Hello Everyone!

Hey, I am new here and I hope to make some friends here. My name is Renee Brooks. I live in Macon, GA. I have not had the surgery yet still waiting on the red tape to clear. I would love to make some friends and get advice of what I can expect when that cherished day comes. I am so ready to have my new life begin. I have been studying about the WLS for nearly 10 years. This waiting is killing me. I dont post much cos I am so new at doing this and I dont know what I am doing half of the time. If anyone out there can help me with what I can expect that would be great. I want to get myself prepared for this. Thank you so very much.

Hey Renee, Glad to have you aboard. I am in your neck of the woods.. I love Macon. I live about an hr and a half from you. On the other side of Sylvester.. Who hoo!! You have nothing to fear for sure. Just get all your ducks in a row and read all you can before you have the surgery. I had the RNY in Altanta because they dont do that here. Only the lap band and my insurance wouldnt have touched that anyway for some reason. Just read my profile and you can see the in's and out's of what I did. Are you having it in Macon or Altanta? I love going to ya'lls mall there with the huge carosel in the middle of the place lol....Here where im at its just one corner store and cows and peanut trailers nothing else lol...... Hugs Marge

Welcome Renee, My profile also details my surgery so you can read it if you'd like. I will say I wasn't prepared for what I went through after surgery, and I don't know that anyone truely could be. Your so used to eating that's it's very hard to get your brain to realize your just not the same anymore! Best wishes to you, and feel free to ask all the questions you want that's what were all here for! Jan

Hi Jan, I read your profile. I hope you are doing better now. I am happy that you have lost so much weight. I have a fear of any kind of tubes being put down my throat but I know that is a part of it all and I am determined to get over that. I am sorry that you had such a rough time of it. I hope that things work out for you too. Thanks for the reply to my post. Please keep in touch and let me know how you get okay? Renee

Hey Marge, Glad to hear from you. Like I had said before, I dont really know what I am doing in here, with the posting and all. I am glad that you got your surgery. I read on your page that you had Dr Duncan. I have chosen him too. I am currently waiting on the consult with him. I have been wanting the surgery for so very long now. I will have my surgery in the Atlanta Medical Center I think. Would you believe that I have not been to the Macon Mall since 96?? I have been sick since about 2000 and before that I never went cos I was either working or sleeping. I used to work about 80 hours a week. Sounds like you are in the country..that is what I love. I live almost in Gray Ga. I am kind of in the country but live on a main highway. It was good to hear from you sweety. Keep in touch okay? Thanks.....Renee

Hey Renee! Welcome to the Group! I just read your profile and you've certainly done your share of waiting, so I know you are anxious. Are you looking to have a lap or open? You can read my profile and see the kind of journey I've had. I'm six months out and I've lost 130 lbs. I, too, had lots of co-morbidities and now I'm down to just a couple of pills a day and I no longer have sleep apnea. This is a life changing proceedure and I know you'll do well. We'll be here to support you all along the way. Feel free to ask questions and use our experiences to erase any fears you may have. Good luck on your journey and God Bless... *hugsnluv* Phyllis

Hey Phyllis, Wow dear you did have a rough time bless your heart. Your pics are great and I know you feel better. I loved that you posted your "to do" list on OH and I may still your idea. That is good. I plan to video myself once a week so that when I get down to my normal size, I can watch myself loose wt. I also want to have many pics made of me before surgery and of my legs too, so I can remind myself if I ever want to do the wrong thing again NOT to do it. You are right, I have waited and waited somemore. Now as I wait for the cherished phone call from my surgeon, it is like planning a trip to Disney World. I pray I will come through it all with flying colors and not have any problems. I will have to have the open RNY due to my size as I am over 500 pounds now. I am completely homebound and I cannot even walk outside in the yard cos I no longer walk anymore, I waddle now. I dont have sidewalks where I live. I cannot wait to get my life back. Thank you for the reply and I hope you have a great day. Please stay in touch and let me know how you are doing. I now will know what to do if I have post nausea problems. Thank you for posting that. God Bless You dear.....Renee

Glad to hear you finally got approved. I know you will feel better after you heal from the surgery. The waiting time seems long now but you will have the surgery before you know it. Now is the time to really change your eating habits. I only had to lose 200 hundred but I tell you it has really changed my life so much for the better. The last two years have been a great journey. John

Hi John, Thank you for your reply. I am riding on cloud nine today cos I just got a call that my chart is in my surgeons hands now. The next step will be him calling me to come in for cousultation. I hope to be able to have the surgery really very soon as I am wanting to do so many things. My one wish is that I want to volunteer and help some people who are in the same shape as myself. Now that I have been where I am I dont want anyone to have to live the way I have had too. I am glad that you were able to loose 200 pounds, that is great. I know you have to feel better now. May God Bless you and may you get your life back too.

Hi Sandra, Thanks for your reply, I read your profile and it was very interesting. I will also be using Dr Duncan for my surgery that I hope and pray will be soon. I never knew about the GA get togethers so please fill me in. I know that I wont be able to go till I become mobile again but that would be nice to meet others from GA. I am homebound and cannot leave my house except for Dr appts. and such. I just keep praying that someday I will be on the other side with the rest of you guys. Keep me in your prayers dear okay? See you later...Renee