Hi, all. This is my first post and I'm just completing my first week post surgery. I may be a little unique in that I had sleeve surgery with a lower BMI--32. I've struggled with weight my entire life and always worked out...just can't keep it off. Always hungry and no diet ever seems to work. So I bit the bullet and paid for the surgery myself. It's been remarkably easy so far...I, candidly, am just not hungry. I'm losing about a lb a day, and I'm staying pretty strictly to the liquid diet. My general concern is that I really can't tell anything has happened to me except that I'm not hungry and I am losing weight (which I guess is the greatest outcome possible). I do fear the ease of this will make it very easy to go back to old habits. Anyone else out there with a similar experience?

My first pre-op appointment is tomorrow (12/5/14)! Excited!

Any suggestions on what questions I should ask at my pre-op appointment tomorrow?

My first pre-op on 12/5/14 went well. I'm scheduled for surgery on 12/30/14!!!! I am 5'4" and weighed 188 (33 BMI). The doctor thinks I am a great candidate and likes that I'm confronting the problem before it spirals out of control and I become heavier. And he also thinks I will be able to obtain great results (obviously I have to follow the protocol well to obtain those great results... so there is still work to do to get to a healthy weight and then MAINTAIN it in lieu of the yoyo). I'm so excited and also a bit nervous at the same time.

Requirements for surgery since I'm self pay were:

(1) meet with nutritionist (which I did during my first pre-op apt), and

(2) have a psych evaluation. As it was instructed, I am to go online to the psych website and take a couple exams. Then I have either a phone call or a facetime with a psychologist. Seems harmless, but I'm still nervous about that. I'll let you know how that goes.

I'm also nervous about having to eat a liquid diet for the seven days prior to surgery... that's over CHRISTMAS. I am very fine with the liquid diet. The part I don't like is that I will be around my family and they don't know (only my hubby knows), so I have to try to stay inconspicuous. Not sure how I will accomplish that... that is the nerve-racking part!

My first pre-op on 12/5/14 went well. I'm scheduled for surgery on 12/30/14!!!! I am 5'4" and weighed 188 (33 BMI). The doctor thinks I am a great candidate and likes that I'm confronting the problem before it spirals out of control and I become heavier. And he also thinks I will be able to obtain great results (obviously I have to follow the protocol well to obtain those great results... so there is still work to do to get to a healthy weight and then MAINTAIN it in lieu of the yoyo). I'm so excited and also a bit nervous at the same time.

Requirements for surgery since I'm self pay were:

(1) meet with nutritionist (which I did during my first pre-op apt), and

(2) have a psych evaluation. As it was instructed, I am to go online to the psych website and take a couple exams. Then I have either a phone call or a facetime with a psychologist. Seems harmless, but I'm still nervous about that. I'll let you know how that goes.

I'm also nervous about having to eat a liquid diet for the seven days prior to surgery... that's over CHRISTMAS. I am very fine with the liquid diet. The part I don't like is that I will be around my family and they don't know (only my hubby knows), so I have to try to stay inconspicuous. Not sure how I will accomplish that... that is the nerve-racking part!

Congrats.

Just tell your family that you had some bloodwork done and the doctor was concerned about -----.

Then tell them you have to do this regimen and then redo the tests. Tell them you want to be proactive about your health and nip everything in the bud. Let them know you met with a nutritionist and you really have to make some serious modifications to your diet.

They will commend you and when you start dropping they will have a reason as to why.

It worked for me!!!

@@Zane's Mom, thanks for the suggestion. That is perfect and a great plan to use.

I started with a BMI of 33. Have gained and re-gained the same 50 lbs for 20 years. I'm 35 pounds down. Goal is to lose 60 lbs. Weight loss has been a little slow. I had a one month stall that finally broke. Amping up my exercising.

I was self pay. From first appt it took 2 weeks to get surgery. Cost was about $10k w/ Doctor and Hospital and all labs and includes lifetime follow-up.

I have told only a few people and feel great!

@@PALOMA, looks like you are doing really well. I'm mentally preparing for a slow loss.

In 2012 I lost 32lbs in five months (on Rx phentermine), but it came right back. I'm thinking I'll lose at a similar pace after surgery. But with that said, I was thrilled to get 32 lbs gone! I am very excited about cleaning out my closet and eliminating some fat clothes... maybe eliminate the first round of fat clothes by March?!

I'm self pay too. All together $14,500. At first I was thinking, "no way I am paying that much." But after conversing with hubby and knowing we have paid $10k+ for vacations and furniture, why not for myself and my health? Thankfully, we have the ca$h and he is completely onboard and supportive. I can't believe I will be doing this in 23 days. I am excited and nervous.

Paloma

How far out are you!!

I plan on being self pay too. Just wondering how long from initial appointment until the surgery for self-pay people. I know it's typical to have a six-month wait when going through insurance, but what about us self-pay people?

So, my next question: if you were self pay, how much time between your initial appointment to your surgery date?

I could have gotten in in about 2 weeks, but ended up having peptic ulcers and had to schedule out 2 months for healing prior to surgery. After surgery i just had to keep taking the acid reducing meds and continue to not take any ibuprophen. (the cause of my ulcers)

Paloma

How far out are you!!

I was sleeved on 8/4/14. 4 months out.

I could have gotten in in about 2 weeks, but ended up having peptic ulcers and had to schedule out 2 months for healing prior to surgery. After surgery i just had to keep taking the acid reducing meds and continue to not take any ibuprophen. (the cause of my ulcers)

My self-pay surgery was done 2 weeks after my initial visit. Did labs, psyche and everything as soon as I could then reserved space at hospital.

My surgery is this Thursday, December 11. I have a BMI of 35 and my current weight is around 192. I keep second-guessing myself thinking do I really need to go through this drastic surgery, but I know I can't do it on my own, I've been dieting since I was 12 years old on and off yo-yoing my entire life. It's just starting to get real and I guess I am scared. Preop diet has been hard and I'm feeling hungry a lot. I'm hoping at least some of the hunger pains will go away after surgery. I do have sleep apnea and a slightly elevated blood pressure so my insurance is covering the surgery. Freaking out a little!

I was 2 weeks total am 12 days out and feel fantastic. Every pound that goes I will never see again.

Lots of energy and promise for a healthy happy active future.

Good luck

I started with BMI of 33. The day of surgery my BMI was 31. I am 4 wks post op today and I only lost 7.8 lbs since surgery. I am a very slow loser, but I am following my diet plan. BMI is now 30.

I was very discourage especially when reading how much others have lost, but I keep encouraging myself to follow he plan and it will work. Today I finally dropped another pound. I hope I am on a roll now. If I wasn't on this journey I know I would be at least 10-15 lbs heavier with the holidays etc. 7.8 lbs lost is better then gaining????. Thanks for everyone's support reading others struggles helps put this journey in perspective.

My surgery is this Thursday, December 11. I have a BMI of 35 and my current weight is around 192. I keep second-guessing myself thinking do I really need to go through this drastic surgery, but I know I can't do it on my own, I've been dieting since I was 12 years old on and off yo-yoing my entire life. It's just starting to get real and I guess I am scared. Preop diet has been hard and I'm feeling hungry a lot. I'm hoping at least some of the hunger pains will go away after surgery. I do have sleep apnea and a slightly elevated blood pressure so my insurance is covering the surgery. Freaking out a little!

You sound just like me! 192 pre-op diet 186 morning of surgery and sleep apnea. I am 1 month 5 days out and couldn't be happier! Don't get me wrong the first two weeks were tough but I would do it all over again!! I am as of this morning 164.6 I had a 12 day stall that everyone experiences and totally panicked. Once I got through that I have consistently loose .5 lb everyday or sometimes 1 lb a day. I am walking 3.5 miles (takes 1 hour) 5 days a week. Eating 2-3 oz at a time mainly protein then waiting 30-45 minutes to drink. I use my timer on my phone for every meal to make sure I am eating slow (30 minutes) You will do great it just takes some planning for meals and I never leave the house without a Quest bar or turkey jerky just incase I get stuck somewhere without a good choice.