Curious....

Pre-op here. I'm on Optifast to lose 10% of my weight prior to surgery. The surgeon and I agreed on this amount during our consultation. I've already lost my 10% and will probably stay on Optifast as long as I can so I can lose more weight. It's not like I'll get too skinny for surgery! My HMO has an extensive 10-week pre-surgery series of classes, and I start mine the end of March. I'm excited that things are finally happening after almost a two-year wait. Kix

I'm pre-op. I had been to one WLS center and was really hoping things would work out there. Due to financial reasons, I decided to look for a more "payment friendly center, and have found it! The doctors are awesome from the research I've done, and I am getting ready to mail back all my paperwork, and attend their seminar on March 14th. According to my patient coordinator this could start rolling pretty quickly for me now since I already have an insurance approval. Theresa

Post op Surgery 11/17/04.... makes me about 15 months out... still losing....have lost approx 130 so far.... about 2 - 3 lbs from being just "overweight" and losing that obese title... about 45 lbs away from what the charts say is normal for my height. What do I wish I was better informed about?? The emotional changes that can wreak havoc on your life after surgery... and the rejection by some people as you get skinnier... its OK to be their fat friend... but once you step outside that box, not everyone is welcoming?! B

I'm post op. 9 months out. I've lost 134 lbs, have about 83 to get to goal. I was very informed going into this surgery, but, I did it myself. I read 7 books about it before the surgery. Even though my surgeon does offer some education classes before the surgery, I've been surprised at the number of patients in my support group, *****ally say they weren't ready. I think the big thing is, this is a dangerous surgery. There are different numbers that get thrown around, but, I think the ones that most accurately describe what I've seen since I had my surgery is about 2 to 5 % of patients die within the first year. About 40% of all WLS patients have some form of complications. I was one of the lucky ones and have had no complications. But, I think you should prepare for the worst (do a will and a living will) learn about the other complications and make sure you can live with them. Learn extensively about what eating will be like after the surgery. Commit to following the guidelines exactly in the first few weeks. Even when it isn't easy. This was my approach. Lori 384/250.5/168

Post op, 10 weeks today. I educated myself as much as possible for 2 years before surgery. I knew all the risks very well. I also attended support meetings pre-op, and still do. Physically I am doing very well. No issues, infections, or complications. I wish there were more guidance/tools/advice on the mental portion of WLS for post ops. As the saying goes... they perform surgery on your stomach, not your head. Huggs, Ruth

Hi ALL! Pre-op here hope to have a surgery date in April! I find out this Thursday what my surgery date is! Yahoooooooo Stephanie