Surgery scheduled for April 4th- Scared of gaining weight back and other ramblings...

I am 39, from Philadelphia- having my hysterectomy- where they are removing my right ovary and my uterus (keeping the left ovary) so I won't go into early menopause.
I have lost 125 pounds since May 06- by weight watchers and working out pretty much every day. I went from 305 to my current weight of 180- I want to get down to around 140- but now that I have this surgery coming up- I am terrified that not being able to work out for 6 weeks-or more- is going to really set me back physically and emotionally.
My father died on christmas 07 and my mother died when I was 8. I am still grieving my father's death-
I have friends who will help me out- but I am feeling very sad lately- because I don't have kids, I don't have a partner, and no parents. I am grateful for my friends- but hate that I have to inconvienence them.
So I am crying almost every day due to fear and sadness. Today I got my period and that's one thing that I will be totally thrilled to be done with - it's coming every 3 weeks an it's a bear..
Thanks for listening and any advice is appreciated.

Oh hon I am so sorry sweetie,I am so glad you have many friends to be there for you to help you out. GOOD JOB on the weight loss hon, I am proud of you, I have also lost about 55 lbs in the past 8 months, and I too work out every SINGLE day, I am freaking out about NOT be able to do my treadmill, gaining weight back etc, UGH, not happy about that. I have heard that most women don't gain a lot of weight after, I am hoping this is true in my book as well, I am going in on April 2nd just 2 days before you, GOOD LUCK and keep in touch

Thanks so much- Wow we nearly have the same date! I think we should keep in touch because we both have lost considerable amounts of weight. When I first heard I needed surgery- was I concerned about cancer? Nope- I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to work out lol! We are close in age too. NThanks so much for the support! xo

Congrats on the weight loss, I too have lost close to 100 pounds in the last year or so. I talked to my trainer about being off and this is what she said. That will be the time for your body to heal and that means only good foods, lots of veg and fruit which will not put on the weight. Lots of body builders and weight lifters take up to three months off to let their bodies heal to come back even stronger. She says that I willl lose a little aerobic endurance but that comes back with a little extra time. I too was not happy about being off as I feared that I would lose something (strength) gain something (weight) but she says that only will happen if I go back on the sugars and processed foods from boredom. I need to think of it as a new goal and a new chapter in my success. She also said in my case she will be thrilled for me to lose a little of the extra estrogen so hat she can add more muscle. I think she was kidding a little though she says she means it.
I doubt that many of your freinds feel inconvenienced by you, I think you are a very conscientious friend and they are not bothered at all. Think of the six weeks as a time to do some of the quiet things you don't usually get to do, read mags (on health and fitness of course, sort pictures, maybe scrapebook and mostly plan for your big comeback. It would seem to me that being sad is a part of the process but try and do that and be done with it, just keep thinking of all the better you will feel and how this is a new start towards getting your health back. Look forward to the little things like your first walk and how much easier it will be to work out without that pesky period. Bulky pads only look right under bike shorts anyway. My best to you, DJ

I was worried about the weight issue as well - but actually after doing a bunch of fact-finding I realize it is a 50:50 chance. I posted a tread under "fitness" to ask if there were any sisters who had LOST weight after hyst and a bunch of people wrote back, which was very encouraging. Most sisters who are fit have gone on to enjoy their lives and because they don't have problems don't check into this site any more. So if you keep coming up with weight gain issues you may be getting a one-sided view. If you have good eating habits and system to keep weight off, you will continue to do so. My very best to you for a safe surgery and speedy recovery. Please do not feel alone, we are there for you.

Hi
I go to weightwatchers too, and my meeting had some really helpful suggestions for the postop period. You can keep going to meetings and keep on counting points. Also, ask your doc, but mine said walk as much as I could--so even though I couldn't run, swim, lift weights or do yoga, I was getting a lot of walking in by week 3 or so--by week 6 I was walking 5 miles a day. It helped enormously. It was easier at first to take a lot of small walks than one big one.
You can do it!
Deb