Newbie on board

Hi!  My name is Melissa, I'm 38 years old and I have just started looking into weightloss surgeries.  I have my first group meeting on December 4, 09 in Bangor.  My doctor is going to be Michelle Toder M.D.  I have heard and seen some good and bad results from the surgery but I have tried everything and nothing seems to work.  I always end up gaining back plus a little more.  My husband is kind of hesitant of this procedure, but he doesnt understand I have struggled a long time and want to have more choices in life and be HEALTHY and not considered obese.  I'm looking for any helpful hints, tips etc.  Thank you!  God Bless!

Hi  Melissa.   Welcome to the board.

Dr  Toder is  great and you will be in good hands.   If your husband is  your support person and  also gets educated with you that might help him understand and feel better.
None of us  go into this unless  we  realize that   this weight is going to  keep us very  unhealthy and  will lead to  an early demise..  I am thankful that i may have a great chance to be here to watch my grandchildren grow up.  

We  do understand  the losing and the gaining.   it is the pits.   the constant  hunger.  I am so  blessed to have had the good results and  so far  all my labs are normal and I am very happy. 

Take care and if you need anything    give us a shout..   I will be at the  support group that nite.   Give me a shout after the meeting or before .   It is also  a  clothes swap night 

HAVE A   wonderful journey and a great weekend.

PATTY Philbrook

Hi Melissa,

I had RNY with Dr. Huang a little over six months ago, I too have had no negative things from the surgery.  So far!  I feel very blessed to have my life back and I no longer have diabetes, or high blood pressure. My cholesterol was almost three hundred and now it's half that.  I can exercise again and shop without my back hurting.

My husband was more than hesitant, but I for once I put my foot down and said that I was doing this for me, not him and he could either support me or be my ex-husband.  It was his choice.  He's still here and now we exercise together every day and its great.

Good luck,
Kelly

Welcome Melissa, please feel free to ask any questions! We might just have an answer or experience! Good luck on your journey!

Welcome Melissa!   Congrats on taking this first step to a healthier you!  This is a huge decision to make and we've been there and know that feeling!  I've had a few issues along the way, but NOTHING would make me give back my RNY!  I'd have it done again tomorrow if I needed to!  There is nothing like getting rid of the diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure!  Feel free to ask any questions you might have!  Some of us are further out than others, but everyone is very friendly and helpful around here!  Join in!!!!!!!!

Hi!  I have a few questions that I would love to get everyone's opinion on.  I have thin hair now and I have read that with this surgery expect to loose hair.  However, my thin hair could be because I'm on a low dose of blood pressure medicine with a duritec, I also have throid problems and take synthroid. So..One that is making me a little hesitant.. And two I'm not a person that likes to get sick. What are the first few weeks like after surgery etc.   

Hi Melissa, welcome to OH. THe program at EMMC is wonderful. You will learn a lot at the group meeting and go home with a notebook filled with information.

The few weeks after surgery are not so much about feeling sick as they were for me being tired and feeling like someone kicked me in the stomach. IF you follow the program, eat slowly, chew, chew chew and take spoonsfuls at first you will do fine. Mostly people get into trouble when the over eat, don't chew food completely or eat too fast. Then you're in for stomach distress and possible vomiting. The good thing is that your pouch is very small- the size of an elongated walnut and when you get sick it isn't the volume you used to have with a regular stomach- also not the acid either.

Dr Toder is wonderful! She did my RNY and emergency intestinal blockage surgery and also DH's RNY. Would we do it again.... in a heartbeat. We are healthier, on much less medications and will live long lives to see our grandkids grow up.