Introducing Myself

Hi, I am forum-surfing this evening :) I am having an RnY on 1/20/10 and started my pre-op diet today -- a few days early to try to get myself into the hang of this. I started at 440 pounds and am hoping to be under 380 when I have my surgery . . . but then I would like to lose about 200 pounds. If I can do better than that, it will be wonderful!

I am 45, I live in Maine, and I have 2 boys ages 6 and 11. I have a lot of health issues that are related to my weight, so I am considered high risk for the surgery, but the benefits likely outweigh the risks. I have to be monitored a bit more than the average person I guess, primarily due to pulmonary hypertension.

I would love to get to know people here and share the journey.

Bec

Good luck..it's an incredible journey!

Thank you! It is nice to see someone losing the same amount I need to! I can't really imagine being down 195 pounds, but I hope I join you!

Hi Bec, I'm Ronda. I had a lap band 12/15 at the age of 57. I have some mild pulmonary hypertension too, but it doesn't need treatment. I also have sleep apnea, high blood pressure and some really terrible arthritis in my shoulders. I need shoulder replacements. UGH.

Good luck with your January surgery. The pre op diet gets MUCH EASIER after a few days, so don't despair.

It is so good to hear of others with pulmonary hypertension -- mine is probably caused by my sleep apnea. I take a lot of diuretics for it, which is one of the big worries with the surgery. My surgeon is worried about dehydration between the diuretics and the surgery itself being dehydrating, so I am supposed to be monitored by everyone pretty closely.

One thing that bothers me is that pulmonary hypertension seems to fall somewhat between cardiology and pulmonary, so I have actually switched primary care doctors to make sure I have someone to keep on top of both specialist's recommendation. I have to go see everyone -- primary care, cardiology and pulmonary the week after surgery. I hope I can handle that!

Day 2 on pre-op diet and I exercised 35 minutes/205 calories -- hope it helps!!!

Welcome!

Good luck with the pre op diet. It was the worst part of the process for me (well, other that dealing with medical bureaucracies).

Just keep thinking "It's only temporary!"

I still have some of those medical hoops to jump through . . . I hope it goes smoothly. I am getting very excited to lose weight, but also scared of the changes. I keep thinking those first 6 weeks after surgery are going to be the hardest. Isn't that worse than the pre-op diet? I have been doing protein shakes for awhile, so at least I am used to those. I have also been down to two meals for awhile, but some not so perfect eating over the holidays. I find I don't enjoy food a lot right now -- I just want to be thinner!

Welcome Bec, as I told Becky- you gals have found one great board! Your surgery is right around the corner so I hope that you taking this time to really prep your mind along with your body.
Glad to meet ya!!!

Thank you -- do you have any advice on further preparations?

I started this process about 8 months ago when my PCP suggested (she is usually rather set against it, but my health issues are really disabling at this point). I have been to support groups for the last 6 months for RnY, and I have tried to do a few online things such as ShrinkYourself about emotional eating.

I run support groups for overweight women so I have seen some people have different troubles after losing weight, such as trading addictions. I have been stocking myself well to work on my hobbies (beading and wire-wrapping), and have really been watching how I react to foods that I eat. Since I see that I have downward mood spirals after too many carbs, there is insentive to stay away. 

But it almost seems like preparing to have a baby . . . you can have all the ideas in the world on how life will be after the baby comes, but then the reality is quite different and everything is on-the-job training.

I am very open to ideas on how to continue to prepare. It is a pretty scary adventure when you're less than three weeks from surgery.

Hi Bec - welcome and congrats.  We have some rental property in Maine - what part of the State do you live in?  It's a beautiful place!