New and Nervous

Well, I've been lurking around here for a while, now, and have received a lot of encouragement just from reading the posts and the profiles. Thanks to all of you for being so willing to share your stories so honestly. Anyway, the reason I'm here tonight is that I had a message on my machine when I got home today to call the Obesity Institute for my initial consultation and set up appointments. Which I will do, first thing in the a.m., and will let you know what happens. In spite of the orientation meeting with Dr. Patterson, all the reading and research I have done, I feel like a total ignoramus. I'm having trouble believing this could actually happen to me! But, I guess, Maybe....

Hi there! I am also pre-op at the Obesity Institute and I just had my second round of appointments. It is so exciting and scary and although I have been doing lots of research I still feel like I have so much to learn. Everyone at the obesity institute is awesome and have been so nice and helpful. What I do is keep a notebook with all my information and a running list of questions so I don't forget anything. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!

I am pre-op with Dr. Patterson as well! I am waiting on insurance approval with a tentative surgery date of May 25th. I have been hanging out at this site for 2 years, reading EVERYTHING, and I still come across questions. I took advantage of the library on this website and I have spent countless hours reading other people's profiles. I have tried to be very detailed on my own profile because I know how much they have helped me, and mine may help somebody else someday. Keep us posted, and let me know if you have any questions at all, or post it here, the people on this site are wonderful about answering questions. Brandi

Welcome! This is a great place to get information towards making your own decision. When I look back on my own journey, I realize how significant those first forays onto people's profiles, and attending the orientation was for me. I had spent many years not addressing my obesity. Once I had made the trip in to hear Dr. Patterson talk, and attended a few pre-op meetings, there was really no going back. I am not saying going forward with surgery would have been my only option, but I had really started to get my head around the phrase "morbidly obese" and that it applied to me. It seemed like there was no going back to my old way of thinking anymore. I hope you find good answers to your questions. Let me know if you have any specific questions. Patty