Daily Post--3/5/08
My husband is the greatest. He took such good care of me when I was newly postop and didn't complain about the extra household stuff he had to do for so long when I was recovering. He's also been very positive about the changes in meals around the house. Soda is no longer in our house. (I figured if it's no good for me, it's no good for anyone else and my husband agreed). We eat a whole lot more fish and seafood than we used to, mainly because that's what I tolerate the best, and my husband and son are ok with this. My son, who is 12, is support to me just by being on this earth. I want to be here with him a long time. This motivates me to do the things I sometimes don't want to do, like go to the gym. He was a little trooper for his mom and still is, telling me ways he sees I'm smaller, and telling me how proud of me he is. I have a good group of friends who have been positive and supportive of me as well.
First, my greatest strength has come from God, and I continue to give Him praise.
Second, I want to say that OH has been--by far--my hugest source of actual wls info and support! From early on, I could tell that our local support group was not going to be very helpful (& they don't exist any more). So I came to OH every single day, multiple times, often well into the night. It was incredibly helpful to me when I was pre-op and during all the phases of my post-op journey. And now--3 1/2 yrs. later--I still get so much support, info, & encouragement!
My emotional support has been unwavering from my husband of 36 yrs. He was so complimentary all through the time I was losing the weight, and even though I am struggling w/ some re-gained weight, he doesn't mention it--and, in fact, he still compliments me frequently.
Our 3 grown kids, my dear sisters, my close friends, church family, close co-workers--really, all of them have strongly supported me ever since I first mentioned the possibility of wls. No "changed relationships" that some people have experienced, no jealously, no criticism. Everybody that I'm close to at this stage of my life I've been close to for a very long time, so they have all seen my pain through the years, and I know they are so happy for MY happiness!
I didn't have anyone at home when I got back from the hospital, so I took care of myself. My kids are so happy about how healthy I am now. My family emails me - we only live about 30 min apart, and I'm now so busy with my new life, that we never see each other.
So my main support is the Minnesota OH board and my close friends. My buds on the board are so great with compliments, help regarding WLS issues and just being so loving and wonderful - the best of the best! My close friends are all supportive, they understand when I don't want to go out to buffets, they listen when I whine and hug when I cry. I love them!
In this area I have been truly blessed...My husband started out very unsupportive but has since learned so much about this surgery that he is my biggest supporter...my family, friends and co-workers also keep me going with little comments about how good I look and since several of my coworkers have diabetes issues I have been giving out recipes I find on the boards and they are truly greatful. I also have two great buddies on here who I email back and forth with very regularly and since they know first hand what this is like they are great when you need a boost. I also met a fellow surgery buddy at my surgeons office who lives a block away from me...all fate I am sure...and we travel to our local support group together, chat on the phone or via email all the time.
I couldn't ask for more in this department...I am blessed. Laura
BF - Very encouraging and attentive throughout the process... now, a bit freaked out by all the attention from other men... almost as if he needs to compete. There's no need for him to compete...
Friends - Most very encouraging... only a couple know I've had RNY.
Co-workers - Mostly very encourging except for the jealous biotches... I don't get that... I'm the same grounded person... only happier now...
My husband, from the time I first mentioned wls, has been totally encouraging and supportive. He went with me to all my pre-op visits, asked questions, took on the extra work that I couldn't do after surgery, will walk with me whenever I want company on my walks. My teenage boys have also been a big help with the extra work around the house. The OH family has been wonderfully informative and helpful. I'm so fortunate and blessed to have such a great support system. Jules
My husband, my sister and my mother-in-law were amazingly supportive. One of the was always here with me the first few days after I got home from the hospital. Even if I was just sleeping. It was a great comfort knowing they were here, just in case. My in-laws also kept my special needs step-daughter for that first week which was amazingly helpful.
Since then my husband is so sweet and my sister is an amazing cheerleader. I don't get any of the negative comments that so many people say they get. My husband and sister are the first ones to say how good I look (and they mean more than physical...they can tell I "feel" better too.)
I'm a pretty independent person so I'm sure I'd have been fine on my own...but still nice have the support!
My husband has been extremely supportive of me. He slept on a chair in my hospital room after my surgery. Once home he helped take care of me and take care of things around the house. My kids have been very supportive, they are my biggest cheerleaders and are so happy I'm getting healthy. My parents have been a huge help to me! They took care of our kids when my husband and I were at the hospital. My mom took my kids to school and picked them up once my husband went back to work and while I couldn't drive. My friends have been very supportive. Several had the surgery previously and they have been a big help to me! I feel very fortunate to have the support system I have!!