I'm new, I'm afraid, I need a friend (s) Please respond.

My name is Bobbie and I live in Columbus Ohio area and I'm brand new to these boards. I've been aware of WLS since 1985 when Stomach Stapling was brand new (or at least to me) came to the columbus Ohio area. I went to the program which was serveral women sitting around talking about how this surgery was so great. I connected with the stories very much. It was about an hour and half long and when I left I meet this lady in the elevator that said she was signing up (again) fo the surgery.. she had it 2 years prior somewhere and gained her weight back. Ok enough said I was out. I didn't think it was an option again until I heard of it in abotu 2002 at the Barix Clinix on South Hamilton RD.. Once again went to the seminar and was very delighted with the way they handled everyone (compared to the last experince I had****il I found out they did the OPEN surgery.. I had had a 3 C-sections and a very long surgery and scar from my gallbladder so that was out.. Not wanting to be a quitter and knowing that I had to do something I signed up at OSU after going to their seminar May 5th 2005. Ok I was ready so I went with it.  All I can say is I jumped though every hoop so to speak that they wanted me to go jump though.. Psychology Evaluation Nurtional Evaluation, Breath test, and all needed blood work. I'm sorry to say that I was lost in the program.. I talked with a lady "shannon" and LaFaida and they simply stopped mailing me notices that I was still in the program. Once again I was let down.. and believe me I was tired of playing or being the victim!! A friend told me about the program in Riverside.. Ok here I go again. I went and signed up at the next available seminar.  Dr Stephen Myers.  Seems like a very loving man.. Anyone know of him? I get a call just 4 days after the seminar and my insurance will take 100% of this surgery with a few exceptions. Now to the point since you've read my history.

I'm scared. I'm 50 as of this year and I'm afraid of being what I know is buried deep inside me. this has made me took at my life and habits head on! I'm not the type of fat woman that buries her troubles in Ben & Jerry's.. I eat 3 meals aday... I eat double portions or as the Nutrients said I'm a High Volume Gal.. My BMI is 53 I'm 5'3 inches and just over the 300 mark.   I guess what I'm asking is I'm at a crossroads in my life and has anyone else felt like this? I feeel all along in this.. I'm the only one in my family that has weight issues. I know that this surgerty most likely will allow me the freedom to get off Blood pressure medicine. I know the risk and it's scary to me. 1/100 chance of death with the full gastric surgery. 1/1000 chance with the lapband.

Please I really need a friend or friends that could help me with this. I know I'm the only one that can make this decision but I need to make it fast. I've got to call this lady back on monday and either drop out or go forward. Thanks Bobbie

Bobby, please read my profile (blog)  how I felt right before surgery.  I am 2 1/2 months out and love my new life.  I am LIVING.  Please pm me.  I would love to be your friend and your cheerleader. Brenda

Brenda, I was reading your Blog after seeing Bobby's page and you give me  such hope and inspiration! I am planning on having surgery soon~no date has been set as I still have to do my psych eval. but otherwise everything was a green light. Anyway I have those same thoughts about surgery;I have four children that I want to come home to and it makes me nervous thinking about the surgery~"the what if's??"~I know my children will be raised by their father in a loving way etc. but its the trauma of losing their mom to surgery that would devastate them.They were traumatized enough when their grandfather who was in great shape died during a "routine surgery". I know that the surgery has so many positives for me BUT its that one negative that keeps scaring me.I'm glad to know you had these same feelings and came through it and in a winning way! I hope to be your friend as being a WLS surgery patient can be so scary and to have someone who has been through this and to talk to etc. would be great~ Take Care, Amy P.S~You look AWESOME in your pics~WEIGH TO GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!

Welcome, I will be your friend

Count me in too! I am at the point of waiting for approval and can barely stand it! I wish you the best of luck as you start you journey to a happy, healthy and joyfilled life.

Bobbie, Thanks for sharing your experience.  While each one of us have our own stories, I think we have all been where you are today...scared.  Scared of doing it.  Scared of not doing it.  Scared of all the changes that will have to be made and how we'll feel about them.  What our friends and family will say.  Then we all look at the risks of obesity vs. the risks of surgery and come to a decision.  What I feel like telling you is to take your time.  You don't HAVE to give an answer tomorrow.  You can call them back and say you need more time to think about it.  Don't do it until YOU are ready.  Now, what I can tell you is that Dr. Myers is FANTASTIC.  He's doing my surgery on Wed.  I feel completely confident with him.  He's a genuinely caring man and very well educated on the physical and emotional aspects of obesity.  His staff has never let me down either.  They return phone calls so promptly that they should get an award for it.  I've had all my questions answered and all my concerns addressed.  Annie, Cheri, Yvonne, Susie and all the dietitians do their absolute best to take what you have to say into consideration.  I hope that helps.

Thank you! thank you for your love and kindness. Makes total sense.. afraid to do it and not do it.. that's JUST where I am. I think of all my replies you are the one that I feel I can connect with the most.. Same doctor and same time period. Have you tried Weigh****chers or Jenny Craig or anything else like that? I can honestly say I haven't because I always thought I could control it. Today is the day I have to call Annie back.. she called me on Saturday while I'm on my way to the church to celebrate our Pastor's birthday and I really was taken back by my reaction to that.. I actually put her off till Monday explaining I was on my way to this outing.. that is when I started questioning myself. Please add me as your friend and PLEASE contact me after surgery I want to know everything!  Did you have to go to sleep apnea testing? what all tests did you have to take. I have so many questions for you!  I'm in Pickerington Ohio are you local? come to think of it I dont' have your first name..

Linda! I'm sorry I'm new to this and obviously in my excitment didn't read that last line..

What is 3 months of Monitered weight loss mean?

I just attended my all day evaluation on June 14th at Riverside.  One step in the process is a 12 week "Food Record".  During these 12 weeks, you will be making changes in your day to day diet that lead you more towards your new diet post-WLS.  My biggest goals for the first 4 weeks eliminating pop, reducing portion sizes, reducing refined sugars and eating "SLOWLY" 6 times a day.  I was not given a weight loss goal for the 12 weeks.  I just need to follow directions and be honest in my logs.  I am seeing some weight loss, but I am only in week 2. I was also asked to increase my exercise.  Their end goal (I believe post surgery) is one hour of cardio 5 times a week.