[Trulykath]

I'm kath...I had surgery August 1st, and I'm down 23 pounds in 2 weeks. I keep thinking it's going to stop melting off, but I know as long as I stick to the "PLAN", things will continue to move along.

I was a self pay for surgery, so I don't have any horrible horror insurance stories to tell. I found the doctor, went to the seminar, did the labs, talked to a shrink and schedule the big day...all in a matter of weeks. I had already re-searched the thing to death, and my mind was made up.

Surgery went off without ANY complications, and I'm actually back at work. I went in Wednesday, Aug 1st, had surgery and I was released Friday, Aug 3rd. I came back to work on Monday, August 13th. I haven't had any nausea, no vomiting, no dumping, etc. I read tons of stories (good & bad) and it seems I'm following the rules and avoiding the "dark" side of the WLS. I'm drinking enough water to keep a small 3rd world country hydrated, and I'm growing quite sick of jello!

I didn't have typical c-morbidities, but they were headed at me hard & fast if I didn't get a grip on the weight. I have been over weight most of my life and I've struggled with every diet out there. The only way I ever lost anything was on Phen-Fen. My mother actually took the medication as well, and won a settlement from the drug companies in late 2005. Six months later, she was dead. (March 15, 2006)

At the time she died, she was taking 37 pills a day and insulin. It was a real wake up call for me, and I couldn't see living like that; thus surgery!

Of course, I did have some aches/pains associated with lugging around nearly 300 pounds everywhere I went, and with only 20 pounds gone, I'm already starting to enjoy the feeling of being lighter. I'm nearly 5'8'', and I have always carried my weight well, but it was starting to be a burden. That, coupled with the health concerns, I felt, left me no choice.

I have a fantastic surgeon who I would recommend to ANYONE in the North Texas area. Even if you have to drive a bit, Dr. Daryl Stewart's office in Denton is fantastic.

Today, I graduate to pureed foods, and while I joked about the things I was dreaming of dumping in the food processor, food is actually the last thing on my mind. I'm watching what I eat VERY carefully, taking my vitamins & protein, and moving about as much as possible. I still don't feel quite "up" to a regimented exercise program, but I'm still healing inside. I figure in another 2-4 weeks, I'll put a routine in place.

I hope this helps anyone contemplating the surgery. There are good stories and bad on the internet, and it's a scary process. So far, I don't regret the decision, and I'm keeping my eye on the prize.

Thanks for listening,
kath

[Kenyar]

WELCOME! glad you've had a good experience thus far, and hope there will be many more good ones to come!

[rozzy345]

Welcome to the board, congrats on your success thus far!
Roz

[sebaztianfl]

welcome to the board , and congratulations on the weight loss

[BOOTS]

Congrats And Welcome. Its Great To Hear You Have Had No Problems So Far On Your Journey. I Hope Your Health Continues In Good Spirits For The Rest Of Your Journey

[A new me]

Welcome aboard and to the loosing side of things. Glad things are going so well.

[rshel717]

Hi and Welcome, Such an insprinational story. Your right there are alot of stories out there good and bad. So glad you had such a smooth time of it. You have put a positive thought in my mind, as I am due to have the surgery next month. Keep up the good work and God Bless.

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
Congratulations on joining the Loser's Bench.
It's wonderful that you are doing well, but just a word of caution. Your healing will take 3-4 months to complete, so pace yourself cautiously till then.
((((((HUGS))))) May your journey go well.

[bev1674]

Hello and welcome

Bev