New to the Site, with a question for the post surgery crowd

Hi everyone, I just found this website today and have been reading what has been posted by everyone.  I can't express how nice it has been to have a positive outlook on the surgery.  Out of all my friends so many people think I am just jumping into this, I have been thinking about this for 4 or 5 years.  Only one friend and my family have been really supportive and not tried to talk me out of this.  I guess that by trying to convince everyone that this is the right path for me, I have further convinced my self that I am making the right choice.  But it is so exhausting to have to continually deal with other people's thoughts. I  am scheduled for RNY surgery on April 10th and my wife is scheduled a few weeks later.  We just started the Medifast liquid diet about 5 days ago (My wife started early to be supportive of me), so it has been a hard week.  People at work have been attempting to convince me that if I have the will power to be on the liquid diet for 4 weeks, that I should be able to stick with any diet.  Yet I know that if I don't go forward with the surgery, that any weight I loose will be regained and maybe more.  I truly believe that surgery is my only hope of taking control of my weight and it is the best option for me. Those of you that have already undergone surgery, was it the right thing for you? Thanks for your support, Jim  

Jim, I had the Duodenal Switch ( DS)  weight loss surgery and it was ABSOLUTELY the right thing for me! I lost 185 lbs and have never felt better in my life- and I have never eaten as well either. Dont you just love the dumb things people say? Just diet- yea right! Dont they know that if you could JUST DIET youd not be at this point...Jim, listen to everything people say- and then do what YOU want!!! I wish you and your wife every success as you travel this amazing journey that is WLS.

Jim, Let me just start by saying Congrats on making this decision!! It is a life-saving choice in more ways than one!!! Don't let your friends & co-workers get you down. I went through the same thing with a few co-workers - they asked why, if I could do Medifast for 12 weeks, I couldn't just keep doing it until I lost all of my wieght... valid question I suppose but I informed them that I knew damn well I'd go right back to my old habits!! I needed something this drastic to keep the weight off & to correct bad habits!! I hadn't thought about the surgery for as long as you but when I made the decision everyone knew it was a done deal!! I don't jump into things like this without really researching things!! This is a major decision not to be taken lightly!!! You & your wife will do wonderfully!!!  I can tell you in less than 5 months post-op that this absolutely was the right choice for me!! Ican't even imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't done this!! I have lost 130lbs & am living life again not jus****ching life go by!!!!! I have more energy than I know what to do with & every day is amazing!!! I had Dr Clarke & I can say I absolutley love him!!! Everyone in his office is extremely helpful & supportive & his surgery team, OMG - the best!!!! I had a good experience at Ellis too!!! Did you know they give all bariatric patients proivate rooms? Yup - thank god!!! This website has been a god-send to me so soak up all the support & advise you can get!!! If you have any questions please feel free to ask!!! I will be glad to answer anything!!! Good luck!!!! Cece

I just wanted to comment about bariatric patients getting private rooms at Ellis. Both my husband and I had the surgery at Ellis and neither of us had private rooms. I shared a room with another bariatric patient and my hubby shared a room with a orthopedic patient. Maybe it used to be that way - and hopefully you'll have a private room - but I wouldn't count on it.

Jeanine

Oh that sucks. They told me both in recovery & when I finally got up on the floor that the hold up was for a private room because they always give the bariatrics private rooms!! Oh well, good things don't last forever I guess!! Cece

Dear Jim, Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I wouldn't change a thing--would have the surgery again in a heartbeat. Remember the Cambridge Diet?  It was a liquid diet popular in the late 70's-80's.  I got down to my lowest weight ever after months on that diet--117 lbs., and it lasted for about 5 minutes! It sounds like you and your wife did your reasearch and are comfortable with your decisions.  Some second-guessing ourselves is always normal, and there is absolutely no accounting for other peoples' reactions/comments/advice.  You have to do what you feel is right for your life and for your health. Also, there are some people in my life who don't even know I had the surgery--including my own mother, although my brother does know and has been very supportive.     You are lucky to have such a supportive wife; best of luck to you both, and I hope you keep posting here so we can share in and offer support during your journey. be well,

Jim, Congratulations on your decision..I know its hard...but, take it from me I think you'll be happy.  I had my surgery on 5/10/07...I have lost 104 pounds and feel like a million.  I had problems with some family members at first...I think it was just worry.  But, now that they can see my results and my happiness...they are 100% behind me.  This site is just the greatest...keep us updated and ask any questions you might have...we are here for you! Rosemary

Hi Jim. Your wife sounds like a doll. It should be a whole lot easier for you both when you are on the same "eating for a healthier life" regime. As long as you are at peace with your decision, just ignore the naysayers. This is exactly why I shared my surgery with very few people...and I mean few. I just didn't have that kind of energy to waste on constantly defending myself. I wish you both the best.

Thank you all so much!  It means so much to me to get such support from all of you.  It is nice to know that other people are experiencing the same things I am.  I am so glad I found this site and all of you! Jim

Good Luck with your decsion.  I too have had surgery 5 weeks ago I did noy have to do liquid diet however i hear ya when it comes to people at work having very negative things to say...I was really bothered at first and now I am just over it....It made me feel like I kept explaning to evertone why i was doing it.....Well guess what it is yor choice and you are the one that has to live in your body people and either scared and just uneducated!!!   keep the faith and make the choice for you..... bridgit......i am so very glad I had GBipass.  I have lost 28 pounds in 5 weeks and lost 30 pounds b4 sugery....