HLM

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. I'm sort of thinking like Tiffykins. How is that possible? I guess only time will tell.

Hey y'all. I've been poking around and notice most people have to go on some type of pre-op diet and I see the reasons why they do this. Any ideas as to why my Dr. isn't requiring it. She says there's no proof that it's necessary. Is that true? Also, I'm not going to go through a mushy stage. 7 days post-op, I start up with real food - just dime size bites that I have to chew a LOT. I'm a little freaked about that. She's certainly no quack. Bariatric Center of Excellence - she's done over 4,000 surgeries or something like that. So I'm sure I'm good. Just curious if anyone knows a little more about it.

I'm scheduled for the 21st. Super excited. I know what you mean about knowing there are others going through this around the same time. We're gonna do GREAT!

I am completely in your shoes. For the most part... I'm 5'8" and weigh 261. Surgery is scheduled for April 21st. My Dr. asked what I thought my goal weight should be and I said that I'd heard someplace I should be 150'ish. She disagreed and said I should be more like 140'ish. She said it was because I'm young (40) and healthy - whatever that means (I have diabetes and hypothyroidism). I think you're exactly on track with your choice of goal weight. I am also in agreement that a specific weight won't matter so much to me. I'll know I'm good when I look in the mirror and am happy with what I see. I asked my husband to keep a close eye on me and make sure I didn't get too thin. I don't want to end up looking hollow - I recently saw a pic of myself after a major diet about 15 years ago and I looked sickly - way too thin - and I think I was about 145. Needless to say, three babies later and that diet went south. You're going to do great. We're both going to be able to play "WITH" our kids again and get up those stairs and keep going, get hot and steamy in the bedroom again... all those things and more.

Great question. I'm so glad you asked it. My surgery is scheduled for April 21. I do have hypothyroidism so now I'm a little concerned about the slow-losing. Yikes. Have to ask my Dr. about that. Good luck to you. You're totally going to hit your goal weight by that wedding.

I understand the point of this diet plan, but I have to wonder if it has to do with the expertise of the Dr. - how confident they are in their surgical skills perhaps? I too, have not been placed on any type of pre-op diet. Just a cleanse the day before. Or, perhaps from the ultrasound done on me last week they could tell my liver isn't going to be a prob? I certainly don't know either, just a curiosity. Nonetheless, GOOD LUCK INFERNORED! You can SO do this!

Thanks. I really appreciate it.

To Kami: I looked into a Banner Bariatric Program. The seminar was off of Dobson. I'm way E. Valley. I originally wanted something a little closer to home but after all the good things I heard about Blackstone and once I met the staff , I decided that it will be worth the drive. The last two weeks have been a bear though with gettting to all the early morning appts in rush hour traffic. Do you have a date set yet? I'm really nervous. I'm still trying to figure how to navigate this site so if I put things in the wrong place, please forgive...

It's been a rough road but I'm almost at the beginning. I originally wanted to get a band procedure done but changed my mind. Last March (2010) I attended my first seminar at Scottsdale Bariatric Center in Arizona with 120 lbs to lose. After going through all of the psych eval.'s, nutritionist, exercize guru, 1st appt with nurse, my insurance denied me - No co-morbidities and no 6 mo diet plan (I had called and asked about this before all the hoops I jumped through, really I did. Scottsdale and I were both told I didn't need the 6 mo diet. Guess they changed their mind when they realized I really wanted to go through with it). Nonetheless, summer came on and the kids got out of school. I put it in the back of my mind but did go back to the gym and started a low-cal diet on my own. Once September rolled around, I stepped on a scale and realized I'd gained 30 lbs since March - when I'd last been to Scottsdale Bariatric (what the heck? Right?). I went to my Primary Care Physician and went through a ton of testing. Come to find out, I have hypothyroidism and am now pre-diabetic. Ugh! He put me on Metformin and Synthroid. We also started a specific weight-loss plan along with the meds. This is when I decided to switch my sights to the Sleeve. After much research and contemplation, I realized it's probably going to be the best thing for me. I ended the 6 mo. plan in the middle of February and have lost the 30 lbs - awesome! My insurance company calls me on the phone one day out of the blue and tells me I have been approved for the sleeve surgery. I hadn't even re-applied yet. I guess my PCP and Scottsdale went ahead and got the ball rolling for me. How great is that? I have attended a group counseling session, my pre-op appt. and also have met my Dr. (Robin Blackstone) in person and up close. She's going to be great. I love her enthusiasm. Her passion for what she does appears to be very genuine. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about her and the facility. My surgery date has been scheduled for April 21st. Just three days after my 40th birthday. Happy Birthday to me!!!! Just 3 1/2 weeks away. I'm so excited and nervous but in the end, it's going to be perfect.