Would love advice!!

Have you ever had a surgery before?  That is what scares me most.  The thought of "going under."  I know that sounds silly, but it FREAKS me out!!  I can totally see myself doing what you were told you did (babbling, sudden change of plans, etc...) Hee hee...  I am glad you went thru it, and it gives me hope as well!   Actually everyone on here seems so eager to help and share their stories!  This website has been a HUGE help!!!   Good luck to you and I wish you much success in your journey!

Hi -- I know exactly how you feel.  My surgery is scheduled for 6/20/07 and I have been on the journey to get to that date since December. When I first started out I had a million questions.  Reading this board is a major help.  I would also really suggest a book I bought called "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies".  It really explains a lot about the whole process.  Another book I have found helpful is "Exodus from Obesity" by Paula Peck.  But if I could only read one book on the subject, it would be "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies".   Find a support group in your area and go to it.  There will be people there who are in various stages of pre & post surgery and they will answer questions for you.  Each of the centers that provide the surgery have informational seminars and that is the starting point.  Keep reading & posting. Best of Luck!

Thank you sooo much!  I will definitely look into getting one (or both) of those books!  

I am a Kaiser patient and I'm going through the process now - it's long and frustrating (at least it has been for me) and it's been hard because when you first make the decision you want to do it you are all fired up and then while going through the months and months of the process it kind of sucks the fire right out of you..... I would suggest you begin the process now and allow all of you questions to be answered as you are working through it - that will include a 5 or 12 week class through Kaiser as well as a lot of other meetings both group and separate when you will be examining things very carefully.  You can always choose to stop the process if you change your mind, but you can't get started any sooner than today....! go for it!

Hello, Thank you for the encouragement!   Yes, I am getting ready to register for the "Free From Diets" class that starts July 30th 2007.  $150 - but well worth the price in the end - I'm sure..... I've heard that Kaiser does put you thru the ringer, but I'm hopefull in the end it will be well worth the wait!! 

Do you have a surgery date yet?  How long have you been going thru the program?

Welcome!  My advice?  Research, research, research!  Get hold of the WLS for Dummies book and read it.  It contains a lot of general information.  If you have specific questions then you can ask them as well. Kaiser, well, there are a few around here.  Its just that the process is really slow with them (imagine that).  They require you do their Freedom from Fat program (or whatever they're now calling it) before you're even considered seriously for surgery.  Oh, well.  We all have our hoops our insurance companies require us to jump through... Lori

Thank you.... I am more than willing to jump thru the hoops - just eager, excited, and nervous to get this whole thing started!!!!   I have began to research as much as possible, and have heard more than a couple people recommend "WLS for Dummies."  Definitely going to check that out!   This website has been extremely helpful as well!   Take care! Gretchen

I had the surgery through Kaiser about 18 months ago.  You may email with any questions.