a friend that wants the surgery needs some help

I have a friend, who wants to go through the surgery and asked for some advice.  I told him that the most important part of getting the surgery was getting the right mindset.  Be prepared to change your whole life and be prepared to change your whole outlook of your life since without the proper mindset, you will not be successful.  Second, start changing your lifestyle, now, start walking, working out and get your body ready for recovery from the surgery.  Any other advice, I should give him. Ken

Unless he is self pay tell him to be prepared for a rollercoaster ride. The process can be frustrating and long.There will be ups and downs and time he just want to quit trying because it seems like it may never happen. he needs to stay the course. If he had a PPO that should makes things go a little smoother. When I first started on my journey I was thinking it would be done on a couple of months(2-3). I am at one year. Thought it may actually happen in 2-3 months now.

Good advice... tell him to get as much reliable info as possible...direct form the doc's mouth...(not from his co-workers cousin) write down his questions, and go through them one by one... russ

Research research research. Tell him to search on line and do research. Also he can get on here and read info. Also see if there is a company or organization that will do the facilitating ins stuff for him - if he is not self pay. Tell him to research Dr's and get the best info. Also he needs t be aware of the success rate....

Good luck

Sean

yeah, see if his doc is running any specials. at the time of my surgery he was offering a two for one sale. any of his female patients could get an addadicktomy for free! just a thought......carbonblob

Ken, Send him to go scour the internet…. That’s what most of us did, I think. Have him read up on it on his own. For me, sitting by myself, reading the Pros & Cons And all of the stuff without anyone else present was most helpful. Deciding to go for WLS is about as personal and intimate decision As one can make. It’s one of these "search your heart" sort of things. Then if he’s really into it, all of the pre-op standard advice Is warranted. "Start now, before the surgery, changing the rest of your life." Just my thoughts… Best Wishes- Dx

Hve him look into all his surgical options.  Each of the WLS work differently, perhaps the VSG would work better for him then the RNY, or the DS, or the lap band.....have him go into surgery with the knowlege that he picked the best surgery for him, not the only surgery he knew about. Also I always tell preops, start exercising and taking suppliments now, it's important to build up stores of vitamins preop because the first month post op, your very limited in what you can eat.  The exercise makes the surgery go a bit easier, doing aerobic exercises strengthens the lungs and has been shown to help speed recovery time for those that exercise regularly. Scott

my buddy visited the site and couldn't believe he amount of info he found and the helpfulness of the people on this site.  He is still wavering but the others who have had the surgery are talking to him about it and it seems he might.  The questions I couldn't answer for him is about his diet pepsi and vodka and how HAP, his insurance company will handle his request.  Anyone drink out there or have HAP for insurance?