Dear May 2006 Members (long)

Hi! I just want to let you know that you all are on my mind tonight. You see, I had surgery LAST May and I am approaching my 1 year anniversary. What a loooonnnnnggg strange trip it's been! :lol Anyway, I wanted to pass on a couple of things to the 2006 Maysters: 1) Stay in touch on this board. Become your best support system to each other. I can't tell you how incredibly important my Mayster buddies are to me. We have laughed together. Cried together. Rejoiced together. Stomped our foot at our first stall together... Nobody knows what you're going through like those who are going through it right there with you. 2) Be kind to yourselves and each other. Some will lose really quickly. Some more slowly. Some will be off and running 2 days after surgery, some will take weeks or even months to recuperate. Everyone is different. It's not a race and it's not a contest, it's life... 3) Be vigilant in taking care of yourselves. At 10-11 months out, some of us are suffering some of the side effects we all know are possible. I'm talking poor lab work, low iron, signs of neuropathy, malaise, depression. Stay on your vitamins, stay on your surgeons, stay on your healthy eating plans! If you don't feel right, even if it doesn't seem that big of a deal, listen to your bodies! Go to your follow ups, have your blood work done and all that good stuff. This is not to scare you. Most of us feel absolutely wonderful, and even those of us with a few bumps in the road are still so much better off today than we were a year ago. Just do everything you can do to keep yourself healthy. You're about to embark on an incredible journey. A year from now, you're going to look back and wonder at how different your life is and at how far you've come. Now that I've rambled your ears (or eyes) off, I guess what I really want to say is: I wish you all nothing but the best in the weeks to come and hope that you all become as close as the 2005 Maysters and are able to lean on each other for strength and support. Good luck! Becky (Mayster 2005) 287/157/150

Hello Becky! I have a date of May 24th, 2006!!! YEAH! Thanks so much for the words of advice. I am fairly new to this site, and I hope to make a lot of new friends who are or have gone through what I am feeling. I am going through alot of different thoughts and feelings about this whole process, but I am very excited about it! I am very happy for you, and all who have had a wonderful experience with WLS. Thanks again, Tracy (Mayster 2006)

Hi Tracy I'm May 31st - just behind you. Let me know how you get on. I'd love to share this journey together Ruth

Congrats on your weight loss and thanks for the advise. Phenom

Becky, What an incredibly nice thing of you to post and take the time to wish us well. I've read your profile and looked to your pics for inspiration. I am thrilled to be making this change ( even though a bit scared) but I believe in the power of information and faith too. I'm glad to have found this site and get so much support already. It has helped me in preparing for the journey ahead. And taking care of ourselves really does begin with the surgery and not end there - so Im gla dto be reminded that vitamins supplements and care need to be taken 2 days out and just as importantly 2 years out. THANKS!!!!! Kathryn

Thanks for the advice. It's good to hear from someone who's already been through it. Just read your profile - it's inspiring Ruth

Hi Becky, I'm scheduled for May 8th and I can't wait to start on my journey. I have my pre-op appt on April 10th so I think at that time it will all start to seem real to me. Right now it's just kind of there. I've been doing a lot of reading as I'm sure everyone has and was feeling a little overwhelmed and scared. I guess that's why we all have support groups and each other to share in this journey togehter. Hat's off and prayers to all my Maysters! Mary

Thanks for all the encouraging words!! I have many days in may that are important - mother's day, my birthday, Nurse's day, and now my surgery date (May 10) I feel like this will be the start of a new life for me and my family. I am both anxious and afraid at the same time. My PAT is scheduled for April 19th. I guess that's when it will really begin to feel real. Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us. Linda Stout

thank you Becky, god bless you and your faimely ...Brenda in tx ps u look great ..

Becky, I read your profile and I am truly looking forward to having this surgery. Thanks for giving such detailed descriptions of the procedure. Your weight loss was incredible and you look amazing and I look forward to being on the losing side as well.