Thanks so much for the words of encouragement and congradulation on your 50 pound weight loss it is a scarey decesion and i like you medicate my self with food so it will be an adjustment. It is great having people like you to help encouirage all of us just starting our journey thanks again.

I was really worried too, and scared. I had a lap RNY on April 27, 2004 and it was the hardest and best decision I have ever made in my life~ I am down 50 pounds today! I am off all blood pressure meds, no more glucophage, and best of all, my knees feel soooo much better! I was so scared I had my will written, my medical power of attorney and said good bye to my family! The nurses were great, I put my trust in them. The only bad thing that happened to me was my IV site infiltrated and clotted and no one noticed. I told them, but it was on the day of discharge. So, one toasted vein...hey, I would gladly give it for how I feel today. My grocery bill is much less, I finally am getting comments from co-workers how I am losing weight, and my energy level is coming up again. The first 6 weeks really are kind of hard. I guess for me it was the first 2 weeks physically, and then the next 4 weeks mentally. I still have a struggle at times because food has always been my medication, much like alcohol or smoking. So the withdrawl was an issue. The pouch will not permit bad behavior, at least mine doesn't! Now when I am stressed I find something physical to do, mow the lawn, ect. I feel like I have been released from a prison, and have a new lease on life! Good luck in July, you will not regret it! Just do NOT question your decision at least for the first 6 weeks.

Hi Barbara, I'm an RN also, medically retired from bad back. Had 2 surgeries to correct herniations caused by lifing patients. I worked cardiac ICU for 13 years. lAnyhoo, I'm waiting for my surgery also. I can tell you this. I'm not frightened at all because I've been through it lately. I had the adjustable gastric band put in in Mexico laparascopically. Having had 8 other major surgeries, the lap wasn't bad at all. I had a problem though in that I have esophageal dismotility right at the site of the band so I couldn't push anything through. They found this out when they did an EGD in San Antonio and subsequently took the band out, 2 laps in 15 days. lThe surgeon said it wasn't my fault or the Mexican doctors fault, it was just one of those things. He said when he took it out the band was perfect, right where it should be. So he told me the RNY was the best thing for me, so now 2 months later I'm waiting for my date. The recovery from the surgery or surgeries themselves was not bad at all, some pain, slight, itched a lot at the puncture sites, but now I haven't had the RNY experience with the diet and after effects of that. My brother did have it 2 years ago and has done wonderfully. Started working as a flight attendant at 48 years old and doing great. So I'm notworried. The Lord will do what's right by me and that's all I ask. I hope you do well. I know you will. Anytime you need to talk , just email me. [email protected] Andrea

HI. Just diagnosed with PH about a month ago via right heart cath. My cardiologist suggested bariatric surgery as a means of treating it. Has anyone here had PH and surgery? How did you do? Did it help the PH too? Thanks! One of the newbies, Jennie (who can't spell her last name right...LOL)

Sherri, I don't have my date yet. I see my surgeon for re-eval on June 25th. I am supposed to have my 15 pounds lost by then, and he will give me a date. I also had my psych eval last week and don't know the results of that yet. I am already approved insurance-wise, but she really didn't say either way what her recommendation would be. Guess I'll find out when I see the surgeon. My date should be in July given I have lost the weight & passed the psych eval. I'm really struggling and decided today to kick it into high gear. I've lost 9 so far. I have started riding my bike, 15 minutes per day as the exercise specialist suggested. Today I went 27 minutes, but not by choice. We have a park by my house...it's a huge park...cars drive through it and there is a bike path. It is one long park that stretches through several cities. Anyway, I missed my path back to my house and had to keep riding til I found a good place to turn around. I was exhausted! LOL I don't plan to ride that much tomorrow. Maybe I'll do 20 minutes tomorrow instead of 15. Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR DATE! You'll have to keep in touch and let me know how it goes.