Question:
I am looking for some positive feed back stories - getting scared!
I am 3 weeks pre-op and just scared. I am not sleeping well at all and my whole life is consumed with this surgery. I would love to hear some happy stories to help me get past this. Thank you — Diane S. (posted on October 12, 2003)
October 12, 2003
I am three weeks post-op, surgery was Laproscopic on 9/23. I am doing
wonderful! Went back to work as an OR RN two weeks to the day after my
surgery. Feeling great, sleeping great. No problems thus far. Getting a
minimum of 45g of Protein a day and drinking 60+oz of water and I am
walking. I really think I feel better now, just a short distance out, than
I did before the surgery!!
Best of luck, you'll do great!!!
Shannon
— Shannon L.
October 12, 2003
Denise, i would recommend that you go where the profiles are and read all
the happy stories to your hearts content. i am 8 months post rny and don't
regret for a minute that i had it but going in, i was scared and doubtful.
This is completely normal. You will be fine.
— Delores S.
October 12, 2003
I was 2 weeks post-op last thursday, I have been doing wonderful, the only
thing I am starting to deal with is my depression, which has been a factor
prior to my surgery off & on. I really have nothing to be depressed
about things are going so well, I think it is just because things are so
different & I am having a difficult time not eating everything in
sight....lol But no vomiting, I can eat everything I have
tried......People say I look different already, no more swollen feet &
ankles!!!
You will do great, and yes it is normal to be obsessed about your
surgery....lol
GOOD LUCK!
— Saxbyd
October 12, 2003
I had surgery on August 7th and I had no problems what so ever.I was back
at work in two weeks.I lost 19 pounds the first month,I haven't been on the
scales since then.I go for my 3 month checkup on November 6th so will find
out then how much I've lost since my first month checkup.I never thought I
would ever be excited to step on a scale but I can't wait!!I started out
230 and a size 18,I just bought a new pair of jeans size 16 and I had to
return them for a size 14.I would do it over in a heartbeat,my only regret
is I didn't do it sooner.
— Gussie
October 12, 2003
Denise - I started out about 6 mos ago at 255lbs. With an active husband
and 2 little kids, I needed to catch up!! Now, 80 Lbs lighter, feeling
sooooo much healthier and younger, I play with my kids everyday and my
husband now has to catch up to me!!!! The Open RNY I had was pretty
easy.... on my own with the kids after only 1 week and feeling pretty
normal in 2 weeks. After the 3rd or 4th week, no one could even tell by
the way I acted that I had major surgery. I have come off most of my
medications, I exercise and eat whatever I want (just smaller portions!) I
have not for one minute regretted having this surgery and have recommended
it openly to many others! I now sleep like a baby every night, too! (I
didn't realize before that I was a poor sleeper) Also, I went into this
with a positive attitude. I was not comfortable updating the will or
leaving letters for my kids and family.... many people do and I did try...
but, I found it pretty depressing and it really did affect my mental
outlook. Anyway, I didn't do anything along those lines...just happily
looked forward and when I got scared... I looked in the mirror and at my
med bottles and didn't like that outlook!!! Best of luck to you.... YOU
WILL DO FINE AND IN A FEW SHORT WEEKS... YOU WILL BE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO
RECOVERY!!! Open RNY 3/20/03 255/175/145ish
— teresa M.
October 12, 2003
Denise and all soon to be post-ops,
Congratulations; you are SO normal. Boy, did I have the heebie geebies
those last weeks; calm but scared. I tell everyone the last two weeks
pre-op were harder for me than the first two weeks post-op. It helped me at
that time to make a mental check-list: Did I think I had any chance of ever
losing an appreciable amount of weight without this procedure?-NO; Did I
think I would probably gain 10 lbs per year without it?-YES; Did I do alot
of research?-YES ; Did I want to be around for my husband and 9 year old
and not die an early death from obesity?- YES! After I "reframed the
picture" the normal risks of surgery looked pretty good. 4 months ago
I had open RNY, 3 days in the hospital, back to work in 3 weeks and haven't
looked back. I'm down 70lbs from 285. You are gonna do great! Best wishes,
— ReneeJune03
October 12, 2003
Making this short and sweet. I am 10.5 months post op. I have lost 147.5
lbs. I heard many horror stories about vomiting, dumping etc. I have NEVER
vomited since surgery. I don't dump (but feel a little queezy with fried
foods or to much sweets) I NEED this !!! I NEEDED restrictions (wish I had
even more) I have gone from a size 4X 30/32 to a solid 16 now, I have my
LIFE back, and working on my self esteem. I am truly blessed. and I wish
the same thing for you (see my before/after pics on my profile)
— WABBIT F.
October 12, 2003
I am 6 mths out. I won't lie to you. Life is great after my surgery. I
needed to lose 117 and so far i have lost 70. I have to lose 47 more to be
at my goal. I love it. I have been able to buy cute clothes and the other
day i was able to buy knee high boots. I have never been able to in the
past because my legs were too fat. I really haven't had any problems with
the surgery. I did develop kidney stones but they don't know it they were
related to my surgery. You will do fine. my best advice is to not think
about it. I am sure you spent months thinking about while going through the
test. now is the time to relax. i wouldn't even let anyone in the hospital
to see in before the surgery if they were emoutional- just relax and think
about all the cute clothes you will be able to buy.
— Megan P.
October 12, 2003
another short and sweet for you. I weighed 425 14 months ago and now weigh
225. I had zero complications and only the most minor of side effects.
Life is good, I am enjoying buying clothes and playing with my kids and
well gee just LIVING again. I've not been this thin (bone to fat ratio) in
my entire life. God Bless whomever invented and all those who experimented
before us to create WLS!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 12, 2003
Please feel free to check out my profile here on Obesityhelp as well as
visit my website at http://www.geocities.com/[email protected]/ If
you have any questions or just want to chat via e-mail, please drop me a
line at [email protected] JR (open RNY 07/17/02 -201# since surgery,
-214# total, 13# til goal!!!)
— John Rushton
October 12, 2003
I agree with everyone else that this is a new lease on life. You do have to
prepare yourself for the basic surgery stuff. It is painful and frustrating
at first. You don't come out and start running marathons. This is major
surgery, and it is not all that easy at first. Time really does fly though
and before you know it, your memeory of the bad stuff will fade. Getting
used to this wol is challenging. You will welcome that challenge when the
pounds start dropping and you look like a clown in your clothes. It is not
always a bed of roses, but I wouldn't change a thing. I am 7 weeks post op
and getting stronger and healthier every day. I haven't weighed since 5 1/2
weeks, but I was down 39 pounds. Good luck and keep your focus on the
future.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 12, 2003
I am just a little over 4 weeks post-op. I remember WELL that those weeks
prior to surgery were the longest. I didn't think the day would ever get
here. I also seemed to have every waking thought consumed with the surgery
and all its effects. I realize that this was actually very good as I was
applying all the little things that compose each day with how I am
"today" and I will be so much better after the surgery. This has
been so true. I had little pain after surgery and nothing since I've been
home. I FEEL ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!! I have lost 40 lbs. so far, I am off
diabetic and cholesterol medications, no more irritable bowel problems, my
blood pressure is normal and will soon be off this medications as well. My
knees and back don't kill me when I get up and the edema in my feet is gone
as well. I can't believe that I have skinny ankles. For you, I would
suggest that you try to stay occupied with things you do enjoy and just
KNOW that life is going to be so fantastic and real soon. I wish you all
the best as you embark on your new journey of life.
— Phyllis W.
October 12, 2003
I'm with you! My date is October 28 and I can't believe how quickly
October is flying by. I'm excited, scared, emotional and riding the same
rollercoaster with you. Deep in my heart I know that surgery is the answer
for me. Getting through the actual procedure is what stresses me most.
Surgery has consumed my thoughts for months now. I'll be glad when it's
over and I'm a loser. Perhaps we can keep in touch since our surgeries are
so close to each other. My email is [email protected]. I live in Dundee,
Michigan which is near the Ohio border. Take care!
— SANDIE S.
October 12, 2003
First ask your PCP for something to help you sleep better the next few
weeks. You do need your rest and don't want to get run down and sick
before surgery. It is normal to have lots of questions and concerns and
the closer you get the more anxiety you may have. Focus on why you decided
to do this. What are the things you want to accomplish. Sit down a write
a set of milestone goals and rewards. Make them reasonable and
attainable.
<p>All I can tell you is that 8 months has totally changed my life.
I have lost 179 lbs and have 63 to goal. I never thought I would be this
far along already. The things I can do now without ever thinking about my
size or weight is amazing. I don't have to worry about fitting into a
chair or it sticking to my butt when I get up. I can walk anywhere I want
to and not find any excuse not to move. I've become and clothes and
shoeaholic. Every weekend I find myself in the stores. Yes it's expensive
but heck I don't spend tons of money on food anymore, so I figure I can
afford it. I feel good when I workout and find it fun to see how I can
continue to challenge myself with longer walks or faster walks. It's the
little things that truly make the most difference. For me it was more the
clothes sizes dropping than the lbs that kept me motivated.
<p>Life will be so much better in such a short time. Even if you
have some post-op issues just try and pur them in perspective of the whole
process. I had some eating problems from 6-14 weeks PO and had a hole in
my incision for 4-1/2 months but they were so minor in the scheme of things
and no longer a problem. Go in with realistic expectations and you will do
wonderful. Just focus on your new life and all the things you will be able
to do. Put your trust in your surgeon and know that you will come through
just fine. I'd also suggest finding some projects to do between now and
surgery to keep your mind focused elsewhere. You will make it, so hang in
there!
— zoedogcbr
October 12, 2003
I know this is the best thing I have ever done for myself in my entire
life. I am 14 moyhs out. I have gone from a size 26 to a size 12. I loss of
125+ lbs. This surgery gave me my life back. The first few weeks are rough
but its worth every pain when you start to see the weight roll off and
every time you see someone you know- you look great, whats your story??
Every day of my life I get compliments. I must admit I am kinda spoiled by
it but thats ok, I deserve it after all the comments from pre-op. Good
luck- hang in there- do exactly what your dr tells you and you will do
fine!! I would love to hear from you post-op...
— Sharon1964
October 12, 2003
Well, wasn't gonna post cuz I talk all the time. But it's odd you'd ask
this as many say, "All I see are positives, where are the
negatives?" So, since you're asking, I'm 9 yrs (and a week!) out from
distal (very) RNY. I was 262 (BMI 50) and have remained under 115 for
about 8 of those 9 years. I have had 2 regains (which I spell Stupid
Periods), and have beat back the monster. Many here do not approve or agree
with my regimen, but it works, so I'm sticking to it. Life has not been
perfect, but at least it continued. Although I was only 44, I don't think
my lungs were going to participate much longer, and I was still gaining,
certainly not parked at 262. I not only WOULD do it again, I DID do it
again in 2000 (had an older version, so had a staple line disruption at 5
yrs). I only avoid milk & sugar, do lots of protein supps, vitamins
and otherwise eat normal foods. If the carb monster grabs me, I alter my
program for a few days, get back in control and then proceed. I've had
only one major wt LOSS and that was recent, causes by meds that tore me to
shreds (3 docs, each tweaking his own meds) and I touched 101 for a moment.
It was interesting for my head, but um, not the preferred route. LOL! It is
my intention to park back in the 110 range. I HOPE that because I have
been there longer than any other wt in my life
(up/down/up/up/up/down/up/up--you know the drill) that my body will
recognize it as "home", at least post-op "home". I
would not trade 1 pill or 1 g of protein supplement per day for 1 single lb
of the lost me back again. I was taking a truckload of pills to keep me
alive at 262+. I take about the same to keep me healthy (and now it's
healthy, not just living) at a good wt for my ht. It is OH SO WORTH IT. I
wish I didn't have the genetic obesity, but since I do, this is the best
treatment available today and I'm thankful I could get it done before it
was too late. And yes, I'll say it again. If I was in some horrid accident
& somehow my guts got put back to original condition, I would be such a
nuisance to the docs that they would fix my surgery to shut up the noise.
This life is MUCH easier than pre-op to me. (Oh, how DARE I say it is
easier!). But the eating is easier. I eat without guilt. I know the few
denials I experience (hot choc chip cookies with ice cold milk) is worth
it. Before I was living on steamed broc & salad and GAINING. Now, just
working a reasonable program is working. Shoot, that alone is a high! (Um,
now you see why I didn't psot--cannot shut up!)
— vitalady
October 12, 2003
~~~***~~~CONGRATS~~~***~~~ I am saying that because you have made a big
decision to improve the quality of your life. My name is Stephanie and I
will be 14 months post op on Tuesday.I have lost 145 pounds and am
EXTREMELY happy. I was scared going in, too. I have two sons who were 5
& 3 when I went in. I am happy to say I had no problems after my Open
DS, I even went back to work at 3 weeks. Life has been good to me, I got
the confidence to go after a promotion and got it! I will be having a tummy
tuck on November 17th, that will be another chapter closed on my obesity. I
will need to take care of myself forever but my gosh I deserve it!!! Good
Luck God Bless!!!
— Stephanie B.
October 12, 2003
Denise - Consumed? OF COURSE! It is the biggest (AND BEST) decision you
have probably EVER made!!!!!! At least it was for me. I am 13 months
out...down from 349 to 182 (size 30 to 12) AND I HAVE NOT REGRETTED IT FOR
ONE SINGLE MOMENT!!!!!!! I was also scared out of my gourd before
surgery! Big? Yes! Scary? Yes! ..but. think about it.... what is scarier?
The (the very small) possibilty of dying on the table or GOING ON AS YOU
ARE?!?!!?! THAT IS WHY YOU ARE DOING THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God bless you,
and God bless you courage, and God bless what it has taken you to get where
you are today!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Debby M.
October 12, 2003
Denise,
After reading your post, I realized, I could have written the same one! My
surgery is scheduled for Oct. 24th! I think I have felt every emotion
possible and then some! I have been keeping busy with my daughter,
yardwork and trying to tie up loose ends at work for when I am off. Sleep
has been difficult; I try and take a warm bath and drink some soothing tea
before bed. If you want to email me, please feel free to do so; we can
maybe help each other out with some of the anxiety! Take good care of
yourself.
Deb Schmitt
— Deb S.
October 13, 2003
— kultgirl
October 13, 2003
Denise - My positive feedback for you is to just wait for the greatness
that is in store for you! I'm 5 months out and down 65+ lbs. (I don't
weigh myself very often). I just went out and bought a new wardrobe of
clothes about 3 weeks ago and I'll be returning some of the ones I haven't
worn yet because they are TOO BIG already! It's fantastic. I have been a
slow loser in comparison to some other people and thought I'd never get out
of the Plus Size clothing section. Now that I'm out, I seem to be losing
faster than ever! It's fantastic. Some women at work were trying to guess
my size now and they were saying "You cannot be more than a 10".
I said "higher" and they were shocked! I'm a 14/16!! It's
wonderful and exciting and fantastic. It's a gift and a miracle and will
be for you too. Another great thing is that my dad gets very emotional
every time he sees me. He is not an emotional person and his eyes fill
with tears every time he looks at me because he sees how great I look and
can see how much happier I am as a human being. I'm so happy for you,
Denise! Congratulations on the beginning of your new life. There are so
many great things to look forward to. Hugs and good wishes!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 14, 2003
I will happily tell you all about my experience, which, I should say, is
perhaps not normal, but certainly worth hearing. I'm 27 years old and was
270.5 lbs and 5'1" at the time of surgery. I woke up from my lap rny
with a little referred pain in my left shoulder and feeling nauseous. I
told the nurse who medicated me and felt instantly better. From there on
out I had little to no pain at all. I was up and walking around the ward
the night after surgery, a little woozy but feeling so so much better than
I expected. I was feeling great by the third day. The other ladies on my
floor said I was showing off as I zoomed around the ward, IV free and ready
to go home (I told them that if I were showing off, I would have been
dancing). I healed quickly and well. When I left the hospital, I started
walking around the neighborhood where I was staying. By my second day
post-hospital, I was walking an hour each day, though I did go through a
few days of exhaustion before I started eating solid foods. But I lost 25
pounds the first week and my weightloss has been steady since then. I'm
now 7 weeks out and down 47 pounds. I have no pain. I am eating chicken
and fish and delicious healthy foods aplenty. I can eat in restaurants and
no longer feel freakish when out in the world with others. I'm doing
aerobics every single day and resistance training every other day. I feel
energetic. I'm down to a size 14 (almost away from Lane Bryant
forever!!!!!!!). I haven't looked or felt this good in years. My fiance
is stunned. I weigh much less than I did when we met 5 years ago. I'm
shopping wildly regardless of the senselessness of it, just because it's so
fun. And I'm heading to New York at the end of this month where I'm going
to walk and walk and walk without getting tired. This was the best thing
I've ever done for myself. And I was lucky enough to be, as my surgeon put
it, "the poster child for bariatric surgery." I had a great
experience and I hope you will, too! It only gets better from here! Hope
this helps!
— jenpatalano
August 22, 2006
I am 9 weeks post op today. I returned to work in two weeks of the surgery.
I had RYN - Lap. To me this surgery was a lot easier than my 2 C-sections.
I asked my physician if he was sure that he did anything! It is a life
change, but I am so glad that I finally did something for myself. I choose
to live! I prayed a lot and ask God to give me a peace about my decision.
He did. I was not nervous at all. As with any surgery there are risk, but a
positive attitude will make the difference.
— dgwoody
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