First time here (Jan 4 surgery date)

Hi this is my first post here and I'm new at this whole thing so please bare with me. My surgery date is Jan 4 2004 at St Rapheals in New Haven. My surgeon is Dr Valin whom I have not met yet. I live in Plainfield CT which is more than one hour away so I have decided to spend the night before in a hotel in New Haven. I don't want any problems getting to the hospital on time and with New England's weather who knows how much snow could fall over night. I am very excited and nervous all at the same time. I will tell you a little about myself if you don't mind. I just turned 44 on Dec 15 I am single and have no children but I'm a nanny so it's almost like being a mom. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 14 and tried many diets with some great success only to eventualy gain it all back again. Today I weigh about 312 and am only 5" 2' I have Diabetes and just don't feel good at this weight. I feel physically ill and mentally drained from carrying all this fat around. I want to be able to walk or even run with out feeling like I have to lay down just to catch my breath. I believe the success of this operation and nutritional diet to follow is completely up to ME. If I excersize and follow the diet I will NOT fail. I am by no means an expert on this surgery but from everything that I've read and all the people whom I've spoken with the bottom line is that the success is in my own hands. Only I can do this for me. No matter how good Dr Valin is I'm the one who will make this work. I am determined not to experience any dumping and hopefully no vommiting as well. I understand that some people have not had to go through that awfull experience. I hope I'm one of them! Well I hope it doesn't sound like I'm preaching because that's not my intention I'm just making sure that I take responsibility for my own recovery. Thank you for letting me rattle on about my situation. If there is anyone who could relate to the feelings and thoughts that are swirling around in my head right now I believe this is the place to find you. Thanks again. Anne B

Anne B Thanks for posting. We can all relate to your feelings!! Congratulations on your decison to have this surgery and make the entire commitment to it. This board is a wonderful support system..hope you come back here often. Welcome! Joanie -70 lbs

Hi Anne B Welcome to Ct Message Board. Believe me, All of us DO understand this feelings and you are not alone to feel this way. Congrats for your surgery and hope you have an angel to let us know how are you doing after surgery. Happy Holidays! Kathy K

HI Anne! Welcome! I am preop also and can relate to everything you have said..I also have a January surgery date..but am waiting for insurance approval. I relate to a lot of what you have said and have had a full head about it as well! Nice to meet you and I will soon join you on the loosing side! Sher'

Thank you ladies (Joanie, Kathy K, and Sher') for your words of encouragment and support. I can't wait to be on the path to my new life. Everyone seems to say this was the best decision they have ever made and their life is all the better for it. I will see you on the other side as they say! Anne B P.S. I don't have an angel yet, is anyone willing to be mine?

Hi there Anne! We all can relate, having all felt that way at one point or another. THat's the BEST thing about this board! We're happy to have you. I hope you'll continue to post and allow us to support you in your journey. I'm sending you my prayers and best wishes for an uneventful surgery and a quick recovery on Jan 4! Please let us know if there is anything you need. Best regards, Lisa C

Hi Anne! Welcome to the CT Board, congrats on your upcoming surgery date AND happy belated birthday! Phew, that was a mouthful! It sounds like you have the right attitude to be incredibly successful at WLS. It's a tool, and only you can make it work. I'm already so proud of you!! Oh, don't be so hard on dumping! I dump on sugar and let me tell you, I'm happy I do, it keeps me on the right path. I know if I have more than a few bites of something with sugar I'll pay the price so it's added incentive to keep away. Know what else? I found out that most sweets LOOK better than they TASTE! Alas, if I only found that out a few years ago... Seasons Greetings, and make sure you check in with us often. I'll be thinking of you on the 4th! Peace, -Deb

Hi Anne - My sincerest wishes for a successful and event free surgery on the 4th. You'll be in good hands (even though you haven't met the guy they're attached to yet! LOL). I think everyone on these boards can relate to your feelings as a pre-op. And I agree with Deb M - embrace the dumping - that's part of the tool that will help steer you in the right direction with food choices. And you shouldn't really experience vomitting. Funny you should say that, as someone in the St Raphael's support group mtg Wed night had the same concern. I think people envision they're going to be puking all the time. Not so. 9 times out of 10 it's because we've eaten too quickly, or the food was too dry or something to that effect. So relax and follow your directions to the letter!!! Oh and if you still need an angel, I'm available and would be honored to help you on your journey. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to drop me a line. Holiday Hugs! Carla

Anne, You are in good hands! I did not meet Dr Valin until my endoscopy a few days before my surgery and did not have an actual appointment with him until the day before! He is a great surgeon and I'm sure you will be thrilled with his work after the surgery. You are right about having to work to be successful, it is a tool and you have to use it correctly to succeed. I have not vomited or dumped, but almost wish I would. I am afraid of pushing too much, but also afraid of not paying any consequence if I do push my limits... Regardless I will be 3 months out Friday and am down 64 lbs, 52 from the morning of surgery! It is amazing. If you need anything, let me know, I am right down the road and will be happy to do whatever I can to help! Carmen