RhondaMarie

I am so jealous that you are all so early in the month! I get a little nervous saying it's "next month," but then when I say "47 days" I wanna cry b/c it feels like forever!!

My 1st visit was as above. We also have two additional classes. The first is pre-op diet and the second is post-op diet. Apparently it was one 2hr class, but patients were overwhelmed by info so they split the class. I have had the 1st class and it was nice to talk about the why of the pre-op. They gave is plenty of samples of unjury and good multi-vitamins/calcium supplements (is. Calcium citrate is the most easily digested and absorbed) I am scheduled for post-op class on the 23rd.

Mara... Ask them to put you on the call list. A lot of surgeries get canceled at the last minute because things are missing or bad labs, etc. It's ALWAYS worth a shot!

Congratulations on your accountability!! I don't get banded til 9/26, but I am learning so much here from all of you! I am so lucky to have the chance to learn from all your peaks and valleys!!

I am glad you are in a better situation!! And give yourself a chance... you'll be chasing a toddler around before you know it!!

I, too, have a hiatal hernia. It was found during an EDG as part of my pre-screening for an anomalies including a hiatal - in case they needed to fix during my banding. I never knew I had the dumb thing, but per my surgeon it is just a few stitches to close the hole. They warned me it would probably be more uncomfortable than the band at first b/c of the heart burn sensation of it. Mine is 2-3 centimeters in size, but my surgeon definitely isn't bothered by it. You are definitely an inspiration and have faced so much! Get a few more opinions and know that you have the support of so many!!

60mgs of Adderral is INSANE!!! And it's ridiculous that any boss could require you to take meds!! Regardless... Congrats to you for saying enough is enough and getting back to basics. My son gained weight when he stopped Adderral and he was 10. Your body just needs to figure out it's new normal and doing the 5 day plan may be exactly what your body needs and as mentioned above... what you need to get yourself back on track. Stress and change is no doubt hurting you as well. BTW... my son was upped to 60mg of Adderall once and he was a fricking psycho and never slept til he fell over in exhaustion!! I fired the psych pretty quickly. There are definitely other meds in the class that MIGHT work and some are not even as restrictive with refills and scripts. When Adderall was no longer working we switched to Vyvanse and it was a good fit b/c it is similar.

Well I am not a smoker, but maybe you will get through the worst of the cravings and then start back up! It will certainly help you heal faster. Just a thought... like I said, I am not a smoker so maybe I don't "get" it.

Clearly for whatever reason she is threatened by your relationship with your ex. Maybe he talks about you a lot or you two gel in a way those two never have.... whatever. People who are insecure need to make other people feel "less" about themselves. She obviously went for the jugular with you b/c she knew it would hurt. It was childish and insensitive of her. Cruel is a perfect word. Just try to rise above her petty BS and remember... you are taking real steps to improve yourself. Addressing your weight is way better "fix" than if you had to fix her problem... a lack of compassion with an overflow of evil.

Hello... my name is Rhonda and I am a 38 yr old lady from NW Pennsylvania. I live with my boyfriend and have a 13 yr old son. WLS was always in the back of my mind, but the ignition point was my gall bladder crapping out in late Feb of this year. My doc wasn't the general surgeon I had requested, but rather his partner. They say things happen for a reason & my finding Dr. Kalim this was def divine intervention. Yes, it's his business, but he was very tactful in addressing my weight even before I had my lap chole. Upon my post op from the lap chole, Dr. Kalim again mentioned my WLS options. I have to tell you, I work at the same hospital and the bariatric program is relatively new. I had worked with some of the key players in various roles before. So when he asked me to go to a seminar and walked me into the program coordinator's office... I felt I HAD to go out of professional courtesy!! Eventually I got my mind right and realized that I wanted to pursue this for ME!! My gb issue and being assigned to Dr. Kalim was the path laid before me. I have to say it's a joy to be so close to my care team!! They work extremely hard to make EVERYONE feel comforted and secure. At the 1st visit we mapped out the first three months and all of the extras (ie EGD, psych, dietary, sleep study, etc.) At the 3rd month we mapped out preads, consent and clearances and surgical date. I have one more nutrition class (out of 3), preads, my 6th monthly visit and final pre-surg visit with my doctor to go. I would be lying if I didn't claim my fears of all this not working or my OWN failure, but I am trying to stay positive and keep working hard now to adopt good healthy lifestyle changes!!

I can sympathize... I haven't even told my bf about my surgery plans and I am 48 days out!! "luckily" we aren't married, but I know he would say I am beng ridiculous and do not need it. My psych thought it was very strange, but as I told her... We are a little uneven and at times I definitely can't see us lasting long term. Bottom line - this surgery is for ME. I am an emotional eater b/c I put everyone else first. I am going to be selfish with this. My health - heck, my LIFE - is worth more than his issues with it. I am sorry you are going thru this, but thank goodness you are cognizant of what's going on. It's an unfortunate extra hurdle for you. And I hope and pray I lose two pounds a week consistently!! Please always feel free to reach out to me and we will push through together!

Aw.. Thank you very much!! I appreciate it!! I am excited!! Very nervous about some things as well, but so glad I stumbled upon this site. Keep in touch and we'll get through it together!!

My surgeon's office uses the weight from your 1st visit ... and makes it clear what your particular insurance requires (i.e. 10%). My insurance requires that you do show weight loss during the 6 months b/c it shows the insurance company that you are making changes. Nothing gets submitted until visit #6 and then the goal sheets, other testing results, PCP support letter, et al go to the insurance company. I have a Highmark PPO plan.

Your BMI now is so close to the "automatic" 40 for Highmark. Obviously all plans are different, but my Highmark plan is two co-morbids. My program coordinator tells me that Highmark is one of the easiest to pass these days! I would voice your past experiences to your provider at that 1st appt. This procedure is a big money maker for hospitals/surgeons and he might be apalled that his own staff is causing patients to not continue!! Even if you have to do the 6 months (and I bet you will) isn't it worth it?? It's all about the end game. Keep your head up and good luck!!

I, too, can completely relate!! I have never ever been thin and I am excited to head in that direction!! Professionally I see only benefits (especially since I work in health care!!) Personally, I am very anxious about how it will affect relationships with people. My bf in particular... we are so iffy at times... I haven't even told him about this!!

I am the newbie!! My date is set for Sept 26th. I have one more nutrition appt (2 out of 3 done already) and my preads to go. Everything will be submitted to Highmark on 9/6 but the program coordinator insists I will fly through and have an answer in a few days. Getting very excited, yet still nervous! I look forward to sharing this adventure with all of you!