Getting ready for Surgery....

Hi, My name is Christine. I am scheduled for surgery Aug.9th just on the final appointments that will lead up to that day... I am getting very nervous. People are not being supportive and don't know the reason's why I want to follow though with this. I am nervous what to expect from the recovery peroid, due to being a single mom. Any help or support would be great. Thanks

Hi christine My surgery date is the next day; the 10th. I know what you mean about poeple not supportive you. Co-workers of mine are still trying to tell me that i shouldn't go threw with it. You know that it is right for you and thats all you need. Hang in there it is not long.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just think about all the thing that you will be able to do and the things that you will enjoy more after the surgery.

Hey Beth, I wanted to also wish you lots of luck on your journey to the losing side. Your doing the right thing making this decision with your life. Don't let anyone sabotaje this for you. This is something you need to do for your health and a happy life. We are all here for you for support when you need it. This is a family here on the CT WLS Board. We all help eachother out through this. I was there 6 months ago and its the best decision I have ever made. Good luck to you sweetie, and hang in there too. Whatever you need, don't hesitate to contact me at any time. I am always here for advice or just to listen. Hugs KimC

Hi Christine, I had my surgery on 3/29/05 and I have to say the only thing I was sorry about was not having it done 10 years ago. I'm off my Diabetes meds as well as my blood pressure meds. As of today I have lost 111 pounds and going to the gym 3 times a week. Truly is a second chance at life. Remember, this surgery is your choice, and you are going to live with its results. Very Happily by the way. So as long as your sure of yourself. Don't worry about those that understand why you are having it done. So Good Luck and know you have a whole family of folks here who have been thru this at all different levels to help out when we can. Be Well, Julio

Hey Christine, I had my surgery in December 2004, and its been 6 months and I have lost 95lbs so far and feel great. If I had to do it all over again I would of done this a very long time ago. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Sweetie, you are making the right decision for yourself, your health and your child. You want to be here a long time to enjoy your child grow up and enjoy your life. Take it from all of us here in the WLS Family, its the right decision and your not alone, we are all here for you through this. Whatever you need, if its to vent, to chat or if you need advice just contact me at any time. I was in your place at one time and alot of supportive people here helped me. Your taking your first step to the losing side and your journey will be a great one. Good Luck and God Bless. Don't worry about anything you will be fine and everything will be ok, I will be praying for you. Hugs KimC

Christine: I completely understand your fears. That is normal and I would wonder if you did not have some fear. Who is your surgeon? Do they offer pre & post op support group meetings? I find these meeting so important both pre & post op. These are the people who truly understand where you are coing from. There will always be people who think you are nuts for doing this and will never understand but just remember you have all of us here on line ready to support you. Do your homework and read everything you can so that you are as prepared as possible for what your new life will be like. I am not going to lie to you. I have good and bad days. But I would do it again in a second. I am off ALL meds except for two acid reducers. I had uncontrolable diabetes and 3 days post op I cam of insulin and have never looked back. Will your operation be open or lap? I had lap and can tell you my recovery was not bad at all. I did need the pain med but could function very well with in a few days. You may need a little help the first few days but after that you should bounce back nicely. Please feel free to e-mail me if you ever have any questions, need to vent or just need a friend to lean on. I have made some great friends from this site and try to give back as much as possible. Take care of you and everything else will fall into place. Even if people in your life are not being supportive (I know that hurts) just know that we are all here to support you in any way possible. Take Care, Chryssie

Dear Christine, I am just at the beginning of the process. But there is nothing that could turn me around from having this surgery. Disregard all those who are clueless about what it feels like to be MO, and to have to walk about with all kinds of physical discomforts, and to feel like you are not welcome in certain places. For example, my family and I just returned from vacation, I was so embarrassed to have had to ask for a seat belt extension; but then to sit in that seat, and feel so constricted, the only blessing was that I was seated beside my wife; and that I wasn't bothering anyone else by being "too close" to them. This time next year when we fly to our vacation, I can't wait for the flight attendant to say, "Please fasten your seatbelts," that I might just start in the aisle and have to be manually restricted. So ignore those who don't understand, WE UNDERSTAND! And we are with you all the way, but you'll have to excuse us if we don't show up in the operating room with you Peace, Ken P.

Hi Ken, Hope you got some swimming in during your stay away. Was thinking of you today as I was washing my cars in my driveway this morning and got hot so I just took off my shirt and worked on my tan as I washed my cars. Felt soooooooooooo good to be out there and being happy with the way I looked. Remember what I told you! The right state of mind not only makes the weight loss journey easier, it makes it fun too! By the way, how did your son's team do? Be well, Julio