Joining this Group!

Hi!

My name is Paula and I am almost 50 years old (in May). I am on track to have WLS in April. I'm not sure which one yet - I see my surgeon for the first time February 19th and have an EGD scheduled that day too. I prefer (I think) the sleeve but have some reflux issues so I will go with whatever surgery my surgeon recommends for me after he has done the EGD. I'm a little above a 40 BMI right now but am losing fast on a two-month pre-op plan of high protein low carbs. I have to be careful not to lose too much before the insurance coverage is approved, so I might be adding in some healthy calories once I get to a BMI of around 40.

Paula

Welcome Paula!  I just joined this group yesterday.  My RNY was 7/8/2008 and I was on here daily for the first few years, then I quit.  Hope everything goes well for you.  The first few days after surgery, I was thinking being fat wasn't so bad.  I was really miserable, but since then no problems.  I've regained a few pounds, but I'm going to take them off.

Hi Jo! Thanks for the welcome. I see you are a fellow dog lover! We have 2 Yorkie Poos that we just adore. Best of luck on your recommitment to good health! I lost 100 lbs. in 2008 but gained it all back within a year. Hoping that surgery is the answer for me!

Love my little dogs, Sammy and Sophie.  They are Shih Tzus.  Sophie turned 14 last October.  She's very healthy, but has lost her hearing.  Sammy is 9 and just the cutest little thing. 

Hi Paula, I know this sounds a little contradictory, but definitely watch losing too much as it can cause issues with your approval through the insurance (unless you have some well documented comorbidities (Diabetes, sleep Apnea, High blood pressure, arthritis of joints, etc).  From what I've read here and my personal experience, Lightweights are not generally put on a pre-op diet plan.  Well at least I wasn't...

Best of luck to you and welcome!

I am concerned about that Navychic (losing too much).....maybe I will eat some pistachios for a snack! My co-morbidities are high cholesterol and GERD. I also have PCOS.

Welcome.

Sleeves are good but I think RNY is usually recommended for GERD.  My GERD is gone but I am still on a acid reducer from surgery (4 yrs ago).  One med after many is still great.  I wanted a sleeve but insurance wouldn't pay so I ended up with RNY.  Took me a while to wrap my head around it but now I am happy I did.  I think it was a better surgery for me and the malabsorption helped me get to goal.

Looking forward to following your journey!!

Welcome!  If you haven't done your initial "weigh in"... you may want to drink a LOT of water beforehand, wear your heaviest clothes and boots and some have even put rolls of quarters in their pockets.  Not saying you should but...

But if you have, the insurance company will usually take your initial weight.  The weight you lose between that weigh-in and surgery will help show your surgeon you are serious, plus shrink the liver so they can get around it.  I just had to follow a low-carb diet, others had just shakes for a week or two.  Follow your surgeons plans and you'll be on the losers bench in no time!

Welcome Paula.   I wasn't a lightweight before surgery but I am a OH Support Group Leader who posts regularly on these forums.    I'm sure the surgeon that you chose will help decide which surgery is right for you and your success.     Congrats on your decision to have WLS.   I promise you won't regret it.

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Hi Paula! Welcome to our WLS Lightweight group. Best wishes in your weight loss journey.

Ellen