Question:
In need of some encourging words!!!
Hi-I am scheduled to have WLS on January 25, 2000. I am scared to DEATH and would like to have some support. All I hear is how I should not have this surgery it is too dangerous, but the people who are telling me this have NO idea what it feels like to be overweight! So anyone who has some encourging words-please share. Thank you! My e-mail is [email protected]. — Kari G. (posted on December 10, 1999)
December 10, 1999
Hi Kari, I have not had the surgery yet, but will as soon as
I can get approved. I have 5 freinds who have been through
this, and everyone says it has been the best thing they ever
did for themselves. the first week is going to be a little rough, but just
do what your Doctor advises,and what you are
suppose to do and you will do fine. Everyone who is really over weight ,
knows the dangers on their health. May the Lord be with you,
— C S.
December 10, 1999
Hi Kari, I have not had the surgery yet, but will as soon as
I can get approved. I have 5 freinds who have been through
this, and everyone says it has been the best thing they ever
did for themselves. the first week is going to be a little rough, but just
do what your Doctor advises,and what you are
suppose to do and you will do fine. Everyone who is really over weight ,
knows the dangers on their health. May the Lord be with you,
— C S.
December 10, 1999
Kari - Everytime I hear where one of us is having to put up with negative
comments about this surgery I just cringed. Common sense dictates that you
need to be encouraged with regards to your decision. I had my surgery
11/15, and I was absolutely terrified. Everything went fine -- that is not
to say it was a walk in the park it wasn't. The things that frightened me
were blood clots and the nose tube. They do everything possible to prevent
the bloods clots, and I walked, walked, walked. And, the nose tube, piece
of cake. It was nothing. Hang in there and concentrate on the positive.
Good luck to you.
— Jari M.
December 10, 1999
Kari, I haven't had surgery yet but the more I research and
ask, the more confident I become in making this decision. I
am scheduled for the 28th. No one knows what is like in
your shoes but you have to do what is best for you. Don't
live in fear, overcome it! As far as advice, do whatever
the doctors tell you and join chat you will recieve very
valuable advice and support!
— Janiece L.
December 10, 1999
Kari,
I haven't had my surgery yet, in fact I'm just starting out and won't even
meet my surgeon until January, so I can't tell you about the operation or
about how I feel post-op. But I can tell you that you are doing something
very positive for yourself. You are taking control of your life, your
health and your emotional well being. Those people in your life, who
aren't as supportive as you wish, love you and are frightened of losing
you. They are only aware of horror stories from the past and are unaware
of advances in this type of surgery. They may even be afraid of who the
"new you" will be and how you will interact with each other. You
are right they don't know what it's like to carry the weight of one or more
people around all time. They don't know what it's like to not fit through
the turnstiles at the drug store. They aren't facing a life that is
steadly being shortened, as well as having the quality of that life
constantly diminish. This operation is a drastic step, but in so many ways
we are in drastic, life threatening situations. Taking this step puts us
on the path of saving our own lifes, our own happiness and our own well
being. So concentrate on the positives. Don't be hard on yourself for
being afraid, this IS scary on so many levels. Look ahead to the future,
the sky is our only limit! Let us know how you are doing.
— Sharyle L.
December 10, 1999
Kari:
My surgery was October 20, '99 and it wasn't simple and easy
for me ... I had some complications, needed followup surgery
and 8 more days in hospital, later needed a hypothorax drained,
and felt generally miserable up until this past Monday. BUT I've
actually been pretty miserable for several years as my weight
climbed and my self esteem dropped to zero.
Six weeks is not a very long time in the overall scheme of things
if you look at the big picture. My weight loss as of today
is 45 lbs, and I turn 45 next week. Do I wish things went
smoother following my WLS? Sure! Would I do it again unhesitantly?
Absolutely!
The quality of the rest of my life will be vastly improved by
drastically reducing the chance of developing the diseases I'm
genetically pre-disposed to, I'll actually enjoy shopping again,
and my weight will no longer be a major issue in my life.
Anything worth getting is worth working for, and frequently
involves some element of risk. My personal opinion is WLS
was my last option, and I have no regrets regarding my decision.
Cindy
PS: My complications were in NO WAY due to human error ... I
just happened to fall in that tiny percentile that develops
complications.
— Cynthia B.
December 10, 1999
Hi Kari: I was really scared before my surgery, too. I spent the last 2
weeks before the operation just being with my husband and daughter, because
I didn't know if I would make it through the procedure or not. I wanted to
build warm memories for my daughter, who is 9, just in case something
happened. Silly? Nah.....what if.....? By the Grace of God I made it
through with relatively no problems, and I'm so thankful that I did
everything just the way I did it. And now, my life is so much better, I
feel good, and I'm so much happier than I have been in years. My sleep
apnea is gone, and so is the exhaustion that goes along with it. I have
tons of energy, and just got back from 8 days at Disney World where I
walked and walked and walked.....after flying COMFORTABLY on a plane (for
the first time in years)with some slack in my seat belt! For me, the
decision to have WLS was the right one. When done by an experienced
physician who CARES about his patient, it can be accomplished in a safe
manner. I was fortunate enough to have a surgeon who fits that
description, the fabulous David Greenbaum. He has been such a blessing to
me and my entire family. Good luck with your surgery! Jaye Carl, open
proximal RNY 7-29-99, 78 pounds gone forever!
— Jaye C.
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