Hello everyone, my name is Lynda and I am 46 years old and decided during the summer 2014 to have bariatric surgery. It was a breakthrough for me and a big decision because I was always opposed to the decision to have the surgery. My breaking point was April 2014, weighing in at 400 lbs and have liver cirrhosis. During my routine liver specialist visit with 3 month cat scans they found something on my liver. They called to say the cat scan showed a mass and I needed an MRI right away. Didn't go through the MRI because I was catastrophic so they did the cat scan. Went to see the liver surgeon and they said it was 99% chance liver cancer. Went two months before getting liver biopsy and waiting to hear results. It was the worst 2 months of my life, thinking I was going to die within 6 months. Then the call came in two weeks before my Disney trip and it was negative. Now I can breath and second chance at the end of the summer I went to a bariatric informational session and I knew it was the right thing to do.

So, here it is, March 2015 and I am signing the consent for surgery on Tuesday. I will be having the gastric bypass surgery and looking forward to a new life and new beginning. Especially for my 12 year old daughter, who will get her mom back. Right now I weigh 362 lbs. It has been an emotional roller coaster ride with many doctors appointments, looking for support and everything else happening in my life. I know I can accomplish anything after going through these past 7 months. I am strong and will become healthy.

My surgeon is in Staten Island, New York and will have surgery at a hospital in Brooklyn, New York.

Thank you for letting me share my story and looking forward in meeting new people for support and friendship.

Welcome Lynda! I'm new here too (in Massachusetts) and have recently decided on gastric bypass also after having postponed my initial surgery date 4 years ago. I also have a 12 year old daughter as well as a 16 year old and 26 year old. It's time for us to take our lives back in control. Good Luck Tuesday. Thank you for sharing your story.

Edited March 6, 201511 yr by Sweetdove

Thank you sweetdov.

Welcome aboard. I just had RNY last week and going smooth so far.

Hi, Lynda! This is my first post, too. I am having gastric bypass on Monday. Your post caught my attention because I, too, took years to wrap my head around "surgery." It is finally the right tool for me. I hope you have all the success in the world with this!!! I have been so fortunate to have two people in my life, one close friend and another recent work friend, who have both had gastric bypass (over 4 years ago and 18 months ago). They, like anyone I have ever personally met who has had GB says the same two things: "It's the best thing I ever did" and "I wish I would have done it sooner." The nurse who did my pre-admission labs this past Monday had GB 14 years ago from my surgeon!! She looked amazing, felt amazing, and said the same two things. I look forward to visiting this board when we can all say those two things together! The advice I have from my friends is to 1) do everything the surgeon and his office say to do 2) exercise 3) do everything the surgeon and his office say to do 4) exercise and....well, you get the picture.???? I will start out around 313 (a little less by Monday with the preop diet ongoing), and I can't wait to get on the other side of this operation to start my new life and be able to do everything with my kiddos and husband, too!! All the best to you all!!

Hi, Lynda! This is my first post, too. I am having gastric bypass on Monday. Your post caught my attention because I, too, took years to wrap my head around "surgery." It is finally the right tool for me. I hope you have all the success in the world with this!!! I have been so fortunate to have two people in my life, one close friend and another recent work friend, who have both had gastric bypass (over 4 years ago and 18 months ago). They, like anyone I have ever personally met who has had GB says the same two things: "It's the best thing I ever did" and "I wish I would have done it sooner." The nurse who did my pre-admission labs this past Monday had GB 14 years ago from my surgeon!! She looked amazing, felt amazing, and said the same two things. I look forward to visiting this board when we can all say those two things together! The advice I have from my friends is to 1) do everything the surgeon and his office say to do 2) exercise 3) do everything the surgeon and his office say to do 4) exercise and....well, you get the picture.???? I will start out around 313 (a little less by Monday with the preop diet ongoing), and I can't wait to get on the other side of this operation to start my new life and be able to do everything with my kiddos and husband, too!! All the best to you all!!

Good luck on Monday with your surgery. Please do let us know how it went.

Thank you, Lynda--I hope you are well!