just curious...are you a preop or postop?

wow! congrats on the weight loss. One of my biggest motivations is to get off my meds. I know not everyone can do it, but if I can cut them by half I'd be happy. I take so many pills...way more than any 28 yr old should...heck probably more than anyone should. I joined the YMCA recently for water aerobics, but also have  a curves right down the street from where I live and have considered joining there since it's all women and it's a small group. I feel silly in a big room of people and am self conscious.

thank you for the well wishes!

I understand what you mean when you say you feel self-conscious - when I first began my journey into WLS I had to join a fitness center for insurance purposes so I joined a decent one close to my house - I went faithfully and did very well there, but I never felt comfortable and NOBODY ever talked to me! Plus when I started going I was almost 400 lbs, so talk about feeling like I stuck out like a sore thumb?? OMG it was terrible. After surgery I hadn't been back in a long time and after I lost about 130 lbs thought maybe I'd feel more comfortable and people would talk to me - wrong. I still felt like the big fat girl and nobody talked. That's why I like Curves so much - its small - all women - and none of them are 'hardbodies' - at my Curves most of the women are my age (50+). For me I feel I'm getting a good work-out - it might be a good place for you to start, but you're young and eventually may need something more.

And I bet you get off most of your meds once you've lost some weight - you'll be surprised at how quickly you can leave a lot of the meds behind.

Hi and welcome. I am so glad you found this board. I will be post op two months on the 20th. I had lap RNY. I am having problems, infected incision and ulcer and a stricture. But even with those complications and the discouragment that I sometimes feel, I still think that overall I made the right decision. I am starting to heal now and every day is getting better. I can't wait to be more active and healthier. This board and the wonderful people here are worth what they used to weigh in gold. I don't know what I would do without them. I live in the middle of nowhere, and the closest support group I know of is about 2 hours away. So I am here checking the posts daily and am so very thankful for everyone here. Best of wishes. Belinda

sorry to hear of your problems...I'm glad you're starting to feel better now. thank you for the welcome!

"what they used to weigh in gold"

That is a priceless quote, thank you for bringing a smile to my face, Belinda!

Hi - I'm pre-op.  My surgery date is scheduled for June 23.  I had no problem getting approved.  My insurance approved me in less than a week.  My only hurdle was a diagnosis of Sleep Apnea.  My surgeon requires 200 hours on the c-pap machine prior to surgery.  Other than that, no issues. The wait between consult was a little longer than I had hoped it would be, but the time is going fast - it will be here before I know it.  Good luck in your journey.
Lisa

the sleep apnea thing is my hurdle too. even though I will be submitting to insurance I have to wear that machine for so many hours first. I'll get through it though, I was pretty annoyed with that fact at first, but I guess I understand now.

I am pre-op.  Surgery scheduled for 6/8.  I had a hell of a time getting
approved, but it's all good.  I felt like framing my approval letter, after all the denials.

I here you about Insurance Coordinator.  I felt like I have really had to guide this thing.
I finally complained, spoke to a manager and got it all resolved.

Since being on this board, I have learned so much.  It has not only helped with the mental preperation, but emotional too.  I know I can come here and say:  ARRRGH, or ask a question or just be inspired.

I am so glad I found this place!

hey and some hilarious stories!

your surgery is right around the corner! I hope I don't have any problems with an approval, but if I do I'm sure I'll be like you wanting to frame the thing. lol.

I've already got my alarm set for the insurance coordinator. :-P

Hello there! I am 2 years and almost 4 months post op and 5 1/2 weeks pregnant. I don't regret my surgery for a milisecond! Dr Brader did my RNY 1/30/07 and it was the day my life turned around for the better!! I am down about 135 pounds from my highest of 327 and have about 20 pounds more to go (after the baby of course). One of my main reasons for finally having surgery was so that I could be in a better place to get pregnant. Pre-op I had PCOS and was told that I would probably never be able to conceive. Well here I am - changing history for the better!

My tip for keeping on track is accountability -  I post a daily menu thread on weekdays, feel free to start posting now - routine is very important. I know Pam does this too - but for me on sundays I pack my snacks for the week. I cut up cheese, fruit, etc and put it in individual zip lock bags, I mix up greek yogurt with my fruit, preserves etc, I mix ricotta with pudding mix - all in individual containers. I also make egg cups - basically just an omlet in an muffin tin and wrap them in foil for the week. This allows me - no matter how hectic the morning - to pack my food for the day! All I have to really worry about it lunch and I try to always pack that when I am making dinner the night before so that is ready too. I have a drawer in the fridge where I keep all my prepped stuff so in the morning I can do the "grab and toss" into the lunchbag and get out the door.

Best of luck with this journey - this board will bring you more knowledge then you can ever imagine and some of the best friends you could ever hope for!