I too get terrified reading of the complications and feeling so bad for those going thru them... but I agree Becca they too need to be heard...

They are a reminder this is a major surgery... and the importance of playing by the rules....trust me ... when I have my surgery if I have any concerns this place will be my first stop.. be warned... lol... because in most of the concerns complaints complications.. most everyone will still say its worth it... and I will trust that it is...

3 weeks post op today I worked my first day back as a nurse on my feet for 11 hours and after work I feel better than I did pre op after a busy long day. No complications down 22 lbs and no regrets.

I had my surgery 8 months ago at age 52 so I was really worried that I would have complications. I like you had read everything I could get my hands on and somemofmitmscared the heck out of me. I was glad I read the bad things so I was an informed patient but I decided the closer I got to surgery to only look at the positive stuff.

I am down almostm100lbs since surgery and I have had no complications thus far. I know that I have been blessed and I'm trying hard not to take that for granted. I have gained so much more than a new shell. I have for the first time in to many years I have a healthy body, I have energy to spare and I feel confidence I didn't know I had in me.

My only regret is I didn't do this years earlier. Preop nerves are normal, try not to worry.

No one was more scared than I was about surgery, I have worked in surgical critical care for 15 years and have seen every complication! But I have also seen obesity destroy people...I researched, knew my risks, asked my surgeon tough questions and then put my life in his hands, with a few bumps in the road I am sailing pretty smooth right now...we never know what is around the corner for us, but if we forge ahead we may find some pretty exciting stuff...if we stay behind a locked door for fear of what lies out there for us, we will never have the chance to improve, grow or experience life to the fullest extent. Complications happen, that's the truth, with the best surgeons in the best hospitals, but what is important is how we deal with them. Do the best you can do as a patient and hope your team will do the best for you (As a health care provider I try my best for my patients every day...we are all human) Good things can and WILL happen! Chin up - fear IS healthy...just don't let it paralyze you or rob you of a chance to excel! Knowledge is POWER!

Wow!

I just read all of your posts. I too, am pre-op. I have been worried lately about being able to eat slower (i'm a fast eater now), and not being able to drink with my meals, because I always have!

So, I have done a lot of research too, as Becca has. I want to emotionally prepare myself for the big changes, and I have started to incorporate them now, so i'm not "Shell shocked", when I HAVE to do it.

My gf is helping me, telling me.."You need to slow down, you need to put your fork down and chew"...Then I started doing that, and she would look at me, and I would say "LOOK!!! I'm still eating and your done! Hahaah!

So, I am committing now to doing the right things. I may not do them all of the time now, but i'm slowly trying to keep myself focused.

I am at one of my heaviest weights ,but not THE heaviest I've been. I lost 54 pounds since last May, and have kept it off.

Right now i'm doing all the pre-requisite meetings/lab work items that need to be done so it can be submitted for insurance to approve, and then they will set the surgery date after that. I'm hoping will all the things that I get done, that I can still shoot for surgery in July or August, but we will see how fast my insurance company approves it.

I am with United Health Care Medicare. Does anyone else have this, and if so...how long did you wait for them to approve you for your surgery?

Thanks to all of you for all of your support, stories, ideas, the good, the bad and the ugly, but most of all, from speaking from your heart, being honest, and being such caring and wonderful people!

I'm very glad I joined this group.

Betsy

Me = Zero Complications
6/20 I will be 7 years post-op maintaining my weight loss and loving life most days :)
My story: www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com

I had my surgery 1 week ago today and so far my only complication is myself. And I'm proud to report that I'm stronger than my complication. :-) The liquid diet is harder than I thought. It's hard to get all the protein in that you need on a daily basis... the shakes are very sweet and get old after a few days. And I recommend the chewy bits for your calcium because chewable vitamins get old too. Now once my diet can become more diverse I won't mind the vitamins... just right now it's hard. Also, can't get this yucky, sweet taste out of my mouth no matter how much I brush my teeth. And now for the good news... it's been 7 days since my surgery and I've lost 9 pounds. I have been "hungry" one time and that's because I was at the airport for 4 hours with nothing but water. And 1.5 ounces of jello was enough to make me not hungry anymore. I'm exceedingly excited for the pureed stage... first up on the menu: mashed up avocado. Can't wait for that. Now for the BEST news... I haven't taken my diabetes medication in 8 days and my blood sugar has normalized. Thank you, God!!!

Is this easy? No. It's quite hard at times. Is it rewarding? Yes... a million times yes!! You can lessen your chances of complications by following your doctor's instructions, taking good care of yourself, and love yourself through every tough patch. And stay connected to your sources of support. I created an interest page on Facebook to post updates for my friends who wanted frequent updates. It helps me to keep that "journal."

I'm excited for you!! You will do great!! :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)