Welcome everyone! I am so glad to finally have some members. This group was started so I could find people who were in similiar position as myself. I noticed most people were either in low 200's or lower. It's wonderful to know we're not alone! In this group I would like to share each other's stories and support each other through the hard times. With that being said, let me introduce myself. My name is Brandy and I am 37 (for the next four days at least). I am a single mother of a four year old named Abigail. I have been heavy most of my life. I was only about 40 lbs overweight when I finished high school but once I entered the work field the weight started piling on. I gained a great deal after the pregnancy. While I was pregnant I gained the normal 26lbs but after almost two years and a bad breakup the pounds really started packing on. So here I am today over 300 lbs and making the hard decision to have surgery. I am excited and crazy nervous at the same time. I hope all are well and I can't wait to read your stories as well.

<p>Hi everyone. I joined the group a while back, but I don't remember if I ever actually posted here! I am 44 years old, live in the Chicago area, am married and have two kids (almost 12 and almost 16). </p> <p> </p> <p>My highest weight was around 400 when my son was born in 2002 (not sure if that counts because it was pregnancy related). Right now my weight is about 350. </p> <p> </p> <p>I started the process for getting WLS back in August. I'm almost finished jumping through all the hoops--I just have one more medically supervised weight loss session left at the beginning of March, and a required support group meeting (which I am attending tonight.) Once I finish those things, they can put in for insurance approval and I will get my surgery date (which will probably be the beginning of April). At that point I begin 4 weeks of a liquid protein diet with nothing else but raw vegetables. I am happy for the raw vegetables--I see that others have not even gotten those!</p> <p> </p> <p>Anyway, just wanted to say hello. </p>

Hello Scylla! I'm also in Chicago and I'm getting gastric bypass. What are you getting? Who's your doctor/ hospital? I Started my journey in November 2013, today I saw my surgeon for the final consult.

Hi yvimac1! I live in the NW suburbs and am getting VSG at Highland Park Hospital with Dr. Ervin "Woody" Denham. I started my surgical journey at the end of August. My last MSWL appointment is March 4, and at that time they can put in for insurance approval. Then I get to start my 4 weeks of liquid diet and veggies. Surgery will likely be during the first week or two of April.

How about you? Who is your doc and where are you having the surgery? Do you have a date yet?

<p>Hi everyone. I joined the group a while back, but I don't remember if I ever actually posted here! I am 44 years old, live in the Chicago area, am married and have two kids (almost 12 and almost 16). </p> <p> </p> <p>My highest weight was around 400 when my son was born in 2002 (not sure if that counts because it was pregnancy related). Right now my weight is about 350. </p> <p> </p> <p>I started the process for getting WLS back in August. I'm almost finished jumping through all the hoops--I just have one more medically supervised weight loss session left at the beginning of March, and a required support group meeting (which I am attending tonight.) Once I finish those things, they can put in for insurance approval and I will get my surgery date (which will probably be the beginning of April). At that point I begin 4 weeks of a liquid Protein diet with nothing else but raw vegetables. I am happy for the raw vegetables--I see that others have not even gotten those!</p> <p> </p> <p>Anyway, just wanted to say hello. </p>

Hello Scylla! I'm also in Chicago and I'm getting gastric bypass. What are you getting? Who's your doctor/ hospital? I Started my journey in November 2013, today I saw my surgeon for the final consult.

Hi Scylla, I live in the city of Chicago, my doctor is Dr. Hungness, the surgery will be at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in downtown Chicago. I was not given a date. According to my calculation I'm having my surgery some time in April just because of the 6month weight management program thing, but he told me that his office would be submitting my claim now. It would surprise me if I get denied; it can go either way now! Have you started to change your eating habits?

Yes! I've had to because of the MSWL. I have already quit drinking carbonated beverages and have been using MyFitnessPal to track my Protein consumption. I've increased my Water consumption to 100+ ounces a day. I've lost 26 lbs. and they've really been encouraging me to exercise. Kicking caffeine is going to be far more difficult! I'm trying to cut down now but even when I was pregnant I couldn't totally give it up. I also have to start 4 weeks of a liquid diet once I get my surgery date, then nothing but Protein Shakes and raw veggies until surgery. WIll you have any pre-op diet requirement like that? Have you started to make changes to your eating habits yet?

P.S. -- We used to live in the city (Portage Park area-northwest side) but moved to the suburbs in 2002.

I have started to change what I eat little by little, I do use the fitness pal but not as often as I should. I have not put in 100% because I am scared of being denied by my insurance.

I have started to change what I eat little by little, I do use the fitness pal but not as often as I should. I have not put in 100% because I am scared of being denied by my insurance.

Why do you think you'd be denied? What is your current BMI? As I understand it, most insurance companies approve with a BMI of 35 or a BMI of 30+ with co-morbities.

My bmi is 50+. No other health problem. Just because I've been through hell and back when I had the Lapband, that's just my luck! That's it!!!!

Hello,

I am starting at 398....I had no idea that this process could take a year or more before getting a date....i thought it was somethng I would be doing soon....i am feeling very sad now....

Hi everyone! I'm Lisa, 35 married mom of 3 from Maine.

Hi everyone! I'm Lisa, 35 married mom of 3 from Maine. I have been overweight my entire adult life and have struggled to lose. The weight has been harder to lose since being diagnosed with MS 3 years ago. My right thigh is always numb and makes hard to exercise. My hands are numb too. I will be sleeved on July 14th. The day I went to my pcp to ask for referral in March I weighed 348 as of this morning I am 328.