one week until surgery and I'm freaking out!

Hi Ofomah,

I remember the niggling doubts before my surgery - not that I didn't want all the successes that it promised, but the thoughts do creep in of the unknown things that you can't control (particularly the possibility of complications). The only reassurance that I can give you is that if you have done your research thoroughly, especially in terms of choosing your surgeon, then you have done everything you possible can to ensure success. I felt like I had chosen the best surgeon I could find, followed my pre-op diet to the letter thanks to my dietitian, so basically that was everything I could do to minimise the risks from my side of things - but in the end, there has to be a leap of faith or a back out as there are no other choices (scary but true).  I wasn't willing to back out as my other health issues (particularly sleep apnoea were making my life a misery).

It might be just a bit of bad timing as far as you noticing a lot of complication posts, as 7 plus months ago when I was preparing for my sleeve, I got a lot of reassurance from coming to this site and seeing so many success stories.  There were maybe 2 people with very bad complications and a few with minor to moderate reflux issues but most of them were positive and inspiring.  Since then there have been a few people with gallbladder issues and things, but it is hard to say in hindsight whether I would have been deterred by that as I am now post-op and have had a positive journey.  32.5kg down and no more sleep apnoea so I would do it again in a flash (now that I know the outcome, lol).

I wish you all the best anyway,

My friend said to me the other day, when discussing looking at surgeons and a wise thing she said is people only ever write about the bad stuff. Whenever people have something good to say it's rarely shared.

One of he things I've recently experienced is the opti diet. I tried it before I'd even had first app with surgeon. Lost 10kgs in 2 months. I then started eating a meal for dinner instead of a shake and boom!! On comes 3kgs in a month. Fad diets are not sustainable. That is why Bariatric surgery exists.

There are also those of us with complications who don't post often for fear of putting others off the surgery. However, I feel it's important that all aspects of the surgery are put out there, not just the success stories. All surgery carries risks. The big news is that they are finding that the complication rate from sleeve surgery is higher than we were first led to believe. I'm not saying mortality rates...I'm just saying complication rates. That could be anything from intractable reflux to mortality.

As with all surgery it's done on a risk versus benefit basis.

I agree with Nini, there are plenty of success stories to be found here, especially in the diaries. I am 7mths out and am doing well and my diary entries are pretty boring LOL

Yes it is major surgery and you should go into it with your eyes open to possible complications but for many there are no real complications and lives that are changed.

Do a pros and cons for you and work out whether it is what you want/need to do for yourself.

If you are asking why can't you just do Opti and lose weight, you probably can and I am sure many do,  but if you are looking at this surgery you are probably like many of us and lose it and put it back on plus a bit more, then lose it etc etc a vicious circle which the sleeve, as a tool used properly, can help you break free of.

If you are asking why can't you have the surgery and lose weight without complications? Many have so try reading some of the success stories here and this might make you feel less anxious.

I think generally people who have no complications don't post as much because we have nothing new to say. You can't keep posting "yep, everything is good" month in and month out, they tend to drift away over time and are out living life. People who are struggling or having complications obviously are going to be seeking more support in groups such as this - it's what they are here for.

Yes,  there is risk with any surgery, only you can decide if the risks outweigh the benefits. Gastric surgery has no higher risk than hip replacement surgery but plenty of people get that done without even a thought about  complications. 

cheers Nini

Hi Everyone

I'm scheduled for surgery next Wednesday, I've been reading stories on several different sites and most of them are about the complications , I'm doing this for myself and my kids but the thought of being in hospital for an extended period of time with a complication is really doing my head in. Are people likely to write about the bad things over the success?? Is that why I'm seeing so many issues about the procedures or are the numbers for complications higher than the surgeons let on? I'm on day 4 of optifast and I've done really well and I keep going over in my head why can't I just do this and loss the weight! Sorry for the long rave! 😁😳😄