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!

Oh My Goodness. That really surprises me. Did he move to another practice?

No idea. She didn't say. I do know that 4 years ago he was with Dominion Surgical/Commonwealth Surgeons... whatever they're now called. He was with Dr. Brengmann at that group. I went to a seminar with them. Then when I looked him up at the beginning of this year he was with Henrico Surgical.

Maybe he'll go back with that group? That woudl be nice. Though, honestly, I don't really have any doctor-loyalty. I'd only seen him a couple times. I just want my surgery!

I am with the VCU/MCV group of bariatric doctors, and I have heard great things. I am still trying to lose my last damn 10 pounds. Its so freaking frustrating. I swear I have lost this same 26 pounds over and over again. But what can you really do? Im just so frustrated and angry!

I'm sorry. So, they make everyone prove they can lose weight before surgery? I don't like that. If I could lose 30 pounds, oh man.

I think it's more about you showing you made an effort by keeping your appointments, etc. Dr. Brengman never told me I needed to lose a certain amount before surgery. I only lost 20 lbs in that 6 months.

So, I'll be switching to Dr. Bautista at Bon Secours General Surgery. My appointment with him is August 14th. They have to resubmit all of my information to insurance of course. So, who knows when I'll finally be approved. Hoping this doesn't invalidate my nutritionist meeting, which was February 14th. Insurance says it has to be within 6 months. Guess if worst comes to worst I'll just go again.

Fingers crossed this goes smoothly and quickly.

I feel like I was running a race and could see the finish line and then someone moved it a mile down the road. And, I'm fat and running is hard.

I am with Dr. Maher at VCU Weightloss Surgery Group. I dont know about any other groups doing it. He wants me to get down to 285. It is to prove that I WILL do this. I am actually okay with it. Its just frustrating

Good luck Alicia. Glad you found another doc. You'll get there, stay determined.

Indi, I'm in chesterfield too. Nice to know there are a few in the area on here. Ill be headed to Mexico to Kelly in march I think. So, I have a ways to go. But it'll get here. First time in years Id like to see time fly. Lol

Geeky, stay strong! You can do it!! I know its frustrating...if losing were easy, we wouldn't look at weight loss surgery. Duh.; ) Have you thought about following something similar to the preop diets? So many here have said they lost a good amount before surgery dates.

Hey there! I live in Fredericksburg. My surgery was this past Monday and I am home watching the Olympics and figuring out how to get all this liquid and Protein in.

Hi everyone!!! I have surgery with Dr Brengman tomorrow at St Mary's!!!! I am nervous but Dr Brengman has been great. He is also going to fix a small hiatal hernia when he does surgery. He did not ask me to lose weight before surgery just do the 2 week pre op diet. I have list 10 pounds on the pre op diet and have only been able to exercise 1 day so I think thet is pretty good. I am nervous about going home with a drain for a week and just pray surgery goes well. Please think of me tomorrow. A little scared.

Hi everyone!!! I have surgery with Dr Brengman tomorrow at St Mary's!!!! I am nervous but Dr Brengman has been great. He is also going to fix a small hiatal hernia when he does surgery. He did not ask me to lose weight before surgery just do the 2 week pre op diet. I have list 10 pounds on the pre op diet and have only been able to exercise 1 day so I think thet is pretty good. I am nervous about going home with a drain for a week and just pray surgery goes well. Please think of me tomorrow. A little scared.

Hope today goes/went well. Be sure to update us!

I'm so anxious. Got my denial letter in the mail from Cigna. Turns out Dr. Elliott's group had not submitted everything. They didn't send the second medical clearance information, even though they were asked for it. So, maybe it's a blessing that I'm moving to another group.

Question for Dr. Brengmann or Dr Bautista patients (or any patients with the Bon Secours group at St Mary's.)

What is the pre-op diet like? I'm assuming it's the same or similar to the one at Dr. Elliott's practice: 2 Protein shakes a day and a small dinner.

So, I'll be switching to Dr. Bautista at Bon Secours General Surgery. My appointment with him is August 14th. They have to resubmit all of my information to insurance of course. So, who knows when I'll finally be approved. Hoping this doesn't invalidate my nutritionist meeting, which was February 14th. Insurance says it has to be within 6 months. Guess if worst comes to worst I'll just go again.

Fingers crossed this goes smoothly and quickly.

I feel like I was running a race and could see the finish line and then someone moved it a mile down the road. And, I'm fat and running is hard.

I hope everything goes well...Dr Bautista is my surgeon as well..I havent gotten my surgery date yet..I just completed all of my prequalifying factors and hopefully they will hurry and submit everything to my insurance for approval.

Hello everyone...I am trying to patiently wait on the office to submit everything for approval. My dr is Dr Bautista...I am just glad to find other sleevers in the Richmond area.