i know i went through all of what you just explained. i was nervous even while i was getting wheeled into operation room. It was my first surgery so i was even more anxious. i was also sad about not being able to eat the same foods. i had my surgery before thanksgiving so i missed out on thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. it was worth it though. a little over 2 months out and i can now start testing out normal food. ive lost 74 pounds since the surgery. its definitely worth it. stay strong and stay positive.

TY, its relieving that there is a light at the end of this tunnel!

Congrats on the 74lbs!! thats amazing!

Tiffanye,

It is normal to be nervous! I remember feeling the same way. I am seven months post-op today! And I look back on my surgery as the best thing I ever did for myself! And I did it just for myself. I wanted to look better, but my main goal was to improve my health status!

I have been overweight since the day I first drew breath! I weighed over 9 lbs when I was born, and just kept getting bigger as I grew up. I can't remember ever wearing kids clothes. I was 12 years old and wearing a size 16! My Mom made most of my clothes cause we couldn't find clothes to fit me when I was a kid! I grew up with all the kidding, being made fun of, etc that goes along with being an overweight child.

For years I struggled with going to Weight Watchers, Over Eater Victorious, Over Eaters Annonymous, Jenny Craig, Diet Center, etc., etc., etc. FINALLY. it is over! I eat 6-8 bites and am full. Some days I do better than others. I still struggle with eating sweets. I love to cook and bake and it is hard not to eat what I make. But I am trying.

My cholesterol is down to normal, WITHOUT medication! I have been able to quit all my anti-inflammatory medication, my joints don't hurt anymore cause they aren't stressed with extra weight. For some (unknown) reason, my allergies have improved also and I have been able to quit my allergy medication. Also I have been able to stop my blood pressure meds as my blood pressure is totally within normal limits now.

But best of all, I look good! I love being able to say that I wear a size 8! (I love it SO much, I'll say it again, I wear a Size 8!) The day of my surgery, I wore a 22/24 pant size and a 26/28 top. Now my pant size is 8 and top size is 12 or 14. I weighed 258 pounds when I went into surgery. Today I weigh 160. My goal is 150. Some days I weigh 158, but today is a "fat day" and I weigh two pounds more than my lowest. Tomorrow it will probably be 159.

I wouldn't take anything to change back to where I was pre-op! My life is totally differnt, and I love it. My husband was afraid that I would change in my feelings toward him if I lost weight. It has been a struggle to convince him that I love him, no matter what! But I think he is finally starting to believe me.

Back before Christmas I was doing some of my Christmas shopping and a (male) store clerk tired to pick me up! Which has NEVER happened to me before. While I was absolutely NOT interested in "going out for coffee" with him, it did wonders for my ego!

In conclusion, try to concentrate on the end outcome, not on what is going to go on in the next few days. All the discomfort, aches, pain, etc will soon be gone and you will begin to live your "new life" on the "loosers bench" ! And try to remember what fun that is going to be! Concentrate on the end outcome. You will get through this! I'll be praying for you tomorrow!

Kathy

YAY SIZE 8!! Congrats!! And thank you so much for your kind words!!

I really felt better after reading this.. & Im trying to focus on the end result.. Its only a few hours now and Ill be at the hospital.. Im calm right now so hopefully I can sleep through the night..

Again, thank you..

Tiffanye,

Here it is Thursday morning (amost noon actually) and your surgery is probably over by now. I got up at 6:00 AM (Iowa time) to pray for you and your surgery this morning. (Actually, I went back to bed after I prayed Hope you don't care.)

I hope all went well, and you are back in your room by now, waking up and comtemplating your spot on the "loosers bench"! Remember to get up and walk A LOT! Walking helps to get things moving again internally and helps you to get rid of the gas that they use to inflate you insides when they do the surgery. So walk, Walk, WALK!!!

I remember I practically wore a path in the hallway the first night after my surgery, Since I had slept the majority of the day, I couldn't sleep that night, so spent most of the night walking in the hallway. I will continue to pray for you.

Be sure and post how you are doing so we will all know. And remember that you are being thought about and prayed for continually.

Love and Hugs and Prayers!

Kathy

Thank you Kathy! I am doing well. I'm on day two now and I've had little to no pain other than the gas. Today is worse than yesterday, and I'm just starting to drink water. I've been walking like crazy and the pains jus get worse so

I'm hoping this will pass soon so I can go home tomorrow. Tha k you for your prayers !!!

Glad to hear you are well.....

Sunday evening, the 22nd

Tiffanye,

So glad you posted how you are doing. I have been thinking about you and praying for you these past days. I had to work the last three nights, so haven't had time to check these boards. I work 12 hour shifts (am a Labor & Delivery nurse), and when I work two or three nights in a row, all I have time to do is travel home from work in the morning, shower, sleep, get up, get ready for work, travel to work, work my 12 hours and start all over again! I commute almost two hours to and from work, so I literally don't do ANYTHING I don't have to when I am working several nights in a row.

So glad to hear the pain isn't bad. I didn't find it horrible, and my doctor did not prescribe any narcotic medication AT ALL. I was nervous about that before the surgery, because I am a wimp when it comes to pain, but I didn't think it was all that bad. And once I got rid of the gas, I felt pretty good.

Today my hubbie and I drove to Des Moines (about 2 hours south of where we live) to go out to brunch with some friends. It was icy and snowy, and I am a chicken about driving in bad weather. But we did well. We went to a restaurant where our son is the executive chef. They served a breakfast brunch buffet, and it really tested my will power not to over eat! I feel I was fairly successful though, and came away without being in pain, which happens still if I overeat. So I have to count today as a victory. They had Salmon parfaits, which was flaked smoked salmon on a bed of diced hard boiled egg and either creme frech or sour cream. Was really yummy, and since eggs and salmon are a good source of protein, I didn't feel at all guilty about eating it! And I LOVE salmon!

I imagine you are on liquids now. Soon you will be progressing to mushies and then solids. Take it slow and enjoy the journey. I will keep you in my prayers. Post again soon so we all know how you are doing!

Love and Hugs and Prayers!

Kathy

Glad to hear you are well.....

THANKS!!

Sunday evening, the 22ndTiffanye, So glad you posted how you are doing. I have been thinking about you and praying for you these past days. I had to work the last three nights, so haven't had time to check these boards. I work 12 hour shifts (am a Labor & Delivery nurse), and when I work two or three nights in a row, all I have time to do is travel home from work in the morning, shower, sleep, get up, get ready for work, travel to work, work my 12 hours and start all over again! I commute almost two hours to and from work, so I literally don't do ANYTHING I don't have to when I am working several nights in a row.So glad to hear the pain isn't bad. I didn't find it horrible, and my doctor did not prescribe any narcotic medication AT ALL. I was nervous about that before the surgery, because I am a wimp when it comes to pain, but I didn't think it was all that bad. And once I got rid of the gas, I felt pretty good.Today my hubbie and I drove to Des Moines (about 2 hours south of where we live) to go out to brunch with some friends. It was icy and snowy, and I am a chicken about driving in bad weather. But we did well. We went to a restaurant where our son is the executive chef. They served a breakfast brunch buffet, and it really tested my will power not to over eat! I feel I was fairly successful though, and came away without being in pain, which happens still if I overeat. So I have to count today as a victory. They had Salmon parfaits, which was flaked smoked salmon on a bed of diced hard boiled egg and either creme frech or sour cream. Was really yummy, and since eggs and salmon are a good source of protein, I didn't feel at all guilty about eating it! And I LOVE salmon!I imagine you are on liquids now. Soon you will be progressing to mushies and then solids. Take it slow and enjoy the journey. I will keep you in my prayers. Post again soon so we all know how you are doing!Love and Hugs and Prayers!Kathy

Now Im craving Salmon!! YUM!! cant wait unitl I can taste it lol

And Im a week out as of yesterday and I feel pretty good!! I actually was able to take in my whole protein shake yesterday.. which was great because I havent been able to get enough water and protein .. so hopefully Im staying hydrated enough until I can get into a good rhythm .. thank you so much for your support!!