To All October Pre-Ops

I wish you luck, health, joy and excitement for the path you're all about to take. The 7th will be seven 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 (342/204/178)

Wiping tears from my eyes, I can only say, "Thank you!"

My pleasure, Jodie-Beth. Good luck on Thursday! Greg (342/204/178)

Thank you

Greg, bless your heart for that post. My surgery is tomorrow morning and this is exactly what I needed to read right now. I've been so weepy since Friday and so nervous and hugging my 2 boys non stop. I'm ready to have this over with and ready to start my healthy life so I can be around for a long long time for my boys. Thank you so much, tomorrow when the nervousnes****s again I will think of your post! Hugs, Vi

Vi, by the time you read this, you will be home, and recovering. A little sore (it passes quickly) and a lot tired (be patient--it takes awhile but the energy will come!) Congratulations and welcome to the losing side! I read your profile (now that you're home, you have permission to read my "novel" ), and it takes great courage to speak your mind, to stand up for yourself, and it especially is courageous to do this surgery at a crossroads in your life like the one you're facing. You have made a great choice for yourself--a healthy, longer life and your boys will appreciate having their mom around a lot longer. Get well, get strong and get busy, Vi! Good luck to you! Greg (342/204/178)

thank you sooo much greg it is a big relief to hear words like that what great support it is as well thank you again its what we all want to hear good job take care byee now

Thanks Greg...my surgery is Wednesday and I have been a mess for the past couple of days. I have been second guessing my decision-nervous-excited-scared....you name it, i have been through it. I am so scared of the unknown. one thing i do know is that i want this surgery if i can only make it to wednesday without a nervous breakdown....LOL

What you're going through, Cassandra, is absolutely normal! In my case, by the time I got to my date, I was no longer nervous (because it had been postponed so many times prior), but there was one time, about 3AM, when I woke up in a dead panic. If it had been 3 PM, I would have called my surgeon and cancelled. Breathing helps. Meditating. Singing. Whatever makes you calm and relaxed (other than eating, of course!) Know that this was the best thing I have ever done for myself (well, after marrying my wife!) and that there has not been a single minute since March 7 that I have regretted what I have done. I have lost 138 lbs (I still can't believe it when I type that number!!) and all of my health issues--high cholestrol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea--are gone! I can walk a couple of miles without effort, I work out on a home gym to build up my SKINNY arms and legs! I don't have to pray that my favorite clothing stores have things in 3XL, because I wear a large now! Best of all, I'm discovering the freedom from food addiction. I eat because I'm supposed to now, and I'm learning what I can and cannot eat (heck, I can still go to a ball game and eat a hot dog if I want--albeit slowly--and isn't that one of the simple pleasures in life?) I still have a little ways to go before I reach my goal, but this has been the most wonderful, exciting, satisfying and important time of my life, and it will be for you (and, here, I mean for ALL of you who are about to embark on this and reading this). So, accept your being nervous--you wouldn't be human if you weren't--but I am so happy for you for the road you have selected. As we postops say: Welcome to the losing side!! Greg (342/204/178)

Greg. thank you for the pep talk. My surgery is next thursday the 13th. Those are great words is wisdom and hope all go by it. thanks again denise