Looking for friends around Austin

I'm a stay at home mom from Round Rock, Texas and am in the fifth month of my six month insurance (Aetna) process, and I would love to have conversations with anyone who has had a GBS, especially if you are local to me.  I weigh around 475 right now with diabetes, gout, arthritis, you name it.  Regardless of what your experience has been,  I would like to hear about it.  Please, no one selling anything!  By the way, does anyone know about any local clothing swaps?

 Hi dollybigmomma,

I am in the first month of my three month weight management process with Aetna. I will be getting the "sleeve" in July or August. I'd love to correspond with you. I am in a suburb of Houston, TX.
I weight 354 and have no other health risks, but I'm trying to be proactive and get this surgery before they start!

Lucky you, only having to do the three month program!  Good luck.  Have you picked a surgeon yet?  I'm using Dr. Nancy Marquez here in Round Rock.  I wish I had access to Houston where I could go through the Davis' program, but it's just too far for follow up care.  So, are you scared witless yet?  I'm getting there.  I have an almost 18 year old daughter and I want to see my grandkids some day.  At the rate I'm going I'll be lucky to see my daughter graduate college if I don't do something now.  You're wise being proactive.  I would have done this years ago if I had had insurance help, which we just got back in February.

So, do you know anyone who has had WLS?

 Yes. I am using Dr. Saint Laurent. I attended a seminar in April and have seen my dietitian twice. I have my psych eval scheduled in June. I really look forward to getting this done! 

My oldest daughter and her husband are expecting our first grandchild any day now. We are beyond excited. I always I wanted to be the one to teach my grandkids to swim. I figured I should be nice and healthy when my grand-baby is at an age to swim. I also want to be around for a long time for all of my children (3) and all my future grandkids!

My youngest just finished her first year of college, so it appears we have one child around the same age.

I am a little nervous, but I have faith in my surgeon. He is one of Houston's most experienced weight-loss surgeons, and has performed more than 2,400 advanced laparoscopic and bariatric procedures. 

I know 2 people that have had WLS. One had Gastric bypass and the other has a Lap Band. Both have been successful. I also have met my surgeon's post op patients at the support group meetings. Most of them have the sleeve and I'm impressed with how successful they have all been.

How about you? Do you know anyone who has had WLS?

I know a few.  All had initial success, but two of them have gained a lot of their weight back.  They didn't stick with the diet and exercise, so there you go.  I haven't been to the support group yet, but I'm planning on it.   Do they really help?

 I've only been to one support group meeting, so far. It was very helpful and very informative. I met 3 ladies there that were extremely helpful and very friendly. They made me feel welcome and stressed that I keep coming back. That meant a lot to me. I needed that. It helped me want to participate. I would highly recommend going.

I had the sleeve in February and Dr St Laurent was and is my Dr. LOVE HIM. going to my first support group meeting in July, i would have gone before but did not know there was one. I live in the Houston area as well.

as for surgery would not change a thing. I have lost 45% of my excess weight and a total of 145 lbs since December when I started all this.

I was border line everything but not diagnosed with anything yet, I did my surgery to save my life, at the rate I was going I would have been dead in 5 yrs and 400 lbs.

I love near Katy myself and have lost almost 100 lbs on my own but my sister and mother had different weight loss surgeries

I started out weighing almost 435 lbs myself so I do understand the things that can happen to a person that size. I had a stroke in 2004 and had to reteach myself everything from walking to eating. I did gained weight because the depression and disability and being so physically damaged caused me great emotional pain. But January of 2010 I decided enough is enough and developed a plan, a easy concept to continue for life.
I hope you will consider me as a penpal, maybe we can offer support to each other.

Channah12

Hi, I had Gastric Bypass in January and have lost  57 lbs since then, but have lost 107 since November of last year.  I am at a standstill now but probably due to diet.  Groceries are so expensive for the healthy stuff.  I really need about 30 more lbs to go to get to a place where I will be satisfied and of course I will try to continue to lose more but at my age; 60, I don't feel I need to get sooo skinny.  I have acquired a LOT of energy which is a blessing to me.  I can do things I never thought to do again, like get out of the house to shop.  Oh, yea clothes are so much fun to look for now.  I went down from 28 to 18 so far.  I still tend to go to the large women's sizes out of habit but I hope to break that soon.  lol.  Wish you well, and know that all will be good.  My lab work came back with EVERYTHING normal.  No more diabetes.  My A1c is down to 5.5 had not seen that in forever.  I live in South Austin and love the city.  No place like it anywhere. 

Congrats on your 107 lbs!  You aren't kidding about the healthy stuff being so much more expensive!  I'm looking forward to shopping for new clothes in smaller sizes, too.  I did run into a good sale at Walmart where they had stuff for $3 and $5 and stocked up on a few things in smaller sizes.  Right now I'm still wearing 6X and 7X's, but I can't WAIT to be able to donate all of my old clothes because they swallow me!!

So, tell me about your surgery experience!  I was diagnosed with diabetes a few months ago, too, plus I have gout really bad.  I'm looking forward to not having to take shots anymore (hopefully).  Do you get hungry as much as you used to?  I am a big eater.  I do eat pretty good quality wise, but I'm really bad about controlling the quantity.  I've also heard you have to sip liquids afterwards, no gulping.  That's going to be weird for me because I can down a quart of water at a time without taking a breath. 

Do you ever get up to north Austin or Round Rock?  I would love to meet you and talk shop if you're ever in the area!