Friday ......and I here ..where is everyone else

Hey group... Let's rock and roll this wonderful day... Thought I would put a challenge out there for all of you.... TELL WHICH YOU ARE: PRE-OP (or Thinking About Surgery) POST OPS What made you decide to have surgery? Who are your two strongest supporters? What is your ultimate weight loss goal? What scares (scared) you the most about the surgery? What joys do you think will come (have come) your way because of the surgery? Have you every been teased about your weight? What did it make you feel like? If you could encourage one person about t his surgery what would you say? Do you attend a support group? If so where? If not WHY NOT? Who was your surgeon? Where did you have your surgery? What did you think about the hospital? What did you think about the doctor's staff? What did you think about the hospital staff? How many days were you in the hospital? What type of surgery did you have? I thought this might start the board rocking and rolling and help us to get to know one another a little better. So I will start: What made you decide to have surgery? To save my life and have a second chance at better and healthier life Who are your two strongest supporters? My best friend Liz and my baby brother David and also E~~ What is your ultimate weight loss goal? To be under 200 pounds What scares (scared) you the most about the surgery? All the hooror stories that other people told me about who never had the surgery. You try not to listen but it still scares you. What joys do you think will come (have come) your way because of the surgery? I feel like a new person...a person who is in reality one less person (135 pounds is like a whole person being gone) Have you every been teased about your weight? Many times, and unfortunately it is still happening....I still have 100 pounds more to go. What did it make you feel like? That I was an awful person, but in reality, I have learned that it is the person teasing that is the awful person...not ME.... If you could encourage one person about this surgery what would you say? I simple would say, If I COULD I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN...IN A HEARTBEAT Do you attend a support group? YES, DePaul Hospital, St. Louis. (its the best) If so where? If not WHY NOT? Who was your surgeon? Dr. Van Wagner Where did you have your surgery? St. Alexius Hospital What did you think about the hospital? Being an older hospital, I was a little apprenhensive, but I guess I was lucky because my best friend works there, so I think I got a little extra atention.... What did you think about the doctor's staff? At first they were great, but not so much anymore, no contact after your surgery is over and done with... What did you think about the hospital staff? The best person there was NEECE...she was the greatest Nurse Aide I have ever had the pleasure know. How many days were you in the hospital? from Tuesday (day of my surgery) to Friday.... What type of surgery did you have? OPEN RNY..... O.k. EVERYONE ...looking forward to your replies. Betty Myers OPEN RNY 5/25/04 -135 POUNDS St. Louis, MO

Hi Betty. I'm here. I'm almost never on before 11:00 at night. I have to wait until everyone is settled and I finally get a little alone time. As for your questions, here goes: PRE-OP (or Thinking About Surgery) POST OPS - I am pre-op, just finishing all the paperwork and getting ready to go for approval from the insurance company. What made you decide to have surgery? I would have to say a couple of things. First and foremost is so that I can be around to watch my son grow up and make sure that he doesn't end up with his father. But there's also the fact that I am so tired of having to ask other people to take my son to places like Six Flags, etc. because I can't. I want to be able to do all of those things with him. Who are your two strongest supporters? I would most definantly have to say my mom and my son. What is your ultimate weight loss goal? I guess it would have to be to weigh under 200 pounds again, something I haven't done since high school. What scares (scared) you the most about the surgery? I don't think anything really scares me about the surgery. The way I look at it is even if the worse would happen, at least my son would know that I was trying to do something to better my life and my health. I think the scariest thing for me is after I have lost the weight, and going back to work. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to go back to work, but it still scares me. I haven't worked in over 8 years. That's a long time to be out of teaching. What joys do you think will come (have come) your way because of the surgery? My biggest joy will come when I can do things with my son. Have you every been teased about your weight? Since I was about 12 years old. What did it make you feel like? Like I wasn't worth anything. Do you attend a support group? If so where? If not WHY NOT? Right now I am attending a support group that is once a month in the lobby of Barnes Jewish West County Hospital. Who was your surgeon? My surgeon will be Dr. Norbert Richardson Where did you have your surgery? It will be at St. Alexius Hospital because that is where New Start does their surgeries. What type of surgery did you have? I am supposed to have a laproscopic RNY. Deanna

PRE-OP (or Thinking About Surgery) POST OPS What made you decide to have surgery? I was gradually loosing my mobility and I was scared I was going to be dx'ed with diabetes. It kills in my family. Who are your two strongest supporters? My husband Michael and my good friend Ms. Betty Boop What is your ultimate weight loss goal? Less than 20 more lbs. to go and I will be there. The same weight I was in high school. What scares (scared) you the most about the surgery? The unknown aspect. Coming from a medical family I am very aware and comfortable in alot of medical situations where other folk might not be. There is that familiar air about it that calms me. This is different, not the same old old ... and with that new aspect comes the fear of the unknown. It wasn't overbearing but it was there nevertheless. What joys do you think will come (have come) your way because of the surgery? I am slowly but surely gaining my life back. I will be having my knee replaced hopefully this summer and with THAT I will definitely be reborn. Before I was too heavy to have my knee replaced and have the "good" outcome that I know I needed to keep from being an invalid. Have you every been teased about your weight? Too many times. I come from a family of six. 4 girls and 2 boys. All of my sisters were built like my mother. Tiny little petite dresden dolls... I was the lone girl that was built like my dad. *thanks dad - LOL* I longed to be their size. I can't tell you how many nights I cried myself to sleep because of my weight and the stigma that was placed on it. To this day I still carry the scars... What did it make you feel like? That I was a nobody. I wasn't worth anything and I didn't count. If you could encourage one person about t his surgery what would you say? To educate yourself to the NTH degree. To prepare yourself not only physically but emotionally and mentally for the challenges that you will face. By doing this you will ensure the chance for success in the long term. Face the demons that are within and DEAL with them. Don't push them by the wayside just to grasp that "brass" ring of obtaining the surgery. That isn't where it is all at. It is the whole package... Do you attend a support group? If so where? If not WHY NOT? NO not regularly. Why? Because I don't have one close by TO attend. Springfield is 80+ miles away and St. Louis is more than that... no local groups so no attendance. Wish there WAS one closer... Who was your surgeon? Dr. Van Wagner - St. Louis Where did you have your surgery? St. Alexius St. Louis What did you think about the hospital? It is an older hospital so that made me a little leery... it was ok. I will leave it at that... What did you think about the doctor's staff? Honestly I don't like them and never did. They were a means to an end which being, me having my surgery. The office mgr. was snippy, rude and I wouldn't give you a plug nickel for her then nor now. What did you think about the hospital staff? Neecie was the ONLY person that was worth anything. Unfortunately I had her all for one hour before she finished her shift and then her days off were when I was in the hospital. My stay was horrible. Blown I.V.'s in both arms with both arms swollen with I.V. fluids due to them NOT shutting down the I.V.'s when I told them they went bad. Then no heating pads to help alleviate the pain. No shower, no change of linens, no nothing... if it weren't for my husband being there with me I would of feared for myself. Being off my anti inflammatory meds to prepare for the surgery it made my bad knee "blow up" on me. You couldn't even touch the skin on my knee I was in so much pain. I could't move. They were constantly late with my pain meds, brought the WRONG food (how can you do this on a bariatric floor???) and the list goes on and on. I was ready to sign myself OUT of the hospital just to go home... I was miserable. How many days were you in the hospital? Surgery on Thursday and home on Saturday. What type of surgery did you have? LAP Rny Elizabeth~

TELL WHICH YOU ARE: Hey Betty PRE-OP (or Thinking About Surgery) POST OPS I am post-op. What made you decide to have surgery? To improve my health. Who are your two strongest supporters? My husband and Mother. What is your ultimate weight loss goal? To lose/maintain a 100 lb loss. What scares (scared) you the most about the surgery? Having my surgery locally...I wanted a surgeon with a zero complication rate and I wanted a surgeon that had years of experience. What joys do you think will come (have come) your way because of the surgery? Fitting into smaller clothes right now is a great feeling...I can actually fit into one of my daughters jeans. Have you every been teased about your weight? Yes, and it's no fun. What did it make you feel like? A lazy person. If you could encourage one person about this surgery what would you say? Use this surgery as a tool and use it to your advantage. Do you attend a support group? If so where? If not WHY NOT? Yes, I like to attend one in Springfield...it's a great group. Who was your surgeon? Roger De La Torre Where did you have your surgery? DePaul, St. Louis What did you think about the hospital? It was great A+++ What did you think about the doctor's staff? A+++ What did you think about the hospital staff? A+++ How many days were you in the hospital? 2 What type of surgery did you have? Lap RNY Kelli -100

I decided to have surgery because I was 300+ pounds and I could even walk without hurting. I have two small children and I couldn't play with them. I couldn't breath at night amoung other things. My whole family and friends have been very supportive, I really didn't have any sceptics and if I did I just told them that this is a decision I have made be supportive or don't say anything. I don't really have a large goal right now. I would like to someday weigh about 135 (I am 5 foot). Right now I am trying to reach 200 pounds which is about 30 pounds away then I will start on a new goal. What scared me the most (the week before surgery) was dieing and my children not having their mom. My mom passed away when I was twelve so I know how it is to grow up without a mom. Other than that I was worried about the eating thing. I am not a puker and I knew that it was a big possiblity that I would puke. I acually have a phobia of it because I just don't do it to often. (luckily I haven't had a problem with that!) I have had many joys after surgery. The first I have energy that was not there before. I had such a hard time cleaning house or laundry my back and joints hurt so bad. Now I clean the house and do laundry and wonder why dosen't my back and joints hurt? It is so nice. Another joy is me being able to get on the floor and play with my kids. The other day I was playing on the floor with the kids (doing airplane with them doing tricks and such). My husband was watching me with tears in his eyes, he said that 2 months there was no way I could do that. Everything is hopeful now, I know I will have a future. Of course in school when I couldn't do what the kids were doing. I did go to a small school so I had a core group of kids to hang with, I was "popular because I was funny and alway tried to be the funniest so people would like me. I also sang, I was the "singer" so people knew me as that. As I grew up people didnt' really make fun of me but I was felt sorry for. I always got, "you have such a pretty face". Uggggg! I would say that this surgery is not for everybody. I thought any fat person should have this surgery until I had surgery. If you are not totally ready to face your addiction and can't change your whole life then don't do it (this is how people fail at it) You have to eat just right and drink enough, take your vitamins and face the food out there that has been your friend. Now I have to think of food as being I need and not of what I want. If you do accept the changes and you have a great supportive system than do it. If you decide to do it don't let anyone pull you down and discourage you. Yes, I do attend a support group meeting (as everyone should when you have this surgery) acually you should go for support when you have decided to have the surgery! I go to the Sedalia support group meetings and I have met so many people who have been through the same thing as I have. We understand each other and help each other. We talk about things that only "fat" people would know about. Sometimes its down right comical. My surgeon was Dr. Hornbustle and was done at the Bothwell Regional hospital. I can not say enough of Dr. Hornbustle. This man has changed my life with his expertise. He is a caring man, and has a great compassion for his patients. The hospital, well I was there on a weekend and would not say that they were the best staff. A friend of mine is a nurse and she said that alot of the times the staff on the weekends didn't care as much as the staff there during the week. I wouldn't clump all weekend staff in that catagory but in my case it was just that. Dr. Hornbustle's staff are great! They have dealt with this surgery for many years and they know what to do. I had the surgery on a friday and was out on sunday afternoon. I had laproscopic gastric bypass. Thanks for asking and have a great day! Penni

What made you decide to have surgery? I wanted control of my life back Who are your two strongest supporters? My wife and my parents and also my Angel Melissa What is your ultimate weight loss goal? -300 =225 What scares (scared) you the most about the surgery? Death, not being around for my kids What joys do you think will come (have come) your way because of the surgery? Having QUALITY time with my family Have you every been teased about your weight? YES What did it make you feel like? Like I wanted to crawl into a hole and die If you could encourage one person about t his surgery what would you say? Research and make an informed decision based on your cir****tance Do you attend a support group? If so where? If not WHY NOT? YES, New Beggininigs in Springfield Who was your surgeon? Dr J. Christopher Eagon Where did you have your surgery? Barnes Jewish Hospital What did you think about the hospital? ICU was great but the main hospital SUCKED (read my profile) What did you think about the doctor's staff? AWESOME What did you think about the hospital staff? ICU was Great the Regular hospital SUCKED How many days were you in the hospital? 6 What type of surgery did you have? Open RnY Wayne

Hey group... Let's rock and roll this wonderful day... Thought I would put a challenge out there for all of you.... TELL WHICH YOU ARE: PRE-OP(Hoping to get insurance to cover surgery) What made you decide to have surgery? I just can't deal with the pain and health risks of being overweight anymore. Who are your two strongest supporters? My cousin (who has had gastric bypass) and a friend that will be having gastric bypass soon. What is your ultimate weight loss goal? To be able to run and play with my kids. What scares (scared) you the most about the surgery? blood clots What joys do you think will come (have come) your way because of the surgery? I will be able to enjoy life again. Have you every been teased about your weight? yes What did it make you feel like? depressed, sad, ugly If you could encourage one person about this surgery what would you say? not sure, would show them how well my cousin has done with it Do you attend a support group? If so where? If not WHY NOT? not yet

PRE-OP (or Thinking About Surgery) POST OPS -- Post op 7 months What made you decide to have surgery? -- tired of being tired and didnt want to end up a statistic Who are your two strongest supporters? -- my mom & my grandma What is your ultimate weight loss goal? -- to be under 200, maybe 180 What scares (scared) you the most about the surgery? -- my kids bumping my stomach after surgery. What joys do you think will come (have come) your way because of the surgery? -- the way people look at me and tell me how good I am looking Have you every been teased about your weight? -- Of course! lol What did it make you feel like? -- My mom always told me a saying, "I may be fat, but you are ugly and I can diet!" If you could encourage one person about this surgery what would you say? -- Look into it as much as possible and make sure it is something that you want for yourself and your future Do you attend a support group? If so where? If not WHY NOT? No, because I dont have the time and gas is too high to go an hour for a meeting Who was your surgeon? -- Dr Scott Where did you have your surgery? -- University Hospital in Columbia What did you think about the hospital? -- Love the hospital What did you think about the doctor's staff? -- Think they could have been a little more attentive to listening to my questions before making their comments. What did you think about the hospital staff? -- Loved my day nurse, he was really a great nurse! How many days were you in the hospital? -- I believe it was 2 days What type of surgery did you have? -- Lap RNY Darlene 411/299/180 -112 lbs

7 months post-op (as of tomorrow) What made you decide to have surgery? Wanted to live and was rapidly losing my health. Who are your two strongest supporters? My best friend, Randy, and a girl frined, Joanna. What is your ultimate weight loss goal? Want to be at 135, which is a lost of 112 from my surgery weight and a total loss of 275 from my highest weight of 410. What scares (scared) you the most about the surgery? Not knowing if I had the support I really needed. What joys do you think will come (have come) your way because of the surgery? Oh heavens!! I love being able to do things a normal person can do, love being able to breathe much more easily, to walk without fighting for breath, and love that I am no longer the largest person wherever I go! Have you every been teased about your weight? Of course!! What did it make you feel like? It crushed my spirit. If you could encourage one person about t his surgery what would you say? Search your heart and decide if it's for you. If you believe it is, then put yourwhole self in to it. It's been a lifesaver for me, but I know it's not an easy decision for anyone and is a very personal decision. Do you attend a support group? If so where? If not WHY NOT? I was until I started back to work. My work schedule prevents me from going now. Who was your surgeon? Dr. Scott in Columbia, MO Where did you have your surgery? University of MO at Columbia. What did you think about the hospital? Very impressed -- both when I had the initial surgery and when I was back in hospital a week later with an infection. What did you think about the doctor's staff? They are phenomonal!!! What did you think about the hospital staff? They were great -- with one exception! How many days were you in the hospital? Surgery was monday and came home Wednesday. What type of surgery did you have? Lap RNY Connie 410/347/233/135