I'm a Newbie ! Here is my story....

[tissiegirl 36]

Started my process with the surgeon informational meeting back in July. Started thinking about this in the beginning of year but actually thought about this about this for the last 20 years but was too scared and wanted to beat this on my own. I had some weight loss success but unfortunately more of them have been failures and now at my highest weight I've ever been. In the spring I received a letter from a Hospital Bariatric program asking to go to their seminar which I thought how did they get my name ? Which I assume from insurance company. I am going to a surgeon closer to my house, and who was highly recommended to me also know someone who has had the surgery with. My insurance doesn't require any diet or exercise program prior to insurance approval. Just 5 yr health records, initial nutritional consultation and 51/2 hour nutritional preop class. Next week surgeon office is submitting paper to insurance company for approval. Hoping to be scheduled in November surgery. I'm scared and excited at same time. Any advice or encouragement anyone can offer would be awesome. Initially was gonna have the sleeve but since changed my mind to the bypass. Thanks for reading ! ????

[AmyC65 34]

Congratulations to you on making a tough decision for your health and your future! I think my one bit of advice would be, because your insurance doesn't require a long process, do all you can to educate yourself. If there is a support group through your surgeon or hospital, get to that. Spend a lot of time here reading people's stories and questions. I walked through the process with my husband and then 2 of my best friends. So when my time came, I felt pretty informed. And there are still things that surprise and confuse me! Good luck to you on the rest of your journey!

[James Marusek 5,244]

Try and get your daily walking exercise in, it will help with the recovery process.

If you haven't cut out caffeine and carbonated beverages from your diet, do so now. I had been on a 6 diet coke per day habit for many years. When I went off it cold turkey about 6 months before the operation, I suffered from severe withdrawal symptoms - severe headaches and muscle pain. It took a week to get over it. This is common for many people. So it is better to get this over with long before surgery than on the day of surgery. No use compounding the recovery process. Also by the way, I lost 20 pounds pre-surgery on this change alone.