Phoenix40

@audaciousmarie- How long after you get within 5 lbs of your goal weight do you schedule the psych eval and surgery? I finally hit that number and made the call to Kaiser. Just waiting to hear back.

I have lost 15 since I've been in the program and 29 since March Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I am planning for a December surgery. I am 15lbs from my goal weight and I believe I could lose that by the end of October. If I do, I am hoping to schedule my surgery at the middle to end of December.

I started having knee problems last December and I was limping pretty badly. I thought that maybe I had picked up a few extra pounds and I should lose some weight. I went to the store and purchased healthy foods, some small weights and a scale. When I weighed myself the next morning and realized that I only a few lbs shy of 400 I got really serious with my eating. I ate healthy for a week and I stepped on the scale expecting a 10lb lost because that's always how it starts for me. Unfortunately... I had only lost two ounces. That's when the fear and reality set in. I already have high blood pressure and now my mobility was decreasing. The idea of becoming immobilized at my weight is my worst nightmare. I called my doctor a week later. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

My surgery is still months away but CONGRATS!!!!

I have some damage to my hair so when I started researching about wls and learned about hair loss, I decided to be a little proactive. I started taking Biotin and I use nioxin and my hair has gotten thicker and longer. I know that if it's going to fall out I cant stop it but I can try to beef up what I have and hopefully the loss won't be too much or at all.

I do not have to do any tests except for the psych eval. My pcp is really on top of my blood work and other tests. I just have my pre-surgery weight to lose.

Just had my surgery consult on Thursday and I don't have to have any tests except the psych eval. I also have to lose 35lbs to get the surgery. I want the sleeve but my surgeon recommends the bypass. I have some research to do first before I make that decision . Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I had my surgery consult with the surgeon, but and coordinator today. I was all ready to start scheduling the labs and appointments but the surgeon told me that all I needed to do was lose the requires weight and have the psych exam. No other labs or tests needed. I have high blood pressure but it is managed well and I have never had any type of surgery or other medical issues. Has this happened to anyone else? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

From my first weigh in, I have lose 37lbs to have the surgery and I am already down 6lbs. 31lbs to go...it's time to get really serious. I want to drop the weight plus an extra 10lbs before I go on vacation at the end of October (want to have a cushion) and I want to have the surgery in the beginning of November.

I was so shocked that I didn't have to anything other than lose the weight. Not that the weight loss is nothing... I just figured I would have more steps to take. Congrats on losing what you needed to! I cannot wait to get to that point. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Thank you. I had not heard of anyone not having to go through a series of tests. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Hi @@audaciousmarie! Hi @@Phoenix40! So last Thursday I went for my Nutrition/Surgeon/Coordinator appointment. I'll describe each appointment below: First you are weighed in and your height is taken Nutrition: The nutritionist is a very nice lady and she will ask you about what type of diet you have been on (I started following the 1200 calorie diet after orientation). You will have to describe what you usually eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, Snacks,etc. She also talks about Vitamins and what type you will need post op (this will depend on if you get the sleeve or bypass) and what to expect as far as diet goes in the first weeks after surgery (i.e. liquids, soft foods, etc) She also informed me about the different types of Protein drinks and answered any questions I had. Surgeon: Dr. Hahn was very patient. He went over my BMI, co morbidities, medications, etc to ensure that I would be a good candidate for surgery. He said it would be my choice whether to go for sleeve or bypass as I would be great candidate for either (I don't have acid reflux). We talked about the differences between sleeve and bypass (right off the bat he discouraged from the lap band so we were in agreement about that). He reiterated that regain was possible with either surgery and so is dumping (so it really comes down to the patient being willing to put in the work to not only lose the weight but keep it off). He went into detail about possible complications withe each procedure (ulcers, reactive hypoglycemia, reflux, etc). He then set a weight loss goal for me. Normally they ask the patients to lose 10% of their body weight but Dr. Hahn only requires a 7-8%, of total body weight, loss. For me 7-8% was 19 pounds (I had already lost 9 pounds since orientation and he credited me so I needed to lose 10 pounds to get a surgery date and 5 pounds to get a psych appointment). The only other requirements Dr. Hahn set out for me, besides weight loss, is attending at least one support group, and an EKG (I already finished my bloodwork). Coordinator: She was very pleasant. She informed of what my next steps to surgery are (support group, psych appointment, etc) and that to be sure I call monthly to update them on my weight and progress. Before the psych appointment each patient must fill out a surgery quiz (located in Chapter 9 of the Bariatric binder) and send it in before the appointment. Overrall it was an interesting yet quick appointment. I was told to expect to be there for 3 hours but for me it was more like 2 hours. Sent from my SM-G925T using the BariatricPal App Thank you for posting this! Your timing was perfect! I was struggling with one of my bad habits when I saw this and it helped me get passed it. Hearing about the appointment made me excited for my next step and reminded me why I am doing this.

Yes...Dr. Dutta is my surgeon and I was at the same seminar. Thank you...congrats to you as well.

I don't have any info as my consult is next week with a different surgeon but I want to say good luck and I look forward to hearing how it goes. i am very nervous myself.

Wow...13 vials! That is a lot. I received my book on Wednesday and have enjoyed going through it. It has also been very eye opening about how bad my eating habits have become and how far I have gotten off track. I have a lot of work ahead of me but I am ready to face it. I am sorry to hear about what you're husband said. That's rough to hear. The only advice I could tell you is hang in there. You embarked on this journey for a reason, to get healthy. Remember that as you go forward. At some future point, the skin can be removed. I have seen some really good pictures of tummy tucks and panniculectomy(sp?) and they looked stunning. You may want to also join a Gastric support group on Facebook so that you have as many avenues of support as possible. I am part of two on FB and they are awesome...tons of support and advice about relationships and the life before and after surgery.

It is scary, but the general consensus seems to be that it's totally worth it. That's what I hold onto as I get started. My first info seminar is the beginning of May, and while I've been doing lots of research for the past 2 years, I'm still nervous. I've also never had any kind of invasive surgery, but if I keep myself at this weight for much longer I can only imagine the medical issues I'd be facing as I get older. I keep asking myself why I've spent the last 30 years of my 36 year life overweight (with a few thinner teen years when I basically starved myself), why I can't just "eat less and move more" like people say? Well, I can - but it never sticks past a few months before the weight comes right back. I've come to terms with the fact that unless I get some real solid help via surgery, I'll be fighting the same yo-yo battle for the rest of my life. I've already spent my childhood, teen years, and young adulthood as an obese person. Now, the medical problems are slowly starting. Time to make a change for the better. Just imagine how much healthier we will be by next Summer. Yes...for the first time since I was a teenager, I am looking forward to next Summer. I see shorts, tank tops and amusement parks in my future!

I had the surgery orientation and I meet with my surgeon on May 5th. I am excited and terrified. This will be such a huge change in my life and I have never had surgery before. But I am tired of being in pain and having limited mobility. I just want to be able to complete simple activities without breaking into a sweat, plop into a chair with ease instead of trying to predict if it is safe and being scared that it's going to disintegrate under me and wear cute dresses. I thank God for my mom and my friends. They have been very supportive and one of my friends are also going through the process. I can't believe by this time next year (barring any complications or problems) I will be 5 months out.

Congrats! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for sharing. I have my Bariatric Orientation on Wednesday and I wanted to know what to expect.

Thanks. Things are moving so quickly all of a sudden. It's a little freaky..but in a good way.

YES!!!! I just received a call from the surgeon and I have my consultation appointment on Wednesday!!! I am so EXCITED!!!

Thanks! It definitely makes the number a lot more attainable. I LOVE my doctor! I went to the seminar on Saturday and I emailed her at 4 this morning (I know, super early, but I am ready!) And I just received a call from her office that the referral has been sent to the surgeon! Now I just wait to hear from the surgeon.

I just came back from my Introduction Seminar. I learned I have to lose 10% of my highest weigh in at my last visit. Since I have managed to lose 11lbs already, I only have to lose another 28lbs to have my surgery. That makes me really happy. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Thanks! I think 20lbs won't be too hard. I've lost 40lbs repeatedly over the years, it just keeps coming back. The motivation this time is that once it's gone, it's GONE. This is such a weird feeling! Knowing that by this time next year, I'll be in a totally different place with regards to weight and health. So exciting! Yes! I have these moments that I think, Wow...next summer I can finally wear shorts and a tank top. I am so excited because I finally have some hope of getting this weight off for good and keeping it off.