Syrina

Your process sounds a lot like mine. I did an online seminar and had my initial consult this past Tuesday. I have my nutritional consult Monday, and if I'm making progress in a month my surgeon will schedule my egd. I also have GERD. I don't need a sleep study though because I already have sleep apnea. And sadly it's bad enough that losing weight probably won't completely get rid of it. I've probably had it since I was a kid. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my first consult yesterday. It went well. It was pretty emotional though. I almost teared up at one point. My surgeon is very stern and I think he expects a lot from his patients but in return will give just as much back. I see the dietitian Monday and then back to the surgeon next month, and if he's happy with my progress and commitment, he'll move forward with the next steps. I'm nervous and excited but mostly very determined. I had to back out of surgery three years ago and I'm not missing another opportunity. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

If only I could say that. Sadly it started long before I moved down here! Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

It's hard. I stuffed myself with all the bad foods right before my appt but then I had to tell myself "no more" and then I went shopping and only bought healthy stuff. If I can keep it out of the house I can do it. The only other time I've lost a significant amount of weight was prepping for surgery. I had external motivation. I had to prove to *someone else* that I could do this. And then I gained it all back and then some when the surgery fell through. And so here we go again lol

I don't even think he was trying to convince me of anything. I think he just liked ranting. It was surreal LOL. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

So I'm just going to copy this straight from Facebook because I'm on my phone lol, but the first step is complete! "Woohoo first step completed! I meet with the nutritionist on Tuesday, and I have a followup with the surgeon for next month. If I've lost weight and proved I'm serious, he'll start the next steps. I have to have another egd to determine the cause of my reflux, and if it's just obesity, I can have the sleeve. If it's something anatomical, it'll be the bypass. Pretty sure there is something anatomical but I got myself locked out of the GI doctors patient portal and I can't quite remember. Once I get logged in I'll know for sure. Still have to do the egd but at least I can prepare myself mentally. He is quite stern and very much "my way or the highway" but I feel like that's probably good for me right now. He also said once we're committed he'll be there every step of the way, and after."

When I was trying to have surgery three years ago, the doctor who did my psych eval spent about 2 minutes checking off boxes on his form and another 20 minutes ranting about politics. I honestly couldn't tell if this was some crazy test of my self control or if he was just nuts. I wanted my paper so I kept my mouth shut [emoji16] Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you both for the advice! I will look into those options when the time comes. I'm getting way ahead of myself right now lol but that's how my brain works, and at least I'll know what I'm going to do when I need to do it. I think between Amazon and Sam's club I'll be alright.

I'm wondering if that might be the way to go. I feel like it would be less expensive to buy an unflavored powder and then just add that to other stuff - soup, yogurt, possibly water and crystal lite, assuming that doesn't make it taste nasty (do they make protein powder you can mix in water instead of milk?). I think regardless I'm going to have to get the powders and mix my drinks just because of the cost. I'm hoping that will be less of an issue by then but I'm not counting on it lol

Well, drat 🙁. My doctor had to reschedule my appointment to next Tuesday because he has to go back to the hospital this afternoon. He must be on call or something. I was getting really excited, too! Oh, well. At least I can still go ahead and get the stuff I need to make healthier meals. I kept telling myself today is my last carb day so I think I should stick to it. Thank goodness for Sam's Club lol, eating healthy is expensive!

Hello! Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh hi! They did find a couple of ulcers. They were from stress from my old job. They don't bother me much any more, go figure [emoji16]. And I have GERD but it's pretty under control. I'll have to see what the surgeon says. The ulcers only bother me now if I take a new medication or something - I get allll the nausea side effects of medication now. I restarted metformin and Lexapro at the same time I started taking adderall for the first time back in December, and let me tell you, it was a rough week! Metformin and Lexapro cause nausea and adderall causes loss of appetite. I thought I was going to die lol.

I know it really can be. I'm torn between the app and mobile site but really is about the same. Insurance is a pain in the rear. I know what I'm looking at generally and it's still a pain! Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Mine is Ochsner in Louisiana. I work for them so I have to use their doctors. Thankfully I like my doctors lol. And of course they can subsidize their insurance, or however that works so that really helps. I'm shooting for December or January. Have to have insurance for 12 months before they cover surgery. Knowing how long this takes, I figured I'd get started now. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

The first time I tried, I met with the surgeon, he sent me to my pcp for monthly visits, and I scheduled a psych exam and a dietary eval before my follow up. Then I followed up with the surgeon and he scheduled my egd, and once pathology came back they sent everything to insurance. They literally approved it the day I called to cancel. But as it turns out, my new job covers more types of surgery, and if I successfully complete my post-op I regimen, I can get 50% of my copay refunded, which means my total cost will be $2500 + my remaining deductible for pre-op testing. It would have cost me over $5000 at my old job. At least. I've been really mad about not getting the surgery when I had the chance but it may have worked out for the best. I'm keeping my fingers crossed anyway.

Well if weight Watchers worked I wouldn't be here, now would I? [emoji23] From what I've seen and heard (a friend just had her surgery through the same system, but different location), this hospital uses a fairly strict low carb diet. They also have their own dieticians and counselors on staff so they keep most of it in house. It's the biggest health system in the state so they have a lot of resources. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

That's pretty different from around here. I made my appt with the surgeon first, and I expect to find out what I need to do when I meet him. I have a pretty good idea since I have access to the hospital SharePoint [emoji16][emoji16]. It's fairly comprehensive. I had an egd last year when they thought I was having gallbladder issues, I want to know if maybe that was recent enough. Probably not. I don't need to do sleep testing though 🙄. I already use a cpap for severe sleep apnea. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hopefully I'll have an update Friday! I was surprised how quickly I got in, but then again, the hospital I work for is focused on patient care so they make it as easy as possible. I didn't even have to talk to anyone, I made my appointment online LOL Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I feel like I need to do ALL THE READING right this minute. And buy all the protein powder. You know, six months out, so I'll be prepared 🙄. My brain does some strange things sometimes LOL.

I have my initial consult Friday! This is my second attempt (got approved for lap band in 2015 but I couldn't make my finances work out). This may actually be better because my new employer covers multiple types of surgery, I believe, and at a lower cost to me. I feel like I'm better prepared this time, too.