Welcome Connie
onnie, I was so glad to hear from you, welcome
to the group, I sure you can help a lot. Was glad to
see the amont of weight that you have lost. What was
your average monthly loss at first? I wondering if my
weight loss is on track. I know everyone is different
but I worry that I’m not lossing like I should be. I
try to walk every day but I have had a few set backs
and it has been slow getting back in to the swing of
things. I use to walk before surgery so I guess I might
be expecting to much, I can’t expect to be doing the
same as before; surgery slows you down. I am going
back to work Thursday so my activities will increase.
Again welcome, Corinna
February 18th, 2003 at 11:03 pm
hank you so much for the response to my message.
I lost an average of 13 pounds a month for about
the first year. I had vertical banded gastroplasty
and I am sure you know about that being a nurse. I
cannot eat meat to this day. I have to grind it up and
put it in soups or babyfood. I am just afraid that I
will ever be fat again. When I do eat something that
won’t stay down I am glad to know that my pouch has not
stretched any. I still weigh food and measure with my half
cup. I know my type of surgery is suppose to last, but
I see where some people have had trouble eating
"good food" and they fall into the trap that ice cream,
shakes, gravies and high calorie mushy foods stay down
and then the weight comes back. I excercise
religiously now that I can and I walk and run. I used to wear
a size 30-32 and I just bought a pair of Levi’s
last week size 4 short. I just cry sometimes, because
I want to help everyone and I make sure of the ones
I am coaching that I tell them to have the "brain
surgery" before the stomach. I had to face the truth that
I had done this to myself and no one else had made
me fat, and I and I alone had to solve it. I know
this surgery will not "fix" me, it will help in my
fixing of me. I would be glad to answer any questions
you may have. I am a med tech and I work in a
hospital and being 310 pounds in a code in ER made it very
difficult in finding room to get to the patient. Now, no
problem. I had my surgery in Louisville, Kentucky.
<br>Connie
February 26th, 2003 at 7:29 am
hanks for your post, Connie. I am considering
the very same proceedure you had. I am about 100
pounds overweight now. I am concerned that at age 45 I
will have a lot more difficulty recovering from the
surgery. Also, that at my age, I will have too much extra
skin and wrinkles. What do you think? You really made
my day, thanks so much!<br>Melody
February 26th, 2003 at 6:11 pm
elody!! I am a friend of Connie’s. I had the
same surgery on Feb 23th of 1999. I am 45 and widowed.
I weighed 329 and 1/2 pounds. In seven<br>weeks I
have lost 43 and 1/2 pounds and I feel so much better.
I have sleep apnea and asthma but the<br>surgery
wasn’t that bad. I would have it again.<br>Connie is my
guardian Angel. I hope you have this surgery because you
will never regret it!! I have hope for the first time
in my life. Exercise is very important!!! Well write
back if you would like. Glad to meet you!! Good
Luck!!!
February 27th, 2003 at 4:52 am
hanks for writing! It sure made me feel better.
What procedure did you have? What are you able to eat
now? What about pre-op and post-op diet? Thanks again,
all info is so helpful to me. It is great to meet you
too!<br>Melody
February 27th, 2003 at 10:13 am
am also 45 and wonder about my skin elasticity
also. my surgery is tomorrow morning at 4pm. I heard as
long as we keep well hydrated, we should do well. We
will see, though!!!!will keep you posted!!!
February 27th, 2003 at 8:55 pm
will be praying for your success with your surgery! Keep me posted, as I really
do want to hear from you!<br>Melody
March 5th, 2003 at 10:35 am
i! I had surgery on Thursday April 22nd, came
home that Sunday night, and am still kicking.<br>It
wasnt bad, the pain was tolerable, just remember,
morphine is your friend for those first couple of
days!!!LOL. Im not eating a great variety yet, Im just trying
to add new foods as my stomach can tolerate it,
which may be a slower pace than the lists we were given
suggests, but thats ok, the most important thing I think we
were told was to be sure to pay attention to how
foods/etc. feel and react accordingly. Everyone is going to
be just a little different.<br>emotions are rather
on my sleeve at times, but itsalso to be
expected.<br>In case anyone is going in soon, a body pillow may
be of help, it has allowed me to sleep in my own bed
after the 1st night home. My poor husband followed me
around the house for an hr or more the first night home
till we found a place that was somewhat
comfortable.<br>My first appt is next Friday, by my scales I have
lost about 10 pounds so far.<br>Anyway folks, hang in
there, this is quite tolerable. Eventually a person will
get bored of tring to find imaginative foods, but
other than seeing Baskin Robbins commercials, not much
bothers me. I could see Mcdonalds from my hospital window
and the thought of a big mac made me shudder. Its
amazing what this does to ones feelings about
food.<br>Best of luck to all!!!<br>Terri
March 5th, 2003 at 3:55 pm
erri you sound so positive…glad to hear that. Which type of surgery did you
have? Keep hanging in there…hope you recover nicely.
March 6th, 2003 at 6:39 pm
ear ICANB2,<br>I had the roux-en-Y gastric
bypass.<br>FYI, I have been in touch with Wendy about every other
day, she is doing a little better.The dr changed her
diet a little, added protein powder,and spent a great
deal of time talking to her. Things are looking
up!!She is such a sweetie!!!Good luck to all!!!Terri
August 31st, 2005 at 12:13 am
Hi All,
I also want to reiterate that I sent that message because I want all
of you to go into this with your eyes wide open. I am glad I had the
surgery and if anyone asked me if I would recommend it, my answer
would be a resounding *YES!*
I wouldn’t have changed my mind had someone talked to me the way I’m
talking to you. However maybe (or not) I would have not had the
sugar plum ferries dancing on my brain, maybe I would have tried
harder when I plateau years ago.
There’s a lot of "what if" scenarios running through my brain now,
along with the idea that maybe, just maybe, I made someone recognize
that there will be hard work involved… and they will go into this
with their eyes more clear than mine were.
Take Care Everyone!
Becky
I’m not *stuggling* - but I am struggling once again!