Hello... my name is Rhonda and I am a 38 yr old lady from NW Pennsylvania. I live with my boyfriend and have a 13 yr old son.

WLS was always in the back of my mind, but the ignition point was my gall bladder crapping out in late Feb of this year.

My doc wasn't the general surgeon I had requested, but rather his partner. They say things happen for a reason & my finding Dr. Kalim this was def divine intervention. Yes, it's his business, but he was very tactful in addressing my weight even before I had my lap chole.

Upon my post op from the lap chole, Dr. Kalim again mentioned my WLS options. I have to tell you, I work at the same hospital and the bariatric program is relatively new. I had worked with some of the key players in various roles before.

So when he asked me to go to a seminar and walked me into the program coordinator's office... I felt I HAD to go out of professional courtesy!! Eventually I got my mind right and realized that I wanted to pursue this for ME!! My gb issue and being assigned to Dr. Kalim was the path laid before me.

I have to say it's a joy to be so close to my care team!! They work extremely hard to make EVERYONE feel comforted and secure. At the 1st visit we mapped out the first three months and all of the extras (ie EGD, psych, dietary, sleep study, etc.) At the 3rd month we mapped out preads, consent and clearances and surgical date.

I have one more nutrition class (out of 3), preads, my 6th monthly visit and final pre-surg visit with my doctor to go.

I would be lying if I didn't claim my fears of all this not working or my OWN failure, but I am trying to stay positive and keep working hard now to adopt good healthy lifestyle changes!!

Congratulations! I am thrilled for you; September will be here before you know it. I am scheduled for October 2012; so I'm right behind you. I wish all the luck & success in the worl on your journey.

Aw.. Thank you very much!! I appreciate it!!

I am excited!! Very nervous about some things as well, but so glad I stumbled upon this site.

Keep in touch and we'll get through it together!!

Hope everything goes well for you. We need to start a September 2012 group soon. Haven't had a lot of Sept.surgery people pop up yet. Think i'[ll start it for you and you can get the ball rolling....I'm august 28th can't wait. time is finally starting to go by a little quicker for me. Hope it does for you as well...

Welcome Rhonda, this is a great forum with many members who will help you on any topic. Use their wisdom, knowledge, experiences to understand the process. No matter which surgery you pick, there are lots who have gone through this already.

I started here no long ago and I have met some very beautiful members here. I'm still on post-op recovery and I was Banded on Aug 6.

Best wishes

I started the group for September bandsters, you should join and you'll be notified about any posts from people who are in the same position on their wls journey as you are. click on groups and you'll see it under New Groups....Stay in touch!