Had my consult today - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

bridgetgirl · 02-12-2005, 11:01 PM

Ya know what Pokey, I hope that you feel more comfortable after the meeting as well. Honestly, if you have all these "buts" and "what ifs" you may NOT be ready to do this. Like I have explained before, I looked into this surgery for 5 years, interviewed 5 surgeons until I felt at peace with my decision. By the time I met Dr C, there was no doubt, but or what if in my mind to be concerned with. It may not be your time honey...... please keep us informed, our thoughts are with you.

JohnsWife4Life · 02-13-2005, 01:52 AM

I have not experienced any negative remarks about my surgery and I tell everyone that will listen to me. The only single remark that wasn't positive was just last week when one of the nurses saw me eating a piece of pizza, she said "I thought you weren't supposed to eat stuff like that" I politely said "there isn't anything I can't eat, if it sits well, it is about how much I eat." She didn't notice that I only ate a smidge of crust and only part of the topping, she wasn't rude or anything like that, I just am saying this was the only remark remotely close to a negative.

I think Bridget is right pokey, this may not be what is in your best interest. Recovery is 90% state of mind. You have to be ready for it, and only you can sign the consent form. You maybe aren't as close to dead as most of us were, the risk of life far out weighed the risk of death for us. Obese is obese, but the greater the BMI the closer to death you become. You may want to wait until you are on your death bed, but then it might be too late, it was almost too late for me, I dragged my feet for a long time thinking, then the process was another year. My pulmonologist wrote it in black and white to expect me to have complications perioperative, and we did expect it, but it didn't happen. It took a little longer to get me off the ventilator, but I don't remember anything but waking up alive and saying whoo hooo get my husband in here I am getting up. I had the whole recovery room to myself for 18 hours, and for the most part I had two nurses and they coudnt keep up with me. They first said my husband couldnt stay because it was recovery, but when I told them I was going to be getting up at least every hour, they let him stay in the waiting room, he slept an hour and set his alarm, I slept an hour and got up and walked. When Dr. Callery passed me in the hall a few minutes before I went to the regular unit, he said I heard you were walking home, but you gotta get the IV out first. Yes, it is a journey that I wouldn't trade in all the world. If I died tomorrow It would be okay, because I lived another day, and almost another year already. My hair was thinning, and still is, but I have new growth too, so the hair loss from surgery is over, but my natural thinning will remain, as will my diseases that were not caused by obesity. WLS didn't cure me and it won't cure anyone else, what it does do is give you the freedom to live and to triumph over the diseases that are and were caused by obesity. Do I still get short of breath? Yes, but only if I run. Lol, no more dyspnea just from drinking a drink. Gone are the days when orgasms came just prior to heart attack. I have other pain now, but gone is that burning lower back pain just trying to stand up in the pew and sing a hymn. My stomach was so huge and I am so short that my stomach would cause me to have to stand with my legs all bent up and backwards just so I could stand there to sing. I hit 212 with my last baby and never lost, just steadily gained over the next 12 years. I fought a good fight, only 30 pounds in 12 years, just 80 pounds in the first 6 months of my pregnancy. No, this isn't for everyone, and no one is a failure until they quit. It wasn't brave, it wasn't a cop out and easy way out, it was the only chance I had to finish raising my babies, to see my granddaughter raised up because it is for sure her mother isn't doing that. Take ten years to decide if thats what you need, and if you have that much time. I don't know your history, or your weight or even your age, so this just might not be the right time for you. How long have you been obese? How do you carry your weight? Are you an apple or a pear? Are you at the end of your rope? Have you tied a knot and hung on? Is this your last thread to life? If not, then you have time to try to lose the weight, and if you could do that, it would be the best thing, and if we all could have, and I think we all did, lose it over and over again, no losing weight wasn't the problem, keeping it off was. Okay the end.

Traci

Pokey757 · 02-14-2005, 08:56 AM

Hey Bridget, and Traci,
Thanks to both of you for all your advise and support. You are great.
I feel sooooo much better after going to my meeting yesterday.
I dont know if i am at deaths door or not, but i sure dont want to be either. My BMI is very high at 55. I am 5'2" and 300lbs. So i am huge. I have never had any health problems. Now i have high blood pressure. I dont even know what your blood pressure is but i know that my number is very high, and puts me at risk. I also know that i have tried every diet, and wether i stuck to them or not i have done all i can do. I know this surgery is what i need to FORCE me to do this. I will eat right because i must, i will exercise becuz i must. Yes, i am still concerned about my hair, but i think i am making that issue out to be worse then i may turn out to be.
So i am now a little excited about this. Still nervous. I have been researching this surgery for over 2 years. But since my health was never a factor i was not completely serious, UNITL now.
Thank you all for listening and offering you advise. I took it ALL to heart.

bridgetgirl · 02-14-2005, 10:36 AM

Good to hear that you feel a 'lil bit better. Stay close and keep asking those fantastic questions you need answers too.... (except the one's about hair!

LOL) best wishes suar pea, and big hugs your way! By the way, where do you live anyways?

Pokey757 · 02-14-2005, 12:06 PM

I am in Aurora, Colorado. I was on obesityhelp.com and i found someone in my area, we are seeing the same surgeon, and we went to the same nutrition class yesterday. Of course we did not know that until today. She is also looking to have sugery in March. Maybe we can be at the same day. Anyway thanks again for everything. I will keep asking ?? and let you know what is going on. I have my pscyc eval on next wed 02/23, and thyroid test this Thursday. What other tests are there to be done?

bridgetgirl · 02-14-2005, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokey757

I am in Aurora, Colorado. I was on obesityhelp.com and i found someone in my area, we are seeing the same surgeon, and we went to the same nutrition class yesterday. Of course we did not know that until today. She is also looking to have sugery in March. Maybe we can be at the same day. Anyway thanks again for everything. I will keep asking ?? and let you know what is going on. I have my pscyc eval on next wed 02/23, and thyroid test this Thursday. What other tests are there to be done?

Our surgeon does gallbladder ultrasound ( i think all do) and get a well woman exam... a pap! Thats all I can think of at this point! Congrats on finding a buddy, stay intouch with erh, you will be amazed at how close you will become!