Surgery April 24th!

I haven't posted a lot on this forum. I am very scared about the changes that will take place in my life after this Monday. I am scared that I will never enjoy life again, not like I used to. On the other hand, I am so excited for so many things! I know this is what I need to do for me, and I just wanted to tell you all thank you. I have enjoyed reading your stories, and they have been helpful and inspirational to me. I am having the lap-band placed on Monday Morning at Hillcrest Hospital by Dr. Bour. Scared and excited, Heidi

Heidi, I was wondering where you've been...Welcome Back Sista!!! WELCOME!!! And an even bigger "CONGRATULATIONS!!"on your upcoming WLS. Change can be a little scary...ok a lot scary ...though this is easier said than done...Darling don't be scared. You've made this decision because you know what's best for you...trust in God and that ok? Don't you think it's a lot scarier to watch our weight balloon out of control, knowing that we've tried every diet known to man to get it under control, and they haven't worked? Or how scary is it to do a little physical activity, and feel as if you're having a heart attack...That's scary!! Or to try and play with the kids and feel as if all the joints in your hips and legs are gonna dislocate at the same time? OUCH!! that'll scare ya! High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, joint pain, rashes, and all those other comorbities...THAT"S SCARY!!! Hang in there Sweetie...You're choosing to live a healthier life...believe me you'll enjoy every minute of it!!! Only the food portions are smaller, not our lives!!! I've updated your info on the Weight Loss List...please keep us updated. We care how your doing Tonya

Thank you Tonya, thanks for everything! "Only the food portions are smaller, not our lives!!!" Definitely words to live by. Thanks for the reminder!

Nothing tastes as good as being thin (& healthy) feels!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Heidi, Been there, done that, as have most of us on this board. I, too, was really worried as my date neared, but as of today... just one week out of surgery, I am 10 pounds down! YAY FOR ME!!! I want you to envision just how GOOD that feels. It feels so much better than having a quick fix of eating something bad (nothing is good enoough to eat that steals your health and days off of your life). WHAT was I thinking before? Even better than the weight loss, my HBP is down so much that I may need to get off the meds really, really soon. I am thinking of everything I want to do that I have avoided because of my weight- like a deep body massage! And going on a cruise! And telling my family what size clothes to buy me for Christmas and my birthday! So many things that we avoid because of our size are out there waiting for us! I am going to try parasailing this summer! Keep the faith, girl, and keep the focus on the end results. I have only begun and I am light as a feather and floating on air with joy! Hugs! Christine

Hi Heidi, I have the utmost confidence that Dr. Bour will take great care of you on Monday ... and I am excited for you! I know what you mean though ... the life you are leading now may not be the healthiest or happiest, but it's what you know. And life after Monday is The Great Unknown. When I feel those feelings, I just think of ALL the many profiles I've read on this website and all the success stories on this board alone ... they all say they would do it again in a split second. Their lives are improved to such a great degree that the pain of surgery and the changes in lifestyle are all completely worth it. I can't wait to join you!!! Best of everything ... Dawn

Thank you everyone! It feels so nice to know that you are all out there supporting me and thinking of me, and to know that I am not the only one who had all this presurgery anxiety. It seems like whenever I see someone going through this they look so confident in it, so self assured. I have always been one who wears my heart on my sleeve, and so maybe those others are just beeter at hiding their insecurities and anxiety than I am. Thank you all so, so very much!

Good luck with your surgery! Praying that all goes well. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you as I live around here.

THE ONLY THING I HAD TO RELEARN TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH AGAIN WAS EATING OUT IN RESTUARANTS, WHICH NICK & I LOVE TO DO. I'VE LEARNED TO EAT SLOWLY, PUTTING DOWN MY FORK IN BETWEEN BITES ... TAKING SMALL TASTES OF THINGS & HAVE LEARNED TO ENJOY THE TIME WITH NICK & OTHERS & THE CONVERSATIONS & TIME SPENT RELAXING. NOW, I LOVE GOING OUT FOR DINNER EVEN MORE THAN BEFORE BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANY AFTER-DINNER GUILT FROM STUFFING MY FACE UNCONTROLLABLY & FEELING SO EMOTIONALLY & PHYSICALLY SICK AFTER GORGING ON SUCH A HUGE AMOUNT OF FOOD. FOOD ACTUALLY TASTES A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER TO ME NOW, BECAUSE I ENJOY THE FLAVORS & THERE IS NOOOOOOOO EATERS' REMORSE ATTACHED. SINCE I DON'T EAT TONS OF FOOD, EACH BITE IS REALLY SPECIAL & THE FLAVORS JUST POP IN MY MOUTH. AS FOR EVERYTHING ELSE IN LIFE, I COULDN'T ENJOY THEM MORE ... NO MORE CO-MORBS ... THEY ALL DISAPPEARED ... NO MORE PAIN THAT CAUSED ME TO LITERALLY BE IN TEARS MOST DAYS/NIGHTS ... 26 MEDS A DAY GONE ... ABLE TO WALK & MOVE WITHOUT FLINCHING ... CAN JOIN IN ACTIVITIES I COULDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT DOING BEFORE SURGERY ... NICK & I CAN SHARE LIFE INSTEAD OF HIM BEING MY NURSEMAID & WAITING ON ME HAND & FOOT DUE TO ALL THE LIMITATIONS FROM BEING OBESE & UNHEALTHY ... NO MORE HUMILIATION & EMBARRASSING MOMENTS ... I LOOK FORWARD TO EACH DAY ... EVEN THE "BAD" ONES ARE A MILLION TIMES BETTER THAN MY BEST ONES USED TO BE BEFORE SURGERY! YOU'RE RIGHT ... YOU WON'T ENJOY LIFE LIKE YOU DID BEFORE ... YOU WILL ENJOY LIFE TO ITS FULLEST FOR THE VERY 1sT TIME IN LIKE F-O-R-E-V-E-R!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GETTING A LAPBAND IS NOT AS A SEVERE CHANGE AS GASTRIC BYPASS ... YOU LOSE SLOWER, CAN EAT WITHOUT DUMPING & THE CHANGES COME GRADUALLY SO THEY ARE A BIT EASIER TO HANDLE. BUT, ONCE YOU START EXPERIENCING THE BENEFITS OF BEING IN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE & OF BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ACTIVE LIFE, YOU WILL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER LOOK BACK TO YOUR "OLD" LIFE! GOD BLESS YOU MS HEIDI! DAWN & NICK