Approved and Nervous!

Melissa:

Welcome to the Maryland board.  I travel to the Eastern Shore often as I have family and friends there.  Nervous and excited is the only way to describe your upcoming WLS.  And, yes, people have died from this surgery, but people have died from other surgeries as well, including routine surgeries.  The risk of being obese far outweighs your risk of this surgery.  I am down 122 pounds since my surgery in May 2009.  I feel great and am enjoying the opportunity to wear a size 14 instead of a size 24!  All the best to you.  

Wow!!! 122 pounds? That's great!!! I hope to join you all on the losers bench!! I'm so excited. As my surgery gets closer, I will keep you updated!!! :)

Melissa

Hi Melissa and welcome! I just had my surgery on May 6th with Dr. Kligman at UMMC and I am down 45 lbs since and I feel great. You won't give a flip about what any of the haters say once you start losing and you are feeling good inside and out. It's hard for them to make their remarks when you are shedding pounds like crazy and feeling great. In fact, they may even change their tune. I think unsupportive comments usually come from a place of fear or uncertainty. But whatever it is, it's THEIR fear and uncertainty...you know what you want! You've made the decision. I don't regret mine one tiny bit, Best of luck to you! Can't wait to hear how you made it through! Don't forget to walk walk walk after surgery! Tell Noel that you are trying to beat Laura Lee's 5 mile post surgery walking record! lol! She will laugh. She thinks I'm nuts and she's probably right! The walking helps with the pain and the gas though...I can't stress that enough. Good luck!

Wow. . .Laura!!! You're doing awesome!!! I'm so glad things are going well for you. Yes, I do have the fear of the unknown. Not knowing what's going to happen and how my body is going to adjust after surgery. I'm sure I'll be just fine. At least that's what I keep telling myself! Yes, I will tell Noel that I'm going to beat your 5 mile post surgery!! lol :) Thanks for the encouragement and I'll be sure to not let people get under my skin!! Keep in touch!!! :)

Hey Melissa and congratulations this is such a great decision you've made to take control of the horrible disease of obesity.

There are so many possible responses to the haters.  Frankly, I don't even bother responding - I understand that they are coming from a place of ignorance for the most part.  (There are another whole group of haters - people who love or are close to you and are truly afraid - but that's about them.)  Alternatively, you can say to them - if you had cancer and the only way to cure it was by some surgical procedure would you not do it because some people die during surgery?  It all depends on how you frame it.  If you read anything in the newspapers they all know that obesity is a leading cause of death in America. 

Once you have the surgery and you are losing weight and all your health issues are falling by the way side - it's amazing how the negativity will drop off.  What is that old saying?  Living a great life is the best revenge.

Ok I am rambling - best of luck.  Prepare yourself for the journey of a life time.

Thank you very much Russel!!! I'm trying to mentally prepare myself and get well organized before the surgery. I believe if I educate myself on everything I should be prepared for anything unexpected! Thanks again and I will keep in touch! :)

Hey Mel make sure they give you the initial gooney googoo drug before you go to the operating room oh and nausea meds whether you need it or not better to be safe than sorry. Also ask the doc to try an push most of the gas back out of you before they close and believe me they did that to me last time and I didn't have any trouble with gas at all and please post alot if you have any questions we are all here for you. Have a great 4th.

Thank you very much for the advice!!! I will make sure I do all of the above. I really appreciate it. You guys are wonderful.  Enjoy your weekend and Happy 4th!!!!