I'm Famous!!!!!

I am sure by now all of you have heard about the big stink on gastric bypass. How all of us that are a year out should be dead by now. lol lol Anywho I was interviewed by the Hattiesburg American to comment on this article. I tried to look it up on their web site but could not find it although I did get a paper yesterday so I could read the article. It was really good. Maybe our buddy Christine can provide a link so you all can read it. Hope everyone is doing well! Love ya Denise P.S. I know that there are several people out there having a hard time right now. I have each and every one of you in my thoughts and prayers. Remember that we are all here to support in every way we can. There are a lot of people that are researching the surgery and come here for all the info they can get. The good and the bad. Most of these people dont post here just lurk. Let's remember that although it is great to share each of our experiences lets not try to intentionalaly scare anyone off. This surgery is a very very personal decision and we have no right to tell someone either "do not have the surgery" or "most definitely have the surgery" God has given us all an incrediable gift in this tool to be able to completly change our lives. How we except this is totally up to us.

I tried to post the link to the CNN site yesterday with the story but I guess they pulled it. The Hattiesburg Americans portion is not online because it was a wire story and they just added some local comments. It was a really good article. It showed the ugly but I agree with your comments about questioning individual doctors statistics. You ARE famous (to me anyway)... I agree with you that it is a very personal decision. I hate to see everyone going thru this. I knew the risks when I had my surgery and I was very lucky and blessed. I would do it 10 times over again. Of course, I had a perfect surgery. I just hope that in a few weeks or it may even take months everyone who is having difficulties will be feeling better and back to their own selves. There is so much research now a days on this surgery that everyone needs to be fully aware of the good and the bad. Everyone must be prepared to accept the bad and handle it the best they can. This is not an easy thing to cope with at times and it can be a rocky road for a while but I hope that each and every one of those in pain or regret get better soon. To the lurkers who are interested in the surgery - my advice to you would be ---TALK TO YOUR SURGEONS PATIENTS. Know the risks, know his statistics, be comfortable with them... its is truly YOUR life in THEIR hands...

Can I have your autograph?!?!? It was a very good article! I agree with you that this is a very personal decision to make. I'm so very glad that I made the decision to have the surgery, but like Christine, I had absolutely no problems whatsoever. I have talked to two people this week extensively about my choice. One is excited about having it herself, and the other is proud for me, but scared to even talk about having it herself, even though she has some very serious heath problems that could probably by helped tremendously with the surgery. She was friends with someone who had the surgery and didn't survive. One bad surgery in so many good ones. Of course, the bad is what is in the papers all the time. I think we have a wonderful surgeon in Dr. Whitehead. He is so careful in screening his patients beforehand. When you are waiting to be approved, this seems like a hassle, but in the long run, I'm so glad he's so careful about who he operates on. Congratulations again, Ms Pigott! Can I have your autograph! Susan Hughes 315/305/197/149

Hey Susan, I think you are right about Dr. Whitehead... He does not just do surgeries for anyone. They are screened very well and they have turned alot down after the screening. Christine

I read the article from CNN. I will still have my surgery. No matter what they say. The people that did the article are probably skinny minnies now. Steph

2 days ago there was a link on the main board that will take you to the article about the gastric bypass surgery stats.. If you can't find it, email me and I will email it to ya. ~Jo~

I totally agree that surgery is a very personal decision with life changing consequences!!!! The personal committments to change your eating and life style are huge, and not everyone is cut out to do that. I bought quite a few books about the surgery before I had it, some patient stories were very scary, and some it was obvious that they did not know what this kind of surgery involves. Although I had unforseen complications, I would not change my decision to have surgery! I am satisfied with what I have to eat, I can walk and climb stairs better, my pants are too baggy (now looking for some that fit).... But I do not miss what I gave up. To me, Skinny tastes better than anything that I can eat! I just advise people to make very sure that they are committed to this path, it is not an easy one and it is not quick, but the payoff is greater self-esteem, respect from others and a longer life..... Cheryl

I want your autograph too!!!! Tomanip emailed me the article. Scarey tactics, I think. Hold each others hands and help each other thru the rough times and we will be fine. At 9 1/2 months, that gives me 2 1/2 more months to do all the flirting I can get in!!! Run, men, run!!!! Smoochies Arlies PS Yep, and afterwards EVERYONE questions whether they should have done this or not for a while......