Hi Terry,

 How is your weight loss journey going? 

I came across this forum and wanted to share my weight loss journey with others. I know how important it is to have the support during this process so every positive story helps! I struggled with weight loss for a long time and finally about six months ago and 70 pounds overweight, I made the decision to change my life around. My friend introduced me to the Center for GI Weight Loss in Los Angeles. I made an appointment to see Dr. Nowain and his staff and was pretty astounded at how much I didn't know about weight management. 

The next thing I knew, I was on their Optifast program and on my weight loss journey. It was tough being strong everyday but the thing is, the program included support 24/7 from their staff! You have no idea how important that is. It also included a meal replacement program which really worked out for me. The meals are easy to prepare and have all the nutrition you need which is crucial to reaching your long-term goals. Here I am several months later and I have lost all the weight I put on. I am a female in my mid 30s and I am so glad I made the decision to be healthy and active. It really changed my life around.

For anyone who has any questions about weight management, they have a lot of useful information on their website! From nutrition, to lifestyle modifications, and medical conditions- you can learn so much and turn your life around.

Here it is for anyone wanting to check it out: http://centergiweightloss.com/

Thanks for listening and good luck to you!!! :)

How many of us out there have had WLS over 10 years ago. How many are still struggling to get it right, lets talk about all the pains and problems we have gone through, I for one have had many problems with trying to get enough solid protein and take the right amount of vitamins, I have had trouble with Slider foods and grazing So what have you struggled with?? Let's talk about the bounce back weight and how you keep it off or do you. I have trouble following food plans and diets. I hope you share so the rest of us can learn from your experiences. It's still a journey every day.

Hello OH Community!

The next meeting of the SF/Bay Area WLS Support Group is just around the corner...

Date: Saturday, August 3rd
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am

Location: James Flood Building
870 Market Street @ Powell                                                                                                                Conference Room Suite #365
San Francisco, CA 94102

As always, we will have an open forum to discuss anything and everything WLS related.  Additionally, our discussion topic will be "PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP & WLS" and you are encouraged to BRING YOUR SUPPORTER (friend, family member, spouse, etc...).

This group is not affiliated with any doctor or surgical program is open to everyone! A $5 donation (for materials, beverages, site fee) is encouraged, but not required, to attend.

RSVP HERE on Meetup
or contact Tara @ [email protected]

Hope to see you there!

Tara Griffith, MFT

I am not a Kaiser member but the support group I lead has a majority of Kaiser patients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.  One thing I have seen is that Kaiser really "tests" patients to see just how serious they are.  Think of it as a way to weed people out so only the "best" patients get to the operating table.  I know many get impatient jumping through all their hoops but I honestly think it is a good thing so the patient has more time to prepare, such as really slowing down and actually chewing food, getting used to supplements, drinking water (amazing how many pre-ops don't drink water) and so on. 

Jump through the hoops, be patient and it will eventually happen.  Keep in mind that Kaiser has thousands of patients going through the bariatric program and often only has 2-3 surgeons to handle that many so there are often delays.  Stay on their radar and be the squeaky wheel when you feel you are falling through any cracks.  It's likely you are as the supply isn't keeping up with the demand.

Best of luck,