ON MY WAY BUT PRETTY WORRIED HELP!!!!!

I AM SCHEDULED FOR MY CONSULT WITH DR. AVERBACH ON SEPT. 28,2004 AND I AM PRETTY SCARED I DO KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE GASTRIC BYPASS DONE BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TALK WITH THEM AT LENGHT ABOUT THEIR PROCEDURE OR WHAT TO EXPECT. IF ANYONE WANTS TO ECHANGE EMAILS AND GIVE ME INPUT MALE OR FEMALE I WOULD APPRECIATE THIS. IAM 33 RECENTLY DIVORCED SINGLE MOM AND HAVE SUPPORT FROM FAMILY BUT MY MALE FRIENDS THINK I AM CRAZY THEY LIKE ME THE WAY I AM, HA BUT WHY DON'T THEY DATE ME? NO I AM NOT DOING THIS FOR THEM BUT FOR ME. SO PLEASE SEND ANY INFO YOU ALL HAVE GOOD OR BAD. THANKS ALOT DAWN IN MD

Dawn, My name is Bobby and I will give you a little advise. Do what is going to make you happy and don't worry what your male friends thin****il they have walked in your shoes they will never understand. I had my surgery on Feb 23, 2004. I have lost almost 90lbs in about 41/2 months. I am starting to enjoy life. Also, the same people who thought I was crazy now are amazed at the way I look. Now I'm not going to lie to you it is a big deal and the surgery should be well thought out. In my case I had a leak 5 days post op. The main thing are the drains. Make sure the Doctor you use puts drains in. You should only have them in for 5 to 6 days but if you get a leak they are a life saver. Most people don't get a leak but I was one that did. I think my Doctor has done about 1500 surgeries and I was one of 5 that developed a leak after the first leak test. Also, as far as the pain goes it is only bad for a day or so and after that a breeze. They say it is harder on Men than Women to have the surgery so if that is correct you souldn't have any problem. Finally, your friends may like you for who you are but the main thing is you need to like who you are. Because you will love who you will become after the surgery. I say go ahead and realize the dream of being healthy and skinny. Those male friends will be the same ones that are asking you out when you lose the lbs. Take care and if you need more info let me know. Bobby

Hello Dawn, I would recommend that you go to the library and check-out every book with the keywords of WLS, obesity, and surgery. I found these books offered more info than my surgeon would ever have time to tell me and these books helped me to form the questions I needed to ask. Please do your research and be prepared by writing out your questions in advance. When I have a lot of questions, I will print up two list and have the Doctor follow along while I go over every item. I was never disappointed leaving his office. Happy studying!