NEW MEMBERS! Help Introduce Yourself!

JEllen,

I love your glacier analogy.  I am fascinated with glaciers and the effect that their slow but steady movement have on our planet (science teacher thing)....you are such really a positive role model...thank you!!!!

How neat that you are a teach! 

Thanks for your kind words...

 Hello!

My name is Krysti and I am looking at having my surgery at the end of February or beginning of March.  I will be having RNY.  I began looking into having WLS a couple years ago and finally met with the surgeon of my choice on October 2nd.  I am in the process of getting my clearances for surgery.  My next clearance will be an endoscopy and a colonoscopy on January 14th.  I am extremely apprehensive of the colonocopy.  My surgeon said he will not put me out for this as he needs my lucid and I will experience some discomfort.  I told him that I am so nervous about this that he will probably need to use a crowbar to pry my cheeks apart and he promised to give me medicine to relax me, just not put me under.  Anyhoo...

Thank you Yvonne for the invite to join your group.  I've watched your WLS Journey shows have read your blog and am totally inspired by you. 

I have gotten a lot of mixed information on the main boards and unfortunately, often times have to read through the drama and surgery wars to glean useful information. 

I am not on the boards every day as my times is hectic between work and raising four boys, but I hope to stop by often and look forward to sharing and learning from and with everyone!

AWWW, the mood attached to your name got removed by the user. Bummer...

I'm so glad you're here and wow, you're raising 4 boys???  Holy Cow!!

Hey, I can't speak for it personally but everyone I've talked to said the colonoscopy was not so bad at all.  They give you lots of drugs and they are drugs designed to cause you to forget it too!  I'm a firm believer that it is what you make it!  Go forward looking forward to it because it's the beginning of a whole new life!  WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  In the meantime I'll pick out a pretty pink crowbar.
well it's sorta pink
We are so happy to have you here and I'm so glad you found us!  We'll be here for you every step of the way and I can't wait to watch you on your journey.
hugs, Y

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Thanks, Yvonne!

I changed the link... I guess I have to be careful using You Tube vids, eh?  lol  And yes, four boys... but they are my heroes, the wind beneath my wings so to speak.  Especially when they are asleep!  ~laughing~

Thank you sooooo much for the purty crowbar!  I am working up the excitement to drink the gallon of Pineapple flavored laxative I am required to drink the day prior to my colonoscopy party... and no ladies/gentleman... I will not share, get your own gallon!  I'm thinking of doing it as shots!  Ya know, make a party game out of it.  Anyone up for playing quarters?  Of course, it's a BOYL (Bring Your Own Laxative) kinda party!

It's great to be here and I look forward to sharing my journey!

Hi Krysti and WELCOME!

this is a nice relaxed place to be. Glad you stopped by to join us- come when you can.

I know all the pre-op stuff can be daunting- especially that colo business... but you'll get through it and you'll be post -op before you know it!

As far as the colo goes... most Dr's give just enough anesthesia to totally relax the patient. You know like when you're kind of awake- but more asleep... dreamy... aware of noises around but not much else....
I did experience some discomfort during my colo the year before my surgery but I was groggy and I really don't remember pain from it.
Maybe it felt more like my BIG cat walking on my tummy and stepping all over me. Nothing that would make me wake up completely from sleep. If you have pets you know what I mean.  or maybe a kid jumping in bed with you- aware they came in... a couple of bumps "oof"  but snuggle up and who cares... everybody back to sleep.

You'll be over it in no time. 

Just keep your mind on the reason for enduring that unpleasantness- your WLS journey and you will be fine!

come back when you can and let us know how you are doing!!!

Thank you, JEllen!

It's nice to be welcomed with such enthusiasm! 

Yes, the pre-op stuff is daunting at times and sometimes I get downright scared wondering if I am making the right decision.  But that thought is fleeting in the grand scheme of things.  I hope it is normal to have those thoughts!  I know that the end results, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, is huge!  I can't wait to be sitting on the losers bench. 

I hope my experience with the colonoscopy is similiar to yours!  That I can handle... not that I have a choice in the matter.  Once they have me in that position, what am I gonna do?  Hit em with my nice shiney new crowbar?  ~laughing~  Seriously, as you stated... the end results will be so worth any discomfort I might feel.

Here's a tip.  Keep the liquid as cold as you can and it takes a lot of the taste away.

I mostly don't want you to feel anything like guilt or shame regarding needing surgery.  If you had any other disease and went for surgery, you wouldn't feel anything along those lines.  I think you are making an awesome decision for your kids and family.  And yes it is true...any discomfort will be worth what you'll get out of this.  Plus you'll have a bunch of new friends!!
hugs, Y

 oh my.....  roflol

"that thought is FLEETING....."

um yes.... that is one way to deal with the pre-colo experience...

Well, now that the holidays and insanity that accompanies them is finally gone, I thought I'd settle in and introduce myself to the board properly.

My name is Danelle, and I had RNY on June 23, 2008.  At an even 5'0, I began my journey at 205 lbs and now bounce between 107-110.

I was overweight most of my life, and after four kids [12, 10, 6 & 3] I was miserable, morbidly obese and in a very unhappy place.  While I had no co-morbs, I was on track for diabetes and had slightly elevated cholesterol.  While I don't classify my choice as 'vanity', I suppose that had a little to do with my decision; however, more than anything I just wanted to be able to ENJOY life, actively and keep up with my family.  I felt like life was truly, truly PASSING ME BY.  And I hated it.

Anyways, I feel very blessed.  Since surgery, and losing weight, I've been able to go ice skating, rollerskating, sledding, horse back riding, swimming, and participate in a host of other fun, exciting activities with my kiddos.  I'm NOT watching life from the bleachers anymore!!!! 

For the most part, my journey has been uneventful.  Well, until lately.  Despite taking 200 mg of carbonyl iron, my ferritin level dropped from an 8 to a 7 in three months.  I am currently on the generic form of Repliva, and have a referral for a hematologist to discuss iron transfusions.  I am hoping the prescription iron helps, and have held off on making an appointment with the hemo, because of some freakish....ermmm...let's say irrational, unfounded fear of iron transfusions.

Thanks Yvonne for inviting me to your group, your posts are always encouraging, supportive and uplifting.  You are an inspiration, and much appreciated!

--Danelle