New and scared/May 5 is the date!!!!

Hello all. I have been overweight my entire life, and now is time for a change. I am from Missouri, the show me state, and hopefully after surgery I won't be ashamed to "show me"!!!!! You know the story, not wanting to go out in public, ashamed of not being able to fit in chairs, or in one seat on the airplane. My son lives in Alaska, and I was brave enough two years ago to fly there, needed two seats on the plane of course, but it was so hard to deal with the looks from people everywhere. I am a good person inside, sense of humor, etc. People don't see that, do they? Anyway, I am excited and scared, but very hopeful. If anyone out there has any ideas or experiences that would help, I would be appreciative of any information those who have experienced it or going to experience a rou-en-y gastric bypass.

HI! I am having the DS done on May 2, I was going to have the RNY until last December. I weighed it out, and found that the DS was the surgery for me. And apparently I was right, because I got approved first time round, lol.. Anyway, I wanted to show you support. It doe not matter which surgery we are having, as we are in the trenches together in the fight of Obesity. Always pay it forward. There is no right or wrong, only good efforts, so be humble and good luck!!! Shirl, Las Vegas

HI!! MY date it is the 5th also. I am scared but am not getting excited. Finding the site was a good thing, there is tons of support!! Wishing you the best!!

Hi Pamela, My name is Vicki and I am also from Missouri. Lived in Wisconsin for 11 years then moved back to Missouri, then moved BACK to Wisconsin last year. I am scheduled for my Rou en y bypass on May 1st and I'm very scared about getting it. Right now I'm on the 2 week liquid diet and I'm starving to death lol. I know what you mean about flying, I too was embarrassed when I was flying back and forth between WI and Mo on the plane. But I try to remember that those people who judge are only looking at the outside of me, if they took the time to get to know me they might see something else besides my weight. Anyway I too am here for all the info I can get. Hope to touch base with you again.

Hi Vicki, nice to meet you. Good luck on your surgery, I will say a prayer for you. I will start my liquid diet on Monday, the 21st and I am not very excited about that part. I am 49 years old will be 50 in September, and it would be so nice to have some weight off to start that chapter of my life, right? I weigh about 417 pounds right now, was 463 a year ago in April 2007. Have been extremely overweight my whole life, and now my knees are very bad. Need knee surgery, but maybe that will improve if the weight comes off. I have one son who lives in Alaska, and am still single. Have a granddaughter who is the love of my life (she is watching me type this right now) and she is so supportive of her granny and tells me "It's okay, Granny Pam, I won't eat either". Bless her heart. I am so looking forward to being able to walk without my cane, and play T Ball with her, and ride a bike again. But, Vicki, whatever your goal is, I hope you reach it. Keep in touch, will you? This website is the best thing I have found and am so glad you responded. I don't feel so alone to know other folks are out there facing the same thing. Take care, and keep us posted on your surgery and how things are going. You are in my prayers.

Hey, I'm having surgery on May 13. I was all set on the lap-band, but my surgeon really wants me to have rou-en-y gastric bypass. (my insurance company and surgeon only do these two types) I also have been overweight all my life and have about 115 to lose to be where the "charts" say I should be. *****ally is anymore? I have type II diabetes and was told the gastric bypass is much more effective at getting rid of it (or at least under really good control). I'm still debating. I am so afraid of surgery (I have never had any type of surgery). My sister had gastric bypass about 4 years ago (I'm not sure which kind) and lost a lot of weight, but now has turned to alcohol instead of food! That can be a problem with some people so watch out! (or excessive shopping, gambling, sex addictions, drugs, etc.) I wish they would concentrate on some of the emotional issues as well as the medical side when treating obesity. I think they should include counseling. I am a little bit excited, but mostly afraid. I am nervous about change of any kind, and I'm sure this will be big! (especially if I go with gastric bypass, the weight loss is faster and usually you lose more). I would be happy with losing 60-75 lbs. and keeping it off permanently. I am so used to being fat now (I will be 40 years old in August) I'm not sure how it would feel to be thinner. I have 3 kids I want to be around for. My dad died from diabetes at only 64 years of age and I was only 20 at the time.

Wow, Tina....I know exactly what you mean. I am 49 will be 50 in September of this year. I am scared, also. My insurance covers both lap band and rny, but in my case I weigh an awful lot, 417 pounds right now. Was 463 in April 2007, but had to lose some in order to be safe for surgery. The lap band statistics will not allow me to lose the weight I need to (can lose about 85% of the needed weight with gastric bypass). Whichever you decide, they are both life changing issues and you really need to be prepared for them. Look at me talking.....I am very scared on the inside, but am praying for the Lord to give me peace and bring me safely through. I have not had surgery either, and really don't know how it will be. I have one son, who lives in Alaska, and a granddaughter who lives here in Missouri who is the love of my life. She spends every other weekend with me, and I am so looking forward to being able to play tball with her or ride a bike, or just be able to walk without my cane. I have been overweight my entire life, and I will appreciate being thinner!!!! Whatever that number is, I will be thankful. You take care, Tina, and good luck. Your children do need their mother, and you need to be healthy. I have heard that the diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. sometimes go away completely when weight is lost. Good luck, and keep us posted on how you are doing. You are in my prayers.

Hey there... I am going in on May 1st and I will be posting daily on how I feel and everything...so I can be the guinea pig of the bunch...I too am really nervous buit felt better after watching the 60 Minutes show on gastric bypass. I'll attach the link for anyone to check out..it has the full video. You should watch it... it eased my anxiety a little bit...lauren http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml

Hello Pamela, I too will be having surgery in May on the 19th. I am afraid, excited ,and very hopefull that this will work, I too have dealt with some of the same problems that you addressed, I find that lots of people are shallow and can't see beyond the shell of the person My grandmother used to tell me that if people never got to know me it was their loss,not mine as a child I never understood that saying but I do now and I agree with her, maybe we can experiance this together, maybe become computer/by-pass pals I'm new here so feel free to add me as a friend if you would like.Good Luck!!!!!!

Hello everyone, I am new here also. I just got back from Chicago a few hours ago. I had gone for my pre-op with my doctor. May 5th is my wls also. I was real excited until I was talking to my doctor about what weight i should set as my goal weight. If I remember right i think he said, 180 to 160lbs if i work real hard at it. I'm 281.6 lbs todays weight. Does this this sound right to you all? I was not scared just impatient now i feel like my bubble has been popped. Not that that is not a great improvement. But i must admit i was hoping for more. I'm not near as pumped up as i was, but i am very tired from the trip maybe tomorrow will be better. I pray we all have great success.