Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

New Guy On The Block



Recommended Posts

Hi everyone. I'm Dave, and I live in a small town north of Seattle. I've been lurking for a few weeks, reading and researching. I finally decided it was time to step up and say Hello. I've been working up to this for awhile now, have attended several seminars for the various WLS surgeries available here, and have decided on the Sleeve. I'm a month away from a marathon day at my surgeons' clinic, where they do all the assessments in one day. I expect to have the recommendation for surgery that same day. I'm told my insurance is quick to approve after that, and surgery could happen within about four to six weeks later. So I could easily be post-op by the end of the year.

Your stories are amazing, and I'm really encouraged by all the variety I'm reading here. It tells me everyone's journey is unique, and there is no one perfect way to go through this. I really appreciate the candid posts I'm reading. I'm hoping as I get to the point of having events to share, I'll be able to pass along encouraging words to those walking the path after me. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this with you.

I'm looking forward to being a shadow of my former self. :scared0:

Dave

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Dave

Welcome aboard! From where you are now to being post op is really a whirlwind journey. I am the kind of person that thrived on information about my surgery. There really is a wealth of information, opinion, and experience on this board. I'm sure as you get close you will find you have worries and questions and we are a tight knit little crew here, let us support you.

On a side not, I got to live in the Seattle area for a year and it was bliss. I go back whenever I can and in an ideal world I would live there. (If only I could convince my family and my inlaws to live closer!)

I'm super excited for you. Welcome aboard!!!!

Anna

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Dave

Welcome on-board!!!

I'm sure you have made the best decision to have the Sleeve and I hope your appointment goes really well for you. I was like you and did loads of research on the many avenues of WLS.

I'm due to be sleeved soon (October) and I hope to read that you will be joining me and many others as well as we all loose the weight together.

Take care and let us know how you get on at the hospital.

Sue

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Dave, welcome and look forward to hearing how you get on.

Jane x

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome Dave!

I'm only about 3 weeks post-op, but can tell you it gets easier every day! Congratulations on making the first step and welcome! I'm a bit of a lurker as well, but the information you will get from these boards are amazing! I've been checking it so often to make sure the things I'm dealing with is normal (so far everything has been).

Good luck with assessment day! The time will FLY by and you'll be sleeved in on time!

:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome, Dave. I wish my surgeons office would did a marathon for me. My surgery is set for December 2. Good luck on your journey. Keep us updated on your progress.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome Dave! My husband grew up in the same little town you live in - small world! What practice are you working through for your surgery?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm glad you spoke up, Dave! This group saved me from a lot of isolation and worrying when I got my sleeve. They helped me know what to expect and I could read and share stories of experiences. I'm in the beautiful Pacific NW, too!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

welcome dave,you are right about this forum,they are informative and supportive and friendly.i am on here almost everyday.my surgery is sched for 9-15.woohoo!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

WELCOME. So glad you found this forum, it's great !!!! You should find everything you need here. Good luck with your insurance approval.:001_cool:

I'm 2 weeks post-op and this is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Deb

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome to the boards!

I found these boards when I was researching my surgery and what a lifesaver.

I hope you stick around and post with us...good luck and I hope the time between now and your surgery passes quickly!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Dave- I too am a bit of a lurker, but am loving the information you can find on this board- my surgery is set for next Tuesday...yikes! Getting nervous, but super excited!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome Dave! My husband grew up in the same little town you live in - small world! What practice are you working through for your surgery?

Thanks, everyone, for the kind welcome. It's going to be a fascinating journey, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you.

My small town is getting bigger every day, but it seems everyone knows someone who lives, lived, or wishes they lived here. It's a nice town. :confused:

My surgeon is Dr. Ross McMahon and his staff at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. They have a pretty impressive website: www.swedish.org/wls

Dave

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

welcome, dave; i'm new to the site, too, and hope to have my surgery in edmonds on 7/20, depending on the outcome of my echocardiogram next week. i'm from gold bar, east of snohomish.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome Dave!

I had my VSG surgery 11 months ago today and I could not be happier with the whole experience. It was, without a doubt, one of the very best decisions I have ever made.

Good luck to you on your journey. You will find this to be a great place for questions and support.

Keep us posted.

Best to you.

Brian

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×