...so glad I found you

Ah! I'm so glad I filled out my profile and found such a great group that truly understands what it is to be super morbidly obese. I am pre op and have my first appointment with my surgeon on Monday. I'm a little apprehensive not knowing what to expect on that first visit. Being afraid that he might turn me down, I started on weigh****chers diet as soon as I applied. I lost 7 lbs. the first month but knew I had to do better than that. Someone on the California board said their Dr. recommended the South Beach Diet. I lost 8 pounds the first week. Now I am below 500 lbs. for the first time in 10 years. Anyone want to share what that first evaluation with their surgeon is like? Thanks, E.

Welcome. My first appointment was so uneventful I don't remember much about it. I remember meeting the doctor and him being very nice and compassionate. They took a complete history and answered all my questions. I wish you the very best on your journey. The main board is very active, but as you found out we really understand what it is like to be SMO here. I wish you the very best. Loris 344/204/135 @5'2"

welcome, ema! we're certainly glad you've found us, too. my first visit to the hospital where i had my surgery was a group presentation by the surgeon, then individual visits with him. it was very informative and not at all worrisome for me. i didn't have a pre-surgery weight loss requirement. i hope your journey goes as smoothly as mine has...best of luck to you! if you have any questions you think i can help you with, please feel free to email me anytime! see you 'round the boards! deb -255

Hi, Ema: My first consult with my surgeon was also uneventful, although I was so nervous I could barely speak. I wasn't sure he'd agree to operate on me since my BMI was >80 at that time (ah, the perils of being vertically challenged! ). I was weighed (I weighed 530 then) and then we spent about a half-hour just talking about surgery and my health. He told me I needed to lose 10% of my body weight prior to surgery, and as soon as I did that, he'd tell the HMO to register me for their required 10-week pre-surgery class. That was last fall. I wasn't able to start my diet to lose 10% until February because I had a stubborn health issue that occurred shortly after my consult. I wasn't allowed to begin my diet until it resolved, which finaly happened in mid-January. I've done so well on the pre-op diet (modified Optifast, 1200 calories) that I've lost 100 lbs already (20%) and I haven't had surgery yet. I currently weigh 430. I see the surgeon again next week for my official pre-op consult, and from what I hear from my PCP and endo, he's delighted with my progress on the diet. My surgery will be in August. Good luck! We're all here for you. Kix

Hi Ema! Welcome to the best place on the web!! My consult was also uneventful.. not worth all the nerves.. LOL I filled out books of forms and paperwork... met with the surgeon and went over all of my history. Totally painless .. they do require you to attend a seminar with this doc. That was boring but only because it broke it all down into baby steps and I've done the research and the homework!! Basically he wanted to know this surgery was my last resort and that I had tried everything. He wanted to know that I would be compliant with the post op diet. I went on a high protein, low fat, low carb diet... no more pop ever. It was all very relaxed and friendly. No one judges you. Everyone that's been there is in the same boat!!! Glad to have ya on board!! Keep us posted on your progress!

Hi Sweetie welcome to the best board on OH. Well I think so anyway. good luck love marie