I'M HOME AND SAFELY ON THE OTHER SIDE!!

[Guest guest]

Hello Preops and Postops:

I'm back home here in South FL and safely on the other side. I had my MGB on

November 29th and it went fantastic. I felt really green at the gills when I

got back to my room. I felt some pain and I kept pressing the pain pump button

until my blood pressure fell and that made me feel worse so I stopped pressing

it and never pressed it again. The pain was manageable. What I kept thinking

was pain was really gas and that gas pain was really uncomfortable. The nurses

were wonderful (Margaret and Dorothy) and I just kept wanting to get up to

wee-wee. I had my oxygen on and IV fluid running with my Marilyn Monroe

stockings and my pumpup stockings on as well. I didn't take my first walk until

10:30 PM and I looked and felt kinda green. But I am so thankful and grateful

that I didn't have any complications. Dr. Rutledge was wonderful. The OR team

that prepped me for surgery were wonderful. I still can't believe how calm and

happy I was (and that's before they even gave me medication). All I kept

thinking was I will never be fatter than what I am right now. When people asked

me if I used visualization, yeah, I visualized the day I'm a hoochie mama

walking through the Secret store at the mall in my stiletto heels

knowing I could fit into anything on the racks. My life partner was with me

every step of the way and took excellent care of me. She doted on me hand and

foot (now if I can just get her to do this at home!!) and stayed with me the

night at Durham Regional and just took excellent care of me. She's still

watching over me like a hawk. We stayed in a suite for a week and I felt better

sitting up in a bedside recliner. The only thing that got to me was all those

damn Olive Garden commercials on TV with the pasta flying in the air. That

night I dreamed of dancing rigatoni. The first day I was only able to walk

Tazzy and Prissy to the car and in front of the hotel room but by the third day

I was a walking fool. Poor Prissy couldn't keep up with me. It was cold in

Durham the week we were there. We missed the snowstorm that was supposed to hit

on Sun. 12/3 by a few miles. That would have been pretty to see. Clinic before

and after was really great and informative. Staples came out with no problem.

Barbara is awesome. Dr. Rutledge is the life of the party. Got to meet some

wonderful people there: Gwen, Jon, Rhonda, Phyllis, Kim. We started driving

home and got back home in time for my brother's birthday party at a fancy

Italian restaurant where I got to watch everyone filling up on all my favorite

Italian goodies but I sat there sipping my minestrone broth and had a great

time. Everytime I asked Terri how something tasted she would always

reassuringly say " Don't worry honey, it tasted awful. You didn't miss

anything. " And I laughed and felt better. Tonight I walked with Prissy really

far (something I haven't been able to do in yrs.) and am doing fine on my skim

milk fruit supplement shakes, yogurt, chicken noodle soup and broth, saltines,

juices. No dumping, no bellyaches, no nausea, nothing. Just lots of burping.

I have to Thank God and Thank Dr. Rutledge. I weighed 351 lbs. at clinic the day

before surgeryand I lost 8 lbs. the first week. I haven't weighed since. The

number doesn't interest me, feeling better does. I was feeling so horrible

before surgery that I'm just grateful that I'm feeling better, and the surgery

was without complications. I thank God and Dr. Rutledge for saving my life. I

will never be able to thank them both enough. I also want to thank all my

contacts and all the people that were so supportive of me throughout this entire

journey so far. I would be happy to help anyone out during their journey.

Please feel free to contact me at: vivienrn@....

Continued success for everyone,

Safe and Serene journey for all,

Vivienne, RN

[Guest guest]

Vivienne,

What a wonderful letter.....Welcome to the Post-Ops!

warmly,

Beth in Florida

[Guest guest]

Vivienne, its so great of you to share your story with us. Happy to see that

you made it to the other side safely. Good luck and keep us updated.

Pat Iurato

Nevada hopeful

[Guest guest]

Vivienne:

Congratulations and welcome to the other side. You are on the road to the

journey of a new life!!!!

Christy / CA

MGB 11-8-00

[Guest guest]

Vivienne:

Congratulations and welcome to the other side. You are on the road to the

journey of a new life!!!!

Christy / CA

MGB 11-8-00

[Guest guest]

Hey Vivienne! Way to go. You're right...you'll never be that fat again...or as

fat as you are today...LOL....you're on your way to being a hoochie mama for

sure.

Flo in land

> ** Original Subject: RE: I'M HOME AND SAFELY ON THE OTHER

SIDE!!

> ** >

> ** Original Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2000 14:52:40 -0700

> ** Original Message follows...

>

> Hello Preops and Postops:

> I'm back home here in South FL and safely on the other side. I had my MGB on

November 29th and it went fantastic. I felt really green at the gills when I

got back to my room. I felt some pain and I kept pressing the pain pump button

until my blood pressure fell and that made me feel worse so I stopped pressing

it and never pressed it again. The pain was manageable. What I kept thinking

was pain was really gas and that gas pain was really uncomfortable. The nurses

were wonderful (Margaret and Dorothy) and I just kept wanting to get up to

wee-wee. I had my oxygen on and IV fluid running with my Marilyn Monroe

stockings and my pumpup stockings on as well. I didn't take my first walk until

10:30 PM and I looked and felt kinda green. But I am so thankful and grateful

that I didn't have any complications. Dr. Rutledge was wonderful. The OR team

that prepped me for surgery were wonderful. I still can't believe how calm and

happy I was (and that's before they even gave me medication). All I kept

thinking was I will never be fatter than what I am right now. When people asked

me if I used visualization, yeah, I visualized the day I'm a hoochie mama

walking through the Secret store at the mall in my stiletto heels

knowing I could fit into anything on the racks. My life partner was with me

every step of the way and took excellent care of me. She doted on me hand and

foot (now if I can just get her to do this at home!!) and stayed with me the

night at Durham Regional and just took excellent care of me. She's still

watching over me like a hawk. We stayed in a suite for a week and I felt better

sitting up in a bedside recliner. The only thing that got to me was all those

damn Olive Garden commercials on TV with the pasta flying in the air. That

night I dreamed of dancing rigatoni. The first day I was only able to walk

Tazzy and Prissy to the car and in front of the hotel room but by the third day

I was a walking fool. Poor Prissy couldn't keep up with me. It was cold in

Durham the week we were there. We missed the snowstorm that was supposed to hit

on Sun. 12/3 by a few miles. That would have been pretty to see. Clinic before

and after was really great and informative. Staples came out with no problem.

Barbara is awesome. Dr. Rutledge is the life of the party. Got to meet some

wonderful people there: Gwen, Jon, Rhonda, Phyllis, Kim. We started driving

home and got back home in time for my brother's birthday party at a fancy

Italian restaurant where I got to watch everyone filling up on all my favorite

Italian goodies but I sat there sipping my minestrone broth and had a great

time. Everytime I asked Terri how something tasted she would always

reassuringly say " Don't worry honey, it tasted awful. You didn't miss

anything. " And I laughed and felt better. Tonight I walked with Prissy really

far (something I haven't been able to do in yrs.) and am doing fine on my skim

milk fruit supplement shakes, yogurt, chicken noodle soup and broth, saltines,

juices. No dumping, no bellyaches, no nausea, nothing. Just lots of burping.

I have to Thank God and Thank Dr. Rutledge. I weighed 351 lbs. at clinic the day

before surgeryand I lost 8 lbs. the first week. I haven't weighed since. The

number doesn't interest me, feeling better does. I was feeling so horrible

before surgery that I'm just grateful that I'm feeling better, and the surgery

was without complications. I thank God and Dr. Rutledge for saving my life. I

will never be able to thank them both enough. I also want to thank all my

contacts and all the people that were so supportive of me throughout this entire

journey so far. I would be happy to help anyone out during their journey.

Please feel free to contact me at: vivienrn@....

> Continued success for everyone,

> Safe and Serene journey for all,

> Vivienne, RN

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

You go girl!!!!

Suzanne

[Guest guest]

You go girl!!!!

Suzanne

[Guest guest]

Vivienne: Did you find out how to get on post op side. Glad you are doing

good. I am doing fine. Phyllis in fla Orange Park

Vivienne wrote:

> Hello Preops and Postops:

> I'm back home here in South FL and safely on the other side. I had my MGB on

November 29th and it went fantastic. I felt really green at the gills when I

got back to my room. I felt some pain and I kept pressing the pain pump button

until my blood pressure fell and that made me feel worse so I stopped pressing

it and never pressed it again. The pain was manageable. What I kept thinking

was pain was really gas and that gas pain was really uncomfortable. The nurses

were wonderful (Margaret and Dorothy) and I just kept wanting to get up to

wee-wee. I had my oxygen on and IV fluid running with my Marilyn Monroe

stockings and my pumpup stockings on as well. I didn't take my first walk until

10:30 PM and I looked and felt kinda green. But I am so thankful and grateful

that I didn't have any complications. Dr. Rutledge was wonderful. The OR team

that prepped me for surgery were wonderful. I still can't believe how calm and

happy I was (and that's before they even gave me medication). All I kept

thinking was I will never be fatter than what I am right now. When people asked

me if I used visualization, yeah, I visualized the day I'm a hoochie mama

walking through the Secret store at the mall in my stiletto heels

knowing I could fit into anything on the racks. My life partner was with me

every step of the way and took excellent care of me. She doted on me hand and

foot (now if I can just get her to do this at home!!) and stayed with me the

night at Durham Regional and just took excellent care of me. She's still

watching over me like a hawk. We stayed in a suite for a week and I felt better

sitting up in a bedside recliner. The only thing that got to me was all those

damn Olive Garden commercials on TV with the pasta flying in the air. That

night I dreamed of dancing rigatoni. The first day I was only able to walk

Tazzy and Prissy to the car and in front of the hotel room but by the third day

I was a walking fool. Poor Prissy couldn't keep up with me. It was cold in

Durham the week we were there. We missed the snowstorm that was supposed to hit

on Sun. 12/3 by a few miles. That would have been pretty to see. Clinic before

and after was really great and informative. Staples came out with no problem.

Barbara is awesome. Dr. Rutledge is the life of the party. Got to meet some

wonderful people there: Gwen, Jon, Rhonda, Phyllis, Kim. We started driving

home and got back home in time for my brother's birthday party at a fancy

Italian restaurant where I got to watch everyone filling up on all my favorite

Italian goodies but I sat there sipping my minestrone broth and had a great

time. Everytime I asked Terri how something tasted she would always

reassuringly say " Don't worry honey, it tasted awful. You didn't miss

anything. " And I laughed and felt better. Tonight I walked with Prissy really

far (something I haven't been able to do in yrs.) and am doing fine on my skim

milk fruit supplement shakes, yogurt, chicken noodle soup and broth, saltines,

juices. No dumping, no bellyaches, no nausea, nothing. Just lots of burping.

I have to Thank God and Thank Dr. Rutledge. I weighed 351 lbs. at clinic the day

before surgeryand I lost 8 lbs. the first week. I haven't weighed since. The

number doesn't interest me, feeling better does. I was feeling so horrible

before surgery that I'm just grateful that I'm feeling better, and the surgery

was without complications. I thank God and Dr. Rutledge for saving my life. I

will never be able to thank them both enough. I also want to thank all my

contacts and all the people that were so supportive of me throughout this entire

journey so far. I would be happy to help anyone out during their journey.

Please feel free to contact me at: vivienrn@....

> Continued success for everyone,

> Safe and Serene journey for all,

> Vivienne, RN

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think that is great!!! Vivienne!!!

sbb

________________________________________________________________

GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!

Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!

Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:

http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

[Guest guest]

I think that is great!!! Vivienne!!!

sbb

________________________________________________________________

GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!

Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!

Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:

http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your uplifting post. Glad to hear you have someone at your side

rooting for you so much.

Love,

sperb

>>> vivienrn@... 12/09/00 09:49PM >>>

Hello Preops and Postops:

I'm back home here in South FL and safely on the other side. I had my MGB on

November 29th and it went fantastic. I felt really green at the gills when I

got back to my room. I felt some pain and I kept pressing the pain pump button

until my blood pressure fell and that made me feel worse so I stopped pressing

it and never pressed it again. The pain was manageable. What I kept thinking

was pain was really gas and that gas pain was really uncomfortable. The nurses

were wonderful (Margaret and Dorothy) and I just kept wanting to get up to

wee-wee. I had my oxygen on and IV fluid running with my Marilyn Monroe

stockings and my pumpup stockings on as well. I didn't take my first walk until

10:30 PM and I looked and felt kinda green. But I am so thankful and grateful

that I didn't have any complications. Dr. Rutledge was wonderful. The OR team

that prepped me for surgery were wonderful. I still can't believe how calm and

happy I was (and that's before they even gave me medication). All I kept

thinking was I will never be fatter than what I am right now. When people asked

me if I used visualization, yeah, I visualized the day I'm a hoochie mama

walking through the Secret store at the mall in my stiletto heels

knowing I could fit into anything on the racks. My life partner was with me

every step of the way and took excellent care of me. She doted on me hand and

foot (now if I can just get her to do this at home!!) and stayed with me the

night at Durham Regional and just took excellent care of me. She's still

watching over me like a hawk. We stayed in a suite for a week and I felt better

sitting up in a bedside recliner. The only thing that got to me was all those

damn Olive Garden commercials on TV with the pasta flying in the air. That

night I dreamed of dancing rigatoni. The first day I was only able to walk

Tazzy and Prissy to the car and in front of the hotel room but by the third day

I was a walking fool. Poor Prissy couldn't keep up with me. It was cold in

Durham the week we were there. We missed the snowstorm that was supposed to hit

on Sun. 12/3 by a few miles. That would have been pretty to see. Clinic before

and after was really great and informative. Staples came out with no problem.

Barbara is awesome. Dr. Rutledge is the life of the party. Got to meet some

wonderful people there: Gwen, Jon, Rhonda, Phyllis, Kim. We started driving

home and got back home in time for my brother's birthday party at a fancy

Italian restaurant where I got to watch everyone filling up on all my favorite

Italian goodies but I sat there sipping my minestrone broth and had a great

time. Everytime I asked Terri how something tasted she would always

reassuringly say " Don't worry honey, it tasted awful. You didn't miss

anything. " And I laughed and felt better. Tonight I walked with Prissy really

far (something I haven't been able to do in yrs.) and am doing fine on my skim

milk fruit supplement shakes, yogurt, chicken noodle soup and broth, saltines,

juices. No dumping, no bellyaches, no nausea, nothing. Just lots of burping.

I have to Thank God and Thank Dr. Rutledge. I weighed 351 lbs. at clinic the day

before surgeryand I lost 8 lbs. the first week. I haven't weighed since. The

number doesn't interest me, feeling better does. I was feeling so horrible

before surgery that I'm just grateful that I'm feeling better, and the surgery

was without complications. I thank God and Dr. Rutledge for saving my life. I

will never be able to thank them both enough. I also want to thank all my

contacts and all the people that were so supportive of me throughout this entire

journey so far. I would be happy to help anyone out during their journey.

Please feel free to contact me at: vivienrn@....

Continued success for everyone,

Safe and Serene journey for all,

Vivienne, RN

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your uplifting post. Glad to hear you have someone at your side

rooting for you so much.

Love,

sperb

>>> vivienrn@... 12/09/00 09:49PM >>>

Hello Preops and Postops:

I'm back home here in South FL and safely on the other side. I had my MGB on

November 29th and it went fantastic. I felt really green at the gills when I

got back to my room. I felt some pain and I kept pressing the pain pump button

until my blood pressure fell and that made me feel worse so I stopped pressing

it and never pressed it again. The pain was manageable. What I kept thinking

was pain was really gas and that gas pain was really uncomfortable. The nurses

were wonderful (Margaret and Dorothy) and I just kept wanting to get up to

wee-wee. I had my oxygen on and IV fluid running with my Marilyn Monroe

stockings and my pumpup stockings on as well. I didn't take my first walk until

10:30 PM and I looked and felt kinda green. But I am so thankful and grateful

that I didn't have any complications. Dr. Rutledge was wonderful. The OR team

that prepped me for surgery were wonderful. I still can't believe how calm and

happy I was (and that's before they even gave me medication). All I kept

thinking was I will never be fatter than what I am right now. When people asked

me if I used visualization, yeah, I visualized the day I'm a hoochie mama

walking through the Secret store at the mall in my stiletto heels

knowing I could fit into anything on the racks. My life partner was with me

every step of the way and took excellent care of me. She doted on me hand and

foot (now if I can just get her to do this at home!!) and stayed with me the

night at Durham Regional and just took excellent care of me. She's still

watching over me like a hawk. We stayed in a suite for a week and I felt better

sitting up in a bedside recliner. The only thing that got to me was all those

damn Olive Garden commercials on TV with the pasta flying in the air. That

night I dreamed of dancing rigatoni. The first day I was only able to walk

Tazzy and Prissy to the car and in front of the hotel room but by the third day

I was a walking fool. Poor Prissy couldn't keep up with me. It was cold in

Durham the week we were there. We missed the snowstorm that was supposed to hit

on Sun. 12/3 by a few miles. That would have been pretty to see. Clinic before

and after was really great and informative. Staples came out with no problem.

Barbara is awesome. Dr. Rutledge is the life of the party. Got to meet some

wonderful people there: Gwen, Jon, Rhonda, Phyllis, Kim. We started driving

home and got back home in time for my brother's birthday party at a fancy

Italian restaurant where I got to watch everyone filling up on all my favorite

Italian goodies but I sat there sipping my minestrone broth and had a great

time. Everytime I asked Terri how something tasted she would always

reassuringly say " Don't worry honey, it tasted awful. You didn't miss

anything. " And I laughed and felt better. Tonight I walked with Prissy really

far (something I haven't been able to do in yrs.) and am doing fine on my skim

milk fruit supplement shakes, yogurt, chicken noodle soup and broth, saltines,

juices. No dumping, no bellyaches, no nausea, nothing. Just lots of burping.

I have to Thank God and Thank Dr. Rutledge. I weighed 351 lbs. at clinic the day

before surgeryand I lost 8 lbs. the first week. I haven't weighed since. The

number doesn't interest me, feeling better does. I was feeling so horrible

before surgery that I'm just grateful that I'm feeling better, and the surgery

was without complications. I thank God and Dr. Rutledge for saving my life. I

will never be able to thank them both enough. I also want to thank all my

contacts and all the people that were so supportive of me throughout this entire

journey so far. I would be happy to help anyone out during their journey.

Please feel free to contact me at: vivienrn@....

Continued success for everyone,

Safe and Serene journey for all,

Vivienne, RN

[Guest guest]

Well, nothing cheers a preop more than reading a

letter like this!! I am packed and waiting for my

husband to pick me up and take me to the airport. I

am so ready!

Congratulations, Vivienne!! So happy for you and

can't wait to join you on the other side.

Margaret in st. Louis

12/13/00

--- Vivienne wrote:

> Hello Preops and Postops:

> I'm back home here in South FL and safely on the

> other side. I had my MGB on November 29th and it

> went fantastic. I felt really green at the gills

> when I got back to my room. I felt some pain and I

> kept pressing the pain pump button until my blood

> pressure fell and that made me feel worse so I

> stopped pressing it and never pressed it again. The

> pain was manageable. What I kept thinking was pain

> was really gas and that gas pain was really

> uncomfortable. The nurses were wonderful (Margaret

> and Dorothy) and I just kept wanting to get up to

> wee-wee. I had my oxygen on and IV fluid running

> with my Marilyn Monroe stockings and my pumpup

> stockings on as well. I didn't take my first walk

> until 10:30 PM and I looked and felt kinda green.

> But I am so thankful and grateful that I didn't have

> any complications. Dr. Rutledge was wonderful. The

> OR team that prepped me for surgery were wonderful.

> I still can't believe how calm and happy I was (and

> that's before they even gave me medication). All I

> kept thinking was I will never be fatter than what I

> am right now. When people asked me if I used

> visualization, yeah, I visualized the day I'm a

> hoochie mama walking through the Secret

> store at the mall in my stiletto heels knowing I

> could fit into anything on the racks. My life

> partner was with me every step of the way and took

> excellent care of me. She doted on me hand and foot

> (now if I can just get her to do this at home!!) and

> stayed with me the night at Durham Regional and just

> took excellent care of me. She's still watching

> over me like a hawk. We stayed in a suite for a

> week and I felt better sitting up in a bedside

> recliner. The only thing that got to me was all

> those damn Olive Garden commercials on TV with the

> pasta flying in the air. That night I dreamed of

> dancing rigatoni. The first day I was only able to

> walk Tazzy and Prissy to the car and in front of the

> hotel room but by the third day I was a walking

> fool. Poor Prissy couldn't keep up with me. It was

> cold in Durham the week we were there. We missed

> the snowstorm that was supposed to hit on Sun. 12/3

> by a few miles. That would have been pretty to see.

> Clinic before and after was really great and

> informative. Staples came out with no problem.

> Barbara is awesome. Dr. Rutledge is the life of the

> party. Got to meet some wonderful people there:

> Gwen, Jon, Rhonda, Phyllis, Kim. We started driving

> home and got back home in time for my brother's

> birthday party at a fancy Italian restaurant where I

> got to watch everyone filling up on all my favorite

> Italian goodies but I sat there sipping my

> minestrone broth and had a great time. Everytime I

> asked Terri how something tasted she would always

> reassuringly say " Don't worry honey, it tasted

> awful. You didn't miss anything. " And I laughed

> and felt better. Tonight I walked with Prissy

> really far (something I haven't been able to do in

> yrs.) and am doing fine on my skim milk fruit

> supplement shakes, yogurt, chicken noodle soup and

> broth, saltines, juices. No dumping, no bellyaches,

> no nausea, nothing. Just lots of burping. I have

> to Thank God and Thank Dr. Rutledge. I weighed 351

> lbs. at clinic the day before surgeryand I lost 8

> lbs. the first week. I haven't weighed since. The

> number doesn't interest me, feeling better does. I

> was feeling so horrible before surgery that I'm just

> grateful that I'm feeling better, and the surgery

> was without complications. I thank God and Dr.

> Rutledge for saving my life. I will never be able

> to thank them both enough. I also want to thank all

> my contacts and all the people that were so

> supportive of me throughout this entire journey so

> far. I would be happy to help anyone out during

> their journey. Please feel free to contact me at:

> vivienrn@....

> Continued success for everyone,

> Safe and Serene journey for all,

> Vivienne, RN

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, nothing cheers a preop more than reading a

letter like this!! I am packed and waiting for my

husband to pick me up and take me to the airport. I

am so ready!

Congratulations, Vivienne!! So happy for you and

can't wait to join you on the other side.

Margaret in st. Louis

12/13/00

--- Vivienne wrote:

> Hello Preops and Postops:

> I'm back home here in South FL and safely on the

> other side. I had my MGB on November 29th and it

> went fantastic. I felt really green at the gills

> when I got back to my room. I felt some pain and I

> kept pressing the pain pump button until my blood

> pressure fell and that made me feel worse so I

> stopped pressing it and never pressed it again. The

> pain was manageable. What I kept thinking was pain

> was really gas and that gas pain was really

> uncomfortable. The nurses were wonderful (Margaret

> and Dorothy) and I just kept wanting to get up to

> wee-wee. I had my oxygen on and IV fluid running

> with my Marilyn Monroe stockings and my pumpup

> stockings on as well. I didn't take my first walk

> until 10:30 PM and I looked and felt kinda green.

> But I am so thankful and grateful that I didn't have

> any complications. Dr. Rutledge was wonderful. The

> OR team that prepped me for surgery were wonderful.

> I still can't believe how calm and happy I was (and

> that's before they even gave me medication). All I

> kept thinking was I will never be fatter than what I

> am right now. When people asked me if I used

> visualization, yeah, I visualized the day I'm a

> hoochie mama walking through the Secret

> store at the mall in my stiletto heels knowing I

> could fit into anything on the racks. My life

> partner was with me every step of the way and took

> excellent care of me. She doted on me hand and foot

> (now if I can just get her to do this at home!!) and

> stayed with me the night at Durham Regional and just

> took excellent care of me. She's still watching

> over me like a hawk. We stayed in a suite for a

> week and I felt better sitting up in a bedside

> recliner. The only thing that got to me was all

> those damn Olive Garden commercials on TV with the

> pasta flying in the air. That night I dreamed of

> dancing rigatoni. The first day I was only able to

> walk Tazzy and Prissy to the car and in front of the

> hotel room but by the third day I was a walking

> fool. Poor Prissy couldn't keep up with me. It was

> cold in Durham the week we were there. We missed

> the snowstorm that was supposed to hit on Sun. 12/3

> by a few miles. That would have been pretty to see.

> Clinic before and after was really great and

> informative. Staples came out with no problem.

> Barbara is awesome. Dr. Rutledge is the life of the

> party. Got to meet some wonderful people there:

> Gwen, Jon, Rhonda, Phyllis, Kim. We started driving

> home and got back home in time for my brother's

> birthday party at a fancy Italian restaurant where I

> got to watch everyone filling up on all my favorite

> Italian goodies but I sat there sipping my

> minestrone broth and had a great time. Everytime I

> asked Terri how something tasted she would always

> reassuringly say " Don't worry honey, it tasted

> awful. You didn't miss anything. " And I laughed

> and felt better. Tonight I walked with Prissy

> really far (something I haven't been able to do in

> yrs.) and am doing fine on my skim milk fruit

> supplement shakes, yogurt, chicken noodle soup and

> broth, saltines, juices. No dumping, no bellyaches,

> no nausea, nothing. Just lots of burping. I have

> to Thank God and Thank Dr. Rutledge. I weighed 351

> lbs. at clinic the day before surgeryand I lost 8

> lbs. the first week. I haven't weighed since. The

> number doesn't interest me, feeling better does. I

> was feeling so horrible before surgery that I'm just

> grateful that I'm feeling better, and the surgery

> was without complications. I thank God and Dr.

> Rutledge for saving my life. I will never be able

> to thank them both enough. I also want to thank all

> my contacts and all the people that were so

> supportive of me throughout this entire journey so

> far. I would be happy to help anyone out during

> their journey. Please feel free to contact me at:

> vivienrn@....

> Continued success for everyone,

> Safe and Serene journey for all,

> Vivienne, RN

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Vivien,

I am so glad everything went well for you. You sound like you are gonna be

wearing those Betty pumps and 's Secret Lounge`(sp) in no

time.lol I hope to be wearing mine around this time next year lol. You can

really do some walking in the nice warm weather in fl. Keep us posted on your

new life, take care hugs marg 1-3-01

[Guest guest]

Hey Vivien,

I am so glad everything went well for you. You sound like you are gonna be

wearing those Betty pumps and 's Secret Lounge`(sp) in no

time.lol I hope to be wearing mine around this time next year lol. You can

really do some walking in the nice warm weather in fl. Keep us posted on your

new life, take care hugs marg 1-3-01

[Guest guest]

Dear Vivienne,

So glad to hear you are safely back home. Keep us posted.

Tarri in Missouri

MGB 09-29-00

329/275

I'M HOME AND SAFELY ON THE OTHER SIDE!!

> Hello Preops and Postops:

> I'm back home here in South FL and safely on the other side. I had my MGB

on November 29th and it went fantastic. I felt really green at the gills

when I got back to my room. I felt some pain and I kept pressing the pain

pump button until my blood pressure fell and that made me feel worse so I

stopped pressing it and never pressed it again. The pain was manageable.

What I kept thinking was pain was really gas and that gas pain was really

uncomfortable. The nurses were wonderful (Margaret and Dorothy) and I just

kept wanting to get up to wee-wee. I had my oxygen on and IV fluid running

with my Marilyn Monroe stockings and my pumpup stockings on as well. I

didn't take my first walk until 10:30 PM and I looked and felt kinda green.

But I am so thankful and grateful that I didn't have any complications. Dr.

Rutledge was wonderful. The OR team that prepped me for surgery were

wonderful. I still can't believe how calm and happy I was (and that's

before they even gave me medication). All I kept thinking was I will never

be fatter than what I am right now. When people asked me if I used

visualization, yeah, I visualized the day I'm a hoochie mama walking through

the Secret store at the mall in my stiletto heels knowing I could

fit into anything on the racks. My life partner was with me every step of

the way and took excellent care of me. She doted on me hand and foot (now

if I can just get her to do this at home!!) and stayed with me the night at

Durham Regional and just took excellent care of me. She's still watching

over me like a hawk. We stayed in a suite for a week and I felt better

sitting up in a bedside recliner. The only thing that got to me was all

those damn Olive Garden commercials on TV with the pasta flying in the air.

That night I dreamed of dancing rigatoni. The first day I was only able to

walk Tazzy and Prissy to the car and in front of the hotel room but by the

third day I was a walking fool. Poor Prissy couldn't keep up with me. It

was cold in Durham the week we were there. We missed the snowstorm that was

supposed to hit on Sun. 12/3 by a few miles. That would have been pretty to

see. Clinic before and after was really great and informative. Staples

came out with no problem. Barbara is awesome. Dr. Rutledge is the life of

the party. Got to meet some wonderful people there: Gwen, Jon, Rhonda,

Phyllis, Kim. We started driving home and got back home in time for my

brother's birthday party at a fancy Italian restaurant where I got to watch

everyone filling up on all my favorite Italian goodies but I sat there

sipping my minestrone broth and had a great time. Everytime I asked Terri

how something tasted she would always reassuringly say " Don't worry honey,

it tasted awful. You didn't miss anything. " And I laughed and felt better.

Tonight I walked with Prissy really far (something I haven't been able to do

in yrs.) and am doing fine on my skim milk fruit supplement shakes, yogurt,

chicken noodle soup and broth, saltines, juices. No dumping, no bellyaches,

no nausea, nothing. Just lots of burping. I have to Thank God and Thank

Dr. Rutledge. I weighed 351 lbs. at clinic the day before surgeryand I lost

8 lbs. the first week. I haven't weighed since. The number doesn't

interest me, feeling better does. I was feeling so horrible before surgery

that I'm just grateful that I'm feeling better, and the surgery was without

complications. I thank God and Dr. Rutledge for saving my life. I will

never be able to thank them both enough. I also want to thank all my

contacts and all the people that were so supportive of me throughout this

entire journey so far. I would be happy to help anyone out during their

journey. Please feel free to contact me at: vivienrn@....

> Continued success for everyone,

> Safe and Serene journey for all,

> Vivienne, RN

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Vivienne,

So glad to hear you are safely back home. Keep us posted.

Tarri in Missouri

MGB 09-29-00

329/275

I'M HOME AND SAFELY ON THE OTHER SIDE!!

> Hello Preops and Postops:

> I'm back home here in South FL and safely on the other side. I had my MGB

on November 29th and it went fantastic. I felt really green at the gills

when I got back to my room. I felt some pain and I kept pressing the pain

pump button until my blood pressure fell and that made me feel worse so I

stopped pressing it and never pressed it again. The pain was manageable.

What I kept thinking was pain was really gas and that gas pain was really

uncomfortable. The nurses were wonderful (Margaret and Dorothy) and I just

kept wanting to get up to wee-wee. I had my oxygen on and IV fluid running

with my Marilyn Monroe stockings and my pumpup stockings on as well. I

didn't take my first walk until 10:30 PM and I looked and felt kinda green.

But I am so thankful and grateful that I didn't have any complications. Dr.

Rutledge was wonderful. The OR team that prepped me for surgery were

wonderful. I still can't believe how calm and happy I was (and that's

before they even gave me medication). All I kept thinking was I will never

be fatter than what I am right now. When people asked me if I used

visualization, yeah, I visualized the day I'm a hoochie mama walking through

the Secret store at the mall in my stiletto heels knowing I could

fit into anything on the racks. My life partner was with me every step of

the way and took excellent care of me. She doted on me hand and foot (now

if I can just get her to do this at home!!) and stayed with me the night at

Durham Regional and just took excellent care of me. She's still watching

over me like a hawk. We stayed in a suite for a week and I felt better

sitting up in a bedside recliner. The only thing that got to me was all

those damn Olive Garden commercials on TV with the pasta flying in the air.

That night I dreamed of dancing rigatoni. The first day I was only able to

walk Tazzy and Prissy to the car and in front of the hotel room but by the

third day I was a walking fool. Poor Prissy couldn't keep up with me. It

was cold in Durham the week we were there. We missed the snowstorm that was

supposed to hit on Sun. 12/3 by a few miles. That would have been pretty to

see. Clinic before and after was really great and informative. Staples

came out with no problem. Barbara is awesome. Dr. Rutledge is the life of

the party. Got to meet some wonderful people there: Gwen, Jon, Rhonda,

Phyllis, Kim. We started driving home and got back home in time for my

brother's birthday party at a fancy Italian restaurant where I got to watch

everyone filling up on all my favorite Italian goodies but I sat there

sipping my minestrone broth and had a great time. Everytime I asked Terri

how something tasted she would always reassuringly say " Don't worry honey,

it tasted awful. You didn't miss anything. " And I laughed and felt better.

Tonight I walked with Prissy really far (something I haven't been able to do

in yrs.) and am doing fine on my skim milk fruit supplement shakes, yogurt,

chicken noodle soup and broth, saltines, juices. No dumping, no bellyaches,

no nausea, nothing. Just lots of burping. I have to Thank God and Thank

Dr. Rutledge. I weighed 351 lbs. at clinic the day before surgeryand I lost

8 lbs. the first week. I haven't weighed since. The number doesn't

interest me, feeling better does. I was feeling so horrible before surgery

that I'm just grateful that I'm feeling better, and the surgery was without

complications. I thank God and Dr. Rutledge for saving my life. I will

never be able to thank them both enough. I also want to thank all my

contacts and all the people that were so supportive of me throughout this

entire journey so far. I would be happy to help anyone out during their

journey. Please feel free to contact me at: vivienrn@....

> Continued success for everyone,

> Safe and Serene journey for all,

> Vivienne, RN

>

>

>