Hi neighbor!
Hello!
I just went to my initial information session yesterday at Ellis Hospital. Yeah!!! I finally feel like I am on my way and I haven't even had an appt with the doc yet!
It was very informative. Alot I have already researched on this site and a few others. I had my mind made up on RNY before I went and I am still thinking it. When i left I asked if the next step was for me to set up and appt or wait for them to call. She said she would be calling in 2-3 weeks. The doctor stated during the seminar that surgery is 2-3 months from now. That sounds perfect!
I really can't wait.
My mom however knew I had been thinking about it for several months now and was supportive(at least I thought****il the night before info session when she called and said " Don't sign up for anything! Your Grandmother and Aunt are here and they say you look fine!"
WHAT??? Whatever!
I got off the phone and said to my husband "I am not going to let them talk me out of it!"
My husband is supportive. My kids are not. Afraid something will happen. I try to talk to them and they just don't want to listen yet.
Well, TTFN...
Lisa
I just went to my initial information session yesterday at Ellis Hospital. Yeah!!! I finally feel like I am on my way and I haven't even had an appt with the doc yet!
It was very informative. Alot I have already researched on this site and a few others. I had my mind made up on RNY before I went and I am still thinking it. When i left I asked if the next step was for me to set up and appt or wait for them to call. She said she would be calling in 2-3 weeks. The doctor stated during the seminar that surgery is 2-3 months from now. That sounds perfect!
I really can't wait.
My mom however knew I had been thinking about it for several months now and was supportive(at least I thought****il the night before info session when she called and said " Don't sign up for anything! Your Grandmother and Aunt are here and they say you look fine!"
WHAT??? Whatever!
I got off the phone and said to my husband "I am not going to let them talk me out of it!"
My husband is supportive. My kids are not. Afraid something will happen. I try to talk to them and they just don't want to listen yet.
Well, TTFN...
Lisa
Don't let anyone talk you out of it if it is what you really want to do. Friends and family both tried to talk me out of it. My husband and kids were supportive but afraid that something would happen. I had surgery on Monday and came home yesterday. First 24 hours were rough but feeling better every day. I even walked around the mall tonite!
This is just another reason to keep the information to yourself until the deed is done. Then they have no choice but to be supportive.
Marilynn
Lap RNY - October 7,2008 - proximal 125 cm.
Carl Rosati, M.D., F.R.C.S.C., F.A.C.S.
Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
The road to anywhere is not smooth. Relax and enjoy the view!
Lap RNY - October 7,2008 - proximal 125 cm.
Carl Rosati, M.D., F.R.C.S.C., F.A.C.S.
Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
The road to anywhere is not smooth. Relax and enjoy the view!
Lisa,
Congratulations on taking the first step towards a healthier you! Don't let anyone talk you out of what you feel is the right thing or you. The other people are not living in your skin and don't know how it feels to live as a morbidly obese person. It is not a fun life, I've been there!
My children were not really supportive of my decision to have the surgery either. My 12 year old thinks the whole thing is "disgusting"! My 8 year old was just nervous about the whole thing. My husband was mixed. When it came down to it, once I made my mind up to have the surgery, nothing anyone said could talk me out of it. That's how I knew I was doing the right thing.
Be strong. We are here to give you all the support you need. The people here know exactly what you are going through, that's the beauty of OH. Keep us informed as you move through all your pre-op appointments. I wish you the best of luck on your journey!
Hugs,
Lisa
Congratulations on taking the first step towards a healthier you! Don't let anyone talk you out of what you feel is the right thing or you. The other people are not living in your skin and don't know how it feels to live as a morbidly obese person. It is not a fun life, I've been there!
My children were not really supportive of my decision to have the surgery either. My 12 year old thinks the whole thing is "disgusting"! My 8 year old was just nervous about the whole thing. My husband was mixed. When it came down to it, once I made my mind up to have the surgery, nothing anyone said could talk me out of it. That's how I knew I was doing the right thing.
Be strong. We are here to give you all the support you need. The people here know exactly what you are going through, that's the beauty of OH. Keep us informed as you move through all your pre-op appointments. I wish you the best of luck on your journey!
Hugs,
Lisa
Come visit my support group on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/LIPO.Nation
To visit LIPO (Long Island Post Ops) bariatric support group website click here: www.liponation.org
What great news that you have started the wonderful journey towards a new healthier life! 
I have a couple of comments for you.
1. Learn as much as you can, make sure that you feel completely comfortable with the idea of surgery and that the changes in your life (eating and exercise) will fit into your idea of how you will live your life.
2. I was very lucky, I had a very supportive family. My wife actually had her RNY about 3 weeks after I did, in hind sight knowing how smoothly things would go, we could have had our surgery on the same day. The trouble is you never know how both of you will be feeling during the immediate post op period. My Mom and Sisters were very supportive, both of my sisters were very nervous about having surgery, not necessarily that it was WLS. Find someone who will be 100% supportive to you throughout this process. It may be a friend, family member someone you meet at a support group meeting or here on OH. It is just nice to be able to have someone lthat you can talk to in an open and honest manner.
3. Everyone will have some sort of comment for you. I had one woman at work who would wail when I walked into the room "I don't want you to have surgery!" She was a co-worker, not what I would call a friend. Many people don't understand what it is like to have such weight issues that you want to make such drastic surgical changes to your body. When the nay sayers get you down, post here. Everyone here understands what you are going through. I have not come across many people who don't make the comment that their only regret is that they did not make this decision earlier in their life.
4. Be honest with yourself. Look at why you have weight / food / exercise issues. Why do you over eat? Are you eating to ease emotional issues, out of boredom or just because you love the taste of food? Set yourself up for success. Your life is going to be very different from the one you are currently living, how do you want to shape this new life? Activities you have always dreaded are really fun after you have lost 100 pounds! Set goals for your self that not directly weight related. Many people here have wanted to go on rollercoasters that they were too big to fit on previously.
5. Ask any and all questions that you have. The staff at the Ellis Bariatric Center is great. Ann, Chris, Evelyn, Sally and the Doctors are great resouces. The people here are also great resources. There are no "stupid" questions here. I can safely say that there is no question that you might have that has not been asked about before or that several other people are having at the same time.
6. You should only do this for yourself. You can not be successful if you are doing this for someone else. You must be selfish in this endevour. I summed up having this surgery to many people by stating that "I want to be healthy and active enough to play with my grandchildren" (My boys are 10 & 11 right now so this is far into the future (I hope)). I also want to be able to grow old with my wife, not something I would be able to accomplish at 360 pounds and gaining. So even being completely selfish has benefits for the ones you love.
Good luck, with your journey. The time between now and your surgery date will fly by.
Jim
I have a couple of comments for you.
1. Learn as much as you can, make sure that you feel completely comfortable with the idea of surgery and that the changes in your life (eating and exercise) will fit into your idea of how you will live your life.
2. I was very lucky, I had a very supportive family. My wife actually had her RNY about 3 weeks after I did, in hind sight knowing how smoothly things would go, we could have had our surgery on the same day. The trouble is you never know how both of you will be feeling during the immediate post op period. My Mom and Sisters were very supportive, both of my sisters were very nervous about having surgery, not necessarily that it was WLS. Find someone who will be 100% supportive to you throughout this process. It may be a friend, family member someone you meet at a support group meeting or here on OH. It is just nice to be able to have someone lthat you can talk to in an open and honest manner.
3. Everyone will have some sort of comment for you. I had one woman at work who would wail when I walked into the room "I don't want you to have surgery!" She was a co-worker, not what I would call a friend. Many people don't understand what it is like to have such weight issues that you want to make such drastic surgical changes to your body. When the nay sayers get you down, post here. Everyone here understands what you are going through. I have not come across many people who don't make the comment that their only regret is that they did not make this decision earlier in their life.
4. Be honest with yourself. Look at why you have weight / food / exercise issues. Why do you over eat? Are you eating to ease emotional issues, out of boredom or just because you love the taste of food? Set yourself up for success. Your life is going to be very different from the one you are currently living, how do you want to shape this new life? Activities you have always dreaded are really fun after you have lost 100 pounds! Set goals for your self that not directly weight related. Many people here have wanted to go on rollercoasters that they were too big to fit on previously.
5. Ask any and all questions that you have. The staff at the Ellis Bariatric Center is great. Ann, Chris, Evelyn, Sally and the Doctors are great resouces. The people here are also great resources. There are no "stupid" questions here. I can safely say that there is no question that you might have that has not been asked about before or that several other people are having at the same time.
6. You should only do this for yourself. You can not be successful if you are doing this for someone else. You must be selfish in this endevour. I summed up having this surgery to many people by stating that "I want to be healthy and active enough to play with my grandchildren" (My boys are 10 & 11 right now so this is far into the future (I hope)). I also want to be able to grow old with my wife, not something I would be able to accomplish at 360 pounds and gaining. So even being completely selfish has benefits for the ones you love.
Good luck, with your journey. The time between now and your surgery date will fly by.
Jim
Lisa,
Congrats on taking the hardest of all the steps... the first ones. You are going to encounter all types of naysayers along the way - please don't let them get you down. If you are sure this is what you want to do then you need to do it for you. Make sure you are well informed & know exactly what you are getting into. I was lucky - my family has been extremely supportive albeit nervous in the beginning but I supplied them with tons of info on the surgery & they saw that it was the right choice for me at this point in my life. My brother for instance is against wls for himself but he has never put me down or not been there for me when I needed help. He & I both have the worst weight issues in the family so we can relate to what each other is going through. He has chosen a different path & is doing well.
I don't know how old your kids are but if they are old enough explain to them the pros & cons of having the surgery (you know more energy, longer life - those kinds of pros & cons) - we don't give kids enough credit sometimes. My 4 yr old niece knows I had to go to the hospital & have the dr do something to "fix a boo-boo in my stomach" - it was the best way my sister could explain it to her at the time & she gets it!! She also sees the major changes & is excited for me! She told me she loves the new me cus I am so much fun!!! That in itself is reward enough for me!!
Anyway, good luck!! You will do fabulous!!
Cece
Congrats on taking the hardest of all the steps... the first ones. You are going to encounter all types of naysayers along the way - please don't let them get you down. If you are sure this is what you want to do then you need to do it for you. Make sure you are well informed & know exactly what you are getting into. I was lucky - my family has been extremely supportive albeit nervous in the beginning but I supplied them with tons of info on the surgery & they saw that it was the right choice for me at this point in my life. My brother for instance is against wls for himself but he has never put me down or not been there for me when I needed help. He & I both have the worst weight issues in the family so we can relate to what each other is going through. He has chosen a different path & is doing well.
I don't know how old your kids are but if they are old enough explain to them the pros & cons of having the surgery (you know more energy, longer life - those kinds of pros & cons) - we don't give kids enough credit sometimes. My 4 yr old niece knows I had to go to the hospital & have the dr do something to "fix a boo-boo in my stomach" - it was the best way my sister could explain it to her at the time & she gets it!! She also sees the major changes & is excited for me! She told me she loves the new me cus I am so much fun!!! That in itself is reward enough for me!!
Anyway, good luck!! You will do fabulous!!
Cece
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... it is about learning how to dance in the rain!"
Hi Everyone!
Thank you all for replies and encourage words!
I am so excited to be part of this!
I will take everyone's advice and take this time before WLS to learn everything I can about pre-op, surgery, post op and so on. This part is actually all fun too. There are so many people that post great ideas for everything. I have even started to try some protein drinks and mixes to put in my water.
I went to Woodbury Commons today (HUGE outlet place) with the hubby and 2 boys (16 &13). It was soooo busy and hot! Of course walking around in the heat and tons of people at 220lbs. was not fun. I hate to shop for me! I can't wait to go next year though! I'll be ready to walk and try/buy nice clothes! Skinny jeans and a tank top! Look out!
I plan on calling my insurance company Tuesday to find out their requirements. I was supposed to have sleep apnea test for my regular doc a few months back but the sleep clinic cancelled it because they did not have tech to do it. I wonder if I should go ahead and have that done just for another comorbidity (as if hypertension, severe reflux, osteoarthritis and failed diets and weight loss meds aren't enough). Hmmmmm....
Well, I hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day weekend. I appreciate all the kind words.
I plan on being a regular on the NY boards!
TTFN,
Lisa
Thank you all for replies and encourage words!
I am so excited to be part of this!
I will take everyone's advice and take this time before WLS to learn everything I can about pre-op, surgery, post op and so on. This part is actually all fun too. There are so many people that post great ideas for everything. I have even started to try some protein drinks and mixes to put in my water.
I went to Woodbury Commons today (HUGE outlet place) with the hubby and 2 boys (16 &13). It was soooo busy and hot! Of course walking around in the heat and tons of people at 220lbs. was not fun. I hate to shop for me! I can't wait to go next year though! I'll be ready to walk and try/buy nice clothes! Skinny jeans and a tank top! Look out!
I plan on calling my insurance company Tuesday to find out their requirements. I was supposed to have sleep apnea test for my regular doc a few months back but the sleep clinic cancelled it because they did not have tech to do it. I wonder if I should go ahead and have that done just for another comorbidity (as if hypertension, severe reflux, osteoarthritis and failed diets and weight loss meds aren't enough). Hmmmmm....
Well, I hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day weekend. I appreciate all the kind words.
I plan on being a regular on the NY boards!
TTFN,
Lisa
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