Newbie *waves*

[kc82 22]

Hi there! I'm new here to the site. My name is Kari and I'm 30 years old from Michigan.

I've been researching WLS for the last year and officially started this process this past January 2013.

Initially, I started out thinking I was going to have the Roux en Y Gastric Bypass, however after meeting my surgeon for the first time and going over my labs, it was discovered that I am very anemic and he felt that the RNY would not be a good option for me as in the long-term it will cause me more health problems than what it's worth. I completely trust his judgment, therefore I will be going with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy! (And in all honesty, I feel better about this choice for some reason).

Thankfully we have been blessed with great health insurance through my husband's employer, and they cover the surgery, no questions asked, no pre-approval. I just have to do everything my bariatric program requires, and I'm good to go.

Next week I do my psych evaluation, and the following week I will do my exercise consultation. Sometime after that I will meet with a cardiac doctor to get surgery clearance, and have another visit with my surgeon. On that day I will also get to schedule my surgery. I'm excited and nervous, and I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions along the way!

My highest weight ever was 320 lbs. My starting weight for this process was 311 and my current weight is 294.

I look forward to getting to know many of you here! Thanks for allowing me to introduce myself!

- Kari

[annabelle 76]

hello Kari and welcome you well be grand everyone here is very friendly and im still pre-op but any questions or worries we will all help you with them xxx

[FeeIsMe2 508]

Welcome and good luck!

[No game 14,437]

Hi Kari,

And welcome to VST! It sounds like you are off to a great start, and having a good relationship with your surgeon is comforting. I am really glad that I chose the sleeve, I originally thought I wanted the band! Boy, I am so glad my surgeon talked me out if it!

I too, did not have a waiting period, so coming to this site and researching everything is a must!

It really prepared me for the good the bad and the sometimes funny

Good luck to you

Laura

[HoosierGirl 780]

Kari - good luck! I was self-pay after insurance denial....best money I ever spent on myself! Off all my BP meds and steadily losing weight. All the best!

[bigchange 2]

I'm new here too. and 2 weeks post opp. everyone has been amaing here.. good luck with everything

[dltrautman1 27]

Hi Kari! I will tell you the sleeve is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I wish I had done it sooner. You should definately have an easier rode than alot of us since your insurance is playing nice. I have Aetna and they were pretty good but still had to jump through some extra hoops

Let us know if you need anything!

[Sarah78_RN 66]

Welcome and good luck with your journey!!

[kc82 22]

Thank you all so much for the nice replies. I appreciate the warm welcome - this seems like a great group here!

Yes, I am very lucky with our insurance. I also have insurance through my employer, but they refuse to cover anything for weight loss. We were lucky when my husband's company merged with another and they just so happened to have really awesome health insurance. We were very blessed.

Anyway - thanks so much again, and I look forward to getting to know many of you here!

[KanesMom 44]

Hi Kari!! Welcome and good luck on your journey!!

[Sunshine1 34]

Hello LOSERS!!! (And I mean that in the most positive way!)

I just started this Sleeve research not long ago but knew i needed to do something since my lapband never was a good tool for me and i'm the exact same weight as the day I had it (4 yrs ago). I can't even begin to tell you the frustration I've had with it and all the doctors in the states treated me like a FREAK because I had it out of the country. Aftercare was not easy.

Now, my insurance covers it and I went to the doctor at the hospital where I work where we advertise our bariatric program and

he looked at me like I was high and dismissed my concerns and told me to go home and work on my diet. WOW...so...I'm not even bothering to go back there to fight to get approved for a revision plus the deductible is just about the same as me having it done in MX so here I GO!!!!

Sugery is scheduled for 3/13/2013 with Dr. F. Garcia, deposit down and booking flight today! Soo..do you think that is a lucky date or should i change it? lol

I've been through this process of having surgery in MX, going alone, before and I'm doing it again. I'm only choosing to tell a few people since folks can be pretty critical of others' choices. Some have known my struggles with band and are excited for me. My highest was 235, today I'm 226. I'm 5'6'' so I'd love to be around 140..IF that is even possible.

I'm nervous and excited at that same time. This is MY YEAR! I just turned 40 in Dec and I WILL BE FIT FABULOUS AND 40!!! I don't think I can do this without the support of the online community.

I'd like to be able to wear shorts again (been 13 yrs) & NOT have to wear a sarong every second i'm at the beach...I LIVE IN FLORIDA! And I'd really like to be able have the towel wrap around me all the way (I am reminded of this each morning). I could go on and on...as i'm sure you all understand.

Good luck to each and everyone of you wherever you are on this journey of life and living!!! Hug hug to you all!

~Sarah