Scared

Hello. My name is Michelle Singer. My husband is in the Army and we are here at Fort Drum. A few weeks ago my primary care doctor sent a referal for me to see a surgeon for the Gastric Bypass. I met with him this morning and he approved it for me. So now the process begins. I am very nervous and very scared. Right now I feel so alone because my family and friends are all in California. I would love to meet people and talk with people who have or will be experiencing the gastric bypass. I am worried that when the time comes for me to have the surgery my husband will be in Afghanistan again. If you would like to contact me my email addy is [email protected] I would love to hear from you. Sincerely, Michelle Singer

Michelle, i understand that you are scared about this surgery and having to go threw this alone. i really hope your husband dont have to go back over to Afghanistan. i do know that this guy in my support group had a son in iraq when he was going to have his surgery done and our dr and and some other drs wrote a letters and his son got to come home for 5 weeks..that might be something you can check into if your husband gets sent over there....if you need a friend to talk during your journey i am here. i will help out in any way i can......i have two email accts. [email protected] and [email protected]..... lynda

Hi Michelle! I live in Canton, about 1 1/2 hrs. north of Ft. Drum. I had my surgery at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake and would highly recommend my surgeon (Dr. Michael Hill) and the hospital! AMC has a wonderful support group meeting for post-ops the second Tuesday of every month at 6:00 pm and an informational meeting on the second Tuesday of every month @ 7:00 pm. They also meet the fourth Tuesday @ 6:00pm. This meeting is open to pre-opt, post-opt, and people who are thinking about having the surgery. These support meetings are a great way to meet other WLS people and to share your experiences with others and to just talk about everything you're going through. What hospital and surgeon are you looking into? It's normal to feel scared; however, I was so excited about WLS that I had no fears what-so-ever! Feel free to email at any time! I would be more than happy to talk to you and even meet with you. WLS is the best thing that I have done! I had surgery on 1/21/04 and am down 78 lbs. (12 before surgery) and am off my liptor and no longer a diebetic. Best of luck to you in what ever decision you make! Hope to hear from you soon! Kimberley 248/236/170/135-by July I hope

Michelle, Hi I had my surgery on June 14th. It was 4-6 weeks before I felt completely like myself again. Everyone is different, but please know that you may need help at first when you arrive home. Also, it is a great idea if someone can be with you in the hospital. Maybe a friend, if your husband can't be there. It would be worth it even if someone has to come from out of state for a couple of weeks to be of help to you. You may do fantastic and not need it, but I would have not wanted to go through this without my daughter and/or husbands help. Hopefully, everything will go wonderful for you, but I would plan on not being alone if possible during the initial phase of this hospital and post op time. It involves both the physical and emotional part of adjusting to this major change that your body goes through. Sincerely, LMW P.S. I pray that your husband will be able to be with you.