05/06 QoTD -- Where are you in your WLS journey?

Hello,  I am about in the middle of the pre-op program.  And I started in Jan but I chose to take my time and so I'm just about to begin my pre-op testing.  A doctor asked me if I'd considered WLS exactly a year ago and I thoght she must be a quack!  I had not ever, ever considered it and really knew nothing about it but thought only crazy celebrities did this.  Yeah, I know, I'm brilliant.  LOL.  I went to an informational seminar in Jan and then met with Nancy in Feb.  I'm creeping along.

I am now a convert and thoroughly excitied to be on this path.  I hope to have RNY in Septemebr with Dr. Gens.  I am serious about adopting a mindset that says I am already a WLS patient and already committed to lifestyle changes.  That reminds me, I need to go get some water.... Take good care - Treading

I am a little over 9 months out from the lap band and I have no regrets at all.  I am loving being able to exercise again and enjoy being more active for my son.  I have lost 92 pounds since my band in July and I have met my personal goal and I am now trying for the Doctors goal.   I hope to reach 1110 pounds lost by my year bandiversary but its getting harder to get the last few pounds off the less I weigh!

Congrats on your weight loss!!

What has your average weekly weight loss been? Has it come off steadily?

I'm waist deep and the current is sweeping me along at top speed - it's a good thing I like the water! 

I started looking into the procedure months and months ago, but had no insurance.  My husband was in the process of getting some professional certs up to date so that he could look for a new job.  New job = new insurance.  I was even looking at a different program.  I waited around, and eventually DH got a great new job but it turned out that the new insurance covered the surgery at exactly one program in this state - not the one I was planning to go through. 

I started over as quickly as possible.  I'm spending this entire month getting all the tests and consultations done.  I'll have all known prereqs done by June 2nd - I've already lost 1/2 of the required weight, so I'm fairly confident that I will have that met by then as well.  I don't know how quickly they would be able to schedule surgery after that, or if there will be any other tests that I've missed, but I'm ready to jump.  I'm even discontinuing my birth control pills next week (required at least one month prior to surgery to help avoid blood clots) just in case I could be scheduled sometime later in June.

I am just about 10 months post op, 120 lbs lighter, and loving it. My only regret is not spending more time on the lap band board while I was pre-op, and really researching how it worked, what I would feel, and what common problems are.  I thought I was educated enough at the time, but I've learned so much more post op than you can imagine!

It's interesting that you say you wish you'd learned more ahead of time. I feel like I've sort of backed off on the reading, because I don't want to scare myself and talk myself out of it!

Hi - I'm feeling like an old timer!!    I started my process in July of 2006.  My pre-op stuff went smoothly with insurance getting approved quickly, etc.  I had my surgery on Dec 6, 2006.  My surgery went pretty well - there were challenging times, like the 1st time they had me get up and walk.  Yoikes!  My recovery went well, but then I had a horrible night of throwing up, etc.  I went to the hospital and ended up having my gallbladder out - 1 month after my RNY.  At least Dr. P could use the same incisions!  After that little bump in the road it's been all uphill!  I started the program at 275 and I'm now at 145 - 130 pounds gone!!!  I'm 5 lbs above what would be a normal BMI for me, but I'm good with that.  I have a good amount of sagging skin and am figuring out if/when I'll have plastic surgery.  This summer will be interesting as I wear shorts and short-sleeved shirts.  I haven't had many problems with food and I'm enjoying what I do eat.  I've found good "treats" for myself and those are satisfying, etc.  I've been able to eat out and find things there, and have done ok traveling after surgery. I've always been pretty active - walking and skiing even when I was over 300 lbs.  But I've always wanted to try running.  So...last August I started running using the Couch to 5K program (at www.coolrunnings.com).  Last November I did my first 5K and ran all the way.  Since then I've done 3 more 5K's and I'm training for a 10K.  Sometimes as I'm running I just can't believe it's me doing it - it's weird to be in this new body sometimes! I have no regrets whatsoever - I would do it again and I would definitely do it at Portsmouth - the team there is great.

I printed out the couch potato to 5K program and have been trying to follow it. I just can't imagine myself being able to run. (Part of that's in my head, because I haven't EVER felt that runner's high that people talk about! LOL!)

That's great you're trying it!  It did take a while for that "high" to happen.  It doesn't happen every time, though.  Tonight our training group did 4.5 miles.  I walked some of it - I've never run when it's been this hot and that was a challenge tonight.  I was pooped right after, but now I'm glowing and feel great.  Keep up the good work.  Dr. P is a runner and she's very supportive! 

I am about half way through, maybe a little more...  I have most of my required visits out of the way and a week from today have all of my diagnostic work done and see the NUT for the 2nd time.  I also will weigh in with Nancy again that day too and hopefully be able to schedule an appt with Dr. P and get the insurance stuff started - although I don't know if you have to see the surgeon and have a date before you get that going...  After next Friday's meeting, I will have 1 more behavior class that following Monday and will be good to go then! I feel like I am SO CLOSE, yet so far away.  I have been eating well(er) and working out like mad.  I know I am losing, but my scale is funky - I know I have lost some, but probably not all....  It's been really tough.  Does anyone know if you can schedule an appt with the surgeon after you get everything done, but haven't lost all the weight?  I know I'll have to lose it all before surgery.... I'm also starting to 'collect' things - like broths, soups, protein, etc.