Hello from Oklahoma

 I'm brand new to this community and wanted to say hello.  After years of debating, I finally made the decision last month to go forward with WLS.  I've already met my PCP and Surgeon, and have officially started the process.  Lab next week and giving up Diet Dr. Pepper already.  How long does the process take on average?

My insurance, BCBS OK, says that a 6 month diet is required within the last 24 months.  My PCP is creating a letter stating I have been working on losing weight with him for the past year and a half or so.  I'm hoping that works.

Any advice you can give as I start on this journey would be welcome and appreciated. 

I'm so happy to be started...and to find this group!!!

 Welcome.  Glad to see you made the decission.  It is not an easy one to make.  I think each doctor/hospital has different "programs".  Mine was here in PA and it was a 6 month program, if it went longer that was fine.  There was no pressure saying that you had to have surgery at the end of the 6th month.  

Advise - Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Eveyone has either been there/done that or are going thru it now.  I'm always reading posts and learning things.

HI and welcome.

Thanks for the welcome.

I'm already asking questions and getting lots of answers. I'll definitely be checking the boards from now on. What a great resource!

Welcome! Love the celtic tree!

Best of luck to you on this lifechanging journey!

deb366

Hey Ith!  Welcome and congrats on making this life-changing decision.  I would suggest finding a local WLS support group.  Maybe your hospital or doctor runs one.  I found that going to a support group before my surgery was very helpful in that I got to hear many people's stories and get most of my questions answered.  Now that I'm over 19 mos post-op and have dropped 130 lbs, I still go all the time.  Well actually, I facilitate 5 different support group meetings each month.  It's so worth!