To be terrified of surgery when I’m so fat

[Ncbecauseouting]

I have had two gallstones since I was a size 10, I am now a size 22. I have PCOS and have gained a lot of weight in a very short space of time (8 stone in under 2 years). I had a very bad gallbladder attack on Monday night which resulted in me going to A&E, I had a scan and the surgical team have told me I need to have surgery. There are two issues here: The doctor noted that I am large (stung but very true) and the surgery isn’t going to be simple. I have ulcerative colitis and 7 years ago had emergency surgery to remove my colon, a stoma bag, and later a stoma reversal which entailed connecting my small intestine to my rectum. I’ve also had my appendix removed and a C section, a collapsed lung and a chest drain due to bacterial pneumonia.

I have a consultant appointment in one month to discuss how they’re going to do the surgery, but I am scared because of my weight. I am worried they won’t be able to knock me out or there’ll be issues or I will wake up or I will die. I’m going to try my best to lose weight but I have found it hard since having my son 2 years ago. I hate my body and my weight as it is but this has scared me into really wanting to try to do something about it - but it’s not like I’ll be back to 9 stone in 4 weeks.

AIBU to be completely terrified??

I think that the surgeon will only go ahead if the benefits outweigh the risks.
I had to have a hysterectomy. Went to the top of the list due to potential for bladder damage. I was overweight. Consultant told me that every ounce I could lose would make the operation less risky and recovery easier. He agreed to 4 weeks and I managed to loose 20 lbs in those weeks through low cals and exercise.

It is not unreasonable to feel scared but I think you are worrying unnecessarily. Tell the surgeon your fears. I am sure they will be able to reassure you and talk you through it.

If you need to lose weight beforehand they will tell you.

I am so glad I had gall bladder surgery, I was in pain for years.

They absolutely will not do elective surgery if there is a risk to life.

Take this time to really motivate yourself into loosing weight.

I'm sure they will attempt keyhole first but from your size and your other previous abdominal surgery... they may have to convert to open surgery.

This will be something that should be discussed with your surgeon at your appointment.

Some people are suitable for the keyhole procedure to be done as day surgery but as you've had major surgery previously they may want an overnight stay for you

Hey OP I had my gallbladder out 2 years ago. Size 24. I was home the next day and back to normal with a week or two. You won't be the only bigger person they've ever operated on. You will be fine.

(Although my surgeon did say that normally they wouldn't do the surgery unless the I'd lost weight, but had to because It was infected, so quite necessary.
I'd had no real problems before that other than the odd twinge. ).

Thanks everyone. they’ve said it won’t be keyhole it will be open surgery which is why I’m so so scared

I ended up having open surgery for a gallbladder due to previous scar tissue (open hysterectomy) and was a large lady, every pound you can loose between now and then will help. I managed to shift a lot before my surgery (had a bmi of 39, was 41 at the initial appointment). If you want to ask any questions just pm me.

OP, you will have a full anaesthetic assessment at the pre-assessment clinic. The consultant anaesthetist will review the results and decide whether you need any extra measures such as an HDU admission post op. You will be optimised for surgery, your blood pressure controlled if high, your medication adjusted, any potential airway difficulties due to your obesity noted, etc etc. We do not just walk into the anaesthetic room and discover an unexpectedly obese patient! The work up is all done in advance, and we liaise with the surgeon if we need to delay your op for further optimisation.

I feel so bad for you it sounds like you’ve had some really difficult health problems over the years. Don’t beat yourself up about putting on the weight.

I wondered if you’d consider one of those very low calorie diets? They are are often recommended for people who need to lose weight before surgery. Obviously they’re not a long-term thing but every pound lost will help towards your recovery.

I had my gall bladder out when I was a size 20, probably about 18 stone, maybe more. I broke down crying while having my pre-op meeting with the anaesthetist who said the danger is increased when you are bigger but the risk is still small. Much smaller than having a plan crash or being involved in a car accident.

He said the main effect is that they need to use bigger/longer equipment.

Op was key hole and within two weeks I was using a carpet cleaner!

@VanillaSpiceCandle VLCDs can exacerbate gallstones