Any one near Landrum

Hi anyone near Landrum had gastric by pass, I live in Rutherfordton NC but I work in Landrum, had gastric bypass May 30th in Spartanburg. Would like to meet other people who have had same. Love to know how you are doing, how your life has changed any tips hints etc. Brenda

Hi, Brenda! I don't know how far Landrum is from Spartanburg, but I don't think very far. We have a casual support group that meets at the Westside Spartanburg Library on the first Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. We would love to have you join us!!!! We will be meeting on Tuesday, July 5 at 6. Hope to see you there!!! Hugs, Connie 278/165/150

Brenda, I live in Chesnee, SC. Dr. Paul Ross did my surgery on Dec. 14, 2004. I've lost 98 pounds so far and feel great. The only side effect I have had was severe heartburn. Dr. Ross has me take tagamet [one per day] and that has kept it under control. I attend the monthly support group at the Regional once a month [second Tuesday] and we just started a new counseling support group that meets once a week for six weeks with a family therapist who is helping us deal with the emotional part of the changes we go through. Call Dianne Smith to learn about any of these 864-560-6935. It gets better as you go along. The first 3 months are the hardest. After that you can eat a better variety of foods and your stomach is better able to handle it. As soon as you are able start exercising. I'm going to cardiac rehab 3 times a week now to get into condition. It's a great program and you're entitled to 3 months free as part of your surgery at the regional. Talk to Dr. Ross about it. he has the form you'll need. The hardest thing for me now is keeping myself in clothes. I usually buy 2 or 3 different sizes when I shop [my current size, the next lowest and the one below that]. I've been giving all my fat clothes to Goodwill so right now my closet is practically empty. I did keep one pair of my old jeans [size 50] to compare myself to. I can almost fit in one leg of those now. My next pair of jeans I buy [my current size] will be an 18. I'm about half way to my goal. Good luck. Gayla Millwood

Hi Gayla, I was at the last support group meeting (June) were you there? My husband & I were running a little late & set in the back. Sounds like you are doing great 98lbs is fantastic, I have lost 25, I go back to work Monday hope my energy builds up quick.did you have problem with this?

I was at the last meeting [also sitting in the back]. I'll be there Tuesday night hopefully. I'll try to remember to wear a red shirt so you can find me at the next meeting. Actually I had a surge of energy after the surgery. But when I went back to work, my energy level dropped. I was only out of work 3 weeks so that may have been why it affected me that way. But I tried to just take it easy. The first month I had so much heartburn and there was very little I could eat, I thought I might just die. I did ask myself on several occasions, "Why in the world did I do this to myself?" But that soon passed. Now I am so thankful I had this done. I'm 37 and I now weigh what I weighed when I graduated high school 20 years ago. I still need to lose close to another 100 pounds to be what I should really weigh. I don't know if I can get that much more off with diet and exercise alone or if some plastic surgery will be required. But whatever weight I end up at will be so much better than where I was. I only wish I could have had this done 20 years ago. My best advice to you is be patient with yourself. Your body is going to need time to adjust to all the changes it is going through. I believe in the end you'll see it was all worth it. Hope to see you Tuesday. Gayla