MBM1Forever

It took an entire year! I have Kaiser Permanente.

You are so lucky! I have to wait and have Kaiser for over two months to get a surgery date. What region are you in?

I started in the end of January asking my PCP for a referral. Then I had to fill out a very long questionnaire. In March they had the first group class. I had to wait until May for the two month class. I also had a sleep study. That took two months for apt to results. I finally finished all the requirements in September and got a surgeon appointment in October. There were no surgical dates open till January. So it has been one very long year!

It depends on where you live. KP in the northwest is a year long program. 2 months of nutrition classes, several group visits, nutritionist and social worker visit twice, food journal, exercise journal, and surgeon approval. It really is a long process. In the end, I think I am well prepared. My surgery is January 8.

I agree that it isn't ok for your wife to tell. It is your body and your private business. She probably didn't think about it and that is why she became defensive. Maybe you could agree that going forward, no more telling!

I really have to believe that there is so much variation in practice and this must have to do with these kind of horror stories. (I get the point that Phil didn't think that). I see or read or hear of those who start eating solids within a few days with seeming no restriction, I hear about those who have had zero preparation, have done no psychological work, and those who think this is the magic bullet. I wonder if these are not in the same group of folks who have the ulcers, strictures, and bowel obstruction? I am not casting judgement on those who do not have the benefit of an obesity program. I do think that the process I have had to follow (which is about a year long if you hurry) will prepare me to give the surgery the best shot at being successful and at me being successful with the new restrictions. I actually worry for those who just sign up and have the surgery in a few weeks. It seems unconscionable to me to have surgeons do this life changing surgery without properly preparing the patient. I am not saying this is what happened to Phil or to others I have spoken with on this site, it just strikes me that some of these issues might be avoided when the patient is better prepared and has ALL of the information. Frankly, my program is driving me crazy with the waiting, but I do know one thing, I will have given it the best I can.

That's funny, because I get the distinct message of the doctor trying to show me all the reasons why this wls is more of a last resort! I have gotten the very same comments. It sucks because it tends to erode at our ability to make a decision for ourselves!

There are some people I choose not to share my intention on surgery. For the most part, I have shared with those whose opinions I value. For those that I do not share with, in large part had to do with not wanting to hear folk lore about the surgery. In the end, the experience I have will be mine and honestly, as much as I value hearing from the folks on this board, I really don't want to hear from people who are negative by nature. It doesn't serve them or me well.

@@MisforMimi Very well stated. I wonder, too, if it isn't the newest thing for me as well. I wonder if I might be kidding myself that this really isn't about the food. The other place in my brain says, this will be the tool to make the changes lifelong and that is really what I am looking for. Obviously, I am conflicted as I realize this is serious surgery and is not to be taken lightly. I do feel that this past year has been plenty of time to contemplate and prepare. I have no idea if I will be one of those who has issues, but a good part of me says that if I follow the instructions for the diet, I won't. So I still don't have a surgery date although I have been told it will be January. Kind of significant in that new year, new start, I guess!

I had CBC, metabolic panel, drug screen, liver function, b12, Vitamin d, urinalysis, kidney function, stool test screening.

Our surgeons only do RNY. They say that for the morbidly obese it has the best rate of patients keeping their weight off. After all I have read, it does seem to be the case.

Criticizing fat people is the last acceptable form of discrimination. People have no trouble letting us know that we are fat and unacceptable. I encourage you to do your homework. Read all that you can so that you can make an informed decision. It would seem that once we get to a weight we feel is no longer manageable is when we need help the most. Sad to say, that rather than pity and judgement, people don't get that we need encouragement.

I had two tests when I visited the social worker. They were done on a mini computer that was hand held. I went through them pretty quickly. The first test was really about how I feel about my current life. The second had to do with my family of origin. Questions about did I ever have sexual abuse, does anyone treat me badly, call me names, was I hit or severely punished, etc. I answered no to everything. I am not having surgery to discuss my past. My adult life has been very good. I am married for 30+ years and two grown children. I really don't want to have counseling again for what I have already worked through and there were no questions in regards to have any of these issues been dealt with. So, no was and is my answer. For what it means, I have been approved to move forward as the tests were almost two months ago and I am scheduled for surgery in January.

@@MisforMimi I would love to be buddies. I need all I can get!

The process I have had to follow requires weight loss of some degree and absolutely no gain. It is a year long or more process dependent upon how fast you wish to go. There are two month classes on nutrition, two group classes only offered once a month or two months. Meetings with nutritionist and social worker as well as a sleep study. You must keep a food and exercise journal for the duration. I finally got to the end of the process and saw the surgeon only to find that there are no dates available until January which means I have just that much more time to have to monitor my every bite. Great-NOT!

The process I have had to follow requires weight loss of some degree and absolutely no gain. It is a year long or more process dependent upon how fast you wish to go. There are two month classes on nutrition, two group classes only offered once a month or two months. Meetings with nutritionist and social worker as well as a sleep study. You must keep a food and exercise journal for the duration. I finally got to the end of the process and saw the surgeon only to find that there are no dates available until January which means I have just that much more time to have to monitor my every bite. Great-NOT!

After meeting with the surgeon, he said one month. Two weeks to recover and two weeks to learn to eat. He said no negotiating on this and that if I didn't need it he would not have required it. So, that's that.

I am having surgery early January too. I would look at the weight loss like this...the more you take off now, the better for surgery, your skin elasticity, and your overall health. You will feel a bit better while you wait and lose more once you have the surgery. I am concerned about the holidays too. I have been told that I cannot gain, so I have that added pressure. I have lost 14 lbs since this summer, so I am pretty glad for that.

So, the journey just got longer. After 10 months of jumping through every hoop, I finally see the surgeon and he approves me to see the scheduler. It was all becoming real for me, then bam! They have no dates open the rest of this year. I still don't have a date , but am told I am first for the January schedule. All of this means that I have 10 more weeks to be under the microscope in regards to weight loss and food journaling. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, it's just disappointing to finally make it to hear I need to wait. The appointment lasted 1.5 hours as it was. I was really nervous and was worried I would not get the go ahead.

Meeting with the surgeon on Monday, which is my final step. I don't know what to expect other than he will review my diet and exercise and discuss the surgery. Really excited and scared at the same time. If he approves, will pick surgery date! Wondering if everyone has endoscopy?

There really is a lot of variation in practice! Makes me wonder if these variations don't contribute to the success and complications for some with this surgery. I can only hope that my doctor is doing the very best?

I have been concerned about the same thing. In fact, once I take the myriad of required pills I take now, I feel sick if on an empty stomach. Sometimes, I think I won't be able to do what is required! Scared.

Great posts, especially as I am scheduled to see the surgeon next Monday and hopefully pick a date for surgery. I have not wavered due to this process being tremendously long (10 months). As I get closer to the date, I do start to struggle with the decision to alter my digestive system.

I am with so many of you in that I don't want to go back! I guess having others watch my transformation could be embarrassing to me with comments and such. I plan on lap RNY so am really hoping I am not required to be off longer than 3 weeks, but am saving vacation time in case that does not happen. Are most of you having paid time off?

I'll be your buddy!