Hello

I have been a long time lurker here on this site. It’s a great site by the way. I have learned a lot and a lot of my questions have been answered just by reading post and the answer everyone has given. I have been over weight since I was a kid. I have tried many many many times to lose weight. Every single time I tried only ended in very little loss. It gets me because I am a fairly active person. When my knee is not bothering me I go to the gym 2 to 3 times a week. And I have a very high impact hobby I do 1 to 2 times a week, but never really been able to drop and weight.

Well I have been thinking about WLS for awhile now. And I went to a couple WLS seminars in the past year. I had my 1^st appt. with the surgeon yesterday and started a 4 month supervised weight loss program that’s required by my Insurance company. Dr. Hamilton was great answered all my questions we spent over 30 minutes talking to me. Then proceeded to give me a list of everything that will need to be done in this time, so paperwork can be submitted at the end of the 4 months.

Right after the Appt I was able to get in and see the NUT. Since I have to see her, a total of 4 times. She told me what to expect nutrition wise after the surgery and that I would have to take Vitamins for the rest of my life afterwards. And always eat Protein first.

Well the process is started. Needless to say I am sitting here going over all the information I have gained from this site and yesterday at the Appt. and I am kinda nervous. I know this is a big change I am going to put myself though. I know its for the better health wise and in the long run. I never had any type of surgery. I am as healthy as an Ox and the size of one too.

I am only going tell a handful of people I trust that I am going to do this. Just a private person.

Feel free to share your experience at this stage in the process.

Any advice would be welcomed.

Thanks

Congratulations on deciding to take this journey with us. I started my journey in early August with a three month requirement for the diet. For some people it is six months. I cannot believe I am in my seventh week already. My program does not require a certain amount of pre-op weight loss, but as a natural result of the diet I have lost 17 pounds already. It will seem like a lot of work because it is. Where we used to indulge, we now have to be more observant and aware of our eating habits. Our doctors have done this a thousand times before us and know the formula that works.....so my suggestion is to dig in and follow instructions. Your tummy is not going to like not being in charge. Your brain and your taste buds will rebel, too. So go deep to muster whatever resolve you have and take over the process. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. We are here to support and encourage each other.

I will be four weeks post op tomorrow, and go in for my four week check up. I am 53 and always was overweight and healthy. Then with age joint pains, high BP, Pre Diabetic.

I am doing very well! The only thing I would do different is I wish I

had the surgery years ago. First week was hard but my husband and pain pills made it ok. I am a private person also and told very few people. This is a tuff journey and I needed nothing negative in my mind. BTW.... 37 pounds down feeling great! I wish you all the best!

I think the journey started many years ago but, insurance wouldn't cover it. So when our company was purchased by a BIG company we now have fantastic insurance! So the surgery was covered!

My surgery was on August 30, 2013 and I am now feeling good but I did have some complications that slowed down my getting back on my feet sooner. I got pneumonia (which I had had 6 months ago and had a feeling I might see that again after surgery) and a blood clot in my spleen.

My body and antibiotics did its thing and pneumonia is gone and blood clot is almost gone. I had one readmit to the hospital for the "issues" but week 3 I am feeling good and back to work.

Here is a brief video I did today to tell my story.. thought I would share here as well.

Allison's Journey

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