Hi Traceylynn,

No I had my intake appointment back in May, then I have seen my Nurse x 2, physcologist x 1, Internist x 1, dietitican x 2 and gone for a sleep study, bloodwork, so far, I have more appointments to see all of them including the surgery class and emotional eating group beginning in September.  It is a process but it seems to have been flying by so far. :)

Good for you keep it up. I have not had mine done yet and still have to get around the eating slow thing. I hope I get it right before the surgery LOL. Or I may be visiting ralph like you did.

I would have to agree with ShellB. I too have gone through the classes etc. visited the dr. and dieticians regularly. I am approved for surgery for Oct. 1 this year. If you follow everything correctly and do the classes, visit the dieticians and really really work with them, they are there to help you. You just have to remember one thing.......this surgery is not the fix all!!!!!!! If you think it is then you are on the wrong path. This is a TOOL to help you gain control of your weight and life. You STILL have to work hard to achieve what you want and your goals. I truly believe that and that is the way you have to think before going into this surgery as it is for LIFE afterwards. Please Please understand that. We all are in the same situation and have our own skeletons, pains, and heartaches we are trying to cure. This TOOL can help us along the way to achieve what we want. If you are feeling stressed about this then you should be visiting the psychologist they have and freely discuss your concerns. They will work with you and help you along the way, that is what they are there for.

I am sorry I ramble sometimes. Be strong and dedicated if you want this to work. We are here for you as a few have said for me already and I have not even had the surgery yet. I am scared as well, which is expected. Take care and drop a line here if you need to talk.

I think we all have that fear during this process. I know in Calgary, while I was stressing, I was told by my dietician that not many people get rejected.  If you do everything they ask of you and you keep in contact with the dieticians and attend all the classes necessary you should be fine.  Obviously, if you lose enough weight then they will reject you because you are successful on your own (which is a good thing).  For me, I enjoyed the healthy foods but I NEVER EVER felt full.  I could eat enough food for 3 people and then go back for more in an hour.  I honestly never had the feeling of fullness, so this surgery (VSG on June 1st) worked wonders for me. I started the program and ended up gaining 40lbs during the year because I really struggled with my portions.  I started my 2 week shake diet on May 11 (338lbs) and had my surgery on June 1st and as of today I am down to 274lbs.  This surgery worked wonders for my portion control and now I am eating my healthy foods but at a less than normal portion control.

Just relax and work the program the way you need to and always tell your nurses, dr's and dieticians about your joint pain and your struggles.

You will be just fine.

Thank you ShellaB for your reply. I am definitely going to try that out. I bought chocolate extra protine drink thinking I might be able to stomach it......NOPE lol I chug it just to get it down yuk. But I will try the Beneprotine. I'm doing all this before hand so I know what I will be able to handle before spending money afterwards on stuff I won't finish. :)