The Candidate

Sometimes you have to step back a bit to see the whole picture, especially when you're the main subject. You're doing great and you've got the undeniable proof! Congrats!

One thing this experience will teach you and that's to have the patience of a saint! Here's hoping for a speedy process!

Every great and worthwhile journey begins with the first step. Congratulations on having made yours!

You look like two different people! Congratulations on your wonderful success!

Congratulations! What an amazing accomplishment! You have every right to be so proud of how far you've come. You are a shining example to us all!

Yep, my insurance required it too, plus we're supposed to lose 10 percent of our excess weight. Initially I felt the same way you did, but I came through it just fine. The time absolutely passed by a lot faster than I could ever imagine and I did lose the required weight. It's been a month since then, and I've been approved for surgery! Only to find out that there are worse things than the six month mandate. And that's waiting for an actual surgery date. Could be July. Could be August or September. I don't know. But I've come to an understanding that I have no control over the "process" and no two "processes" are alike. So I rejoice in simply having made it this far, and in the sure knowledge that my day is coming. One thing is for sure though, my resolve that this is the right choice for me has never once wavered. So I spend as much time as I can imagining my great future, and as little time as possible wallowing in the wait. In the meantime I congratulate those who get there before me, and encourage those who will get there after me. Your time too will come! I promise! Just hang in there and learn as much as you can!

I agree. Ask your surgeon what is their protocol on the pre op diet and if it would be okay to start early.

Wow that is a major accomplishment and you've only just begun! Congratulations!

Congratulations on your ongoing success. How lovely it is for you to wake up each day knowing it's only going to be better than the last! This is the true definition of happiness!

Best of luck to you! What a great day to begin a whole new wonderful life!

That's an amazing visible change in such a short timeframe! I'm so happy for your success!

Look what cake did for Marie Antoinette! It isn't all it's cracked up to be. ???? You are only human to fixate on what you might be missing, but then let it go. You have a wonderful, exciting, and fulfilling life ahead of you. You spent the last year trying to get to the exact place you are in now and I couldn't be happier for you. Always keep in mind the reasons why you did this and never forget where you came from so you can keep track of how far you've come. Rejoice in your accomplishments!

A year ago I started this process in the exact same frame of mind. I was going to get a sleeve. Period, end of question. I actually have myself on video stating that exact same thing, quite vehemently too, as I had started a video diary for myself early on to track my progress. I was perhaps halfway through my insurance's mandated pre op classes before I began to wonder if perhaps bypass might be a better choice in my case. I have the occasional reflux too. I also have a wicked sweet tooth, so dumping might not be a bad incentive to have to stay on track. I'm also older (54), and really don't want to think of the possibility of having to revise to bypass if the sleeve didn't work for me. Not to mention the fact that my insurance has made it very clear that they will only pay for one wls per lifetime. I currently take a huge regimen of Vitamins anyway, so I'm willing to take on both the positive and negative outlets of malabsorption. In all I've come to believe that restriction just might not be enough for me. Hence, the switch. So here I am, a year later, having completed every single requirement my insurance put in front of me, including losing 10% of my excess weight. I even have undeniable written proof of my insurance's approval in my hands and... I'm still waiting. I carry my phone with me everywhere, waiting for *that* call - the surgical consult. The last step before actual surgery. But because of the high demand and back log, I might not get there for another couple of months. I've resigned myself to the fact. But I know one thing, my resolve that this is the right step for me has never once wavered, and it never will. There's nothing anyone can say that will make the waiting any easier. It's hell sometimes, I won't lie. But I'll get there and so will you. You've done everything right. Extensive research is the key. You have to know what's right for you, which might be something entirely different than someone else. WLS is definitely not a one size fits all kind of thing, and it's not something to enter into without knowing exactly what you're getting into. You sound like you are well on your way to being monumentally successful. Keep on that path, and you'll suddenly look back one day and realize that it all passed by a lot faster than you thought it did. That's what keeps me going. Good luck on your journey!

Wow! If I'm half as successful as you I will count myself lucky!

Congratulations! I'm sure you will be amazingly successful!

I started my insurance bariatric program with a 45 BMI, no major comorbidities. I finished with a 39 BMI and was still approved.

These before and after shots always amaze me. I expect the incredible shrinking size. But it's how many years younger the "after" picture captures that is truly astounding to see. I never would have considered how many years are added on along with the weight without this visual evidence of the reversal. Good for you! Keep up the great work! I can't wait to get to the other side as well!

That is an amazing transformation! You should be very proud!

Great to hear your surgery was a success. I am sure it is a comfort knowing that you have a gracious qualified team of bariatric expects who are personally involved in your ongoing journey. Best of luck in your recovery!

Congratulations. The wait is tedious but the reward is everlasting!

There's nothing more satisfying than setting a long range goal for yourself and then actually achieving it. All of us know the hard work, sweat, and tears that went into it too. Congratulations!!!

I just wanted to let you know that I got approved! Even though I ended my insurances's pre op program with a BMI of 39 due to the weight I lost, and that was with no major co-morbidities.

Congratulations! You're off to an awesome start!

The waiting is definitely the hardest. I had to attend two pre program seminars, complete paperwork/labs to be accepted into the program, 6 months of classes (finished 05/14), attend a surgeon seminar, a fitness test, pre op labs, and I even went to a support group on my own. Now I'm just waiting for the almighty insurance approval. After that it's the surgical consult, psych evaluation, and internist, which is a 3-in-1 day appt. Then surgery! This waiting period for this final approval has been by far the absolute hardest of all.

Welcome! You have a very inspirational story. It's obvious that you didn't just have an operation, but an entire lifestyle change. That in itself is something to be very proud of. We're told beforehand that this isn't easy, and you've certainly had more than your share of difficulties to weather. But you have heart, determination, and an indomitable spirit that I can only hope to tap into myself once it's my turn. Thank you for sharing your ongoing amazing journey!