Surgery is one week away
Hi everyone...my name is Michele and I am scheduled to have my RNY surgery next wednesday at GBMC with Dr. Moen. What to say....I started this journey back in May weighing in at 276lbs. Since then I have seen the scale top out at 285. I have also ran (jog maybe? but not walk....it was a jog.) my first 5k....which was something I had been attempting for 2 years!
My father had the surgery back in 2001 (but it was so new back then!) and it was a huge success. But other than my father, I am the first of my friends to have any sort of WLS. I have the friends that support me and those who don't and those who say they do....but they already voiced their concerns so now I don't know if I can really ever believe they support me. I find this to be the hardest part. I count on my friends and family for so much of my support in life.....
I am already expecting the worst so that I will be pleasantly suprised when things aren't so bad. Right now I am envisioning myself feeling very lonely over the next months. Depressed at times because I am not used to the changes my body is going through. At times emotional....wanting to just get passed the first month of the unknowns. Not knowing which protien shakes I will like after surgery, not knowing how I will handle milk products, not knowing what will make me sick. But i know that in the end.....everything I am about to go through will be worth it.
Is it natural for me to be feeling this way?
I welcome all comments and words of advice from those who have "been there, done that."
My father had the surgery back in 2001 (but it was so new back then!) and it was a huge success. But other than my father, I am the first of my friends to have any sort of WLS. I have the friends that support me and those who don't and those who say they do....but they already voiced their concerns so now I don't know if I can really ever believe they support me. I find this to be the hardest part. I count on my friends and family for so much of my support in life.....
I am already expecting the worst so that I will be pleasantly suprised when things aren't so bad. Right now I am envisioning myself feeling very lonely over the next months. Depressed at times because I am not used to the changes my body is going through. At times emotional....wanting to just get passed the first month of the unknowns. Not knowing which protien shakes I will like after surgery, not knowing how I will handle milk products, not knowing what will make me sick. But i know that in the end.....everything I am about to go through will be worth it.
Is it natural for me to be feeling this way?
I welcome all comments and words of advice from those who have "been there, done that."
Good luck to as you begin this life changing journey. I am only 3 weeks out so I am still learning. My advice to you is to follow what your doctor says. After surgery remember to sip sip often so you don't become dehydrated. Oh the one thing I would say to bring to the hospital with you is chap stick, I woke up with my mouth and lips so dry and it really helps.
Linda
Linda
Hi Michele,
I haven't "been there, done that" yet but I wanted to respond to your post. Everyone says that this entire process is going to take you on an emotional roller coaster.
I saw one person compare WLS to breaking up with a boyfriend. You know it's going to upset you...you're going to have good days and you're going to have bad days. You will hurt for a while because you are leaving what has been familiar and comfortable behind. BUT...
it IS for the best. You will eventually get over it. You will learn to live without it. You will make the adjustments that are necessary. And you will be happier in the end.
I hope everything works out for you and me...:-)
I haven't "been there, done that" yet but I wanted to respond to your post. Everyone says that this entire process is going to take you on an emotional roller coaster.
I saw one person compare WLS to breaking up with a boyfriend. You know it's going to upset you...you're going to have good days and you're going to have bad days. You will hurt for a while because you are leaving what has been familiar and comfortable behind. BUT...
it IS for the best. You will eventually get over it. You will learn to live without it. You will make the adjustments that are necessary. And you will be happier in the end.
I hope everything works out for you and me...:-)
Follow me on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/seelessofme22
HW - 311; SW - 296; CW - 191; 1st GW - 190; 2nd GW - 180?
"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success."
HW - 311; SW - 296; CW - 191; 1st GW - 190; 2nd GW - 180?
"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success."
Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I know exactly how you feel. I went through the same thing. I really didn't find any support from my friends and family. Well, except my husband he was wonderful supportive from the moment I decided to go ahead with the surgery. What I quickly realized was that I depended on this site to get most of the support I needed. I met some wonderful people in person and others that I didn't meet in person that gave me the best support ever.
Remember to always take it day by day. It is a slow process getting back to feeling normal again. It took me about 6 to 7 weeks to feel great. I tried lots of protein shakes and the only one I tolerate well (taste) is the one from walmart Body Fortress vanilla flavor. It's inexpensive and it does it's job! It's $15 for an almost 2 pound jug. Do not goi crazy buying jugs of expensive protein powders. Go to vitalady.com and get samples to try them out. Your tastes buds will be very different for the first 2 months post op so don't invest because you will end up giving it away or just getting rid of them.
Remember to sip sip sip, walk, walk & walk and take it very easy eating. The drinking before & after rule and etc. If there is any questions that you liked answered please do not hesitate to post it here or just sent me a message.
Take care and wishing you an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery.
Cira
Remember to always take it day by day. It is a slow process getting back to feeling normal again. It took me about 6 to 7 weeks to feel great. I tried lots of protein shakes and the only one I tolerate well (taste) is the one from walmart Body Fortress vanilla flavor. It's inexpensive and it does it's job! It's $15 for an almost 2 pound jug. Do not goi crazy buying jugs of expensive protein powders. Go to vitalady.com and get samples to try them out. Your tastes buds will be very different for the first 2 months post op so don't invest because you will end up giving it away or just getting rid of them.
Remember to sip sip sip, walk, walk & walk and take it very easy eating. The drinking before & after rule and etc. If there is any questions that you liked answered please do not hesitate to post it here or just sent me a message.
Take care and wishing you an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery.
Cira
I am who I am and accept my feelings wholeheartedly.
Those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind.
Cira 249/144.0 current/goal 154/ 5'3" 10 lbs below my Dr's goal
Hi Michele! I am having RNY surgery at GBMC on December 20th. I recognize you from the waiting room at COMP and I am a 23 year old female who also lives in Nottingham. I'm in the Perry Hall area. I am feeling a lot of the same feelings as you, but I just keep reminding myself that all of these changes will be worth it in the end when I am happier & healthier. It would be nice to have someone who is going through the same thing for support if you ever wanted to talk, get together, exercise, etc. let me know!
Good luck with your surgery this week!
Good luck with your surgery this week!
Hi there!
I would love to go through this journey with you :) Like you, I could have had the surgery in oCTOBER, but I waited until December because I had a huge work event to go through.
Do you live by yourself? Or with family? I am all by myself, but my mother is going to stay with me for a few days post op. In some ways I am so happy that I live by myself. Last night I got rid of all the leftover food that i will not be able to eat for a few months. It is nice to not have to worry about other sin the house. I can truly focus on just me.
It's crazy that we have been going through this for so long. Back in May, December seemed like it was years away....and here we are! I am so excited to start my new beginning! I have to work tomorrow, but I took off Tuesday. I and heading up to the spa on the avenue and treating myself to a day of pampering to get my mind off the next day. Massage, facial, mani and pedi...bring it on!
Hop eto hear from you soon!
I would love to go through this journey with you :) Like you, I could have had the surgery in oCTOBER, but I waited until December because I had a huge work event to go through.
Do you live by yourself? Or with family? I am all by myself, but my mother is going to stay with me for a few days post op. In some ways I am so happy that I live by myself. Last night I got rid of all the leftover food that i will not be able to eat for a few months. It is nice to not have to worry about other sin the house. I can truly focus on just me.
It's crazy that we have been going through this for so long. Back in May, December seemed like it was years away....and here we are! I am so excited to start my new beginning! I have to work tomorrow, but I took off Tuesday. I and heading up to the spa on the avenue and treating myself to a day of pampering to get my mind off the next day. Massage, facial, mani and pedi...bring it on!
Hop eto hear from you soon!
Also, to the poster who asked about COMP...I've had a very good experience with them dealing with the whole WLS process. I had my first appointment in April and like I said in the last post, am scheduled to have my surgery in one week on December 20th. I could have had the surgery as soon as October, but I had to wait for my school semester to be over. Of course I have experienced a few common things you deal with at doctor's offices- occasional mix up's where phone calls don't get returned right away or the office is backed up for your appointment time. But generally I would say it has been a very good experience. If I had to do it over again, I would still go through GBMC for WLS.
I live with my family. It has its positives but also its drawbacks. Its going to be hard having tempting foods in the house. I wish I lived alone so I could just get rid of all the food that isn't RNY friendly! But it is also great having people around who support me to help through this process. Although my friends are also very supportive of my decision to go through with the surgery, its hard for them to relate because none of them are overweight. And no one really understands this journey unless they have been through it.
Thats a great idea to go pamper yourself on Tuesday! Tomorrow I have my endoscopy and it marks one wee****il my surgery- which is making me very anxious. I'm trying to focus my energy on other things, but i'm so excited that it makes it very hard. I finished up shopping today getting lots of food and proteins to get me through the first few weeks post surgery. I can't believe after my endoscopy tomorrow that the pre-op phase is going to be finished! Like you said, December seemed so far away but now here we are so close to surgery!
Thats a great idea to go pamper yourself on Tuesday! Tomorrow I have my endoscopy and it marks one wee****il my surgery- which is making me very anxious. I'm trying to focus my energy on other things, but i'm so excited that it makes it very hard. I finished up shopping today getting lots of food and proteins to get me through the first few weeks post surgery. I can't believe after my endoscopy tomorrow that the pre-op phase is going to be finished! Like you said, December seemed so far away but now here we are so close to surgery!
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