Re: 10 Yrs From Now

[Guest guest]

I would think the answer the question would be I will be still here. Alive and in good health. Able to enjoy life to the fullest.

Just my thoughts. I am now three and a half years out.

Ramona

[Guest guest]

Well, part of that of course depends on you! How

well you take care of yourself, take your

supplements, take advantage of the tool that is

this surgery. It is a lifelong commitment. Weight

loss surgery is NOT a quick fix, something you do

and then swing through Mac's on your way

home from the hospital! You will hear over and

over again that it is a tool, and that's an

excellent way to look on it. Is it the " easy way

out " ? Well, depends on your definition. It

certainly is the best tool for the job, at least

for folks like me. Is it the " easy way out " to

use a hammer to get a nail into a board, or the

smart way? Can a hammer be misused? Yes. Can you

get the nail into the board any other way? Well,

maybe. Does that mean you shouldn't use the hammer? Of course not!

The question I have is not how it is going to be

10 years from now, but how is it going to be 10

years from now if you DON'T have the surgery? Do

you have comorbidities that are likely to get

worse? What is likely to be your quality of life?

Or are you likely to be dead? That may sound

overly dramatic, but was a REAL concern for a lot

of people when evaluating whether or not to have the surgery.

There is a group called the Grads group, which is

specifically for post-ops who are at least a year

out. They don't allow posting until someone is at

least a year out, BUT, when I was researching my

own surgery (three years ago now), I lurked like

crazy. It's a very different kind of group, kinda

like a stereotypical Italian family, with lots of

squabbles and very passionate people. There are

several folks there who are ten or more years

post-op. Like you, when I was looking into having

surgery, I wanted to know what to expect, and

found that group to be the single best glimpse

into long-term post-op life. Lurk and learn!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG/

Hope that helps!

At 10:42 05/12/2006, you wrote:

>My wife and I are doing research about WLS.

>The Question she keeps asking me is, if I get

>WLS, How is it going to be 10 yrs from now?

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 157±2 Goal until plastics?

[Guest guest]

Hi! I just joined the group! Thanks! I am basically with Damaris on this whole subject. Love, Jenn Eleanor Oster wrote: Well, part of that of course depends on you! How well you take care of yourself, take your supplements, take advantage of the tool that is this surgery. It is a lifelong commitment. Weight loss surgery is NOT a quick fix, something you do and then swing through Mac's on your way home from the hospital! You will hear over and over again that it is a tool, and that's an excellent way to look on it. Is it the "easy way out"? Well, depends on your definition. It certainly is the best tool for the job, at least for folks like me.

Is it the "easy way out" to use a hammer to get a nail into a board, or the smart way? Can a hammer be misused? Yes. Can you get the nail into the board any other way? Well, maybe. Does that mean you shouldn't use the hammer? Of course not!The question I have is not how it is going to be 10 years from now, but how is it going to be 10 years from now if you DON'T have the surgery? Do you have comorbidities that are likely to get worse? What is likely to be your quality of life? Or are you likely to be dead? That may sound overly dramatic, but was a REAL concern for a lot of people when evaluating whether or not to have the surgery.There is a group called the Grads group, which is specifically for post-ops who are at least a year out. They don't allow posting until someone is at least a year out, BUT, when I was researching my own surgery (three years ago now), I lurked like crazy. It's a very

different kind of group, kinda like a stereotypical Italian family, with lots of squabbles and very passionate people. There are several folks there who are ten or more years post-op. Like you, when I was looking into having surgery, I wanted to know what to expect, and found that group to be the single best glimpse into long-term post-op life. Lurk and learn!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG/Hope that helps!At 10:42 05/12/2006, you wrote:>My wife and I are doing research about WLS.>The Question she keeps asking me is, if I get >WLS, How is it going to be 10 yrs from now?Eleanor Ostereleanor@... (personal address)www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htmSan , CAOpen RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003 P. Fisher, M.D., Kaiser Richmond (CA)~5'9" tall05/09/2003

319 Orientation07/15/2003 ~290 SurgeryCurrent 157±2 Goal until plastics?

[Guest guest]

Hi , I went to a weight loss support group

meeting post gastric bypass surgery and there was a

lady that flew up from San Diego. She was 20 years out

from having gastric bypass surgery. She was still at

120 pounds and had not gained back any weight. She

still follow the rules of the pouch and she looked

healthy. She had thick beautiful hair. I say that

because we all know that there is the issue with

thinning hair (at least for some women). So it can be

done.

I am one year and 3 months and just had all my pastic

surgery done. I have not gained back any weight and I

am as happy as I can be.

I hope you find the answers and I wish you the best on

your journey.

Pam Marsh

--- Lazo wrote:

> My wife and I are doing research about WLS.

> The Question she keeps asking me is, if I get WLS,

> How is it going to be 10 yrs from now?

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make

> PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at

1 & cent;/min.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

:

We can only do the best for ourselves now, in the present.

If I hadn't had gastric bypass surgery, I know where I would be in 10

years... probably 350 - 380 lbs, in pain, worsening diabetes, acid

reflux, joint pains, cholesterol, and blood pressure. I would have

spent the 10 years hating myself because I was " incapable " of losing

the weight. I would feel helpless, powerless, and like a failure.

Sure I would have missed the break-up of my 11-year relationship and

the parting of ways with old enabler friends. But I'd still be

living a half life of lost opportunities and regret.

I've tasted more life in the 3 years since my surgery than in the 39

years that came before it. I have felt what it is like to

be " normal " for the first time in my adult life. I not only fit

physically in all places, but emotionally, there is no toll on me for

not fitting into " normal " clothes, seats, booths, cars, etc.

I have felt the joy of moving my body in a way that makes me feel

like I'm flying--I've run over 800 miles in training for a half

marathon and a full marathon, and in the process, I've raised $5,800

for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

When I weighed 320 lbs, my world was small and confined. There were

places that I could not physically go. As I got smaller, my world

got bigger. I walk where I want to, I run where the wind carries me,

my soul is no longer in prison, and I've tasted the sweet nectar of

freedom.

I've danced with many men, I've kissed my share of lips, and yes,

I've had my heart broken a few times. But I'm living my life as if

it were a banquet, a feast set out for me to enjoy and relish.

However, the feast is not food--it's love for myself, it's

excitement, it's joy, it's beauty, it's taking risks, it's walking

through my fears, it's feeling the thrill of meeting and dating new

people, it's the charge of having someone call me a " hottie " , and

it's freedom in so many ways because I care more about what I think

about me than what others do.

This journey has helped me to find my way in the world, finding where

I fit in, unencumbered by my old shield of fat. If only I'd have

lived my whole life without those old self-doubts and hatred, but

then I think, how would I have learned the lessons I've learned had I

not been through this miracle of transformation of mind, body and

spirit?

Those whose lives are free from pain and challenges are somehow

empty, and they end up shallow. I feel a depth of gratitude and

compassion in my heart that surpasses all of my preconceived notions

of what was possible in my life.

If my life is half as wonderful in 7 years (I've already been post-op

almost 3) as it is now, I'd be the luckiest man alive. If all I get

is what I have up until today, it's still more life, more love, and

more miracles than most people get in a life time.

I no longer dread or fear the future. I'm curious, not afraid,

because I know there are more wonders and joys around the corner. My

only wish is that I have someone to laugh with, to walk hand in hand

with, and to share the joy and sorrows that will come my way, and I

think that I may have found him.

This experience is, without a doubt, the answer to 30 years of

prayers, 30 years of silent, desperate cries of agony. There is a

scene in the film, " Muriel's Wedding " where Muriel breaks down and

cries, " Why can't it be me? Why can't I be the one? " That scene is

heart-breaking because I know EXACTLY what she is talking about. Why

can't she live the dream? Why can't she be the bride who is so happy?

I saw that movie again recently, and that scene hit me again, but in

a totally different way because now I AM the one. The dream happened

to me. God heard my cries of pain and took it all away. Sure, my

life isn't perfect, but it's the best it has EVER been.

, my only hope is that you too find the freedom, the sorrow,

the joy and the laughter I've found through this process.

Life is beautiful. And it's true: " The light by which we see in this

world comes out from the soul of the observer. " -R. W. Emerson. My

world is forever changed because it is illuminated by the love,

gratitude and freedom that are at the core of my being.

My hope is that along with the physical transformation, you

experience the transformation of mind and spirit because those are

the changes that bring the real change. For me, that is how I became

free.

Francisco

>

> My wife and I are doing research about WLS.

> The Question she keeps asking me is, if I get WLS, How is it

going to be 10 yrs from now?

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.

Great rates starting at 1 & cent;/min.

>

[Guest guest]

My closest friend in this world is an RN who works in Home Health. We

are close enough that when I had my surgery, she took a week off from

her job and was my full time nurse....she had little experience with

anything along the lines of bariatric surgery but was really concerned

initially ...wondering, with the mal-absorbtion issue, what would

happen as I got older. Would the mal-absorbtion cause me to be

excessively sickly etc... as I went into my senior years one day. What

put her mind at ease was when she went into the home of one of her

patients and was talking to the patient's wife...who says " Oh, I had

bypass surgery 20 years ago " ...this woman is well up in years but is

generally healthy, still at her goal weight and still follows her rules.

[Guest guest]

Sorry for piggy backing your message. I just wanted to know the doctor told me I won't make it if I put on any more weight. I am healthy today and at goal, I am 1year and 1 month post op. I also know a person who had this 28 years ago and is doing really good, and says it's the best thing she ever did for herself. I guess that's why I didn't have a second thought that this is what I needed, plus not wanting to die. So you have to choice your journey. Take care. Donna J.skynsun2003 wrote: My closest friend in this world is an RN who works in Home Health. We are close enough that when I had my surgery, she took a week off from her job and was my full time nurse....she had little experience with anything along the lines of bariatric surgery but was

really concerned initially ...wondering, with the mal-absorbtion issue, what would happen as I got older. Would the mal-absorbtion cause me to be excessively sickly etc... as I went into my senior years one day. What put her mind at ease was when she went into the home of one of her patients and was talking to the patient's wife...who says "Oh, I had bypass surgery 20 years ago"...this woman is well up in years but is generally healthy, still at her goal weight and still follows her rules.Donna JordonDSJordon@...

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

They can not guarantee you a longer life but I can almost guarantee

the quality of your life will improve substantially. Everyone could

make a list of the miracles in their life since weight loss surgery. I

only know one person who is still in exruciating pain. I don't know

her problem but the surgery has not helped her so far. I have finally

lost all my pain and I can walk again, even up hills. Yea!!!! Lilka

>

> My wife and I are doing research about WLS.

> The Question she keeps asking me is, if I get WLS, How is it

going to be 10 yrs from now?

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.

Great rates starting at 1 & cent;/min.

>

[Guest guest]

This is so beautiful, Francisco. I am so overwhelmed with your

input. Love, Lilka

> >

> > My wife and I are doing research about WLS.

> > The Question she keeps asking me is, if I get WLS, How is it

> going to be 10 yrs from now?

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.

> Great rates starting at 1 & cent;/min.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Jenn:

Thanks so much for that beautiful picture and your kind words. When

the road gets rough, it's support from people like you that help me

see the light. And when all I can see is the light, the beauty is

magnified because it is shared by all of us here.

Francisco

> > >

> > > My wife and I are doing research about WLS.

> > > The Question she keeps asking me is, if I get WLS, How is it

> > going to be 10 yrs from now?

> > >

> > >

> > > ---------------------------------

> > > Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.

> > Great rates starting at 1 & cent;/min.

> > >

> >

>