New, Excited, Scared & Prepared

[jadeharper 51]

I figured today was the day to start sharing my journey through bariatric surgery. I’m set to go under the knife on August 15th, 2012 for Gastric Bypass Surgery and I’m here to share and learn.

Back in 2010 I found out that a mental health study was being done with University of Manitoba who partnered with MB Health to cover the costs of the procedure. The study follows patients for 5 years post-op to keep track of their mental health after losing a substantial amount of weight. All I needed was a referral from my doctor which she made back in November 2010.

My doc was reluctant to refer me because she believed I could lose the weight on my own. My only response to that was “I’ve been 200lbs+ since I was 16 and it isn’t getting’ any better” and shortly thereafter the referral was faxed off. It took about 6 months to get into an orientation session with other hopeful women who wanted to significantly change their weight. At this session I learned about the pros and cons of the procedure and the dramatic changes to the human body. Shortly after this I was able to sit down with a bariatric surgeon who interviewed me for the procedure. We were able to discuss eating habits and my efforts to change them and he came to this conclusion “I firmly believe that you will never loose weight and keep it off on your own Jade”. Hmmm…. interesting I thought ‘my doc thought I could do it on my own and now the surgeon says I can’t’ and usually when someone tells me I can’t do something I forge ahead and make it happen, but not this time. This time I was tired of the statistical threats of diabetes and sleep apnea and tired of carrying around this weight, this weight that has been my comfort zone my entire life. A comfort zone that I feel holds me back from doing many great things in my life. I’m also scared, scared that as I age my weight will increase and that I’d lose the energy to play with my niece and nephew or lose my esteem for my future children and family and this is unacceptable.

Reality is that my weight loss journey started a long time ago when I embraced myself for who I am as a smart, funny and sexy woman. That the number on the scale does not determine my self-worth and that I will never give up on living the best life I can possibly have.

Age: 28

lbs: 260

Size: 18/20

[Krystyneh 55]

Welcome I'm set for surgery August 3rd. The people on here are awesome!!!

[my3stars 88]

Very well said & Welcome!

[working4shoes 55]

Welcome! And you are right... It's just a # on the scale! Good luck on your journey! We are all here to forge ahead with you!

[worm2872 635]

Welcome and best wishes!!!

[ReadyforLife 5]

Wow.i love everything yu said and how you said it.congrats on yur date!!!! i go aug.13.im so excited but nervous at the same time.im just ready for a fresh start.

[Tep104 3]

Welcome and congrats! My surgery is Aug 8. Good luck and all the best to you!

[dstollery 290]

Congrats on getting your date! It sounds like you are prepared and ready for the new you!

This journey will be so much easier with this group of people I promise you. Since I have been here I have learned so much and learn more every day. You will quickly find a wealth of answers to your EVERY question.

Welcome to the family

[kyletx06 3]

Hello! My name is Josie. I am new here and I'm finding this forum quite helpful. My surgery is set for August 14th. It's all going so fast. I guess because I'm a self pay. Can anyone tell me what is more painful, this surgery or giving birth? I just saw a YouTube video where the poor girl complained of excruciating pain. I instantly thought, oh no I must cancel:( However, I have already paid some of the fee. Bottom line, I'm scared as heck! I have never been hospitalized!

[MommyHand 45]

Welcome and best of luck in your journey

[kyletx06 3]

Welcome and best of luck in your journey

Thanks.

[working4shoes 55]

Hello! My name is Josie. I am new here and I'm finding this forum quite helpful. My surgery is set for August 14th. It's all going so fast. I guess because I'm a self pay. Can anyone tell me what is more painful' date=' this surgery or giving birth? I just saw a YouTube video where the poor girl complained of excruciating pain. I instantly thought, oh no I must cancel:( However, I have already paid some of the fee. Bottom line, I'm scared as heck! I have never been hospitalized![/quote']

Josie, child birth is by far worse! You might be uncomfortable but I wasn't in excruciating pain. You will do fine. Best of luck!

[kyletx06 3]

Josie' date=' child birth is by far worse! You might be uncomfortable but I wasn't in excruciating pain. You will do fine. Best of luck![/quote']

Thank you sooo much! I'm such a wuss!

[dstollery 290]

Thank you sooo much! I'm such a wuss!

Don't worry about being a wuss. everybody's pain tolerance is different just like everybody's experience is different. just remember you started this journey you can finish it! were all here for you and feel free to post whenever you need encouragement and when you get in the hospital remember to Ask fir pain meds when the pain starts. don't let the pain get that bad like I did before you ask! hang in there well here for you

[kyletx06 3]

Don't worry about being a wuss. everybody's pain tolerance is different just like everybody's experience is different. just remember you started this journey you can finish it! were all here for you and feel free to post whenever you need encouragement and when you get in the hospital remember to Ask fir pain meds when the pain starts. don't let the pain get that bad like I did before you ask! hang in there well here for you

Thanks! I'm finding myself more at ease just reading y'alls comments.