My first support group meeting

claraluz · August 24, 2003

I went to my first support group meeting today (I'm getting banded on the 27th) and it was great. This is a group that is just getting started and today was the first meeting so there were only 6 people there, but I feel more comfortable with a small group anyway. We are hoping the group will grow. Anyway, it was so encouraging. Three of the people there looked great - thin! Two others were still losing.

There was a time when I was considering rny, had the surgery scheduled in fact. I went to an rny support group meeting and it scared the heck out of me. The lady next to me was 11 months post-op and said she was only beginning to feel OK. Many of the people looked unhealthy, with poor color and sagging skin. And nobody seemed too happy. It was a major factor in my deciding against rny.

So I'm so glad my bandster support group was nothing like that! I think it will be a big help in my weight loss journey!

Nancy

Kiera · August 24, 2003

Nancy,

I was scared off a bit by the ghostly types of RNY patent too - not to mention that whole rearrangement of my innards. There was NO way in heck I was letting somebody cut into my stomach and bypass intestines and stuff - blegh. I kept reading things about older RNY people who had to take medication for a medical condiditon and they could never be sure how much of the drug was actually getting absorbed because in bypass not all the nutrients do get absorbed, that is part of how it is supposed to work. But that is also why they tend to have that ghosty coloring - their bodies are not taking full advantage of the Vitamins and minerals in the food that they DO eat.

It is not 100% necessary to look like that but you have to follow a very strict Vitamin and Protein supplimentation program. But I like the fact that I know that while my eating is restricted everything that goes in gets digested just the way nature intended! I am still very careful to take my Vitamins and Protein suppliments each day though just in case. I feel better now than I have in years to tell you the truth. I am really glad I have done this for myself.

Wow, with your surgery appointment right around the corner I bet you are anxious. I know I sure was the week before surgery. I distracted myself by cleaning my house within an inch of its life (so to speak) so that I would not have to do anything when I was postop. Or at least that was the excuse I was using. Are you all ready to go?

claraluz · August 24, 2003

Kiera,

Thanks for your reply. I had to laugh because I, too, am in the process of cleaning my house within an inch of its life and that is an unusual activity for me. But I'm having my sister and brother stay with me during the post-op period and I want everything in order. I'm also trying to make sure that everything is done so that I don't have to lift anything heavy next week.

I feel ready. Strangely enough, I'm not even that nervous. The main thing I'm a little freaked out about is having to give up bread (I love it) and colas. but it's a small price to pay for reclaiming my health!

nancy

victoriamal · August 24, 2003

17 days and counting-got my psyc evaluation and pre-op testing next week and now taking 4 days vacation so i can get some stuff ( home improvement projects) done so im just about set. im lucky the company i work for has a 2 week sick leave policy which means i can be paid-or i can take more vacation time so there is nothing stopping me.claraluz-good luck honey i will think of you the 27 th ok your almost there!!!!!!