ginga126

Hi all. Sleeved on 2/12. Looking for support and if there are any meetup groups!!!!!

Hi ladies! I started keeping a blog to document my journey from the beginning. It is at the following address: http://diaryofaoncefatkid.tumblr.com/. Feel free to read and or follow! It has been a great tool for me thus far!!!!

Good luck on your procedure! I don't regret it one bit! My incisions are healing nicely, and I am able to move much easier. I haven't had any regurgitation and and able to keep everything down. I am 15 lbs down from my surgery weight, but it started to slow already. I had my sleeve done at Mt. Sinai. Doctors were great..... Nurses were hit and miss.

I had my sleeve on 2/12. So far I am down 15lbs. I today started feeling hungry for the first time

I got my approval today and almost cried! I start my pre-op diet tomorrow and am going in for my pre-op testing tomorrow! Keep the faith alive people!

I'm also worried about this. My surgery day is set for 2/12 And I already did all the classes, 6 month diet, pysch, ugt....I completed all that was required. I started at 270 and am down to 254. I am just nervous because my BMI was on the border line. I've been killing myself for 6 months and will be heart broken if they don't approve me:(

I have BCBS HMO and just finished my 6 months and have my appointment with the surgeon on Tuesday to submit for approval. I am nervous because I started at 40.3 the first time in July, but no preexisting conditions, other than achy hips when I run and some foot problems. I have done everything they asked and am worried I won't get approved because my BMI isn't "high enough". Has anyone else run into this problem? How long did it take for your approvals? Sorry for all the questions.....just very interested and nervous to get answers. I really hope I haven't gotten my hopes up

I finally had my orientation for the weight loss clinic today, which wasn't as hopeful as I had hoped. It was basically all the things that I had learned in my research (which was very through). What my doctor told me was a referral for surgery was actually only a referral to the weight loss program. I now, more than likely, have to do the six month weight loss study first, and then might not even be approved for surgery. I know that either way it's a step in the right direction, but after being told one thing, and then not having the outcome you were expecting, I feel so disappointed. I know I shouldn't, but I do.... Need some inspiration.

Thank you all for your kind words! It truly is wonderful to have support in this (my family isn't very supportive, and they don't think I should be doing this at all). My mother and sister are both really overweight, and can't come to grips with the fact that they should be making a positive change in their lives as well. I'm hoping this journey will light a fire under them. I actually have a meeting with the weight loss surgeon on 7/2, so I am excited to see what lies ahead. Congrats Jim on your AMAZING weight loss!!!!!!

I have been talking with my doctor for months, and after finally being approved, I have orientation with the weight loss clinic that has been approved by my insurance, on 6/18. I am super excited to get the process started. They told me that I have to take 6 nutrition classes and do a psychiatric evaluation prior to them scheduling the surgery. Since my primary physician already had the surgery approved, I don't think that there are any other steps past the classes that I need to do. Has anyone else been to the Clinic at Mount Sinai in Chicago? How long was your journey before the actual surgery? I am just curious as I want to schedule the surgery before I go back to school (I only get 5 days off a year as 'sick' days).

The thing is, I already had approval for the surgery BEFORE I got to the clinic (I didn't go to the clinic and then have to jump throw all the hoops- my primary care physician already got it approved for me). Where did you get your surgery, @Johnny 99?