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WLS Orientation: The Journey Begins!



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Hello Everyone!

So I'm very new to this online support forum, and I already feel as though I know a bunch of you guys already! Reading your stories and comments has been amazing. My medical coverage is through Kaiser Permanente, and I attended their general information session and my PCP placed a bariatric referral which was approved (referral only, not necessarily the surgery). I am scheduled to attend an actual orientation this week on Thursday, and I feel like I'm already counting down the days. My partner will accompany me to provide support and ask a TON of questions (she's still in that "Are you sure you haven't tried everything possible for your weight?" part of her process).

I thought I'd post and get into the habit of staying connected to this support, and in doing so, I'd like to introduce myself to you all and share a brief bit about my journey. Here goes: I am 31-years-old, I've traveled around the world, I'm educated, have a loving partner of 11 years, I'm a Mental Health Therapist, I have 2 awesome dogs (my babies), I have wonderful friends, and I come from a large family. I also happen to have a BMI of 59. Isn't it interesting how many of us look good "on paper," yet there's always that ONE thing that seems to hold us back in every other way?

My hope is that this journey will represent that second shot at life.

It's great to be here with you all.

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Welcome! Orientations are pretty thorough, there really weren't any question left to be asked at mine, but be prepared. I had a starting bmi over 53, and like you, all else in the my life was going great except the weight. I'm talking it one pound at a time, finally!

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Welcome and congratulations on deciding to take such a big step. That was the hardest part of the whole process for me.

I was sleeved April 20, 2015 and couldn't be happier with my decision, my surgery, my recovery, and my progress so far.

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Thank you guys so much! A part of me feels as though there is going to come a day when I'll be so elated that I made this leap! I can't stop envisioning it!

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Okay, quick update: I went to the Bariatric orientation, then made a consultation appointment for the following day (Friday, 2/26). I met a great doctor and we hit it off pretty good (Kaiser Doctor Eric Hahn). He recommended the bypass versus the sleeve because of my high BMI. I also met with registered dietician who put me on a 1200-calorie/day diet. I have to lose 25 pounds prior to surgery. So now, I've planned my meals for the week and plan to steam-roll it ahead.

Thanks for the support always!

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Welcome and good luck! It's a long road, but SO worth it in the end!

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Hi. I am going thru Kaiser also. Sounds like I was in class one week before you. Dr. Dutta is my surgeon. He recommended the sleeve for me. Need to lose 3 more pounds to get on list for Psych eval. Then 5 more pounds to get on list to schedule surgery. Good luck!!

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Hey there, yes, it does. Were you always set on sleeve? I was when I went in for consultation, but Dr. Hahn recommended RNY.

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Well I would have listened to Dr. But yes after researching, I had wanted sleeve. But you will lose faster with the RNY. I felt the sleeve was a better fit. So did Dr. He is going to do a hernia repair too. I have a sliding hiatal hernia. Why did Dr. Hahn recommend the RNY over the sleeve?

Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

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Hey Laurie, good question! I went in thinking that the sleeve would be the best fit. After Dr. Hahn's initial consultation with me including: asking all the health questions, doing a brief look-over of my belly, and talking about each procedure, he highly recommended RNY because of my high BMI of 60. He also pointed out that the research shows RNY to be most effective for a person like me needing to lose more weight and maintain a higher weight loss.

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A much needed update: I have been placed on Kaiser's Bariatric Eating Plan and have been exercising 2-3 days per week (I absolutely ABHOR exercise, so I'm starting out slowly with movement I like such as Water aerobics and circuit training). I weighed in for a Kaiser appointment, and according to their scale, I was down 10.6 pounds! This was after 3 weeks on this new way of living. At the end of this week, I am to call my Bariatric office with updates on how I'm doing. It feels good to have made this far thus far, so I'm keeping at it.

Thanks for all the support!

Dev

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Update: I reported to my Bariatric office today during a work break to have my weight recorded. I am now only 7 pounds always from meeting my pre-op surgery weight goal (I have lost 20 pounds in 2 months on their pre-op diet guidelines). They promptly scheduled my psych eval for next Friday. I think once that is completed, I'll get a surgery date. I honestly can't believe how close I am!!!

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

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Update: I reported to my Bariatric office today during a work break to have my weight recorded. I am now only 7 pounds always from meeting my pre-op surgery weight goal (I have lost 20 pounds in 2 months on their pre-op diet guidelines). They promptly scheduled my psych eval for next Friday. I think once that is completed, I'll get a surgery date. I honestly can't believe how close I am!!!

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Congrats LaDivaDev! You are really getting close to surgery and congrats on your weight loss:) I am going through Kaiser Fremont as well. I just attended their orientation yesterday. This upcoming Wednesday is my consultation with the surgeon, dietician and coordinator.

Sent from my SM-G925T using the BariatricPal App

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Thanks so much; since then my scale says I'm already down another 3 pounds. I honestly can't believe I'm getting this close!

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Quick update: I had my psych eval today and was told by the doctor that I'd be cleared. I stood on the scale again and I'm now only 4 lbs away from goal. The only thing left now is my EKG and final review by my surgeon prior to getting a surgery date. I'm only hoping the date works out in terms of scheduling time off from work, logistics, etc.

One day at a time...

Edited by LaDivaDev

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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