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reboot

Gastric Bypass Patients
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Posts posted by reboot

  3. Posted

    One more quick thing I wanted to add, that really resonated with me when I spoke with Dr. Fitzer.... I have roughly 170 lbs to lose. For most of my adult life, I have been "dieting", losing 10 lbs here, regaining, then losing 20, or 30. I think the most I've ever lost in one stretch was 50 lbs.

    His words - "Statistically speaking, your chances of losing all the weight you need to lose on your own, is practically 0".

    I was shocked, and even mildly insulted. It was hard to take, but once I processed it, I realized he was right and I am grateful he said it because it was exactly what I needed to hear.

    The truth is, most of us fail on diets, especially those of us who are severely obese. And guess what? While it may be our faults we put on the weight, it's NOT our fault that we are unsuccessful at taking it off. Its not just as simple as will-power or calories in-calories out. Even with the surgery, YOU still have to put in the work to lose, but the surgery is a very powerful tool you can use to get there.

  4. Posted

    7 minutes ago, FINFAN3DP said:

    I think that's one of my biggest issues right there... I really don't eat a lot. I know, it sounds strange for someone my size, but whenever people see me eat they say "is that all you are having?". I don't exercise at all though, as I ruptured my patellar back in 2006 from falling down three stairs. Yeah, i always wonder when something will go wrong, and always worried about the ticker, but i'm always ok, so just don't know if i want to take such a drastic step as re-routing my plumbing just yet. ;) I am so envious of you brave people that did it though. My other issue is i have a very limited diet. I only have several foods i will eat, as I am very very very picky.

    I just wanted to give a thumbs up to a few of the things that SampTheChamp and gr8ful1 said. I too had been told for years that I needed to consider this, but always fell into the "I can do this myself if I put my mind to it" trap. The recommendations to look into this started 8 years ago when I was diagnosed with high blood pressure... I ignored them. Then I got sleep apnea - I still said no. Then I had a heart attack - AT 36 YEARS OLD - that still wasn't enough. It wasn't until I found my 2 year old son on top of me screaming"Wake up Daddy" after my blood pressure got so high that I fainted that I decided to do anything.

    I called three different surgeons, then met a patient of Dr. Fitzer. I came in for my appointment and felt good but was still on the fence. It wasn't until I attended one of his support groups, and met, in person a number of his patients that have been through the process (Including these two guys) that I decided to go through with it. In the area - there is no one better than him. I'm 61 days out until surgery and absolutely can't wait. Having seen the new lives that people have been blessed with is beyond words. It will be a whole new life for me, and it can be for you too.

    I strongly recommend you come out to the next group meeting which I believe is on September 3rd in Reston (correct me guys if I'm wrong). In the meantime, you don't have much to lose (except the low cost of the sessions) with starting the nutrition counseling with Jessica - who is awesome by the way! If you decide to go through with it, you'll be glad you got a head start on the counseling which is required by most insurance (mine is 6 months). You really aren't committed to anything until about a month or so before the surgery, so you have that much time to really decide.

    SampTheChamp reacted to this

  7. Posted

    I'm much in the same boat as you... and the wait is killing me! Like you, i've done everything I can so far, burned through youtube and podcasts, etc, etc. The wait is driving me crazy. I do know that I should start to limit my portions, eat slower, practice not drinking while eating, etc but its hard to do. Sometimes I feel like all of this isn't real.

    My surgeon has a monthly support group which has been helping - everyone says the time flies by, but it doesn't feel like it to me so far.

    I've also been collecting recipes of things that I think I might like post surgery - i figure it will be helpful then during meal planning. I suppose trying hard to distract yourself with other things in life is best, but hard to do. Hang in there!

  8. Posted

    Just now, gr8ful1 said:

    Yeah, it was a bit shocking to me too when Heather asked me if I wanted to set a date when I was just sitting there in the waiting room. I thought I was just there to see Suzanne. LOL. I like having a date months in advance. It somehow makes the surgery seem more tangible and it motivates me even more to do what I need to do to prepare.

    Exactly - it feels a lot more "real" now. I can finally start to think about vacation time and scheduling all of this with work.

    30 minutes ago, SampTheChamp said:

    Exactly!!! Congrats bro!!! I had mine done right before Christmas and it was definitely the Christmas gift I could've ever gotten. I'm so pumped for you bro.

    THANKS! Me too... I'm really looking forward to the next group meeting.

  10. Posted

    5 minutes ago, gr8ful1 said:

    I know. She's leaving June 1st. That said, Jessica seemed nice, but she really just quietly observed and didn't really interact with me after introductions. She looks like she is still in college (maybe she is graduating this month). So she probably doesn't have a lot of experience with bariatric patients. Hopefully we can still learn a lot from her!

    Oh no! - Well I suppose I'm lucky to still have one more with her before she goes. :-(

  17. Posted

    2 hours ago, tera73 said:

    Today is the day!! I have to be there at 1:15....surgery at 3:15. liquid diet was fine...didn’t start feeling hungry and cranky till yesterday. Today I do have a headache...but I didn’t sleep well last night...so I’m sure that has something to do with it. Getting more nervous....

    I am SO excited for for you - best of luck!!!! We can't wait to hear how it went.

    tera73 reacted to this

  20. Posted

    16 hours ago, tera73 said:

    Ok....the past 3 hours have been a whirlwind! I called insurance this morning and they received everything...said they would request medical records and they normally have a decision within 3 days. Imagine my surprise when Danielle calls and says that they called her and that I had paper to sign and then it would be approved!! She quickly emailed me the form and I signed it and sent it back to her...next thing I know, we are scheduling my pre op with the PA and my surgery!!! A year ago when I started this, I was totally discouraged when I found out I had to wait 12 months...and complete all these different requirements from the insurance....including losing 40 pounds! Every visit, I would see people scheduling their surgery and felt like mine was never going to happen...I go for my pre op April 26 and then my surgery is May 7 at Reston hospital. We at first were aiming for May 15 at Haymarket, but my insurance wouldn’t cover there. Now, the nerves have set it; but the excitement is through the roof! Thank you guys for all the encouragement and motivation!!

    OH MY GOODNESS - I am so excited for you.. let us know how it goes. I am living vicariously through you!

    tera73 reacted to this

  21. Posted

    Wow - I am overwhelmed by how wonderful and encouraging you all have been. Thank you!!!!

    3 hours ago, tera73 said:

    You’ll like them all! They are very helpful through the process. My insurance was a pain....dealing with them and their requirements. Dr Fitzers staff made it easier.... my year seems to have flown by. Good luck! Everyone here is very helpful as well and very motivating!

    THANK YOU!!! It looks like their staff is going to be amazing. I sure hope the time flies by for me too!

    2 hours ago, SampTheChamp said:

    Welcome to the club, my friend. Dr. Fitz and his crew are the best. He takes his profession very serious! He will always steer you straight. Just take it one day at a time. I will tell you that you just made one of the best decisions of your life to have weight loss surgery. I is a life changer and had clearly changed my life and i'm only 3 months post op. Surgery and recovery were flawless. No gas pain. No nausea, No body pains. NO vomiting. It;s been awesome.

    I'm here if you have any questions or concerns. I got your back bro. We are all in this thang together. Good luck.

    Wow - thank you... what an encouragement... I hope I am half as lucky as you post op!

    2 hours ago, Roxine said:

    Hi - welcome! I had my surgery with Dr. Fitzer March 5th and am doing well. I hope your 6 months passes quickly! Please ask any questions you have. Perhaps I'll see you at a meeting? I've not attended one yet, but plan to in the near future.

    Roxine

    Thank you so much - I'm going to try to make next month's meeting and look forward to meeting you there!

    11 minutes ago, gr8ful1 said:

    Welcome, reboot! I'm about 1.5 months into what will likely be a 6-month journey for me, as well. This forum is a great source of information and support. So are Dr. Fitzer's monthly support groups. Ask Heather for a list of the support group dates/times, and try to make it out if you can. There is also a 'secret' Facebook group for the support group. You'll get an invite to join that group the first time you attend a support group.

    I already have the list and I'm looking forward to trying to make it out to the next one in May. FB group sounds great.. I had heard other surgeons have them but wasn't sure about Dr. Fitzer until now. Based on your stats, it looks like you and I are in roughly the same place in this process... I look forward to seeing your progress!

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