I am new, just got approved anfd looking for tips

[Guest guest]

HI everyone. My name is . I just got approved to have my surgery

and am scheduled for my Gastric bypass in January. I can't wait but

since I have been approved, many people are trying to talk me out of

it. They tell me about the failures of the people they know who had

it and I am just hearing about the success'. I am excited but I also

know that it is not a cake walk either! I would like to find out what

I am in for and what to expect. I am more fortunate thatn other as I

have only 90 punds to lose, in fact I really cannot believe I was

ok'd by my insurance. I have major back complications and my doc says

it is becasue of my weight issues so that is why they approved it.

But anyway I am looking for support with know what to expect. poeple

are telling me that life after Gastric Bypass is miserable for six

months, is that true? Anything you could tell me or give me tips

would be great! Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I too only had about 90lbs to lose and I had my surgery on August

12, 2003. I have to tell you, I have heard about others having a

rough time of it, but for my experience, it is the best thing I've

done, aside from having my kids! I am happier than I have ever been

with myself. I am losing weight, not at the great clip that other

are because they have more to lose, but in the first 2 1/2 months, I

am down 37 lbs. I am not complaining! I fit into clothes I haven't

worn in YEARS! Most of the clothes I owned are gone from my closet

and I have the good fortune to have a mom that has lost weight

herself so I have an abundance of clothes to choose from. Not that

they are my style, mind you! At least I don't have to go around

nekkid! I get compliments right and left, which to be honest is hard

for me to handle because I'm just not used to it! I'm trying though!

I have learned what I can and can not eat. I am still learning

portion control, which is mostly by aversion because you don't feel

so hot when you eat too much. For me the downsides are these. I did

not react well to the anesthesia after surgery. I spent 3 days in

the hospital instead of the standard 1 or 2. Big Deal, right? I miss

being able to gulp down a glass of ice cold water or drink Diet

Cherry Coke. I tried it once and the water came back up, still cold!

I miss not being able to have the variety of choices at the sushi

bar. Pre-op I could eat my fair share of our $70.00 bill! Now, I'm

lucky if I spend 8 bucks on my meal! However, I can live with all

those limitations. All in all, if I had to do it again, I would in a

moment. Again, this is just MY perspective. You have to make the

choice that is right for you. Don't let others sway you. Find those

who support you and surround yourself with them. It isn't a cake

walk, but it sure isn't the worst decision you could make either.

Good Luck,

> HI everyone. My name is . I just got approved to have my

surgery

> and am scheduled for my Gastric bypass in January. I can't wait

but

> since I have been approved, many people are trying to talk me out

of

> it. They tell me about the failures of the people they know who

had

> it and I am just hearing about the success'. I am excited but I

also

> know that it is not a cake walk either! I would like to find out

what

> I am in for and what to expect. I am more fortunate thatn other as

I

> have only 90 punds to lose, in fact I really cannot believe I was

> ok'd by my insurance. I have major back complications and my doc

says

> it is becasue of my weight issues so that is why they approved it.

> But anyway I am looking for support with know what to expect.

poeple

> are telling me that life after Gastric Bypass is miserable for six

> months, is that true? Anything you could tell me or give me tips

> would be great! Thanks

[Guest guest]

Congratulations on your approval, and joining this list. I've had ups

and downs getting my approval over that past couple of months, and

I've received so much support here (I'm waiting on my appeal, should

hear something in the next week or two).

Just remember, it's your decision. It's good to educate yourself

about the failures as well as the successes. That way you can set

yourself up with some good role models, while avoiding the things

that have tripped others up. Although I haven't had surgery yet, it

seems that the same thing keeps coming up again and again...to

prepare yourself for the fact that you'll be losing a friend. After

wls, you won't be able to turn to food to get you through the hard

times. As long as you mentally prepare yourself for this before going

in, you should come out fine. My mom knows someone who is a couple of

months out who is having a lot of problems. But it is because she is

stubborn, refuses to listen to anybody (doctors, etc.), refuses to go

to a support group, and refuses to realize that she's going to have

to work at this. She thought she was going to come out of the

surgery " cured " . And now she's pissed off at everyone because she's

not, and she still has a lot of issues.

Let us know when you get a surgery date!!!!

W.

Birmingham

Dr. Schmitt

(waiting on appeal)

> HI everyone. My name is . I just got approved to have my

surgery

> and am scheduled for my Gastric bypass in January. I can't wait but

> since I have been approved, many people are trying to talk me out

of

> it. They tell me about the failures of the people they know who had

> it and I am just hearing about the success'. I am excited but I

also

> know that it is not a cake walk either! I would like to find out

what

> I am in for and what to expect. I am more fortunate thatn other as

I

> have only 90 punds to lose, in fact I really cannot believe I was

> ok'd by my insurance. I have major back complications and my doc

says

> it is becasue of my weight issues so that is why they approved it.

> But anyway I am looking for support with know what to expect.

poeple

> are telling me that life after Gastric Bypass is miserable for six

> months, is that true? Anything you could tell me or give me tips

> would be great! Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi , I had to reply when I read the part in your post about

being miserable for six months after surgery. I am six weeks out and

was only uncomfortable (not miserable) for about two days. Yes, you

have to relearn how to eat---eating slowly, watching portions,

getting in your protein, water, supplements, walking, etc. From what

I have read (and I've read a lot) most people who are unsuccessful

are not following the guidelines set up for them. For me, the

adjustments have been very doable and so worth the results! I'm down

41 pounds and feeling fabulous. I'm so thankful I've been given the

blessing of this surgery and I'm going to do everything I can to be

sure I don't waste the opportunity. Of course, everyone's experience

is a little different. So my advice to you is to continue to read

this board, you will learn a lot, and feel free to ask questions any

time. Best of luck to you on your journey.

Connie

open rny

293/252/170

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> HI everyone. My name is . I just got approved to have my

surgery

> and am scheduled for my Gastric bypass in January. I can't wait but

> since I have been approved, many people are trying to talk me out

of

> it. They tell me about the failures of the people they know who had

> it and I am just hearing about the success'. I am excited but I

also

> know that it is not a cake walk either! I would like to find out

what

> I am in for and what to expect. I am more fortunate thatn other as

I

> have only 90 punds to lose, in fact I really cannot believe I was

> ok'd by my insurance. I have major back complications and my doc

says

> it is becasue of my weight issues so that is why they approved it.

> But anyway I am looking for support with know what to expect.

poeple

> are telling me that life after Gastric Bypass is miserable for six

> months, is that true? Anything you could tell me or give me tips

> would be great! Thanks