Welcome to the board....I'm glad to see more members here....Congratss on your surgery... Linda RNY 7-25-05

Welcome Back Rosa! I was just wondering today how you were doing. I am so glad everything went well. Sorry you are feeling so awful but I am sure that will pass soon. Elisa

Hi Celia! Woman you are looking GREAT! I am so happy for you. I hope to see you posting here more often...estamos muy, pero muy solitas y abandonadas poraqui ! LOL Elisa

Hola !! Bienvenida!! Let's hope more and more people find there way to this messageboard. Maybe if you could post an invite on your state board. I posted on the Cali one maybe I should do I repost soon. Te cuidas!! Elisa

Rosa, Hoy es tu dia!!! Happy re-birthday!!! I wish you nothing but good things that are to come your way from here on out. I remember that fateful day. It seems like so long ago. In typical Mexicano style the whole familia including immediate and extended family members went with me to the hospital. Of course, in typical Mexicano style right before I was going to get wheeled in somehow some of the conversations that took place especially among my tias and parents was about enfermedades. Somehow conversations among the elders in my family, no matter what family function it is, always seem to end up with talking about enfermedades and ailments. Anyhow, some of the things that helped me out during my stay include taking a small CD player to my room. Fortunately, Fresno Surgery Center only allows one person to a room. As I recovered for three days I would play soft music that would soothe me to sleep and help me relax. To this day, every time I listen to the CDs I played while I was in the hospital I get good memories of my stay. Other things that helped me out during my stay include walking once they wanted me to get up and walk. About the third day I was pacing the hallways of the hospital trying to get my walking in even if it was at a turtle's pace. Yes, thinking about the end results kept me going but I learned early on to focus and love every minute of the actual journey. I had never had surgery in my life prior to this--not even a broken bone--so you can imagine how nervous I was prior. Of course, once I came to from surgery I felt desesperada and my stomach felt bloated. However, I made sure I just slept and slept that first evening and night and took things slowly. I also made sure I followed every single advice the nurses and doctor gave me. I also want to mention that a very good friend of mine who was 57 years old at the time went with me through the whole WLS process. In fact, she had her surgery in the same hospital that morning while I had it in the afternoon. By the way, she is doing fantastic now and we're planning a huge pachanga for her 60th birthday. Yes, I would do it in a heartbeat again and again if I had to. Best wishes Rosa and know that many of us will be thinking about you today. How exciting!! Noemi Garcia Reyes