MarciaN

I was initially discouraged when I found out I needed 6 NUT spots, psych evaluation, sleep study, exercise class. But I am taking this time to prepare for the rest of my life. Already lost 38 pounds and hoping for another 12 or so before surgery. I now realize how wise my insurance company is for making me take all this time. Surgery seems scary but everyone's support makes each day a little better.

Good luck! We can all do this! I am done with all my prerequisites on Aug 19th- then my doctor will submit for approval. I'm hoping for mid-September. Our past does not need to dictate our future! We can all support each other and become healthy.

My daughter gave me a quote that I just love. "You don't drown by falling in the water, you drown by staying there".

I too was worried about the same things. I started in March and when I found out my BCBS required 6 months of omnipresent diet before surgery I was really bummed. Now I will be done with everything on August 19 th and will then schedule surgery. I think I needed all these months to mentally prepare. I immediately went off soda, caffeine and alcohol..... I've lost 36 pounds so far and am hoping to have 50 gone before surgery. This forum is a great way to stay focused. I'm not sure I would be doing as well as I am without it. This is a great supportive group. Everyone has been in the same place so there is no judgement. Just support

Notforthefaint- I am going to get the sleeve. How about you? Hey everyone-- just do a quick comment and let us know what surgery you are going for. SLEEVE

I start the beginning of March. My insurance requires primary dr recommendation, psych eval, 6 appoints with Nut, sleep apnea test, exercise module. I've only got 2 more Nut visits and will be finished on Aug 19th. I'm going on a cruise on labor day so will see if I can have surgery after that. I was bummed when I found out how long it would take too-- but now that I've got 3-1/2 months under my belt I am really glad that it is taking this long. This is such a life changing event that it is good to really prepare and get your mind in the right place. My doctor required me to lose or at least stay the same for each weigh in. I am so happy that I have already lost 35lbs! I am hoping that I'll lose at least another 16 by surgery so that I will only have 100 to lose post-surgery! This forum is fantastic- Thank you to everyone who continues to participate even after surgery and getting to goal. It is very encouraging to all of us newbies!

I am 57but will be 58 by the time I actually have the surgery (probably in late September). My doctor always told me I could "do it on my own" which typically meant losing about 50# then, unfortunately, gaining back about 70! I am excited to start this journey--no matter how long it took me to finally get here.

I am a fellow "waiter". I started the journey on March 1st and was devastated when I heard that it would take 6-8 months. But, I took the advise of all the "seasoned" folks here and am embracing my time. Just had my 3rd dietician visit today. Since I started, I have lost 29 pounds and of that, only one pound was not fat! I am trying to do exactly what I've been told. (OK...I am still having difficulty with not drinking before, during, and after meals....my challenge for this month is to not drink during meals and to wait 30 minutes after meals) I'll work on not drinking before meals next month. I've increased my step count every day to 8000 which for me is very good! I figure every pound I lose before surgery will allow me to be more healthy and hopefully recover sooner. Since this is going to be a lifetime thing, I have to not care how quickly (in my mind) I should achieve my normal weight and just know that this is a wonderful training time for me. Good Luck! In two years we will look back at this time and it will seem like such a short blip in time.

I finally decided to get WLS. Attended my first group meeting the beginning of the month (March 2015). I turned in all my paperwork and finally had my phone interview yesterday (March 18th) only to discover that my insurance company required a minimum of 6 months working with a nutritionist. The first time I can get in for my first module is April 15th which means I won't even qualify for the surgery until the middle of October. This has me a little discouraged (OK...maybe a lot discouraged!) Have any of you had a similar experience and how did you handle it?

Stacey, I really enjoyed reading your blog. I went to my first introduction meeting on March 3rd! Just found out that the earliest my insurance will let me have the surgery is the end of October due to many things they require me to do. I can tell you, I was bummed because I had FINALLY decided to take this big step. Well, I've had a few days to "adjust to the news" and now I think I am OK with this. I am very excited for you and look forward to supporting you on your journey. From many of the postings that I have read, if you follow the program you will lose weight and keep it off. If you just go back to your old habits you might be one of the unsuccessful ones. You WILL lose it- can't wait to have you share your successes! Marcia N