Well I am just at the beginning of a very long process. I just started my first appointment on March 3. I have my second PCP appointment next week. I have already seen a nutritionist and psychologist. And can go back whenever I want. I have tons of info from the nut. with info for before and after surgery. I still have to see a cardiologist closer time and a pulmonary Dr.

I have been over weight for so many years and have finally decided that I needed to do something about it before I ended up with major health issues. I have a hundred pounds I need to lose. And a BMI of 40 to start. I started off thing that I would have the band but wasn't to happy about everything I have read. And I know someone that has not lost weight with it. Then I considered gastric bypass because there are 3 or 4 people that I know that have had it done in the last 2 years. But then my endocrinologist suggested the sleeve. After much research and talking to the surgeon I think this will be the right choice for me.

I have months to go and if I am lucky surgery will be in August at the latest September, GOT TO LOVE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS!!!

But it is so nice to see so much information on here. I think that having to wait this long can make you nervous. I am thinking a may go to a support group meeting next week, they have them once a month, to hear what others have to say. I am hoping that I an make a few before the surgery job hard when you have kids and a hubby who works all night shift.

But thank you all for sharing your information it is so helpful for so many.

Stacy

Edited April 22, 201016 yr by hockey66

Welcome Hockey!

I too am waiting for surgery. I just finished my 6 month supervised diet and I am waiting on insurance approval.

Don't worry... consider this time - preperation.

Good luck to you and I will be following your progress.

Welcome aboard...sounds like you are getting everything in order.

When I made the decision to do this these boards were like a gift!

Just read up as much as you can to be as prepared as possible.

Please keep us updated!

I have a date set but I am still waiting on insurance approval but the Doctor said I should have no issue and insurance should approve me. Every time I though I was done with a requirement I had something else to do. I had to meet with my PCP 3 months in a row to go over diets, see a nutritionist and psychologist, have a pap smear and a mammogram, have blood tests, my eye dilated and will have to meet with the nutritionist and psychologist once more before surgery have a chest Xray, and a EKG done. Ever time I think I am done I have to do something else. So I wish you luck with everything it will all be worth it in the end.

It will seem like a very long wait to get to your surgery, but you really do need this time to get into a new habit of eating healthy and trying to lose weight on your own. I had to wait almost a year and had to attend weight loss group classes each week and weigh in, and honestly without all that I can't imagine being mentally prepared for surgery.

Thankfully I was successful with the diet stage before surgery, so transitioning to eating after surgery was easy. But for those who jump right into it, they must have a huge adjustment that they're not ready for. Be thankful that you have the time and change your eating habits now. Good luck on your journey!

Hi Stacy. I started my 6 month requirements in December and I'm almost done. I'll be finished in early May. It seems like just yesterday that I first signed on here and started reading about people's experiences with the sleeve. I was hooked to the idea right away. I too had planned to get a band. I'm so glad I "discovered" the sleeve.

I think by the end of your insurance requirements you'll be glad you had the extra time to prepare yourself. I haven't started a pre-op diet through my surgeon yet, but I've already started integrating low carb eating into my diet. I'm also becoming more conscious of how I eat the closer it gets to surgery. I know that I've got to prepare myself for the drastic changes that will come post-op. I went through a phase of eating any and everything in sight a few weeks ago, but I think I'm over that now. I'm ready to get on with my new life.

Welcome to the forum and keep us up to date on your progress toward surgery.