Lemm61

Me too! June 1st surgery date!

Psych evaluation done today. Doctor told me at the end that she would have no problem recommending me for Surgery. Took about an hour and a half. There was a 12 page form to complete and then a one on one meeting with the Doctor. Still have the endoscopy to get done. Moving along!

Torani Syrups has a bunch of sugar free ones. I added some sf brown sugar cinnamon to a vanilla protein shake and it was really yummy. I order online from their website.

Oh yes....glorious Diet Coke with Lime, how I will miss you. I'm not a cold turkey kinda girl so I figure I have 3 months pre op to wean myself off. This month I will go from 4 cans a day to 3. Logging them on MFP helps me be accountable and just flat out remember how many I've had. For me, this will be the hardest give up but doable.

I'm 54. Wt:223 (5'2") Started my journey this past week with my first appt. Still deciding between the RNY GB and the VGS. Surgeon felt either one would be appropriate for me. 3 months pre op Diet required. I don't think the good health, both physical and mental that comes with WLS should be the purview of only the younger generation.

Cleaned out my frig and pantry today. Good bye junk food. I live alone so I don't have to please or cook for anyone else. Out shopping today for lean Protein, veggies/fruits and some healthy dairy. Bought a couple different Protein shakes to try. Question? What's a decent sugar amount and protein amount for a liquid small boxed shake?

Appt with the Nutritionist and the Surgeon this am. They were running behind so I waited 30 minutes beyond my appt time. Checked in with vital signs, general med history review and weigh in with the RN. Wt 1/7: 223 lbs (I'm 5'2") So that's my official starting weight. Owning it. Saw the Nutritionist first. She reviewed my Nutrition questionnaire that I had completed at home. We discussed my weight/dieting history and eating patterns. She was so very nice. We went over the pre op diet and post op diet. Protein products, Vitamin products, portions, Water intake, etc. Very thorough. Lots of detailed handouts to take home and some samples. I will be able to see her 5 more times per my Insurance. There is also a group class that I'll attend to review the post op diet requirements again before Surgery. The Surgeon went over my medical history, weight goals and dieting history. Did a physical exam. He agreed I was a candidate for WLS. He presented information on both the VGS and the Gastric bypass. He said he would be comfortable with either of these procedures for me. He said no decision had to be made today. I felt comfortable with him and he took his time. I think I saw him for almost 30 minutes. After that I met with the WLS Coordinator to review my Insurance requirements and WLS timeline. Good news is I only have a 3 month requirement for a pre op Diet program. There is no set amount of weight loss requirement, just don't gain. I'm going to try to get a good jump start to healthier eating and exercise habits for these 3 months. Finally, I went next door to the Outpatient Lab and had an EKG, CXR and Labs drawn. I see the Psych Doctor on Monday. The only other procedure I'll need is endoscopy. WLS Coordinator will call me to schedule. Whew, it was a long day but I felt good about it. Feel free to ask questions if anyone is getting close to their first appt or contemplating making an appt.

And I should add that I live alone too without Family support. I haven't even decided yet whether I will tell anyone I'm on this journey. I know I can be my own support and I'm not a big sharer of personal issues with friends or coworkers.

@reachbree. We are in the same boat! My first appt is tomorrow. I hover right at that 40 BMI and I don't have a lot of comorbidities. Hypothyroidism and my knees, feet and back ache a lot. Let's be WLS buddies and keep in touch!

Getting real. Just finished my Nutrition questionnaire for my Appt tomorrow. I see the Surgeon and the Nutritionist both tomorrow. Then on Monday I have the Psych Evaluation. My insurance requires the 6 month preop diet.

Thanks! I'll update after the initial appt!

Thanks! I'm nervous and excited but mostly committed. As an RN in a Hospital setting, I see the health issues associated with obesity. And it gets worse, the older you get. I also see obese Nurses who retire after a long career with ruined knees, chronic back pain and constantly hurting feet. They hobble into retirement. I don't want that for myself.

Hi! This is my first post. I've enjoyed reading through all the fabulous posts. I'm posting now because I have my first WLS visit with the Surgeon on 1/7/2016. A little about me. Divorced for 8 years. Two grown children who are happily off living their own lives. I work full time as a nightshift RN. Three 12 hour shifts a week plus the occasional OT. I've been off and on about having WLS. I actually filled out the online application a year ago but canceled the appt. I ignored my weight for yet another year. When my clothes got tighter, my energy level tanked, my knees/back hurt and I was breathless climbing a flight of stairs, I got back on the scale and saw the 25 more pounds I had gained over the year. That was it. I did some serious research and I called in November and made the appt. I won't be changing my mind this time. I feel like I've been dieting my whole life. Every diet known, I've given it a whirl. I've had some success. I lost 50 lbs right after I got divorced. Stress and revenge might have been factors there. Ha. I kept it off a bit but I piled it back on and more eventually. I'm 54, 5'2 and about 225 lbs. I'm going to wait for my official weigh in at my appt to be official starting weight. This is not the heaviest I've been but it's close. I don't have a lot of comorbidities. Hypothyroidism. If all goes well, I should have surgery in June or July. I'm leaning toward the gastric sleeve but I'm open to gastric bypass if that's what the Surgeon feels is best for me. So here's to 2016. Happy New Year, Happy new me.