i'm a big chicken

I think the thing that helped me the most, besides blogs and this forum, was having a frank chat with my surgeon.  We discussed different possible complications, rates of these complications, and I also quizzed him on his own personal track record, which was pretty good.  He also talked to me about people he had seen who had decided not to go ahead with the surgery, who had continued to gain weight.  The complications arising from continued weight gain can be life threatening.  If you find a good surgeon who is willing to take the time to talk to you about these things then it might help you feel more relaxed also.
BTW, I have lost 20kg, and I am 12 weeks post op now.  Not a single regret!

Firstly, hello and welcome to the forum!

There's no getting around the fact that this is major surgery and sometimes things don't go according to plan. But for me, after weighing up the pros and cons, it was something I needed to do before it was too late. I was living in chronic pain as the weight just steadily increased with no end in sight. 

I read up on here and various other sites about possible complications, researched my surgeon and then discussed my concerns with him. I've been fortunate to have a good run apart from a bout of depression early on (I don't think I handle anaesthetics well). 

I'd encourage you to get to the point of speaking to a surgeon so you can make an informed decision from there, and ask as many questions on here as you need to. This is a really supportive and informative site with people only too happy to help.

Best of luck on your journey:-)

Missyblahblah,

To be honest, I don't think I totally overcame the fear of the things I couldn't control, but I just tried to do EVERYTHING I could to minimise the risk of anything going wrong.  That meant having a good dietitian and following the pre-op and post-op diets to the letter, but MOST importantly of all (in my mind) was choosing the right surgeon.  I Googled, trolled through blogs, looked at surgeons websites and Youtube videos and read every little bit of feedback I could find about the surgeons in my area (and sometimes PMing someone to find out a little more info), slowly whittling it down to my own top 4.  I then weighed up all the pros and cons for each (eg; location, individual or team approach, ie; with dietitians, psychologists and personal trainers etc. built into the package, and I sought feedback, feedback, feedback in sights like this one - who had any positives or negatives and what impact did the negatives have, eg; a blunt bedside manner I could deal with, someone who dismissed concerns I could not, you will note price wasn't a factor, my surgeon ended up being mid range in the end but I didn't find that out until after I'd chosen him).  I guess my point is, do your research and make sure this surgery is something you think will help you, then if that is your choice and you decide to go with it, do everything you can to make it a success - however, unfortunately, you just can't control everything and that is why there is always a risk.  All you can do is minimise it with good planning.

Best wishes with your decision,

You are not alone :)

I should imagine that we have all gone through this in varying degrees.

I was fine until I lay on the table, and suddenly a fear of something potentially going wrong, hit me.
I nearly shouted out "No!  I don't want to go ahead!"
(but obviously didn't, as here I am on the other side!)

Also, I'll call a spade a spade.
I should imagine that more than a few of us had 'buyers regret' lol in the first couple of days.
The first three days were quite ghastly (I didn't go down to theatre until about 5.30 pm, so that wiped out the first day, what a waste, I could have got more housework done at home first lol! Not to mention have had more fluids and my usual pain relief for ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia...)
I wasn't in pain post op, didn't have a pain pump, - but oh the pain on swallowing (that's normal, don't panic when it's your turn - seriously just sip and maybe try warm fluids?), the nausea - blech - maybe avoid the apple juice - mine sat there for about 8 hours until I chucked it up, 2 nights in hospital when I didn't sleep 'cos I'm a crap sleeper (7 diagnosed sleep disorders).
BUT.  I just told myself:  just live with it.  It will get better.
And it did.
I was back to normal activities (+ more!) by the end of the week.  And continued.
Everyone is different.  Your experience will be totally different to mine.  And to the next person who posts.

Read, read, read as much as you can.
Knowledge is empowerment.
if you have a question or want to know something, try to research it first before just asking - that way it will sink in better.

I guess that you've got to look at what trajectory will you and your family take if you continue on the way you are going?
or what could be the benefits if you have surgery?

Do I have any regrets?
Nope!  And I am 52.
Oh, by the weigh (lol!) - I am 30.5 kg lighter than my heaviest in 2000.
And 15 years older.  Just wish I had it done then.  (But it wasn't around then).
+ I know a whole lot more on the nutrition side of things.  Stupid low fat diets!

And whatever your decision, whether or not it turns out to be the right or wrong one in the long term, is - just remember - the best decision that you could make at that point in time with the resources that you have.

Wishing you well.
:)
:)

Missy I sat down and wrote up the pros on one side and the cons on the other.
For me because of my age and other health issues the pros outweighed the cons. Might not be the same for everyone though.

Hi everyone!
I signed up to this forum today after reading the less dangerous curves blog and watching some youtube videos of post-gastric sleeve success stories.
I've contemplated this procedure (and prior to this, the lap band) but chicken out. I've made multiple appointments with different doctors and cancelled them all.
I've come to the realisation that I can't do this on my own, but the post operative risks scare the hell out of me!!
I have two little boys and whilst I am healthy, the tiredness and lethargy that comes with being overweight is really starting to affect our lifestyle.
How did everyone who bit the bullet and went ahead with the surgery, overcome the concerns and fears about the risks?
I haven't quite manouvred my way around this forum yet so if there's a thread on this already, I'd be grateful if someone could reply with the link!
Thanks heaps :)