Let's start at the very beginning - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

mistymee · 09-17-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pink Stella

Thanks, mistymee! I've read your story, thanks so much for sharing - although it sounds like things were tough for you, it's really invaluable help for me. It's been really great to have this much information and feedback. I don't know anyone (yet) who has had the surgery, though my surgeon does require at least one visit to the support group before he will continue the process.

I think you're right about telling people - intestinal surgery is true and that should be plenty of information. I will have to tell my boss and those under me that I'm having surgery of some sort and my absence from work for that long will require documentation from a doctor. I would almost like to take two weeks of vacation so that I didn't have to do that, but I only have a week of vacation time accrued and something like 35 days of sick leave accrued. Maybe I can plan it for around Christmas so that most people won't even notice I've been out of the office.

"Lifestyle changes" should be enough explanation for anyone, but I am sure people will talk, that's what people do!

Glad you found something good from my story

I recently went back and read the early stuff and got all teary.. wow, some of that was really difficult. But things are good now

And yep.. people talk! LOL

LyndasRoom · 09-17-2009, 09:43 PM

Hi Stella,
Yeah, people will talk...but honestly...my feedback has been totally positive. I tell anyone who will listen...GOOD luck with your road ahead...it's a wild ride indeed..but sooooooo rewarding.

Pink Stella · 09-18-2009, 05:32 AM

Thanks everyone for being so helpful and welcoming!!

Pink Stella · 09-18-2009, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwilson21

Hi Stella! Welcome to TT--- I am happy to see someone else from Wilmington, NC on here, and I am also a patient of Dr. Harris. I'm hoping to have GBS by the end of his year.

Are you planning to come to the October support meeting? I hope to see you there.

Leah

Yay, some else from Wilmington!! I have Ocotber 12th on my calendar. I have my two appointments at Chrysalis in early Ocotber and my first nutrition class October 2, so hopefully I'll be able to have the surgery before the end of the year, too.

Pink Stella · 09-19-2009, 10:19 AM

I've decided not to buy any more big girl clothes. I just refuse to buy a size 28 ever again. This will mean a winter with a limited selection of work clothes since I've been gaining weight for the past three years and hesitant to buy bigger clothes since I just knew I'd take the weight back off. I had been buying maybe one or two things a month but at the store yesterday, I just decided NO MORE FAT CLOTHES!

When I first started meeting with my eating disorders counselor, I was determined that I would not have surgery because I knew that surgery meant a change in lifestyle and habits and that I should be able to do this without surgery if I am going to expect myself to be able to do it with surgery. Well, this morning that thought crept back in. I made a breakfast choice I regretted before I'd even taken the first bite, but did it anyway (I immediately went outside and mowed the grass just to get myself moving instead of moping). I didn't have a plan for the day and I should have. Being alone is a trigger for me and DH is out of town. I know that I need to plan for these things - I should have made my plan before I even got out of bed this morning! I hate relapse!

I've had 20 years to make the change without the help of surgery and I haven't been able to do it. So yes, I think I do need this help. It's drastic, but necessary.

Highlandlass · 09-21-2009, 01:05 PM

I also had my struggle with who to tell and decided on just my hubby, kids and very close friends. I was fortunate to have a hiatus hernia that needed repair as well, so everyone else thinks I just had surgery for that. The weight loss can also be attributed to the repair of the hernia, so until I want to I keep my secret about my WLS and revel in the weight loss.

Laureate · 09-21-2009, 01:31 PM

Stella, usually if you say your surgery is of a personal nature, they assume it's something womanly and leave it at that.

I'm going with hiatal hernia to explain mine to most, although my boss knows the real story.

Throw me down as a former Wilmington, N.C., resident. Great town.

I worked for the newspaper there many years ago when my author/humorist friend Celia Rivenbark was in the features department -- as was Clifton Daniels, Harry Truman's grandson.

lwilson21 · 09-21-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laureate

Stella, usually if you say your surgery is of a personal nature, they assume it's something womanly and leave it at that.

I'm going with hiatal hernia to explain mine to most, although my boss knows the real story.

Throw me down as a former Wilmington, N.C., resident. Great town.

I worked for the newspaper there many years ago when my author/humorist friend Celia Rivenbark was in the features department -- as was Clifton Daniels, Harry Truman's grandson.

I just love Celia Rivenbark---her newspaper column really cracks me up.

With the recent changes to HIPPA laws I'm not sure an employer can legally ask you for specifics. Hiatal hernia is a pretty good choice---I may copy you!

Leah

Laureate · 09-21-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwilson21

I just love Celia Rivenbark---her newspaper column really cracks me up.

She is a hoot in real life, too.

Pink Stella · 11-05-2009, 04:23 PM

I love Celia Rivenbark - so funny!

I finally told my sister. I'd been thinking about when to do it and I ended up doing it by accident. My hair is really long right now and she commented on it. I told her I was hoping to grow it long enough to donate, but that if it starts to fall out before it gets long enough, I'll probably cut it short again. So of course I had to explain why my hair might fall out. At first all she said that she thought I could do it myself without the help of surgery. I told her that I understood where she was coming from and left it at that. I didn't make this decision to please anyone else, so I didn't really feel the need to justify myself. An hour or so later, she told me that she was really happy for me and that I deserve to be happy.

I was all worked up about telling her, but it turned out to be just fin!