Just Me :shrug:

Howdy All.... Just thought I'd make an appearance....I read this board often, but sometimes I just don't know what to say...replies and all. Thought I'd better get my butt in the game. My insurance will kick BACK in Dec 1st, I hope then to schedule a consultation with the great Dr. I. Through this board I have read so many good thing about him and his staff, I am looking forward to seeing him. I had some general ?'s for you all, maybe someone can help me, I am kinda going crazy here, I mean I can't see the Doc yet and i have been wanting this surgery forever, I know your answers and my questions really depend on the person but any info will be appreciated. 1. How long will I be outta work, I have a job where I am on my feet for 6 straight hours with mild walking (in a small area) I will tell you (you prolly already know) that it sucks to be 24yrs old (25 in one month) and your feet to be in some much pain after ONLY 6 hours, you can barely stand anymore without feeling like your gonna cry. It would be so AWESOME to lighter and fluffery LOL 2. Can your spouse attend the life skills classes with you, and is that the only class per se??? I think thats all for now, no I am lying I have a 100 questions but I think I'll save them for the Doc, unless I can't wait....hehehe Christina

Hi Christina, Nice to meet you! I can't sleep tonight since I have Black Friday Christmas shopping on the brain, so I thought I'd say hello and welcome You couldn't have picked a better team of docs in my opinion, they are the absolute best. As for how long you're out of work, I really can't see you returning much sooner than 4 weeks, that's just my best guess tho as everyone is different. I'm sure someone here can answer that better than I can. The Life Skills class wasn't around when I started down this road and I'm not sure what their rules are, but my 3AM logic tells me since it is a paid class, spouses are not included. My mid-afternoon logic has been more than faulty at times, so who knows and yes, as far as I know that's the only 'class' you will take. Definitely bring your hubby and come to one of the support group meetings, you will get alot out of those. There are several you can attend. PMRI has one twice a month, another is held at the VA in Elsmere, one at a church in Newport and one in Smyrna started by a member here. I usually attend the Saturday morning PMRI since my schedule with kids is pretty filled up at the moment. You are correct about one assumption you make...it is most awesome to be lighter and fluffery! Actually lighter is more accurate, I have signifigantly less fluffage than I did this time last year Oh and you really don't have 100 questions, I'm willing to bet it's more like 200, you just don't know it yet! Nice to 'meet' you, Linda

Nice to meet you too linda, thanx a bunch and your prolly right about the classes, I had attended a Diabetes class back in July(at the building on rt52) hubby was allowed to attended but it was free, so I can understand the differece there. Yeah i have been invited to the meetings b4, but i am chicken LOL Just give me a lil' time well its 4am, you getting ready to go stand in those predoor opening lines, DON'T LIE!! I think hubby and I are going shopping later, well window shopping that is he is still snoozing his head off I on the other hand don't sleep much, I can guess that's weight related also. talk to ya laterz Christina

Hi Christina, Welcome. Please feel free to ask any question you like. We are not Doctor's, but we have loads of opinions and some experience. Time off work varies. You're gonna have a lot of appointments and procedures to make even before your surgery is scheduled. Get ready for the frustrating part. This can take as little as 3 months or as long as a year. The life skills class was started after my surgery, which was January 26th of 2004. I am 10 months out now. So the best bet is to call the desk at PMRI and they will let you know their policy on spouses attending. I was IRIF'D last December from my job, so I was not working for 10 months. I think the norm for most post WLS people is 4 to 6 weeks. Some feel great sooner than others. Remember that this time is needed to adjust to your new life and to take advantage of every minute. Don't try to ru**** I was able to start walking immediately, pain free, both at the hospital and at home. My knees & legs which were alot like yours, didn't seem to hurt 24/7 anymore. Oh I still have arthritis in the knees, but they are 95% better. I was able at 4 weeks out to star****er exercises and 2 weeks later to start a well rounded exercise routine 5 days a week. I went for an exercise evaluation at PMRI 1st and followed up with the trainor at Kirkwood Fitness. I started slowly at first, just didn't want to hurt myself. Now I've added some other things for variety. Do a lot of research so that you can make the best decision for you. Read some of our profiles. You'll find that we all have a lot in common. ((HUGS)) Elissa

Welcome Christina, I have attended the lifeskills class and there really is only enough room for the 15 people in attendance, however, please call the PMRI staff they can better answer this question. Dr. Irgau said minimum is 4 weeks out of work. After going through all of the appointments and class I think you will need this time to adjust/plan for your new life style. Good luck in your wls journey and keep us posted. Ellen

Hi Christina, Welcome!! Your first question, I can help with, I have a job were I am not only on my feet for 7 hours I am also pushing and pulling carts that weight over 800 pounds, Dr. Wynn saw me at 4weeks and told me since I pull and push that much weight to stay out the 6 weeks, so I did, but she would have released me at 4 weeks if I wanted to go back on light duty. I didn't want that so I waited 6 weeks, I am now back to work pushing and pulling the 800 pound carts and glad that I waited. Take care and I hope I helped. Dana

Nice to meet u, Christina! Don't worry about the questions...this is a great place to ask them! We're not doctors but we are in different stages of our journey and will be glad to help in any way we can. As far as the 'out of work' question--it varies depending on how u feel and when u want to go back. Generally, this lies somewhere between 4-8 wks. Of course, pay is also a factor. I could take up to 8 wks of paid time off, but after four, Dr. Wynn had to get involved w/the short-term disability peeps. I just wasn't ready to go back after four--physically and mentally (and I paper-push at a desk--far less physical than your's, so u might want longer). Anyhow, I was able to take the additional four and felt so much better to return after that time-frame. As far as being young and in pain, I sympathize with u. I was old and in pain--back, feet, u name it. But I have to admit that I am also envious that u are making such a life-alternating change early in u'r life. A lot of us wish we did this years ago and saved ourselves years of pain and anquish. I commend u on helping u'rself early before health issues take over. I think the others have answered the question on the class, again, something that came down the pike after my surgery date. But I've heard great things about it so I know u'll get a lot from it. Good luck with u'r journey, hon, and come back anytime for questions and fellowship! Some of us (ahem) don't make it back to the board as often as we like, but we all try to check in every now an then. (((hugs))) -Karen

Hi Christina Just wanted to welcome you to the DE boards. My surgery is set for December 8 with Dr. Irgau. He advised me that I would be out of work for 4-5 weeks. It will be my first Christmas holiday off in 26 years. yippee. The Life Skills class costs $275.00 or $295.00. I recently paid it and now I can't remember the exact cost. (I hope my 2% weight loss wasn't brain cells. It is for 14 people at a time. When I took the class, I noticed some of the husbands waiting in the lobby to pick up their wives. PMRI might allow your husband to attend the class but it will cost $275.00/$295.00 I highly recommend the Saturday PMRI classes. They cost $5.00 each, are filled with lots of important info, and gets you the chance to meet lots of really neat people who are also on the same journey of weight loss. Come early to the class so that you get a seat, cause they fill up fast. I have learned a lot by reading the DE board. Ask away. Questions help all of us grow on our journey to better health. Rose

Just want to welcome you, Cristina. Dianne