630racoon

Oh my gosh kitty dream, a year ago I was in the exact same boat as you, BMI of 37 and no co-morbitiies I was so devastated when the doctor told me no. Now a year later, I have a BMI of 40.2 and high cholesterol. I didn't have as much weight to gain as you but it turned out I did gain it and got a cholesterol problem as well. My internist told me that without help he knew that eventually I would reach the point of meeting criteria for surgery, as knowing me very well, it is inevitable for some of us. He was right. Don't give up hope. Good luck to you! Stay in touch.

Hey Denise, I have not gotten a surgery date as of yet. I am scheduled to meet with the PA and then Dr. Garber next Thursday, I should get my date then. Dr. Holover did my endoscopy just this past Tuesday very nice and comforting. Dr. Garber was the only Dr. who would work with my insurance Magnacare, but all the doctors in that group are excellent! It is a great place. Lets keep in touch ok? I will let you know when I get my date. Good Luck to you as well. Talk to you soon. Pamela

Whooooo Hoooooo!!!! I just cannot wait!!!! You look amazing!!!

why did he remove your gallbladder? was it in the way, were you having a problem?

I will be getting my surgery date next week! Woo Hoo! I live in NY on Long Island and my doctor, Dr. Shawn Garbar created a new procedure called single incision gastric sleeve, meaning 1 incision through my belly button no scaring at all. Has been doing his sleeves this way for 7 years now. Not sure why other surgeons haven't followed suit, 1 incision compared to 4,5 and 6,7?

I don't have a surgery date as of yet, but have started the process and not too concerned about my clearances, have one out of the way thus far. I will be using Dr. Shawn Garber and was wondering if any has used him and could give me some of their own feedback on him. I will be having my surgery at St. Francis in Manhasset, NY. I have seen him twice and do like him, he is very attentive, answered all my questions and I did not feel rushed in his office at all. I am very nervous about the surgery as I have never had any. Does he have a good bedside manner, how often did you see him in the hospital ect.... Any feed back that you could offer at all would be greatly appreciated.

Just saw this, thank you so much! I am very happy to hear you had a good experience with him and his staff, it makes me feel a bit less nervous! I did like him very much and I like St francis hospital too as I have heard nothing but good things about it. Thanks again, Pamela

no, I am from Long Island, NY but June 12th is my birthday! thats a good day to start a new life. I am 3/4's of the way through my clearances, 2 more and I will have my date, I just wish it would come already. Anyway, hope all goes well and is well wilt you. keep in touch if you like. Pamela

Oh my gosh this makes me want to cry! You look so unbelievable and gorgeous! Keep it up and keep posting pictures of your weight loss, it is such an inspiration for me, cannot wait to see the end result! I am at the back end of my clearences so my date is coming!!! Pamela

OMG, good luck and remember your on your way to a new more healthier, skinny you!! Prayers are with you.

I have noticed that different people have been told to do the pre-opt diet for all different lengths of time. how come everyone has different amounts of time that they have to do the pro-op diet for? Do you have to do it longer if you have more weight to lose, is it up to your surgeon?

OMG, that is so exciting! I cannot wait to get my call! I am 4 clearances down, god it feels like it will never happen. Want the next step of my journey to begin already. Good luck with the surgery, pray all goes well and you have a good recovery. please, please let us know how it goes. I am reading posts everyday to try and prepare myself through everyones else's experiences. Pamela

I think for me, my last straw wasn't 1 thing specifically but a build up of so many last straws! Like everything in life there are needs and wants. Reasons you NEED to lose weight and reasons you WANT to lose the weight! For all of us brave, beautiful, strong people who have made the decision to finally take back some control of our lives the needs are the first and most important ones. My needs and wants are probably the same as some of you but together we can do it.! 1. I NEED to be able to walk up a flights of stairs and not feel like I am going to have a heart attack. 2. I need to seriously lower my cholesterol before I have a heart attack and leave my girls without a mother and a husband without his wife. 3. I need to stop my joints from feeling like they will give out at any moment 4. I need to stop the pain I feel in my lower back all the time 5. I need to lower my blood pressure before I have a stroke 6. I need to wake up and not feel so sad and depressed anymore 1. I WANT to be able to be active with my family and not have to sit down to rest after 5 minutes 2. I want to go shopping with my daughters and or friends and actually buy something besides shoes 3. I want to not find a reason to stay home every time we get invited to a family get together 4. I want to be able to walk through a row of seated people and not be afraid I won't fit. 5. i want to love going to the beach 6. I want to finally feel full when I eat 7. I want to wear a bra that only has one letter in it I have just started my journey and get closer to my surgery date with every doctors appointment and clearance letter I get! I hope that some of you can relate to my needs and wants and look forward to sharing everyones weight loss journey together, the up days and the downs.!! God bless

Thanks for the post, really enjoyed reading it and sharing your journey with you. Nice to have a bit of insight as to what to expect once I get my surgery date. very much Looking forward to post 2 and 3! I am a newbie, just started the whole journey getting my clearances, don't foresee any problems, will keep my fingers crossed. Having the the sleeve as well, very nervous. Pamela