Guest guest Posted August 28, 2001 Report Share Posted August 28, 2001 In a message dated 8/28/01 3:54:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time, MsMystic1@... writes: > I am starting to get chicken about this surgery. Did any of you go through > this? I was so excited and I know I want this, but yesterday I started > telling myself maybe I should just forget about it. Did you do the same? > How did you over-come this? > I can see the real motivation for those of you in your 20's and 30's but I > am > in my 50's, so I find myself saying maybe I'm not getting enough good years > out of doing this. Is this just an excuse? I haven't changed my > consultations or anything, just getting real chicken. > Carole... I know I went thru it. Give yourself a break...this is major. Going to the consult is not going to make you do anything you don't want. But you can do this if you're ready! I was so scared that on the day of my surgery I laid curled in a fetal position and wouldn't talk to anyone. I guess its what I had to do to get my head where I needed to be to go into surgery. Does it hurt...yes but only for a short time. Would I do it again??? YES. Yesterday I put on jeans that are 2 sizes smaller!! What a feeling of accomplishment. For the first time I felt as if this was going to work!! I wish I could help you...only you know if this is really what you want but I think its very very normal to be scared. This is going to change your life! If you didn't get scared I think that would be abnormal! Let us know if we can do anything to help you. Maybe you can have someone go to your consult with you. ~~* AJ *~~ Age 37 5'8'' Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain 07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1 08/06/01 BMI 59 390.2 -24.9 lbs! -10.75 inches 08/16/01 BMI 58 387.0 -27.9 lbs! -11.25 inches 08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.7 lbs! -15.5 inches My personal website: www.WLS4AJ.homestead.com Check out the Bellingham Support Group at WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2001 Report Share Posted August 28, 2001 Carole, What you are experiencing is totally normal. I think whether you are 15, or 65, most people go through a stage when they wonder if this is really worth it. Although I am only 30, I asked myself this one very important question.... What quality of life do I want to have for the rest of my years? The answer for me was a good, mobile, healthy quality of life, and I was at the point where I was getting very unhealthy, and it was difficult to get around. Don't get me wrong, I was terrified, but in the end I was willing to take the risk. If I didn't I was sure to die before I was 35! What helped me get through it was lots of prayer and support from family and friends. I was/am very lucky to have so much support. Just remember you have to do what is right for you. If you don't think you are ready, you can hold off.... I think you will be okay. Hang in there! Kim B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2001 Report Share Posted August 28, 2001 In a message dated 8/28/01 11:56:03 AM Central Daylight Time, shurney1@... writes: > Intellectually I > know I will be glad I did it once I am on the other > side but having laid on the surgery table many times > I would add that it may take until you are 6 weeks out from surgery that you will be " glad " you did this. Many people have regrets in those first few weeks. The reality is that you do not wake up from surger thin. You wake up injured and sore. It is important to work at keeping that positive attitude during the recovery period. Dawn Dr. Hess 4/27/00 267 to 165 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2001 Report Share Posted August 28, 2001 Carole, I chickened out dozens of times. I have a good marriage and am in the middle of raising my children. I often wondered if I was nuts to risk it. In the end, though, I knew this would vastly improve my quality of life, and ad years as well, and that would benefit my whole family as well as myself. Your nerves are normal. You may go back and forth repeatedly befor your time gets here. This is a huge decision, one not made easily. Be Well, Meli -- In duodenalswitch@y..., MsMystic1@a... wrote: > I am starting to get chicken about this surgery. Did any of you go through > this? I was so excited and I know I want this, but yesterday I started > telling myself maybe I should just forget about it. Did you do the same? > How did you over-come this? > I can see the real motivation for those of you in your 20's and 30's but I am > in my 50's, so I find myself saying maybe I'm not getting enough good years > out of doing this. Is this just an excuse? I haven't changed my > consultations or anything, just getting real chicken. > Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2001 Report Share Posted August 28, 2001 Carole, I'm 54, 6 weeks out of surgery, and feel as if I've added years to my life. My energy levels are higher than they've been in 10 years, I'm sleeping better, I CAN WALK AGAIN, and depression is just about gone (as is GERD and high blood sugar levels)! And I'm down (drumroll!!!) 52 lb. down (admittedly 14 were pre-op, but who knows, if I wasn't thinking about surgery, maybe those 14 lb. wouldn't have come off!). You would be a fool not to be afraid: this is SERIOUS business. But think of how you feel (physically and mentally) now and think what a new life can be opened to you by this surgery. With all my prayers and good wishes for your success. Marcia > Re: chicken > > > I am starting to get chicken about this surgery. Did any of you > go through > this? I was so excited and I know I want this, but yesterday I started > telling myself maybe I should just forget about it. Did you do > the same? > How did you over-come this? > I can see the real motivation for those of you in your 20's and > 30's but I am > in my 50's, so I find myself saying maybe I'm not getting enough > good years > out of doing this. Is this just an excuse? I haven't changed my > consultations or anything, just getting real chicken. > Carole > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2001 Report Share Posted August 28, 2001 I cannot tell you about being " chicken " . I knew this was the door to another world that I could see and feel, but could not have. When other pre-ops were quaking and shivering in their boots, I was chopping at the bit to get this surgery. My surgery day was better than any Christmas, because I was getting a huge gift. I was going to lose this weight and the terrible discrimination that went with it. This gift included, curing my diabetes and hypertension, and keeping my knees from further damage. This gift meant that I could walk without pain, I could sit on the ground and get up again. I would be able to move and bend and climb. I can eat what I want to eat, and live without dieting and obsessing about food, weight and exercise. This is a gift I was giving to myself and I deserve it as long as I am not too chicken to accept it. Teri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2001 Report Share Posted August 28, 2001 Carole, Hi! Im 57 and never entertained the idea of not having the surgery. I wanted to live longer which is why I had it to begin with. Our chances at longevity increase once its done! Im looking forward to living to 100 or more..........wooooooohooooooo!! Judie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 28, 2001 Report Share Posted August 28, 2001 Re: chicken > I can see the real motivation for those of you in your 20's and 30's but I am > in my 50's, so I find myself saying maybe I'm not getting enough good years > out of doing this. Is this just an excuse? I haven't changed my It depends...how many years do you want left? 10 like my obese grandmother who died from hypertension, or 35 like my overweight-but-more-fit grandfather?? And what kind of quality of life do you want from those years? alyssa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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