Mentor/ Buddy Needed

[lylmousy 0]

Hi! I'm new here. I was in the final stages of my pre surgery work at one practice and then had to move. So now I have a new practice and new insurance, and they are having to figure out what will and won't transfer. I would love a mentor or buddy, I am going to have the sleeve surgery. I do not have a date yet.

Thanks!

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

new here

@@lylmousy

welcome, welcome and welcome

you need/want a buddy/mentor??

what are we??

chopped liver!!!

we're all here to give info, support

ask away with questions about pre-surgery diet

ask questions about what to expect post op too

rules you need to know and follow after surgery for the rest of your life

read posts/answers/questions from others

find who to relate to, and YOU make the first move

can't alway wait for the "other" person

maybe finding another NEWBIE (you are all around )would be good to talk to

sharing your similar problems/situations that you are both going through

hope you won't have to repeat tests, 6 month pre-op diet et al since you've moved

good luck with surgery

speedy recovery

kathy

[swimbikerun 1,045]

Ditto everything Kathy said. Fly the questions people.

[mochax 50]

I don't have a date as of yet either. I'm reading as much info as I can here. Everything has been helpful. I'm excited, anxious and nervous. I'm seeing dr Fontana and he seems to be great. I'm concerned with the preop diet I've been reading it's all liquids. What happens if I slip up and eat something, would the surgery be cancelled?

[jdillon 355]

I don't have a date as of yet either. I'm reading as much info as I can here. Everything has been helpful. I'm excited, anxious and nervous. I'm seeing dr Fontana and he seems to be great. I'm concerned with the preop diet I've been reading it's all liquids. What happens if I slip up and eat something, would the surgery be cancelled?

You can do this! Focus on the end result! I'm in the middle of my pre op 6 months wait. July is my surgery month. No room for failure. I'm all in. But if a slip up happens we have to get right back up and give it all we have! There's so many wonderful people on here sharing information no doctor could ever give us. They have had 1st hand experiences with all that we are currently going through and those yet to come! I'm on here what seems non stop trying to absorb all that I can. Good luck with your journey.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

Hi,

If you are referring to Mark Fontana in Norfolk, Va. check out my blog and email me.

The pre op diet, are you referring the week before surgery? It depends. If you eat a meal 12 hours before hand and its still being digested, then expect there will be a problem. I can tell you many have gone thru that week long diet that is not all liquid and still made it.

Seriously for your own health, I would not do it. If you have food in your intestine and you get opened up, if the intestine is nicked, you can easily spill those contents in the abdomen and get life threatening complications.

[jjinWA 511]

I have told no one about my pending surgery except my hubby and daughters. Hubby is fine with it. One daughter is on board and actually working to get ins. acceptance for herself. The other daughter is a nurse practitioner and NOT happy at all about my decision to do this. I am scared to death, but going forward none-the-less. I have to make up my own mind Cuz it is my body! I read the posts here and they give me strength to go forward. I am located in Gig Harbor WA. Any buddies/mentors in this area? I would love to have a friend in my area to share this experience with. I call on Monday to set the surgery date. Just got the insurance approval 2 days ago. Surgeon is located in Federal Way, WA....Franciscan Hospital.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

Why isnt' your daughter that is the NP fine with it? I mean, medically speaking, what is her professional problem? I could help with research if you need it.

[jjinWA 511]

She thinks following a diet and exercising is the answer and that regardless of having surgery I will still have to follow a strict diet etc. so why put myself through what could be potentially dangerous surgery. For me, I have lost many many many pounds over the years but have consistently gained the weight back each time I fall off the "diet of the week." I am at the highest weight I have ever been despite this yoyo dieting over the past 60 years! I am hoping that this surgery will be the tool to help me establish better food choices and certainly control portion sizes, calorie intake etc. Diets are not easy when you are HUNGRY!!!!! WLS is the tool that can help me with the hunger. Yes, the rest is up to me. I am fully aware of that.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

Ok do you need medical research you can point her to that says the surgery beats diet and exercise hands down?

Um yes and no, but it is easier when your body isn't working against you. As for dangerous, the level now is down to hip replacement in terms of risk.

Gaining back is one of the issues, but I believe it is in the range of 20-30% who gain back, even still what is wrong with a 70-80% chance of getting and keeping it off?

You hit the nail on the head! I mean the leptin produced by the stomach is less, and once you are smaller you can start to exercise more, helping you to keep weight lower.

[jjinWA 511]

I agree... I will have to prove it to her via results!!! I will meet that goal!