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What Did You Tell Your Kids?



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I think kids should be a part of a decision like this. It is something that will effect their lives as well. Regardless of their age they should be informed that mommy or daddy are going to the hospital and will have surgery. With children it is all the way it is explained to them. It has to be explained to them in a way they will understand. Every child is different and has a different way of understanding things and dealing with them. I know from personal experience the younger they are the more questions they will ask.

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I have a four year old and an eight year old. They both know that I'm having "tummy surgery" but as to what they know, it's different levels for each.

The four year old know that I will be gone overnight and he will be staying with my parents for a couple of days. That's really about it for him, because I'm not sure he's ready for the whole story.

My eight year old knows a little more about it. She knows exactly what they're going to do to me and the changes that are going to happen afterward. She's been my little cheerleader. Tonight when I was making dinner, I said "Oh my Lord, this is killing me!!" (i'm on my two week pre-op diet) and she said "Be strong, Mama! You can do it!" :-)

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I have a four year old and an eight year old. They both know that I'm having "tummy surgery" but as to what they know' date=' it's different levels for each.

The four year old know that I will be gone overnight and he will be staying with my parents for a couple of days. That's really about it for him, because I'm not sure he's ready for the whole story.

My eight year old knows a little more about it. She knows exactly what they're going to do to me and the changes that are going to happen afterward. She's been my little cheerleader. Tonight when I was making dinner, I said "Oh my Lord, this is killing me!!" (i'm on my two week pre-op diet) and she said "Be strong, Mama! You can do it!" :-)[/quote']

How stinking cute is she!!! She loves you :)

life is a journey, not a destination; so, stop running -H.D. THEROUX

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Your three and four year olds are cracking me up!

life is a journey, not a destination; so, stop running -H.D. THEROUX

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How stinking cute is she!!! She loves you :)

life is a journey' date=' not a destination; so, stop running -H.D. THEROUX[/quote']

She sure is, and does. She my little shining light :-)

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I have three adult children and I've told two so far. I told my daughter first and she said she was happy for me. My son who knows has some palate problems and will be having major surgery in the next year to fix his jaw and palate. His response was "why wouldn't you do something to make your life better?". My other son just had his first child (well, his wife did) today. I have not told them yet. I don't want to worry them at a time like this and was trying to think of a way to gloss over it until it was done, but after talking with my doctor today, I am going to wait until we are closer and tell them the truth. As my doctor pointed out honestly is only fair and good for all of us in the long run.

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We have two girls, 9 and 13 and we told them the absolute truth. Mommy and Daddy were going to have the same surgery a month or so apart, so that we'd both have a better tool at losing weight and getting healthier and that we would be here longer for them. My oldest was fine with it, and my youngest was okay with it after a couple of days of reassuring that everything would be okay and that we showed her exactly what would happen and how long things would be.

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I told them I am having surgery in Mexico but I haven't yet tell them of what. My family doesn't know that I'm having This surgery. U know my little one will understand (10) but my oldest (13) I don't think his going to accept it. He tells me he doesn't want nothing to happen to me that he will put me in a crystal box..lol I guess cause I tell them that.. lol I will talk to my boys before I leave for my surgery. My surgery is on.Aug.10.

Best wishes to all.

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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