more2adore
Well-Known Member
So I've been doing pretty well keeping my fear about surgery quashed, but we just told my in-laws and my parents last Sunday about how we're pursuing this surgery. Both my husband and I have been anti-surgery for a very long time, so to say they were shocked is an understatement, and both sets of parents are very scared for me. And now, as a result, I'm feeling a bit scared again. I've seen some people on OH say they'd rather die than stay this size. That is NOT the case for me. I am mostly happy in my life, and I definitely do not have a death wish! I just want to stop feeling so trapped by my own body. I'm in my mid-thirties, and I want to get out there and experience the world before other factors like age step in to make it more difficult. (Not to mention my desire to have kids... something I can't see happening easily at this size and given my age).
The in-laws said there must be a reason insurance companies often won't cover this procedure without a fight. They did a bit of uninformed Googling (dangerous, I know) and have discovered lots of places where DS risks are listed as much higher than others. I've pointed out to them that the risks are NOT higher when you take into account an experienced surgeon, and that we will be making sure my surgery is done by the best in the country. I've also pointed out that there is little point in having a surgery that won't work for me, and none of the others are going to result in enough sustained weight loss to make a serious difference in the quality of my life. I've also mentioned that I have NEVER had issues taking medication as prescribed (every day of my life since I was a small child) and getting bloodwork done regularly (I had it done every three months for a couple of years after I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and every six months after that).
I've known plenty of people who had other surgeries (mainly the RNY) and passed away from various complications either during or even years after. The one person I knew in real life who had the DS died of malnutrition. Her husband insists she was taking her vitamins, but who knows - I'd imagine she perhaps didn't have doctors who knew how often she needed to have her blood tested, or how much supplementation she actually needed. I am going to be ridiculously diligent about all of that.
That said, I KNOW I'm at much higher risk because of my size. I'm hoping my risk is somewhat lessened because of my age, but still. I'm genuinely scared. I don't want to die. Am I going to die? I would rather have another five to ten miserable years in this body than do something I have little chance of surviving, and I don't know what my chances really are.
(I completely realize I'm being ridiculous right now, but I imagine many people probably have this moment at least once pre-surgery. Help?)
The in-laws said there must be a reason insurance companies often won't cover this procedure without a fight. They did a bit of uninformed Googling (dangerous, I know) and have discovered lots of places where DS risks are listed as much higher than others. I've pointed out to them that the risks are NOT higher when you take into account an experienced surgeon, and that we will be making sure my surgery is done by the best in the country. I've also pointed out that there is little point in having a surgery that won't work for me, and none of the others are going to result in enough sustained weight loss to make a serious difference in the quality of my life. I've also mentioned that I have NEVER had issues taking medication as prescribed (every day of my life since I was a small child) and getting bloodwork done regularly (I had it done every three months for a couple of years after I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and every six months after that).
I've known plenty of people who had other surgeries (mainly the RNY) and passed away from various complications either during or even years after. The one person I knew in real life who had the DS died of malnutrition. Her husband insists she was taking her vitamins, but who knows - I'd imagine she perhaps didn't have doctors who knew how often she needed to have her blood tested, or how much supplementation she actually needed. I am going to be ridiculously diligent about all of that.
That said, I KNOW I'm at much higher risk because of my size. I'm hoping my risk is somewhat lessened because of my age, but still. I'm genuinely scared. I don't want to die. Am I going to die? I would rather have another five to ten miserable years in this body than do something I have little chance of surviving, and I don't know what my chances really are.
(I completely realize I'm being ridiculous right now, but I imagine many people probably have this moment at least once pre-surgery. Help?)