Lurker comes forward...

Hi All-- I am a long-time lurker on this site and after posting a few times, thought I would introduce myself. I am scheduled for RNY on December 6th at Creighton Hospital in Omaha, Ne with Dr. Sudan. I am so excited, but recently have started having twinges of nervousness, especially when getting my will together. I am 35 and an R.N. at my local hospital. I do Cardiac Rehab and work in OR/ER. When I started in CR, my eyes were opened to the fact that your heart can cause problems at any age, health status, etc. There was a patient my age, but much healthier and exercised way more than I did, and he had a massive MI...I have twin 2-year-old girls and am doing this not only for me, but for them. I want to see them grow-up and do not want the other children to tell them they have a "fat Mom". I have been heavy since my mom and dad got divorced my senior year of high school and have continually packed on the pounds, unfortunately, I LOVE food. I have tried numerous weight loss programs, with some success, then back to old routines. I am extremely scared of the same thing happening a couple years out, just have to do it and try my very best. If anyone has any suggestions, thoughts, etc regarding the surgery, please let me know, all advice welcome. Feel like I know most of you through reading your posts, but would love to meet with you guys next summer, if invited. Melinda

Welcome~glad to see another lurker step forward!!! We would love to meet you next summer, everyone who wants to meet is invited! Where is Clariden?? I am assuming it is close to Omaha? If that is the case, I am about as far from you as you can get.....lol!!! I am on the mississippi river on the border of wisconsin and illinois! I too have twins daughters, one of the biggest reason for my getting surgery too, mine are 5 now! Then I also have a 3 year old daughter! We have another great gal on here who has two year old twins.......Deb Paul from DesMoines, but hers are boy girl! Well again welcome aboard! We are a great bunch here! Take Care and keep us updated! Jesi

Welcome aboard I'm a mom of twin boys now 28 yrs old & daughter that is 12 going on 20 something! I'm east of Sioux City so not that far away from you. I suffered a mild heart attack, thankfully no damage, last Christmas. This put my surgery on hold for 3 months. It can happen to anyone! Keep us updated on what's going on with you. If you have any questions or concerns please ask away that's what we are here for And about next summer, you betcha you're invited!! Carolyn

Hi Melinda-- I admit that for the most part I have been a lurker too until recently. I understand your concerns in regard to heart problems. My mother had a double bypass at the age of 51, her brother died of massive heart attack at 54 and her mother of the same at age 56. None of them were morbidly obese and I am with a BMI over 45 and I am thinking to myself that I am a ticking timebomb. Talk about a wake up call. That is when I decided to take action... I want to be there for my children as well (I have 3). I think we all share that underlying fear. I am so glad that you decided to post. Welcome and please keep us updated.... Sherri

Hey TM This must be the week for lurkers to come out, because I admit I'm one of them also. Been 'surfing' this web site for about a year and a half now. Finally decided to 'buck' up, as others have put it, and talk to my PCP. I have 3 children and want to be around to see their grandchildren, so I know how you feel. I'm not only doing this for myself but mainly for my kids and my health. I've been overweight all my life and I'm ready to be a 'loser' in a good way. My mother has diabetes, high blood pressure and had a stroke at age 59 and a quadruple by-pass at age 64 and has also had a couple more heart attacks since then. I don't wanna be where my mom is in 33 years. Don't want to have the same feelings that she has about not being able to help with her grandchildren, I watch her cry because she can't be more active with them. So I've prayed and I feel that this is something that not only I want done but needs to be done! It's nice to have support from people who understand instead of those who have never had to battle weight! I'm newly married and we both vowed on our wedding day to take care of ourselves so we could be together for a very long time. He's started taking care of his blood pressure so it's my turn to take care of me. So from one to another Welcome from what I've seen it's really great and 99% of the people will give you nothing but support and praise I LOVE IT!!! God Bless you and best wishes.. Tracie