Just registered - need advice and tips

Hi everyone. I am just embarking on this WLS process (GBP), and am planning on having it in/around June. I would appreciate any tips, suggestions, aha's - whatever you think is good info for someone who has done some research but needs to hear it from the patient's mouth. Frankly, I'm pretty scared, as I have never had any kind of surgery nor a hospital stay. Thanks in advance for anything you have to add. Kathy

Welcome Kathy!   The best advice I could give right now, is to educate yourself by asking questions and reading all the information you can! I spent hours each day reading other peoples profiles and blogs.  In fact I still do it!  There is some great advice here on the TN. board, we have people that are at all different stages of WLS.  So, sit back and enjoy!  You can check out my blog about my weight loss by clicking on "Bald is Beautiful !" below.  I also have a food blog where I post recipes we have tried, click on "Food for thought !"  Both of these links are in the signature section below my weight loss ticker! Have a great day and good luck!

Hi Kathy and welcome to the TN Board. I agree with Scott, I would just say to learn as much as you can about this surgery. Attend several hospital seminars and ask as many questions as you have. It is a major surgery and the more you know, the better prepared you will be when obstacles come up.  I also would say to make sure you know exactley what is required from your insurance company. I personally had no idea that i had to do a 6 month diet because it was not listed in my companys requirement but it was a Cigna health insurance requirement. So, after going through 6 months of appointments and tests, I got denied and had to spend another 6 months going through the diet. It really stalled my whole process. Had I known upfront, I could have been doing the diet while I was going through all of the tests. So, try to gather that info so you can give them everything they require so your approval is not delayed.  I want to wish you much success on your journey wto weight loss and better health! Let us know if there is anything you need.

Hey Kathy!
I read a lot here on the Tennessee message board and read the book "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies". Good Luck!
Betsy

Kathy just thought you'd like to know you came to the right place. Hugs sweets. Barb

Hi Kathy! Welcome to the board.  The best advice I can give myself is, as Scott and others have stated.. educate yourself on the surgeries (or surgery, if you have picked the one you plan on doing), find a good surgeon, and stick with the rules. As a noobie post-op, I can give you very little in what is to come, with the exception of the first weeks, but I'm pretty good about pre-op.  There are some very helpful veterans in here that can answer a ton of your questions, who post quite regularly.  Just remember, the main goal is to do whatever your program wants you to do, and abide by it. Feel free to post your questions, RANTS AND RAVES, and whatnot in here.  Especially rants and raves, because most likely, you will have them along the pre-op road.  I know I did.. and these guys helped me through them. Take care Kathy and God bless, Rob