gr8ful1

Yay! I hope you're feeling as well as can be expected. Looking forward to joining you on the losers' bench in a couple of months.

Likewise - its great to have others who can relate to the process - if either of you ever need anything, let me know.

Indeed my friend. We need to stay in touch.

@SampTheChamp and @reboot, it was a pleasure meeting you both at support group tonight!

Just had my pre op....now waiting to see Suzanne....signed my surgery consent papers....made me more nervous! [emoji51]

Hello fellow MGBG-ers!
I've been out on travel for work so haven't had time to post any updates. Big NSV this week - had to fly to Tennessee - I not only fit into the seat comfortably (not "hanging" over and impinging on my neighbor and feeling uncomfortable the whole time trying to lean away from him/her) - but the seatbelt FIT! It not only FIT - but i had to TIGHTEN IT!!!
OH IT FELT SO GOOD!
This morning I weighed in at 220 pounds - which according to my Baritastic tracking ap lowers my BMI to 38! (Although my ticker here still says 39, so I'm assuming it's like 38.9 - but it's still 38 and heading down!)
This was the first trip I have made since January - where I was at my high weight - so people definitely noticed and commented. We did a lot of tours with a lot of walking with a lot of uphills/stairs/in and out of small spaces - and I never got winded nor had to rest nor fell behind. My energy level was great!
We also did a construction tour where we had to wear reflective vests for protection. The last time we were there - I remember distinctly - we posed for a picture and the vest they gave me wouldn't zip so I left it hanging open. This time it zipped up and I had room to spare!
Also we did a tour of a lab and they said we had to wear lab coats - one of the guys was handing them out and said "here you go - you look like a medium" - I was VERY nervous because I'm used to being at least a 1X or 2X - but I put it on and it snapped up! It was snug - but not tight - and didn't pull at the snaps - so I wore it proudly
Lots of eating out for business meals - but I made excellent choices the entire time. Luckily a lot of restaurants now offer small plates, so it's easy to order something right sized for me where it's not apparent I'm only eating about 1/6 of what a normal person would.
I also steered clear of wine - which is also a bit part of the social aspect of business meals - and just ordered Water.
A great trip - today's a great day - and I am going to remain committed to the plan until I reach my goal!
I hope everyone is doing well -
Roxine

My surgeon briefly discussed smoking with me. People who smoke after weight loss surgery have an astoundingly high complication and mortality rate as compared to those who quit post-op. It is not the same mortality/morbidity rate that smokers have on average, but a much higher mortality rate specifically because of the combination of surgery + smoking. The risk is not for tobacco use in general, but smoking specifically. He reversed one patient's RNY because the patient couldn't give up smoking. How sad is that? Does "smoking" including smoking of all sorts? I wouldn't want to take the risk, personally.

Good news! I was in the office today for Suzanne visit #3. While I was waiting, Heather told me that my insurance company, GEHA, denied my surgery. She submitted it to the insurance company for approval several weeks ago because I had previously participated in a medical weight loss program that met all of the requirements. I completed that program about 16 months ago, however, and that is the reason for not approving my surgery. The good news is that I just need 3 more appointments with Suzanne, and Heather will resubmit to insurance. The really good news is that Heather offered me a surgery date today, which I was not expecting to happen at this stage, especially after hearing from her that it won't be right after dietitian appointment #3.
My surgery date is 7/25. Woohoo!

41 pounds?! That's fantastic! You've got this.

Opt out if you're worried about it, and then do what you can to make sure you're down a bit at the time of your pre-op w/Fitzer. I think you'll be fine either way, though. I also have a requirement to "not gain weight during the supervised diet period," but I was up a couple of pounds at my last appointment with Suzanne, and she said I'll be ok as long as I'm at Fitzer's goal weight for me by the time of my pre-op appointment 2 weeks before my surgery date.

As of this morning I'm literally 50% of my starting weight. From 470 in November 2016 to 235 lbs this morning and I'm still losing!
Woooo hooooo!!!

Welcome to the group! We're glad to share our experiences here, and looking forward to learning from yours as well. Have you also been to either of the support groups at Reston Hospital? Those are wonderful resources, too. There is also a 'secret' Facebook group for Dr. Fitzer's support group that is pretty active.

So I went to the Staple Club support group in Reston last night. It was my first time attending. Nurse Azra Kukic led the discussion. It was a great group of people, with a good mix of pre-op, post-op, and veterans. Lots of open discussion, lots of time for Q&A. No food served, but free Water and coffee. LOL. Azra tried to end on time, but there was a lot of informal discussion after 7:30, and there were still some people in the room talking when I finally left around 8:00. I learned a lot. I highly recommend these groups to anyone. They are open to all, including spouses and other "support system"-type folks.

Good news! I was in the office today for Suzanne visit #3. While I was waiting, Heather told me that my insurance company, GEHA, denied my surgery. She submitted it to the insurance company for approval several weeks ago because I had previously participated in a medical weight loss program that met all of the requirements. I completed that program about 16 months ago, however, and that is the reason for not approving my surgery. The good news is that I just need 3 more appointments with Suzanne, and Heather will resubmit to insurance. The really good news is that Heather offered me a surgery date today, which I was not expecting to happen at this stage, especially after hearing from her that it won't be right after dietitian appointment #3.
My surgery date is 7/25. Woohoo!

I emailed Heather the other day and heard back from her...she told me pretty much the same thing. No driving for a week...no lifting 25# for 4 wks...she pretty much asked me how long I wanted off, and that he gives up to 4 weeks. I am a transportation Aide for Jefferson County Schools. Our kids last day is June 1st...but we have to go a little longer. I told her I would rather be safe and do 4 weeks, but asked if I could be released before then and able to return back if I felt like it. My only worry at this point would be that I can’t take Water or anything with me around the students. I did get my FMLA papers returned yesterday, it didn’t have how long on there.

Good news! I was in the office today for Suzanne visit #3. While I was waiting, Heather told me that my insurance company, GEHA, denied my surgery. She submitted it to the insurance company for approval several weeks ago because I had previously participated in a medical weight loss program that met all of the requirements. I completed that program about 16 months ago, however, and that is the reason for not approving my surgery. The good news is that I just need 3 more appointments with Suzanne, and Heather will resubmit to insurance. The really good news is that Heather offered me a surgery date today, which I was not expecting to happen at this stage, especially after hearing from her that it won't be right after dietitian appointment #3.
My surgery date is 7/25. Woohoo!

I was in the office today and asked Heather how long (at a minimum) does Dr. Fitzer require patients to take off from work? She didn't give me a specific answer. Just said it depends on the type of work, and it was really up to me when I felt like returning to work. She said the only restrictions he has are 1) no driving for a week, and 2) no lifting >25# for 4 weeks. This doesn't help me tell my boss how long I'll be out, but I think I'll tentatively plan to return to work the day after my 3-week post-op visit.

My wife and I shared the same interest, and ironically, an old church friend of mine (he was actually on the board of elders) invited us to his swing club. It's called GottaSwing. What a fun way to get some exercise! Anyway, every night the group meets, everyone switches partners with everyone else. Many nights there are over 100 people in attendance, so it can get quite exhausting, but it's really a lot of fun. To tell you the truth, it was kind of intimidating at first, but each Friday night begins with a 30-minute beginner's dance lesson. There is always a live band, too!

Good Morning MGBG'ers! I hope everyone is doing well. I am just having my Breakfast - a little bit of scrambled egg with cheese. Delicious! I did face a moment of "uh-oh" as I was eating and writing this - I think I swallowed a bit of not properly chewed scrambled egg and thought I was going to get sick. I had to get up, walk around, stand very straight and breathe. It has passed now and I am slowly chewing and eating a bit more - but ~whew~ that was close! Remember to slow down - don't get distracted (I'm talking to me now *grin*)
I've attached a face picture from pre-surgery and from today. I can see the difference in my face thinning out. A bit more definition in the cheek bone.
Also, they say you lose weight in your back first - so here's mine pre and 30 days post (down 37 pounds). I can definitely see the difference here. At my SW, I was wearing a size 20 - now I'm in a size 14 and can buy clothes in the "regular" misses section versus the plus size. But I do admit, it's a hard habit to break

I sent Azra an e-mail asking her about that, and she sent me a link to a youtube video where she explains the logistics of surgery at Reston.

Is 2 nights in the hospital typical for your hospital/doctor? I was thinking that one night was most common. If all goes well for me, I believe I'll be having RNY with the same doctor at same hospital as you.

That might be pretty close to the truth. One of its users decided to DUID in my neighborhood after smoking it. He plowed into a minivan at over 100 MPH in a 25 MPH zone. Destroyed an entire family.

I agree. I was in consulting and consulting sales for 14 years before I decided I wanted to sleep in my own bed every night and got a new job that allowed me to do so. My drinking habits consist of having a single glass of champagne on New Year's Eve, if I can stay up that late. It sometimes *felt* like I stuck out like a sore thumb when my colleagues and clients were drinking with/after dinner, but I was rarely questioned about it, and I always made my targets and got my compensation just as consistently as anyone else in my organization.

I agree. I was in consulting and consulting sales for 14 years before I decided I wanted to sleep in my own bed every night and got a new job that allowed me to do so. My drinking habits consist of having a single glass of champagne on New Year's Eve, if I can stay up that late. It sometimes *felt* like I stuck out like a sore thumb when my colleagues and clients were drinking with/after dinner, but I was rarely questioned about it, and I always made my targets and got my compensation just as consistently as anyone else in my organization.

May I respond to your question with a question? This question is really for everyone, and I think the answers might add value. When you are having a stall in weight loss, do you have a corresponding stall in losing inches from your waist/hip/whatever measurement? I've seen some people mention stalls lasting 3 weeks, a month, or even more. But did your clothes continue to get looser as the scale stayed pegged on the same number?