I'm very nervous!!! Please help!!:-(

I am currently waiting for approval from my insurance. I don't think there will be a problem getting the gastric bypass approved though. However, I am very nervous about my decision. I have been overweight most of my life and I too have tried EVERYTHING to lose weight, only to gain more back. I want to feel better, look better, and be able to enjoy my life. I'm just very apprehensive about taking such a permenant approach. I would love to hear from all of you about your experience with gastric bypass, good and bad. I just don't know what to expect. I am also currently attending college and I don't know how the surgery will affect my attendence. If anyone can give me any advice please do! Thank you so much!! Tracy

Hi Tracy, I am sure that you have been told that no one can make that type of decision for you. But in saying that I will tell you about my surgery. I had my surgery almost 7 months ago. I work full time doing data entry. I was off work 2 weeks and in the hospital for 3 days. I really think that the reason for all of that is the fact that I made the nurses get me out of bed the night folowing my afternoon surgery, and then I got up 2 to 3 times a day while in the hospital. I always usw that breathing machine while i was in the hospital and somewhat after. My enegry did not come back so fast. for about 9 weeks all i could do was to go to work and come home and sleep. But age has a play in your energy also. I am 49 years old. I did get sick a couple of times but that was me trying to rush myself into regular food. For some reason I got sick on meat and to this day I am not real crazy about it. Well I hope that this helps you. And good luck with your surgery. Delia

Hey Tracy! Congratulations on you HUGE decision!! This is the most incredible journey and it's also a journey filled with trials and errors =). I had surgery 3 years, 4 months and 3 days ago!! Would I do it over?? You bet, and every year if I had to. This is like a dream come true, BUT IT IS NOT A CURE!!! This surgery is a tool, I have to work this tool very hard to maintain my weight loss. I have had some regain and it's a struggle to get back on track, but nothing like the struggles I had before surgery. I eat just about anything I want but I choose to never ever touch sugar or anything that has over 5 grams of sugar per serving. I am very very wary of carbs, particularly white carbs and I choose to follow the SouthBeach Diet (maintenance phase). If I go up a couple pounds, I know which carbs to cut and I do so. I still use protein supplements, because I like them, they are what I use for snacks between my 3 meals a day. Surgery itself is a BIG deal. I had no complications but, it was a good 6 weeks before I felt recovered. I had open rny, I chose open over lap--personal decision. I never ever get sick unless I eat too fast or I eat foods that are too high in sugar (even natural sugar) content. I don't feel limited or restricted in my choices, and I enjoy a large variety of foods. I have personally chosen to avoid all dairy products and I do not drink any soda. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to email me and we can chat. Best wishes hon! (((Hugs)))) and smiles =))) deb

Hi Tracy, I had lap RNY on March 15th, 2004. I am almost 23 weeks out and have lost 106.3 lbs. I cannot tell you how great I feel. I don't lay around any more, I am out doing and going! I have pics posted in my profile. You can also check out a yahoo group I belong to it is wls midwest. I have another pic posted there. I was at a 28-30 and now can wear some 18's, 16's, and I just bought a skort that was a size 14. I researched the surgery for over three years. It was the best decision I have ever made. I still cannot eat a lot of meat, no sugar, and I have at least one protein drink a day, mostly at breakfast time, as I am not a big breakfast eater. I only eat three meals a day, maybe one snack. The hardest thing for me is getting my 64 oz of fluid in. I am very busy at work, and don't take the time to sip, sip, sip!!!! Good luck in your decision, if you need someone to talk to , you can email me. Sherry