Any other newbies just starting this journey?

Hello everyone..
I already did a brief intro but i was wondering if there is any other newbies just beginning this journey to weight loss? I have my first information meeting October 3rd. So i am just beginning everything. I am looking at doing RNY. Anyone have any advice or pointers for me? Also open to friends anyone really or anyone just starting.

Hi, welcome aboard!  I am not exactly just starting out, but I haven't had my surgery scheduled yet, so I guess I could still be considered a newbie.  The only advice/suggestion that I have is that you write down any question/concern you may have so that when you meet with your doctor you won't have to rely on memory.  The process can be overwhelming, but if you keep yourself informed by doing your research, you will be absolutely fine!!

Hello and welcome! My name is Lori. I am 41 and live in Oregon. I am 5'4" and 234. I am very much a newbie too! A month ago I had my consult with my surgeon and a psych eval. Two weeks ago I had an appointment with a nutrtionist. This coming Monday I meet with my primary doc because my insurance requires me to be on a medically supervised diet and exercise program for three months. This makes me nervous because I am afraid if I lose too much, I don't want them to tell me to do it on my own. And if I don't lose enough same thing...... Ugh.... I just worry...

Wanna be weight loss buddies? I don't have any friends on here yet. Please let me know about u. What's your story?

Aww congrats on coming this far already! I am excited for this believe it or not it's been a long time coming. I am still pretty young 28 and i have 2 little girls 7 and 6. I have been married 6 years now and work in retail. For the longest time i didn't have insurance and then in May i got offered health insurance from my job. I just got diagnosed with sleep apnea in July and i have been compliant on cpap for 5 weeks now. My programs requires at least 2 months compliance before surgery. I've also been under a nutritionsts care for well over a year but it is not monthly like my insurance wants only they require 6 months. I also have already had my gallbladder out last year laprascopically with success. I am 5'7 and 340lbs right now. My highest was 401 in April 2011 then i lost weight on my own 61lbs to date. I have hypothyroidism, depression, pre-diabetes, sleep apnea, asthma.. you know most of the stuff related to obesity.

I am looking forward to this journey to my better health and would love to add u all to my friends

Hi I am also 5'4 and 234 Currently looking for a doc in Mexico. I will be traveling from Vancouver Island in Canada. Lots of questions I have as well but this forum seems the greatest place to find answers thats for sure! Good luck to all :)

There's a South of the Border board that you might find helpful. I'd recommend either Dr. Aceves or Ungson in Mexico.

Hi, I am just starting out as well. I went to an info meeting in June only to find out that the insurance that I have didn't cover WLS. I have to wait till Nov in order to switch insurance companies and then the other bad news is once I do switch I have to be under the WLS program care for 9 months before the insurance will cover my surgery. So that puts me at having my surgery in about a year. It's a big set back but it will be well worth the wait to have it done. On the up side my regular Dr is great and is working with me to loose some weight (40lbs since June) so maybe they will take that into concideration. I would love to become friends and keep each other updated on our journey. Melissa

I'm an oldie, not a newbie---I'll be nine years post-op come December. I do have some advice for you---research EVERYTHING. There are four commonly-done forms of WLS: The Band, the Sleeve/VSG, the RNY/gastric bypass, and the DS/duodenal switch. I personally would not recommend the Band to anyone, but in the interest of fully-informed consent you should read about it, too.

I'm also going to recommend that you look VERY CLOSELY at the DS. The DS has the very best, long-term, maintained weight-loss stats for patients of any size, but especially so for those of us with a BMI greater than50. It's also the very best at resolving or preventing co-morbs like diabetes and high cholesterol, and has the most forgiving post-op eating plan. However, the surgeon you have listed does not do the DS, so odds are good that she isn't going to give you complete, accurate info about it. You owe it to yourself to research it, and if you decide it's the right choice for you, change surgeons. It's a lot easier to change surgeons now than to be back here in a few years looking for a revision.

You should visit all the surgical boards here, including the Revision board. Ask questions, and talk with people who are at least three years post-op. Nearly everyone is "in love" with their surgery for the first 2-3 years, but then the reality of this being a FOREVER thing kicks in. You need to be certain you're choosing a surgery that you can live happily with forever.

Thankss! I have done some research and i feel comfortable with the RNY thus far but i am sure my surgeon will talk to me about the others as well. I know i am definitely not getting the lap-band.

 my husband has started the process for surgery and is planning on having the rny.  i went to the informational seminar with him and to the consult with the md and dietitian.  After doing more research and skimming a question or 2 of my own from my husbands appt.. i am considering the sleeve.  I was sure I wanted the band before I went in and he discouraged that and suggested the sleeve.  I am not a good candidate for the rny or ds since i have a lot of scar tissue and mesh from several previous surgeries.  I have a consult and 1st meeting with the doctor/dietitian on nov 2 and my husband and I are going to a support group for wls tomorrow evening.  I am 5'10 and 340 lbs.  I will be going to the weight loss center in bowling green ohio.