To All September Pre-Ops!

I wish you luck, health, joy and excitement for the path you're all about to take. The 7th will be six months for me and it has been the most exciting time of my life! I know you're all feeling a bit jittery right about now. It's completely normal. I suggest two things: First, go to the "before and after" pics section and look at them and think "this will be me, soon!" Do not, Do NOT, DO NOT read profiles right now! Occasionally, you will hit a land mine (a profile of a procedure that didn't go well) that'll scare the holy poo out of you. JUST LOOK AT THE PICS. Second, time to do some visualization: Close your eyes, a couple times a day, and picture yourself, 12 months from now: How you feel, how you look, the fun of buying clothes OFF THE NORMAL RACK, how other people are complimenting you, the shock of recognition by people you haven't seen in awhile. Feel the feelings, smell the smells, all of it. Take your time. Bask in it. Enjoy it. Then, just for a minute, visualize yourself, one year from now, if you DON'T have the surgery done. If you're like me, you'll almost SKIP into the OR!!! Peace; God Bless! And Good Luck!! Greg (342/214/278)

Thanks Greg, I really needed that. My daughter brought me a magazine "People" from this month, and it was a story about a doctor who performs Gastric bypass, who is being charged with the death of 13 patients. All young women.....It was just what I wanted to see.... I hope it wasn't a sign..... xoxoxoxoSandy

Ouch! There are a lot of well-meaning people out there who will, intentionally or not, completely fry your head as you get closer. Maintaining your resolve is the hardest part of the days and weeks leading up to surgery. The important thing to remember is that you aren't doing this for anybody but you. You aren't doing it for the cosmetic benefits (though that is the cool, outward part), but for your health. Stay focused anyway you can: Meditation, prayer, keeping a journal (which is what I did--which is why I have a novel on my profile instead of a diary ) Most of all, don't let anybody, well-meaning or not, throw you any grenades right now. This is the beginning of something truly special in your life--to use the silly Latin phrase, "Illegitimi non carborundum!" Good luck and safe journey! Greg (342/214/178)

Greg, Thanks for those great words of advice. I am constantly looking at the profiles and reading what happened. I also have a bad habit of going to the memorial page. BIG NO NO.. I am going to try to follow your advice. Thanks, Jill Jenkins

Greg Thank you so much for your kind words. I have been looking at the before & after pictures since I started looking at this site. It is truely amazing, and inspirational! As are you! I can't believe how much weight you have lost in just six months! You look really good, and are pretty close to goal. Congrats. Keep going and I am sure you will be there before you 1 year anniversary. Again thanks! Carrie

Greg: What a wonderful post.... thank you!! I'm so glad everything is going fantastic for you!! Keep up the good work. Thanks again and God Bless, Karrie

thank you for the inspiration and prayers!

Greg - Thank you so much for your post! I think that was the best advice... - just look at pics because you can literally worry yourself sick reading some of these stories. I went for my pre-op class last week and the nurse who ran it told us "Absolutely stop reading those internet sites until you are done with surgery." I can close my eyes like you said and just picture good thoughts! Have a great day. See you on the losing side! Michelle

Thanks Greg, Good to know there is someone out there who wants to encourage people even if he doesn't know them. I go in in the morning. For now, all I plan to do is spend time with my real life supportive WLS friends, I will have 2 from OH at the hosptial with me when I arrive through the surgery and I will have my BF with me (also had gastric bypass) in the afternoon (just started a new job and has to work or he'd be there the whole day). I've been informed that if I try to chicken out they'll strap me to the bed too LOL... I know they're joking, but know they will do everything in their power to keep me motivated to have this done! They are success stories already, one is 3 months out, the other I believe is 4 months out, the bf is 21 months out... they are all doing great. Hugs Rachel

Greg, That is so sweet - thanks! I was supposed to go Monday, but I arrived at the hospital to be sent home - surgeon got sick. Sucks. So now I'm going on September 12, unless there is a cancellation before then. Talk about an emotional roller coaster! But you are right about just looking at the before and after pics. I went on the board and read about someone who had died and got myself so worked up!! I was absolutely scared to death - it would have scared the poo out of me, but after having that bowel prep, there was no poo in me!! lol Even though that person had lots of problems and was much larger than I am, etc. I had myself convinced I wasn't going to make it. This time, I'm going to work on the visualization as you recommend and go to the hospital feeling much, much more positive. God bless you for being such a giving person!! Your surgery is six months in the past and you didn't have to come here to give us all a morale boost, but you did.