Re: [Getting Started - Reply from Pam-Long, Rah-rah commentary

[Guest guest]

Dear Fred and any other " newbies " :

Welcome aboard! Even if you never have this surgery the folks on this list

will become " family " .

By family I mean the storybook version of what families should be: All for

one, support, encouragement, gentle chastisement when needed (usually in

relation to our " beating up on ourselves " for our percieved failures at

" traditional " weight loss programs etc.....) straight forward,

no-holds-barred information right from the horses' mouths (and in my case,

sometimes from other parts of the horse's anatomy) about both the pros and

cons of this surgery.

You will find a true network and support group available whenever you need

it.

Please feel free to post any questions or concerns or thoughts you have at

any time.....most of the post-ops also subscribe to the

MGB-PostOponelist and MGB-Friendsonelist (chatty, more personal or

family items usually, although the line blurs because most of our concerns

are related in one way or another to the surgery and life changes

afterward).....so post wherever you feel comfortable (but you might try some

of the suggestions below, too if need be)

Personally speaking, I'm the nosy type so I love reading ALL posts, but

since the volume of mail can be overwhelming for some who are members of

several lists:

I generally try to " narrow " down the group I'm sending to if I think the

message would have limited purpose or interest.

NOTE: I say " usually " because even after all this time I can't always

decide which slot a message belongs in or I want an entire group or several

subscribers to this list (but maybe not other lists I would post to)alone to

see it, so everybody may get it......sorry for any inconvenience this

causes;

But please don't take it as a rejection of you and your need/want for

information if someone asks you not to mail a certain type of message to

them, etc.

******Additional Personal Note/Opinion:

Besides being nosy, I'm also talkative (or would that be " typative " (?)

whenever I have some free time so I frequently have to practice the

" physician heal thyself " philosophy......Toward that end, I will try to make

the subject heading give some indication of the broad topic so others can

scroll past it or delete it as is their wish....

Don't be afraid to ask any question, even those embarrassing ones....someone

on the list has probably had the same question or circumstance and will

e-mail you privately (or publicly as you and they prefer) with an answer or

suggestion.

Read and respond often....WE LOVE NEW RECRUITS and potential surgery mates!

PROGRESS UPDATE FOR PAM as of 7/23/99 per Doctor office scales: THANK

YOU DR. R & DEBBIE.

STATS as of 7-23-99:

Pre-op wt. 314, Surgery 1-4-99, weight as of July 23, 204 lbs.....110

pounds in almost 8 months, Dress Size Pre-op 26/28 (If it was made like a

tent) to 16/18. No blood pressure meds since Jan. BP normal range,

irritable bowel symptoms....not gone but better, some recent flare ups,

ulcer calm right now, feel more energetic but have NO MUSCLE TONE or CARDIAC

RESPIRATORY ENDURANCE (but those last 3 are definitely my fault and I'm

working on improving them so once more let me tell the new post-ops and

those preparing for surgery....make sure you have some type of exercise

plans in mind and make them as much a part of your new " daily " regimen as

possible, as soon as possible....even if your first goal (like mine was) is

to be able to walk from your living room to the end of your driveway to get

your mail!!

I always felt like I was so limited physically because of my obesity and the

related joint, back, etc (including depression, sick & tired of being sick &

tired).....problems that it seemed ridiculous to even start...because all I

was able to do (basically walk...) was too insignificant.....Make " baby

steps " if necessary and allow yourself time to adjust physically and

mentally to your new, non-sedentary activities....What's the old adage: The

journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step......Step out into

your new life with head held high and congratulate yourself for even

beginning.....it's all downhill from there....because your remarkable

progress will give you momentum to help with step 2 - 100 on the way to a

new, healthier and hopefully happier you!.

Do this for yourself!!!! You deserve to treat yourself well, to become the

healthiest person you can be and to share your renewed health and energy

with those you love and who love you.

Pam in NC