[Daziepup]

Hello everyone!

I am glad to have found this group. I am sure it will help me in my quest. I am currenlty pursuing GBS. I have an appointment on November 28th with the surgeon and hope to have my surgery in sometime in the spring of 08.

A little background, I am 28 (almost 29) and I have been fat since I was about 12. I have PCOS which I am sure some of you are familer with and since I hit puberty the pounds have just kept piling on... I am now at 332 lbs.

As a RN I know the risks of being obese and have finally decided I am tired of it. I want to have babies and with my PCOS and its severity I can't. My fertility doc has refused to prescribe me anything stronger than clomid (a pill) until I have the surgery and loose at least 100 pounds. So, if I want to have kids it looks like I no longer have an option. I will still have to take fertility drugs but with the surgery I can purse further options like shots and invitro. And I am ok with that. I am ready to make the life changes and go for it. My insurance does cover gastric bypass but you must go to the doctor monthly and the gym 2 times a week for 6 months. So I start the gym tonight. I am hoping that working out will increase my strength and help with the recovery and weight loss once the surgery occurs.

I am concerned with the time out of work after the surgery. I will have the laproscopic approach. How long did you all have to be out of work? How long did it take you to get back to a semi-normal life? What was the pain like after the procedure? What was it like in general? What about now? Did you have to get/do you need plastic surgery now? I would LOVE to hear your stories. Please let me know anything you think will be helpful. I could use the advice!

Thanks soooo much!
-Dazie

[fr1endly2]

HUGS welcome to the site. I am PCOS
and preop was over 300 lbs.

I went back to work within 12 days of my
lap surgery. Was before my surgeon okay'd me
but oh well.

it really depends on a persons job and surgeon
how soon u will be cleared for work return. ALSO
have to prepare for the possibility of complications
which also cause longer recoveries in some.

[Jill]

Welcome to the boards! You've come to a great place! Here's my input to some of your questions...

I am concerned with the time out of work after the surgery. I had my surgery on August 14th, so I'm real new out of the gate. I've only been out two weeks and was ready to go back -- though I do get tired by end of day. I will have the laproscopic approach.That is the best way to go -- I did a laproscopic and I did not have ANY pain -- just some minor discomfort. Worst part for me was my skin did not like the bandage adhesive and I got blisters! How long did you all have to be out of work? Only two weeks. How long did it take you to get back to a semi-normal life? I feel like I was back to a semi normal life by about a week and a half. I was even eating soft foods within a week, though you may have to wait longer. What was the pain like after the procedure? Almost nothing -- I had headaches from caffine withdrawal, but a little caffine post op and I was fine. What was it like in general? I had a really great experience. But others on the boards have had different experiences, which I'm sure they will share with you. This is a great place to share information and get support. It is great -- it is amazing -- it is wonderful! What about now? Some of the seasonsed veterans can probably provide better answers being out of the gate longer. Did you have to get/do you need plastic surgery now? Same thing -- talk with some of the pros. They've got a wealth of experience and knowledge to share.

[Kenyar]

Hi. welcome. glad you came. this is a great place for info and sharing of experiences. below are some ofmy thoughts with respect to your questions

i took off 5 weeks.
lap is quicker healing time from what i have read. I had it lap as well.
semi normal life is where we all differ: normal as opposed to retuning to pre-op life? everything is different for me. its not just about food. so i would be happy if i never returnd to my pre-op life lol.
the pain for me was little to none.
no clue on the platics but i thought for a while i didnt want them. im not to goal yet but i do have flabbiness going on. i doubt i will have plastics. i dont want to have another surgery. the whole being put to sleep and waking up was wierd (this was my first surgery) i will try to work out as hard as i can. i didnt do this to be a model so in the end if i end up looking like someone who lost weight thats fine by me

[Daziepup]

Thank you all so much for your responses. So far all I hear is good stuff. Although being an RN I have seen the not so good stuff... I'll keep you all informed of my progress... I can't wait to hear from others! Thanks for being so upfront and honest. I am loving this group already!

[rozzy345]

Hi and welcome to the board! I was only out of work for a week. I had little to no pain and was bored at home, I have an office job so it was strenuous to go back to work. I was back to a semi-normal life within 6 weeks. I say that only because I have a 2 year old and I could not pick him up for 2 weeks. Generally speaking I had a great experience and am sorry I did not do it sooner.


Roz

[not quite Barbie]

Hi Dazie,
Just wanted to say Welcome.

I can't tell you anything yet because my surgery is next week. I am planning on taking 4 weeks, though I expect to be fine in two. I'm just taking the other two because a lot of people have said they don't feel really perky until the 4th week.

[Daziepup]

I really wanted to have kids before I was 30 but at this point I am really looking forward to the surgery and I can't wait to see what the outcomes will be... I just wish I didn't have to wait 6 months before insurance approval...

[Kenyar]

well be glad for the 6 months. to be honest it all happend way too quick for me and now i am having trouble with the emotional aspects. i dont think my head was ready for all of this, so like i said, the wait might be a blessing in disguise

[Daziepup]

Kenya,

You might be right. I am going to try to make the most of the 6 months. I am going to try to get in better shape at the gym. The insurance requierments also include psychiatric counseling so I'll be doing that soon too...