54 HOURS TO GO

54 HOURS TO GO BEFORE I HAVE THE SURGERY. IAM SO WIRED UP RIGHT NOW CANT SLEEP. IN A SHORT TIME IAM TO HAVE THE SURGERY THAT IS TO HELP ME LOSE WEIGHT. EATING HAS BEEN A FREIND A LONG TIME. I KNOW I HAVE TO LOSE THE WEIGHT OR I WONT GET WELL FROM ALL THE MEDICAL PROBLEMS IAM HAVING DUE TO THE WEIGHT. THE QUESTION I HAVE IS WHY DO WE AS PEOPLE HAVE TO BE HIT UP SIDE THE HEAD BEFORE WE SEE THE LIGHT? ITS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I BECAME WORRIED ABOUT MY WEIGHT. WE PUT OTHERS FIRST AND WE CAN TRY AND JUSTIFTY ALOT. BUT IS SEEMS WHEN WE CANT DO IT ANY MORE.WE NEED THE HELP OF FREINDS, COWORKERS,& FAMILY TO GET THREW ALL OF THIS. BUT WE THINK WE CAN DO ALL. BUT WE CANT. JUST WAS WANDERING IF THERE ARE OTHERS WHO SEE IT THAT WAY? WELL BETTER SEE IF I CAN GET SOME SLEEP . HAVE ONE DAY OF WORK BEFORE THE BIG DAY. THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE EMAIL & WRITTEN HERE. WLFRIEND FOR A NEW LIFE,GILDA

Hi Gilda: Looks like we are both late night people. I remember all the aprehension (sp?) the week before my surgery. There were so many thoughts going through my head. I guess at some point we have to stop questioning and just do, I was really scared, but for me, I knew in my heart it was a good choice. I was determined to succeed and success so sweet on the loosing side. Good luck the next couple of days. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Eileen

Gina, I am so glad you have finally put yourself first! I agree and I do the same thing, where I always think about others and their needs before I take care of me. That changed when the doctor said "You won't be there to take care of anyone when you die from being obese!" WOW, did that ever wake me up. I have to remember every day that I cannot do anything for others if I don't take care of myself first! So, I made a huge life altering choice and had WLS and this entire summer is about me getting healthy! It has been a fantastic journey, and I am so glad I did it. I had surgery on June 2, 2004 and I can already do so many things I haven't been able to do for years. For example: 1. I can sit in the bathtub and shave my legs (all by myself) and breath at the same time! 2. I can walk up the 3 flights of stairs at my school without resting (yes, I still breath hard, but it feels good!) 3. I am wearing a XL (18/20) instead of 2X or 3X (24). 4. I am starting to feel sexy again. (This makes my husband VERY happy) 5. I am starting to feel like a worth while person who deserves to be healthy and happy. This list could go on. I do have to say many of the mental changes have come from being involved with these boards. I am learning to love myself enough to put me first and then I will be able to take better care of others. God Bless you and good luck, we will see you on the losing side! TTFN Jackie

OMG, GILDA!, I am so sorry I typed your name wrong . I can read and I can type (but not so good today!) Please forgive me! TTFN Jackie

DEAR JACKIE, DONT GIVE IT A SECOND THOUGHT I HAVE HAD MY NAME SPELLED MANY WAY. I UNDERSTAND. WELL GOT TO GO TO WORK . WELL TALK LATER. GILDA PS. JUST THINK OF GILDA RADNER,HAHAHA

Gilda, My dear friends on here have kinda said it all already. We so often put others before us. I have said several times that I feel so very selfish since this surgery. I now focus on what I need to do - eat right (meaning that the family eats right, as well), - exercise (meaning that the family may have to get breakfast themselves if I'm not back from my 4 mile walk by the time they wake up - keep in touch with others for support via monthly support group meetings, this site, e-mail and phone calls, (which means that hubby has the kids when I need to be gone). Now, the way I look at it is that the benefits way outweigh the costs! I am able to play with my kids, be more active, do more things around the house, etc. Not to mention the increased fun that I can have with hubby!!! It is all worth it! It will be worth it for you, too. Know that prayers are going out for you on your big day. God bless, Andrea