The Journey Begins?

Hello Everyone! Just an introduction! My dr recommended WLS yesterday. I was shocked. I know I'm obese, but come on, I can't be THAT obese, can I? (very distorted body image, I know). We've talked about my weight before, but she never mentioned WLS before. I think she is right, and I've agreed to a consultation with a surgeon. She said it may be months before I get in. Here are some of my concerns. Any advice you can give will be more than welcome. I have an uncle who is a member here. He's about 9 months post-op, and insanely happy. I guess I need to see that he's the rule, not the exception. 1. I can't imagine being happy at a party, etc without being able to eat whatever I see/want. How do you deal with this? 2. Do you find that the rest of your life is so much better, you just don't care about the food anymore? 3. Surgery doesn't scare me at all, (I've had plenty), but after does. How were the first few months? 4. Most importantly, now that you're on this side of it, if you had to go back, would you do it again? Anything you would change? I appreciate your help. Also any info on the center at MMC. There is a great looking place in Boston, but can I really commit to that trip weekly? Here's to you! Jeannie (J-Wo)

Hi Jeannie, I'm all most two months out from my surgery. I have lost all most 50 LB. I was lucky enough not to have any complications. To answer your questions for myself. 1. I have eaten in restaurants, I have brought food home and it feels good that I don't have to clean my plate. I went to my Daughters birthday party and was able to eat some fat free clam dip. For me, it's not the food that is the priority. I didn't feel that I was being deprived because I couldn't have any ice cream cake. I thought, before the surgery that food would be the biggest issue. I find that it isn't. It's me. I have learned, through this process, that I DO have control over how much food that I do eat. I DO have control how I want to live my life. You see, I want to be able to see my grandchildren grow up. I have found that food did control me. I would have different comfort foods for different things. Scary for me, to figure that out. 2. It's not the fact that I don't care about food, it's the fact that I have more awareness of what food to put in my body. I'm reading labels more and have more insight into what I need to do so I don't go back to the other me. I feel that I'm healthier now then I was before. I do care more about food now then I did before. I appreciate the food more now then I did before. 3. My surgery went well, I've had plenty of them to. 95% were obesity related. Which I didn't realize until now. Any who, I have more energy, which I noticed the first day that I came home from the hospital. Didn't realize how tiring it was carrying all of the weight around. I feel good all day, I walk, ride my stationary bike, watch my grandchildren, and am working part-time. I feel now, that I have a better quality of life and I'm only 2 months out. I can't imagine what it will be like in a year. I'm all ready having to dig out my smaller size clothing. It' s wonderful. 4. I would never want to go back. I've been fighting my weight all of my life, ridiculed, poked fun at when I was growing up. I was on the first diet pill, which was speed, in the 60's. I have been called everything and now I feel that I can be the real me. I wouldn't change a thing, I feel that this is my journey and I need to go where I need to go. I'm not a religious person, but I am spiritual and I truly believe that things do happen for a reason. I needed to go through what I needed to learn more about me. I know that this is not for everyone, how deep you want to go, is up to you. I know for me, this has been a life-changing event that I'm learning more then if I was to change anything else from my past. I don't know first hand about MMC, I only know that EMMC, I had Dr. O'Connor, for me, she was the most caring and considerate surgeon that I have ever met. EMMC is geared for bariatric surgery and they have a great program. They taught me about dieting, exercise, what food does do and the support is just terrific. The biggest plus was the 3 ring binder that has all of the information in it and I can look up anything. I hope MMC has the same kind of program. It does help to have the educationa and support. Also, support from family and friends is also important. I use to be a loner, for obvious reasons, but now, I have my family's support and friends. One last thing. This surgery has a social stigma to it. People, everyday people, think that this surgery is a cop out from doing the work that needs to be done to lose weight. It isn't. This surgery is more work then anyone can ever imagine. My best friend, who I grew up with, says that there is more to this then any other weight loss program that she and I have ever done. We feel that this is not extreme but a new lease on a life that we have suffered and struggled with all of our lives. By the way, she started out at size 22, she is now at size 8. She can rider her Harley with no physical problems any more. She is 54 yrs. old. NOw, that is the life.!! That is what I want to get to. I do have my motorcycle license and want to get back to riding again. Linda

Hi Linda! Thank you for your response. The more stories I read here, the more I want this TODAY! I've been overweight all of my life. I've never been under a size 14 as an adult (and at that weight I thought I was fat...now at a size 26, I'm in denial, and think I can't be that big) I don't know if I'd ever be a size 8 because of my frame, but wouldn't I like to try. I've done weigh****chers, overeaters anonymous, been to therapy, joined gyms, nothing sticks. Nothing works long term. I became a vegetarian for health reasons about 5 months ago. Lost 15 lbs in the first month, and have been stagnant since. I am hypothyroid, but know that doesn't really make one 255lbs. My uncle had this done about 9 months ago. He's lost about 130 lbs. He has a girlfriend for the first time I can remember since I was a kid. I've never heard so much energy in him. He's coming up here (he lives in FL) for the weekend, and I can't wait to pick his brain about it all. My grandfather had this in about 1982. I remember we were all so scared. It was not very common back then. I remember seeing him shrink before my eyes. I would love to shrink like that. He had a lot of complications, but the surgery hadn't been perfected then. It's come a long way now. Back then it was just the operation, and you're on your own. Now there's so much support surrounding the operation, that I don't think it's quite so scary. Your answers about food sound great. I know I let food control me, I just can't stop it. I've also had issues making myself exercise, but I really think if the weight started coming off, it would be motivating. Plus, if the weight's coming off, I'd do anything not to end up with super flabby arms (I mean even more flabby than they are now :-) ) My PCP has recommended another counselor. I don't have high hopes for it, but will do it so my insurance company knows I'm trying everything. She's also sent my referral to the surgeon. I hear it can be a couple of months before the first appt. I hope it's not too terribly long. I want to get the process started. Thanks again for the support. Congratulations on the success, and on accomplishing the hard work. Jeannie

Here are some of the answers to some of your questions. 1. I have been to a couple different functions and you can do a couple different things. First you have to change the mindset of going for the food and go to enjoy the people you are with. Then the food - Eat before you go, pack a cooler and keep it in the car, if it is pot luck bring something that you would enjoy and can eat, and ask the host/hostess what they will be serving. I have not gone any place where there has not been anything I could not eat. 2. I have found that the quality of my life is much better and I don't ever really feel hungry so food is not an issue any longer. Once you get the food issues under control everything else just falls into place. Don't get me wrong I crave things just as much as the next guy but I have commited to loosing this weight and keeping it off so I spend time looking for alternatives to my cravings. 3. I left the hospital the day after my surgery at 5:00PM. I had my surgery on 3/13/06 at 7:30 AM and was able to leave the hospital 3/14/06 at 10:00AM but I had to wait for Rodney to come and get me after work. There was some pain for the first week or so but since then it has been smooth sailing. It also depends on your pain tolerance; I have a very high pain tolerance and refused to take the pain meds after 3/15/06. 4. I would do it a thousand times over. I can not think of anything I would have changed; it was a great experience for me. As far as I am concerned MMC is the best place to go. The nursing staff is wonderful and very helpful. Besides if you should need emergency care 45 minutes to drive is much better than a couple of hours. Do your research before having WLS done because there are a lot of options and you need to make sure that your heart & soul is in this or it will not work. Remember WLS is a tool and not a quick fix, it is a lot of work.