The Candidate

What a sweet husband and daughter. ????

Here's hoping for the best for a surgery date soon! Good luck!

You have certainly been through the wringer. I hope all goes well with your band removal, sleeve, and removal of the gallbladder. Everything you're feeling now is perfectly normal. We've all been where you are now. You have to take the opportunity sometimes to focus on yourself, in order to obtain the healthy life you're seeking. In the end it will not only benefit you, but your family as well. Best of luck!

That's amazing! Your whole life new and energized! Congrats!

That's incredible and you definitely have reason to celebrate! Congrats!

I went into mine never having had surgery before. It was a breeze. So much easier than I ever expected it to be. The recovery has gone equally well. I think you'll find that once you're there things will be moving so fast you won't have time to dwell on thoughts or fears. Be a good patient, listen, keep on top of your pain meds, and walk as much as you can, as it will make you feel better faster. Good luck!

@@_Kate_ you have always been a source of helpful advice and unwavering support. I know you've not only helped me immensely throughout my own surgery, but many many others as well. And I count you as a dear and trusted friend. ????????????

Welcome and congrats on your decision to have wls!

I had to lose 24 pounds. But I actually lost more than that.

It most definitely does!

Looking great @@HappyChic!

I use My Fitness Pal. I like that you can scan items and access a huge database of stored foods. I also like that it tallies nutrients as well. I've also tried Fooducate, but always seem to return to MFP.

You are a shining example to us all. Thanks for sharing!

I wouldn't be concerned, Kate. While I'm only seven weeks out, I've gained a pound on three separate occasions, and so far, it always balances out and the pounds begin dropping again. I think it's just the body's natural process in response to the major upheavals it's going through after surgery, both physical and emotional. I weigh every day and chart the progress, so I can clearly see that it's a repeating cycle. Our bodies are very complex, and each day is different, in what we eat, our activity level, internal and external stress, etc., but the downward progress is undeniable. I told myself going in that it might take me a year or more to lose the weight after surgery. If it's achieved sooner than that, great, but my body will ultimately decide at what rate the weight will come off. One pound up doesn't negate all the other pounds down. Everything in its own time. Just stay the course on diet and exercise, like you've been doing all along. You're doing great! ????

You look beautiful! There is a major difference in your before and after. Congrats!

Wow! That must have felt so empowering! Congrats, Karl!

I can attest to that! I have Kaiser Southern CA and I live in the San Diego area. I had to do the 24 weeks. As far as I can tell, or have heard, San Diego is the only area in Southern CA that has the six month requirement. In all it took a year to complete the hoops and get to surgery. But it was definitely worth it! ????

Welcome! Happy to hear your surgery was a success, and you are doing well. It'll feel a bit surreal for awhile, but rest assured that each day will be better than the day before. Congrats!

Welcome and congrats on making the decision to have wls. It's clear that you have done your homework, and I'm sure that will bode well for your overall success. The wait time seems daunting now, but it will pass by quickly. You are wise to make losing weight as a pre op your priority. The more you lose before surgery the better off you will be in the long run. Good luck and best wishes!

This one isn't really funny, but I love the sentiment. ????

Kudos on the big loss!

What a wonderful start to the weekend! Congrats!

Welcome! I don't have the same insurance as you, but I was required to complete six months of weekly classes, weigh ins, and food logs as a part of my requirements. Factoring in all the other hoops I had to jump through it took me an entire year to get to surgery. Luckily that length of time seems more of an exception than the norm, for most other insurance companies. I've even seen some get to surgery in three months or less. And I absolutely would do it all over again if I had to, in a second! It's worth the wait no matter how long it takes. Good luck!

Congrats on receiving your surgery date. And major kudos on your pre op weight loss. That's incredible!