Question:
I AM GOING IN FOR SURGERY ON 12TH OF JULY

AND I HAVE HAD SOME NEG PEOPLE CALL AND I THINK I AM GETTING THE LAST MIN JITTERS COULD SOME OF YOU E-MAIL ME AND GIVE ME A PEP TALK BEFORE I GO IN. I JUST HOPE I AM DOING THE RIGHT THING. I READ THAT STATMENT ABOUT THE LIVER GOING BAD AND THAT SCARED ME TO DEATH, HAS ANYONE HEARD THAT....MY E-MAIL IS [email protected] thaks so much for this website it has been a joy to me .....joni    — JONI E. (posted on July 1, 1999)

July 1, 1999
Keep your chin up. I think it's normal to get the jitters beforehand. Most people do. You need to surround yourself with those people to support you and want what's best for you. And believe me, this surgery is probably the best thing for you. You only have 12 days left, just keep reminding yourself that this is to make your life better. To make you healthier. You are the most important person in your life right right now. This is a very important step towards becoming the happy, healthy person you've always wanted to be. Best of luck to you and let us know how you are doing. You are in our prayers.
   — Ginger B.

July 1, 1999
The operation that people are referring to when they speak of liver damage is the old 1960s' intestinal bypass. The problems with liver damage is what lead to the more modern VBG and RNY, although now, 85% of all obesity surgeries are the RNY, with the VBG being considered less effective. The RNY avoids the problems of liver damage that were present in the old intestinal bypass surgeries.
   — Deborah L.

July 1, 1999
You know what? All of the negative gets blown way out of proportion. A few weeks ago, all I heard was negative stuff, even in chat on this site. Things are better now. Believe me, I attend a support group, and there are at least a hundred positives for every negative. The odds are with you. My surgery date is July 22nd. I can't wait. I've spent a lot of time crying and worrying about it, but the bottom line is this is my rope ladder. By that I mean that I'm drowning in an ocean, but a helicopter has come along and dropped me a rope ladder. The climb will be tough, but I have been given a chance to survive. I'm taking it!
   — Peggy51

July 1, 1999
Joni, you have no idea how nervous some of us were before surgery...i wrote letters to my children in case something happened...obviously nothing did...it all went fine...i went to the hospital at 6 a.m. and was in surgery by 7! never knew what hit me till i woke up. I can tell you that even after surgery for the first 2 weeks i asked myself whether this was all worth it...it is not fun nor easy but i am hoping that in the end i can answer "yes it was"...i am only 4 weeks post op and feeling better every day...i wish you God's blessings and lot's of luck...
   — BARBARA R.

July 1, 1999
I AM SCHEDULED FOR THE SURGERY ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THE NEGATIVES AND HAVE DECIDED THAT IF IT WAS NOT MENT TO BE THEN GOD WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED EVERYTHING TO GO SO SMOOTH. I AM NOT OVERLY RELIGIOUS, BUT I KNOW THAT HE HAS ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN FOR ME. GOOD LUCK AND REMEMBER IF IT WAS NOT MENT TO BE THEN THERE WOULD BE GLITCH TO STOP YOU.
   — morgan H.

July 1, 1999
Don't give up Joni please. Those of us who are still waiting to be aproved need you to prove to the ins. co. that we need WLS and it's not just cosmetic. Go for it and make yourself a new life. A new thin live. Let us know when is your date. Good Luck Joni!
   — Jo M.

July 1, 1999
Don't give up Joni please. Those of us who are still waiting to be aproved need you to prove to the ins. co. that we need WLS and it's not just cosmetic. Go for it and make yourself a new life. A new thin live. Let us know when is your date. Good Luck Joni!
   — Jo M.

July 1, 1999
You go for it GIRL!!! I wish my surgery was closer!! July 12th will be a great day for you...It is my birthday!! Wishing you all the best!! Good Luck....Carrie
   — Carrie G.

July 1, 1999
Joni ... Do you realize that by Christmas you will be a WHOLE new person? Heck, by the end of summer the change will be remarkable! I wish that I could give you 1% of how good I feel, then you would not doubt your decision. As far as Negative people ... look at them and smile, tell them that you have made this decision because it is the right one for you, and unless they are going to be positive about it, that they should leave the subject alone. This is the approach that I took, and it worked. Most of the negative comments came from women who could use the surgery as well, and what I finally came to realize, was that they were jealous, they did not want me to leave their "realm" and they did not have the courage to come on the journey with me. Joni, this is an amazing new life, remember that your doing this for you and your opinion is the one that counts. Woo Hoo!!! July 12th ... how exciting! Your gonna do great! Hugs.... Mary Anne
   — Mary Anne M.

July 2, 1999
I am very excited for you. I had an RNY last December and it was the best move I ever made in my life. I've lost 127 pounds (as of this morning :-)) I have more energy, enthusiasm and optimism than I have ever had in my life. And I'm 55. The surgery makes you uncomfortable (very little actual pain) and the first month or so on liquids and baby food is a little unpleasant but not awful... Losing weight so fast is so encouraging is carries you along. Courage, Sisterfriend. The other sdie is really great Susan [email protected]
   — Susan C.

July 2, 1999
Keep the faith, Joni!! I'm scheduled on July 13, so I can definitely relate to last minute jitters. Tie a knot and hang on, that's about all you can do. I'm getting more excited every day along with the jitters, I can't wait to be thin again!!!! (I gained 200 pounds in 14 years) Maybe we can touch base post op to compare notes!1 Best of luck to you!! I'll be thinking about you!!
   — Chris M.

July 2, 1999
dear joni==I, too, am scheduled for the 12th! I'm nervous, also, but mainly I'm so very excited about the new life which awaits me! My understanding is that the liver problems stemmed from the older weight loss surgeries, NOT the newer ones, like RNY. I'm 46, 5'5'', and 334; my surgeon believes I'll lose around 150 lbs. I know it won't be fun, but, then, being obese isn't fun either, is it? My husband is also very supportive, like yours, but I had a much easier time with insurance; they approved it in less than 2 weeks. Please write me and we'll wait together. ok? :) Charlene [email protected]
   — charlene M.

July 3, 1999
Joni ... Hang in there ... if you truly want to give yourself a chance at a new life for yourself without the excess baggage, definately have the surgery and follow your doctors instructions to the letter! The complications you hear of are FAR less common than the successes ... I beleive the failure rate is still less than 1%. I would love to hear more of the success stories, so that people can see that the fears and horror stories some post are the exception and not the rule. Best wishes!!! I'm looking forward to hearing wonderful results post op! Listen to your doctor ... and do what you know is best for you, not what someone else thinks is best. Sherrie
   — Sherrie G.

July 4, 1999
You are going to be great. I had VBG 11 months ago and have lost 145 pounds. I have never been happier. I only wish I had done it sooner. I wasted all those years being miserable. It is great on the other side. I am sure you will never regret it. Good Luck!!!
   — Donna D.

July 8, 1999
Hi, Joni! My surgery is July 13th! I understand your last minute jitters! But remember how you felt the first time you heard about this surgery? Didn't it seem like the answer to your prayers? If you're anything like me, you've been through a lot just to get to this point, right? Don't let the negative comments get you down. Just keep a positive attitude and believe you will be a success with this, and you will! Just keep a smile on your face and believe in your heart that this is the chance you have been waiting for! No, it will not be an easy road. But think how much better you will feel later on. Remember, not everyone has had to face the problems you have faced in the past. Maybe this is not the answer for them. But nothing worth having comes easily, right? So keep you chin up, and fight for what you want! I'll be praying for you!
   — Jodie S.

July 20, 1999
Hi Joni- Congradualtions on your decision! I went through my 2nd surgery 2-22-99. In 1994, at age 33, I was at 280 lbs. and felt like there was no where to turn. The first surgery lasted only 4 years and I lost approx 120 lbs. then I made my way up to 208 again and paniced. Once I finally figured out my stapling broke, I scheduled a 2nd surgery. I realized at age 33 I could not do it alone and still at age 37, that had not changed! I highly recommend this surgery to ANYONE who is miserable with their weight. I have a friend whose surgery backfired with her and she had a lot of problems and after 5 years is scheduled to have it reversed. BUT she created a lot of her problems on her own. Email me at [email protected]
   — Renee C.

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