THANK YOU!

Kelley, Theresa and Casey, Thanks so much for the kind words of encouragement. Man, it seems I get myself more nervous when I'm on this site. I read statements like "blood clots are deadly" and I feel such dispair and fright. Surely I know the risks, and I also know the reality of me and weight loss, I know I need this surgery.... I just can't wait for the day when I can openly read/write of the risks without my stomach turning and being so scared. I do have positive moments though! I've had three C-sections, so I know I'll get though this too.... I remind myslef of the good things...better health, more ENERGY, comfort, and an extra 10 years to my life ......not to mention getting in and out of the bathtub without having to be "greased" out.......for me humor helps the fear!! Thanks again everyone...

Lauren, I am just as nervous as you are girl!! We don't have all that much waiting left. I figure once Thanksgiving is over, the rest of the year is always a blur. It should go by quickly. I have only had a tubal before this. No other surgeries in my life. My family is showing a lot of support. It seems they hadn't much until I got my surgery date. (I think they may have thought i was bluffing. heh heh). Anyways I am off to Bangor. My niece is getting married. We are coming back tonight. It will be a quick trip. Don't feel much up for it but oh well!! Take Care All.. Kell

Lauren, You are quite welcome. Anytime you have a question or just need some reassurance holler! I can tell you being WELL informed and knowing all there is to know is SO much better than turning a blind eye to the truth. It can only help you to know that blood clots can be deadly- do the leg pump and use your sequencials in the hospital, continue to do leg pumps at home. Knowing that blood clots can make it to your lungs can only help you- use your incentive spirometer in the hospital, if it makes you feel better do it at home too, I did. As far as the death part goes I kept in mind that I could die falling in the tub or going out in our car. So think that this is just another risk to add to the list of risks you take on a daily basis. I went into the hospital the morning of my surgery thinking 'oh ya this will breeze by' and you know what? It did. I was scared, sad, in pain and a bunch of other things but it was over in a flash. I hadn't ever had a stitch let alone a major surgery so you can imagine my fear. My only hospital experience was having our son, that was easy enough even though I was in labor for 36 HOURS!! lol So if you've had c-c-sections you'll have a lot more of an idea of what to expect than what I did. There are WAY, WAY too many good things to think about! EVERYTHING has been SOOO much better for me...I'm no longer embarrassed of myself, I don't walk around in public with my head down anymore, I don't apologize for taking up an aisle-because I no longer do, I can look at myself in the mirror and finally recognize my reflection, bathing-housework-yardwork-walking-dressing-shaving my legs-just sitting doesn't involve pain or profuse sweating, I can go to the Y and enjoy my workout, sex is great, we can save on the grocery bill, I can sit in our car and not feel cramped, our son can now get through life without the possible ridicule of having a "fat" mom, visiting family (2hours away) doesn't seem like such a chore, and so many other things I could go on and on but I'm sure you get what I mean. Think about the YOU that YOU can be AGAIN. Forget this "new me" stuff that I hear, I think I had said it myself before but now I realize it's not about being someone "new" for me it has been getting back to the me I was all those years ago. I haven't weighed under 150lbs in at least 10 years. So it is a wild ride, no doubt about that but it's well worth all the scary feelings, happiness and pain. Have I blabbed to long? lol Don't worry things will be just fine! ~Casey

Yup I agree with Casey(AGAIN!!) You have had 3 c-sections, as I have, and know what basically happens when they are preparing you for surgery. That part right there makes it all easier. I will say that things went MUCH faster for my RNY then it did for any of the c-sections, well cept for the 1st one which was an emergency. The morning of wls I was all set to go, they said it would be a few minutes but they were going to give me something to make me a bit drowsey. That is all I remember till waking up as they were rolling the bed into my room. First thing out of my mouth was "what a great room." Not sure why I said that, cept the shape was sorta cool. I really liked how fast things moved once you went "out back". I did have to wait a bit after signing in and getting into my johny, but DH was with me so it was nothing, I think I worried about him more then myself. I think most of us wives do that. We are all behind you Lauren! If you need anything one or ALL of us are here for you sista!!! hugsss Theresa Open RNY 7/15/03 235/184/140