Surgery in 6 Days!

Hello Everyone. I have been reading your postings on this website for a couple of months now, both to see what it was like being part of this group/website, but also to get more information about my upcoming surgery. After reading many of your successes, concerns, and questions, I began to feel less alone and more knowledgeable in my quest to "become a loser". A big thank you for that. But now that I am less than a week away from my surgery, I find myself needing reassurance that I am doing the right thing, especially from people who know what it is like. I am very confident and positive that everything is going to be just fine, but there is that little devil sitting on my shoulder telling me otherwise. My family and friends are supportive, but they too have their concerns and opinions. My husband has been the biggest help/support to me so far through all this. Today, however, I decided to register on this website and begin telling my story so that I could get some more support from all of you. I have a profile page now so hopefully that will become a tool for me to journal what is going on with me, pre- and post-op, to help myself and others. Until next time...

Jen, Welcome to the OH July losers. Glad to have you. I am having surgery the 12th, so we are in this together. I really think I would have backed out without this website, July Message Board and the Texas Message Board. Only you can know if you are doing the right thing for you. Read all the profiles you can of people who have gone through it. There are some real inspirational stories there. I think telling your story helps to, helps us slow down and think about where we are, where we are going and where we would REALLY like to be. So many opportunities out there for those willing to take the risk. Well that is the way I look at it. The journal can really be your friend. Bobbie Lynn

Welcome Jen, You will find that this board will not only be insightful but also encouraging and supportive. I am having surgery the day after you and my husband has been my biggest support as well. Doesn't it make is that much easier. May your surgery go smoothly and we will be looking forward to you inspiring us as well. Dee

Hi, Jen. I lurked for a long time too before I started posting. This site is incredibly useful and informative. I rely on my dr and my nut for the factual/scientific side of the decision, but this is the place where we really can hear about the highs, lows, frustrations, exultations of those who've gone a bit farther down the path that we're just starting. That you have support at home is critical. As for your doubts, I imagine that all of us have come to this point with diet experiences; I always joke that I'm a greater dieter--I like it so much I keep gaining the lost weight back and having them invite a few of their friends just so I can keep doing it! This decision though isn't like that; it's not a diet with a goal weight in mind, an endpoint. I'm not worried about meeting some goal weight; I'm worried about the day AFTER I hit this mysterious number. Then what? When I began to think of it that way, as a process of ongoing, continuous improvement of myself (not just reaching some mystical number), the devil on my shoulder shut up and I began to actively pursue this surgery as the first step in that process. Does that devilish little twit pipe up every once in a while? Yep. Particularly with the lethal little reminders of how diet X, Y, and Z didn't work, so why should this? When I hear that line of thought, I keep in mind that this moment of doubt is normal; what takes effort is remembering that my life is a process, not a number. Perhaps this sounds like a bunch of new-agey/Zen hoo-doo, but my mind right now is NOT in the same place it has been with all of my other weight-loss attempts. I have to struggle with remembering it's a process I'm undertaking, not a diet. Best of luck to you. Welcome and stay in touch! EL

Jen . just keep tellin yourself this is the best thing i can do for my health .. and take it from a brand new post op 7/5 the first few days are gonna be rough but do exactly what you dr says and you will get through it !!!!

Good Luck to you!! I was glad that friends who had it told me about the chest pain(gas). Also, the faster you get up and walk the better. It helps move the gas. I am just 24 hours old, but I can actually say I am just sore, not real pain unless I try to get up or apply pressure to the stomach muscles. Hope to see you on the board often. Cathy