Re: ?for post ops---those who had surgery a year or more ago..

[Guest guest]

Sara, here is where I was and would still be:

Diabetic taking double meds, high blood pressure on

two different meds, high cholesterol taking double

dose, asthma using three meds, acid reflux taking

double meds. I was very irritable and did not smile

that much. I dwelled on how I must get used to being

fat and how I wondered how my kids would be without me

because due to the diabetes and high blood pressure

and high cholesterol I was surely going to die early

or have multiply strokes as my mom already has (she is

not dead but has had three major strokes).

I was very embarrassed about my body and did not feel

comfortable being with my husband (but I did) because

of how I looked. I hated food and very much spent a

lot of time skipping meals in hopes that I would lose

the weight through starvation or some quick diet. I

never liked being around a lot of people and did not

have friends because I felt like an outcast and I did

not want to be around people. I felt I had nothing to

offer. I felt like people talked about me and found

me less confident and wanted to have nothing to do

with me because of my size. I thought I was ugly and

unattractive and was just existing. I felt like the

only person that understood me was God and that is

what kept me going and I am so grateful for His many

blessings.

, that is where I was and would still be if I did

not have the surgery. I thank God for the marvelous

people here that supported me through my process and I

plan to do my best to be here for people that are

coming behind me.

Pam Marsh

--- sarahbear74@...> wrote:

> Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if you

> didnt have

> surgery?

> Thought we could take a minute and you can describe

> for me where you

> would be today WITHOUT surgery....

>

> castro

> waiting for surgery- Fremont

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Sara, here is where I was and would still be:

Diabetic taking double meds, high blood pressure on

two different meds, high cholesterol taking double

dose, asthma using three meds, acid reflux taking

double meds. I was very irritable and did not smile

that much. I dwelled on how I must get used to being

fat and how I wondered how my kids would be without me

because due to the diabetes and high blood pressure

and high cholesterol I was surely going to die early

or have multiply strokes as my mom already has (she is

not dead but has had three major strokes).

I was very embarrassed about my body and did not feel

comfortable being with my husband (but I did) because

of how I looked. I hated food and very much spent a

lot of time skipping meals in hopes that I would lose

the weight through starvation or some quick diet. I

never liked being around a lot of people and did not

have friends because I felt like an outcast and I did

not want to be around people. I felt I had nothing to

offer. I felt like people talked about me and found

me less confident and wanted to have nothing to do

with me because of my size. I thought I was ugly and

unattractive and was just existing. I felt like the

only person that understood me was God and that is

what kept me going and I am so grateful for His many

blessings.

, that is where I was and would still be if I did

not have the surgery. I thank God for the marvelous

people here that supported me through my process and I

plan to do my best to be here for people that are

coming behind me.

Pam Marsh

--- sarahbear74@...> wrote:

> Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if you

> didnt have

> surgery?

> Thought we could take a minute and you can describe

> for me where you

> would be today WITHOUT surgery....

>

> castro

> waiting for surgery- Fremont

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I would not be able to keep up with my son, I would not be as

extroverted as I am, I would not be an active participant in my own

life. I would not have been able to do as much hauling of stuff this

last weekend as I did (emptying a storage unit in Richmond, taking some

of the contents to former husband's brother's family in Concord, hauling

two van loads to home (storage unit nearby) in San ), would not be

as enthusiastic about my trip next month because of how tight airplane

seats are (were), would still be looking for parking places near the

door rather than in the shade, even if it's much farther from the door,

would still be wearing clothes from the tentmaker, aka Lane ,

rather than formfitting jeans and snug t-shirt from Target.

How's that for a start?

wrote:

> Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if you didnt have

> surgery? Thought we could take a minute and you can describe for me

> where you would be today WITHOUT surgery....

--

Eleanor Oster

eleanor@... (personal address)

www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htm

San , CA

Open RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003

P. Fisher, M.D., Kaiser Richmond (CA)

~5'9 " tall

05/09/2003 319 Orientation

07/15/2003 ~290 Surgery

Current ~150 Goal until plastics?

Goal 140-150?

[Guest guest]

I would not be able to keep up with my son, I would not be as

extroverted as I am, I would not be an active participant in my own

life. I would not have been able to do as much hauling of stuff this

last weekend as I did (emptying a storage unit in Richmond, taking some

of the contents to former husband's brother's family in Concord, hauling

two van loads to home (storage unit nearby) in San ), would not be

as enthusiastic about my trip next month because of how tight airplane

seats are (were), would still be looking for parking places near the

door rather than in the shade, even if it's much farther from the door,

would still be wearing clothes from the tentmaker, aka Lane ,

rather than formfitting jeans and snug t-shirt from Target.

How's that for a start?

wrote:

> Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if you didnt have

> surgery? Thought we could take a minute and you can describe for me

> where you would be today WITHOUT surgery....

--

Eleanor Oster

eleanor@... (personal address)

www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htm

San , CA

Open RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003

P. Fisher, M.D., Kaiser Richmond (CA)

~5'9 " tall

05/09/2003 319 Orientation

07/15/2003 ~290 Surgery

Current ~150 Goal until plastics?

Goal 140-150?

[Guest guest]

Well...only being three weeks out, I can't yet capitalize on all of the enormous life-changing things that will happen to me...but I can say this: I have hope. For the first time in a long time. I don't despise myself anymore. For the first time in a long time. I have found this wonderful network of friends who struggle with the same issues as I do. For the first time, period. I know that soon I will be wearing the clothes I want to wear. For the first time in a long time. I have fallen in love with somebody, fully confident that I am loved back. For the first time in a long time.

SO...I am very very grateful. Oh, and I forgot one thing: I can step on a scale and not be terrified, for the first time in a very, very long time.

Robynn wrote:

Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if you didnt have surgery? Thought we could take a minute and you can describe for me where you would be today WITHOUT surgery.... castrowaiting for surgery- Fremont

[Guest guest]

Well...only being three weeks out, I can't yet capitalize on all of the enormous life-changing things that will happen to me...but I can say this: I have hope. For the first time in a long time. I don't despise myself anymore. For the first time in a long time. I have found this wonderful network of friends who struggle with the same issues as I do. For the first time, period. I know that soon I will be wearing the clothes I want to wear. For the first time in a long time. I have fallen in love with somebody, fully confident that I am loved back. For the first time in a long time.

SO...I am very very grateful. Oh, and I forgot one thing: I can step on a scale and not be terrified, for the first time in a very, very long time.

Robynn wrote:

Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if you didnt have surgery? Thought we could take a minute and you can describe for me where you would be today WITHOUT surgery.... castrowaiting for surgery- Fremont

[Guest guest]

Well...only being three weeks out, I can't yet capitalize on all of the enormous life-changing things that will happen to me...but I can say this: I have hope. For the first time in a long time. I don't despise myself anymore. For the first time in a long time. I have found this wonderful network of friends who struggle with the same issues as I do. For the first time, period. I know that soon I will be wearing the clothes I want to wear. For the first time in a long time. I have fallen in love with somebody, fully confident that I am loved back. For the first time in a long time.

SO...I am very very grateful. Oh, and I forgot one thing: I can step on a scale and not be terrified, for the first time in a very, very long time.

Robynn wrote:

Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if you didnt have surgery? Thought we could take a minute and you can describe for me where you would be today WITHOUT surgery.... castrowaiting for surgery- Fremont

[Guest guest]

My surgery was just a short time ago, two and a half months, but I can

already tell you this: I wouldn't feel nearly so well as I do now without

surgery. I would still be taking insulin three times a day, together with

my oral meds, and they would just barely be controlling my diabetes! I

wouldn't be able to exercise or move around very well at all. I would

still have constant heartburn, and just generally feel bad. I wouldn't be

able to feel the bones in my face as I can now. I wouldn't breathe nearly

as easily as I do now. I am so happy that I had this surgery, and I am

glad that I finally thought of doing it. I really thank Doctor Dutta for

all his care and for giving me this gift of the wonderful tool that I now

have. LaWanda At 03:27 PM 6/27/05, you wrote:

>Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if you didnt have

>surgery?

>Thought we could take a minute and you can describe for me where you

>would be today WITHOUT surgery....

>

> castro

>waiting for surgery- Fremont

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow .......What else can I say. You said it all

cecilia

--- Pamela A Marsh sweetnlow20012001@...>

wrote:

> Sara, here is where I was and would still be:

>

> Diabetic taking double meds, high blood pressure on

> two different meds, high cholesterol taking double

> dose, asthma using three meds, acid reflux taking

> double meds. I was very irritable and did not smile

> that much. I dwelled on how I must get used to

> being

> fat and how I wondered how my kids would be without

> me

> because due to the diabetes and high blood pressure

> and high cholesterol I was surely going to die early

> or have multiply strokes as my mom already has (she

> is

> not dead but has had three major strokes).

>

> I was very embarrassed about my body and did not

> feel

> comfortable being with my husband (but I did)

> because

> of how I looked. I hated food and very much spent a

> lot of time skipping meals in hopes that I would

> lose

> the weight through starvation or some quick diet. I

> never liked being around a lot of people and did not

> have friends because I felt like an outcast and I

> did

> not want to be around people. I felt I had nothing

> to

> offer. I felt like people talked about me and found

> me less confident and wanted to have nothing to do

> with me because of my size. I thought I was ugly

> and

> unattractive and was just existing. I felt like the

> only person that understood me was God and that is

> what kept me going and I am so grateful for His many

> blessings.

>

> , that is where I was and would still be if I

> did

> not have the surgery. I thank God for the marvelous

> people here that supported me through my process and

> I

> plan to do my best to be here for people that are

> coming behind me.

>

> Pam Marsh

>

> --- sarahbear74@...> wrote:

>

> > Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if

> you

> > didnt have

> > surgery?

> > Thought we could take a minute and you can

> describe

> > for me where you

> > would be today WITHOUT surgery....

> >

> > castro

> > waiting for surgery- Fremont

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Wow .......What else can I say. You said it all

cecilia

--- Pamela A Marsh sweetnlow20012001@...>

wrote:

> Sara, here is where I was and would still be:

>

> Diabetic taking double meds, high blood pressure on

> two different meds, high cholesterol taking double

> dose, asthma using three meds, acid reflux taking

> double meds. I was very irritable and did not smile

> that much. I dwelled on how I must get used to

> being

> fat and how I wondered how my kids would be without

> me

> because due to the diabetes and high blood pressure

> and high cholesterol I was surely going to die early

> or have multiply strokes as my mom already has (she

> is

> not dead but has had three major strokes).

>

> I was very embarrassed about my body and did not

> feel

> comfortable being with my husband (but I did)

> because

> of how I looked. I hated food and very much spent a

> lot of time skipping meals in hopes that I would

> lose

> the weight through starvation or some quick diet. I

> never liked being around a lot of people and did not

> have friends because I felt like an outcast and I

> did

> not want to be around people. I felt I had nothing

> to

> offer. I felt like people talked about me and found

> me less confident and wanted to have nothing to do

> with me because of my size. I thought I was ugly

> and

> unattractive and was just existing. I felt like the

> only person that understood me was God and that is

> what kept me going and I am so grateful for His many

> blessings.

>

> , that is where I was and would still be if I

> did

> not have the surgery. I thank God for the marvelous

> people here that supported me through my process and

> I

> plan to do my best to be here for people that are

> coming behind me.

>

> Pam Marsh

>

> --- sarahbear74@...> wrote:

>

> > Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if

> you

> > didnt have

> > surgery?

> > Thought we could take a minute and you can

> describe

> > for me where you

> > would be today WITHOUT surgery....

> >

> > castro

> > waiting for surgery- Fremont

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Wow .......What else can I say. You said it all

cecilia

--- Pamela A Marsh sweetnlow20012001@...>

wrote:

> Sara, here is where I was and would still be:

>

> Diabetic taking double meds, high blood pressure on

> two different meds, high cholesterol taking double

> dose, asthma using three meds, acid reflux taking

> double meds. I was very irritable and did not smile

> that much. I dwelled on how I must get used to

> being

> fat and how I wondered how my kids would be without

> me

> because due to the diabetes and high blood pressure

> and high cholesterol I was surely going to die early

> or have multiply strokes as my mom already has (she

> is

> not dead but has had three major strokes).

>

> I was very embarrassed about my body and did not

> feel

> comfortable being with my husband (but I did)

> because

> of how I looked. I hated food and very much spent a

> lot of time skipping meals in hopes that I would

> lose

> the weight through starvation or some quick diet. I

> never liked being around a lot of people and did not

> have friends because I felt like an outcast and I

> did

> not want to be around people. I felt I had nothing

> to

> offer. I felt like people talked about me and found

> me less confident and wanted to have nothing to do

> with me because of my size. I thought I was ugly

> and

> unattractive and was just existing. I felt like the

> only person that understood me was God and that is

> what kept me going and I am so grateful for His many

> blessings.

>

> , that is where I was and would still be if I

> did

> not have the surgery. I thank God for the marvelous

> people here that supported me through my process and

> I

> plan to do my best to be here for people that are

> coming behind me.

>

> Pam Marsh

>

> --- sarahbear74@...> wrote:

>

> > Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if

> you

> > didnt have

> > surgery?

> > Thought we could take a minute and you can

> describe

> > for me where you

> > would be today WITHOUT surgery....

> >

> > castro

> > waiting for surgery- Fremont

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

:

Physically: I would still have diabetes, high blood pressure, high

cholesterol, acid reflux (ouch... I haven't had heart burn in over two

years!) and joint pain. I wouldn't be able to run upstairs un-winded,

dance for hours without breaking a sweat, fit in any booth in any

restaurant. I would still worry about breaking chairs and flying coach

or even business or first class because even there I needed the seat

belt extension and my thighs barely fit into the seats. I wouldn't be

able to buy clothes anywhere I want and ALWAYS find my size.

Emotionally: I would still be hating myself and wondering if I would

have been successful had I been brave enough to have the surgery. I'd

be at the end of yet another yo-yo diet, and I'd still be calling

myself names like " fat pig " " cow " and wondering why anyone could love

someone so fat and ugly and worthless.

Spriritually: I'd still be in isolation without a spiritual community

to love me with the warm and healing embrace of acceptance and

kindness. I would have been too afraid to reach and build ties with

people. My spirit would be imprisoned in the small world of my

morbidly obese body. My soul would not see the limitless horizons that

now have opened up before my eyes.

My life has changed in ways I could not have imagined. Life continues

to amaze me with its beauty. I didn't think that I could experience

such pain, such loss, and come out OK.. I have never experienced such

joy, pure delight. Knowing that the love I give myself is multiplied

and now reflects out is such a gift. In some small way, I hope that

that love will help make someone else's world a little bit better.

Francisco

> Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if you didnt have

> surgery?

> Thought we could take a minute and you can describe for me where you

> would be today WITHOUT surgery....

>

> castro

> waiting for surgery- Fremont

[Guest guest]

:

Physically: I would still have diabetes, high blood pressure, high

cholesterol, acid reflux (ouch... I haven't had heart burn in over two

years!) and joint pain. I wouldn't be able to run upstairs un-winded,

dance for hours without breaking a sweat, fit in any booth in any

restaurant. I would still worry about breaking chairs and flying coach

or even business or first class because even there I needed the seat

belt extension and my thighs barely fit into the seats. I wouldn't be

able to buy clothes anywhere I want and ALWAYS find my size.

Emotionally: I would still be hating myself and wondering if I would

have been successful had I been brave enough to have the surgery. I'd

be at the end of yet another yo-yo diet, and I'd still be calling

myself names like " fat pig " " cow " and wondering why anyone could love

someone so fat and ugly and worthless.

Spriritually: I'd still be in isolation without a spiritual community

to love me with the warm and healing embrace of acceptance and

kindness. I would have been too afraid to reach and build ties with

people. My spirit would be imprisoned in the small world of my

morbidly obese body. My soul would not see the limitless horizons that

now have opened up before my eyes.

My life has changed in ways I could not have imagined. Life continues

to amaze me with its beauty. I didn't think that I could experience

such pain, such loss, and come out OK.. I have never experienced such

joy, pure delight. Knowing that the love I give myself is multiplied

and now reflects out is such a gift. In some small way, I hope that

that love will help make someone else's world a little bit better.

Francisco

> Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if you didnt have

> surgery?

> Thought we could take a minute and you can describe for me where you

> would be today WITHOUT surgery....

>

> castro

> waiting for surgery- Fremont

[Guest guest]

:

Physically: I would still have diabetes, high blood pressure, high

cholesterol, acid reflux (ouch... I haven't had heart burn in over two

years!) and joint pain. I wouldn't be able to run upstairs un-winded,

dance for hours without breaking a sweat, fit in any booth in any

restaurant. I would still worry about breaking chairs and flying coach

or even business or first class because even there I needed the seat

belt extension and my thighs barely fit into the seats. I wouldn't be

able to buy clothes anywhere I want and ALWAYS find my size.

Emotionally: I would still be hating myself and wondering if I would

have been successful had I been brave enough to have the surgery. I'd

be at the end of yet another yo-yo diet, and I'd still be calling

myself names like " fat pig " " cow " and wondering why anyone could love

someone so fat and ugly and worthless.

Spriritually: I'd still be in isolation without a spiritual community

to love me with the warm and healing embrace of acceptance and

kindness. I would have been too afraid to reach and build ties with

people. My spirit would be imprisoned in the small world of my

morbidly obese body. My soul would not see the limitless horizons that

now have opened up before my eyes.

My life has changed in ways I could not have imagined. Life continues

to amaze me with its beauty. I didn't think that I could experience

such pain, such loss, and come out OK.. I have never experienced such

joy, pure delight. Knowing that the love I give myself is multiplied

and now reflects out is such a gift. In some small way, I hope that

that love will help make someone else's world a little bit better.

Francisco

> Do u ever wonder what your life would be like if you didnt have

> surgery?

> Thought we could take a minute and you can describe for me where you

> would be today WITHOUT surgery....

>

> castro

> waiting for surgery- Fremont