mina

thanks for the advice... i will certainly check it out. i'm getting sleeve by dr aceves also. can't wait!

i can't weight to add my weight in!!!! i'm having my surgery june 7. SW 245..... CW 228.....GW 210.... LBS to Goal 18 I'm being conservative. i haven't been 210 in over 5 years. if i weigh less by then that would be great!!!

like most obese people i have tried multiple diets and have lost weight (i lost 70 pounds doing calorie count and exercise). like everyone said i can lose the weight (miserable) but can't maintain it. i'm not telling my parents i'm having surgery (they would never understand it and i can't deal with that stress). since i only see them a few times a year it shouldn't be an issue (i need to find a way to not have to worry when they see how little i eat). my "best friend" is totally unsupportive of me having the surgery. she's not big. she saw me when i was doing the calorie count and felt that since i did it before i should do it again. the issue is: it's hard stayin hungry for months and months (especially when the skinny friends are eating anything and everything they want). i was also younger back then, different metabolism. i lost 25 pounds in a month (for insurance purposes) by doing adipex, very low carb, low calorie diet (again i was miserable but i had a goal) but once i stop the adipex and start eating "normal" again i remember why i want this surgery. it's not an easy way out. i need that extra support if i want a donut i can have one and be full/satisfy and not resort to eating 3 or 4 because i can.

so, i'm an ob/gyn doctor (solo practioner). I'm on call 24 hours mond thru frid. i have clinic mon thru frid. elective surgeries on tues and emergency surgeries as they arises. i'm only takin 6 days off from work and the week i return i plan on working half a days (but i'll still be on call) but won't schedule any surgeries. i'm very worried about being able to get the adequate fluids in, the Proteins, the Vitamins. i'm so use to not eating and eating on the run (which is why i'm in this situation ). every where i read it's about sipping, sipping,sipping throught the day and eating slowly. i'm trying to prepare myself for these problems. i can easily see myself not eating at all throughout the day cause it's easier, that's what i've been doing (but unhealthy and after surgery very dangerous). i've been thinking about having my nurse put an iv in and give me some Fluid bolus if needed (but i can't do that all the time).

i know because of the size of the uterus that mirena iud and ablation is not an option. ask if continous progesterone pill (provera) is possible for you to temporarily to stop/decrease the amount of heavy bleeding you have with your cycle. that will help build your hemoglobin up for surgery. i don't know all your medical problems so i don't know if you are a candidate for continous birth control pill.

I think counseling is definitely needed. it is sad that she won't read up about the procedure or try to understand what it is. it's hard enough dealing with your own emotions and doubts without having someone close to you adding to the burden. This is not an "elective" procedure, if it was insurances wouldn't be paying for it, it's medically necessary. I understand fear for surgery but i think her problem is more than your safety. unfortunately, there are enablers in our lives. you are changing the status quo, you won't be her eating partner anymore. we all know the saying "misery loves company". couseling, counseling, counseling. keep strong. if you've reach the point were you are miserable being morbidly obese and there's something you can do to change that then do something about it. this is for your physical and emotional health.

thank you so much for posting this. i am having the surgery done in june with dr aceves. i've never had surgery before and i've dieted so many times before (lost and gain) so i want to make sure this is for the long term. so reading your post gave me a lot of encouragement.

I'm schedule to have my surgery with dr aceves june 7th, yay!!!. I have to decide if i'm bringing my sister (i haven't told her i'm heading to mexico).

i haven't been sleeved yet but i have been thinking about how to maintain a social life that doesn't involve eating. it is really hard. with my friends i am thinking about bowling, movies, shopping. i even want to do wall rock climbing (once i'm in better shape of course lol). Go out dancing with the hubby (or take dancing classes... salsa for eg). like it was suggest going to the spa is great is great. i would also like to hear other suggestions for social events.

my sisters and friends knew that i wanted to have bariatric surgery for the most part they were supportive when they thought it was going to be in the U.S. one day I kind of broach the subject of going to mexico if i got denied by the insurance company and every pitch a fit. so i did get denied and am planning on going to mexico. two people at work know about it, if they are against it they haven't said. i told one sister and she is very upset with me. i wish i hadn't tell her. i am not telling anyone else until after the surgery. I was a little hesitant about going to another country alone but I know i can do it.

thanks so much. i looked at your pics they are very reassuring. did you go alone?

do you mind me asking how much you pay for the surgery?

I'll be heading to mexico for my sleeve surgery (i got denied by my insurance). Now i'm trying to decide which doctor to use. I probably will be going alone. have anyone gone alone? how was the experience?

So I got denied for the vertical sleeve from BCBS of Tenn because it's investigation. If I want to resubmit my claim for lap band or the roux en y there would still be problems since in 2007 I had lost 10% of my body weight, etc etc... I am so piss... I Will be going to Mexico.

yes they can remove it at the same time. 25% of people will need gallbladder surgery after bariatric surgery so some surgeons routinely remove the gallbladder during bariatric surgery and some don't. if you already having problems then it's a good idea to have it remove at the same time. the recovery time is longer though.

and what's wrong with "taking the easy way out"? Do you get a special prize if you do it "the hard way"? A lot of people who thinks having the surgery is an easy way out have had it easy themselves (they can eat whatever they want and not get fat), so whatever. I say do what's best for you.

you can get pregnant with pcos. i have seen it many time with my pcos patients. research have shown even with 10% body weight loss most women will have increase in ovulation. when you are obese, even if you are not diabetic your body is secreting a lot of insulin to keep your blood glucose under control. to much insulin can prevent ovulation. by losing weight your insulin secretion should decrease. that's why we put women on metformin (same concept). good luck to you

i agree with you 100%. i may be one of those individuals who have to cross the border for surgery (if insurance doesn't approve it). i've been to other 3rd world countries for vacation and the key is to be smart (don't go wearing the most expensive clothes, flashy jewelry, well known bad areas). violence can happen anywhere (as we all living in the U.S know). as long as the hospital is a clean safe place and the surgeon is qualified i say go for it (you have a higher chance of dying from a heart attach than getting harm in mexico).

i haven't had the surgery myself, i'm in the begining stages. my story is similar to yours except for the medical problems. i've been obese all my life and never had any surgery except for dental. i'm an ob/gyn and do surgeries all the time. there are no guarantees in anything, for the most part the complication rates are minimal. one of the keys is making sure your surgeon has enough experience (make sure he or she is a bariatric surgeon), don't be afraid to ask for his complication rate. first find out if your insurance covers bariatric surgery and what their requirements are. then find a bariatric surgeon. they will guide you from there. my insurance requires me to lose weight (10%) first and since i don't have any comorbidities i'm don't know if i will get approve. if not i am heading to mexico (it's going to cost about the same as my copay for surgery here anyway), that's how serious i'm about being at a healthier weight and prevent my family's medical problem from becoming my own. weight loss has been shown to significantly improve morbidity/mortality. you may end up having to take less pills everyday for blood pressure and even require none at all. good luck with everything.

AMEN!!!!, i couldn't say it better myself. i'm the 'fat' older sister and i have 2 sisters both normal size (size 8). one of them is supportive because she sees how unhappy i am, the other one feels that i shouldn't have the surgery, mostly because of fear of complication and because i "look good" eventhough i'm morbidly obese (whatever, she don't have to shop for clothes for me). the one that's not 100% on the idea still want to be there for me to take care of me post op. as of right now i've decided not to tell my parents and rest of family.

that's good to hear and i feel the same way but insurance companies will do whatever they have to do not spend money. it's frustrating, trying to get documentation for weight for at least 5 years (i'm awful about going the doctors) unfortunately my bmi is usually 39.9,obese enough to be unhealthy but not enough to satisfy the insurance companies.

i called my insurance company (i have bc/bs) but they did not have a clear answer for me. i don't have any medical problems which i am so happy for (i come from a family of hypertensives and diabetes). i don't want to wait till i have more problems. i have the opportunity now and i want to seize it. i'm about to turn 34 in april and want to be a healthier me. I have 3 more pounds to lose then i'll see my primary care and get her to fill out my paperwork and i guess i will find out then. thanks guys for your responses

hey sheila.. i'm an ob/gyn and when i tell my friends and family i want to have bariatric surgery most people say the same thing "you're not big enough" "just eat right and exercise". regarding the tubal at the same time of surgery, it is possible but you may end up with more incisions since the sleeve ports are in the upper abdomen. i went to the surgeon and my bmi is 40. i have bc/bs and with my insurance i have to lose 10% of my body weight. now i'm afraid that i won't qualify since my bmi will no longer be 40. i have 3 more pounds to lose. has anyone have experience with this? i have no medical problems (and i want to keep it that way).

it does take our mind longer to adjust to your new weight (when i had lost 70 pounds before, i would pass a store mirror and it would take me a second to realize that smaller person was me). sometimes in our mind we think by losing the weight we will have the tight body of a skinny 18 years and we get disappointed. if you are fitting into a size 4 and still see yourself as being fat it would be wise to see a counselor.

i believe it means that the insurance does cover bariatric surgery but you have to meet all the requirements for you to get coverage.