Hello out there! I'm hoping to start a Massachusetts support group if anyone is interested.

I had mine done at BI too, Dr. Jones! Good luck they are all wonderful

I had mine done at BI too, Dr. Jones! Good luck they are all wonderful

Thank you!! Glad you had a good experience! How far out are you?

I'm 2 months out, had it done 12/31/13

I'm 2 months out, had it done 12/31/13

That's a great way to ring in the new year! I just can't wait until Wednesday is over and I'm on my way to a healthier me.

Yes it was a great way lol it was a long process so the first opportunity I had I took it. Are you doing rny or vsg? I had rny and it was the best thing 2 months later & I'm diabetes free, which was my main goal.

Yes it was a great way lol it was a long process so the first opportunity I had I took it. Are you doing rny or vsg? I had rny and it was the best thing 2 months later & I'm diabetes free, which was my main goal.

Congratulations!! That's a great accomplishment! I am also having RNY. Along with getting my gall bladder removed (I have 3 stones).

I'm heading in for surgery at Lahey in Burlington on May14

I'm heading in for surgery at Lahey in Burlington on May14

Congrats!! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

I am from mass

_{I'm from Boston Mass and I'm going through the Center for Weight Management and Weight Loss Surgery through the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford. My name is Robin and I won't be having the surgery until early Spring. I'm month 2 into the 6 month requirement by my insurance (Tufts). I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the appointments and all the pre-op appointments and the lack of accommodating working people with early evening appointments. I'm having to take days off and schedule 2 to 3 appointments for that day to satisfy the necessary criteria for that month.}

_{Also, I was informed that I have to lose 20 lbs pre-surgery and keep it off until the surgery. I'm not sure if I should just wait until after the holidays or start now for fear of putting any pounds on during the holidays. I realize this requirement is a test to determine my adherence to the program and also to reduce liver fat to minimize recovery or complications. One more point, I'm 5 weeks into being smoke free. I quit using the patch because I needed to quit for a thousand reasons, 2, The surgery won't be preformed if you're an active smoker. I have to ween myself off the patch because you have to be nicotine free. I'm not sure if anyone else has to quit smoking? It makes it that much harder to lose weight for the surgery. Again, I'm just overwhelmed by everything....anyone else in Mass or anywhere in the same boat?}

_{I would love to get to know some local folks who are very pre-op and pick their brains for helpful hints.}

Drop me a line if you're interested in becoming chums.

Robin

Hi Everyone,

I am from SE Mass and have just started this journey. My very first visit to Tufts Weight and Wellness Center is on December 10th and have no idea what to expect. I am meeting a Nutritionist and then a Behaviorist(???). I'm about halfway thru reading The Big Book of Gastric Bypass and also about half of The Weight Loss Surgery Workbook. Right now, I feel like this is consuming my life between the excitement and nervousness. I would love to get some advice/encouragement from people who are/were in the same boat.

Thanks,

Jocie

Hi Jocie,

I know what you mean about being consumed by stuff. If you have Tufts Navigator insurance, there's a 6 month process of this. I'm now having to take days off from work, to fulfill my monthly appointment obligations. Then I thought to myself, aside from the monthly requirements which are, the nurse practitioner, the nutritionist and I'm only required to have 2 psych visits for the whole process. Although I wouldn't mind more, I don't really have the time. So there's those 3 requirements, plus a health coach phone call each month.

1. nurse practioner

2. nutritionist

3. psych doctor (2 times during 6 months)

4. health coach - monthly scheduled phone call.

What I've also thrown in the mix was all this pre-op stuff that I could have spread over the 6 month time frame and did not because the program just keeps scheduling me or telling me I need to schedule the following.

1. Upper GI series - done

2. extensive breathing test - done

3. blood work - done

4. sleep study doctor (initial visit) done, there will be about 3 more follow-ups due to sleep study requirements

5. heart doctor - scheduled but not done.

In addition to these requirements, I had my gall bladder checked out because I have stones and want the gallbladder removed at the same time as surgery. (so that required and abdominal ultra sound and 2 more visits to my primary care)

Also, I received a lot of reading materials and have quit smoke 9 weeks now...

It's major, exhausting followup for all this....but I plan to do everything right and minimize any problems and unwanted side effects.

So my advice to you is this....there's no getting around all the requirements, suck it up, try to space out the appointments so that you don't feel your life orbits around this.

Good luck

If you are on Facebook, please feel free to request to join Boston Bariatrics. I started this group a week ago and we already have 73+ members and growing. Lots of great info and support in the Boston area! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bostonbariatrics/

I have a BMI of 37 and but don't think I have any comorbidity. I know I have Asthma and learning Disabilities. Would be considered as a comorbidity?

I don't have any comorbidity can still get the sugery!