I'M PRETTY NEW HERE, BUT WANT TO SAY...

AS I SAID I'M PREETY NEW HERE AT OH AND BEEN BOUNCING AROUND TO FIND OUT SOME ANSWERS AND I HAVE BEEN. I CAME HERE AND I REALLY THINK YOU "GREAT NORTHWESTERS" ARE GREAT! I'M FROM VANCOUVER AREA. AND JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW HOW NICE AND FRIENDLY YOU GUYS ARE. I WENT TO FINALIZE THE REST OF MY TESTS BEFORE THEY SEND IT IN TO THE INS COMPANY. I JUST TO NEED TO DECIDE IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR ME. I WISH SOME OF LIFES QUESTIONS WERE EASIER, BUT I KEEP PRAYING AND I KNOW GOD WILL LET ME DO THE RIGHT THING. LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANY OF YOU. CJ

Firstly, thanks! Secondly, please, make absolutely sure what you want to do... this is not the only answer. It's a good one though :P, if it's right for you. I truly hope you find Your answer Michele

Hi michele, thank you, I will make sure. I'm 98% sure, but want to at least 110% sure. I've been overweight all my life and lost hundreds of pounds just for them to find me again and then.... They seem to bring extras with them too. I know if I dont do something soon I will not live as long. For medical reasons and such. And I want to see my daughter graduate,marry, and of course grandchildren (this wont happen for the 8 to 10 years I hope) but,you know what I mean. When and what kind of surgery did you have? Where did you have it done at? Oshu will do mine and I think it will be open RNY. Do you really need 24hour care after you get home? How long? Hope your day is great. Talk with you later cj

Hi there, CJ, I had lap RNY on 11/22 and I am doing great and feeling great. I had surgery on that Wednesday and was home Friday morning. By Monday, I was off of all pain meds and feeling well. I had some muscle discomfort from the incisions but generally felt well. Moving around and walking right after surgery is the best thing you can do for your recovery. I cannot imagine needing 24-hour care after surgery but maybe with the open RNY it is necessary because of the increased pain and larger incision. If that is what your surgeon says, I would definitely plan for it. Ok, now for the good news ... Preop, I had diabetes (getting increasingly hard to control on oral medication), high blood pressure (on 3 blood pressure pills) and high cholesterol. I had to have a couple of shots of insulin right after surgery because my blood sugar went up due to the trauma of surgery. Since coming home, I am taking NO diabetes medicine at all. All 3 of my BP pills have been stopped as has my cholesterol medication. I don't know what meds you are on or what conditions you have but this surgery has saved my life already and I am only 6 weeks postop. When I came home from the hospital, I was 357 pounds (I gained 10 pounds in the hospital from the IV fluids) and today, I was 320 pounds, for a loss of 37 pounds already. I have also lost 3 inches from my hips, 1 inch from each thigh, and 2 inches from my waist and bust. I felt the same way that you do about not being there for my kids and future grandchildren. I knew I would be dead long before I had any grandchildren and if I was alive, I would be to fat to be able to enjoy them or play with them. Only you can decide if this surgery is right for you but it definitely was right for me. Oh, I also quit smoking almost 4 months ago and have remained off of cigarettes!! If you want more information, go to my profile. There are links there for some video. One is an interview with my local news and the other is actual footage of my surgery. Good luck to you. I wish you all the success in the world! (((Hugs)))

Hey CJ, I am having RNY at OHSU, Dr. O'Rourke, on 1/2/07. I'm hoping for Laparoscopic, but you know they don't promise anything lol. Even if they go open, it's all good, either way it's done I'll let you know more in 3 days... omg... 3 days ... how weird!!! Michele

Welcome to the boards! I'm just west of you and had my surgery done at Good Sam (lap band in 2005). Any questions you have, feel free to bring them here or to the other forums! Lori

HI CJ, Just keep doing your research until you are certian. It took me a while to feel comfortable with what I was doing. It also took finding the right surgery for me. So hang in there, and read, read, read!!! Best wishes to you and yours Isha 366/147/170 Reached goal 6/4/06 sw cw gw -219 GONE FOREVER www.duodenalswitch.com Eat NORMAL and Lose!!!