Another step on the journey...

Yesterday I began my insurer-required six-month diet and exercise monitoring, which is going to be done in tandem by my OBGYN and his staff nutritionist. I found out that my height is almost an inch more than I thought it was. Yipes! How did that happen? But, my weight's gone up some so my BMI has actually increased. My second appointment is September 20th! so fingers crossed for a February date of all goes as planned !!!! My first appointment with Commonwealth Surgeons is September 5th! Things are rollin' ! I just want everyone to know how helpful and inspiring this board is...I am more of a lurker right now because I am new to my journey and don't have a lot to report, but I have enjoyed coming here and being educated in the best way possible...by the experience of those who have been there. Everyone's story has touched me in some way, and it's your stories that have kept me from getting discouraged by the crazy insurance stuff and people who think I am taking the easy way and don't hesitate to tell me so . I am looking forward to meeting everyone, and I wish could come to the beach this weekend ...it sounds like such fun!

That is so awesome you are getting the hoops outta the way!!! I had to do the 6 month diet thing too. It was a joke really, but the time to sit back and research was what I needed more than anything. I was not nearly ready for surgery when I started seeing doctors/surgeons. I'm really glad you are reading profiles, getting the info you need. It'll be fun for you one day when you've had your surgery and you get to finally meet some of the ones you've only read about and seen pictures of. You'll feel like you know us well by then. I know when I went to my first conference in Richmond in January I went up to several people freely and said "I read your profile, and you were such an inspiration to me!!" They are a little taken back by it, but it's all true. Feel free to join us at any of the gatherings..............you don't have to have had the surgery to come, we love to tell our stories and help any way we can!!!! Plenty of pre-ops join us!! Let us know if we can help in any way!!! OXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOX Sharon

Thanks, sweetie!! I appreciate the support! It will be really cool to meet the actual people behind the profiles. Even my husband has started reading them as I send him the links, and he's getting the reassurance that he needs. His biggest question has been if people who have had WLS would do it again after everything they'd been through, and I would have to say "Yes!" based on what I've read. He's gotten a little scared for some of the folks who say they've gained weight back, but he also has now read enough to know that WLS is a TOOL and must be used properly to work. It's so funny to watch him read the stories! But at least he'll be prepared when the time comes!

Sharon is right! We all started out reading profiles and realizing that we were capable of this too - I read up as much as I could about the surgery and afterwards and all this information has helped me. But what has probably helped me the most is reading the boards and asking lots of questions - it really helps you realize that you are not alone!! I ignore people who think this is the easy way out - they usually have not had to deal with all the issues that we have had to deal with. They are not worth your time..... Support groups are really important too - my suggestion would be that you start going now and getting to know people. WLS patients are the most helpful people in the world!! They will help support you through this whole process. If you need anything at all - just ask - and you will receive !! Jackie