Question:
Can anyone provide me with words of encouragement?
My surgery date is Thursday October 21, 1999, in Philadelphia, PA at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. I have mixed emotions, I can't positively say how I'm feeling because it changes from moment to moment. — Angel K. (posted on October 18, 1999)
October 18, 1999
I will be 3 weeks post op tomorrow. I've had very little pain and I'm
feeling stronger everyday. I've already lost 32 pounds. This is the best
thing I could ever have done for myself. Keep a really good and positive
attitute and all will go great for you. Good Luck and I'll keep you in my
prayers!
— Jan B.
October 18, 1999
I would be scared and excited. Scared because surgery can be scary, but so
excited
about the new life you are about to face. Take your time and be kind to
yourself. You have
chosen to do something that will be a prescription for your health. Love
yourself enough
to want to take care of yourself, and this is just one way to start. Think
back to all of the
episodes in your life that being overweight has made you so unhappy and
unhealthy. This is finally
a way that has been proven affective to end all of that pain. Now go for
the long term satisfaction
of feeling better physically and emotionally. Sure this will be hard, but
if we never have relied
on anything but food, how can we know what else might be there to take its
place!
This surgery is just the beginning. I am thinking of mine like a new
birthday! It is giving me a chance
to be reborn and reinvent myself. No longer will I be held back by my
size! I am tired of being so
exhausted and feeling bad. Are you tired enough of that to say to yourself
that this is truly the right
thing to do? I think that you do have that inside of you because if you
didn't you wouldn't have opted for
this viable way to change your life and the world as you know it. I don't
know about you, but I would like
to see how the other half-of-me can live as an unbinded weighed down
person.
So take heart there are so many of "us" out there cheering you
on! You can do this for yourself. The momentary
pleasure of food cannot possibly be close to the lifelong satisfaction of
knowing that you are healthier for yourself
and those who love you! Give yourself the chance to discover the other
ways that "normal" people cope with life and all
that it brings. I for one plan on going to Disneyland and riding Space
Mountain (something that I have never been able to
fit in almost all of my life!) So start today thinking of all of the
positive things that will come from your surgery.
Balance that against the things that food has brought you. I will say that
my food list was pretty short in comparison to the
list that I had for things that I want to do with my life now that I have a
chance to be less weighted down!
Take care and let us know how it is going. I will pray for a successful,
uncomplicated surgery for you, and that you
find your new self happy and satisfied with your new look and feel!
— Debbie A.
October 18, 1999
I too was scared right before my surgery. I had never had surgery before or
been in the hospital.
Remember you were approved by an insurance company and doctors for this.
There must be a purpose. Trust and have faith. People in this group can
help too. I had my surgery on 9-30 and feel great. I've lost 37 lbs in the
2-3 weeks since with no complications.
Good Luck and keep us informed.
— snicklefritz
October 18, 1999
hey angel good luck and god bless.... know that you are doing this for your
health.... dont ever let anyone make you feel bad about your decision... i
am still waiting on approval my self... feel free to contact me and let me
know your progress... i will keep you in my prayers..teresa
— teresa K.
October 18, 1999
you will do great!!! try to think about all the things you are going to do
when you are thin!!!
— Christina D.
October 18, 1999
Hi Angel!
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT!!!! I had RNY in june of this year and have now
lost 76 pounds! I cannot believe how great I feel and how wonderful it is
to be able to sit in a movie theater seat again!
I am so very very very very very glad I did this life saving thing!
I was a little frightened before my surgery (At UCLA her in California) but
my family and especially my husband were great.
I cannot imagine how terrible the rest of my life would have been if I
hadnot had this surgery! Now I am certain I will live to see my adorable 3
year old grandson grow up.
Please don't get discouraged and feel free to email me any time with
questions or whatever. [email protected]
Good luck. Cheri
— Cheri H.
October 18, 1999
Hi,
What you are feeling is completely normal. It's normal to feel scared and
unsure of your decision in one minute, then the next to be confident. Yes,
wls it major surgery.But the vast majority have no problems at all. The
first couple of days are rough, you'll have pain but you'll be able to
control it with the pain medication pump. Everyday will get better and
better. By the time you go home, your pain will be much improved. Once
home, take it easy. Allow people to help you. When eating, eat slowly,
don't drink when eating and chew, chew and chew somemore. Go slowly with
milk products, in case you become lactose intolerant. And really try to
stay away from sweets, to minimize dumping. Try to start exercising ASAP.
It'll speed up your weight loss. This is the beginning of the rest of your
life. This surgery is life changing and all for the better. you'll be
surprised on how better you'll feel with a 50 pound weight loss. Just think
how you'll be feeling at 100 pounds lighter! Think positive. Remember why
you want this surgery. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Write me
back and let me know how things are going for you. Also, if you want to
chat with someone, feel free to email me at [email protected].
Blessings (\O/) Bev.
— BJ K.
October 18, 1999
I can't wait for my date so get with it. Just kidding. My name is Julie
Schmidt I got to work till the 2nd week of November then I get to go in on
the 18th of November. My email is ( [email protected] ) or
([email protected])
so give me a line before going in we can keep in touch since we are getting
the surgery so close date wise.
Julie Schmidt
713 Glenwood RD
Rossford, Ohio 43460
thats if you like to write. I will give you my phone number so we can have
some one to talk to when we have the bad days if you email me direct. GOOD
LUCK JULIE
— JULIE S.
October 18, 1999
Angel ...
I can understand your mix of emotions ... coming down to the wire and you
know how your life is going to change. I am 2 yrs post op and have gone
from 397 lbs to 175, I am 6' tall .. and at a perfect weight for me. My
life has changed so much that I am still amazed everyday.
This is quite a decision that you have made, and quite a commitment to be
healthy and to live a life where you can be proud of yourself and move with
ease. No more being embarrassed by your size, no more getting those looks
from strangers or hearing their comments that hurt so deeply.
The first few days, I wondered what the hell I did to my body ... why did I
do this? I hurt and was on pain killers, plus the natural depression of
coming out of anesthesia, this will pass. Then you start seeing the pounds
melt away, begin exercising... start seeing the real you, you realize it's
all worth it.
This was the best decision that I ever made. I feel better than I ever
have, my life is better than I could ever have dreamt. Was it easy? NO,
Was it worth it? Oh Yes!! 100 times over. Good luck, Live Well, Laugh
Often, Love Much.
— Mary Anne M.
October 19, 1999
You'll be fine. I know the panic attacks start a few days ahead, but
overall the waiting is the worst. Once you are in surgery you know you are
on the way to recovery. I am 12 days post-op from open VBG. I am 26 years
old and in reasonable health. I chose to have the surgery to try and have a
baby sometime in the next year or two primarily. Almost two weeks out and
pretty much everything is back to normal. You'll be fine. We're all here
waiting for you. Good luck!
Bridget in MN
— Bridget M.
October 19, 1999
On the 21st of October you will be jumping over one of your biggest hurdles
in life, and with the faith of your god and the love of your family and
freinds everything will be alright. This is a start of your new life and
I'm glad to be here to share it with you. My love and Prayers will be with
you that day and always. Looking forward to seeing the new you in the new
Millennium. *YOU GO GIRL* love your sis.
— Lisa W.
October 19, 1999
Angel,
Thoughts & prayers coming to you from Southern California. We'll be
thinking about you! Take care.
— Peri B.
May 28, 2005
Angel, my surgery was August 17, 2004 I went in weighing 250 I now weigh
164 and feel great. I will not mislead you the first 2 to 3 months were
rough especially month 1 but it was not the pain just the changes you body
goes through adjusting to new eating habits which effects you whole being
and mind. I can not stress enough the importance of following instructions
and especially staying on vitamins as directed. Fear is funny and not HA HA
funny, we live with fear when we are obese due to the many medical
problems, my fear was not the surgery or the thought that I might not make
it through but my fear was no getting back some quality of life. I had
lived so long without enough air to walk, asthma, high blood pressure, mild
stroke water retention after several hospital stays my frame of mind was
anything is better than the way I am just existing not knowing what health
problems were coming next. Now I can truly say it was worth it all, I never
override the determination to stop when I feel full and have continously
lost not gained, I don't feel hungry after small portions and can walk and
exercise things I could not do before. To be able to shop for a size 10 and
not be embarassed at buying a 26 has been the best encouragment I had. If
you go into it with a postitive outlook you will fair much better. Know
that it is God not the surgeon who really does the work of changing you
life and he will. Best of succss to you.
— Dora J.
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