I am new to this form need support

Hello everyone, I am new posting on this form but have been on this site since deciding to have surgury. I don't have a lot of support and need some encouragement. I haven't told all of my family but the few I have told most are negative so I am not discussing it with them anymore. It is very discouraging when you talk to negative people about the surgery. I live in Duluth Ga and Dr Khatian is my surgeon. I have been aprove I am just waiting to go through all the testing and get a date. I have to find someone to be with me during the one test, my daughter lives in Houton Tx and she is going to come up for my surgery. I just need a little prayer and a few questions answered. I guess my biggest one is how much pain do you experience after the surgery. I know everyone is different I am just nervous abou that. I have had back surgery and 2 babies which I lived through both. This just seems a little different. Anyway, I am here and looking to hear back from some positive people like you all. Thanks Denise

Hi, Denise, For me, my C-section delivery and gall bladder (LAP) surgery were both worse pain-wise than my LAP RNY...truly! I have also had samenilla (sp?) poisoning and strep cases that were more painful. Keep in mind that I had no complications. For some folks, it's a lot tougher. If you have had back surgery, then you have known true pain! You'll be fine! I will be praying for you! Hugs, Becky

Denise: Sorry to hear your family is not being supportive---YET. There is still a chance they will come around before you actually have the surgery. Our families worry because they love us and dont want to lose us. I am pasting a link that a man wrote to "all significant others" and family members about weight loss surgery and how he was able to cope with his wife having the surgery. http://www.wlscenter.com/Significant_Others.htm Good luck to you and welcome to the Georgia Board. I see you are having your surgery at Emory. I am having mine at Emory also with Dr. Smith. I had all my pre-op testing last week, so if you have any questions let me know. Kelly S

Kelly, Thanks for the link, I am going to send this out to them so they can be educated about the surgery. Most of my sisters have high blood pressure, diabeties and heart problem. My wish for them is to do the same thing so they could be healthier. I haven't done any of my test, I only have until Feb. 27 to do the surgery before it is too late with my insurance. Hey, how you get the emotions icons? Thanks Denise

Denise: About the emoticons...when you are posting or replying, to the right of the box you type is a "Toolbar" section, there you can choose images to go in the title or message. It will show you what to type to get the resulting image. Kelly S

As with any surgery, there is pain, however, there is also medications for the pain. You will feel some discomfort for a while, but it is tolerable. Sorry to hear about your lack of family support. This is a very important decision for anyone to make and having made this decision, your family will most definately support you once you show them that this will happen with or without their support. I am sure they love you and only want what is best for you. They will come around. Good luck!

Christy, Thanks for the positive responds, you all are great! Denise

Hi Denise, Welcome to the Georgia board. The pain from this surgery was no worse than that of my back surgery at all. If you made it thru that, you'll be fine for this surgery. I was even back to work in 2 1/2 weeks if that gives you any indication. As for not having much support from your family, I'm sure most of that is from not knowing enough about the surgery. My mom was not very supportive about it when my sister was preparing for hers. Then she saw my best friend who had it done and saw how well she did, and how much healthier she was afterwards, and was much more in favor of it for my sister. By the time it got to me, she was all for it. If you know of someone who has had the surgery, and who has done really well, invite that person to see your family and let them see that it is not the end of the world, but that it will make you healthier and happier in your own life. (If I lived closer, I would volunteer) But most of all, explain to them the reason you want this surgery. I know for me it wasn't about vanity at all. It was about being able to get healthy enough to see my small children grow up and have some granchildren for me. I was so close to being put on insulin from my oral meds that it was scary. I begged my doctor to wait until sugery was over. Now I am taking no diabetic medication at all. Nor am I having to rely on my blood pressure meds, or the meds for reflux. It's all about getting healthy and being able to live a long and happy life. The getting skinny is the added extra bonus. Good Luck to you with your family, and with your surgery. I know you'll do fine. Heck, you've made it thru the hard part. You've already gotten insurance approval!!!! Susan Lap RNY 12-1-04 285-253-155

Susan, You only needed 2 1/2 weeks off from work? How much time did your doctor tell you will be needed? I was thinking 6 weeks? Thanks for everything, you all are wonderfull and I am glad I posted on the form. Denise

Hi Denise, I am sorry about the family support thing. My family was against it the first time I tried. The second time, they knew they weren't the ones who had to make the decision and decided to stand behind me. I will do what I can to help. Let me know when and where the test is and I will see if I can be there for you. At the moment, I don't see any reason I can't be. Just let me know. This board has the greatest people around on it. I am here any time you need me, day or night. Just yell. Welcome to the group.Hugs, Debra =^..^=