How long did you research WLS?

Hi everyone,

I'm new here.  I've been researching WLS for a few years now, but only seriously started to persue it a few months ago.  My sister made the comment that I was jumping into things a little fast.  So my question to you is: How long did you research and consider WLS before actually making your consultation and getting the ball rolling?

It was almost 2 years from the time I started researching it until I actually had my surgery. After my consult, I did have my surgery pretty quickly. My consult was Nov 25 and surgery Feb 16. Just make sure that you are comfortable with your decision. Research everything you can. Make as many appts as you need. Good luck to you!

I researched for about a year before mentioning it to my family. When i brought it up to my mother she was shocked because evidently she had been researching it for about the same amount of time but wasnt sure how i would take it if she brought it up to me. From that conversation- it was 7 months until i had my surgery. I felt knowageable and prepared and still do. This site helped me SO SO much because any specific question i had could be answerd by the post-ops here. Make sure you know your stuff- when i went for my consult my surgeon asked me all kinds of questions so that he knew, i knew what i was doing. It took me those 7 months to go to a seminar, meet all my pre-op reqiurements, and get submitted and accepted from my insurance company. Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to ask! :)

--Courtney

Thank you both for your reply.  I have my consultation in 3 weeks and I have already attended a seminar.  Once I picked a surgeon, it did seem to go a little fast, from attending the seminar, to scheduling a consultation.  I'm nervous, but I'm sure I'm making the right decision.

 I toyed around with the idea for about a year but honestly, I didn't really start heavily researching it until about 6 months before surgery.   But, my surgeon doesn't have a long wait time from when you visit for the first consult to when  you are on the table...so I could have had sugery 3 months before I did but I wanted to take the time to really have the facts down. 

I don't think there is really a right or wrong as far as timing, it's what you feel is best for you.  

~Emily~

I've been researching it for about 7 years. I finally decided to do it in January and got a consult about 2 weeks after and now I'm in the middle of my pre-op requirements and tests.

I researched it for so long but kept it to myself, so I've only told my immediate family and my husband. I wanted to avoid the "well, don't you think it's moving quickly?" when I've been researching it since 2002.

I think I always toyed around with the idea, but only because a few of my family members have had the surgey done. However I didn't seriously look into it until about a year ago, then i did my research started my requirements in Jan. and now I am just waiting on my insurance to approve me:) Once you start making appts everything goes pretty fast tho, but if you're anything like me you've been waiting along time for something like this to change your life so really.... the process has been life long:)  Also don't let anyone discourage you if this is something you really want to do.

I researched for 8 years... after 3 years of research I tried to get approved and failed.  Then after 2 more years of research I looked into it yet again and was denied again.  Finally last September I got my surgery.  My mom thought I was rushing into it too - but after I explained what I know and howw long I had been working for it did she begin to understand.  Keep the faith and only you know what is right for you...

.....I really just said - I'm going to do this - I did as little research as possible - because when I heard about it from my primary doctor - I visited multiple surgeons was denied multiple times - and just kept pushing - and really the only research I did was what I learned from surgeons - because I was going to get it done - no matter what research I did. Kind of odd I know...

 Thanks everyone!! You've made me feel better.  It seems that the amount of time researching WLS varies on the individual.  I guess when my sister said that I was jumping into things, it made me doubt my decision (just for a second).  After your responses, I know that I'm doing the right thing for me.