Howdy Fellow Ohioans

Hi! My name is Laura (also known as Indi on other boards) and I just wanted to drop in and maybe stay awhile, if that's OK with you all. I'm a 42yo wife to my hubby of nearly 22 years and mom to 5 brats (I say that LOVINGLY ) I'm having a lap RNY on November 18th. I must not be normal because I am not really afraid at all. This whole process has gone so smooth from start to finish. I hope to heaven that my surgery, recovery and weight loss do the same. Would love to get to know you all and embark on this journey together! Blessings ~ Laura

Hello Laura! I'm a relatively newbie to the board. I have RNY schduled for 11/28 and the process has gone so fast. We'll have to share our experiences along the way. I however, have had an occaisional anxiety attack but am excited to get this done and geton with life! I'll be 41 on 11/19 and start liquid diet on 11/18. Keep me posted on what's going on with you! Stephanie

Wow, Stephanie ~ I'll be starting my liquid diet on 11/11. I will definitely keep you posted!

Laura, Welcome to the board... My name is Barb I had my surgery Sept 21 ,2005 I am down 42 pounds in 6 weeks.... I live in Fairborn Ohio I am married with 2 grown daughters and 3 grandsons.... This surgery is the best decision I have made for myself. It saved my life... My first month was rough with depression. But I am doing great now.... When I lost my best friend food. It took a toll on me. I am on Meds for that.. Besides that the surgery went far more better than I expected. I was 272 I am down to 230..... I wish you a very smooth surgery !!!!! Nice to meet you Barb

Barb, your story is very encouraging! I am a little worried about the depression. I am on Lexapro now and they did warn us about depression post-surgery at the group sessions my hospital hosts. I also think I'm going to miss the food more than I realize. I'm an emotional all-occasion eater. I do not discriminate when it comes to food. We have an amazing relationship. I think this will be...*interesting* to say the least... (do you all have a biting nails emoticon? )

I am on Lexapro. How has it worked for you. I am on my 3 week. I heard it doesnt wor****il the 6th week. I have tried all kinds of meds. I hope this one works. Thanks Barb

Barb, I have been on Lexapro for years (actually, 5 to be exact.) I probably should have been on it 5 years before that, too, but kept feeling like my anxiety and depression were situational and would lift as soon as the "situation" improved. No such luck. Needless to say, I went on Celexa (Lexapro's big sister) rather reluctantly. About ten days into it, I woke up one morning and instead of my normal apprehension, I actually looked forward to the day. I have to say I hadn't looked forward to *any* day for years, and I remember just being overwhelmed and crying. But I digress. Sorry. So the answer to your question would be that I started to feel better in 10 days, and I improved more and more after that. I would say that it was probably a full six weeks by the time I felt like a "normal" person again. One thing you should probably take note, though, is that your situation is much different than mine and you are post-op, probaby losing weight very quickly and that in and of itself will sap much of your strength and energy until your body adjusts to the changes. If you don't feel any better by the 4th-6th week, I'd ask my doc for a different medication. I tried Zoloft before I tried Lexapro, and Zoloft just made me tired and want to sleep. For some reason, I felt a calm energy on Lexapro. Good luck, Barb.

Oops, I'm sorry Barb... I just noticed that you said you had already tried many different meds. Let me just tell you that the list of SSRIs goes on and I wouldn't stop until I found one that worked for me. I also have a friend who swears by 5HTP and GABA...they are "supplements" you can buy at the health food store that also help with anxiety, but they must NOT be taken in conjunction with any antidepressant. Once again, remember that some of your depression is just from the rapid weight loss. Your body is burning fat so that means your engines are running 24 hours a day. I don't think 3 weeks out is necessarily a sufficient recovery period, kwim?

Hello, It's great to meet you, Laura. I am weeks away from 38 and I have a 3-year-old son. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I had open RNY on Oct. 25. Knock on wood, I'm doing really, really well. I'm tolerating all liquids and feeling stronger every day. I was so excited about the surgery and unafraid -- until my mom arrived in town (she's staying with me) and we had to go through my will, living will and other necessary evils pre-surgery. That scared me. The day of the surgery I had a lot of unexpected anxiety. I almost fled when the nurse had a terrible time getting an IV in me (my fault -- I have awful veins and needle phobia). I'm glad I went through with the surgery. You are having surgery on my birthday, so it definitely has to go well ~ Ellen

You know, Ellen ~ I thought it would be my mother that would drive me crazy with horror stories and the like, but she and my father are actually so very supportive of me. It's actually my friends who are the ones who keep sending me every single article they can get their hands on that has a negative slant on the surgery. I finally countered that by sending them the In Memorium page here on OH's website. I figured that would let the know that I am fully aware of the risk of death with the surgery. I know they love me and care about me, but I made a very tough decision and I'm not going back now. I, too, have awful veins. I had to have an emergency C-Section with my youngest son (age 9) and they had to try 9 times before they were successful. I am *not* looking forward to that part! I wouldn't mind the pinches so much, but it's the digging north, east and wests that grates on my nerves. November 18th is my mother's birthday, too! I guess I should be doubly blessed, then! ~ Laura