Hi, I'm Cappymoon's sister
(I originally posted this to an old post she had put out there around 1/31, and she said no one would see it there and to repost it as new, so there you go)
Hi everyone. I'm the sister. 
Just thought you might like an update.... Dianna was so excited that Dad said he would pay for me that she could barely wait for the lady who schedules the seminars to come back from vacation, which apparently she did this past Monday. So I am set up for a seminar on February 22nd.
Then yesterday as I was goofing off at work I decided to email her to ask about the next step, which turns out to be the initial consultation. She told me to call Dr. M's office and just set it up, since I already had a seminar date. I called, and now I go in for a consultation on March 2. I'd like to know what to expect from both of these events. 
I sure hope they let me know what to do and how to do it in all aspects of this surgery, because right now it's kind of overwhelming. Dianna has promised to hold my hand through the whole thing, and she's probably more excited than I am at this point, because she KNOWS what will happen.
Unlike my sister, I have never been a "normal" weight, and I spend a lot of time thinking about what that's going to be like. At 5 years old I remember being in the park and wondering why my polyester shorts were too tight. It just got worse from there.
And this ultimatum thing with Dad should work out too -- if I do it and she's done it, he'll do it too. It's hard to retire to a fishing village in Mexico when your feet hurt so bad you're constantly moaning in pain. I would love to fix that.
With the three of us down, that will leave only Mom, whose Dr. suggested she have it like 5 years ago but she balked. Now she's 66 and I fear that it is too late for her.
Anyhow, thanks for all the support. As time goes by, I'll probably be back often with questions.
-Julie
Just thought you might like an update.... Dianna was so excited that Dad said he would pay for me that she could barely wait for the lady who schedules the seminars to come back from vacation, which apparently she did this past Monday. So I am set up for a seminar on February 22nd.
Then yesterday as I was goofing off at work I decided to email her to ask about the next step, which turns out to be the initial consultation. She told me to call Dr. M's office and just set it up, since I already had a seminar date. I called, and now I go in for a consultation on March 2. I'd like to know what to expect from both of these events.
I sure hope they let me know what to do and how to do it in all aspects of this surgery, because right now it's kind of overwhelming. Dianna has promised to hold my hand through the whole thing, and she's probably more excited than I am at this point, because she KNOWS what will happen.
Unlike my sister, I have never been a "normal" weight, and I spend a lot of time thinking about what that's going to be like. At 5 years old I remember being in the park and wondering why my polyester shorts were too tight. It just got worse from there.
And this ultimatum thing with Dad should work out too -- if I do it and she's done it, he'll do it too. It's hard to retire to a fishing village in Mexico when your feet hurt so bad you're constantly moaning in pain. I would love to fix that.
With the three of us down, that will leave only Mom, whose Dr. suggested she have it like 5 years ago but she balked. Now she's 66 and I fear that it is too late for her.
Anyhow, thanks for all the support. As time goes by, I'll probably be back often with questions.
-Julie
Hi Julie, welcome to the family. Congrats on the decision to take this journey. Remeber that between your sister and all of us you have a wealth of resources and don't be afraid to ask anything. Your information seminar will be easy. You will be with others who are interested in learning more about surgery and the dr will talk about everything, take questions, and probably give you some information to take home. I suggest reading what you get before your consult appointment that way if more questions come up you can write them down to take with you so you remember to ask everything. I had a different dr so I don't know if your consult will be the same or not but I was weighed, filled out medical history information, and met with the dr and asked all my questions and started the insurance approval process. They told me step by step what was needed next and everything went very smooth for me. The process can be very quick and overwhelming so remember to sit back and try to relax and enjoy the ride. We are all here for you.
Courtney
10 weeks out - 50 lbs
p.s. can't wait to meet you. Try to come to the support group next month, there is a lot of info there also and lots of people who have been through it.
Courtney
10 weeks out - 50 lbs
p.s. can't wait to meet you. Try to come to the support group next month, there is a lot of info there also and lots of people who have been through it. 
Oh my, is there really another Dianna???? I love your sister to pieces!!! She is one of my angels....Glad to meet you....It is wonderful that you have decided to get healthy and we are all here for you. This is the most amazing board anywhere....we all have so mu*****ommon and know what we have all been through. I am almost 56 years old and had my surgery 2 months ago and I am thrilled with the results so far. I still have a long way to go but I wouldn't have changed a thing. The journey with this board has been wonderful even if I hadn't have had the surgery. I have met so many wonderful people and the angels on this board is incredible. I had my surgery open which was more difficult that the standard lap but I am completely healed and doing great. The only problem I have is keeping up with clothes...I have to go through them constantly. It is sooo much fun. Well, welcome to the board and I am so glad you are here. Hope to see you posting often.
Hugs,
Betsy
Hi, Julie and welcome to the family!
You will love Dr. Moazzez!! He is awesome. He did my surgery on August 30, 2005 and my gallbladder surgery on January 27, 2006. He is very patient and kind. Just do everything he says...and don't be afraid to ask him questions...he is very supportive and he genuinely cares!
Congratulations again! You won't regret this one bit!!! Let us know as soon as you get a date!!!
Hugs!
Jill
Jill 
Welcome Julie!!
I, like you, followed my sister (as well as my mom) in WLS, however, I waited 12 years!!
As the others have said, the best way to be prepared is to educate yourself any way you can... reading articles, books, web sites, and of course here! Support groups are also very good because you get to hear other people's stories and actually see them.
I'm so glad you've made the decision to improve your health. That's why I finally did it... and I've been delighted ever since.
WELCOME
Tammy
Tammy 
Welcome, Julie!
Surgery, the family affair. 
My husband and I both had WLS.
I know that Dr. Moazzez will take great care of you. He is very, very thorough and compassionate. I always feel that I am in the best hands. Like Dianna, Dr. Chebli did my surgery but Dr. M did my gallbladder surgery in October and he'll be removing a parathyroid gland from my neck on February 24th (not weight loss surgery related). I trust him implicitedly. He has been doing my aftercare all these months and I feel has gone above and beyond it to see that I'm well and healthy.
I met your dad several months back when he came to the support group.
As for the seminar, I didn't go to one but I believe Dr. Moazzez will talk about the surgeries that he does: open RNYs, lap RNYs and lap bands. He'll probably discuss the pros and cons of each procedure and which one is best for what type of person. I assume that you want the same procedure that Dianna had.
The consult, you'll meet with him and he'll discuss you personally and yoru goal, your health issues and history and family medical history, and he'll again talk about the surgery and it's risks. I will tell you that Dr. M is very straight-forward and he will tell you all the possible risks of the surgeries. He'll make it so that you know everything that could go wrong. He'll also tell you how likely it is to happen percentage wise so you have an idea.
After that, you may have to meet with a psychologist. But since you are going to be self-pay, I'm not sure if that meeting is an insurance requirement or surgeon requirement or both. Also, you will have to go to nutritional counseling classes to learn about foods, what you can eat when and vitamins and such. You'll do your pre-surgery testing... gallbladder ultrasound (easy), upper GI or endoscopy (not sure what Dr. M does - Dr. C did the upper GI), blood work, chest x-ray, EKG. I had to go for an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) because I took Phen-Fen years back (for a whole week 
).
Some folks in their 60s are getting the surgery done. Even if your mom didn't want to get the bigger surgery done perhaps a lap band would help her get enough weight off to help with the health issues.
My husband and I both had diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. All of these are now gone.
Again, welcome and best wishes as you embark on the ride of your life. Hang on!
Kathy
My husband and I both had WLS.
I know that Dr. Moazzez will take great care of you. He is very, very thorough and compassionate. I always feel that I am in the best hands. Like Dianna, Dr. Chebli did my surgery but Dr. M did my gallbladder surgery in October and he'll be removing a parathyroid gland from my neck on February 24th (not weight loss surgery related). I trust him implicitedly. He has been doing my aftercare all these months and I feel has gone above and beyond it to see that I'm well and healthy.
I met your dad several months back when he came to the support group.
As for the seminar, I didn't go to one but I believe Dr. Moazzez will talk about the surgeries that he does: open RNYs, lap RNYs and lap bands. He'll probably discuss the pros and cons of each procedure and which one is best for what type of person. I assume that you want the same procedure that Dianna had.
The consult, you'll meet with him and he'll discuss you personally and yoru goal, your health issues and history and family medical history, and he'll again talk about the surgery and it's risks. I will tell you that Dr. M is very straight-forward and he will tell you all the possible risks of the surgeries. He'll make it so that you know everything that could go wrong. He'll also tell you how likely it is to happen percentage wise so you have an idea.
After that, you may have to meet with a psychologist. But since you are going to be self-pay, I'm not sure if that meeting is an insurance requirement or surgeon requirement or both. Also, you will have to go to nutritional counseling classes to learn about foods, what you can eat when and vitamins and such. You'll do your pre-surgery testing... gallbladder ultrasound (easy), upper GI or endoscopy (not sure what Dr. M does - Dr. C did the upper GI), blood work, chest x-ray, EKG. I had to go for an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) because I took Phen-Fen years back (for a whole week ).
Some folks in their 60s are getting the surgery done. Even if your mom didn't want to get the bigger surgery done perhaps a lap band would help her get enough weight off to help with the health issues.
My husband and I both had diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. All of these are now gone.
Again, welcome and best wishes as you embark on the ride of your life. Hang on!
Kathy 
Hey Julie,
WELCOME to the Virginia Board. It's a pleasure to meet you. I haven't met a lot of people on the board but your sister is one of the few that I did meet and she is the sweetest girl. Her, Natalie and myself went to visit Betsy this past October. We had a great time and I can't wait to do it again. Perhaps next time you will come along too. I am still pre-op so I am sure you and I will have a lot in common. All the fears of the unknown and yet a desire to start our life over again. Of course I'm not a young chickie like you girls. I'm 50....but I still want to look & feel good again. You keep your appointments and follow this through. The only reason I haven't done it yet is my insurance. They are making me jump through all their hoops and so far I haven't miss one of them. I have a couple more months with my 6 month medically supervised diet requirement. Once that's finished I am hoping for a date.
I am so glad you have decided to have the surgery. I am sure you will be like so many others I have talked to....and wonder what took you so long. I wish I had made this decision many years ago. But better now than never. I will keep you in my prayers and believe you will have an uneventful surgery (as in everything goes really well) and you have a speedy recovery. Stay in touch with everyone here and know you are already family.
Lots of Love
Kathy 
WELCOME to the Virginia Board. It's a pleasure to meet you. I haven't met a lot of people on the board but your sister is one of the few that I did meet and she is the sweetest girl. Her, Natalie and myself went to visit Betsy this past October. We had a great time and I can't wait to do it again. Perhaps next time you will come along too. I am still pre-op so I am sure you and I will have a lot in common. All the fears of the unknown and yet a desire to start our life over again. Of course I'm not a young chickie like you girls. I'm 50....but I still want to look & feel good again. You keep your appointments and follow this through. The only reason I haven't done it yet is my insurance. They are making me jump through all their hoops and so far I haven't miss one of them. I have a couple more months with my 6 month medically supervised diet requirement. Once that's finished I am hoping for a date.
I am so glad you have decided to have the surgery. I am sure you will be like so many others I have talked to....and wonder what took you so long. I wish I had made this decision many years ago. But better now than never. I will keep you in my prayers and believe you will have an uneventful surgery (as in everything goes really well) and you have a speedy recovery. Stay in touch with everyone here and know you are already family.
Lots of Love
Kathy 
Hi Julie
Welcome!!! As everyone has mentioned, now is the time to research and get your questions ready for the surgeon. Remember that there aren't any stupid questions; thankfully, you already have a wonderful resource in Dianna! This board has been wonderful for me; even when I am just lurking, I soak up all of the advice and support that flows here. My surgery is next week, so it wasn't long ago that I was were you are now!
Best wishes! 
Julie
7 days to go 
Welcome!!! As everyone has mentioned, now is the time to research and get your questions ready for the surgeon. Remember that there aren't any stupid questions; thankfully, you already have a wonderful resource in Dianna! This board has been wonderful for me; even when I am just lurking, I soak up all of the advice and support that flows here. My surgery is next week, so it wasn't long ago that I was were you are now!
Best wishes!
Julie
7 days to go Most Active
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