hot42

Today I'm going to orientation in South San Francisco and meeting with the surgeon. I'm so excited for this journey to truly begin. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

This thread has been super helpful. Today, in Petaluma, my doctor gave me my referral and I'm SO happy! It sounds like I'll either go to Richmond or South SF for appointments and surgery. It's the beginning of a new and improved life. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Paige- Glad to see you came back. Not only does this show courage but a desire to commit to your health. It is impossible to gain a lot weight in one day just as it is impossible to lose a lot of weight in one day. It’s what we do over a long period of time. If you can walk 20 steps, do it! After you’re done take a moment to congratulate yourself and feel the pride that you deserve to feel. The next time you walk if you can do 21, do it-then congratulate yourself. Patting yourself on your back for little things is very important as it grows inside you over time and before you know it is impossible for you to feel horrible about yourself as you described in your first post. These little steps help you move forward and eventually you will feel love for yourself. If your insurance company argues with you on the surgery ask what it will take to get it. If they say you need to lose 10% of your body weight then ask if there are exceptions, there always are. Stand up for yourself as you are your best advocate. REMEMBER YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND LIVE A FULL LIFE JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. Good luck to you and please keep us posted.

Let me catch the group next month. Today is the first day I get my "alone time' in over a month and really need it. Have a great time and drive carefully all. ♥

where and when does the group meet? How often?

Good luck Riley! Good for you. Thanks for the coffee info. Oh man, I love my 1/2 caf coffee everyday.

CHUBBYMEMAW-are you with Kaiser? Where are you in the process? Funny, I used to be almost 5' 2" and I shrunk and that raised my BMI. I'm only 42! Jeez.

Help me out here ladies.......I just read that you can't have coffee or tea for 3 months after your surgery.....what? Have you heard this? If so did you follow it? This could be a deal breaker!

My goodness, you ladies are doing amazingly well! Welcome Dana, I'm new too. Nice work Candra! Were you not able to schedule your surgery until you lost weigth? Is it 10% of your weight? I'm still waiting to hear how my x-rays turned out to see if I can get approval. The support group that meets tomorrow, is that for post-surgery people? I love all the support this site offers and it sounds like Kaiser has a lot of support too. Hope you all have a great weekend! B

HI there, It sounds like I'm at the same point as some of you. Yesterday was my first doctor's appointment and he is really working at getting me approved as my BMI is a bit under the cutoff. My orientation class is next month. From what others are saying it sounds like it takes a few months for the appointments you need before the actual surgery. Good luck to you all, Hot42

This is a great group of women! Thanks for making me feel welcome. Today I met with my GP and because I'm at 38 BMI he is trying really hard to get me approved-LOVE HIM! He's at the Petaluma Kaiser, Dr. Gonzales. He had me get some x-rays (knees and hips) and if there is arthritis then no questions asked I should get approval, if not well, I don't want to go there. I'm hopeful at this point. He scheduled my orientation for mid August in Sacramento. He also said the Richmond center is not doing surgery anymore? Would that make the center for me in SF? I live in Cotati. A little bio on me: been dieting since I was 12, up and down weight, treated for Binge Eating Disorder 3 years ago and have dieted very little since because I binge if I feel deprived. If not dieting I'm not binging. Go figure. I have lots of questions for real people like you ladies but won't ask them all at once as to overwhelm you. First question: when you drink liquid does it just go down into the lower pouch or do you fill up on liquid? I drink a lot of water. Thanks again for making me feel welcome, hot42

The IUD I had was a Merina and because it has pregesterone it CAN make you gain weight-no one told me this. After I had it removed my ob/gyn told me, yes, it's possible. Removal is a piece of cake! You feel nothing, honestly. When I had it put in the pain was unbearable-I'm a wuss. Thanks for the tips on approval. hot42