Hello....Newbie Here on the Board!

Hi All - This is my first post here - LOL, I used to hang out years ago on other boards, but am definitely new here at OH.  I just had the first big meeting yesterday with my surgeon and the staff and got my marching orders for a few tests and what have you.  No biggie.  I'm in the fast track, having already gone through the Kaiser program.  I have to do another psych eval but again, no biggie there.  Hopefully I'll get my date sometime over the next month.  I'm already approved by Kaiser --- one thing about them - they have LOTS of rules to follow, but if you follow them, it is smooooooth sailing! 

I've been wathching this board for a little while, and I know a few folks here, and I feel pretty prepared for my upcoming RNY but of course I'm a little nervous.  I did talk to my brother and sister in law this past weekend to let them know I'll be having one small forkful of stuffing, one spoonful of mashed potatoes, and an ounce of two of turkey for Christmas dinner this year and they both laughed but were very supportive.  Far scarier to them was that I will no longer be able to eat any Rheb's buttercreams afterwards, but I'll survive...(a tradition in our family). 

I'm looking forward to being able to walk up more than one flight of stairs without gasping for breath and being able to sit comfortably in an airline seat without touching the sides....NEXT YEAR!  Not to mention getting off the HBP and Chol meds!

Question for the populus - after surgery, as you all have lost weight, did you lose it from top to bottom....ie, the first weight somes off around your shoulders and collar bone, then your tummy, then your hips, then your thighs, then your calves, etc?  Or did everything shrink a little at the same time overall?  Just trying to plan for transit clothes...  :)

Cheers all!!
Mare

welcome.

when i've lost weight, i lose it all over.   that's generally how it works...

Hi Mare,

I lost it all over, evenly.  Good luck with your appointments and getting off your meds. 

Look forward to getting to know you and welcome to the OH Loser's Board!

Ren

I have lost it all over. However, I was always smaller on the bottom than the top and these proportional differences still exist. I have always had a roll around my middle and I still do (not at goal yet), although the bones around my neck / shoulders are quite prominent. Some of this will depend on how big you are to start with, how old you are, etc. Skin bounces back better when you are younger. I am older, so I have skin issues to deal with. However, even with this, I would still make the same decision. This is the best thing I have ever done for myself.

I wish you all the best on your journey!

Debbie

Hello and welcome to the MD Board! Hopefully you will find these folks as supporting and wonderful as I have!

For me I have honestly melted from the top down! LOL

Mare,

Welcome to the Maryland Board.  I have a co-worker that has Kaiser and has been struggling to meet their requirements, which is sad because she really needs the surgery.  I'm happy to hear you had smooth sailing.

As far as weight loss, I've personally lost evenly all over.  However, I've seen many people who have lost from the top down.  Unfortunately all of us are different and it's hard to predict how each person will fare!

Again...welcome!  I hope you get your date soon!

Heather

Hi Heather - does your co-worker friend post here?  I would be HAPPY to share with her the tips I have from being in the Kaiser program for 10 months!!!  Not because of them, it was because of me - my travel schedule is insane and I simply could not get to the office every month.  But my nutritionist was first class and worked with me all the way, getting pretty creative sometimes with appointments.  I would love to help her out if I can.  I feel like I have truly mastered the Kaiser maze!

As for all the weight loss process responses from EVERYONE, thanks!!  What a warm welcome - thanks!!!  In the past when I have lost a significant amount of weight (you know, I have done that 100 times, RIGHT???  LOL!) I seemed to go top-down, so I guess this will be the same.  Hope I don't end up looking like Skeletor around my collarbone before I can lose some of weight on my thighs and calves!!!  :)

Cheerios!
Mare

Hi Mare,

She is not on this board but next time I speak to her (I rarely see her anymore), I'll see if she'd like some advice.  Honestly, I think she knows what she needs to do and is capable of doing so.  For some reason, she just keeps putting things off. 

Heather

Hi Mare:

Welcome to the MD board.  I am an apple shape, so I have lost from the top down.  I recently went to a family cookout and someone told me, "you look great, but you've still got those tree trunk legs." 

I am a Rheb's lover also, still on their mailing list, but now I stick to the s/f Hershey's.  I still have many fond memories of sherbet eggs at Easter time.  I am now making new memories and they are not revolving around food all the time. LOL!!!

Again, welcome and we look forward to seeing more of you!

Lis - Isn't it funny how we both zeroed in on Rheb's???????????  LOL!!!