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Hi: I'm at the same point you are. I just turned 49 and started everything in October. I need six months of weigh-ins and consults for my insurance, so I will (hopefully) be sleeved in April/May too. We can share our experiences and give each other support!

Wow! Good for you! You look wonderful and happy. Thank you for the words of encouragement. It's people like you who are a great support system for us "beginners". Thanks and keep up the good work!

I am with you. I have United Healthcare/Oxford. I have to have six months of a medically supervised diet and other specialist visits. I did the sleep study and found out that I have severe sleep apnea. That is a plus for me (as far as insurance is concerned). So I have been using the CPAP for the last month, and it does help. I had a cardio visit, abdominal sonogram, blood work, pulmonary test, chest x-rays, colonoscopy/endoscopy, and I still have to have a psych and nutrition evaluation and attend 2 group support meetings. I am just checking these requirements off as I keep reading and following sleevers on you tube and doing more research, research and research. It is a lot of work, but now I'm glad to have this six-month wait period. I have changed my mind several times before admitting there is no other way for me to do it. I have to totally change my way of thinking about food and eating and I really believe this is the tool that will help me do it. I am grateful to this site and the book for all the support and info I am receiving. Think of it as part of the journey. We are starting to change what is in our heads while we are in this stage of the journey. Just keep reading and following other sleevers. Some of them are so inspirational and motivating, that you will be inspired to do your best during this process. Good luck and keep us posted on this journey. Think of the prize - getting to wear wonderful clothes from a regular store and being healthy as we grow older!

Congratulations! That is awesome! You must feel better too. Keep up the great work. You have inspired me!

Very encouraging responses and just what I needed to hear, as well. Thanks. That is why this site is so invaluable to me!

Funny that you posted this today. I am at the same stage you are and have been obsessive about this. I read these posts and all I hear are how sick people are after surgery. But all of them have said they would do it again. I am on you tube constantly following "sleevers" who just seem to be so happy with their results. But I, too, cannot find any people who have had the surgery more than 3 or 4 years ago. I am really concerned with what happens later on, after we lose the weight. I know it is a lifestyle change and I was hoping by then I could live the lifestyle, but what if I can't and regret this surgery? There is no going back.

The Big Book on Gastric Sleeve ... by Alex Brecher is a great source of information. They answered just about any question you can think of. I also read The Sleeved Life and found that helpful also.

I want to have a professional family portrait taken. I always hide behind my kids in pictures now. I want to be smiling proudly and wearing a great outfit!!

I was just wondering about coffee this morning. After surgery, will I be able to drink coffee at all?

I love my wine too. That's what I'm afraid of giving up, even more than most of the food. I think I can live with eventually having just two glasses on a night out.

Congratulations! Great job!

Wires, I am going through the EXACT same thing you are right now. At first I felt so sure this is what I wanted and needed, and as I am going through the six month wait and testing, I seem to feel more and more unsure of it. Joatsaint, you answered a lot of our questionable fears. Thank you for that. It made me breathe a little easier.

I know it can be disappointing at times. I am at month 4 of my 6 month "hoop jumping stage". At first I thought I was going to have such anxiety waiting and "jumping", but at this point I think it is probably a good thing that I had more time to speak with more people and to mentally prepare for this big step. I think we should just try to think of this as part of the journey, even though we both want to be there already. Good luck with everything!

Best of luck! Keep us posted.

Wow, you look wonderful! Great job! Thanks for inspiring me!

I received some good (?) news today. After participating in a sleep study, I found out that I have sleep apnea. Yeah, I think. That is a plus as far as my insurance coverage is concerned. Taking the next step and thinking positively.

Has anyone that used Dr. Barkan have any problems getting any response from the office? I have had a few things to ask them and discuss with them. I called and left three different messages this week for the liaison, but I have still not gotten a call back. I am concerned that if it is this difficult to get to speak with someone now, what will happen if I have any problems in the future? Has anyone else experienced this? Thank you.

I am not counting myself out yet. I met with another surgeon today, and it looks more promising. He didn't agree with the lap band procedure for me and if I qualify, he will perform a VSG on me. I just have to jump through the hoops now. I have an appointment for a sleep apnea test and my insurance requires me to weigh in with my PCP once a month for six months, so I am on that for this month. I hate to have to look for the negative, but if I have sleep apnea, it is almost a done deal. I appreciate everyone's input on this crazy journey.

I have an appointment with another surgeon tomorrow. Whatever he tells me, I will NOT be getting a lap band. I just don't feel that is something that I want. I heard too many negatives with it. I have looked into Mexico also, but my husband is not on board with that (yet). I am thinking that if this doctor tells me he won't do it, then it isn't meant to be for me and I will have to rethink my lifestyle. Thank you for all the input. It is always encouraging and helpful to hear from others who have gone through this ride.

Wow, that is great! My insurance requires a six month wait period and two co-morbidities. I'm not sure that I will qualify, but keeping my fingers crossed. Congratulations to you. Keep up the great work!

Tricia, I am meeting with Dr. Barkan next week and I also have United Healthcare Oxford insurance. I am going to speak with him about the sleeve gastrectomy. Was it difficult to get through the insurance process for you?

That is a shame. I'm sorry that you confided in your "friend" and did not get the support or encouragement you desired. That is what a friend should be there for. Life is too short to deal with people that would treat you like that. Not only is the whole surgery and post-op journey a lot of work, but think of all we do just to get to the point of being able to have the surgery. Not to mention the years before where you have probably struggled with many diets. I'm sure you also had many emotions involved to even get to the point where you decided to have the surgery. This is by far not "the easy way out". I am fairly new to this site and have been reading these forums, and I find much comfort and support from people I don't even know personally. Maybe you can even find some supportive friends that live in your area in these forums. I hear that people make friends in the support groups before and after surgery that they attend too. I wish you all the best in this journey of yours.

Thank you all. My husband and I were discussing it, and I think I will check out some other doctors first. I appreciate all of your responses and help!

Oh, I didn't know that. I was looking at the Mexico option, but my husband does not like that idea at all. I will start investigating that idea. Thanks so much!