So, I started my journey for wls over four years ago. My journey started with my mom's diagnosis of end-stage renal failure due to diabetic complications. At that moment, I knew I had to lose this weight. The day my mom got her kidney disease diagnosis, I went to my doctor and requested wls. She told me no and that I could just exercise it off. Well, one year later and 20 pounds heavier, I tried again. Still no luck. My mom lost her battle in 2009, and my life went into a tailspin. I grabbed a hold of the reigns in 2010 and decided it was time to take charge of my weight issue. I had been researching wls the entire time, so, I gathered all of my research and headed into my doctor's office ready to state my case. Over the last four years, I had changed doctors three times, and each doctor said no to giving me a recommendation. So, imagine my surprise when my fourth doctor said yes! When I asked the new doctor about wls, she was very supportive and started me in the bariatric program that day!

Fast forward to today, I am five months into my six-month nutrition program and, up until the holidays, everything was going great! At about the four month mark (which coincided with that Turkey, Christmas, New Year stretch) I gained 7 lbs!! On my fifth month appointment, I managed to lose 2 pounds, so I have to lose 2 pounds by February 24th in order for my nutritionist to approve me and send my paperwork on to the approving board of my insurance company,

I am with Kaiser of the Greater-DC area, and, according to their program, I can either have my surgery done at Holy Cross Hospital with Dr. Brain Cantor or some hospital in Virginia with some surgeon I do not know. As of my last nutritionist appointment, my nutritionist did not have this information available to me, so I guess, as for right now, I'm going with Dr. Brian Cantor. I have attended a couple of his pre-op informational sessions, and I do adore his straight-forward style. I don't, however, like the fact that his surgery waiting list is four months long from the initial appointment (which is another month, at least, from your approval with Kaiser, which, takes about two weeks after the board receives your paperwork).

Anyway, on this journey I have found out a lot of interesting information about myself. I am pre-diabetic, I have mild sleep apnea, and my blood pressure is erratic, but, not, at this point in time, continuously high without medication. I also found out that I have mild arthritis in both knees and elbows and possibly in my left shoulder. Without medical intervention and bariatric surgery, I am on the same path as my mom and I don't like the destination of that trip.

I don't really post often, but will try to update this posting with my journey updates. I'll probably get more detailed as I get closer (and get comfortable with the site and the members). Here's to the last two pounds melting away and staying gone (doing three days a week of all liquids until my approval so that the switch into the all liquid diet is not that drastic)

~Deevah~

Thanks everyone! So, today is 8/17 and I am officially starting my ALL liquid diet for the next 2 weeks. I attempted to start on 8/15 like I said in my earlier post, but, when the sun went down, my appetite (or, more appropriately, head hunger) went up! I failed miserably on 8/15 and failed a little less on 8/16. I did do all liquids between the time I got up until about 7pm, though, so that's good. I actually only ate one meal on both days. On the 15th, though, I ate enough for two meals, but, as I said, it was BAD (PMS). Yesterday, I did all liquids until about 8pm and then had about 3 bowls of Cereal (Cinnamon Toast Crunch--I will miss them so!! :cry_smile:)

Since today is the day that I was supposed to start, though, I'm just going with today as my start date and, so far, so good. I'm almost through work and I have had chicken broth (with powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Chicken Soup), Unjury strawberry, sugar-free jell-o, crystal light and Water. I'm not physically hungry and, as long as I keep my mind occupied (right now I'm listening to music and typing) I don't think about food. My friend who just had a bypass told me that the first three days are the hardest, so I am counting down...2 days 8 hours and 45 minutes to go until this gets easier! Right now, I'm actually full, so that's a good thing. Oh, and caffeine-free tea...AWESOME!!! That has helped me tremendously through today. I think I will be OK, I just needed to confess so I could move on. I feel like I'm rambling, but I'm sure that's due to the lack of carbs. :confused_smile:

I'll update as I progress.

Deevah

perserveer, keep your head down and push through. the reward is at the end of your diet no more out of control hunger.....It is worth the wait...

Hi Deevah (& Lexusgirl)' date='

Just wanted to check in and say that I can so relate to this process. I live in Bowie, MD and I have been at the process with Kaiser mid-Atlantic since June of 2010. I too attended the sessions at Holy Cross with Dr. Cantor. I also really liked his no nonsense approach, however, his waiting list, as already stated by Deevah, was incredibly long. Interestingly enough my approval was supposed to go to the board on 3/15 as well and was delayed, but I didn't know the meeting had been postponed. We actually received our approval during the same week.

I am seeing Dr. von Rueden who is affiliated with St. Agnes in Baltimore. After following my surgeon's process for the past couple of months, I have finally received my surgery date of August 2. I too, was hoping for a July date, but alas it was not to be.

So happy to meet fellow Marylanders, going through the process around the same time as I am.

Virtygirl[/quote']

VG,

How was your experience with Dr Von Rueden? I'm in his program now. He's in-network for me. Any details are appreciated.