cmf1267

Good luck to you - my date is Nov. 6. I'm starting a more high protein diet tomorrow and trying to get to the gym daily up until Nov. 6.

Glad you're comfortable with "coming out" I told the family and friends I wanted to tell. My friends are very supportive. My sister's - not so much. But they will keep their mouths shut and try to support me. they know it's my decision. Good luck with the sleep study. I'm not a fan, hope your's is better than mine was!!

Good luck with your surgery. I'm hoping to have surgery around the same time (end of Sept-mid Oct.). I am looking forward to looking good in my clothes, wearing skirts or dresses to work, hoping I'll be able to wear shorts & sleeveless shirts next summer (hoping not too much excess skin on my legs & arms, plan to do a lot of weight training to combat). Just feeling better physically and hopefully mentally!!!

To anyone whose post-op. Does the head hunger subside after the 1st month? Does the surgery in the first month help you combat it since you're still healing and can't eat much? Just wondering what to expect. thanks.

I haven't been told to lose any weight, but I've only had one meeting with the surgeon so far - I still have my psych eval which is scheduled for 8/28. Other than sending my file to insurance for approval I'm not sure what happens after that. I had 6 month medically supervised diet in 2010 so I'm not sure when I meet with the NUT. Anyway - I need to get my head in the right place and I want to start eating high protein/low carb and exercising regularly. I would like to get my weight down to about 225-230 before surgery.

I think most surgeons give their patients a goal weight to lose - but I don't think they actually expect you to hit that. I think they want to see that you tried and shrunk your liver. But I don't know because I've only had one appt. with my surgeon and he didn't say anything about losing weight so I'm wondering if that will come at a later appt.

Hi Tatylish - I didn't have to show that I lost weight - I just had to show that I tried. I had gone through a weight loss program in 2010 that was medically supervised (& cost a boatload of money) and I did lose about 30 pounds but I don't think there is a specific number you had to lose. Also - I heard that many insurances only require 6 months of weighins. So within the last 4 years just means that I had to show that I had tried a medically supervised weight loss program sometime from 2008-2012.

There's ppl on YouTube who said in their videos that they failed their psych eval and then got a 2nd opinion - passed and had the surgery & did very well. I wasn't told I had to see a psychologist (I think I actually made an appointment with a psychiatrist) I would think that your psychiatrist who has treated you for 12 years would be the authority on whether you would do well with surgery. Personally I think its more than ridiculous that after 1 session with a psychiatrist/psychologist that they can know you well enough to know whether you'd do well with surgery. Personally - I'd check with your insurance or your surgeon & see if you can use your own psychiatrist to do your eval. Good luck to you and I hope it all works out.

I thought one of the things Obamacare was supposed to address was that insurance companies were not allowed to use pre-existing conditions. Maybe that doesn't start until next year. I have BCBS of Michigan and it's one of the best insurance policies I've ever had. I still have to have my psych eval before I can submit to insurance for approval. However, I do know that my insurance did require 6 months of medically supervised weight loss within the last 4 years. Did you have to have that? Maybe that's why they are making you wait. If not - I'd appeal. Have you spoken to your insurance company or did you just get this info from your surgeons office. I'd call them myself and speak to someone at BCBS myself to get clarification and check into the appeal policy.

I'm only telling a couple of ppl before I have the surgery. But I know ppl will notice my weight loss & I've decided I will tell ppl the truth if they ask, and if they judge me that's their problem, not mine. I do think that the more that ppl choose to not tell - the more we stigmatize WLS and perpetuate the perception that WLS is bad and something to be ashamed of though. You are right though - it was definitely your decision to make whether you put it out there or not - I certainly don't plan on announcing it on FB (at least not until I get to goal, if then). That woman definitley is jealous. It would have been great though if you'd responded in kind - like yeah my surgery went really well and as you can see I'm already down 43 pounds. How's your diet going?

I've only told 3 ppl at work and they are soooo supportive, even offering to pick me up from the hospital or drive me to my EGD if I can't get a family member who can do it. I don't think I'm going to tell anyone else at work until after I have the surgery. I'm just taking 1.5 to 2 weeks vacation time. I had some problems with my one sister. I asked her if she would be able to drive me to my EGD if I needed it and apparently she thought I was opening this up for conversation and asking for her blessing (which I wasn't). We had a heated email exchange but now I think she's come around. My other sister - will support me even if she doesn't agree & she keeps it to herself. So I'm pretty lucky for that. Good for you though - that was a great comeback and you're right - she's probably never had anyone call her on her rudeness. Good for you & good luck with your surgery!!

I didn't think it was bad. I've watched 3 or 4. Actually it made me feel better knowing exactly what they are going to be doing!!

Are your shakes the RTD or is it powder. If it's powder that you blend I would suggest adding a chrystal light individual drink mix to your shake or some sugar free Torani Syrup (I like raspberry) and see if that helps.

Congratulations!!! You look great!

Good luck with the rest of your pre-op liquid diet & your surgery. I still have to get my psche eval on 8/28 & I think they can submit to my insurance company. Hope to have my surgery beginning of October. I'm so worried about the pre-op diet - I hear it's the worst part of the journey!! Good luck again.