Hi there! I have my first appointment with Dr. Gandsas at AAMC on August 1. I've been to the seminar and I am dying to have this done ASAP. My insurance won't cover anything that has to do with obesity surgery so I'll be paying on my own. Its worth it to me!

I was wondering if anyone here could tell me a little bit about what to expect once I see the surgeon, the types of tests he requires, and how soon they will schedule my surgery knowing I do not need insurance approval. Any advice would be very much appreciated. I'm very impatient and I was hoping I could do some things on my own before my appointment that might speed things up!

Thanks everyone!

I hope so. I told Dr Gandsas I want to be one of the success stories. He said to remember that! : ) .. I've watched a lot of those utube videos and they said to bring chap stick and your pillow from home. I think I will also be bringing my I pod and kindle. If before or after your surgery you think of anything else be sure to let me know.

I think the 2 week diet before the surgery will be hard for me because we are going on vacation again the week before. I know it's crazy. If you have any suggestions that will help me stay on it without cheating let me know. I am open to all and any suggestions.

Bring ready made protein drinks...they are fulling. Just do your very best to stay focused on what the cause is getting a new life.

Stay active that will help you get your mind off of food. I will pray for you to have a fun and make it through the two weeks of the diet. You can always email me I will do my best to help encourage you to move on.

We can have jello and all the vegetables we want so that's not too bad buts it gets hard when you're the one cooking everyday. I wish it was only a week of staying on that diet. 2 weeks I'd forever and I too like the shakes. Lol. I may take u up on your offer and send you messages while in away for support if you'll be upto it.

Hi Ladies

I had sleeve surgery with Dr. Gandsas on Jan. 6, 2014 and both him and his staff are great and everything went well. I ended back in surgery on May 21st to remove my gallbladder and he did that also. I can't say enough about him and his staff. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I feel over all I have done well I wish I would have lost more but I feel great and just need to remember at least the scale is not moving up!

Yes, of course I'd be up to receiving messages from you and I will do my best to support you.

acampbell1318 did you have the bypass? You don't mind as my surgery date comes closer I will take you

Up on your offer to ask you questions.

no I had the sleeve. Please ask away I had people that helped me thru the first part of my journey and it was great. I am at a point now where I don't lose every week and I get discouraged but everyone tells me not to just change things up a bit.

Acampbell, how was your recovery? How much weight have you lost if you don't mind me asking.

I had surgery with Dr Gandsas in October and gallbladder removal this past month. While I believe his bedside manner left something to be desired, the results and surgery were great and the results have been great!

Soniaj....I think it went great I had it done on a Monday morning and it took them forever to have a room for me so it was like 4pm when I finally got to my room and they had me up walking that night. Tuesday was the worst day for me cause I was nauseous and then I went home Wednesday and besides being nauseous for a month or so I felt good. the first 2 weeks it just felt like someone kicked me in my stomach and I was sore. But that sunday I went to a fishing expo with my husband and walked around and I was fine. The first week I lost 16lbs and then week 2 and 3 I had a stall and it was frustrating but since then I have been averaging about 2 lbs a week until 2 weeks ago and now I am having a stall again. Total since the morning of surgery I have lost 56 lbs.

Bookworm - are you able to eat regular food now? Did the weight come off fast?

Yes, I can eat anything. However, since gallbladder surgery sausage is off the list. Just doesn't go well without the filter. (if you know what I mean).

Yes, weight came off very fast in the beginning. I'm slightly obsessed with working out now so that helped me. I also was up and walking the day I got home. I went back to work after 3 days. Weight seems to be coming off slower now. I think I averaged about 15lbs a month and since May I've been about 5lbs-6lbs.

Acampbell, your doing great then. I really am getting excited. I'm glad the surgery went well. I've been reading about how a lot of people run into the stall issue. I think changing your exercises every month may help. Are you able to lift weights now? The nausea I hear is common to and makes me a bit nervous. Have you thrown up all all due to certain foods?

Bookworm I'm glad to hear your surgery went well too. To be honest I don't care about his bedside manner as long as the surgery is great. Your do in no great losing weight too. Did you feel nausea after surgery and after you got home?