Going to seminar on 31st

I am going to a seminar on the 31st at Baptist. It will be with Dr. Gibbs. I am so nervous. This all just feels like a dream to me. I have never given serious thought to surgery until my ob/gyn sugested I do it. I came home and talked to my hubby and he is 100% behind me. I am so nervous. Not about the surgery, but the after effects. I have done a lot of research and all I can find are the pros of the surgery. I guess when you weigh so much that you are facing a slow death, the risks pale in comparison to the benefits. Sorry I am rambling I just found this board and I am so excited about hearing stories and advice from real people that have been through it ! I guess I should at least give a little bio lol I am 27 years old. I weigh 305lbs ( my biggest ever ) I have 2 children. a 3 year old and a 20 month old. I have been married for 4 glorious years. I have been over weight...... well always. Or at least in my mind I am ready for a change ! I want to watch my babies grow up. I want to wear a bathing suit without SHAME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well thanks for letting me vent I am off to bed. Tish

Best wishes to you on your journey. We have all been where you are. Keep us updated on your progress. Denise Baker 9-29-03

Thanks I will

Hi Tish, my name is Brenda I had my surgery 1-14-02, I did have complications due to being so morbidly obese, I weighed 369lbs standing only 4'11", I had to be trached due to not having any air wave passages, I was in ICU for the first 8days and then on floor for two more days before going home with the trach still in!!! Now this had nothing to do with the surgery only me being so large........on the 30th of Jan the trach came out, then two weeks later I got a staff infection in my drain sites and was in the hospital for 10 more days only to go home having home health come out daily and pack my incision, this went on till about June, again this had nothing to do with the surgery so please do no let this scare you, three weeks ago tomorrow (MONDAY) I had to be mediflighted by helicopter to Tulsa for emergency hernia repair, my bowels were intangled in the hernia and were trying to die off, so while my surgeon was in there he tightened my tummy by 6 inches, I now weigh 173lbs which is a total loss of 196lbs......I feel good, I look better, I love life, I can live life to the fullest now, and I would go through everything again just to have the life I do now, so do not ever think your not doing the right thing for yourself, for your family and kids cause you are......good luck and God Bless you!!!!

WOW you have been through a lot !! You have such a positive attitude ! I am glad you are doing so well now. Thank you for telling me your story

Tish, Hi I'm Debbie, I had Open R-N-Y on Sept. 22nd. It is truly a serious surgery. So please don't take it lightly. But it is also a blessing. I weighed 328.7 before surgery. Now I weigh 285 I think at least that's what my scale say's, I will know for sure on 22nd of this month. that's when I see my surgeon. I had a little problem after surgery. My bloodpressure went very low, 40/20 and my pulse-Ox went very low 58. They couldn't get it up. They thought it might be a reaction to the epadiral. But everthing went fine. I can tell you as soon as you can start walking, It will be painful but just do it. And I will tell you the epadiral was a blessing. Like I said I'm only about 4 weeks out. But there are othere's who can give you good advice. Hugs and best wishes on your journey Debbie

I have had 2 epidurals ( I have had 2 children ) My body does wonderfully with them. I get the shakes a little bit, but nothing else. Thanks you for the advice !!! I can't wait to be on the losing side. Assuming my insurance company will pay for it

Hi LKm I want to encourage you to continue with your journery to a new life! I am 49 yr old woman and been obese all my life...a chubby child, fat teenager and morbidly obese adult. I had lap RnY on 8/12, weighing 263 & bmi of 44. My surgery went well, won't tell you it was easy, you do experience pain first 2 days but it gets better with ea day. I had no complications (T/Y Lord) was never in ICU/SICU, went home in 3 days and have never vomited! I have not lost as fast as some...down 33 lbs today, but I feel good and was able to return to full time work at 4 wks post op. My husband told me this am that I am feeling "little" in his arms.Last week I picked up my teen age dgtr at school in my 2004 Impala SS..black with sunroof (my mid life crisis lol) she told me a guy pal said "who is that?...she is hot! " Those are just some of the things that have made it all worthwhile for me. You will have many also. Keep me posted on your journey. D'Etta

Thanks you for sharing your experiance with me I am getting excited about it already and I havent even been to the seminar yet LOL I can wait to be on the other side !

Hi Tish You will hear all the pros and con at the seminar, Dr Gibbs is very clear and to the point about everything, he will tell you the good and the bad, he will show you some slides on how the surgery is done and tell you how he does things, I think you will like him and his staff. I am waiting for my insurance to approve my surgery, hopefuly I will hear something this week, good luck and god bless. Emma