OH MY GOSH!!! I think the same thing about my surgery!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad you said that bc I was beginning to think I was weird lol. Congratulations on your new upcoming birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You share that day with a few others on here. Take care and lots of love!

I know what you mean too. I keep going through, literally spending hours, going through all the before and afters- trying SO hard to picture myself 'thin'. Like you, I cannot even wrap my head around the concept. I have been big since I can remember. To even think about myself being okay in a bathing suit, looking good in a lil black dress; tends to intimidate me... like I am setting my expectations too high or something, to think that IIIIII could actually look like them one day! Surreal to say the least. Mary 320/XXX (06/08)/277/170

Lauren, Congratulations on a successful surgery. Now this first month can be a *****allenging, but it will get much better after that. I agree, walk as much as you can. I walked 5-6 miles around the hospital floor for the two days I was in the hosptal. I actually felt my very best when I was up and walking around. Mind you, I had done a LOT of walking prior to my surgery. I also agree that it is not as bad having the surgery as we let our minds allow us to believe. John

Rita, I remember so well being in awe of the ones who lost their weight and wondered if somehow this just wouldn't work for me. Now just one year later and I can't believe that I've been chosen to be one of those people. I say "chosen" because so many people here in Kansas cannot have the surgery because the major insurance company has has WLS exclusions (yes, sadly enough, the insurance companies choose who lives and who dies in this case through those exclusions). To even have this chance to live again is a great gift to be very grateful for. Think ahead to a year from now when you can offer some Mayster of 2009 a bit of encouragement during a stressful and worrysome surgery month. On a positive note, it will be whatever YOU decide to make it. This is a hard concept to truly understand. You will say that you understand it, but only after surgery, when you take the helm of this new ship, will you REALLY understand. I really wish you the best. John

Well everyone things went pretty good...beside the shoty staff at the hospital I feel pretty darn good...the gas pains have been the worst of it... I feel better than when I had my gallbladder out. I'm only on 1 vicodin every 4 hours for pain... which is great. Make sure you all walk as much as you can/ And try not to sleep inclined. Last night I finally laid flat and this morning I finally got to pass some of the gas. Who would ever think farting would feel so darn good...lol...well I gotta go make some calls, but everyone who hasn't had surgery yet...it really isn't as bad as you would think... Lauren