December, 2013 RNY Buddies
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Glad all of you found us. When you are ready, please jump right in tell us about yourself, when your surgery is, and share any anxiety or questions you may have.
Karen
"Perseverance, secret of all triumphs." ~ Victor Hugo 
Highest weight: 290; Weight at Surgery: 231; Current Weight: 126 (as of most recent Sunday)
Welcome Neighbor (couldn't resist). Yes, by all mean post about concerns. This is one of the goals of this group: to share our concerns, triumphs and struggles - and to be here for each other as best as we can.
There are a lot of us that week. I'm the day after you two on the 17th.
Karen
"Perseverance, secret of all triumphs." ~ Victor Hugo
Highest weight: 290; Weight at Surgery: 231; Current Weight: 126 (as of most recent Sunday)
Nothing too big and I am sure my concerns are common. I had to go through a 6 month weight loss program prior to approval. I did it half heartedly and, in the end, lost no weight. This in itself doesn't concern me because there is no weight loss requirement for my surgeon or insurance carrier and I really didn't make it a personal goal to loose weight during that period. My concern is that I seem to be going through a phase over the last couple of months where I feel a compulsion to not restrict myself with respect to what I eat and I think I have actually gained a couple pounds since my last appointment with the doctor. It is not that I am having multiple "last suppers" but that if I have a thought or desire to eat something I don't check myself and instead justify indulging based on the fact that I am having surgery. It is like I am waiting for the surgery to make the difference. Intellectually, I realize that it is irresponsible to invest in the hope that things will magically be different after surgery, and have some fear that it is not going to be different or, that by not checking myself more now, I am setting myself up to fail later. I realize that successful weight loss after surgery requires a lifetime commitment to change and I am prepared for that. It is just that after so many previous failed attempts at loosing weight I have such a negative attitude toward dieting and find the idea it creates a whole emotional reaction. I am counting on the surgery to boost me past the diet funk. It is all the mind game thing. My ray of hope is that I successfully gave up all soda sine I first visited my doctor. I used to live off diet soda and I haven't had a single sip for 8 months. I was truly addicted. After giving it up, I feel so free, and even though I have the occasional craving, I expect that I will never have soda again. If I can do it with soda, I should be able to do it with food.
Aside from my husband, our adult children know and my mother knows. (She lives near us and would find out quickly anyway. I've also told the Priest and Head Warden at my church. My absence will be noticed.)
My greatest fear is the stigma society places on WLS, and that people will think I'm weak and have no will power. Normally I don't care what people think of me; they can take it or leave it. I'm a pretty secure person but the anticipation of peoples' comments if I lose weight rapidly stresses me out.
"Perseverance, secret of all triumphs." ~ Victor Hugo
Highest weight: 290; Weight at Surgery: 231; Current Weight: 126 (as of most recent Sunday)
I have been lurking on the forms for quite some time and was happy to see this group established. My surgery is set for Dec 16. I tried to coordinate it with time off work so that I would have plenty of time to heal. I am excited to finally be at this point. Other than the time it took to jump through all the hoops, it has been surprisingly easy to get approval. I was at a professional conference this last week and had a couple of pictures taken with friends. It was awful to se the reality of how large I have become. I am looking forward to the help the surgery will provide and look forward to recapturing the more fun aspects of life. I do have concerns, but but will not bore you with them in this post. No doubt there will be opportunities to raise them over time. I will be nice to share this experience with all of you.
I have only an afternoon NUT workshop, which I have to attend with my husband. I've already had two 1 on 1 sessions with the registered dietician, and I had to pass a written test (I got 100%!)
If I have to do a pre-op, it will start 12/3. I know what you mean - we are very close but it feels like forever.
Karen
"Perseverance, secret of all triumphs." ~ Victor Hugo
Highest weight: 290; Weight at Surgery: 231; Current Weight: 126 (as of most recent Sunday)
Just had my surgeons required 2 day NUT class. Can't believe I am so close, yet it feels so far away! Pre-Op diet starts 12/2.
MS Warrior, Wife & Mom. Duodenal Switch Date 12/4/2013
I'd toss my CPAP in the pool if it didn't cost so much. I have sleep apnea, hypertension, and degenerative arthritis. The reason I was referred for a Roux-en-Y is that I need surgery to fix my rotting esophagus and gastroparisis. Weight loss will be a much needed and welcome side benefit.
Karen
"Perseverance, secret of all triumphs." ~ Victor Hugo
Highest weight: 290; Weight at Surgery: 231; Current Weight: 126 (as of most recent Sunday)
I started my journey at the end of June by asking my PCP about WLS and here I am 5 months later I will be having the Vertical Sleeve on the 18th of December. I am both excited and nervous. To be totally honest I didnt think I would qualify and when my doctor said I was a perfect candidate my feelings were a little hurt. Crazy huh? I am 5'4 and weigh in at 222 at the moment. HW was 230. I have Diabetes, Sleep Apnea and arthritis and PCOS.
I am mostly having the surgery to get rid of my sleep apnea and diabetes, that is not to say the weight loss wont be a great thing but I really really really hate that CPAP mask.
Good Luck to everyone!!
