Newbie with Surgery Date 2/17

[NotSoBigMike 13]

Hello All,

My name is Mike and I am scheduled to have surgery on 2/17 at Mercy Hospital. My surgeon is Dr. Holover from NY Bariatric. I have struggled with my weight my entire adolescent and adult life and have reached the point where I most do something about it. I am hoping that surgery is the right choice. I am both excited and scared shit at the same time, but feel this is something I need to do for myself and my family. Besides being Obese I have several factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and sleep apnea. Not to mention parents with heart disease... I have two beautiful children and want to be around to see them grow up... I started this process quite some time ago but never followed thru, cold feet I guess.

I do have some questions;

1. Has anyone had surgery by Dr. Holover and NY Bariatric? Any problems concerns etc...

2. Does anyone regret having surgery and Why?

Thanks

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Welcome.

1. Sorry I don't know your doctor.
2. The only regret I have is not doing this 20 years sooner. I've had an extremely easy and pain-free surgical course and recovery.

[Jessiegirl30 149]

Hi Mike , good luck :-) I'm sorry I don't know your Dr , but in answer to your second question the first 3 months after surgery I totally regretted it , I couldn't eat (. Puree and mashed stuff only) I struggled to get thru my Water and I was constipated , I cried a lot and ... However I am almost 10 months out now and yes you can hardly eat anything and you still have to work hard , I know that I wouldn't have been able to loose the weight I have if I hadn't had the surgery , so I guess I am saying yes there will absolutely be times you regret the surgery, but if you know right now in your heart that you have done everything you could and surgery is your last option then try to think it will all be worth it in the end :-)

[harley_quinn25 80]

Congrats hun!!! May I ask what insurance U have? I am in NY as well I'm doing my surgery in montifiore and I am in the middle of my pre op requirements

[artblitz 21]

Mike,

I know nothing about your surgeon or your hospital. I am an RN scheuded for the sleeve on Feb. 19 in Durham, NC. I have a colleague who is also a PhD nurse who had his done in May....and he has been my #1 support. When I emailed him that I had a surgery date (there have been lots of hoops to jump through), he immediately wrote back to say that "you will have moments of terror that you are taking what will seem like a drastic step. Keep moving forward, it will be worth it in the end. My only regret is that I did not do it sooner. I feel so much better, I look better and my self-confidence is the highest in my adult like. Join a support group, either on-line or in the area...but keep moving forward. You will get negative feedback from a lot of people, but I tell you, it is worth it. I am 9 months post-procedure. I can eat almost anything, just not very much of it. I want to lose 10 more pounds (he has lost 85)...and I know to do this, I will have to get back to the gym." My friends, John B. in Ohio.

His support and his experience has kept me going forward. I do wake up and think to myself, am I crazy for doing this? Then I remember that I have been FAT, off and on...more on than off since I was 16 years old. I am again at my all time high of 217 pounds, I am 5'2" and am 63 year old. My mother and my grandmother had my same body type, same obesity issues and both died at 84. So, I figure I have 20 more years left...if I follow their genetic path..maybe I will live longer as I have no co-morbidities (no high blood pressure, no known heart disease). My knees are shot, most likely from the added weight. Bottom line, no matter how long I have left, I am tired of being FAT! There is a new reality show of a young woman from NC who had a dancing video go viral on Facebook. She says she is "happy fat." I do not believe her....and I do not believe you can be morbidly obese (as I am) and be healthy. I just have good genes...and they have not yet caught up with me. Both my mother and my grandmother had cardiovascular deaths...just really late in life.

So, I am moving forward...I am going to assume that I will have no difficulty...because I do not think I will. I have chosen my surgeon well....trust in my team..and my gosh, I have had to fight to get this far. As late as 2 weeks ago they wanted me to do another 3 months of Weight Watchers! OMG!

Think positive.....know you are doing this for yourself and your family....and FORGE on! Stay in touch and let me know how you do...and stay connected to this site as my friend John said, it will help you with those middle of the night terrors. I would add, plan ahead, have your fluids, your Clear liquids ready, liquid Vitamins...things to do while you recover. Get up and move at least every hour to fight the tendency to develop blood clots after a surgery like this. I am sure there will be "moments" but I just look at the book where I have torn picture of cute clothes I am going to wear...and I envision a few months in the future...and a healty body and more self confidence...and riding my bicycle...and seeing old friends who will be amazed that I am 63 years old...and look so vital and health.

Be well,

Helen in Durham

[cruummbs 36]

You will be alright!!!!

My husband had his surgery at Mercy Hospital 12/23 he has lost 40lbs ...he is so happy ..he has high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Since his surgery he hasn't taken any medication. My husband was 352lbs and now 312lbs. My surgery is in March by Dr Holover...I can't wait don't be scared be happy

[NotSoBigMike 13]

Thanks All for the words of encouragement....

Harley I have GHI/Emblem so I was required to do the 4 month dr supervised weightloss. It actually took me a lot longer then that to get all the required appointments in anyway. Hectic schedule with the kids, always running from one place to the other... I was actually thinking Band when I first began the process, but since decided the sleeve was a better option for me.

Cruummbs, thanks for the info and best of luck to you.