Had my first Consultation today

Hey everyone! I've actually been stalking this forum for a few weeks, living vicariously through all of you. I had my first consultation this morning with a bariatric surgeon (Dr. John L Coon in Southern California) and am finally on my way to changing my life. I'm feeling so many things right now, and I cannot quite get my finger on what those feelings are. Other than impatience!

I was told by his office that if I'm lucky it'd be about 6 weeks until I have my surgery. I completed a 3 month course a little over a year ago, but I still have to do a Psych evaluation, plus an EKG, some stomach chalk thing etc etc. Since I have IEHP I have to wait a minimum of 2 weeks just to get an appointment (and that's after the psych eval) so I guess I'm feeling like the day will never get here. 

But I know I have to be patient, and if I've learned anything from reading what you all have said it's that this is gonna take time and discipline. But I want it to happen now!  Anyhow, I wanted to introduce myself to y'all as I hope I will be around here a bit. 

Right now the thing I'm most worried about is how I'm going to tell people (I have an aunt that lives with me and she will inevitably blab sooner or later so I'm thinking I may "politely" ask her to wait until I'm comfortable but theres a....fat chance of that happened) and all of the loose skin I know I'm going to have. I know the vanity is strong with me. I will take all the loose skin just to feel healthy again. Just to be able to shop for more than 20 minutes without feeling completely exerted. Just to feel comfortable hanging out with my people once more! 

Thank you all for the information you guys put out here, it's been really helpful to me. Happy New Year! 

Congrats on taking the first step! 6 weeks is way fast for those of us that it took YEARS. (done by my chickening out multiple times) This time around I took my time and had my monthly appointments for 10 months before I got submitted for insurance approval. Then I got impatient at the end!  The 2nd time I was doing it I told anyone and everyone and then ended up deciding it wasn't for me and I didn't need it.. mistake. So I started again after about a year and only told my mom and dad.  Everyone else I waited to tell until it was rounding the corner for my final eval with the surgeon and nutritionist.  I felt like keeping it to myself until I was positively sure I wanted it AND all my tests came back normal and good was a better idea.  If you go through testing with a 6 week surg date in mind and some of your tests require extended support (failed H-pylori test, psych support, didn't drop enough weight with nutritionist, existing ulcer, ect) this might cause a depression phase because you were so geared for 6 weeks. Take your time, and I hope all comes swiftly and perfect test results!

Good Luck!!

It is an exciting journey and the weeks before surgery were the hardest part for me.  Take it one day at a time.  What I enjoyed doing was coming to this site and looking at Before and After photos. 

There was one lady on the site who looked a lot like me and it was so exciting to see how she looked after losing the weight.

I wish you all the best.

I might suggest, that if you aunt really can't keep her mouth shut - even if she is trying.  You might want to consider getting out in front of her.  I have that person in my family - I just told her I had gall bladder surgery.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it. (But I do not live with her.)

There are many stories posted about how people let others know.  You might want to search the General Discussion forum to find them.  Sorry that you live with 'loose lips.'  She is probably wonderful in many other respects.

Thanks so much for all of the support everyone! I'm going to do my best to be patient because honestly there's nothing I can do about the waiting. What I can do is start making plans. :) My mom and I have been discussing what things are going to be like, and basically what the game plan is going to be on the big day, and more important what we are going to do after the big day. 

Sharon thanks for your comment about my aunt. You are so right, there are so many good aspects about her and I need to keep that in mind when I speak. I'll only slightly glare rather than give her the full force darth vader mind choke glare. 

But in all seriousness, I know that my family wants what is best for me and so I'm going to be as patient as possible with them too! 

You will have a bunch to do in the next 6 weeks - the time will go by quicker than you think.