GonnaBHotMama

@ Enerfina- lol on the stomach bit. I also have a goal weight of 135. I dont look like I weigh as much as I do, so I am not sure how it will work on weight, but, for right now, 135 sounds awesome to me! lol I always joke about my belly looking like Im preggers when I relax... I am looking forward to not having to worry about that! I am lucky in that my surgeon is very involved with the patients. He does a personal seminar where he gives advice and answers questions. It was great to get to know a bit about him before the first visit. Good Luck to you!! @ Pookey-Very true on the information bit! My mother always tells me to get names and what was told when so you have a reference to look back to. It didnt occur to me to just record the visit. That would be better than writing it all down in a hurry and forgetting something! Also, the pre and post op supplies! I'll definitely have to look that one up when I get all the info. Great advice! Thx y'all!

Thank you! I do believe it will be one of the best decisions I have ever made! @Lissa Thank you so much! That helps out a lot! I'll definitely use the memo pad suggestion. I didn't think there'd be that many forms for pre consult, but you are right, they would be eye opening for sure. I have definitely had many of those, just while researching each procedure and the after surgery. I enjoyed the Doctor's seminar, so I think the consult will go great. I'll be looking forward to the post that says "I got approved". Thanks for the help!

Congrats on your WL and keep up the faith! You are doing awesomely.

I am absorbing all the info I can find so I can prepare and these are some great additions! Thx!

My BMI according to my family doctor: 39.96....really?!? I felt like asking "Dont you guys remember school and rounding up?" lol Never thought I would be crossing my fingers that my weight will be juuussst a little higher so my BMI will be officially 40 at my first consult visit. Feeling wise, I feel like it will all be ok. I feel like this is just the beginning of, what is to be sure, a great journey. Doesn't hurt though that it is the holidays and I have been enjoying the food. Amazingly, I did not overeat like I usually do. I was shocked that I only ate 3/4 of a slice of dessert. I have to admit...I usually eat more than that...at least the whole slice! Especially when it's Godiva double chocolate cheesecake. I literally patted myself on the back. It is a huge deal that I did not pig out on the cheesecake. Just thought I would add that in here since every victory is a victory no matter how "small" and my leaving cheesecake on the plate, is a victory indeed!

I started my journey December of 2011. I am currently 5'5 and 242 pounds. I was feeling even more joint pain for months by then and had gained about 50 pounds. The shortness of breath and back pain were the most bothersome, besides the weight gain itself. I have always been a yo-yoer, but to be at a weight that I have NEVER been at, even when I was 9 months pregnant (which was roughly 230), was a major blow. I had a stroke of thought for WLS and began my research to see if I could be covered for the procedure by my insurance company and then proceed from there. I fit all of the criteria to be covered, so I found a great doctor and continued. I went to my psych appt and the seminar the same day, as I was and still am quite sure about having the WLS. I am scheduled now for my first consult on 12/28/11 and I am excited. The office is so helpful and they are rushing to submit the paperwork before the end of the year so I can schedule surgery sooner. I find myself already looking at food differently. Like, "I wont be eating THAT for a while" lol While I am not using that as an excuse to eat nothing but junk, I cant help but view food as I will after surgery, which I think is great that I am already in WLS mode. I think I am going to be able to handle the changes well, but that doesnt mean I know I will still have struggles and questions. I find that I am anxious and even a little impatient to get ahead in journey. I am hoping that the consult goes well and that the insurance approves the surgery and I hope that I will be able to have a surgery date set up...the sooner the better for me! It gives me hope that this new year of 2012 will be full of great things...manageable joint pain, being able to exercise again, weight loss, and a boost in my self esteem are just a few. I am also praying that all goes well, and that I havent gotten my hopes up just to be denied the surgery. I think that insurance companies should be more self aware of how others struggle instead of just the bottom line for their employers. I wish all the sleevers and would-be sleevers "Good Luck!!" and I hope to be joined the bench soon!

Hey everyone! I have my first Doctor consult this Wednesday and I am reaaallly excited. I think that if I am this excited about the first office visit, I'll be impossible by the surgery date. lol My main question is just what to expect on this visit. Since Ive never had one, I find that the nervousness is from the not knowing. I'd love to hear how some of y'all's first consult visits went and what all happened. It would help out a ton for me. Also I just had to make a gripe lol. I went to a family doctor appt regarding my joint pain on Friday, the 23rd, and got my BMI according to the nurse. I am 5'5 and 242 pounds, which makes my "BMI" 40. But according to the nurse, eventhough I was wearing shoes, by inches, I am a little taller than 5'5 and my BMI is 39.96. I got a trip out of that...just saying. That .04 percent is much needed for my insurance to cover the procedure. A little worried now, that the .04 percent will keep me from getting the surgery. I dont think I have ever "wanted" to be juuuussst a little heavier. lol Thank goodness holiday eating was done before my first consult visit. lol Hope all is well with the sleevers! Good luck y'all!!

Hey Kuntry! You are indeed a strong woman and I thank you for your support! Know that I am here for you as well! We will definitely have some great things to look forward to this New Year!!

Thx ladies! It means a lot to get such a great welcome and the reasurrance is awesome!! I definitely needed that! I am enjoying browsing the site and reading the posts. I know by the time surgery comes around, I'll be plenty prepared! Have great holidays!!

This thread is great! Perfect for those of us that needed a place to start. Great idea and great suggestions! Thx y'all!

Hi there! My name is Tiffany and I am a 26 yr old mom of 2 from Louisiana. I have started on my sleeve journey this week! I have gotten the go ahead from my psych visit, I have my 6 months of non medical, and I have a bmi of 40. I am 5'5 with a weight of 241. I also have some weight bearing joint issues, but with the bmi, I do not need to document the co-morbidities. It is a blessing that my insurance will cover the surgery...we pay enough per month for it. lol I am a little nervous about the surgery and complications. I got a sheet today from the seminar that the morbidity percentage is at .39 percent, which is a little scary to think that around 1 in a few hundred ops, someone doesn't make it through the surgery. I would love to get some feedback about anything and everything in regards to the sleeve. I have had a great time looking at the success stories!! Congrats to all those that have had such amazing results and good luck to those that are at the beginning of your journey! I look forward to getting to know y'all!