New member

Report post · January 24, 2004

On Sat, 24 Jan 2004 14:20:33 -0800 (PST), MM wrote:

>

>If any of you had similar feelings about ds, I would appreciate your comments

and how you reconciled those mixed feelings.

>

Buffy,

Here's a cut/paste from a response I posted a few days ago. I think this

pretty well sums up my feelings on the issue and how I handled it. BTW..

is our exchange student daughter from Germany. She, , Steve

(our son) and Eadie (Steve's fiance) were what helped me get through the

initial nervousness on surgery day. I knew I was doing this for me, but I

was also doing this so I could be with them longer...

" Nervous is an understatement. I had promise me that if anything

went wrong, she'd give the option of staying with Sue or asking for a

different host family. I even had an email written and ready to be sent to

in case something did happen.

However, I still went ahead because I knew that there was a better chance I

would survive the surgery than I would survive all the problems with the

excess weight. And, yes, I'd do it again. My only regret is that I didn't

find Dr. K. a couple years sooner. "

Hope that helps,

Jerry

Report post · January 24, 2004

On Sat, 24 Jan 2004 14:20:33 -0800 (PST), MM wrote:

>

>If any of you had similar feelings about ds, I would appreciate your comments

and how you reconciled those mixed feelings.

>

Buffy,

Here's a cut/paste from a response I posted a few days ago. I think this

pretty well sums up my feelings on the issue and how I handled it. BTW..

is our exchange student daughter from Germany. She, , Steve

(our son) and Eadie (Steve's fiance) were what helped me get through the

initial nervousness on surgery day. I knew I was doing this for me, but I

was also doing this so I could be with them longer...

" Nervous is an understatement. I had promise me that if anything

went wrong, she'd give the option of staying with Sue or asking for a

different host family. I even had an email written and ready to be sent to

in case something did happen.

However, I still went ahead because I knew that there was a better chance I

would survive the surgery than I would survive all the problems with the

excess weight. And, yes, I'd do it again. My only regret is that I didn't

find Dr. K. a couple years sooner. "

Hope that helps,

Jerry

Report post · January 24, 2004

Hi Jim.

Thanks for the welcome. No, no TV show. Just a respect for certain

qualities that character embodies, like imperfection mixed with

inner and outer strength, femininity, gentleness, determination,

fighting for what's right and good. And Sunshine is warm like a hug.

BuffyS (aka MM )

Report post · January 24, 2004

Buffy... I truly understand your anxiety. For me, it was a big choice...

but in the end... I knew I really had no choice at all. It was the

surgery... or certain death at an early age.

I have written some about my thoughts which you might find helpful. (Laf...

or unhelpful as the case may be! You can find it at:

http://www.growley.com/mywls/lottery.html

Welcome to our group. We may not always be helpful, but trust me... WE DO

TRY!

Elle * ^_^ *

DS 2-7-02 Dr. K

New member

> Hi Group,

> I had a surgery date of Feb. 17, but I'm not ready emotionally for

surgery. I'm scared of dying on the table. I'm hoping that more

communication with others who have gone thru the surgery, or are considering

it, or waiting for their surgery date, will help me come to terms with the

fear and also other emotions connected with this decision.

Report post · January 24, 2004

I have no doubt you could lose the weight but the real test is could

you keep it off? Don't define your success or failure by HOW much

weight you have to lose... but rather by HOW LONG you keep IT OFF!

Thats what this surgery is going to give you. The ability to eat

normally for the rest of your life without worrying about becoming

morbidly obese again. The NIH gives less then a 5% chance of diets

working. The DS is over 80% effective.

You also have to really take a look at your life and decide if you

believe that on your current trend... is weight going to impact the

quality of your life or the lives of those around you? If you dont

do something about the trend, will your health/life be put at risk?

For me... being fat was impacting my ability to be the best mom I

could be....

I'm not sure how necessary " peace with your decision " needs to come

before surgery. I am of the " just do it " camp. I promise that you

will be thrilled afterwards (well..about 3 months afterwards )

Just get yourself there and get the happy drugs.... let Dr. Z take

care of the rest

For me... this surgery was one of the best decisions of my life. I

was scared too (wrote goodbye letters to my kids) but I am SO GLAD I

did it. If I died tomorrow, the quality of life my surgery has

given to me has improved my life tenfold.

Welcome to the group!

--Kym in Seattle

18 months out, Down 160 lbs

19 more lbs to goal

But happy where I am at

Report post · January 24, 2004

In a message dated 1/24/2004 4:23:14 PM Central Standard Time,

buffysunshine2004@... writes:

> For now my co-morbidities are low. I need to deal with the fear; but

> maybe even more important is this constant message going thru my head that I

> should be able to lose the weight on my own. Or that if I have surgery and

lose

> the weight, I'll never know if I could have done it on my own without the

> surgery. But I would be much thinner and healthier and able to do the active

> things I want to do (like rollerskate), so does it really matter how I lose

the

> wt.? Probably not. But me, myself, and I are still discussing, debating,

> and arguing about it.

>

> If any of you had similar feelings about ds, I would appreciate your

> comments and how you reconciled those mixed feelings.

>

> I look forward to being part of this group.

>

> BuffyS

>

Buffy,

I was a revision and very anti surgery. Then one day After dieting up

70 lbs, I was miserable with my life and knew that even though I couls lose 10

or 15 easily, I needed to lose another 180 lbs more than that. I would

constantly start diets and lose then plateau for 2 weeks or so or worse gain a

pound. I'd freak and blow the whole deal.

Then in a few weeks I had gained it all back. Again and again. One doc

told me the stats of a morbidly obese keeping weight off for 2 years was 5%.

My friend said her surgeon said it was 3%. So even if you lose, regain is a

big problem. Even RNY's with minimal malabsorption have large regain rates.

Check the stats. This is from The american bariatric surgeons site:

Non operative treatment of Obesity

Published scientific reports document that non-operative methods alone have

not been effective in achieving a medically significant long term weight loss

in severely obese adults. It has been shown that the majority of patients

regain all the weight lost over the next five years.[45, 46] The average medical

weight reduction trial is a 10-12 week study with average weight loss of 2.5 kg

[47] The use of anorectic medications has recently been advocated as a long

term therapeutic modality in management of what is clearly a chronic disease. In

a nearly four year study, utilizing a two drug regimen of Phentermine and

Fenfluramine, behavior modification, diet and exercise, the initial optimistic

results have not been sustained, with a one third drop out rate and a final

average weight loss of only three pounds in those who were followed for the four

years of the study.[48] This drug combination appears to have an unacceptably

high association with cardiac valvular disease and has been withdrawn from

therapeutic use because of these potentially life threatening sequelae. Dietary

weight loss attempts often cause depression, anxiety, irritability, weakness and

preoccupation with food [49]. The treatment goal for morbid obesity should be

an improvement in health achieved by a durable weight loss that reduces life

threatening risk factors and improves performance of activities of daily

living. Temporary fluctuations of body weight from calorie restricted diets

should

be avoided.

Sso buffy, the stats show that it is hard, Damned hard to get it off and keep

it off. Without malabsorption I'd be up the proverbial creek without a

paddle. Once I decided that I couldn't do it alone, I was determined (Fiercely)

that

I needed to lose the weight and this surgery was gonna be my miracle! I was

scared, I'd been an idiot to not be. I was gonna be cut on and

rearranged...LOL. I was a nurse so I KNEW what I could go wrong. I felt one

really bad moment

that was the night I had to leave my kids and travel to Ca. I cried in the

shower and noone knew it but me. I knew when I didn't want to go anywhere and

dress up or people to see me, and felt hideous that I needed it bad. I knew my

life had to change or I'd never see 40(In oct...LOL) Now I have a life ...My

pain from the years of obesity is still with me and the fibro, but I can breathe

and feel better. ANd even better I don't hide in the back of rooms...LOL. I

don't give a damned who sees me...I may not be skinny but I'm not shocking(Is

that the word?) I fit in life. Seatbelts, chairs, xray machines....Don't scare

me anymore...LOL. Anyway This DS cheerleader is gonna settle down for the

night!

in Alabama

1982(age 17)-VBG(433lbs down to 270)

1996 RNY revision from VBG (343lbs down to 299)

Dec 2003- (377.5 now 259.4 down 118.1lbs THANKS TO DR. K!!!!!!!!!!!.

Mel's AOL home page

http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Report post · January 24, 2004

In a message dated 1/24/2004 4:32:10 PM Central Standard Time,

sonofmosiah@... writes:

> Now a word of advice. Stay away from Jo, Marta, Cindee, and Mel in Bama.

> They are trouble makers. :-) LOL

>

> Welcome, welcome, welcome, Buffy. You have our friendship, support, and

> prayers.

>

Jim,

I resemble that remark! Please Buffy...don't let Jim be mean to me. My

Ds Brother can be a bit strange but harmless.....As long as they keep him

medicated....LOL.(or so I hear from Marta)

in Alabama

1982(age 17)-VBG(433lbs down to 270)

1996 RNY revision from VBG (343lbs down to 299)

Dec 2003- (377.5 now 259.4 down 118.1lbs THANKS TO DR. K!!!!!!!!!!!.

Mel's AOL home page

http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Report post · January 24, 2004

In a message dated 1/24/2004 4:32:10 PM Central Standard Time,

sonofmosiah@... writes:

> Now a word of advice. Stay away from Jo, Marta, Cindee, and Mel in Bama.

> They are trouble makers. :-) LOL

>

> Welcome, welcome, welcome, Buffy. You have our friendship, support, and

> prayers.

>

Jim,

I resemble that remark! Please Buffy...don't let Jim be mean to me. My

Ds Brother can be a bit strange but harmless.....As long as they keep him

medicated....LOL.(or so I hear from Marta)

in Alabama

1982(age 17)-VBG(433lbs down to 270)

1996 RNY revision from VBG (343lbs down to 299)

Dec 2003- (377.5 now 259.4 down 118.1lbs THANKS TO DR. K!!!!!!!!!!!.

Mel's AOL home page

http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Report post · January 26, 2004

Dear Buffy,

I can relate to your surgery fears. I was very afraid of dying. I

would rather be alive and fat than dead. I nearly walked out of my

surgery that morning. But I would have had to walk out naked! I

didn't have any clothes! I am now almost 2 years post op. I weigh 155

pounds and wear size 8. I am SO SO SO thankful that I didn't walk

out. Prayer got me through. My prayers, prayers of my family and

friends on this list got me through. It is a hard decision to make -

having your insides surgically rearranged. A decision only you can

make. Take your time making it.

hugs, cindy lee in fort worth texas

> Hi Group,

>

> I have had my consultation with Dr. Z and attended the Dec. and

Jan. support group meetings in Delano. I had a surgery date of Feb.

17, but I'm not ready emotionally for surgery. I'm scared of dying

on the table. > BuffyS

>

Report post · February 29, 2004

In a message dated 2/29/2004 10:36:13 AM Central Standard Time,

terrilinda50@... writes:

Anyway I hope to meet you all. I just love Dee. She is the best and

she made me feel so good with my first visit. Thank you Dee if your

out there. You are an angel!!!!

Thank you for listening.

Terri

Terri,

I can join you in the Dee Tinkle fan club...LOL. She is the main reason I

was attracted to Dr. K as a surgeon in the first place! She completely sold

me on him in the first conversation. And every last thing she said was true! No

BS there. Hard to believe she was ever MO isn't it?

There is a lot of info about the Ds, you just have to know what your

looking for...Anything specific? Trust me...Coming from a RNY to DS revision,

you

have made the best choice.

Tell all about yourself. I am from Alabama. Had surgery 15 mo ago and am

down around 130 lbs. Still have a little to go and becoming impatient, but

that's just me...LOL.

We are off topic a lot and there is lots of fun. Join in and don't worry

about how much you post, just join in.

in Bama

VBG 1982 (lost from 433lbs to 270's)

VBG -RNY1996 revision(Lost from 343 to 299)

RNY-DS revision Dec 2002 -down 130 lbs (377.7 to 247.2 and still going)

BMI 39.4...No longer Morbidly obese!

Homepage address- http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Many thanks to Dr. K willing to take on a 3rd timer....LOL

Report post · February 29, 2004

In a message dated 2/29/2004 10:36:13 AM Central Standard Time,

terrilinda50@... writes:

Anyway I hope to meet you all. I just love Dee. She is the best and

she made me feel so good with my first visit. Thank you Dee if your

out there. You are an angel!!!!

Thank you for listening.

Terri

Terri,

I can join you in the Dee Tinkle fan club...LOL. She is the main reason I

was attracted to Dr. K as a surgeon in the first place! She completely sold

me on him in the first conversation. And every last thing she said was true! No

BS there. Hard to believe she was ever MO isn't it?

There is a lot of info about the Ds, you just have to know what your

looking for...Anything specific? Trust me...Coming from a RNY to DS revision,

you

have made the best choice.

Tell all about yourself. I am from Alabama. Had surgery 15 mo ago and am

down around 130 lbs. Still have a little to go and becoming impatient, but

that's just me...LOL.

We are off topic a lot and there is lots of fun. Join in and don't worry

about how much you post, just join in.

in Bama

VBG 1982 (lost from 433lbs to 270's)

VBG -RNY1996 revision(Lost from 343 to 299)

RNY-DS revision Dec 2002 -down 130 lbs (377.7 to 247.2 and still going)

BMI 39.4...No longer Morbidly obese!

Homepage address- http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Many thanks to Dr. K willing to take on a 3rd timer....LOL

Report post · February 29, 2004

Terri, most of the BEST people on this list live in SLO county. So you are

in good company. (Shut up Mel in Bama!!!!)

As for sipping, Terri, that depends on each individual. Sipping will be your

main way of drinking for a while, but the sipping isn't just getting your

tongue wet, it's really drinking - it's not as bad as you might think.

Dr. K usually (as of late) puts us in ADEK vitamins because they are water

soluble and dissolve easily for DSers. These vitamins have all we need, so

you should be taking one or two per day. You'll need some extra calcium (and

zinc for the first few months to keep your hair from falling out).

The incision, if you have the traditional surgery, is about 10 inches, but

it's not a bad scar, and really does fade out.

As for your questions not being " proper, " well, if you've read many of our

posts, you'll know nothing is improper or off topic for us!

Welcome to the posting, and our SLO gang will be happy to meet you. Of

course, after meeting us, you may wish you HAD NOT asked to meet us. LOL

Jim

Chair of the SLO DS welcome wagon. :-)

_____

From: terri [mailto:terrilinda50@...]

Sent: Sunday, February 29, 2004 8:34 AM

Subject: New Member

*

Report post · February 29, 2004