carolc

thank you, thank you! I am just so glad that (if all goes according to plan) that I will be able to get my kids to and from school at the end of August, instead of being in the hospital while they start. That was a big thing on my worry list!

Good luck to you too!

I had my first appointment in April, 3 months of weight management, pysc eval, nut counseling, endoscopy, pre surgical class, ketosis diet and a letter from my doctor. I made and kept every appointment right away and was very compliant. We submitted on my 90th day! I have a condition called idiopathic intracranial hypertension which is basically an invisible brain tumor, that can lead to blindness. Weight loss is often the only cure for it, this may have helped my chances but I don't know.

Last week I received my surgery date, 8/28/12. I was a little bummed because I was hoping for it to be sooner... WELL, the coordinator just called and said there was an opening next week 8/14! Luckily, I have been following the pre-op diet for a few weeks in hopes of this happening. I go tomorrow for my pre-op appointments and then I only have a week to wait. I am so ready, so excited, and so grateful for this life changing opportunity that I just can't wait to get started. Now excuse me while I get busy reading all of the great advice posted on this forum!

Good luck everyone! I have to wait until 8/28...lots more time to think, worry, and be excited! Come back and tell me all about it:)

I am pre-op but have been dieting for a while now. I really love Unjury chocolate in a decaf iced coffee

Holy weightloss... 21lbs in 6 days! That is amazing. Best of luck to you, I wish you continued success.

I don't love sweet that much either. I don't know what stage you are in but my favorite healthy snack is hummus with veggies or homemade roasted chick peas. Both are very inexpensive and very healthy especially if you make them yourself.

Does this sound crazy? I am a very friendly, sociable person but not one that enjoys the spotlight. I remember the last time I got thin, it was very uncomfortable to have so much attention. I will admit that positive attention is much easier to take than the hushed negative whispers "oh my gosh, she got so fat" kind of attention. Then there is the other nasty problem: I am already dreading the bunches of people (and I know who they are) who will be giving me attention and compliments on my weight loss. I was an average size person and then I gained a lot of weight after having 3 kids, and then I was heavy (not this heavy though) for years, I finally lost a lot after the last baby and noticed all of these new friends I was making! These were the groups of people that I knew the entire time I was pregnant and they never noticed me once. After I gained this current weight, all of a sudden I wasn't included in events or even conversations. The bigger I get the more invisible I become! I am onto the shallowminded people now and won't fall for that nonsense anymore but it does really irk me that our friendship depends entirely on my weight. Anyone else have similar feelings?

Hi Kathy, I am pre-op and have started my own makeshift water aerobics in my pool...only when the neighbors aren't outside:) I bought some water ankle weights and I jog the perimeter of the pool 4 times in one directions and then 4 in the other against the current I made. Then I swim a few laps, do stretches, twists, etc. Let me tell you, it is a work out! The best is that it is easy on the feet and knees and it is sweat free! I am sure you will love the class. Good luck to you. Carol

Aetna

Congrats, this is so exciting!

I Expected to have to wait at least a week or two! The best part is that I received the call as soon as we arrived at our vacation spot. It was just the news I needed to keep me on track with my pre op diet. The coordinator is trying to fit my surgery in 2 weeks. Woohoooo, I am super excited!!!

I had pretty much the same response from my PCP, he always preached "eat less, exercise more...it's that easy". I am pretty sure the man never heard one word I ever said to him. Hopefully, your mom will see how healthy and happy you are and will have more positive comments! Best of luck.

Hi there! I went to the seminar sure that I wanted a lapband and walked out knowing the sleeve was for me. I hope that your insurance is quick with a positive reply! I am awaiting approval from mine...fingers crossed

Such interesting stories. Thanks for sharing. I honestly think I broke my metabolism! My mom noticed some pre-puberty pudge around my belly at 11 and put me on a grapefruit diet (failed), and then brought me to a diet doctor that put me on a restricted diet, speed and vitamins at 14. Keep in mind I wasn't even "fat" yet. I weighed 135 (hip bones sticking out) and they wanted me to weigh 110, so I starved myself. I would have turned to bulimia but I couldn't make myself vomit (thankfully). I was spent my entire life trying to reach an unacheivable goal given to me by my mother and quack doctor. I really never felt thin enough, although looking back at pictures, I looked normal. I was the queen of yo yo dieting, each time packing a few more pounds on. 8 years ago I got back down to 150 after having 3 kids and not only couldn't I maintain that, I gained 100 lbs in less than a year...and then some since. I wish that someone could have told that 135lb girl that she was just right!

Hi there! I am hoping to join your group on 8/7 or 8/14...just waiting for the phone call. I am from CT, 47, wife & mom, 5'4" with 100# to lose. Best of luck to everyone!

I have Aetna and did not need a 2 year weight loss history, I did need 5 years of documented weight and a letter saying that I have tried unsuccesfully to lose weight. I had to go through my OBGYN because he is the only one that I saw every year. I only saw my PCP for illness and a random check-up here and there. I hope that they won't hold you up for one missing month! Best of luck!

Me too! I have lost about 10lbs since I started weight management in May, although my surgeon didn't give me a specific amount to lose. Hopefully yours will be happy that the scale at least moved in the right direction. Good luck to you!

I have been so calm during this process until last week (waiting for my date) and now I am getting some butterflies. I come here and find these wonderfully supportive people and it really does ease my mind. I know that I am behind you in this process but I am sure that you will be on here posting about how happy you are that you got it done! Think positive thoughts and the best of luck to you!

Congrats! I am waiting (and waiting and waiting and waiting) for my phone to ring with my date. Best of luck to you!

I wish! Instead, I have to drink a laxative the day before and have a very light supper

It is so frustrating! The nurse assures me that the proof will be in the size of my liver and maybe not so much on the scale. I am hoping and praying that my liver is shrunk! I am also on a pre op diet awaiting approval from insurance, they had me start last week because I can go in as soon as the 7th. I am a super-slow-loser too (which is exactly why I need the surgery) I have only lost 10 lbs since starting weight management in May. My diet consists of 1000 calories and no fat, I can supplement 1 meal a day with shakes. Keep on going!!

and all this time I felt I was just being a Fage snob, good to know! This also explains why true greek yogurt has more protein, good info.

thank you so much, I really appreciate the support! I cannot wait until I can be on the other side of this, I am so ready. Have a great day:)