Guest guest Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 Wonderful!! I'm so glad you are starting to feel a little more at ease. It was the only major surgery I have ever had, so I had the same apprehensions as I got a little closer. Pam can tell you, I was peppering her with questions CONSTANTLY. So, as I said, i was quite surprised at how easy it all was! I am so happy for you, and I'm really glad you are going to do some writing. It helped me a lot. First of all, I reiterated in all of my letters not only how much I loved them...but the fact that I was doing this for ME. Because I'm not happy the way I am...fearing everything I ever read about my future. You know, "Obesity causes cancer, heart disease, sexual problems, depression" blah blah blah. It was terrifying. And I felt hopeless, like there was just no way for me to get this thing under control. It was like a double whammy: on the one hand, I was fat, and had to suffer the indignity, self-esteem morass. And then, I also had the gift that keeps on giving: a fear of cancer and other dread diseases that this flab carries with it. Great. Thanks. So, now I have hope. Hope for the future. Hope for health, for happiness, for a bite at the proverbial apple (no skin, and heated up for now..LOL). This is my shot, and I had to take it. I needed hope in my life. I needed to take this step. Good job, girly girl!! Now, start writing...and guess what? Tomorrow...you will be on your path to health. Isn't that amazing???? Robynnspecialkmix2000 wrote: Hi Robynn!I just got my call from the surgery dept. Tomorrow I go in at 11:30 and go to the OR at 1. YAHOO!! Kinda sucks that it wasn't first thing in the am, but at least I can sleep in for once(?). I am sure I will be up till 1 or 2 tonight. I usually can't sleep just for a flight out of town. lol So I know I am in for a long night. Anyway, thank you for the tips! I wrote down the cream of wheat receipe. Sounds good. :-) That is so nice you have your mommy to take care of you. Mine is letting my husband do all that pampering instead. But he is a close second to her, so all is good. You really inspired me to write letters to loved ones. I think that is the nagging feeling I am having. You hit it on the head when you said, "ultimately my only fear about death is the effect on those I love who I would leave behind". I am going to take quiet time tonight and write to everyone, and even to symbolicly start "new" with my life, getting rid of the emotional baggage is a great idea. I haven't used a journal as a tool in a long time and I think I will buy a really nice looking one after work on the way home. I am glad to hear that the pain is managable. I just don't like not konwing what to expect. I wouldn't feel so apprehensive if I had some other surgery that I had gone through previously. Hearing your experience has REALLY put me at ease and I can't thank you enough. I have printed out what you wrote to remind myself to stick to my resolve that I can DO this! lol NO wimpy whiney girl for sure! I can't believe it, but you answered all my questions and now I feel really confident, secure and READY for surgery!!Take care, KayOh I will post after I am back home that I made it safely to the "other side". I just can't wait!You go girl on your progress! You are awesome and a great inspiration!> > > > Hi All,> > > > I have been lurking for quite some time now. I have been > > approved > > > for > > > > surgery with Dr Baggs, I actually go in on 6/28! The time has > > > flown > > > > by once that date was set a few weeks ago! I think I was still > > in > > > > denial for awhile, I stalled for about a year, thinking I could > > do > > > > this weight loss one last time without the surgery as my new > > tool > > > for > > > > the rest of my life. Finally I saw the light and am comfortable > > > with > > > > the pending surgery. :-) > > > > > > > > I am wondering on those of you post op- is there any advise you > > > can > > > > offer on my getting settled once back home from the hospital?> > > > Are there things you found helpful? > > > > What was the best way you divided up time for taking the vites? > > > > > > > > I will be at the next group meeting, but that isn't until after > > my > > > > surgery to ask all the questions I have.> > > > Any help now would be really appreciated!> > > > > > > > Orientation- 336 (lost 10 lbs prior to that)> > > > 6/7/05- 297.5 (every ounce counts)> > > > Dr. Baggs- Richmond Kaiser.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 COngrats on your surgery tomorrow!! How exciting. Cecilia --- specialkmix2000 specialkmix2000@...> wrote: > Hi Robynn! > I just got my call from the surgery dept. Tomorrow I > go in at 11:30 > and go to the OR at 1. YAHOO!! > Kinda sucks that it wasn't first thing in the am, > but at least I can > sleep in for once(?). I am sure I will be up till 1 > or 2 tonight. I > usually can't sleep just for a flight out of town. > lol So I know I > am in for a long night. > > Anyway, thank you for the tips! I wrote down the > cream of wheat > receipe. Sounds good. :-) That is so nice you have > your mommy to take > care of you. Mine is letting my husband do all that > pampering > instead. But he is a close second to her, so all is > good. > > You really inspired me to write letters to loved > ones. I think that > is the nagging feeling I am having. You hit it on > the head when you > said, " ultimately my only fear about death is the > effect on those I > love who I would leave behind " . I am going to take > quiet time tonight > and write to everyone, and even to symbolicly start > " new " with my > life, getting rid of the emotional baggage is a > great idea. I haven't > used a journal as a tool in a long time and I think > I will buy a > really nice looking one after work on the way home. > > I am glad to hear that the pain is managable. I just > don't like not > konwing what to expect. I wouldn't feel so > apprehensive if I had some > other surgery that I had gone through previously. > Hearing your > experience has REALLY put me at ease and I can't > thank you enough. I > have printed out what you wrote to remind myself to > stick to my > resolve that I can DO this! lol NO wimpy whiney girl > for sure! > > I can't believe it, but you answered all my > questions and now I feel > really confident, secure and READY for surgery!! > > Take care, > Kay > > Oh I will post after I am back home that I made it > safely to > the " other side " . I just can't wait! > > You go girl on your progress! You are awesome and a > great inspiration! > > > > > > > > Hey there... > > Ok, for the Cream of Wheat, I just used Nabisco > brand (it's the > original.) My mom would make the one ounce of that, > heat up some > unsweetened applesauce, and add one packet of > Splenda...and mix it > all together. It actually was pretty tasty. > > > > As for nerves...hmmm...once I got to the hospital, > I wasn't really > nervous anymore. They were so professional, and I > really felt like I > was in good hands. I prayed for the surgeon, the > anesthesiologist, > the CRNA, the RNs and LVNs...and I prayed that God > would guide their > hands, keep them alert and skillful....that my body > would cooperate, > and that He would sustain me during the operation. > That worked. > > > > Plus, I have had a life well-lived, you know? I > mean, sure there > are lots of things I want to do yet...particularly > back in a thin > body...but, ultimately my only fear about death is > the effect on > those I love who I would leave behind. I wrote > letters to my key > loved ones, and put it in a big envelope and gave it > to one of my > close friends. I asked her to give them back to me > when I was out > and ok. I wrote an e-mail to my ex-boyfriend, from > whom I had been > recently estranged, telling him that I forgave him > for certain things > that happened, and telling him that I would always > care about him as > a person...that I wished the best for him. I needed > to do that, > because I felt i had unfinished business with him. > > > > But, I decided to dwell on the positives. The > afterwards. The > weightloss. Ultimately, NONE of it was as scary as > I thought it > would be: the surgery, the post-surgery pain, even > the inability to > eat. All of it was quite manageable...not > overwhelming, at all. And > having my mommy there to help me was really great. > We have a > great/horrible relationship...and she's at her best > when she is > reallly needed. I enjoyed being pampered by her! > > > > I think having a positive attitude is important. > You need to start > just ASSUMING that you'll be ok. Tomorrow, just > tell yourself...'OK, > and now my dream begins!! " I wasn't as excited or > as elated as some > of the people on the board were...I must confess. > Partly, it's > because I only had about 8 days between making my > weight and getting > operated on...and I had a lot of stuff to attend to > at work. Lots of > last minute stuff to do...it kept me occupied in the > practical > realm...and I didn't have a lot of time to think > until the day > before. Tell yourself that you are going to get up > and walk as soon > as they ask you...and that you are going to push > yourself a little > bit. That you are young and strong and athletic, > and that you can DO > this. Decide to have a positive attitude with the > staff. Decide > that any pain you may feel is just temporary, to be > expected, and > you'll be JUST fine. Go in deciding that you are > going to be the > model patient. > > > > That's what I did...and I think I wound up having > less pain because > of it. I don't know about you, but when I dwell on > pain, it gets > worse!! Whereas, if I tell myself, " Buck up, girl! > You are made of > healthy peasant stock...no whiny wimps allowed!! " I > start to believe > that...and I feel better. > > > > As for bras, the shelf bra is a good idea. I > didn't wear a bra > home. (I'm not huge in that region, so it wasn't a > big deal...I'm > only a C. Barely now!) I haven't worn a bra very > often, and when I > do, I wear an athletic one that is made of tee > shirt/lycra type > material...And my incision between my breasts (just > underneath the > breasts) is the smallest and least noticeable...so, > I think it > wouldn't have been super irritated, anyway. I think > it's best to try > and go without for the first week or so, if > possible, to give it time > to heal. I'm finding the wasteband is the most > difficult with > regards to the incisions. > > > > Let's see....I'm not sure if I slept with my legs > propped up. I > was so out of it for a while, I have no memory (I'm > a cheap date, so > the anesthesia really put me under for a long time). > Sometimes I > propped up my news in the hospital afterwards. > BRING YOUR TEDDY > BEAR, or something soft and stuffed. Holding onto > him was a big > comfort, and helped me sleep even on my back. As > for === message truncated === __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 COngrats on your surgery tomorrow!! How exciting. Cecilia --- specialkmix2000 specialkmix2000@...> wrote: > Hi Robynn! > I just got my call from the surgery dept. Tomorrow I > go in at 11:30 > and go to the OR at 1. YAHOO!! > Kinda sucks that it wasn't first thing in the am, > but at least I can > sleep in for once(?). I am sure I will be up till 1 > or 2 tonight. I > usually can't sleep just for a flight out of town. > lol So I know I > am in for a long night. > > Anyway, thank you for the tips! I wrote down the > cream of wheat > receipe. Sounds good. :-) That is so nice you have > your mommy to take > care of you. Mine is letting my husband do all that > pampering > instead. But he is a close second to her, so all is > good. > > You really inspired me to write letters to loved > ones. I think that > is the nagging feeling I am having. You hit it on > the head when you > said, " ultimately my only fear about death is the > effect on those I > love who I would leave behind " . I am going to take > quiet time tonight > and write to everyone, and even to symbolicly start > " new " with my > life, getting rid of the emotional baggage is a > great idea. I haven't > used a journal as a tool in a long time and I think > I will buy a > really nice looking one after work on the way home. > > I am glad to hear that the pain is managable. I just > don't like not > konwing what to expect. I wouldn't feel so > apprehensive if I had some > other surgery that I had gone through previously. > Hearing your > experience has REALLY put me at ease and I can't > thank you enough. I > have printed out what you wrote to remind myself to > stick to my > resolve that I can DO this! lol NO wimpy whiney girl > for sure! > > I can't believe it, but you answered all my > questions and now I feel > really confident, secure and READY for surgery!! > > Take care, > Kay > > Oh I will post after I am back home that I made it > safely to > the " other side " . I just can't wait! > > You go girl on your progress! You are awesome and a > great inspiration! > > > > > > > > Hey there... > > Ok, for the Cream of Wheat, I just used Nabisco > brand (it's the > original.) My mom would make the one ounce of that, > heat up some > unsweetened applesauce, and add one packet of > Splenda...and mix it > all together. It actually was pretty tasty. > > > > As for nerves...hmmm...once I got to the hospital, > I wasn't really > nervous anymore. They were so professional, and I > really felt like I > was in good hands. I prayed for the surgeon, the > anesthesiologist, > the CRNA, the RNs and LVNs...and I prayed that God > would guide their > hands, keep them alert and skillful....that my body > would cooperate, > and that He would sustain me during the operation. > That worked. > > > > Plus, I have had a life well-lived, you know? I > mean, sure there > are lots of things I want to do yet...particularly > back in a thin > body...but, ultimately my only fear about death is > the effect on > those I love who I would leave behind. I wrote > letters to my key > loved ones, and put it in a big envelope and gave it > to one of my > close friends. I asked her to give them back to me > when I was out > and ok. I wrote an e-mail to my ex-boyfriend, from > whom I had been > recently estranged, telling him that I forgave him > for certain things > that happened, and telling him that I would always > care about him as > a person...that I wished the best for him. I needed > to do that, > because I felt i had unfinished business with him. > > > > But, I decided to dwell on the positives. The > afterwards. The > weightloss. Ultimately, NONE of it was as scary as > I thought it > would be: the surgery, the post-surgery pain, even > the inability to > eat. All of it was quite manageable...not > overwhelming, at all. And > having my mommy there to help me was really great. > We have a > great/horrible relationship...and she's at her best > when she is > reallly needed. I enjoyed being pampered by her! > > > > I think having a positive attitude is important. > You need to start > just ASSUMING that you'll be ok. Tomorrow, just > tell yourself...'OK, > and now my dream begins!! " I wasn't as excited or > as elated as some > of the people on the board were...I must confess. > Partly, it's > because I only had about 8 days between making my > weight and getting > operated on...and I had a lot of stuff to attend to > at work. Lots of > last minute stuff to do...it kept me occupied in the > practical > realm...and I didn't have a lot of time to think > until the day > before. Tell yourself that you are going to get up > and walk as soon > as they ask you...and that you are going to push > yourself a little > bit. That you are young and strong and athletic, > and that you can DO > this. Decide to have a positive attitude with the > staff. Decide > that any pain you may feel is just temporary, to be > expected, and > you'll be JUST fine. Go in deciding that you are > going to be the > model patient. > > > > That's what I did...and I think I wound up having > less pain because > of it. I don't know about you, but when I dwell on > pain, it gets > worse!! Whereas, if I tell myself, " Buck up, girl! > You are made of > healthy peasant stock...no whiny wimps allowed!! " I > start to believe > that...and I feel better. > > > > As for bras, the shelf bra is a good idea. I > didn't wear a bra > home. (I'm not huge in that region, so it wasn't a > big deal...I'm > only a C. Barely now!) I haven't worn a bra very > often, and when I > do, I wear an athletic one that is made of tee > shirt/lycra type > material...And my incision between my breasts (just > underneath the > breasts) is the smallest and least noticeable...so, > I think it > wouldn't have been super irritated, anyway. I think > it's best to try > and go without for the first week or so, if > possible, to give it time > to heal. I'm finding the wasteband is the most > difficult with > regards to the incisions. > > > > Let's see....I'm not sure if I slept with my legs > propped up. I > was so out of it for a while, I have no memory (I'm > a cheap date, so > the anesthesia really put me under for a long time). > Sometimes I > propped up my news in the hospital afterwards. > BRING YOUR TEDDY > BEAR, or something soft and stuffed. Holding onto > him was a big > comfort, and helped me sleep even on my back. As > for === message truncated === __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 COngrats on your surgery tomorrow!! How exciting. Cecilia --- specialkmix2000 specialkmix2000@...> wrote: > Hi Robynn! > I just got my call from the surgery dept. Tomorrow I > go in at 11:30 > and go to the OR at 1. YAHOO!! > Kinda sucks that it wasn't first thing in the am, > but at least I can > sleep in for once(?). I am sure I will be up till 1 > or 2 tonight. I > usually can't sleep just for a flight out of town. > lol So I know I > am in for a long night. > > Anyway, thank you for the tips! I wrote down the > cream of wheat > receipe. Sounds good. :-) That is so nice you have > your mommy to take > care of you. Mine is letting my husband do all that > pampering > instead. But he is a close second to her, so all is > good. > > You really inspired me to write letters to loved > ones. I think that > is the nagging feeling I am having. You hit it on > the head when you > said, " ultimately my only fear about death is the > effect on those I > love who I would leave behind " . I am going to take > quiet time tonight > and write to everyone, and even to symbolicly start > " new " with my > life, getting rid of the emotional baggage is a > great idea. I haven't > used a journal as a tool in a long time and I think > I will buy a > really nice looking one after work on the way home. > > I am glad to hear that the pain is managable. I just > don't like not > konwing what to expect. I wouldn't feel so > apprehensive if I had some > other surgery that I had gone through previously. > Hearing your > experience has REALLY put me at ease and I can't > thank you enough. I > have printed out what you wrote to remind myself to > stick to my > resolve that I can DO this! lol NO wimpy whiney girl > for sure! > > I can't believe it, but you answered all my > questions and now I feel > really confident, secure and READY for surgery!! > > Take care, > Kay > > Oh I will post after I am back home that I made it > safely to > the " other side " . I just can't wait! > > You go girl on your progress! You are awesome and a > great inspiration! > > > > > > > > Hey there... > > Ok, for the Cream of Wheat, I just used Nabisco > brand (it's the > original.) My mom would make the one ounce of that, > heat up some > unsweetened applesauce, and add one packet of > Splenda...and mix it > all together. It actually was pretty tasty. > > > > As for nerves...hmmm...once I got to the hospital, > I wasn't really > nervous anymore. They were so professional, and I > really felt like I > was in good hands. I prayed for the surgeon, the > anesthesiologist, > the CRNA, the RNs and LVNs...and I prayed that God > would guide their > hands, keep them alert and skillful....that my body > would cooperate, > and that He would sustain me during the operation. > That worked. > > > > Plus, I have had a life well-lived, you know? I > mean, sure there > are lots of things I want to do yet...particularly > back in a thin > body...but, ultimately my only fear about death is > the effect on > those I love who I would leave behind. I wrote > letters to my key > loved ones, and put it in a big envelope and gave it > to one of my > close friends. I asked her to give them back to me > when I was out > and ok. I wrote an e-mail to my ex-boyfriend, from > whom I had been > recently estranged, telling him that I forgave him > for certain things > that happened, and telling him that I would always > care about him as > a person...that I wished the best for him. I needed > to do that, > because I felt i had unfinished business with him. > > > > But, I decided to dwell on the positives. The > afterwards. The > weightloss. Ultimately, NONE of it was as scary as > I thought it > would be: the surgery, the post-surgery pain, even > the inability to > eat. All of it was quite manageable...not > overwhelming, at all. And > having my mommy there to help me was really great. > We have a > great/horrible relationship...and she's at her best > when she is > reallly needed. I enjoyed being pampered by her! > > > > I think having a positive attitude is important. > You need to start > just ASSUMING that you'll be ok. Tomorrow, just > tell yourself...'OK, > and now my dream begins!! " I wasn't as excited or > as elated as some > of the people on the board were...I must confess. > Partly, it's > because I only had about 8 days between making my > weight and getting > operated on...and I had a lot of stuff to attend to > at work. Lots of > last minute stuff to do...it kept me occupied in the > practical > realm...and I didn't have a lot of time to think > until the day > before. Tell yourself that you are going to get up > and walk as soon > as they ask you...and that you are going to push > yourself a little > bit. That you are young and strong and athletic, > and that you can DO > this. Decide to have a positive attitude with the > staff. Decide > that any pain you may feel is just temporary, to be > expected, and > you'll be JUST fine. Go in deciding that you are > going to be the > model patient. > > > > That's what I did...and I think I wound up having > less pain because > of it. I don't know about you, but when I dwell on > pain, it gets > worse!! Whereas, if I tell myself, " Buck up, girl! > You are made of > healthy peasant stock...no whiny wimps allowed!! " I > start to believe > that...and I feel better. > > > > As for bras, the shelf bra is a good idea. I > didn't wear a bra > home. (I'm not huge in that region, so it wasn't a > big deal...I'm > only a C. Barely now!) I haven't worn a bra very > often, and when I > do, I wear an athletic one that is made of tee > shirt/lycra type > material...And my incision between my breasts (just > underneath the > breasts) is the smallest and least noticeable...so, > I think it > wouldn't have been super irritated, anyway. I think > it's best to try > and go without for the first week or so, if > possible, to give it time > to heal. I'm finding the wasteband is the most > difficult with > regards to the incisions. > > > > Let's see....I'm not sure if I slept with my legs > propped up. I > was so out of it for a while, I have no memory (I'm > a cheap date, so > the anesthesia really put me under for a long time). > Sometimes I > propped up my news in the hospital afterwards. > BRING YOUR TEDDY > BEAR, or something soft and stuffed. Holding onto > him was a big > comfort, and helped me sleep even on my back. As > for === message truncated === __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.