Just wanted to say HELLO from Minnesota
Hi there — This is Jennifer, I am approved and
my NEW Birthday is Oct 4th 11 am! I cant wait, I
looked in to this a year ago, was approved ,date set
,and I got cold feet! In the last year I have done
alot of homework!I know now that I am so ready, for a
HEALTHY Life change! I am looking at this as a INVESTMENT
in a TOOL not a CURE~ I think I will always have
food issues! But I am SMARTER now ( I think ) LOL - I
feel this massive amount of inner peace! It is
something that I dont think I felt my whole life! I know
this is going to be a start of a life that I have
always dreamed of! I cant tell you how much I thank
having these groups online, I thank you from the BOTTOM
of my heart~ Is there anyone in here from Minnesota?
I hope to chat with some of you later! I hope all
is well on your end! OH - I am having a LAP -RNY,
have you heard pro’s and con’s of doing a LAP?
<br><br>Jennifer 
January 29th, 2004 at 3:21 am
hi jennifer,<br><br>i have been doing my homework
on lap-rny, and that is definitely the route i am
going to take. let me begin by saying that i had my
gall bladder removed laparoscopically, and it was a
breeze (i danced at my father’s wedding 3 days after
surgery). <br><br>the most comprehensive site i have found
disucussing lap-rny is clos.net (it is on the list of links
for this group). dr. rutledge seems to be well-loved
by his patients, and makes sure they are all well
informed about the procedure and follow-up care. he also
seems to do a lot of work for ppl from out-of-state (he
is in NC). most ppl are only in the hospital 24 hrs,
and follow-up with hometown docs. the price for his
procedure is only 10-14k (depending on
complications).<br><br>there is much more i could say, but you should look at
his site for full details. also, see
obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity. that site will let you see what others say about
the docs. dr. rutledge has *tons* of entries and
everyone seems to love him. he has performed over 400 of
the lap-ryns with no fatalities.<br><br>best of
luck<br>cherilyn
January 29th, 2004 at 2:03 pm
Hello Jennifer -<br><br>I am from Iowa! I had an
open RYN on Jan 18th and have lost 110 pounds!
Congrats on getting a date! I know what you mean about
getting cold feet! But I am SO glad I did
this!<br><br>Tami :o)
January 30th, 2004 at 12:44 am
Tami– 118 pounds! Wow girl that is wonderful! so
how was recoverey? I know there is going to be pain,
did you needs meds? this is going to sound like a
dumb question but do you feel hungrey? that is one
thing that I have never read about! Where did you have
your surgery done? Did you come to the cities?
<br><br>SHAKY KNEES! <br>Jennifer
January 30th, 2004 at 11:26 am
Jennifer - <br><br>My recovery was really good –
at times it seemed like I would never feel "normal"
again but you have to remember that you had major
surgery and that takes time! :o) I came home with pain
meds and I took them off and on for about a week and a
half but then didn’t seem to need them
anymore.<br><br>The best thing I had for after surgery was a recliner
(my husband bought me one for Christmas) I slept in
the recliner for a good 4 weeks (couldn’t get
comfortable in the waterbed).<br><br>I don’t feel hungry –
like I did before - if I went without food for too
long I would actually feel ill (shaky, heartburn,
headache, etc) I don’t have any of that now! :o)<br><br>I
had my surgery done in Sioux City by Dr. Larry
Foster. <br><br>I was very nervous before surgery but it
was not as bad as I thought it would be (honestly).
You get more frustrated because you can’t do things
(because healing from the surgery) - anyway that was my
feeling :o)<br><br>It took me a good 3-4 months to feel
totally like myself again.<br><br>I don’t regret this
decision in the least and I would do it all over
again!<br><br>If I can help anyway let me know<br><br>Tami :o)
January 30th, 2004 at 10:08 pm
Tami, Thanks for the nice post! I think I just
have to much time on my hands to think about it that
is all, I know I am going to be fine and be VERY
thankful that I did do it. Oct is sooooo far away! So, I
am sure you will see alot of me on here, LOL I am
wondering if I should go buy a recliner, I am having a lap
done I wonder if my healing is going to be different
from yours. They said I should have 4 = one inch cuts,
which I guess I am thinking is going to be better then
being wide open ! I cant wait to be on the other side!
Would love to chat some time!<br><br>Jennifer