I am in the beginning stages, literally like I am just telling my dr I want to have the surgery. I have contacted my insurance and found out all the requirements. I also have contacted the Emory Bariatric center here in Atl and thus far I just need to have my medical clearance letter faxed to them. I have been procrastinating bc Im so scared, however reading the post on this forum and seeing all the support you guys show one another it definitely has me excited. I have the support of my mom who has lapband a few years ago and looks great and has maintained her weight loss. So I finally decided to register and join in conversation as I start my journey instead of looking from the sidelines.

How you all feel is totally normal. This is a big deal, major surgery and you need to educate yourself as best you can so you feel as prepared as possible. There is tons of info out there if you look and organizations like American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America and all kinds of other sites that have info too. I felt a lot better knowing all the information going into the surgery. I read everything I could get my hands on, night and day!

If you need help with exercise there is the Bariatric Guru Erin Akey who has had RNY surgery herself and runs marathons now and is very inspirational. She is on Facebook and is a great champion to have in your corner if you need motivation to exercise (she even uses hula hoops to help you have fun while you exercise)

Also, having plans that require you to do 6 months or more of work to get to the operating room door is also good because you have time to really know you want to do it or not and develop good habits.

I have BCBS Highmark. Good luck everyone and I hope we all can stay in touch and support each other. And so far I think we all have made a great start

I'm new here to I am in the middle stages. I am 33 years old married 5 kids and one grand son who is one . I have pcos sleep apnea and un 274 at 5 7 feet. I have done the orientation nutrition class meet with the surgeon once and in booked for the RN ' date=' social work and dietitian in sept. I live in Toronto Ontario. I meet the criteria dfor the augers. I m tired of the side lines if life. I want my life back and I want to live and be healthy. I love my family an I love life. I'm just tired of always being tired worrying if I'll wake up in the morning. In tired of fatty liver and bull crap. I need to embrace my journey and I néed support in the begining and theought my journey. My husband loves the way I look but hates the health issues that come with it. I am ready for everything if I can survive our kids two of them are special needs I can tackle this . Bring it on. Im here to support and be support. Journey is better travelled with many and not alone .[/quote']

I definitely agree wholeheartedly with you...We only live once and have to make the best of it...I definitely love me and Im at my prime so its definitely my time to do this and improve my quality of life...Dont get me wrong Im a Gemini and most times can be the life of the party,lol...but I know me and dealing with being tired and the headaches and the weight gain, 5'6; 271..I just cant deal anymore.... Time for a change, so Im all in with any support I can offer. We will get thru this together..like you said, its too many of us to do this alone...we're all going thru a major transition and all the help is needed..

Crstal I am 43 mother of 3 and grandbaby girl that will be 3 in December. She has a lot to do with my decision. Knowing I am too young to not be able to chase and play with her.

Thanks ChatChat for that info it truly is helpful and thats what Ive been doing, reading alot and preparing myself. I dont have to do the diet plan but Im going to still try to maintain as much as I can...Luckily my mom went thru lap band as well as she works for a Bariatric Center though we live in different states she makes sure I am well informed... After all Im her babygirl and she doesnt want anything to happen to me,lol

Welcome to the group!

in most cases it depends on your insurance on how long the process is. I am required to meet with the diatician and excercise physiologist once a month for 6 mo. go through a psyc eval. after the 6 mo process my insurance will then approve or not approve me. I haven't been given a certain amount of wt that I have to loose before surgery however I am supposed to loose some. Yeah like I haven't tried that before!!!!!

Yeah they always throw in something as though that isnt the reason you're looking to have the surgery now....Well we will speak it into existence that it will be approved and you will continue on your weight loss journey..

Tbooks I am a Gemini as well.

ChatChat thank you so much for your words of support! Please tell me how you did right after surgery. I spoke to my primary care doc yesterday and she mentioned the complications to me. ones I hadn't been told of yet and they kind of scared me,

Tbooks I am a Gemini as well.

What day is your bday...Mine is June 8th...

June 15th. June 8 th is my stepsons bday

Tbooks I am a Gemini as well.

What day is your bday...Mine is June 8th...

June 15th. June 8 th is my stepsons bday

Oh ok, well you know personally we are some of the best people in the world....lol

Of course we are!!!

Hey I'm a Capricorn don't forget about me !!!! We're good people to stubborn but good lol