Support

I am due to have surgery R-NY Sept 10th. I haven't been able to meet or talk to anyone who has, or is going through the same thing to help, guide or be my mentor through this surgery. How do I go about finding an angel to help me. Arkldy

Hey Arkldy, Let me be the first to tell you, you have just walked into one of the best support groups you will ever meet.  Many of us here have had RNY and many have had Lap Band.  We support, love, pray for, cry with, laugh with, and hold onto each other.  We tend to be a little rowdy (down Susan!!!) but we take care of each other.

You can ask us questions, and we will answer them with what small or large knowledge we have.  We are not experts but we will be glad to tell you what has worked and has not worked for us.   We have some regulars that get on here and ramble back and forth at each other, some we have met, and some we have never laid eyes on, but we still love each other here.  We cry when we lose pets, (who are children to most) we laugh when we do silly stuff, and we support no matter what.  I had RNY in Feb of this year, and I have lost 100 pounds, so I must say, CONGRATULATIONS on making the best decision you can ever make in your life.  We are here for you thru it all. Hugs and Welcome, Rhonda

Hi and Welcome. Congrats on your decision to improve your life. I just had surgery 2 weeks ago so I am in the process of going through the postop stage. First let me tell you it is not going to be an easy quick fix. It takes work, both mental and physical. If you are like me then you are in one of the hardest parts right now...The Wait for Surgery. I thought that day would never get here. I was scheduled to have a laporoscopic RNY and ended up having to have an open. Because of this I will have a longer recovery time. You may or maynot tolerate some foods you did prior to the surgery. So far I have tolerated all the soft foods I have eaten postop with no problems at all. My problem is getting the protein shakes to agree with me. I think my journey this far has went pretty well. Like I said this is no way an easy journey but the results are going to be well worth it. Support is a big factor in the process. The OH boards are awsome for that. Reading profiles will help also.  IMO the best thing you can do now is to put it in Gods hands. God Bless, Tammie

Welcome Arkldy! Well you found us - and you may never be the same again Please post any question you have, there is no question that some one can't help with. I would also encourage you to check out some of our pages. Just click on our avatar (picture) and it will take you to our page. I know I post there at least once a month - it was more often when I first started the process. You can sort of get a feel for how we have made it through. Some post more than others, but I always enjoy checking in and seeing how everyone is doing. Hope that helps some - AT

Hi there Newbie! Welcome to our little corner of the world. Rhonda the girls are right, we're all here to help and support each other, and of course, have some fun along the way. First of all, some questions.  I see by your profile that your surgeon is in Memphis. I'm assuming you will be going "across  state lines" for your procedure. Does that hospital, or doctor, have any support group affiliations or will you be able to attend a seminar before your surgery? You will need to be very well prepared for this journey by your doctor and her staff. I'm not trying to make you nervous, but it's easier for us to help you if we have an idea of how much you know and what your personal doctor/nutritionist have for your guidelines.  Are you required to do a liquid diet prior to surgery? Will it be open or lap? Do you know if you will be using liquid supplements when you come home. We're all your mentors, guides and angels here, just let us know how we can help!

I have to go to Memphis because there is not a center of excellence in Arkansas, Memphis is the closest one. I will be going to St Francis and Dr. Virginia McGrath-Weaver is my surgeon. I have been trying to get this done for a year and this Dr is very strict on her requirements. All types of test, psych exam, meet with nutritionist and then two classes before I even got to see the Dr.  I have been hoping to meet some people closer for support and help since Memphis is so far away from me. I have to go Monday and get all my lab work done, ekg, chest ex-ray etc. I will have it done locally and everything will be faxed to Dr Weaver to make sure everything is ok and in working order for surgery. 14 days before surgery which I think is Tuesday I start a liver-shrink diet. Clear liquids day before surgery, nothing after midnight and then report to hospital at 6:30 a.m. on the morning of surgery. Since it is about 150 miles I will be going down the night before and spending the night in a motel in Memphis so I don't have to drive all night to get there. After surgery because I am a diabetic and have had a previous heart attack I will be in intensive care I was told so don't panic when I wake up and find myself there, because I am a diabetic and have had heart trouble. I will be having lap unless there is trouble and then it will be open. I will be on liquid for a couple of days then 6 weeks of pureed food. Other than the dreaded waiting. Seems the closer it gets the more time drags. So any suggestions, more questions etc, I'm all ears!

Welcome Arkldy~ You have just stumbled upon the BEST support group  anyone could ask for! We are all "Angels" to each other. I am 4 months out and used Dr. Gibbs in LR. Awesome Doc! FYI.... Baptist Hospital in Little Rock is a Circle of Excellence Hospital.  That is where most of us have had or planning to have our surgeries. Whatever we can help you with,  just ask.......if we don't know the answer, we will be honest about it and tell you.We are not Doctors and cannot give medical advice BUT we can share our own personal experiences with you.  Also, you will find lots of support here by reading about all of our journeys. We may have all taken different paths to get here BUT we are all achieving the same outcome. You are not alone.....Let us know how we can help and keep us updated. Huggs, Rhonda T BTW    75 LBS GONE FOREVER - - - - WOOOOO HOOOOO! ( I hope my arm is not too sore from patting myself on the back LOL)