alot more worried if

you WEREN'T doubting/questioning/considering all the pros and cons with

their own stress generating factors.

Nothing in life is certain and I know it is of little help to say " Don't

Worry " , just remember that you have to do what is right for you and your

family. Noone but you knows what is right for you. Realize that a " worst

case scenario " is possible and plan accordingly (even if you do it in secret

until the day of surgery), that way when everything turns out fine you will

be able to look back with relief at all those contingency plans and maybe

even smile as you contemplate life " on the other side " .

Don't try to get rid of the butterflies.....Just try to get them to fly in

formation! Feel free to " vent " your doubts and questions, all the post-ops

can both empathize and sympathize with you and someone will follow up on

your posts.

Good luck and please keep the group posted.

Pam in NC,

Pre-op wt. 318 @ 5'5 " , Surgery Jan. 4, 1999

Lowest wt. October of '99: 145 lbs. (Total 173 lbs)

Reversal of MGB on 10-24-99

Current wt. 160-170 and holding & HAPPY WHERE I AM