Newbie!

Hey guys!  I am new to reading the Oklahoma posts.  I have been on OH for awhile now though.  Now, things are just really starting to happen for me.  I went for my Psych eval last week and got my clearance!  I have an appt, with the dietician tomorrow morning.  Cant wait.  My mother, sister, and aunt have all had the RNY, so I am quite familiar with everything.  My question though, is what happens now?  I mean, Im sure they will tell me in the morning what I do next, but I would like feedback from you guys as to how much time I'm looking at before they set a date... How long did it take you?  Another thing I'm dealing with... I quit smoking at the first of the year.  Every once in awhile, like once a month, I will light one of my sisters, take a drag, and Im done.  I dont want to smoke, its gross and it stinks... However, I have just been told by my doctor that I CANNOT SMOKE, and as much as I didnt want a cigarette before, I want one twice as bad now!!!  Why is that... you dont want it until someone tells you you cant have it!!!  I havent smoked in a month at all, and I am not going to, its just that I really want to!  Just another one of those things I have to deal with, and say, I know I want it, but it is terribly bad for me, so I am going to deal with it!  Anyway, sorry to unload, but I hope to get to know some of you, and hear stories!  Hopefully Im now on a fast moving track... please dont say it will be another 6 months...

Hello and Welcome! The next step...waiting!  It's all up to insurance if you are going through insurance.  If you are self pay - it's up to the surgeon. Smoking- you want to because someone told you you can't. As far as unloading - hey - it's what we are here for.  Let is all out baby! As far as time - like I said earlier - insurance or surgeon. Let us know if you have any other questions. Are you having RNY? Tonja

Howdy there! Okay for me with Dr. Keith it was I got my insurance approval 5 days after the seimar went to the consult(where he gives you your date) and was told to lose 40 pounds and then call and make another appointment. I have had my nutrition evaluation so for meits just a few more pounds till my ball gets a rolling. I would think that you next step would be the cardio, pulminary, physical and then when thats all done you get your date. Look at the papers that were given out in the seminar the step by step procedure and that will be your guide. He normally has you schdeuled quiclky after you have been approved by insurance. Have you attended a support group meeting yet? Thats another requirement. The next one is September 11 at the health plex. As for smoking....when the crave hits drink water, or chew on something thats healthy like a meat stick or cheese stick. Good luck to you and if you have questions come and ask. If i don't have answers I will hound someone to find them. Pattye

Hi,  my name is Misty, I'm new to the boards also.  I've been checking out the website and reading everything I can, but I decided I'd try the boards to see what everyone else is going thru.  My mom had RNY about 2 years ago and she has done really well.  She lost 100 lbs and she looks great.  I just decided I wanted to have the surgery about a month ago after thinking about it since my mom had it done.  I was really against it when she said she was going to do it, but now I know that it is really what I need to do.  I have already seen my pcp and had my letter of referral.  I go to my first appt with the surgeon on Sept 26 and I think that time is creeping by tooooo slow!  I smoke and I decided that I want to quit too.  I am trying to slow down and not smoke so much, but it's really hard.  I am a Respiratory Therapist, so I really do know what it does to you and I really want to quit.  I think that if I stop now before I even start this whole process then by the time I have the surgery I will be a nonsmoker!!  I hate the way I smell, I cough a lot and cigarettes are sooooo expensive!  My kids want me to quit and I am trying to get healthy by losing weight so it only makes since to quit smoking!  Good for you that you have already quit!  That was such a smart thing to do before your surgery! Don't give in to it, I know that it makes you want to smoke more when you know you can't!  Keep it up!  You have done the hard part, don't waste it for one stupid cigarette!  I don't really know how long you will have to wait for the surgery, but it shouldn't be too long.  You're a lot closer than I am!  Best of luck to you and let me know what you find out!  Misty

Misty try Commits, my mom got them for me after my stepdad died of lung cancer, I quit in 2 weeks. that was 3 years ago.  Quit now before the doc tells you you have to so you won't have the pressure. Lea Ann

How exciting that you girls will be going through this at about the same time.  It's fun to have a peer that you can chat with about all the goings on. Let us know if you all have questions! Tonja

Thanks everyone!  I attended the seminar last July, because I thought I was going to have the surgery then, and my insurance denied me.  I got a new job, and better insurance plan, so I called back in, and they just refiled.  I am doing my 6month preop with my pcp, which isnt doing much good...  No matter what I do, it just won't come off.  Anyway, I still have to do the cardio and physical and all else.  I just didnt know what happens next.  I also still need to attend a support group meeting.

Welcome to both of you!  As a former smoker, I can tell you that the more water you drink, the faster the cravings will go away.  I joined a free site called quitnet and that really helped me a lot.  I also did a lot of aversion visualization-first I would visualize a dirty old set of lungs (find a picture, they are easy to find on the web) and then I visualized a healthy set of lungs.  Then I visualized MY lungs in MY body moving from the dirty set to the clean set.  After you contemplate those nasty lungs, you don't WANT the cigarette.

And, you will want a good set of lungs to go along with your nice healthy bodies!

 

Try the commits, they work great, I used them and quit in 2 weeks after 25 years of 1 to 1 1/2 packs a day. Lea Ann

Lea Ann, Way to go!  That is awesome and you should be proud!! Tonja