snowkitten

Thank you very much. I really appreciate your response

I do apologize, I thought this was the general discussion board not the pre-op. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll do that

So i want real life data... Age, your starting weight and how much did you lose at 1mo, 3mo, 6mo, 9mo, 1 year, 18mo?? And most importantly how well did you adhere to the diet and exercise requirements?? Did you do both, one more than the other, or neither?? If i get enough response I'll post the results. Thanks!

What was the hardest thing for you to cope/give up with having WLS?

Thats a good point/idea. Maybe I can set a reminder on my phone to eat. Thanks

Im in the same boat you are. Im just starting out and the guilt is overwhelming. I try to keep telling myself that its better late then never though.

I'm 27 y/o and considering WLS but having a bit of trouble with which KIND. I live in Alaska and have heard that we have a very limited selection to choose from, but as of yet i cant find out what that selection IS. Is there anyone from AK who can answer that for me? Thanks

I found out the answer to my own question so wanted to share. The band, sleeve, and roux-en-y are all done in Anchorage AK

I know those looks all too well. I've even gotten them from my sister (who has never been more then 110lbs dripping wet!). I hate when people at the gym give those looks. It makes me feel like i shouldn't be there, which is pretty ironic.

@@snowkitten i periodically miss not eating stuff during the day (all day !!!) in other words i used to frequently eat throughout the day (grazing) i "usually" am successfu not eating extra though out the day butttttt there are times that i do/must give in kathy I think this will be the hardest things for me as well!!

Thats great! I have a regular psychiatrist that i see who has already given her blessing on the surgery but she's harder to get into see. So i scheduled with my Dr's BH specialist. Im just a little nervous because he seems a little.... critical?

Thanks for examples. Having SOME idea of what will go on in the eval allows me to breath a little easier.

I've done alot of research about the post op diet requirements and one thing is driving me crazy. I've read that you cant drink fluids with meals and should actually wait a predetermined amount of time before and after a meal to drinking anything. What i cant find out is WHY! I fully intend to follow the rules, but Im one of those people who have to know the reason. Is this just so that you can ensure that when you eat that you fill your pouch with only nutrients, or is there some other bigger reason? Have you all followed this rule faithfully, and if not, did you notice a consequence to not doing it?

Thank you all so much for the replies. It makes sense now. I think that will be the hardest thing for me to alter. I always have a dry mouth and are thirsty so I've got fluids next to me constantly.

I finally got my first appointment for eval with the surgeon scheduled for 4/30. I don't want to waste the dr's time with things i can read about myself tho (big into research so i know alot), BUT i don't want to go into the appt thinking i know everything and miss out on learning something very important. What questions would you suggest asking? For those of you who have already had the procedure, what do you WISH you had asked?

Thats a good idea. I think i'll adopt that idea and start writing my questions in my phone too. So far the types of question i have are "how long before i can lift my son (31lbs)?" "How long do i HAVE to be out of work? - I have a sit down job, so could i go back sooner rather than later"? "Are there any medications (such as nsaids) that i should avoid, and if so for how long"?

Thank you all for your reply, it helps tremendously!! I have a funny feeling what my doctor has documented wont be "enough". Ive been going to the doctor for years with weight concerns and have seen numerous dieticians BUT i dont trust that they documented it to the standard requried. Wow, that sounds paranoid. Im a med coder (for the facility i see in fact) and have seen my records so i know that they havnt been documented correctly. It sounds like i will have to be a little more proactive. From what im hearing regular weigh ins will qualify tho? So then what i really have to do is get all my med records sent to me. Ugh... that could take awhile. Thank you miss mac for the idea of a personal letter. I didn't know that was something that could be done. Great idea!

I finally got my first appointment for eval with the surgeon scheduled for 4/30. The staff was great and already called the insurance company to make sure the procedure was covered (not the same as being approved). My insurance gave them my list of documentation needed for approval but it seems very vague. I have Federal BCBS and one of the requirements is a... "Participation in a medically supervised weight loss program, including nutritional counseling, for at least 3 months prior to the date of surgery." Has anyone had to fulfill this requirement?" What exactly does that MEAN? Would going to my doctor for weight problems and seeing the on staff nutritionist count? And how do I OBTAIN that knowledge as documentation? Would I have to request my medical records, or could i just get my primary care dr to write a statement that it has been done?

So before i ask my question I'd like to make something clear. I am not one of those people who think WLS is the "easy way out", I just want to be completely aware of what I'm getting myself into. For those of you who have already had the sleeve done, how do you think it compares to NOT having it done and eating less. Do you find that your appetite is less? I saw a few studys that say the sleeve removes the "hunger hormone". Do you find this is actually true?

Thank you all so much for your responses. I really appreciate the input from those who have experienced it first hand.

Unfortunately I've already done the surgeon search. Alaska only has 3 (1 on base so only 2 available to me) and neither has information about what they perform online. I didn't think about contacting other members however. I hate to bother people but i just may have to. Thanks for the idea!!