I've decided to start a journal

[Kathi_S]

Now that my surgery date is approaching, I have decided to start a journal to document my experience.

I am doing this for several reasons. Most importantly to remind myself of how hard I worked to get healthy.

I also want it to be something for my daughters to have. They both struggle with obesity. Neither of them are very supportive of me having bariatric surgery.

For future reference, to help people on sites like this who have questions. I can look back and refresh my memory.

To have an accurate account of all the pros and cons of RNY surgery for me, the progress or lack thereof, and ability to keep the weight off. How many health conditions improved?

I am going to include pictures. Talk about my mood. Haven't decided if I will do it online or not yet. Any ideas?

 

[NewChallenge]

Good Idea. Wish I would have done that.

 

[3momchaos]

You could make a private online journal, so if you want to share publicly later on you can. I think your idea is a great way to look back and see how amazing your journey has been.

 

[Bill sperry]

Good idea ! I thought about doing that too but I guess I got to lazy about it

 

[JudyNY]

That's an excellent idea. I journal now but wish I had pre-surgery through the whole experience. Whether you do it online or handwritten, is your preference, the important thing is to do it! Not only to track this journey but also it helps to dump feeling down in writing. Very therapeutic!

 

[Kathi_S]

You could make a private online journal, so if you want to share publicly later on you can. I think your idea is a great way to look back and see how amazing your journey has been.

I was wondering though if anything online is ever really private?

 

[JudyNY]

I was wondering though if anything online is ever really private?

If you don't want to do it online, you can just do a word document on your computer if you prefer typing to writing. Then you can print it out if you desire.

 

[sharontx]

I was wondering though if anything online is ever really private?

No, the internet is forever.
But your idea is fantastic. Wish I had done more, looking back now. Photos didn't seem to matter to me but I kinda wish I had some now.
Good on you Kathi! Love your attitude.

 

[Anne23]

I did a mini journal for the first two months using the notes app on my phone. I just kept a running document and each day added the date and how I felt, any victories, milestones etc. I am glad it did it. I read back over it occasionally. This is a once in a lifetime experience and I never want to take it for granted!

 

[Roni]

As you can tell my journal is here. And I am glad I get to share my journey. It is not daily but it covers my achievements and set backs. Plus it includes remarkable feedback. I couldn’t ask for better.

 

[love2read]

Now that my surgery date is approaching, I have decided to start a journal to document my experience.

I am doing this for several reasons. Most importantly to remind myself of how hard I worked to get healthy.

I also want it to be something for my daughters to have. They both struggle with obesity. Neither of them are very supportive of me having bariatric surgery.

For future reference, to help people on sites like this who have questions. I can look back and refresh my memory.

To have an accurate account of all the pros and cons of RNY surgery for me, the progress or lack thereof, and ability to keep the weight off. How many health conditions improved?

I am going to include pictures. Talk about my mood. Haven't decided if I will do it online or not yet. Any ideas?

I think that keeping a journal is a wonderful idea. I'm planning to do that as a way of dealing with any negative thoughts I may have after surgery. Later, when you look back on all you have accomplished with the surgery and your own determination, I think that would be rewarding to look at the journal and the photos.

 

[Kathi_S]

I decided to go with a video journal. I'm not going to post it online though, not yet at least.

I bought a 2T USB stick to store my videos on. I will probably get a backup one, just in case.

2T probably sounds like a lot but videos take a lot of space, and I don't want to feel like I have to limit my time, when I feel there are things I need to talk about.

I made my first entry last night, exactly two week preop. When I watched it I was embarrassed to see that I had taken out my partial denture so my front bottom teeth were inexplicably missing!

Of course, vanity got the best of me and I redid it. I stumbled my way through it, and all I can say is that it can only get easier!

I deleted the toothless one, or I might post it to give you all a big belly laugh to start your day!

 

[missyinacage]

Kathi, this is a great idea. I really wish I'd have done something to document my journey. The best I managed was a year photo. It will be really nice for you to be able to literally look at at what worked, what did not and identify any common denominators that could be causing issues. Also, I think you're hysterical so if you ever DO decide to share it publicly, you might be a big hit!!

 

[Kathi_S]

If sit down comedy was a thing, a may have had a career?

 

[Roni]

I would come see you.

 

[Kathi_S]

I have decided to share a Google photos page here, where I will put some photos of my last Hoorah and some of my video journal entries.

The only thing there now is my current preop picture. I decided to use Google photos because it will be the easiest way to upload video from the hospital post-op and from basically anywhere.

Here is the link :

My WLS Journey

New photo · Album by Kathi Strichman

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[missyinacage]

I hope you ladies have a blast tonight!

 

[JudyNY]

I have decided to share a Google photos page here, where I will put some photos of my last Hoorah and some of my video journal entries.

The only thing there now is my current preop picture. I decided to use Google photos because it will be the easiest way to upload video from the hospital post-op and from basically anywhere.

Here is the link :

My WLS Journey

New photo · Album by Kathi Strichman

photos.app.goo.gl

Good for you! I will be great to see the changes!