Hi all,

I am new here. I have my first consult with a surgeon in Denver this Friday, and will also do my psych, nutrition, and other consults on the same day. I was told I could have a surgery date as early as next month! (I am self pay, hence the speed....)

My question is, how much is it realistic to plan on losing? I am pretty close to my all-time highest weight right now, 230. My high school weight, while I was running track, was around 130. My college weight was 140-150. Pre-kids, in my 20s, was 160-170. And after my 4 kids were born, for the past 12 years, I have been at, close to, or over, 200, dieting and exercising constantly only to gain more than I could ever lose.

Anyone with similar BMI or weight who can share their experience? Thanks!

Heh..your story sounds like mine! I am waiting on insurance approval ---but if it doesn't happen I will be self-pay and am considering Dr. Kirschenbaum if it goes that way because my local surgeon is like $16,000......Good luck!

Just an idea - I know many love Dr. K here, he sounds great, but Drs. Brown and Metz in Denver also charge $9900 and they were able to schedule me VERY quickly (3 weeks from first appointment, 4 weeks from first phone inquiry - I skipped the seminar).

I was impressed with their office staff - they have you meet with a social worker to chat about various issues and I found that helpful. They totally stress the importance of follow up visits with the nutritionist, social worker, and support groups.

Good luck!

Just an idea - I know many love Dr. K here, he sounds great, but Drs. Brown and Metz in Denver also charge $9900 and they were able to schedule me VERY quickly (3 weeks from first appointment, 4 weeks from first phone inquiry - I skipped the seminar).

I was impressed with their office staff - they have you meet with a social worker to chat about various issues and I found that helpful. They totally stress the importance of follow up visits with the nutritionist, social worker, and support groups.

Good luck!

i can understand meeting with a psychologist or a therapist, but social worker? Perhaps I have an incorrect idea of what they do....but I honestly can't think of how talking to a social worker would help me with weight loss. Would you mind posting what kind of things they offer?

i was banded this past February. i started out very close to where you are now. in 5 months i've lost 65lbs and 75% of my excess weight and am now only 15lbs from goal. the bands a great tool for some of us, you just have to be willing to use it.

Awesome!!!! Way to work the band!

The Dr told me yesterday he thought I could lose 80 lbs! Which is more like 95% of my excess weight.

i can understand meeting with a psychologist or a therapist, but social worker? Perhaps I have an incorrect idea of what they do....but I honestly can't think of how talking to a social worker would help me with weight loss. Would you mind posting what kind of things they offer?

He was very much like a psychologist. We went over many, many things, including possible stressors in my life, what I think my eating issues are, whether I had any trauma in my past, who will serve as my support system, and how to handle telling certain people and not others about the surgery. He talked about handling social situations with the band, and issues that come up in families.

He talked about "addiction transfer," where someone who no longer overeats turns to alcohol, shopping, gambling, etc. addictions, and how to watch out for that behavior. He gave me a list of recommended reading, including books on general well being. And he was just a really good listener and gave me great ideas and feedback. I can see how meeting with him in the future would be really helpful.

Okay, I just read what I wrote and I am going to edit this to say he was better than the one psychologist I had way back when. (Many psychologists don't talk, they just sit there and let you talk). This guy at Dr. Brown's had a real kindness, compassion, and obvious desire to help. It was not just about assessing whether I was psychologically suited to the surgery (that was part of it), but also an effort to help, and let me know that he would be there to help in the future as I progress with the band. I really, really appreciated that meeting.

Edited August 9, 200917 yr by coloradomom
addition

That does sound more like a psychologist or therapist. I didn't know social workers could do that, in an official capacity. Hmm I'll have to do some research on that.

Thanks for posting!