Surgery next week
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weeziebeth
Posts: 168 Member
Surgery is next Tuesday (12/2). In the last couple of days several people have asked me if I am 'excited.' No…not excited, not nervous. Been trying to figure out exactly how I have been feeling. Right now, I am at peace. I came to this process not at all sure that this was the right path or decision and have been very deliberate and intentional in my approach.
Here's the truth of the matter. I have high blood pressure and diabetes-both due in large part to my obesity. While I have tried to lose weight in the past my health has never been the prime motivator. About 18 months ago I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The only thing that 'may' reverse its course is substantial and sustained weight loss. Still, I did not want to consider WLS-I 'knew' too much and had seen too many people with only short-term success or complications (work in the fishbowl of the ICU). After a year of not-very-successful weight loss attempts I conceded to my GI doctor that WLS was worth at least considering.
Through the patience and encouragement of several wonderful medical professionals and colleagues/friends and with a LOT of self-reflection and prayer I know that this is the right path for me. We all come to this decision for different reasons though for many of us obesity-related health concerns have played a large part in our decision. I am thankful to so many of you for your wisdom, encouragement, and transparency in all that you share here. I hope that I have and will continue to learn from your journeys.
Here's the truth of the matter. I have high blood pressure and diabetes-both due in large part to my obesity. While I have tried to lose weight in the past my health has never been the prime motivator. About 18 months ago I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The only thing that 'may' reverse its course is substantial and sustained weight loss. Still, I did not want to consider WLS-I 'knew' too much and had seen too many people with only short-term success or complications (work in the fishbowl of the ICU). After a year of not-very-successful weight loss attempts I conceded to my GI doctor that WLS was worth at least considering.
Through the patience and encouragement of several wonderful medical professionals and colleagues/friends and with a LOT of self-reflection and prayer I know that this is the right path for me. We all come to this decision for different reasons though for many of us obesity-related health concerns have played a large part in our decision. I am thankful to so many of you for your wisdom, encouragement, and transparency in all that you share here. I hope that I have and will continue to learn from your journeys.
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Best wishes on your upcoming surgery! I also had diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. I took several years to consider options and try alternatives but nothing worked for me. Since having the surgery, all of my blood work has come back with significant improvement and I feel 100% better (not exhausted and sluggish).0
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I felt at peace before mine too. Best of luck next Tuesday. My husband will be getting his done that day too.
-Phill0 -
You clearly did not come to this decision lightly or without thought. You know this decision will give you a better opportunity to have the life you want to live. Good for you. You can go into surgery with peace and the knowledge that you will have better days to come! I will be saying a prayer for your speedy recovery.0
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Well said! I was nervous of surgery - but not the procedure. When I entered the hospital, I was in the same place. Wishing you a very successful and issue free surgery and healing! May this bring the health benefits you desire!0
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My primary care Physician had been leaning on me to have the surgery for 4-5 years before I finally got to the point where I saw the light and understood why it was the right decision for me. She was right all along, but it didn't matter until I got there myself. It needs to come from inside and you need to be at peace with the decision for it to work (in my opinion).
Once I made the decision, everything fell into place and my pre-surgery work was exciting and successful, post-surgery, there are no second thoughts, just some struggles as I deal with the new routine. Go into your surgery on a positive note and you will come out the other side with a turbo-fired passion to succeed!
Rob0 -
Thank you all-looking forward to being on the other side of Tuesday and turning the page to a new chapter.0
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I am so very happy for you that your surgery is just days away now. I felt a bit anxious before having mine two weeks ago but at no time did I have second thoughts about not going through with it.
I felt such a sense of relief when I woke up in recovery and wasn't having much pain. Mainly just groggy. But the relief I felt because everything I had done for the 10 months I prepared for the actual surgery was over and now the real lifelong changes and transformation could begin.
I am very grateful for all the months I was preparing for that one special day. Two weeks into my recovery I am feeling considerably better and each and every day gives me more and more hope. I know that this part of the transformation is beginning and that there is no going back.
You are gonna do great. Please keep us posted on your thoughts and feelings leading up to your surgery date and beyond.
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