First time to post

I have been a member for some time now but never really did anything on here till now. A couple of weeks ago I went to a community meeting about Gastric surgery. I received all the information I needed to get this going. I have been trying for almost three years to get this going and by the grace of God I met a lady at a retreat I was on the first weekend of November who is a manager or something at Spartanburg Hospital and she talked to me about the surgery. I explained what I had been through and she said she would get it lined up for me. Needless to say, she kept her word. This Wednesday Dec 6th I start my six weeks of doctor's appointments that the hospital requires. Hopefully with all the time allowance that is needed to get forms filled out and back I should be having my surgery somewhere between middle of March and the end of April. I welcome any advice you may have because all I get is from others who don't know because they haven't been through it and a lot of negative things are being said. I did find out the "Baby Food Scare for 6 months" is not true. Hope to hear from others. My Love and Prayers to all.

Congratulations on making the best decision of your life. I am 8 weeks post op and it has been the best decision I ever made. Don't listen to the negatives. Come on here and ask about them. We will tell you the TRUTH!!! You have a wonderful support team on here. When I was in the early stages of getting the ball rolling, I would ask like 5 questions a day on this site. Everyone is wonderful and they will respond. Ask questions!!! It's the only way to learn! Take care and congratulations!! Rachel

Thanks for the encouraging words and letting me know it's ok to ask questions. As it get closer I will have many I'm sure.

Welcome to the Board, Teresa!! You have made the best decision of your life!! We have all been in your shoes and will try to help you along the way. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions, no matter how silly it may seem!! It sounds like you are going to Spartanburg Regional, which is where I went. So if you have any questions about it, please let me know. Please post and let us know how everything is going with you !! Hugs, Dianne

Yes that is where I am going. Dr Ross seems like a nice doctor. I will probably have lots of questions as time gets nearer. I will post more as I go through everything.

Congratulations on taking that first step toward a new life. I am 4 weeks post -op and have absolutely no regrets what so ever in my decision to do this surgery. Like you, I heard all the negitive comments, and it's funny because they all came from people who knew nothing about the surgery and who never had a weight problem. Yes, they put doubts in my mind, until I joined OH and got the real information from people who have been there and done it. After attending the seminar at Barriatric Solutions, it totally made my mind up for me. My husband went with me, and he left saying ,go for it! It put his mind at ease and he realized it wasn't what some people had told him. He is so thrilled to see my weight coming off afer struggling with one diet after the other. Bless his heart , he has been on every diet I have been on and never complained, he just knew how hard it was to see me not lose and him drop pounds right before my eyes, he really never needed to lose much weight either. So, close your ears to the negitive comments and do what you feel is right for you. Take Care! Mary

Everyone who has advice for me is either not overweight or (I think) are jealous or something. I have two in my life that is overweight and neither one can afford to have the surgery. They have had negative comments the whole time especially one has told me that I was taking my life in my own hands because they "know somebody" who had it done a year ago and is now dying of malnutrition. Anyway I have told them and everyone else that if they want to come to the hospital when I have it done that it was ok but I did not want ANY negative talking around me or my husband and if they can not abide in that then I will have someone call them at home to let them know how I am doing. I don't want to sound mean but I think that I have the right to be happy about my decision after all the heartaches I have been through. I know what you mean about your husband also. Mine has stuck by me through all the dieting and such and when we went to the meeting he said, "Well, You ready to get your dream started?" All I could do was hug him and cry. He didn't feel comfortable about the bypass until we went to the meeting because of all the stuff others have said. He is my rock and with him supporting me in this decision now and God's blessings I have all what I need to make it through with flying colors.

Welcome, Teresa!! I am so happy I had my surgery...would do it again in a heartbeat! Like the others said, ask anything, and we'll help all we can! Glad you decided to jump in and post! Hugs, Elizabeth

Thanks for the kind words. As I told the others I am sure I will have many questions as time goes.

welcome!!!! i too have decided to have the surgery...i will have it after my hubby returns from deployment, which will be the middle of march so we could end up having it around the same time...how cool!...M