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One of the most frustrating effects of what happened to me is that it destroyed my confidence in my ability to make decisions. I become paralyzed, and usually end up making the choice that requires the least change.
An example is happening right now as I am on the list to get stomach surgery, and the closer I get to the due date the less confident I'm making the right call.
sighs . . .
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What if's can be dangerous
Decisions can be difficult, especially if one is a "What if"er. I've lived with a few of them and they eat themselves alive with "what if"s. The advice I can give id this. If you put yourself into the queue for stomach surgery, your decision was based upon a health need. If that need is still valid, get the surgery. Don't let the 'what if"s run your life. If you need the surgery, go for it!
Starting when I was 18 I've had 13 major surgeries. The first 9 were surgeries to my right knee with the last a full artificial knee which is now 21 years ago and is still good. My left knee only had one surgery before full replacement 6 years ago. I've also had a spinal laminectomy 7 years ago and a sextuple heart bypass surgery 5 years ago. I regret none of them and at 70 am still going.
Boys will be girls... if they're lucky!
Jennifer Sue
Decision making
has never been my strong point. So anything that might upset the status quo is something I try to avoid.
A couple of years ago, I faced the first surgery I ever had (thankfully, still the only one), and I was going to let the doc cut into my head to remove a tumor. That was a decision I didn't want to have to make, but it was necessary for my health. The tumor was literally squeezing the left frontal lobe of my brain, essentially causing a short circuit. This would make me go disoriented and lose my memory for a few minutes at a time, so this decision was (pardon the pun) a no-brainer for me.
My best friend had to decide to allow the doctors to remove his lower leg 25 years after a motorcycle accident. He was in constant pain, and unable to put any weight on the leg. It was rather bothersome when he could take the lower half of his bones and move them independently from the upper part.
He just sent me a picture of him standing again! He's got a prosthetic, and he looks great! He wants to get used to using the prosthetic and then get back into playing cow pasture pool... Sorry Golf!
Some of the most important decisions we make are involving our health. It sounds to me that you've made the best decision in putting yourself on the list. Something I'm questioning my decisions, either in writing or in my own life, is to run back through the reasons I came to the decision I did. Sometimes we overlook things that are important when they're not in the center of our attention right now.
The only time the tumor was making itself really known was when I couldn't remember things. Most of the time I was fine with it left where it was. It's removal wasn't important most of the time, so to base my decision on "most of the time" would have been silly. I know this seems like a silly analogy, but sometimes we do things like that. Overlook the important when it's not important at the moment.
Lots and lots of hugs, Dorothy!
Hugs!
Rosemary
Please, very much please …
I don't recall you recently mentioning what surgery you are queued for. If I recall, weight has been a long-term difficulty for you, so I will guess some sort of stomach reduction or bypass.
Such surgery is almost always the >very worst< choice.
I very, very much want you go to https://kickstart.pcrm.org/en and begin. The entire program is >free<. Nothing to buy (except for book(s), seminar or /residence packages). A lot of the books should be in your lending library.
There is one slight 'hazard' to following KickStart and it is this. As you get animals in all forms (fish, flesh, dairy, eggs) off of your plate, your blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol will likely trend downwards. These changes can be quite rapid, changing day by day. If you are on medications for any of these, you will need to track your numbers, and work with your doctor. S/he may need to adjust medications >every day< to avoid overdosing.
I very much want you also investigate https://www.pcrm.org/. They include a section of physicians’ information, but we regular folks are free to read it.
It doesn't matter what the surgery is, the KickStart program will have you in better health ahead of it. This will increase your changes of success. And if your health gets better enough to no longer need surgery – wouldn't that be cool?
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More information at https://www.forksoverknives.com/, including their documentary, recipes, science and how-tos.
https://www.drmcdougall.com/ - Do not fear complex carbs. and have look at his 'coloring book'.
https://nutritionfacts.org/ - Hundreds of searchable health videos - And Dr Greger is a hoot to listen to.
And if I've guessed wrong about the kind of surgery - what I've urged you to do is simply good for you, regardless.
- - -
And what do I get out of this? I get to keep my friends.
Go for it
I had "stomach" surgery fifteen years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. I needed back surgery five years later and was able to have a microdiscectomy. The surgeon said without the weight loss he may have needed to open me up at much greater risk. After that and before I retired I took a field consultant job that had me working at client sites all over the country (home weekends). I never could have done that without the surgery. There are many detractors and fad diets online. Attend a post surgery support group to find out what an impact it has on your life. Note: there are many vitamins and minerals you will have to take for the rest of your life. Surgery is not for you if you cannot adhere to a daily schedule of supplements.
"Natives who beat drums to drive off evil spirits are objects of scorn to smart
Americans who blow horns to break up traffic jams." Mary Ellen Kelly