Hardest Thing I Ever Had To Do In My Life

Hi All, I just need to vent to my family if you do not mind. Going into this surgery I knew that it would not be easy. I did lots of research and went to support groups and read articles and looked at TV shows that talked about it. In doing all of this and knowing the risk and the life altering change I still felt the need to have this surgery, this was something I wanted to do without fail. However although I do not regret having the surgery nor can I yet say I would do this again, I just need to keep it real when I say that having this surgery was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and maintain in my life. Without the sole support of my new best friend Lisa Cohen and my longtime friendship with Lisa Dunlap, I have no idea what I would do. Lisa Cohen and I had our surgeries about 2 weeks apart so the things I am going through now she is so helpful with, my day does not feel complete unless I talk to her. Lisa Dunlap is almost a year out and she gives me that energy and the reassurance that things will definately get better. I said all of that to say this when you are going through this, it is so important to have someone to support you. My husband and my best friend Lea and my sister Rochelle are all having this surgery and I am so glad that I am the Guinea Pig of the circle, because when they have surrgery they will have all of me. I will have already worked the kinks out for them, I will be there to help them from day one, I will be able to encourage them when they go through the depression and the battles of what to eat and what not to eat.. This is a remarkeable journey that all of the post ops have began and all of the pre ops are thinking of taking, it requires hard work and determination and most of all support from someone who understands and is willing to be there for you when you need them. This message board is such a great place to come and read and get advice, sometimes it can be a little intimidating on the main board because people will just beat you down and make you feel bad about your questions. Just thought that I would let all of you know that we are all in this together, weither i know you or not I plan to be an advocate and a great support person for anyone that needs me, I call people on a daily basis, i send numerous emails daily and I call my Lisa C. daily to see how her day is, this surgery is life altering for me and i intend to be as supportive as i can to anyone that just wants to talk. You can email me directly at [email protected] and I will take your number and give you mine and just know that I am here for you all, anytime of the day and night, because i do not want anyone to feel they are alone. This is a winning battle, not one without a strong and hard fight. I just want you all to know that support is the key to success. I hope that i have not offended anyone with what i have said, it was never meant to come out that way. i also want you all to look for regular post from me, because anytime I learn anything new that is helpful I will be on here sharing it. Thanks for listening and good luck to US ALL!!!!!

Thanks for your encouragement. I am beginning to realize that this will be one of the hardest jobs in my life. My fear is that I will be the one person this surgery will not help and then what will happen. I'm having vivid dreams of me buying new clothes and going out a lot but in my dreams I am still "the fat old lady". My sister, brother, and sister in law have all had the surgery and have already helped so much with support and getting me in the right direction about post op lifestyle. My husband is also scheduled for RNY so maybe we can do some kind of family story for Ophra!! Latest people magazine has some articles on total body makeovers and they cetainly sound biased against making surgical changes. I've tried all the hard ways;weigh****chers, Atkins, Nutisystems, Lean for Life, Jenny Craig, etc etc. All the money I spent at those places to lose 20 and gain back 30 would pay for RNY for 2 people. I'm done with doing it the hard way. I'll take this so call "easy way out" and make sure the world listens to me and my family when we shout loud that surgery is not the easy answer people seem to think it is. On my soap box now Adrienne! Thanks for your remarks. Take care.

No, I'm the one that this surgery isn't going to work on. Damn I am down today.

Don't be down Shell.. what is going on?

Thanks Adrienne for including the Oregon board in your post! We love it!! I too am available for anyone any time. I have posted my phone number in my profile. I am rarely sitting home by the phone these days but I will call anyone back who calls me and leaves a message. Thanks for being there for us.. and we are here for you if you ever need any additional support.