Question:
E-mail me or msn message me

I'm doing research. I'm considering having surgery. But now I need people who has had it done to contact me so we can talk.. This is a big step. And I'm really nervious about it... I need to know the good and bads of the surgeries, the befores and afters... God bless you and congrats to all successes. e-mail me and msn message me at [email protected]    — Iva (posted on February 6, 2004)

February 5, 2004
You need to go to a weight loss surgery support group meeting. Find one in your area. Usually most surgeons doing the surgery have groups. At a meeting you will meet pre op and post op people, and you can ask questions. If you have specific questions you can ask me. Do your research, find a good surgeon and go for it. The benefits of losing weight are fantastic.
   — bransonboy

February 6, 2004
You can visit my profile and see the ups and downs I have had.... however, I would do it ALL again over and over if I had to.... I cannot begin to tell you the feeling I have. I am so happy I can hardly contain myself! I LOVE MY SURGERY!!! This is the best thing I have ever done for me and my family. I can live again... like i said though the beginning was hard and very emotional. Of course I am a very emotional person anyway. But feel free to email me. I would love to hear from you! Take care, and I wish you the best!
   — rebecca J.

February 6, 2004
Ivadale, at the top of this page is a link that says Find Peers. You can go to your state and find people that live in your town and E-mail them. When I did my research I found a few near me, initiated E-mail contact and we E-mailed, phoned and also made dates to meet. I contacted people who were anywhere from a few months post-op to several years post-op so I could see the range and also observe them eat! I was curious what a post-op ate! I asked all the questions...They also turned me on to local support group meetings. And if you just look around on this site you will find tons and tons of info to help research. Keep in mind that there are thousands and thousands of individual experiences here and not all the same. Some have an easy time and others have it rougher, some lose to goal and others do not, many maintain their weight loss and others gain weight back. We're a diverse group but for the most part, a very supportive group willing to share it all..good luck in your decision.
   — Cindy R.

February 6, 2004
Good for you for taking this surgery seriously and looking for support. Pre-op, I read every single question that was posted in the Q&A section. It took a LONG time but I learned a lot, especially how my anxiety about the surgery was totally normal. Do this in addition to joining a support group. Good luck to you.
   — Yolanda J.

February 7, 2004
hi this is the best thing i could of ever done i wish i would of done it sooner. i was a little different than a lot of people i wanted this surgery so bad i was not scared or nervous i just wanted it done my health was in bad shape meaning high bp and high chlor had trouble walking started to walk and lean to one side later i found out why because i was to heavy for my frame to hold it so now i am donw 125lbs it been 21 mos now and the last time i went in for my follow up appt i ask my dr if it was ok if i gave her a hug for giving me back my life. am not sure of your age but at the time i had it done i was 55 so good luck to you and write me when ever you need to rosemary
   — ROSEMARY A.

February 8, 2004
Ivadale, It's very important to do your research, that's the best way. Make sure you understand ALL of the risks and the benefits AND be prepared for how your life will change afterwards. And believe me...it will change! Please make sure you dont think about this as a "lose weight quick" scheme....it is SOOOO much more than that. The most important preparation you can make is mentally. Be ready for the fact that you will not be able to eat like you used to, ever again. There will be foods that will never be able to cross your lips again (foods you love and tend to look to for solace). Understand that you will only be able to take in clear liquids for a few weeks...NOTHING else! Get aquainted w/ your measuring spoons and realize just how small 2-4 ounces of food is....this will be your portion size for quite awhile. Learn that protein is the most important nutrient you can take in to help your body heal and to keep from losing your hair. Know that family functions, celebrations and holidays will be forever different for you. Be prepared for people to not understand, question everything you do, not recognize you after you've lost weight or even just be curious about you. I had open RNY on 12/27/02. The 3rd day in the hospital was the worst for me because that's when they took the morphine out of my epadural and I went on oral pain killers. That is when I started feeling the gas build up inside me and because you're cut you cant move and push like you would normally. But that was the only bad experience I had. I wish you all the best. Read everything you can get your hands on, go to a local support group meeting, do whatever you need to do to make sure you are totally, completely, absolutely without a doubt mentally prepared!
   — Lisa R.