Hello to Everyone
I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Keisha and I am a 38 year old single mother of two beautiful girls. I've always been curvy but stayed around 10/12 however, after college, two children and one pending divorce later the pounds have crept on. I've tried everything from seeing the "Fat" Doctor in Media, Off the shelf diet pills, working out, fasting, etc. In my mind I looked good however, after attending my college's homecoming for the first time since 95 and looking at the pictures afterward I realized that I needed to do something. Plus my knees, ankles and back started hurting me. I was later diagnosed as having osto arthritis (at the age of 38 ugh!!! 
) I know everything can be attributed to my weight gain. So I know it's time for a change and that's why I decided on WLS. I want to be able to get down on the floor and play with my daughters, run and play soccer with them. I need to not only be healthy for them but for me as well. I can't wait to post my before and after pictures. 
I am so glad that I found this site and Delaware's forum. This site is amazing. Every day I'm on here looking at the various posts and looking at everyone's before and after pictures. It constantly blows my mind.
I have decided to have the banding procedure, the Realize Band. I met with Dr. Iragau (he's awesome!!!
) 6/18. Everyone I know told me that as soon as I received the ok from my surgeon to make as many appointments as soon as possible. I was able to schedule everything that day. Went to my first support group (realized I'm taking the classes out of order but that's ok by me) last Tuesday and was cleared by the Pulmonologist last week as well 
. So I have my first "REAL" NUT class Tuesday night and that same day I have my meeting with Dr. Slade-Martin for my psych eval. I don't think there will be a problem so I'm anticipating her giving me my clearance that day as well. I met with Dr. Marmo (Cardiologist) 6/18 didn't need an EST however, I have my Echo test on the 14th and he said he will give me my clearance . I also had all my blood lab work completed last Wednesday. Per my insurance I only have to attend four classes (two support, one NUT and the final eval). My Primary Dr has been very supportive so I don't have to have the Bariatric Internist give my final clearance. Dr. Iragau said my Primary could give it. So prayerfully, everything will be completed by 7/16.
For you seasoned WLS'ers what has been your experiences. How long from completing all your requirements did you get your surgery date, did you have to lose any weight prior to surgery (I was told I have to lose 5 pounds prior to my surgery date. I'm really stressing over that. I know it doesn't seem like much but I don't want to do anything to mess my chances for having this surgery), any advice for the pre & post op diets??? I appreciate any advice but would love to hear from fellow banders.
Sorry for the novella. I'm so excited, have a lot of questions, and am a night owl who types like she talks
Thank you in advance and I look forward to reading your responses and meeting new friends.
Keisha
p.s I am in Wilmington and would love to find a support group close to home.
) I know everything can be attributed to my weight gain. So I know it's time for a change and that's why I decided on WLS. I want to be able to get down on the floor and play with my daughters, run and play soccer with them. I need to not only be healthy for them but for me as well. I can't wait to post my before and after pictures. I am so glad that I found this site and Delaware's forum. This site is amazing. Every day I'm on here looking at the various posts and looking at everyone's before and after pictures. It constantly blows my mind.
I have decided to have the banding procedure, the Realize Band. I met with Dr. Iragau (he's awesome!!!
) 6/18. Everyone I know told me that as soon as I received the ok from my surgeon to make as many appointments as soon as possible. I was able to schedule everything that day. Went to my first support group (realized I'm taking the classes out of order but that's ok by me) last Tuesday and was cleared by the Pulmonologist last week as well . So I have my first "REAL" NUT class Tuesday night and that same day I have my meeting with Dr. Slade-Martin for my psych eval. I don't think there will be a problem so I'm anticipating her giving me my clearance that day as well. I met with Dr. Marmo (Cardiologist) 6/18 didn't need an EST however, I have my Echo test on the 14th and he said he will give me my clearance . I also had all my blood lab work completed last Wednesday. Per my insurance I only have to attend four classes (two support, one NUT and the final eval). My Primary Dr has been very supportive so I don't have to have the Bariatric Internist give my final clearance. Dr. Iragau said my Primary could give it. So prayerfully, everything will be completed by 7/16. For you seasoned WLS'ers what has been your experiences. How long from completing all your requirements did you get your surgery date, did you have to lose any weight prior to surgery (I was told I have to lose 5 pounds prior to my surgery date. I'm really stressing over that. I know it doesn't seem like much but I don't want to do anything to mess my chances for having this surgery), any advice for the pre & post op diets??? I appreciate any advice but would love to hear from fellow banders.
Sorry for the novella. I'm so excited, have a lot of questions, and am a night owl who types like she talks
Thank you in advance and I look forward to reading your responses and meeting new friends.
Keisha
p.s I am in Wilmington and would love to find a support group close to home.
HW~242, SW~226, CW~225, GW~146
Living my life like it's Golden!!
Living my life like it's Golden!!
Hi Keisha!
WELCOME!! Congratulations on changing your live forever!
Dr. I is a great guy, they actually all are. You wouldn't have been disappointed if you had another dr. Sounds like you are making quick work of getting all of your pre op clearances. Dr. Marmo's a great guy, he did my clearance. From start to finish, for me it took about 2 months. I only lost a few pounds prior to surgery. The Dr.s are mainly concerned that you don't gain weight while in your classes. Don't worry too much about that 5 pounds. When you do your liquid pre op diet, you'll lose weight then. I think I lost about 4 pounds during my 3 day clear liquid diet. (don't buy any beef broth, its gross. Stay with the chicken)
We have a great support group meeting at Victory Fellowship Church (Wilton) on Rt40. We meet on the third Tuesday of the month. This July 21st from 7pm to 8:30pm.
We talk about just about everything! No topic off limit.
Good luck!
Judy
WELCOME!! Congratulations on changing your live forever!
Dr. I is a great guy, they actually all are. You wouldn't have been disappointed if you had another dr. Sounds like you are making quick work of getting all of your pre op clearances. Dr. Marmo's a great guy, he did my clearance. From start to finish, for me it took about 2 months. I only lost a few pounds prior to surgery. The Dr.s are mainly concerned that you don't gain weight while in your classes. Don't worry too much about that 5 pounds. When you do your liquid pre op diet, you'll lose weight then. I think I lost about 4 pounds during my 3 day clear liquid diet. (don't buy any beef broth, its gross. Stay with the chicken)
We have a great support group meeting at Victory Fellowship Church (Wilton) on Rt40. We meet on the third Tuesday of the month. This July 21st from 7pm to 8:30pm.
We talk about just about everything! No topic off limit.
Good luck!
Judy
~Believe in Yourself~
Welcome Keisha,
I started with an doctor in March but felt rushed and didn't belive that they really cared about my health but the money so I found another doc later in March. I felt much better after attending their seminar. From the first doc appointment in March it took me a few weeks to get in and see all of the follow-up appts because they were so busy. In the beginning of May I had all of the pre-op work done to submit to the insurance. It took about 2 weeks to get the letter back from the insurance that I was approved this was in late May. June 19th I was scheduled for surgery. My doc only had me on 1 day of liquid diet. Thank GOD because I am see other people having to have 2 weeks of liquid diet. I would have been very moody. Also my doc didn't have a weight amount to lose before surgery which I was also glad. The first week after surgery I lost 15lbs. It has been 2 weeks so far and I am down 18 lbs. I have my good days and bad days. The one thing to remember is your mind isn't having surgery so it will play tricks on you. My mind tells me that I am hungrey when I know that I am not.
I started with an doctor in March but felt rushed and didn't belive that they really cared about my health but the money so I found another doc later in March. I felt much better after attending their seminar. From the first doc appointment in March it took me a few weeks to get in and see all of the follow-up appts because they were so busy. In the beginning of May I had all of the pre-op work done to submit to the insurance. It took about 2 weeks to get the letter back from the insurance that I was approved this was in late May. June 19th I was scheduled for surgery. My doc only had me on 1 day of liquid diet. Thank GOD because I am see other people having to have 2 weeks of liquid diet. I would have been very moody. Also my doc didn't have a weight amount to lose before surgery which I was also glad. The first week after surgery I lost 15lbs. It has been 2 weeks so far and I am down 18 lbs. I have my good days and bad days. The one thing to remember is your mind isn't having surgery so it will play tricks on you. My mind tells me that I am hungrey when I know that I am not.
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