Hi, everyone. I'm Rene. I am 55-years-old and live in Salt Lake City. I have two sons, 17 and 22. I have a wonderful, supportive husband. I decided in August to pursue the WLS path. I have been overweight all of my life. And, although I've successfully lost weight a few times, it never stays off. Now it's starting to really impact the way I feel. My back aches. I can't walk more than a few minutes at a time. It just is unacceptable. I've tried a couple times since the first of the year to lose on my own and it's just not happening. I'm also a type 2 diabetic. I need to make big changes to ensure I'm around to see my grandkids. I have decided to have gastric bypass and am working with a group here in SLC, trying to get everything done so I can have surgery before the end of the year. I have a deadline because my insurance may change at the beginning of the year. I started the 90-day pre-surgery supervised plan required by my insurance in mid august. I'm nervous that my insurance will screw me up but I can't worry too much, at this point. I've read quite a few of the stories on here and I'm glad I've found some place that i feel like I can get support and ask questions.

Welcome Rene! I'm 54 and had my bypass on 07/29/15. Even this early out my life has changed dramatically for the better. You will not be sorry! Congrats on the start of your journey!

Welcome. There is a lot of great stuff on this forum.

@ Welcome! I'm 60 & having gastric bypass on Oct. 8th! My husband too is very supportive & knows how its affecting my health also! This forum has been really good for me, lots of good information. Very supportive with lots of good advice. Hope you get your date soon!!!

Welcome. I am 51 and was sleeved April 20.

Best of luck with getting all of your pre-op clearances done in time to get your surgery this year. I am sure that you aren't the only one with a tight schedule. As long as your surgeon's office is aware of your issues they should be a great help in getting you there.

In the meantime, learn as much as you can, read, and ask questions.

This site is a great place to learn a great deal.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

WELCOME! I am pre op and I am hoping to have surgery on Dec 22 . This is a great place to ask questions and research!

@ Welcome! I'm 60 & having gastric bypass on Oct. 8th! My husband too is very supportive & knows how its affecting my health also! This forum has been really good for me, lots of good information. Very supportive with lots of good advice. Hope you get your date soon!!!

Your date is SO close! How is the pre-op diet going? I'm having nerves because i'm not hearing much from my surgeon's office.

Thanks for the welcome, everyone. This forum has been a God send already

@ The pre-op for me has been pretty good. I've noticed that different people's surgeon's have them doing different things like all liquid or shakes. Mine has me on Bariatric Shakes 2 a day and a light meal for the 3rd like a smart choice dinner with no potatoes or corn. He said we would just get too burned out on the shakes before surgery. But he definatly wants us to loose weight before the surgery for the liver. Easier for him to get around it & makes surgery safer. I have been off of sugar for about 4 months now & caffeine for 1 month, if you can get off those your cravings won't be so bad. The day before surgery which is wed. for me the doctor has me taking magnesium citrate at noon to start to clean my intestines. The hospital at my pre-op visit said to be sure to drink lots of fluids that day since I will be going to the restroom a lot. They also said to drink propel zero or powerade zero to get the electrolytes back in my system. Also keeps your veins in good shape. My doctor also gave me a patch to place behind my ear the night before surgery for nausea. They last 3 days. Have you gotten a date yet? best of luck with the insurance!

Oh the one problem I have had is constipation with all the protein drinks, I take miralax everyday with some water & it helps.

Edited October 5, 201510 yr by 60&goin4it