The Candidate

Oh congratulations! I'm so thankful that you didn't have to spend even one more second waiting and wondering. Remember this feeling, write it down or do a video journal. You'll want to relive this moment again and again!

What an inspirational post. Your newfound happiness just oozes through, and I couldn't be happier for you. Enjoy your trip and bike ride!

You are beautiful caleksa!

I know this is going to sound trite, but I promise you that it will go by so much quicker than you can ever imagine! My process took a year and I just recently got my surgery date: 07/29. So I've still got some more waiting ahead of me, but that's okay. I'm so beyond happy at this point nothing could bring me down. I think you're going to find that you are so much stronger than you realize right now. You'll get through the process, as we all do, because you know there is something so amazing waiting for you at the end. And every hurdle that you jump through will only strengthen your original resolve that much more. Just be sure to do everything they ask of you in the most expeditious manner possible. If they tell you to get labs/tests try to book them that very day. The more involved you are in your own journey the easier it will be. And be sure to pat yourself on the back from time to time for making the defining decision to change your life for the better! This is one time in your life when you need to put "you" first for once. I won't lie, you'll probably shed a few tears along the way, and shake your fist at the heavens once or twice for putting more than 24 hours in a day. Because it will seem like like that now and again. But if you use your time wisely to research extensively, make some new friends who are going through the same experience, you will do more than fine. And your day will be here before you know it! Good luck!

So happy to hear your wait won't be too long! You have a wonderful life ahead of you!

I'd be tempted to add: In the shape my organs are in, I'd have to pay someone to harvest them. And if they're planning a kidnapping I hope they had the forethought to bring along a tow truck. I'm like a dinosaur, so a single dart will never bring me down! In my world sarcasm reigns supreme! ????

You look incredible Kogo! Can't wait until I get to point where I don't mind photos. When you're pre op it seems like an unobtainable fantasy.

Great job everyone! And your photos are so inspiring, thanks for sharing!

First time surgery ever for me too! Can't wait!

You've come so far and you will clear this last hurdle. Keep the faith.

Good luck on your journey and best wishes!

I'm glad everything went well and you're now on your way home to rest. Congrats!

You've come a long way and you look great! Congrats!

My psych evaluation took all of 15 minutes and was actually quite nice. Just a one on one casual convo with the doctor about my background, support, and expectations. I stressed too beforehand but it turned out to be nothing. Good luck!

Congratulations on your great progress!

Welcome! No need for nervousness, you've found a wonderful place to begin your journey. People here are friendly and helpful. You can pretty much come on here 24/7 and there's always somebody around. Read and learn all you can before your surgery. It's the best way to pass the approval process time, and prepare you for a whole new way of life. It took me a year to get my surgery date (07/29). 4 more weeks! But I can reassure you that the time will pass by a lot faster than you think. And no two journeys are ever alike. Good luck!

@@antpatte I totally agree. Whether she agreed with my decision or not, there was no way in the world I could have excluded my mother from my plans. I love her too much to have her find out "after the fact" if something should go wrong. That would be paramount to disrespect in my book. I could never do that to her. But I'm very lucky in that I have the full support of my family, and always have, in every aspect of my life. I especially treasure their support too as I'm the only one in my immediate family who is obese. Had I come from a more negative upbringing I may have approached things differently. We all go by our own life experiences.

I'm so very very sorry. And I'm extremely heartbroken for the terrible experience you are having. Unfortunately, I'm still pre op and have nothing to offer you other than my sincere sympathy and best wishes. I know that "complication" is a word that often is easily tossed around, like a nerf ball before surgery. We acknowledge and confirm our "understanding" of its possibility as we blithely sign and initial the endless pre op paperwork. But the truth is we never actually believe that it will happen to us, to "me." I think it's some kind of inbred survival instinct, along with fight or flight. Or perhaps a temporary blindness. We sometimes choose not to see, and simply hope the fates will be on our side that day. I know my eyes will be firmly closed when it's my turn to be wheeled in. I want to thank you for sharing your story, because we all need to be reminded that it can indeed happen. I only wish I could give you more. I really hope you find the answers you're looking for. I will keep you in my thoughts. Please keep us updated on your progress.

Meh. Smack... Snack could have gone either way. ????

I have to say it's been my fervent dream for a year now to join one of these "It's Finally Your Turn" threads. I used to live vicariously by reading through all the previous ones thinking, "Someday that will be me." ????

The waiting is the worst. I remember thinking six months of classes would be unbearable, but nope, it actually went by very fast because I was so involved in the process. After that came the killer part. Wait to be called for a fitness test, and then wait for them to request my labs, then get my labs and wait for approval - and eureka it finally came! I was in heaven, for maybe two whole days. ???? Because after that it was wait to be called for the psych evaluation, and the internist, and the surgical consult. And lo and behold my day finally arrived, and I returned to heaven... For all of 24 hours. ???? Because next I was waiting for a surgery date. And then... the long awaited call came through. I remember the date of the call like it was yesterday, because it nearly was - 06/26. Last Friday. What a great way to start the weekend, right? And my surgery date is: 07/29! ???? Yep, gotta another full month of waiting ahead of me. I've been waiting so long I've added "waiting" to my resume. But you know what? It's all good. It's taught me patience in a way I never knew I possessed. Your approval will be here soon too, and you'll look back on it one day and realize it passed by a lot quicker than you thought. Good luck and hang in there!

Mine isn't until 07/28, but over the phone they said I would be signing a lot of pre-admission paperwork. I just had labs done so there shouldn't be anything more involved than taking my blood pressure and final weigh in. And I believe I'll be meeting with the anesthesiologist. I've already had my surgical consult so I won't be seeing him until surgery the following day. Good luck!

Congrats! How wonderful that you can do it together too!

They started me on acupuncture treatments for that and my plantar fasciitis. It helped a lot!

That is fabulous! You have done a remarkable job! Congrats!