Hey ya'll. I am in the process of losing the preop weight that Dr. Maher wants me to lose. I am down 8 pounds and have 16 more to go. Is anyone else from the Richmond area? I live in New Kent, Va, but am having my surgery at VCU.

Thanks in advance!

Hey Geeky. Im preop but going thru the process. I live in Chesterfield near Richmond. Im with Dr. Elliott at HCA. I've been for consult and he's sending me for acid reflux tests...oh joy. Of course I have reflux! Im fat. Lol but Ill just jump thru the hoops as told. Where are in your process?

I have my Psych Eval on May 15th at VCU. I still have to get down to 285lbs. and lately, I am gaining weight, but losing inches. So I am confused. I guess I will call and inquire as to what to do next.

If you are working out, sounds like you could be gaining muscle perhaps?

I sure as hell hope so Its just so frustrating at times. I would sometimes like to give up. But I know in the long run, this is my goal, and I WILL reach it!

Dont give up. Stay positive and determined. It is frustrating. But the payoffs will be oh so worth it!!

Hi! I am scheduled for surgery in Aug. I will be at St Mary's with Dr. Brengman. Diminion Surgical is now Bon Secours Surgery Group and that is the group my doc is with.

It is interesting how all docs are different. I do not have to lose any weight before surgery just have to do the 2 week preop diet. I need to lose 150 pounds to be healthy so I am ready to start this journey.

Congrats Aug. You'll be on the loser bench before you know it! I've heard of that doc. You must be pretty close to me. Maybe we'll end up sleeved close together and can give eachother some local support. : )

Rdo, that would be great. I know support is going to be important. I go to a support group meeting 2 weeks after surgery. I have my4 hour class on July 12. Let's stay in touch on our journey.

Hi all, I am from Richmond and planning to have my surgery at MCV with Dr Kellum. I am at the waiting stage of approval.

Hi msnae, welcome. I am a newbie on here and am looking for others to go on this journey with. Best of luck getting the approval. I am counting down the days until my surgery.

Hi,

I'm also having my surgery at VCU. I live in Richmond and have attended two of their support group meetings. They are very informative and helpful. My first MD meeting is 6/28. My psych meeting is 6/20. I'm very excited and would love to hear how you are all doing.

Welcome! I am waiting for my pre op in July. I wish it was tomorrow. I can't stand how I look lately, before I scheduled surgery I really did not care but now I can't stand it. Aug 6 needs to hurry up.

Welcome all. Nice to see there are several of us in the area. Im going to Dr. Elliott with HCA. I have psych, manometry and 24HR PH 6/4 and Nut 5/29. Then to be sent for approval. Hopefully we all get on the loser bench soon.

Hey ya'll!!! I went to my psych evaluation. It went fairly well. Although I have been denied for the time being until I get back into therapy. So I called today and scheduled it with my normal therapist. Once she and I have a mental health schedule down, and I fax it to the psychiatrist at VCU, she will release me for surgery. If only now I could lose these stupid 26 pounds. I keep losing, gaining, losing, gaining. Its an unending battle. I sometimes want to just give up.