Question:
In need of some encourging words!!!

Hi-I am scheduled to have WLS on January 25, 2000. I am scared to DEATH and would like to have some support. All I hear is how I should not have this surgery it is too dangerous, but the people who are telling me this have NO idea what it feels like to be overweight! So anyone who has some encourging words-please share. Thank you! My e-mail is [email protected].    — Kari G. (posted on December 10, 1999)

December 10, 1999
Hi Kari, I have not had the surgery yet, but will as soon as I can get approved. I have 5 freinds who have been through this, and everyone says it has been the best thing they ever did for themselves. the first week is going to be a little rough, but just do what your Doctor advises,and what you are suppose to do and you will do fine. Everyone who is really over weight , knows the dangers on their health. May the Lord be with you,
   — C S.

December 10, 1999
Hi Kari, I have not had the surgery yet, but will as soon as I can get approved. I have 5 freinds who have been through this, and everyone says it has been the best thing they ever did for themselves. the first week is going to be a little rough, but just do what your Doctor advises,and what you are suppose to do and you will do fine. Everyone who is really over weight , knows the dangers on their health. May the Lord be with you,
   — C S.

December 10, 1999
Kari - Everytime I hear where one of us is having to put up with negative comments about this surgery I just cringed. Common sense dictates that you need to be encouraged with regards to your decision. I had my surgery 11/15, and I was absolutely terrified. Everything went fine -- that is not to say it was a walk in the park it wasn't. The things that frightened me were blood clots and the nose tube. They do everything possible to prevent the bloods clots, and I walked, walked, walked. And, the nose tube, piece of cake. It was nothing. Hang in there and concentrate on the positive. Good luck to you.
   — Jari M.

December 10, 1999
Kari, I haven't had surgery yet but the more I research and ask, the more confident I become in making this decision. I am scheduled for the 28th. No one knows what is like in your shoes but you have to do what is best for you. Don't live in fear, overcome it! As far as advice, do whatever the doctors tell you and join chat you will recieve very valuable advice and support!
   — Janiece L.

December 10, 1999
Kari, I haven't had my surgery yet, in fact I'm just starting out and won't even meet my surgeon until January, so I can't tell you about the operation or about how I feel post-op. But I can tell you that you are doing something very positive for yourself. You are taking control of your life, your health and your emotional well being. Those people in your life, who aren't as supportive as you wish, love you and are frightened of losing you. They are only aware of horror stories from the past and are unaware of advances in this type of surgery. They may even be afraid of who the "new you" will be and how you will interact with each other. You are right they don't know what it's like to carry the weight of one or more people around all time. They don't know what it's like to not fit through the turnstiles at the drug store. They aren't facing a life that is steadly being shortened, as well as having the quality of that life constantly diminish. This operation is a drastic step, but in so many ways we are in drastic, life threatening situations. Taking this step puts us on the path of saving our own lifes, our own happiness and our own well being. So concentrate on the positives. Don't be hard on yourself for being afraid, this IS scary on so many levels. Look ahead to the future, the sky is our only limit! Let us know how you are doing.
   — Sharyle L.

December 10, 1999
Kari: My surgery was October 20, '99 and it wasn't simple and easy for me ... I had some complications, needed followup surgery and 8 more days in hospital, later needed a hypothorax drained, and felt generally miserable up until this past Monday. BUT I've actually been pretty miserable for several years as my weight climbed and my self esteem dropped to zero. Six weeks is not a very long time in the overall scheme of things if you look at the big picture. My weight loss as of today is 45 lbs, and I turn 45 next week. Do I wish things went smoother following my WLS? Sure! Would I do it again unhesitantly? Absolutely! The quality of the rest of my life will be vastly improved by drastically reducing the chance of developing the diseases I'm genetically pre-disposed to, I'll actually enjoy shopping again, and my weight will no longer be a major issue in my life. Anything worth getting is worth working for, and frequently involves some element of risk. My personal opinion is WLS was my last option, and I have no regrets regarding my decision. Cindy PS: My complications were in NO WAY due to human error ... I just happened to fall in that tiny percentile that develops complications.
   — Cynthia B.

December 10, 1999
Hi Kari: I was really scared before my surgery, too. I spent the last 2 weeks before the operation just being with my husband and daughter, because I didn't know if I would make it through the procedure or not. I wanted to build warm memories for my daughter, who is 9, just in case something happened. Silly? Nah.....what if.....? By the Grace of God I made it through with relatively no problems, and I'm so thankful that I did everything just the way I did it. And now, my life is so much better, I feel good, and I'm so much happier than I have been in years. My sleep apnea is gone, and so is the exhaustion that goes along with it. I have tons of energy, and just got back from 8 days at Disney World where I walked and walked and walked.....after flying COMFORTABLY on a plane (for the first time in years)with some slack in my seat belt! For me, the decision to have WLS was the right one. When done by an experienced physician who CARES about his patient, it can be accomplished in a safe manner. I was fortunate enough to have a surgeon who fits that description, the fabulous David Greenbaum. He has been such a blessing to me and my entire family. Good luck with your surgery! Jaye Carl, open proximal RNY 7-29-99, 78 pounds gone forever!
   — Jaye C.