new person, and you guys are scaring me!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/26/2002 4:40:09 AM Pacific Standard Time,

jharper@... writes:

> a very expensive, mutilating, artificial kind of

> aversion therapy that sidestepped the real issues about why people eat in

> the first place. But right now I'm totally despondent, because something I

>

> thought might save my life looks like it'll only make it more of a living

> hell than it is already.

>

Jane...

I feel your frustration and understand it.I think that if you talked to 50

people about any subject,you would hear 25 good things and 25 bad.This

surgery isn't a panacea thats true,but it is a tool that if used wisely can

and will alter your life.It sounds to me as if your quality of life isn't so

hot...looking at the world thru a window without actually participating in it

seems very bleak to me.

Obviously diets like weight watchers, Craig,etc DON " T work long

term-weight loss surgery DOES.I'm not sure what stories you have heard on the

board scare you the most,but the thought of sitting back while life passes me

by was scary enough for me to do the surgery.

I received very little support from my friends and family before I decided

to make this step.I could do it on my own, I was looking for the " easy " way

out etc etc.But they weren't living my increasingly isolated life,embarrassed

to be be seen in public,refusing to undress in front of my husband,wetting my

pants after coughing,etc etc.

You know in your heart of hearts that Weight Watchers will NOT work for

you.Now in your heart of hearts think about living a life thats rich and

full, and make the appointment and get this done.You won't be sorry.

Ellen

7/24/02

240/175/130

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/26/2002 6:40:02 AM Central Standard Time,

jharper@... writes:

> But right now I'm totally despondent, because something I

> thought might save my life looks like it'll only make it more of a living

> hell than it is already.

>

> I guess I should say thank you, but I only wanna cry.

>

> Jane Harper

>

Jane,

You have to make your own decision and whatever you decide I hope you are

successful and God Bless you.

This surgery has saved my life (physically and mentally) and I do not have

one regret other than not doing it sooner. Yet I am glad I waited since the

technology has changed so much for the better. I never had one ounce of

fear. I knew life could only get better. I am living my life now. I actually

mailed out a resume today. I worked from home for 3 years and then unemployed

the last year. I am so ready to go out into the world again. I can't wait. I

feel wonderful and am starting to look good. Yeah, I'm dealing with

constipation, head hunger, dieting everyday but I dealt with this at 350

pounds. It's alot easier to deal with now at 233 pounds.

I'm sure you will get a lot of responses to your fears. I know most everyone

would do it again in a second, even the people that have had experienced

serious problems.

Again, good luck and God Bless you in whatever you choose to do.

Janet in Central NY

7/11/02 - Fobi pouch with silastic band

348/309/233 (-115 lbs and 70 " )

Size 34 to size 20, 18 sometimes :-)

Dr. Lirio, Schenectady, NY

[Guest guest]

Not sure if I'm supposed to introduce myself but here goes anyway.

I'm 51, Jewish, partnered (23 years last June), no kids, one cat. I've been

on disability 4 years because of my weight. Before that I was an ICU nurse

for 15 years, then when I couldn't do that anymore (guess why?) I worked in

software development. I came back to Ohio after 20 years in California

because we couldn't afford to live there on what Social Security gives me.

My physicians have been telling me to have this surgery for 10 years. With

a BMI of 54, diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, I'm told I won't have too

much trouble getting the surgery paid for by Medicare. My primary doc here

had been encouraging me to look into a particular local program but I

dragged my feet until I had a chance to research the procedure and

complications and outcomes, and I was pretty blinking impressed with what

showed up on paper. Part of me is terrified at the notion of ANY surgery,

no matter how minimally invasive -- that's the part that knows TOO much

about anesthesia and what can go wrong in relatively healthy people, much

less a wreck like me. But I can't even get out of my apartment without help

because we have steps in the front, so I spend most of my days sitting here

at the computer and looking out through the window, and until I came HERE

the concept that I might actually be able to lose enough weight to get the

*# & $ out of this place and go back to nursing seemed worth whatever chances

I have to take to do it.

But I've been in this group one day and already I've seen enough horror

stories to send me screaming back to Weight Watchers. I dunno, maybe

you've all done me a favor, because the reason why I resisted the notion of

surgery for ten years was because it seemed to me to be the food addict's

equivalent of Antabuse -- a very expensive, mutilating, artificial kind of

aversion therapy that sidestepped the real issues about why people eat in

the first place. But right now I'm totally despondent, because something I

thought might save my life looks like it'll only make it more of a living

hell than it is already.

I guess I should say thank you, but I only wanna cry.

Jane Harper

We live in an extraordinarily debauched, interesting, savage world, where

things really don't come out even. The purpose of true drama is to remind

us of that. -- Mamet

[Guest guest]

I had a leak, a second surgery to repair it, and a wound that was open for

months, and now I am facing hernia surgery...would I do it all over? GOD YES!

I have lost 197 lbs at last weigh in...life at 200 is so much better then

life at 400..even with the post op problems I have had.

[Guest guest]

Good luck on your upcoming hernia surgery. Keeping you in my prayers.

Bev L

camelady@...

-- Re: new person, and you guys are scaring me!

I had a leak, a second surgery to repair it, and a wound that was open for

months, and now I am facing hernia surgery...would I do it all over? GOD

YES!

I have lost 197 lbs at last weigh in...life at 200 is so much better then

life at 400..even with the post op problems I have had.

[Guest guest]

Jane - Welcome to the group, and how have we scared you? I think everyone

on this list is happy with their choice to have the surgery. Yes, there are

risks. But the chances of you dying are far greater in the condition you're

in right now than after you've had the surgery. If there is a specific fear

we can address, let us know. We've all been there, too.

Jeanne in WI

Age 39

Open RNY 05/21/2002

314/ 237/150-175

5' 8 "

djgraves@...

[Guest guest]

Girlfriend ... time for a positive post. These boards just go in cycles -

sometimes all you hear is the positive (can you believe some people complain

about that??!!??).

I had open RNY one year ago this Thursday and I have lost from 317 pounds to

203 pounds. I feel incredible; I have energy; I am happy; I no longer take

nine scripts a month (now just one); I look so much better ... the list of

positives just goes on and on! I researched my decision for about two years

before opting for the surgery. I had complications with the surgery; I

wondered what the heck I had done to my body for about the first two or three

months; I felt better about five months out - at peace with my decision for

surgery; at eight months I was telling everyone I knew (and met) about my

surgery and how it had changed my life ... and I am still at it. If

something happened that I had to do it all over again ... I would without a

moment's hesitation! WLS was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Keep reading the posts ... the tides will turn. This surgery has saved so

many lives and made lives worth living. Donna

[Guest guest]

Reading about the medical complications on this list is a reason to

approach this extreme solution with caution.

BUT.

We are already in an extreme situation. We are unlikely to live past

60. We ALREADY have medical complications. Diabetes, limited mobility,

hypertension, heart disease, water retention, even skin problems. And

more. We are not fearful of our current medical complications because we

are familiar with them - these other things are the unknown.

After listening to people who have had the surgery, leaning how they live

their lives, I have decided I would rather risk these other sets of

complications that suffer physically, socially, and emotionally from the

complication arising from my obesity. This surgery seems to give people

their life back.

So I am going for it. Please don't let your fear stop you from learning

more about this solution to obesity, the only one that really is successful

for a majority of people

Mark.

At 01:35 AM 11/26/2002, you wrote:

>Not sure if I'm supposed to introduce myself but here goes anyway.

>

>I'm 51, Jewish, partnered (23 years last June), no kids, one cat. I've been

>on disability 4 years because of my weight. Before that I was an ICU nurse

>for 15 years, then when I couldn't do that anymore (guess why?) I worked in

>software development. I came back to Ohio after 20 years in California

>because we couldn't afford to live there on what Social Security gives me.

>

>My physicians have been telling me to have this surgery for 10 years. With

>a BMI of 54, diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, I'm told I won't have too

>much trouble getting the surgery paid for by Medicare. My primary doc here

>had been encouraging me to look into a particular local program but I

>dragged my feet until I had a chance to research the procedure and

>complications and outcomes, and I was pretty blinking impressed with what

>showed up on paper. Part of me is terrified at the notion of ANY surgery,

>no matter how minimally invasive -- that's the part that knows TOO much

>about anesthesia and what can go wrong in relatively healthy people, much

>less a wreck like me. But I can't even get out of my apartment without help

>because we have steps in the front, so I spend most of my days sitting here

>at the computer and looking out through the window, and until I came HERE

>the concept that I might actually be able to lose enough weight to get the

>*# & $ out of this place and go back to nursing seemed worth whatever chances

>I have to take to do it.

>

>But I've been in this group one day and already I've seen enough horror

>stories to send me screaming back to Weight Watchers. I dunno, maybe

>you've all done me a favor, because the reason why I resisted the notion of

>surgery for ten years was because it seemed to me to be the food addict's

>equivalent of Antabuse -- a very expensive, mutilating, artificial kind of

>aversion therapy that sidestepped the real issues about why people eat in

>the first place. But right now I'm totally despondent, because something I

>thought might save my life looks like it'll only make it more of a living

>hell than it is already.

>

>I guess I should say thank you, but I only wanna cry.

>

>Jane Harper

>

>We live in an extraordinarily debauched, interesting, savage world, where

>things really don't come out even. The purpose of true drama is to remind

>us of that. -- Mamet

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Not sure if I'm supposed to introduce myself but here goes anyway.

>

> I'm 51, Jewish, partnered (23 years last June), no kids, one cat.

I've been

> on disability 4 years because of my weight. Before that I was an

ICU nurse

> for 15 years, then when I couldn't do that anymore (guess why?) I

worked in

> software development. I came back to Ohio after 20 years in

California

> because we couldn't afford to live there on what Social Security

gives me.

>

> My physicians have been telling me to have this surgery for 10

years. With

> a BMI of 54, diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, I'm told I won't

have too

> much trouble getting the surgery paid for by Medicare. My primary

doc here

> had been encouraging me to look into a particular local program but

I

> dragged my feet until I had a chance to research the procedure and

> complications and outcomes, and I was pretty blinking impressed

with what

> showed up on paper. Part of me is terrified at the notion of ANY

surgery,

> no matter how minimally invasive -- that's the part that knows TOO

much

> about anesthesia and what can go wrong in relatively healthy

people, much

> less a wreck like me. But I can't even get out of my apartment

without help

> because we have steps in the front, so I spend most of my days

sitting here

> at the computer and looking out through the window, and until I

came HERE

> the concept that I might actually be able to lose enough weight to

get the

> *# & $ out of this place and go back to nursing seemed worth whatever

chances

> I have to take to do it.

>

> But I've been in this group one day and already I've seen enough

horror

> stories to send me screaming back to Weight Watchers. I dunno,

maybe

> you've all done me a favor, because the reason why I resisted the

notion of

> surgery for ten years was because it seemed to me to be the food

addict's

> equivalent of Antabuse -- a very expensive, mutilating, artificial

kind of

> aversion therapy that sidestepped the real issues about why people

eat in

> the first place. But right now I'm totally despondent, because

something I

> thought might save my life looks like it'll only make it more of a

living

> hell than it is already.

>

> I guess I should say thank you, but I only wanna cry.

>

> Jane Harper

>

> We live in an extraordinarily debauched, interesting, savage world,

where

> things really don't come out even. The purpose of true drama is to

remind

> us of that. -- Mamet

I want you to know that this not an easy way out. It is a tool and

it works really well. Is it a form of self mutilation? I have had

that run through my mind a couple of times after the surgery. I wish

I was one of those that never regretted it for a moment. but I'm

not. It has been a journey and is a journey I just started 8\26\02.

I have to say it works and I don't beleieve it is any more of a

hindurance to your body than being over weight. Do I think you

should go to Weight Watchers? Heck yes. But have you already tried

it. Several times. That is why we all had this surgery. We have

tried everything every diet, diet pill. I you want more info. e-m,ail

any of us. My e-mail is yankv@...

[Guest guest]

At 09:59 11/26/2002, you wrote:

>Jane - Welcome to the group, and how have we scared you? I think everyone

>on this list is happy with their choice to have the surgery. Yes, there are

>risks. But the chances of you dying are far greater in the condition you're

>in right now than after you've had the surgery. If there is a specific fear

>we can address, let us know. We've all been there, too.

I guess if I had to put my finger on a specific fear it's that there seem

to be so many people talking about complications. When you read the

literature, the numbers don't seem so high -- but go back and read the

group archives for a couple of weeks, that's what I did last night. It

seems to me like an awful lot of people have been through hell with this

surgery.

See I worked for fifteen years in a setting where I watched people younger

and healthier than I am die lingering deaths from surgical complications,

saw people my size spend weeks on a ventilator or coping with infections

and wound separations. I watched people psychologically scarred for life

from a week in intensive care, to the point where they developed

post-traumatic stress disorder. I never got to *see* the people who barely

missed a step between preop holding and the exit sign.

And I know too much about what anesthesia does to you, about how even a

healthy body responds to surgical trauma, about all the things that can go

wrong even in the best of hands. I sat in awe during the year of medical

school courses I had to do for my PhD program, realizing that the miracle

of life is that things go RIGHT. So reading all the messages about

problems spooked the *# & ^ outta me.

If I were to have to have surgery tomorrow, I'd be spending tonight writing

my will. And back when I was doing preop cardiac care, when a patient did

that, we cancelled the surgery. That kind of fear can become a

self-fulfilling prophecy.

Janie

We live in an extraordinarily debauched, interesting, savage world, where

things really don't come out even. The purpose of true drama is to remind

us of that. -- Mamet

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/26/2002 4:39:58 PM Pacific Standard Time,

jharper@... writes:

> If I were to have to have surgery tomorrow, I'd be spending tonight writing

> my will. And back when I was doing preop cardiac care, when a patient did

> that, we cancelled the surgery. That kind of fear can become a

> self-fulfilling prophecy.

>

Jane,

I am the mother of a 4 year old daughter and 2 boys aged 21 and 16.I was

petrified that i would die on the table,leave my kids without a

mother.Everyone fears these things.I wrote a letter to my hubby telling him

what to do if I died on the table.I think doing this clears a patient's

head.I survived the surgery,and so will you and you be healthier and

happier...

Ellen

[Guest guest]

HI Jane- First of all, Happy Hanukkah! I too, was scared to death. I

am an RN, too. I have seen the post surgery horrors. They are few and

far between, you know that. Someone has already said that you are

more likely to die a slow death from all of your co-morbidities than

you are from complications from the surgery.

I'm only 5 weeks post op, so I'm still " learning " this whole new

way of life. Is it hard? Yes. Frustrating? Yes. Would I go back? Not

in a million years! I've been lamenting about Thanksgiving, but it'll

be fine. Do I miss food? Sometimes. But I know I'm on the road to a

happier healthier me and I wouldn't change it for anything.

a in SO.Cal

Lap RNY 10/18/02

280/233/150

[Guest guest]

Jane - Perhaps your experiences with surgical complications is what is

making you fear so much. You'll have to come to terms with your fear before

you decide for sure if you want the surgery. I would think that because of

your medical knowledge, it at least affords you the ability to know and

understand a complication if it arises for you. Those of us who don't work

in the medical field kind of feel like we're in the dark when these things

happen. I know we have Deb in Cleveland who is having her surgery in a

couple of weeks. She works as a nurse in the OR assisting on GB surgeries.

I bet you and she could really commiserate with each other on your more

educated fears. I will pray for you, Jane. I do think this surgery is your

best chance at losing your excess weight and keeping it off for the rest of

your life. If you want to chat in private, feel free to email me anytime.

Take care.

Jeanne in WI

Age 39

Open RNY 05/21/2002

314/ 237/150-175

5' 8 "

djgraves@...

[Guest guest]

Mark,

I agree with you 100%. My surgery is scheduled for January, and yes, I'm

scared too. But I've been killing myself by being overweight almost all my

adult life, and all the joys I have missed out on like going swimming with my

kids (I was afraid I'd be mistaken for a beached whale). I've decided I'm mad

enough at myself for letting myself get so overweight, and now it's time to take

charge of my life. I can allow my fear to control me, or I can take control of

my life and just jump in with both feet. Before I know it, it will be over, and

I will be a new person with a new personality, one that is more positive and

much more happy. I think it all depends on how bad you want your life back, and

also, and just as important, if not more, who your surgeon is and how much

experience they have. I know I'll be in the best hands possible. Good luck

with everything.

Barb Beilfuss

love2stamp@...

[Guest guest]

Heck, I wrote an email to my brother reminding him that if I didn't come

out of this surgery to come up from Orlando, get on my computer and send

a message to all the people in my address book. (You can see where my

priorities lie <G>) Knowing that my doc has lost 2 on the table in 1200

patients was a big help, and that those two were severely affected with

comorbidities. But it's a crap shoot. I figured I was going to die

anyway at some point, and if I didn't maybe I'd be able to tie my shoes

again without getting out of breath.

Pam in Niceville

Lap RNY 11/20/02

241/231/120

Re: new person, and you guys are scaring me!

In a message dated 11/26/2002 4:39:58 PM Pacific Standard Time,

jharper@... writes:

> If I were to have to have surgery tomorrow, I'd be spending tonight

writing

> my will. And back when I was doing preop cardiac care, when a patient

did

> that, we cancelled the surgery. That kind of fear can become a

> self-fulfilling prophecy.

>

Jane,

I am the mother of a 4 year old daughter and 2 boys aged 21 and 16.I

was

petrified that i would die on the table,leave my kids without a

mother.Everyone fears these things.I wrote a letter to my hubby telling

him

what to do if I died on the table.I think doing this clears a patient's

head.I survived the surgery,and so will you and you be healthier and

happier...

Ellen

[Guest guest]

I guess I was lucky, had never heard of complications when I had my surgery.

Met someone who had one in 1976 (I'm guessing JIB), and she was OK. Didn't see

her after the 3rd year, though--I moved. Met someone who'd had one in 1985,

VBG, knew him til 1995 (moved). He never lost all his wt and vomited daily.

BUT that is fairly typical with VBG. He lived on milk & sugar, so that was not

a surprise. He coulda been redone into RNY & solved both problems, but he

wasn't willing.

I met another in 1993, and that's when I made the call. She had VBG, and within

6 months, had only lost 35# so went in & revised to RNY. She elected not to do

any of the things the doc said. None. Bad idea. I don't know what happened to

her. (she moved)

I had mine in 1994, distal RNY. I was a WRECK going in. I actually didn't

expect to live. Imagine my surprise! My surgery was utterly uneventful. My

husband had his in 1995 (same as mine). He was much healthier going in. He had

a leak, deadly. He had to be reopened 5 days l ater. However, his recovery was

8 days, and the usual was 3 wks. Go figure. His life postie has been

uneventful, too.

We work with thousands of " us " who've had all kinds of surgeries. Some " types "

have more problems and will cause more long term ramifications. Some docs have

higher rates of problems because of their aftercare OR the way they do their sx.

If they do it an old fashioned way, they'll have problems the more modern docs

have solved.

So, you pour it all into the vat, stir it in with your comorbs & how many are

fatal, and see which one offers the best chance for giving you a longer, LIVABLE

life. I was not living. I was hoping I would not wake up most days. Toward the

end, my entire day was pretty much devoted to trying to get air into my lungs,

breaking off toilet seats with my weight, and not being able to do any of the

things I so loved doing. To me, it was worth the risk. I got lucky in docs,

too.

Thanks,

Vitalady T

www.vitalady.com

If you are interested in PayPal, please click here:

https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=vitalady%40bigfoot.com

Re: new person, and you guys are scaring me!

At 09:59 11/26/2002, you wrote:

>Jane - Welcome to the group, and how have we scared you? I think everyone

>on this list is happy with their choice to have the surgery. Yes, there are

>risks. But the chances of you dying are far greater in the condition you're

>in right now than after you've had the surgery. If there is a specific fear

>we can address, let us know. We've all been there, too.

I guess if I had to put my finger on a specific fear it's that there seem

to be so many people talking about complications. When you read the

literature, the numbers don't seem so high -- but go back and read the

group archives for a couple of weeks, that's what I did last night. It

seems to me like an awful lot of people have been through hell with this

surgery.

See I worked for fifteen years in a setting where I watched people younger

and healthier than I am die lingering deaths from surgical complications,

saw people my size spend weeks on a ventilator or coping with infections

and wound separations. I watched people psychologically scarred for life

from a week in intensive care, to the point where they developed

post-traumatic stress disorder. I never got to *see* the people who barely

missed a step between preop holding and the exit sign.

And I know too much about what anesthesia does to you, about how even a

healthy body responds to surgical trauma, about all the things that can go

wrong even in the best of hands. I sat in awe during the year of medical

school courses I had to do for my PhD program, realizing that the miracle

of life is that things go RIGHT. So reading all the messages about

problems spooked the *# & ^ outta me.

If I were to have to have surgery tomorrow, I'd be spending tonight writing

my will. And back when I was doing preop cardiac care, when a patient did

that, we cancelled the surgery. That kind of fear can become a

self-fulfilling prophecy.

Janie

We live in an extraordinarily debauched, interesting, savage world, where

things really don't come out even. The purpose of true drama is to remind

us of that. -- Mamet

To Subscribe to 's weekly FREE Newsletter send an email to

GBCookbook-subscribe@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/26/2002 7:39:41 PM Pacific Standard Time,

vitalady@... writes:

> So, you pour it all into the vat, stir it in with your comorbs & how many are

> fatal, and see which one offers the best chance for giving you a longer,

> LIVABLE life. I was not living. I was hoping I would not wake up most

> days. Toward the end, my entire day was pretty much devoted to trying to

> get air into my lungs, breaking off toilet seats with my weight, and not

> being able to do any of the things I so loved doing. To me, it was worth

> the risk. I got lucky in docs, too.

>

>

Wow -I read all of your posts and I had NO IDEA you felt that

way.Wow.What an amazing transformation you have made.Did you start your biz

after the surgery?Very interesting how far you've come.

Ellen

[Guest guest]

Thanks Mark I ditto everything you just said

Re: new person, and you guys are scaring me!

> Reading about the medical complications on this list is a reason to

> approach this extreme solution with caution.

>

> BUT.

>

> We are already in an extreme situation. We are unlikely to live past

> 60. We ALREADY have medical complications. Diabetes, limited mobility,

> hypertension, heart disease, water retention, even skin problems. And

> more. We are not fearful of our current medical complications because we

> are familiar with them - these other things are the unknown.

>

> After listening to people who have had the surgery, leaning how they live

> their lives, I have decided I would rather risk these other sets of

> complications that suffer physically, socially, and emotionally from the

> complication arising from my obesity. This surgery seems to give people

> their life back.

>

> So I am going for it. Please don't let your fear stop you from learning

> more about this solution to obesity, the only one that really is

successful

> for a majority of people

>

> Mark.

>

>

> At 01:35 AM 11/26/2002, you wrote:

> >Not sure if I'm supposed to introduce myself but here goes anyway.

> >

> >I'm 51, Jewish, partnered (23 years last June), no kids, one cat. I've

been

> >on disability 4 years because of my weight. Before that I was an ICU

nurse

> >for 15 years, then when I couldn't do that anymore (guess why?) I worked

in

> >software development. I came back to Ohio after 20 years in California

> >because we couldn't afford to live there on what Social Security gives

me.

> >

> >My physicians have been telling me to have this surgery for 10 years.

With

> >a BMI of 54, diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, I'm told I won't have

too

> >much trouble getting the surgery paid for by Medicare. My primary doc

here

> >had been encouraging me to look into a particular local program but I

> >dragged my feet until I had a chance to research the procedure and

> >complications and outcomes, and I was pretty blinking impressed with what

> >showed up on paper. Part of me is terrified at the notion of ANY

surgery,

> >no matter how minimally invasive -- that's the part that knows TOO much

> >about anesthesia and what can go wrong in relatively healthy people, much

> >less a wreck like me. But I can't even get out of my apartment without

help

> >because we have steps in the front, so I spend most of my days sitting

here

> >at the computer and looking out through the window, and until I came HERE

> >the concept that I might actually be able to lose enough weight to get

the

> >*# & $ out of this place and go back to nursing seemed worth whatever

chances

> >I have to take to do it.

> >

> >But I've been in this group one day and already I've seen enough horror

> >stories to send me screaming back to Weight Watchers. I dunno, maybe

> >you've all done me a favor, because the reason why I resisted the notion

of

> >surgery for ten years was because it seemed to me to be the food addict's

> >equivalent of Antabuse -- a very expensive, mutilating, artificial kind

of

> >aversion therapy that sidestepped the real issues about why people eat in

> >the first place. But right now I'm totally despondent, because something

I

> >thought might save my life looks like it'll only make it more of a living

> >hell than it is already.

> >

> >I guess I should say thank you, but I only wanna cry.

> >

> >Jane Harper

> >

> >We live in an extraordinarily debauched, interesting, savage world, where

> >things really don't come out even. The purpose of true drama is to

remind

> >us of that. -- Mamet

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Jane,

I am only 6 weeks post-op but I do know how you feel. If you had asked about

2 weeks ago if I'd do it all over again I'm not sure I could say yes. I had

to go back into the hospital for an intestinal infection caused by the

antibiotics they give you after surgery to prevent wound infections. I'm

just getting back some energy and am able to look at food again. Would I do

it again? H*!! yes! I've lost 42 lb., the constant pain in my knees is gone

and for once in my life food isn't consuming my every thought. Yesterday was

my 19th wedding anniversary and last night my dh and I talked about going to

Hawaii for our 20th. I never would have wanted to before but I know by this

time next year I'll be thinner and have the energy to do it.

No one can say if you will or won't have complications but I do think it is

important to find a doctor who does a lot of this type of surgery and has a

good record of success. What ever you decide good luck!

[Guest guest]

Oh yes. I got my shopping list in my new pt book. I could NOT find the special

things we needed. I went to 9 stores to find 7 items. Some were special order,

none were at discounted prices, of course. It was hideous. I spent each month

SEARCHING for the next month's stuff.

Once I found it, I started accumulating it for myself, but others in my support

group wanted it, so I got theirs, and then we moved, 2 support groups, and

people told people & there was a 3rd support group, and so on. Being in biz was

NOT my intention AT ALL.

But being healthy was my main focus after coming SO close to be on a vent of

some kind, I figured.

Thanks,

Vitalady T

www.vitalady.com

If you are interested in PayPal, please click here:

https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=vitalady%40bigfoot.com

Re: new person, and you guys are scaring me!

In a message dated 11/26/2002 7:39:41 PM Pacific Standard Time,

vitalady@... writes:

> So, you pour it all into the vat, stir it in with your comorbs & how many are

> fatal, and see which one offers the best chance for giving you a longer,

> LIVABLE life. I was not living. I was hoping I would not wake up most

> days. Toward the end, my entire day was pretty much devoted to trying to

> get air into my lungs, breaking off toilet seats with my weight, and not

> being able to do any of the things I so loved doing. To me, it was worth

> the risk. I got lucky in docs, too.

>

>

Wow -I read all of your posts and I had NO IDEA you felt that

way.Wow.What an amazing transformation you have made.Did you start your biz

after the surgery?Very interesting how far you've come.

Ellen

[Guest guest]

At 11:49 11/27/2002, you wrote:

>Oh yes. I got my shopping list in my new pt book. I could NOT find the

>special things we needed. I went to 9 stores to find 7 items. Some were

>special order, none were at discounted prices, of course. It was

>hideous. I spent each month SEARCHING for the next month's stuff.

: got any hints for somebody who wants to be in the best possible

shape preop but has to live on a VERY tight fixed income?

Janie

The need to be a great artist makes it hard to be an artist. The need to

produce a great work of art makes it hard to produce any art at all. --

Cameron

[Guest guest]

Pam & don't forget to wear socks I had not in years because it took my

breath now I love socks an hose

TN

Re: new person, and you guys are scaring me!

>

>

> In a message dated 11/26/2002 4:39:58 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> jharper@... writes:

>

> > If I were to have to have surgery tomorrow, I'd be spending tonight

> writing

> > my will. And back when I was doing preop cardiac care, when a patient

> did

> > that, we cancelled the surgery. That kind of fear can become a

> > self-fulfilling prophecy.

> >

>

> Jane,

> I am the mother of a 4 year old daughter and 2 boys aged 21 and 16.I

> was

> petrified that i would die on the table,leave my kids without a

> mother.Everyone fears these things.I wrote a letter to my hubby telling

> him

> what to do if I died on the table.I think doing this clears a patient's

> head.I survived the surgery,and so will you and you be healthier and

> happier...

>

> Ellen

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> I guess if I had to put my finger on a specific fear it's that

there seem

> to be so many people talking about complications. When you read

the

> literature, the numbers don't seem so high -- but go back and read

the

> group archives for a couple of weeks, that's what I did last

night. It

> seems to me like an awful lot of people have been through hell with

this

> surgery.

That may seem true, but I think one thing that you have to keep in

mind is that people having a problem are more likely to post here

looking for answers/support. There are an awful lot of lurkers who

don't post, who read the list for informational purposes, and are

probably doing fine.

Yahoo has a function which allows you to poll the group. Perhaps it

would be helpful to set up some polls which might allow us to

determine what percentage of the group has been beset by

complications - and which ones?

Sandy

[Guest guest]

Get a multi-vite. Doesn't have to be expensive, only " right " . Equal to Centrum

is fine.

Vit C, warehouse club is fine

Get someone to check your iron level. Now. If it's not MID-RANGE or better,

fix it NOW. I can help you if it's sucko.

Start protein now. Start tasting the econo ones, then move up the line. But

you might LIKE the econo ones. They make up with water. Can be very cheap. Esp

if it stands you back up fast after surgery.

Talk to in Sacto about this one. I'm not sure they even used anesthesia

for her. LOL! She just stopped by and had outpatient WLS! LOL! She was WELL

pre-loaded on protein. I think she went out of town this weekend, though. Ask

the question again Tuesday or so and see what she says.

Also, do 10 deep breaths per hour. AND wiggle your feet/ankles. Up & down, left

& right, roundy in silly circles. 10 times per hour. Personally, I couldn't be

able to do both at the same time! LOL! Dr Oh tells 'em to do this when he

sees them way ahead. My broken people here (or formerly broken) might not have

been told that cuz they didn't have a big gap between consult and table.

Thanks,

Vitalady T

www.vitalady.com

If you are interested in PayPal, please click here:

https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=vitalady%40bigfoot.com

Re: new person, and you guys are scaring me!

At 11:49 11/27/2002, you wrote:

>Oh yes. I got my shopping list in my new pt book. I could NOT find the

>special things we needed. I went to 9 stores to find 7 items. Some were

>special order, none were at discounted prices, of course. It was

>hideous. I spent each month SEARCHING for the next month's stuff.

: got any hints for somebody who wants to be in the best possible

shape preop but has to live on a VERY tight fixed income?

Janie

The need to be a great artist makes it hard to be an artist. The need to

produce a great work of art makes it hard to produce any art at all. --

Cameron

[Guest guest]

Yahoo has a function which allows you to poll the group. Perhaps it

would be helpful to set up some polls which might allow us to

determine what percentage of the group has been beset by

complications - and which ones?

Sandy

I belong to a painting group and they did a poll and only 4 people in the

group voted. So you might not still get a good idea of what is going on.

I am getting scared to have the operation after reading things on my

computer. But then I remember the person the their doctor did a 1200 people and

two died or had problems. Here where I live a man weighing 500 lbs died. But at

that size any operation might of done the same. I don't know.

What I do know it I am raising my 11 12 and 13 year old grandsons with a 65

year old husband that does the very best he can. but I figure at 51 I need to do

better for these boys. And I need to do better for myself. And the way I am

right now I can't do either.

I've tryed and tryed.

Sorry about getting up on my soap box, but there is a resk at every thing

you do. I don't figure this is a bad one. sue