Intorduction

Hey Janet, we'll be starting our journeys together---literally!!!  Same date, same hospital, same doc.  Like you, I'm excited and scared, and I think that's normal.  I'm glad to have a surgery buddy and the support of the folks here on the PA board! 

Nicole---that's a great idea of starting a scrapbook and lists!!! 

Julia

Welcome, Janet!

Sounds like you and Julia should definitely get to know each other.  You'll be doing "laps" together at Barix for a couple of days and it will be a good things to have someone else to cheer you on (and vice versa).  

I'm 3 weeks out from my surgery with Dr. P, and she is just absolutely terrific.  VERY caring and very cautious in all the right ways.  Everyone at Barix was awesome and the facility itself is beautiful and CLEAN (none of that "hospital smell" you get in other places). One of the benefits of being in a facility where there are no sick folks

My advice to you is to start STRETCHING and to try and start walking a bit (as much as you can).  Stretching now will help you immensely in the stretching you'll need to keep doing in the hospital post-op.  The stretching post-op not only helps your abdominal muscles, but starts moving the gas (which they pump into you) and re-activating the digestive system.  The more you can stretch and move, the better you will feel post-op.  

Good luck and I know you'll do just fine. 

I grew up in the Northeast (pennypack area), but live in Doylestown now. 

karen

Thanks so much for the warm welcome, everyone! You guys are so great already, nobody pointed out my typo in introduction lol!
I hope to be posting a whole lot more.
Karen - thanks for the tip on stretching.

If "typo in introduction" is something we need to point out - we had better get lives!

Pam I would be in big trouble if ya'll pointed out typos since I am the typo queen ;)

Welcome Janet! I on the other side of the state, but still wanted to say hi.  :)  I recently started posting on this board and everyone has been great! Good luck with your surgery...hope to see you around more!

HI Janet!
Welcome to the PA boards. I had RNY with Dr.P in March and she is amazing. You won't find a better doctor out there. I had been researching this surgery for six years and have seen numerous doctors and I knew right away that she was the one!

This board is a great group of people who have a wealth of knowledge, ask away if you have questions someone will always answer. Sit back and enjoy the wild ride you are about to embark on....no, don't sit....sip sip sip and walk walk walk!!

Hello Janet I'm Angie new to the place as well. My surgery has not been scheduled as of yet I am in the middle of the process to get to submitting.
Goodluck with your upcoming procedure

By no means do I want to steer you away from this board - because we love adding to our family.!! I just also wanted to point out, seeing as though you are newer, that there are other forums specifically for VGB which I see you are going for.

Like I said...please stay here so we can learn about it too...but if you have specific questions that board may be able to help a bit more as there are few VGB-ers here.

Janet,

Welcome to the PA board, it's a great support tool!  Being connected pre-surgery is a great thing, helps give you insight into what you will experience and goes along way in educating yourself and knowing you are not alone with most anything you will be feeling or experiencing.

Best wishes on your journey towards healthier living!

Laureen