I'm new here. I'm 49 female. BMI of 45, 5 ft 7 in. At first I wanted a lap band but now I think I want a gastric sleeve. I have to wait until July 17th for the orientation class before my PCP will refer me to the bariatric surgery office. I do have an HMO that covers surgery. Thanks for all the info I'm getting from these forums. I'm very anxious to get started and can't wait for the class on the 17th. Wish it was sooner.

Hey! I am fairly new too and still in the early stages of the process as well. Good luck!

good luck to both of you! I had to do 6 months of therapy/counseling and it seemed like it took forever! but now I am 5 weeks out and it feels like yesterday!

my advice is to have all of your questions written down, I kept forgetting and my ocd brain couldn't handle it

you have a team of us behind you!

Hi I originally wanted Lap Band also but after reading everything and really educated myself, I've chosen to go for the gastric sleeve. I go July 10th for my first meeting. I'm excited but still nervous because it is another surgery. I'm only 28 and I've already had 10 surgeries.

Good luck!

Good luck to you on starting your journey. You and I had similar starting points. I am 5'7" as well and my starting BMI was 43.6. Now it is 19.6. It is such an amazing experience. WElcome and good luck!

Good luck for all those who are starting. I am also new. I went to see the WL Dr on June 17th and was told I had to do a 6 month supervised diet. I have been on NS since June of last year and only lost 44 pounds and have over 200 to lose. I told him I was very disappointed with such a small amount of weight lost. He said I would have seen the NUT but she was at a wedding so I would see her at a later date. He suggested I continue with NS. I went to see the NUT yesterday expecting to receive a diet for the next 6 months and she gave me nothing. I was so shocked after she had explained what the diet was I would have to follow after the surgery. I told her that wasn't until 2016 what was I to follow now. She said she doesn't do that, what did the DR say. I told her he said to keep with NS but it isn't working like it should. She said well that is what you want to show the insurance so you can have the sleeve. I was shocked!!! I thought the 6 month supervised diet was to help you change your way of eating and lose weight in preparation for the surgery.

I would love to know from those who have had this surgery and had to do a 6 month supervised diet if this is what happened to you as well or were you given a diet to follow. I realize a lot of you haven't been to the Dr yet so would love to hear what happens when you do see the Dr. Hopefully you will not be as shocked as I was.