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Okey Dokey, Tee! I'm there with ya! How are you doing? Joy

Tee, I think you should go to lunch and then come up to the hospital at OHSU to see me. I am getting nervous but I am going out of town so I busy getting ready for that. When I get home I have 3 days to be ready so I think I am glad for the distraction. Anyway just an idea about your lunch. Barbara

I started mine one month after my surgery(May11) and am still spotting ugh!!! It's July 1st and I wish this would just stop for a few days!! I have PCOS and was taking Prometrium regularly to help regulate my cycle,since surgery I haven't taken it. Hopefully it will continue to regulate its'self!!!but I'm due for a GYN check up and I'm hoping he will give my the Nuvaring for BC!! Good Luck and take care!! Sonya -57.8 May11th,04

Joe and I are doing great! Did you create the malasadas yourself? Hey! I picked the place last time. Let's see if we can get some takers and then decide.... or, you decide. Can't wait to see you again! Joy

I'm ON it Lori!! Saturday & Sunday! I'm glad Im in charge on the days when I workout!! Tammy, party like there is no tomorrow & like its 1999!! That's a Prince reference for anyone who doesn't know Have a great trip and have fun and take pictures Donna 325/228/145

Hey Joe. My name is Tracy. My surgery, RNY, was was last Friday. Not yet a week but so far I have not had one single problem. I can't believe how good I feel!!! I'm getting all my protien in and walking. I have a little bit of a sore belly but that's normal. A friend of mine had her surgery a week before mine and she is having some nausea but I think everything else is fine. The only time I doubted what I was doing was when I was getting ready to be wheeled into surgery but that was only a split second. Do you have different protiens for when you get home? I had ordered a sample pack from Susan Marias websight and that has been great. Everything I've tried has been good except one. I'm sure your life is going to be wonderful and not as hard as it has been before surgery. God Bless you and keep us all posted!!! Tracy F.

Joe - First of all, the only regret I have in having this surgery is that I didn't do it sooner. I'm one of the lucky ones who never gets anything stuck or throws up, but there are a lot of us out there. There are some people who will experience strictures where they may get food stuck sometimes. There are some who will throw up a lot. But even still with the majority of the people you talk to who have had this surgery, even if they have had complications all say the same thing...."I'd do it again in a heartbeat." That being said, your feelings of apprehension are normal. But rather than listen to me, I did check your profile to see you are a Christian, so listen to God. I wanted this surgery for several years before I was able to have it. And my way was almost paved with golden bricks once it started happening. And as I wrote on my profile about lost chances with insurance, I wrote one line that said something like "All I have left now is prayer and submission to God." Well, as I was nearing my surgery date I prayed and asked if I was pushing my own will too hard, or if I was being misguided. Then for some reason I just wanted to re-read my profile. I had forgotten about that one liner, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. This was meant to be and God was driving it all along. So I quit questioning it. And when I went in, although I was in Mexico with nurses that didn't speak English, I was extremely calm and relaxed. I knew what I needed to know. Not even that I knew I would pull through. But the fact that I knew God was in charge and guiding my experience that whatever came out of it had a purpose. Anyway, leave it with God - ask him. And once you get your answer, you will be able to relax and not worry and question so much. You will love your life after you have the surgery and lose weight. It's an incredible gift! Dina

Hi Joe, I had my RNY with a ring (not a common procedure in the US) on 4/19/06 in Brazil. While I didn't doubt my decision, I was a little anxious of the complications that are so well publicized. I feel great. I'm on a little different diet than the US doctor's prescribe (not so much protien immediately post-op). I have had no nausea, no vomitting, really no pain. Once the drain was removed, I have been seriously pain free. It's always amazing to me the people that feel the need to bring up the negative. While I'm very sorry for your friend's wife, I'm sure that you know from your research they are countless happy people who have had wonderful experiences of getting back to life after a WLS. I'm sure I'll fall into that category too. I went into my surgery with realistic expectations regarding the first month. No doubt it's a HUGE adjustment. It's not easy, but it hasn't been as difficult as one of the many goofy diets I tried in my life. I don't feel hungry, but I've missed odd things (diet coke). The pay off is I've lost 22 pounds already. I don't have that deprived "diet" feeling. Good luck to you. I look forward to hearing how you feel post-op! Betsy

Hi Joe, I had my surgery alomst 2.5 years ago and am down 235 lbs. I agree with Dina in not having it done sooner!!! I had one minor problem with getting stuff stuck, but I dont regret it a day in my life. I did mourn food. I cant drink soda at all, and it is not from lack of trying Something about it doesnt agree with me. I think my biggest problem was doing the advance directive at the hospital. I was at the high weight end and in the high risk catagory for surgery. I have a life now. I think when my PCP told me I wouldnt live to see 30, it scared me to death. I was 23 when I went in and have been so happy with my life. I have a new respect for life and how to treat my body!! Good luck to you, Sarah G. 2/16/03 -235.

Joe, I agree with what everyone here has told you. I'm one of the lucky ones that never dumped and I can eat what I want. I do eat in moderation and I'm very concious of what I put in my mouth. I use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate at home. I was into diet pepsi before the surgery but I just haven't bothered to try it. I drink crystal lite peach ice tea, flavored water and water. The diet pepsi just doesn't matter anymore. I'm so happy with the new me! I'm doing things that I'd long given up. I'm 15 months out and just about to my goal. I'm having more of an issue of not thinking of my body as obese and knowing that I'm normal than I have with food. I think you are having a normal and healthy reaction. My regret is that I didn't do it soon. I've only had a few negative responses and I consider them ignorant. They aren't knowledgeable and don't understand why you made this decision. May 2nd is my birthday! I'll send you good thoughts. Kathy