Hey there! Newbie to the group
i get to be the first to welcome you? squeee. welcome. welcome. welcomeeeeeeee.
do as much research as you can. learn all you can about anything related to the surgery in any way. learn about the 'after' which would include complications, new diet and general health.
keep a positive outlook. i swear by god, it really does affect your recovery time! pray if that helps you. fantacise about going to a reunion. make your 'to do' list... mine grows by the day. :D
maybe the best thing you can do for yourself now is see a councelor to address teh issues that led to your obesity in the first place. the surgery changes your belly but not your brain.
build up your support system. this site is a good first step but also look around your area for a support group or maybe just a couple friends that are behind you.
you will do fine! *hugs*
do as much research as you can. learn all you can about anything related to the surgery in any way. learn about the 'after' which would include complications, new diet and general health.
keep a positive outlook. i swear by god, it really does affect your recovery time! pray if that helps you. fantacise about going to a reunion. make your 'to do' list... mine grows by the day. :D
maybe the best thing you can do for yourself now is see a councelor to address teh issues that led to your obesity in the first place. the surgery changes your belly but not your brain.
build up your support system. this site is a good first step but also look around your area for a support group or maybe just a couple friends that are behind you.
you will do fine! *hugs*
Welcome Tai!!!! 
You didn't mention which surgery you're looking at, but I second the above post about research. But I would strongly encourage you to expand your research to all four major weight loss surgeries before making a decision on which one to have. Most of your pre-op appointments will transfer to whichever surgery you decide on, so don't worry about that right now. There's four main surgeries: the band, the gastric bypass (RNY), the vertical sleeve gastrecomy (VSG), and the duodenal switch (DS). Each has their advantages and disadvantages. Statistically, the band has the lowest percentage of initial and long term weight loss, and the DS has the highest percentage of initial and long term weight loss, with the RNY in the middle. The VSG is fairly new and there aren't long term studies on it yet. Of course there are individuals here who have done great with each of these, it just depends on how hard you are willing to "work your tool" and what kind of lifestyle you are looking at for the rest of your life. I'd start by spending some time on each of the surgery specific forums here, and also looking at the "revisions" forum to see what's not working for people.
Best wishes on your journey!!! It's a wild ride!!!!
You didn't mention which surgery you're looking at, but I second the above post about research. But I would strongly encourage you to expand your research to all four major weight loss surgeries before making a decision on which one to have. Most of your pre-op appointments will transfer to whichever surgery you decide on, so don't worry about that right now. There's four main surgeries: the band, the gastric bypass (RNY), the vertical sleeve gastrecomy (VSG), and the duodenal switch (DS). Each has their advantages and disadvantages. Statistically, the band has the lowest percentage of initial and long term weight loss, and the DS has the highest percentage of initial and long term weight loss, with the RNY in the middle. The VSG is fairly new and there aren't long term studies on it yet. Of course there are individuals here who have done great with each of these, it just depends on how hard you are willing to "work your tool" and what kind of lifestyle you are looking at for the rest of your life. I'd start by spending some time on each of the surgery specific forums here, and also looking at the "revisions" forum to see what's not working for people.
Best wishes on your journey!!! It's a wild ride!!!!
Hello Tai,
Welcome. I just went thru a 6 month period for my insurance company and had my surgery last Tuesday. Everyone is right. Do your research and be as informed about every possibility for each surgery. Be patient and don't give up. Once you have a surgeon make sure you follow instructions. I followed all of my surgeons instructions and was dedicated to the "tool" he gave me. He and his staff really prepared me for this new beginning. I was up walking the day of my surgery and would have been released the next day after surgery if the snow had not hit Baltimore. I have already returned to work 6 days after surgery. I feel great! You will too. Just dedicate yourself to this new "tool" and you will do great.
Best of luck.
Tony Ray
Welcome. I just went thru a 6 month period for my insurance company and had my surgery last Tuesday. Everyone is right. Do your research and be as informed about every possibility for each surgery. Be patient and don't give up. Once you have a surgeon make sure you follow instructions. I followed all of my surgeons instructions and was dedicated to the "tool" he gave me. He and his staff really prepared me for this new beginning. I was up walking the day of my surgery and would have been released the next day after surgery if the snow had not hit Baltimore. I have already returned to work 6 days after surgery. I feel great! You will too. Just dedicate yourself to this new "tool" and you will do great.
Best of luck.
Tony Ray
Welcome, you've come to a great site and wonderful forum. My advice, ask ask ask and research as much as possible beforehand.
:Danni >>>AIDS/LifeCycle 10 & 11 Finisher: 545miles on the bike in 7 days <<<
HW390/SW340/CW 208/GW170
Thank you for all of the replies...they were appreciated! Briefly, I chose to go with Dr. Diego R. Camacho @ Montefiore Medical Center for those of you that were interested. Mostly because it is a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellance and Dr. Camacho is the director of Lap general surgery. It also happens to be very close to home and only a 15 min drive :-)
I've been indecisive about this for 4 yrs but decided back in November to finally do it. After my consult I decided the band was not for me. Looks like it will be Lap RNY for me. March will be dedicated to appts and since he is booked into May, I think the earliest date will be end of May or June. Til then I will be lurking about on these forums and hopefully making friends with some "losers"...lol
I've been indecisive about this for 4 yrs but decided back in November to finally do it. After my consult I decided the band was not for me. Looks like it will be Lap RNY for me. March will be dedicated to appts and since he is booked into May, I think the earliest date will be end of May or June. Til then I will be lurking about on these forums and hopefully making friends with some "losers"...lol
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