TrophyWife

I think that is awesome and I am so getting me one. Thanks for sharing, and if it empowers you, go for it.

So I had my gallbladder out about 9 years ago and weightloss is one of the things that can cause an increase in attacks. I had lost about 35lbs and was having attacks daily, even when I only ate small amounts. Mine was done quickly because my gall bladder had died and was causing an infection. Best surgery I ever had. I can feel your pain. Nothing like it in the world. It doesn't surprise me that so many here have suffered from this considering what brings us all here. My specialist also told me that rarely once you have started having attacks, can they be controlled long term without surgery. Im really glad I did it and just wish I hadn't suffered so long. Good luck and wish you a quick resolution.

I read a book recently and I highly recommend it to anyone having surgery or thinking about surgery. It made me reevaluate my reasons for deciding to have surgery and also think about things I had not considered about the way the people in my life would react. It is called (I believe) " Emotional First Aid for Bariatric Surgery" It was a really great read and opened the door to some great discussions with my husband and children. I too have also chosen to tell only my husband, children and two close girl friend about my surgery. My husband is also having the surgery and has chosen to only tell same people. We are doing this for us and for our lives.

You are seriously messing with your hormones losing that much weight in such a short amount of time. Every time one of your little fat cell dies it dumps estrogen into your system and yep here comes aunt flo. It will level out over time. I have dealt with this before. Birth control may help and you should talk to your doc about it. It is awesome and sucks at the same time.

I lost over 107 lbs several years ago and after an injury and depression and lack of support from weight loss plan regained about 80 lbs before deciding on surgery. My PCP has been so compassionate and helpless in helping me get a handle on my weight regain. I had already decided and started on qualifying for surgery before I told her. She knew nothing of VLS, but is so excited and supportive of the process and eager to learn more. I may have a hang up with insurance but she will be my ace in the hole if I need her. If I could have lost the weight the old fashion way I would have. It was a lot of work, but I felt so strong and confident and when I gained it back I felt defeated and weak. I don't want to feel like that one more minute. I am taking back my life and making a decision that will give me the support and best chance of success. Good luck and own your life!

If you go to the gym you can use the thigh press, but if you have a small beach ball of exercise ball, put it between your knees squeeze your knees together and hold (5 count) and repeat. Do 2 or 3 sets of 8. My trainer had me do these when I started working out years ago. It is easy to do at home any or several times a day. Hope this gives you something to start with.

I have Aetna also and I too am very impatient, but frankly I realized quickly how many things I needed time to organize my life before I do this. I have to arrange time off work, gut my kitchen, get back to journaling my food and getting back to exercising regularly. I also realize that I should probably finish some projects at home that I may not have the energy after. I have been grateful for the extra time.

So I will give you a brief history of my situation and hope someone can offer any advice and support. So about 5 years ago I decided I wanted to consider surgery, but it seem rather drastic considering that I had never "really" tried to lose weight. So I made a deal with myself that I would join WW and do my very best to lose weight than if that was not successful would consider surgery. Well long story short I weighed in at my first meeting @ 314 lbs. OMG! and started the program. Over the next 18 months through much sweat and tears lost 107 lbs. I hit a plateau and was very frustrated after about 6 months of not getting any support through my group so decided to do what I had wanted to do for a long time and joined a running team and over the next year did 2 full marathons and 3 halves and really didn't think about a plateau even though I never lost anymore weight. Well I ended up injuring my foot, due to the fact that I was doing marathons and still over 200 lbs. Well I took some time off to heal and gained back a little then a little more and then became depressed about weight and gained a few more. Then had several family tragedies and gained a few more. Okay back story told here is my frustrated. I decided back before Christmas that it was time to have surgery and take my life back before I weighed 300lbs again. On my first appt. I weighed in at 279lbs and a 46 BMI. Well I am prediabetic, still suffering from foot and knee pain, but other than that no real health issues...yet. So I have completed all tests, physc. evaluation and am 1 month into my 3 month supervised diet required by insurance. So my case worker calls today and apparently the insurance company wants 2 years of medical records showing a BMI of 35 with medical conditions, or higher without and apparently my previous weight for that one year is low and might cause them to deny my surgery in April. Really? I've been heavy for 25 years and due to the fact that I had 3 years where I killed myself every day to stay not as fat it will keep me from being able to take my life back because Im not sick enough. So sad today and just feeling defeated. If anyone has been through this would appreciate feed back and sorry if this is badly written. Just got home from work and needed to unload so that I can sleep tonight. If you've been through this or anything similar please share and if Aetna was involved even better. I would just appreciate hearing that I should get a grip and everything will be fine.

Thanks for your info. I don't want to whine. It's just that everything has been going so smoothly. My husband and I are both having the surgery and I just don't want anything to keep that from happening.

I have Aetna also and just posted a post on my insurance frustration. Long story short. I lost some weight a few years ago and it dropped my BMI to 35 and after a injury gained back some of it and now am at 46, my highest is 51BMI. Well found out today that I am pre diabetic, and also may be denied because during my 2 years of weight history mine fell into the end of my lowest weight and shows that even though I have been heavy for 25 years, I currently have not be fat long enough...awesome. We're hoping to not get denied, because I have completed everything and have 60 days left of 3 month supervised diet. Im ready to go and this just makes me sick to my stomach. Hope everything goes well with your claim and it goes through will help raise my spirits

Mill Creek Washington, but I'm an Idaho girl too!

I am having surgery in April 2013 and I had gallbladder surgery about 8 years ago and the incision herniated. I had it repaired about 3 years ago with a large mesh patch. My surgeon took a look at my incision and said that it shouldn't be more than a 15 min. problem. He said surgery would take a little bit longer as they would be planning on encountering scar tissue, but shouldn't be an issue. Hope that helps if it is still relevant.

Dr. Crouthamel is my surgeon also. i hope to have my surgery in April 2013. I have finished all tests and I am 1 month into my supervised 3 month insurance required diet. My start weight was 280 lbs and am down a few not sure how many. I have a scale issue so I have to limit myself to bi weekly weigh ins. My husband is also having the surgery. He has many health issues and this will be life changing for him. We are really excited. Would love to hear about your experience PNWJoyce.