Reason to Believe

I am July 7 and have found oddly that I am getting less nervous as it gets closer.

My surgery is next Thursday. I started a full liquid diet today and had been doing a modified diet for the last 3 weeks. My last meal was going to be a salad with chicken but I decided at the last moment to do my favorite breakfast, porkroll, egg and cheese sammie. I felt guilty at first but now am ok with it.

I have had two previous surgeries-one for burst appendix and one for hernias. I remember putting press and seal over my bandages. It worked really well.

What hospital will you have your surgery? One day at a time I am having it at Robert Wood Johnson. Surgery was postponed though until 7/7 as my surgeon will be out of the country.

@@theantichick I just wanted to thank you for creating this thread. Your posts and the responses from others were really helpful and informative for me. Whatever you decide, I am rooting for you!

Hi Jodi, I am pre-op for the gastric sleeve and going through the testing etc. I went to a seminar back in July, went for a consultation in December and planned with my surgeon's office to aim for June 29 when I have time off from work. I have been cleared by psych, the pulmunologist, and the cardiologist. My last big test is coming up on May 3, the endoscopy. I have met with the nutritionist three times and the surgeons office three times as well. My insurance has cleared me due to co-morbidities such as sleep apnea, diabetes and high blood pressure. My joints ache too. I am carrying around 175 extra lbs at least and it is time. I want to feel healthy and able to move. I am 46 years old. Every single doctor that I have met with has been supportive and kind. I used to fear doctors because I was afraid that I was being judged. These doctors want to help me get better including my primary care doctor. Find doctors that treat you like that. I know that I am going to have to work hard but I am excited. I wish you well on your journey.

I had my stress today and had myself completely freaked out before hand about it. I was sick to my stomach over it. As I was so nervous, I got up to my target heart rate in just about a minute on the treadmill. I am so glad to have this done. Endoscopy is the last clearance test left and I am scheduled for that on May 3.

Hi Everyone, I am scheduled for June 29 here in NJ with Dr. Sadek. I started with a seminar back in July then scheduled a visit with the surgeon for December. I always wanted June because I am able to take time off from work with no penalty. I have been to the nutritionist twice, gone to the pulmonalogist, cardiologist and gastro. I have been cleared by psych and have my cardiac tests this week and scheduled my endoscopy for May 3. I cannot wait!

Less than three months away until surgery. I have met with psychologist and nutritionist. I got clearance from pulmonology. I met with the cardiologist and gastro and have my echo and stress tests this week. Endoscopy is scheduled for May 3. I have lost 11 pounds so far and want to lost 19 more before surgery or at least come close. I am still off diet soda and doing well with that. It is all starting to feel real to me.

Hey there, I am in East Brunswick and pre-op with Dr. Sadek. Going through cardiac tests this week and have my endoscopy on May 3. I requested June 29 for my surgery as I have time off for the summer. Reading up on advice from everyone and hoping to prepare myself for all the changes. Congrats to all of you already working with your new tool.

Hi Hotkiss27, I took a long time (years) to make the decision and I started the process back in December, My insurance has already approved me because of my co-morbidities but I want to have the surgery in the summer when I am off from work. I have gotten clearance from psych, pulmonologist and have cardiac tests and endoscopy scheduled. I also meet with a nutritionist once a month and have lost some weight already. I am excited, nervous and wish it was June 29. At times I wish I did it earlier too but other times I remind myself it is all going to be good. Good luck on your journey and be kind to yourself.

Congratulations on an awesome accomplishment from someone who has 200 pounds to lose. How far or long do you walk? Working on my game plan.

Congratulations! I had my first consult today and I was so nervous. I loved the surgeon who really took time to speak with me and remembered me from a seminar I had attended. The scheduler and the insurance liason also could not have been nicer. I walked out with a surgery date that works for me, all my surgical appts. scheduled and knowing what I need to do before my next appointment. I know your consult will go just as well.

Awesome news! Congratulations.

So I am smiling tonight, excited, nervous and committed. I had my consultation today. Surgeon agreed that with my history etc, the sleeve is the right choice for me. I chose late June as I get extra time off in the summer. I have all my appointments with surgeon scheduled through June 8's ultra sound. Tomorrow I will call to set up appointments in January with Nutritionist and Psychologist. When we roll around to March, I will need appointments with a pulmonologist, cardiologist and gastro. I did a lot of hard work to get to this point and I know I have a lot more work to do but this is really happening! Thank you to everyone who posts. I don't post a lot but I read a lot. You all inspire me.

Babbs, that is something I am really looking forward to.

@@heynowkc Congratulations! I am so happy for you and inspired by you. I have quite a bit to lose and an just starting to explore sleeve surgery.

Thanks so much!

I called my insurance company today to see what requirements they have to approve patients for bariatric surgery. I was told that I have no psychologist requirements or weight loss program requirements from them but my surgeon may have them. They referred me to their Bariatric Resources Services and scheduled an appointment with a case manager for this Friday. I have been aiming at surgery for next summer due to the fact that most of our office gets six weeks off during the summer. Now I don't know if I should be thinking about doing it sooner. Any advice on what questions I should ask the case manager?

@@jackiemc1987 I am excited to read your post because I am near your pre-surgery weight and am the same height. I am aiming at surgery next summer when I can take some time off from work. Congratulations on the milestone!

I know I crave approval and support. That hits home. Ralambert, I hope your family offers you their love and support. If they don't please realize that it is their issue not yours and remind yourself that you do have support elsewhere. Good luck.

I put books into kids' hands and smiles on their faces. i work as a sales consultant for a book fair company.

Yeah, that is really what i am most scared of too. Here is what I think, we need to surround ourselves with people who will love and support us. Also we need to find a bariactric support group in 3d life in addition to this wonderful website and remember to learn from other people who have gone before us. Another thing I am learning that there is a huge difference between head/emotional hunger and physical hunger. I am working on a list of alternative activities to eating for when I am bored, when I want to Celebrate, when I am heartbroken, when I am angry and when I am lonely. I am choosing things that I love and can do right now but I look forward to adding things that I will be able to do later as I lose the weight. This post is as much as a pep talk for me as it is for you, MzAlice.

MzAlice, I am not close yet to having surgery but I think it must be very normal to be nervous. I have had surgery twice in my life for other issues. First one I did not have a lot of time to be nervous but the second one I knew a month a head and i was a wreck. Take the medicine. Ask family and friends for extra hugs. Do what every helps you relax. I am sending you all good thoughts!

I echo so much of what you all say. I am leaving for a business trip on Monday and am driving with a colleague for 9.5 hours because I am to heavy to be comfortable on a plane. I also will be the only one at this meeting who can not fit into the tshirt everyone wears for the group picture. I want to walk up the three flights of stairs to my apartment without feeling like I am going to keel over. I want to be able to stop avoiding cameras and mirrors. My parents don't have a picture of me to include with my siblings and their children's pictures because I have avoided the camera for 20 years. I have worked hard on my depression and to get binge eating under control over the last two years and I am working on loving myself for who I am on the inside. I just also want to feel comfortable in my skin even if I end up having extra of it.