New and Looking for support :)

My name is Jen. I'm 33 yrs old and looking to have RNY with Dr. Huse @ St. Vincent's soon. I have my psych eval May 1 and then will await final insurance approval. Things seem to look good with my insurance for getting approved. I am 5'5" and weigh 300lbs right now, I'm curious to hear from those who were of similar size when they had their procedure...how fast did you lose? (with or without exercise)...I'm planning to walk a lot after my surgery (I already walk several days a week)... also another question...my husband is planning to do the surgery too, but has not went for his initial consult yet (he was there during mine though)...anyhow I'm wondering do you find it's better to wait on his until I get approval with insurance, or to proceed with both...I'm sure each insurance company is different, but just wondering about an experience any of you may have had with that.... thanks and hope to make some friends here! ps: i'm in southern indiana and thinking of going to the bloomington support group meetings. thanks! Jen :)

Hi Jen! I'm 30 yo. I am 5'4", and weighed 285 at the time of surgery. I have lost 83 pounds since 11/21/06. I do exercise most every day, some type of exercise: walking, swimming, horseback riding, weight lifting... I belong to the local Y, use a trainer for the weight lifting, and take lessons for the riding. I am looking into taking tap dance lessons this summer. I just love using all the newfound energy that I have. Where in So. Indiana are you? I'm in Terre Haute. I would advise you to go to support group meetings if you can. I find they help keep me motivated. Linda Vicory

Hi Jen, Welcome! I hope that you continue to post! There are alot of great people on this board! we are having a clothing exchange on April 28th if you are interested you are welcome to come and meet some of your fellow Hoosier losers- it is for pre and post ops! It is a fun way to meet us and socialize and see each others accomplishments and ask questions and get some support and make new friends and receive "new" clothes too! What more could one want??? LOL!!! Anyway, my name is Dawn, I am just over 14 months post op- I started my journey at 334 lbs., I am now 196, and am having PS on May 8th to remove my panni and also have a hernia repaired! I have had so many wow moments through my journey, and have had no real complications, just minor issues! I enjoy meeting the new folks and hope to offer support to anyone that is needing it! I hope to meet ya soon! By the way, I have lots of family in Southern, Indiana, what part are you from? Wish you the best- as far as your hubby goes, if your insurance company is for wls, I would say go for it- why wait for better health? I have heard of some couples doing it together and some surgeons prefer to have them wait a little bit in between so that the first one can be healed and on their way! We do have a couple of couples on here that have both had the surgery! Hopefully they will come out and meet ya, and post and introduce themselves! They are both great couples and it has been a real inspiration to see their accomplishments as well! Good luck to you both! Hugz Dawn

Hi and welcome. I am fairly new here too and have found everyone very helpful and more than willing to answer any and all questions you may have. My husband is going in for his by pass this week and I will be going approximately four weeks later. Our doctor waits at least four weeks later so that the one spouse can heal and be able to help the other. Our insurance took a while as they kept asking for more and more info but finally they approved us and we're on our way. Good luck and keep us posted! Stacey

Jen, I am 5'7' and I weigh 413 the day I left the hospital. I have lost 118 lbs and my surgery was 2/21/6 with Dr Huse. I walked in the beginning and now I do water aorbeic twice a week and work out in the techo-gyn 2-3 times a week. I will be joining a bowling league, so that will be my exercise for Thursday nights. Each person loses different. My opionion is do not wait, go ahead and submitted your information to your insurance, because each insurance does things different. I had to deal with 2 different insurance companies. The first one I battled with for about 9 months and was still denied. My company switched insurance companies and we submitted my information on the 4th of January and in less then 2 weeks I was approved.

Hi Jen, I'm Terri. I'm new also. I have meet a lot of nice people here. I have Dr. Jones at St. Vincent's. I have my Psych on April 23. I am 42 till the 29 then and on one more year. I am 252lbs last weigh in. I'm only 5'. I feel big around as I am tall. LOL Hoping to be approved by my insurance. I'm going to put up a fight. Hope there ready. My Husband is going for his consult meeting at St. Vincent's on the 25 and his psych also. I am in New Castle Just south of Muncie. I think I am going to Anderson for my support meetings. Keep in touch sound like we will be going though a lot of the same things. Are you going to the exchange? Terri :-D

Thank you everyone for your replies!! When and where is this clothing exchange I've been hearing about? I'd like to try to make it if possible. Is there a post on how it works? I'm going to talk to my hubby about starting his process as well because I think it's good to get things going on him too now that I think about it! I look forward to making some good friends here! hugs, Jen