New Kid

[Amy_Irenie 0]

Hi everyone. I've been reading the forum a little bit and decided to join...

I'm going to my first info session tonight for Mt. Carmel's bariatric surgeries.

I have a typical sob story of being pretty healthy and fit through high school, then went to college, drank too much and didn't eat enough, stopped sports, took care of my dying mom got engaged and somehow gained 75 pounds in 3 years. I've been engaged 18 months and have been working my @$$ off but am not getting results that I want. The wedding is in 8 months and I refuse to buy a dress.

So my sister, the skinny healthy one, said maybe it was time to try something else. I have great insurance and a BMI of 42.

I'm I becoming completely naive to think that this can't just happen quickly? It seems like people have taken up to 6 months to get their surgery, and I don't have that much time.

I think I'm pretty aware of what is going to happen and I wouldn't consider myself naive about the process. I just need it. NOW.

This has probably incited some laughter, but I'm hoping there might be some encouragement out there as well???

[barbarossa 0]

Amy, welcome to the forums. We're glad to have you and congrats on your decision (and your engagement).

Want some pre-surgical results? Get with your program nutritionist and start working a pre-surgical diet. I lost nearly 30 lbs from my first check in Sept to my surgery right before Thanksgiving. You have to be able to find a diet you can live with. The other thing that helped me was starting to do a daily food journal (you can buy one at Barnes & Noble, Mt. Carmel will probably have them available, or you can do it online). Paying attention to what I am eating every day has been a great help (I started journaling when I started my 4 week pre-surgical diet). Finally, get some support. We have our monthly meetings at Polaris (annoucements posted here in the forum) and we also have a local Yahoo group. Contact Heather about getting on.

The band provides reinforcement to stick to your diet, but nothing to stop you from jump-starting the process. I can attest that the temptations don't go away once you get the band. Start developing good healthy habits now. Just think how great you'll look in your wedding dress.

Good luck!

[SpecialK 22]

Hi Amy and I join Barbarossa in saying Congrats for the wonderful positive things that are happening. Besides his advice on finding a diet that works for you I would add that Exercise is absolutely the key for me plus careful diet. I know, so many of us overweight don't like to exercise but if you get started with 30 minutes a day and work up from there, you'll be surprised and happy that it helps kickstart your metabolism and it does have positive mental effects too.

I had my surgery at Mt. Carmel and I started October 2007 and had surgery March 2008 so yes, it took me about 6 months but that was my own insurance things too. I'd definitely investigate Riverside and OSU also to see if you can get things in the works faster than Mt. Carmel if that is critical for you.

Good luck! Consider coming to the next Polaris mall get together and meet us in person. It is March 14 at 2pm in the food court corner by Chik-fila and Great indoors.