Hey all, Names will. Nice to meet ya.

Man where to start. Live in south/central wv. Beckley in particular if you're a neighbor. Surgery is scheduled for 1/28 at johns hopkins. And I'm a self pay due to a ridiculous insurance company. Got one final PCP visit for bloodwork, last ekg, etc etc. Last visit in the surgeons office, anesthesiology, then it's sleeve day.

Already had to get cardiac clearance and a stress test. Had a (birth defect related) heart attack when I was 19. So I always manage to scare the newbie they send into to plug me into those things. Which is hilarious in a macabre sort of way. I'm pretty tired of explaining it to every white coat I come across though.

Started my (latest) process around june. Been a lot of miles and trips to and fro this summer. I'm an IT nerd, so luckily I can do 99% of my job from MD. Taking an tentative 4 weeks off to stay with relatives up there for follow up visits. And by off I mean I'll fix printers from up there instead of down here.

Only thing I lack is an "official" support group I can attend. Anyone in my general area know of any?

Have a nice one all!

Welcome! Sounds like you are well on your way in the process now, but at least you won't be on your pre-op diet until after the Holidays!

I am a little familiar with Beckley as I had to pass through there on my way two and from college all the time (lived in OH and went to college in VA). My biggest memory of it was when we got snowed in there for about 4 days on my way back to school after Christmas break in '96. The highways closed down so we had to get a hotel room there and then we weren't able to leave until the highways opened back up again. We even had to get snow tires put on the car there, because they initially only opened the roads back up to people who had chains or snow tires. We were in a rush so I wouldn't miss the start of the semester, but then I got to school and the school itself was still closed for another 3 days.

Anyway, welcome to the site and feel free to post all your questions, concerns, panic attacks, etc. We're here to help!

I was a bit further south in 96, so I didn't get to slog through that one up here . Yep, well on my way. Next month is going to be quite hectic. I had a bit of a hiatus in the middle of things due to a scheduling mixup, so the difference in the density of appointments of the early process compared to now is astronomical. It's like I got to work monday, and everything just converged all at once.

I'm pretty relaxed about things mostly. It will be a large pain in the butt, just like anything big and hospital related is. No biggie. I can wade through that.

However the month I'm taking off I'm spending with my mother. I love her, but she's a female barney fife. I may have to make arrangements for a tequila IV.

Welcome to the forum. People here seem to be genuinely nice and helpful. I am suppose to have my sleeve on Jan 26th but I am still pending a PET scan to clear me with the cardiologist.

I am nervous, excited and tired of waiting now.

I live in Texas but I am more than happy to join your support team!

@@MIMISAN what part of texas? I'm a Texan too. And welcome aboard will!!!! I am four and a half weeks post op. Good luck on your journey!

I am in the Kerrville area,near San Antonio

Thanks all Nice to be here, and I definitely get the nice folks vibe.

Only thing I lack is an "official" support group I can attend. Anyone in my general area know of any?

Is there no hospital in or near enough Beckley that does bariatric surgery? If you haven't actually checked, do call to ask if they have support groups. Most welcome people who have had surgery elsewhere.

I probably called about 10 places yesterday. i'll find one. Even if I have to start one myself. I'll give actual hospitals a shot today, thanks!

However the month I'm taking off I'm spending with my mother. I love her, but she's a female barney fife. I may have to make arrangements for a tequila IV.

That sounds potentially stressful. Hopefully it won't make you crazy! You'll already have plenty to deal with as you are recovering.

However the month I'm taking off I'm spending with my mother. I love her, but she's a female barney fife. I may have to make arrangements for a tequila IV.

That sounds potentially stressful. Hopefully it won't make you crazy! You'll already have plenty to deal with as you are recovering.

Oh I'll be completely bats*&^ crazy by the time I get home. We get along ok for very short periods of time. It's sort of like mixing mustard and milk. At first you think... ok I can tolerate this I suppose, and then suddenly you're on the news.

@@RoscoColetrain, you seem like you are from Texas haha Yes, that is a compliment

Lol thanks. I'm a pure appalachian merican.