Hello.... I am 41 and almost done with the process.... Can't wait to see when I can get sleeved Dr. Johnson at Highland Hospital is my surgeon .

Hi Idonails74, I am also going through the process at Highland, but with Dr. O'Malley. Do you have a surgery date yet? I get sleeved on May 1st!

Hello !! I wish I did .... I am almost there ... I have my one on one with the nutritionist Monday ....am finished with all of my other appointments. I am having it with Dr. Johnson . How long was your process ??

Hi!

I attended the information seminar on November 17th and had my surgical consult with Dr. O'Malley on March 26th which was also the day I received my surgery date and insurance approval. All in all about 4 1/2 months plus a month until my surgery date. He could've gotten me in the first week in April but you have to be off BC for 4 weeks. I am sooooooo excited!

How has the process been for you this far?? Who is your nutritionist?

Diana

The process has been so smooth ..... Went to the seminar on Feb 16th . My nutritionist is Sandy Jolley . I have done the nutrition seminar and now have my one on one with her Monday . How many visits with the nutritionist did you do??

I had two one on ones with the nutritionist. The first she said to keep doing what I'm doing but to increase Protein. The second appointment was literally 10 minutes long. She said my journal looked great, my weight was exactly the same (my bmi is just over 40 so I was advised not to lose along the way for insurance), and she sent me on my way with protein samples.

After that, as soon as all of your other paperwork is in they should call to schedule your consult with Dr. Johnson and set a surgery date. And then it all gets very very real!!!

Hi Diana .... That's great !! I have lost 10 lbs since my nutrition seminar a month ago .... But my BMI is at 45 . I have kept a good journal as well . I am so excited for what is ahead for us where in Rochester are you ?? I am in Irondequoit .

Btw .... My name is Jennifer

Did you lose any weight between your seminar And first one on one ?

I'm Diana and I live in the North Winton Village!

I did not lose any weight. In fact my first few interactions with the center kind of discouraged me. I had a referral from the pcp yet when they called to confirm my attendance at the seminar the receptionist made a remark about not thinking I'd get very far bc my BMI was just over 40. I then had a similar experience at my first weigh in at the group nutritionist appt. The nutritionist asked what insurance I had when she calculated my BMI and then with a smirk made this comment about having my work cut out for me. I made sure that my weight stayed the same between weigh ins just to ensure that I'd have a BMI over 40 for insurance approval. It wasn't until my appt with the PA who ordered all my tests and talked about the different procedures that I finally felt like I belonged there and was making the right decision. I guess now that I have a surgery date and approval it's all history

And I had already introduced myself haha oops!

I am so glad it worked out for you ..... I also found out I have gallstones and will be having my gallbladder removed when I get my surgery done . Thank you for replying to my original post .... It is nice to have somebody local to chat with about their experience !

I had my surgery January 19 with O'Malley.

Moneyme ..... How was your experience ? How long did your process take ?

Hi Moneyme, I too would love to hear about your experience!

Jennifer, so sorry to hear about the gallbladder. At least they can do both at once. My GB was fine but they did find some signs of fatty liver which was really a wake up call about the silent effects that obesity has. I am glad we can share this experience as you said!! I have only told a very tight knit circle of people and while they are all very supportive, I'm sure they're sick of me talking about it

Have either of you been to the MONARCH support group at Highland? I know it's open to both pre and post op patients, but I have yet to check it out.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

I have never been to MONARCH sounds like a great idea if you have a small support system . My family is very supportive ... I have only told them and 2 very close friends . I choose to keep it that way that is why I am glad I found this app.

This app has been so great! I kept my support system small on purpose and I look forward to letting people wonder as I start dropping lbs as silly as that sounds! I may check out MONARCH post-op depending on how I am feeling along the way.

I look forward to hearing how your nutritionist appointment goes! Good luck!

Diana .... I feel the same way about letting them all wonder just got back from my nutrition appointment .... It went great . I lost 10 lbs which was fine ...I see her one more time . Then just wait for the call for them to schedule my appointment with the surgeon . Can't wait to be where you are at and just waiting for your surgery