Starting on the "journey"

Hi All. I am new to this site and have been referred to Dr. Schirmer by my PCP for my initial consultation on August 2nd. Any advice on what to do until then other than read and get more educated? Has anyone on here been to him? Pros and cons? Thank you so much!

Welcome Nancy, I am sorry I can't advise you on the Dr. You can start looking into proteins and vitamins. And just keep researching and reading up on the procedure. Take care and good luck with your journey. Corinn

Welcome Nancy! I dont know about that doctor but I know there are others on this site who are familiar with him. Just wanted to welcome you and wish you the best. Feel free to ask any question that comes across your mind...chances are, we have asked it too! Christine

Hi Nancy I have not been to Dr Schirmer personally, I go to Dr Northup in the same office! Everything I have ever heard about Dr Schirmer is GOOD, He is the head of Bariatrics at UVA so I think you are in great hands.. I had my inital consultation on March 27th It went very well They take tons of blood for multiple test and also suggest that you take a multivitamin and calcium w/ Vita. D You may want to go ahead and start them now so your blood work comes back good, Mine came back with low Calcium and Vitamin D, My presurgery appointment is set for may 1st. GOOD LUCK Kelly

Hi Nancy let me be the first to tell you Dr Schirmer is the bomb he was my surgeon I had surgery Oct 31/2005 weighing @ 410 I now am 238 and slowly loosing Dr Schirmer is my second God. I wish you would have came this eve. to the support group meeting @ UVA they meet every second Thurs. of the month @ 6:00. I also have a group that meets monthly and we are called the FFP's Id like to invite you to our meet next Sat the 21st here in Charlottesville @ the Timberwood Grill. I have them coming from all over. Where do you live ? I have a fw friend starting the journey as well and maybe we can hook you upw/ them so you have someone to chat with. If you come next week you will meet several of Dr Schirmers patienst and we are all at different stages of our journeys we would love to have you. Welcome to the board and congrats on the new journey.

I would love to join you all next Saturday at the Timberwood Grill. What time do you meet? I live here in Charlottesville, so it won't be too long of a drive.

Welcome, Nancy! You'll find the people here on the Virginia board to be very warm, friedly, helpful, and knowledgable. They have been a wonderful source of support and invaluable information for me! Good luck to you! ~Robin

Hi Nancy and welcome. My advice is to start changing behaviors now. Start trying to eat more slowly, start cutting out caffiene etc and drinking water, start exercising. If you start now and it becomes part of your routine now then it will be a lot easier after surgery. Keep us updated on your journey. Courtney

Welcome to the VA boards! I am preop too. I recommend that you start to change your behavior now. You want to be as healthy as you can be before surgery. Start taking multivitamins, calcium every day. Exercise--dance in the kitchen, walk the dog, go up and down a few stairs at a time. My knees are really in bad shape so that has helped strenghten them as well as building resistance. So glad you found us. Keep reading and asking! Jen

Hi Nancy, Welcome to the VA boards! I'm pre-op too (my surgery is on May 22 in Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax) and I have learned sooo much just by keeping up with the posts and asking questions. The VA group is wonderful - they offer information, encouragement and hugs as needed! I'm sure you'll enjoy your time here. I can't speak on your surgeon, but quite a few from these boards are in your area, so I'm sure they'll be able to share great info. I've been following my insurance company's required diet and exercise program with my PCP and I've lost nearly 30lbs. My BMI is down from nearly 43 to just about 41, so I'm happy about that progress, and I'm trying to get as healthy and strong as I can so that I have the best changes possible for an uneventful procedure and quick recovery. Enjoy the journey...even in the frustrating times, you'll learn some life lessons! Hugs, Chele