becksnky

That's what worries me too. I am very "flabby" and have been overweight for 40 years. I am 56 years old. I know that I will look terrible. It is a scary thought!

Takingbackcontrol, thanks for starting this post. You, as well as many of you here, sound so much like me. I haven't had surgery yet, just in the deciding mode. I have contemplated this for over a year, gone through classes, etc. I am 56 and weigh 235. I know that I will be a slow loser too. I am also self pay. I just keeping thinking, why can't I just lose 60 lbs on my own and save 12K, cause I really can't afford it. Or find a job that has insurance to pay for it. These things keep going through my mind. Just scary. Or are these just excuses not to face my food addiction?

It must feel amazing to be under 200. I am still contemplating surgery and have been for over a year. I weigh 235 now but I have weighed as much as 278 in the past. I have been over 200 for at least 34 years. I am 56 now. Just wish I could get to the point to go through with the surgery. So much fear.

Congratulations. I am 56 and just now thinking about doing it. I wish I had been able to do this years ago. You have a fantastic life ahead.

So your insurance is paying for part of it? I called them and they quoted me a different price. Their website says 10,900 I believe.

Congratulations. You will have to let us know your experience.

Did you have a good experience?

I haven't seen anyone going to Dr. Alvarez for surgery recently. have I just missed it or is there a reason? I have been considering going to him for surgery. Thanks.

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Also, does anyone know what his self pay price is?

May be looking at a job at Parkland hospital in Dallas. Just wondering if their insurance covers WLS? Thanks.

Someone once said on this forum something that has stuck with me. She said she didn't make alot of money (only about 15K/year) and she paid for her surgery with a credit card. She said we always need more money but money is just money. The health benefits and changes to your life is what counts.

Fyre--

I've been lurking around on this forum awhile, your posts are so funny.... love reading them. Can't wait to see your man wigs.

It sounds as if they are beginning to envy your success. And may not know how to handle the changes they see in you. You could just blow it off or reply with something like' you better get with it then, cause I am ON FIRE! " Just pat yourself on the back for your accomplishments, Good luck!

I know how you are feeling too. I started this journey back in the summer but have been thinking about WLS for years. I was VERY excited in June when I started my first informational class, followed up by the nutritional classes, work ups, etc. I have had so many surgery dates, missed opportunities etc. and just keep backing out. I can't bring myself to follow through. I wish I had never started reading so much. After I found this forum, I have been on here daily, ready peoples stories, and finding out how hard it is. It doesn't sound like it is a "piece of cake". No pun intended. I didn't expect it to be, but it sounds worse that I expected, and it has prevented me from following through. Keep your goals in mind. I hope you are stronger than I have been.

Oh and also, you can get an IUD if you have never had kids. I would recommend the Mirena. Decreases or eliminates periods, lasts for 5 years. The ParaGard (copper IUD) lasts for 10 years, but can lengthen your period and cause more cramping. Some people end up getting these removed due to spotting between periods as well.

As a OB/GYN health care provider, I can tell you that the Implanon that you are using is fine if you are happy with it. It does have a small risk of weight gain, about 10 lbs over a 3 yr period. The only method I would NOT recommend would be the DEPO. It alters the way carbs are metabolized and can really put weight on. Increases appetite as well. The NuvaRing is excellent and would be a great choice as well Does not matter if you are obese. If you know you are not a reliable pill taker, then don't even consider. You do need to find a new PCP.

I am preop and all this scares the heck out of me. I hate the thoughts of having this surgery only to fail, gain the weight back. I know it is a real possibility and for me, I haven't been sucessful in any diet. I love to eat and food tastes SOOO good. I am really scared about the future. I do realize you must change your way of life, eating habits, etc. That is what scares me.

Hello all. I am preop and hoping for surgery within the next month. I am an RN for 34 years and the last 10 of those years I have been an OB/GYN nurse practitioner. I am having all kinds of anxiety and emotions right now, as I know everyone has going into this surgery. I have thought about this for years but as it gets closer, fear is setting in. Yikes!!

Serenity,

Thank you. I was just informed that a few days ago by another patient and looked it up on the NC Medical Board website. You can as well. It is serious and worrisome. I haven't had surgery yet and will not be going to Dr. Heider. I had considered him because of his cost, as I am self pay. But this has just influenced me to go elsewhere. Good luck with your search. If you are self pay, I can let you know what I have found so far.

And by the way, I don't know how many of you had to have a PSYCH eval for your approval, but my psych eval was a joke. I thought it would address some of these issues. Discuss the issues of emotional eating, why and how did you get to be that way, ways to cope, etc. Nothing at all. Brief in and out. Just a waste of money. Jump through the hoops. Now the real work begins and yes, see a therapist.

Yes, very much so. I love food and I get more comfort and joy from food than anything else. I know that is sad, but true. I just pray that the hunger is gone and that somehow this works. I am commited to making it work because my friend (food) doesn't LOVE me anymore. Never has really.

I am pre op and have had the same questions. I love food, dining out is one of my favorite things to do. Nothing has ever given me the joy and comfort that food has. But it has also given me the most pain of all too. I have hated the way I look, it has taken a toll on my self esteem, my marriage, my ex husband actually left me because he wasn't attracted to me after I gained weight with the kids. It has hindered me in dating, feeling confident in my career, limited my mobility, contributed to my diabetes, sleep apnea and other aches and pains. For me to LOVE something so good, it sure hasn't loved me back. When you look at the reality of how obesity can affect your life, it is really a no brainer that you must do something if you have the opportunity to change it.

So there is a flip/flop stage? If so, I am surely in that stage. I had made the decision to have the surgery, been through the process and have a surgery date. NOW, I am unsure. Now I am questioning where to go for surgery. Thought I knew, but because I am self pay, thinking I should go to Mexico to save some money. My first choice was to go to Dr. Alvarez, which would save me about 2-3K. I had already found the most affordable place in the US. Wow, this process is agonizing!!

I am just like you. I already have a surgery date but I am wondering if I can go through with it. I am afraid of the complications, the discomfort of surgery and afraid that I won't lose much weight because I am in my 50's with a lower BMI. I don't want to go through all this for a small amount of weight loss. I am terrified. I can't do anymore research, I have researched til I can't anymore. I think I know TOO much. I was excited in the beginning until I started reading all these blogs about pain, discomfort, problems, etc. Now it's just making me think I should just go on a diet.