Worried about how long I’ll live after operation.

Allsorts. The more I think of it the more I realise that’s the case.
The mortality rates I was reading of were about terminally ill cancer patients.
The dr is hoping that the gluten free diet I’ve recently been put on will sort it without the op so fingers crossed he’s right.
The reason why he suggested it is because at the moment I’m in a great deal of discomfort with my stomach, which a stent will go some way of relieving it.

NotTooOld I’ll be taking my little notebook and pen and writing them down straight away.
My daughter always comes with me so she’s my other pair of ears.
Yes it’s crazy, you can’t alter anything by worrying yet it’s so hard not to.

If you don’t want the operation don’t have it, but I cant see them suggesting an operation with no chance of success. Ask questions, then decide.

That's what I do - write down the questions you want answers to. I've never yet met a doctor who objects to this, mostly they are more than happy to answer your questions. Another thing you could do is take someone with you. That way you have two pairs of ears listening to the answers and you can compare notes afterwards. If you can't do that, write down the doctor's answers as soon as you get out of the room, so you don't forget. Terrible worriers, aren't we? My mum used to say 'Today is the day we worried about yesterday, and all is well.'

So sorry welbeck I love the two forums but of course I prefer gransnet, being of a certain age 😄

HiPpyChick57

…and of course gransnet 🩷

that's ok then.
take care.

you'll stick to mumsnet in future !!! ???
now i'm offended !
what's wrong with us ??

…and of course gransnet 🩷

NotTooOld.
I know I shouldn’t have it’s the worst thing you can do but I was only having a look at what a narrowing of the duodenum was all about.
I wasn’t even looking for death rates until they came up so of course I just had to click on it. More fool me.
I am a worrier and over thinker and I have to know the ins and outs of everything.
I can’t just accept things. I can’t go into an appointment and take on board all that the dr is saying and then leave like most people would I have to question everything. That’s why I went to have a look online.
I asked the dr what narrowing meant so he drew me a diagram explaining it all and where the stent would be fitted. I found it fascinating to be honest and googled stomach diagrams when I was in bed.
I’ll stick to mumsnet in future lol
Anyway I’ll be writing down a few more questions for the next appointment.
Thank you for your comment. It’s gone a long way to reassure me.

HiPpyChick - I do sympathise. You sound as though you are a worrier (like me!) Yes, definitely do have a chat with a nurse as soon as you can - but then stop looking on the internet for more information. I know it is very tempting but a lot of it is easily misconstrued and some of it is plain wrong, not to mention contradictory. Trust me - I speak from experience!
I'm sure you'll be fine.

Whiff Thank you yes I saw that about being able to chat to the nurses. I’ll do that next week. They’re not available on Sundays.

Just had another look there is a nurse support line you can call to answer any questions you have and she may be able to put you in touch with others who had it done.

HiPpyChick like others have said go in with a positive frame of mind . Glad you looked at the site. Hope it has reassured you.
There may be a forum on the site I didn't look . I know there is on BHF site .

Thank you also silverlining48and J52.

Whiff
Ive just been on pancreatic cancer uk and like you I couldn’t find anything that mentions a death rate so that’s encouraging thank you.
Fairislecable
You may be correct as I can’t find anything about a stent that doesn’t mention some kind of cancer. Thank you.
Gwyllt and Mumofmadboys. Thank you for your encouragement.

As its a benign stricture I think it should go well HippyChick. try not to worry. Surgery is improving all the time. Good Luck

I know nothing about this particular surgery but when looking at the statistics do bear in mind that some of the patients will be suffering from a terminal diagnosis.

This means that the surgery is done palliatively in order for them to live more comfortably for a while, but the deaths will be recorded in the figures and it then appears to be the surgery is the cause.

Hopefully as your problem is benign the outcome should be better.

Good luck 🤞

Think positive and there are always exceptions to every rule

HippyChick have a look on the Pancreatic cancer UK. It tells you all about duodenum stents the procedure and what to expect. It doesn't mention death rate. From what I just read it gives a good idea of what to expect pros and cons . But from what I read it will improve your life.

Mumofmadboys it’s benign thankfully, consisting of scar tissue from old ulcers.

It depends on the cause of the duodenum narrowing. Is it a benign cause or a malignant one? I hope it is a benign narrowing. Ask your medics for more information would be my advice. I wish you well.

J52 Yes I’m going to ask him when I see him next.
I had my last appointment on Friday and did a bit of research last night.
I know you shouldn’t listen to everything on the internet but they said this on a number of posts.
Yes I hope someone comes along to say they’ve had it done like 20 or 30 years ago, that would be really reassuring since it’s very likely that I will need the operation.

I wouldn’t take a lot of notice of information on the internet. I imagine the patient’s age and general health have to be taken into consideration.
Why not ask your consultant, they will have the facts pertaining to your medical health and then you can make an informed decision.

Dr Google always states the worst possible outcome. Try not to overthink and hope someone comes along to reassure you.
I do know that stents are commonly used but you may not even need an operation,
Good luck, don’t worry.