Phoenix40

Lol! Will do!

I am no sure yet. I hope I'll find out more tomorrow. I have heard several different requirements with Kaiser alone. I have heard 3 month,6 month and no weight loss needed just tests and classes. I hope to clear some of this up this week.

I have Kaiser and I meet all the requirements. What happens after orientation is a little confusing as I have heard different stories for Kaiser members. I go from giddy to feeling like I am going to puke, lol. I have never had any type of surgery and that part is wigging me out.

Hello, I am in the beginning stages as well. I have my orientation first thing in the morning. I scheduled the orientation 2 weeks ago and I have been working on eating healthier and getting in more activity. Now that I have the orientation tomorrow excitement and anxiety is starting to set in. This is a big step but I am committed to getting healthy and seeing this through. I am also in Cali..in the Bay Area

I originally thought about wls about 15 years ago and it seemed so drastic. I felt that I could lose the weight on my own with diet and exercise. Over the years I have lost 80lbs and gained 120. I have always been able to lose but not keep it off. Now I am heavier that I was then but I still thought I could do it on my own. In November, I started having problems with my knees and calves and I was in excruciating pain for every step. I iced my knees, calves and anything else that hurt but I kept pushing on. One day I was caught my first episode of my 600lb life and reality hit me in the face. I realized that I was at a crossroads. I had gained enough weight that it was putting serious strain on my joints and I really took stock of what I was feeling. My knees, calves, hips and lower back hurt every time I stood for more than 5 minutes or walked a block. I realized that if I did not do something soon I was going to be immobile and I knew if that happened I would gain more weigh and may end up like the people on 600lb life. I cannot, will not allow myself to go there. I could not live in denial anymore and I had to do something. I started researching the surgery and three days later I contacted my doctor and she made the appointment for the seminar for this Saturday. I have lost 11lbs so far and I plan to keep going.

Crossing my legs Wearing a dress/skirt above the knee Being able to finally wear heels Throwing myself in a chair without thought (right now I would never sit in a chair without thoroughly analyzing it's framework to make sure it will not disintegrate underneath me) Wearing shorts in the summer

Hi all, I have Kaiser NorCal and I am scheduled for the seminar in two weeks. I have been seeing conflicting info regarding what the process is. Mt doctor has already told me that she will refer me to the surgeon after the seminar. What is the process like after that? Thanks in advance.

I will also say that you have to put yourself first. No one else will. I am in the early stages as well. I don't know how long it will take to get everything done but I know that my quality of life is definitely not where I want it to be and as I get older things are going to get worse. I want to live a long healthy life and that means that I need to do this for myself. Everyone else has to take a backseat. I truly love my job and the people I work with....but not more than I love myself. Jobs come and go. Okay...stepping off my soapbox now.

Thank you. I am driving myself crazy...now that I have made the decision, I just want to get started. I have heard a couple of different things, which has added to my confusion,lol.

I'm looking forward to shopping in a regular store instead having to find a mall that has a Lane Bryant or Avenue. I'm looking forward to just sitting in a chair instead of critically analyzing how much weight it can take. Being able to respond with a smile when I am flirted with instead of suspecting that it's some kind of joke. Going to a carnival or amusement park and riding every single roller coaster

So far I have only told my mom and my closet friends, one of which has done the surgery and the other is thinking of doing it with me. I am not ready to tell anyone else...yet. My mom and friends have been supportive (but I knew they would be). I plan to tell my dad in a couple of weeks after I have been to the seminar and talked to the surgeon. At this point, my focus is on doing what's best for me. Those that support me will share in my triumphs and those that do not will get left behind.

California girl here!

It is amazing how easy it is to fool ourselves. I did not really understand the problem until my besties wedding this past December. The wedding pictures...dear Lord...I looked WAY bigger than I saw myself but I have recently crashed landed into truly seeing exactly how big I have gotten. My best friend had a baby a year ago ( and she is the cutest baby ever and I am totally biased) and I recently saw a picture of us on Easter and I look like a freaking Yeti next to this child. I had been thinking about the surgery for a couple of months but that picture did it. I enrolled in the seminar taking place in two weeks and will see my doctor two days later to move forward.