So, I am new to the vertical sleeve community, new to the world of blogging, and new to support groups in general. In my weight loss journey my greatest challenge has been coping with a lack of family support. Not blaming others, just frustrated with the resistance that I receive. I should have sought support from a community such as this a long time ago; perhaps this journey would have been a bit less bumpy, no pun intended . In an effort to make behavior change, here I am. My surgery is scheduled for July 2, 2013 and I am very excited, scared, and hopeful. I am having it done with Dr. Onopochencko and am so far very impressed with his presence, experience, and patient satisfaction. I am 35 yo, 5'2, and weigh 265 lbs - can't believe I just put this information online!!!! Not sure what else to say; think this is a good start for me... thanks for being here!

Good luck to you. This board is a very good source of information 24 hrs a day:)

Welcome! You picked the best sleeve support online support group!

Good luck on your journey. I too am exited, scared and hopeful. My surgery date is June 24th. It seems that each day closer I get to that day the more nervous I become. Then I have to remind myself that this a major life changing event and that not being nervous would be a pretty big cause for concern. Logging on to the forum helps a lot. It seems to help bring my focus on the positive aspects of my journey.

So, I am new to the vertical sleeve community, new to the world of blogging, and new to support groups in general. In my weight loss journey my greatest challenge has been coping with a lack of family support. Not blaming others, just frustrated with the resistance that I receive. I should have sought support from a community such as this a long time ago; perhaps this journey would have been a bit less bumpy, no pun intended . In an effort to make behavior change, here I am. My surgery is scheduled for July 2, 2013 and I am very excited, scared, and hopeful. I am having it done with Dr. Onopochencko and am so far very impressed with his presence, experience, and patient satisfaction. I am 35 yo, 5'2, and weigh 265 lbs - can't believe I just put this information online!!!! Not sure what else to say; think this is a good start for me... thanks for being here!

Hi Lisa,

I too am treating with Dr. Onopchenko! I dont know what to expect yet since My consult isnt until the 20th of this month... Can you tell me more about the process you went through? What insurance do you have? How long did it take you to get a surgery date after your consult? What pre-op testing di he require and did you/will you have to do a pre-op diet?

Im anxious and inquisitive !

So, I am new to the vertical sleeve community, new to the world of blogging, and new to support groups in general. In my weight loss journey my greatest challenge has been coping with a lack of family support. Not blaming others, just frustrated with the resistance that I receive. I should have sought support from a community such as this a long time ago; perhaps this journey would have been a bit less bumpy, no pun intended . In an effort to make behavior change, here I am. My surgery is scheduled for July 2, 2013 and I am very excited, scared, and hopeful. I am having it done with Dr. Onopochencko and am so far very impressed with his presence, experience, and patient satisfaction. I am 35 yo, 5'2, and weigh 265 lbs - can't believe I just put this information online!!!! Not sure what else to say; think this is a good start for me... thanks for being here!

Welcome! We'll be happy to be your family, but know that we have our share of dysfunction as well!

Welcome Aboard! You r not alone here!!!!!

So' date=' I am new to the vertical sleeve community, new to the world of blogging, and new to support groups in general. In my weight loss journey my greatest challenge has been coping with a lack of family support. Not blaming others, just frustrated with the resistance that I receive. I should have sought support from a community such as this a long time ago; perhaps this journey would have been a bit less bumpy, no pun intended . In an effort to make behavior change, here I am. My surgery is scheduled for July 2, 2013 and I am very excited, scared, and hopeful. I am having it done with Dr. Onopochencko and am so far very impressed with his presence, experience, and patient satisfaction. I am 35 yo, 5'2, and weigh 265 lbs - can't believe I just put this information online!!!! Not sure what else to say; think this is a good start for me... thanks for being here! [/quote']

Hey Dearest one...I'm sry for your lack of family support, there are plenty others here w the same issues, so that's two things we all have in common...the other being wls:). I'm glad that u found this forum, thank God. So now UK u have a nice group of supporters here. And just so uk, I'm 5'3, 235...so there, nothn to b embarrassed about here. And thing is, my first class is Thursday, idk if I'll get approved but being here has helped w my decision as well as feeling comfy Sharing among like minded n same goal oriented individuals. Welcome my friend...xxxx, Dee Dee

So, I am new to the vertical sleeve community, new to the world of blogging, and new to support groups in general. In my weight loss journey my greatest challenge has been coping with a lack of family support. Not blaming others, just frustrated with the resistance that I receive. I should have sought support from a community such as this a long time ago; perhaps this journey would have been a bit less bumpy, no pun intended . In an effort to make behavior change, here I am. My surgery is scheduled for July 2, 2013 and I am very excited, scared, and hopeful. I am having it done with Dr. Onopochencko and am so far very impressed with his presence, experience, and patient satisfaction. I am 35 yo, 5'2, and weigh 265 lbs - can't believe I just put this information online!!!! Not sure what else to say; think this is a good start for me... thanks for being here!

Welcome to the forum! All your feelings are normal. Let me suggest something "FUN". Go buy a disposable camera. Have someone take your picture the day before surgery, then have somebody take your picture every month on your surgery 'date' for a year. After the last picture, on your one year anniversary, take the camera and have it developed. Lay the pictures side by side and see the transformation. It is really, really neat to do this, to see how far you've come!! Good luck, you are going to be on a wild ride, enjoy it!!!

Good luck on your journey. I too am exited, scared and hopeful. My surgery date is June 24th. It seems that each day closer I get to that day the more nervous I become. Then I have to remind myself that this a major life changing event and that not being nervous would be a pretty big cause for concern. Logging on to the forum helped alot. It seems to help bring my focus on the positive aspects of my journey.

Thank you, I think you are right; would be crazy not to be scared. Best of luck to you on June 24th!

Can't Wait to be thin, I was very curious too I first watched the webinar and met with Dr. O; I felt very comfortable with him and easily trusted him, which is new for me. He gave me a list of things to do before I could schedule my next appt; including blood work, upper GI, chest xray, primary care clearance, psychological assessment, and attending another support group. Once I completed these things I was scheduled a few days later to review my test results. It was at this appt that I was given my surgery date. I had researched the surgery options here and there for about 2 years; so I felt ready to move forward. I work for AtlantiCare and carry their insurance so authorization was easy. The pre-op diet starts 2 weeks before the surgery and is basically no carb, high protein. Start to finish the process only took about 2 months. Hope this information is helpful and good luck!!

Welcome to the forum! All your feelings are normal. Let me suggest something "FUN". Go buy a disposable camera. Have someone take your picture the day before surgery, then have somebody take your picture every month on your surgery 'date' for a year. After the last picture, on your one year anniversary, take the camera and have it developed. Lay the pictures side by side and see the transformation. It is really, really neat to do this, to see how far you've come!! Good luck, you are going to be on a wild ride, enjoy it!!!

Thanks! what a great idea; am definitely going to do that!

Hey Dearest one...I'm sry for your lack of family support, there are plenty others here w the same issues, so that's two things we all have in common...the other being wls:). I'm glad that u found this forum, thank God. So now UK u have a nice group of supporters here. And just so uk, I'm 5'3, 235...so there, nothn to b embarrassed about here. And thing is, my first class is Thursday, idk if I'll get approved but being here has helped w my decision as well as feeling comfy Sharing among like minded n same goal oriented individuals. Welcome my friend...xxxx, Dee Dee

Wow, thank you DeeDee; your kind words brought a tear to my eyes. Makes me realize how much I really need the support. I look forward to reading and learning from everyone. I hope your approval process goes smoothly

Welcome! We'll be happy to be your family, but know that we have our share of dysfunction as well!

LOL, thank you; dysfunctional works for me!

Wow' date=' thank you DeeDee; your kind words brought a tear to my eyes. Makes me realize how much I really need the support. I look forward to reading and learning from everyone. I hope your approval process goes smoothly [/quote']

Tysm, n u are so wlcm. As soon as ik something, YOU'LL B ONE of the first to know. Have a gn:) and remember that WE SUPPORT YOU!!

Can't Wait to be thin' date=' I was very curious too I first watched the webinar and met with Dr. O; I felt very comfortable with him and easily trusted him, which is new for me. He gave me a list of things to do before I could schedule my next appt; including blood work, upper GI, chest xray, primary care clearance, psychological assessment, and attending another support group. Once I completed these things I was scheduled a few days later to review my test results. It was at this appt that I was given my surgery date. I had researched the surgery options here and there for about 2 years; so I felt ready to move forward. I work for AtlantiCare and carry their insurance so authorization was easy. The pre-op diet starts 2 weeks before the surgery and is basically no carb, high Protein. Start to finish the process only took about 2 months. Hope this information is helpful and good luck!![/quote']

Thanks so much!!!! I, also, work for Atlanticare so I'm glad to know the insurance process will be so easy! Whew! My biggest concern is/was the Pre-op diet! Your information helped me much!!!! Thank you!