SuchaPrettyFaceBUT

So I've done all the research (ok granted maybe a little too much) and I'm about 2 months out from my surgery date (April 15) and technically I'm still pending insurance approval but I'm taking all the steps and going through the process full steam ahead. I've definitely gone through a roller coaster of emotions since starting this journey, and I still get mixed emotions everyday. But I guess where im at now is the "fear" stage. I'm constantly thinking about complications, leaks, structure, infection, etc. I'm spending hours researching horror stories of things gone wrong and the aftermath of complications. I realize that with any surgery there are always risks and one must decide of the benefits will outweigh the risks. I guess that's the point I'm at now. I'm a lower bmi. I'm 31 years old, 238lbs and bmi of 37. I have a about 80lbs to lose to be considered at a healthy weight for my height. But I also have high blood pressure (for about 3 years controlled by medicine) and high cholesterol. My weight history has shown a consistent failure at conventional weight loss attempts and I progressively gain 8-10 lbs a year. So my fear is if I DON'T get the surgery I could end up weighting 50lbs more in 5 years. I know that this surgery is the answer (and I know it's not the "easy way out" and it takes work and the surgery is just a tool). I guess I'm just scared. Scared about the surgery itself and complications, leaks. AmI alone in this? Has anyone ever talked themselves out of the surgery before they hit the table? Is anyone else scared?

Hi Erin. I'm scheduled for April but when I read your post I related to everything you were saying so much I feel as though I was reading my own thoughts.

Wow sounds like you are having a great recovery!! I can only pray for a similar one. How much time did you take off from work? I'm only planning on taking 1 week and I'm getting nervous that its not going to be enough. I'm a graphic designer so I just sit at a desk all day. I'm still pending insurance approval but schedule for surgery on April 15.

Oh my, shorts?! I can't remember the last time I even ATTEMPTED to put on a pair of shorts! I sort of forgot they existed...there's something to look forward to!

Thank you everyone for the reassurance. I'm very thankful for this forum and each and every one of you

technically im just taking a week of vacation for the surgery so im not taking medical leave or anything. i was told by a friend that whenever you submit a claim to insurance, the insurance company sends it to the company. Like i said we are a very small company so it wouldnt be hard to figure out that its me.

will my boss find out that im doing the surgery through my insurance company? Im nervous that even if i dont tell her, she will find out through the insurance company submitting the paperwork or claim through my company? Perhaps i will start a new forum topic about this.

So pretty much the only person im NOT telling is my boss. I work in a very small company, only about 10 employees, so i know it will be hard to hide the surgery. However, Im pretty close with all of my coworkers except for my boss. She is very judgmental and makes snarky comments all the time about inappropriate topics. So for now i just don't want her to know because i don't want to hear "you don't need surgery you can do it on your own" and "why would you do that to yourself" etc. Or every time a piece of food enters my mouth "are you supposed to be eating that?!" all said with attitude.

So my question is, if i just take a week of vacation and not say anything about the surgery, will my boss find out anyway though my insurance company? Ive heard through the grapevine that especially in small companies that the insurance company submits it and my boss will know. Is this true? Is there a way i can ask my insurance company NOT to submit it to my company?

I was actually commenting on several posts. Sorry if I didn't communicate my thought better. No harm intended. Someone else used the anyone that will listen but what I what I was trying to get at is that several posters who chose to tell lots of folks seem to like to use the term "I'm not ashamed" as though those who chose not to share are and I don't think that is the case for most.

You are so right when you say everyone should do what they want. There really is no right or wrong answer just different opinions and that is what we are here to share.

I find it very helpful and informative to see so many different opinions' date=' including yours. All of us here are on the same journey, just taking different paths. [/quote']

thanks best of luck to you!

I'm nervous but excited. Sometime I feel like its so soon and other times I wish it was tomorrow. I'm still doing a lot of research and trying to self educated as much as possible. I'm also still going through the steps got insurance and preop clearance but as of now I'm scheduled for April 15.

I'm nervous but excited. Sometime I feel like its so soon and other times I wish it was tomorrow. I'm still doing a lot of research and trying to self educated as much as possible. I'm also still going through the steps got insurance and preop clearance but as of now I'm scheduled for April 15.

Why does not telling everyone who will listen equal being ashamed? Just asking...

I didn't say I'm telling anyone that will listen and I'm not saying that not telling people makes you ashamed. You completely took my words out of context. Every single person has the right to do whatever they want.

I' date=' for some reason, feel like people are ashamed to tell more people about having WLS. It is not something to be ashamed of. Clearly people every day see us all overweight, struggling in our daily lives in one capacity or another. I, for one, am shouting it from the roof tops that I am making the biggest change of my life and getting on the road to a healthier me. I feel like people are either being phony or they are just too ashamed or afraid to open up and be honest about what is going on. Yes, some people are going to say negative things about you getting WLS, but SO WHAT. I have faced the same thing and just had to show them that I do not care what they think; I am going to do what is best for me and for my health. This surgery is going to be a life changer and it is going to bring back my vision.

I went to a support group a few weeks ago and people there were telling stories of how they would tell their friends and family that they had been working out more and changed their diets up when asked how they had lost so much weight. Why lie? Where is that going to get you? I would rather be honest and show them that I made a choice that I can stick with for life. Honesty has always been the best policy and I see no need to change that just to meet another human being's expectations of me.

My cousin, who was my babysitter growing up, just had WLS a little while ago. Our family treats her no differently than they do anyone else. At family gatherings they do not molly coddle her about what she eats or worry over whether or not they need to put certain foods away. Why would they? If you are willing to put your body through this surgery, you should be willing to have the will power to abstain from eating the foods or portions you know your body can't have. She is my surgery role model. I am so ecstatic that she is such and that we have such a supportive family behind us.

I'm sorry if this is offensive to anyone. I am tired of being "that girl" who let weight define her and keep her quiet for so long. All my life I have kept my opinions to myself because I wanted people to like me or be my friend, but now, I don't care anymore. I am shouting it out from the roof tops. Weight loss surgery is about to change my life forever![/quote']

Good for you! I agree 100%. I have told everyone except for work so far and only because I haven't scheduled the time off yet. But I agree, I refuse to be that girl that lets weight define her any more. Nothing to be ashamed of!

I'm scheduled for April 15 pending insurance approval and preop clearance. Excited but nervous. My surgeon is not requiring me to do a preop liquid diet but I'm thinking about trying a few days here and there of liquids only just to see if I can do it and to try and make the post off diet transition a little easier.

Thanks for this thread. I'm scheduled for April surgery but lately Ive been doing so much research in complications and problems that I'm scaring myself out of it. It is reassuring to be reminded that so many people DONT have problems and it reassures me that I'm making the right decision. Thanks and best of luck with your continued success!

Hi, I met with my surgeon for the first Time this past week and I'm scheduled for surgery in April ( pending insurance approval). One thing that caught me by surprise is that he said there is no preop diet required before surgery. This surprised me because in the extensive research I've done I find it common that you are required to go on either a 1 week or 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery. He said no this isn't necessary and that I can eat normally up until the night before my surgery. I said this surprised me and he said that there is no real reason to do the preop diet and that they have never required it and never had an issue. This totally surprised me. He said its really the surgeons preference and there is no evidence to support that a preop diet makes a difference. Anyone else NOT required either? I was almost looking forward to the preop liquid diet as almost a transition to the 2 week post op liquid diet, to make the Segway easier. I'm nervous that post op will be difficult to do a 2 week liquid diet after surgery cold turkey. Thoughts?

geez at this point im almost nervous about having the surgery done in the states. it seems more people go to Mexico than the us.

Can i ask though, if your insurance did cover it, and you felt you had a good surgeon, would you still opt for Mexico or would you stay in the states?

I never even considered Mexico as again my insurance covers and i have found a local surgeon but after reading all this im wonding if mabye i should start researching mexico?

wow im blown away at how many responses i got so quickly being as this was my first ever post (im hoping the first of many). Thank you! Im excited to be part of this community and i thank you all for your responses and support.

Im sorry that so many people have such a hard time with their insurance companies. Just to give you a little background on me, im 31 female, BMI of 38 with high blood pressure (on medication), and high cholesterol. I approached my general physician and he was really supportive about the surgery (i asked him about Lapland and he actually suggested the sleeve) and referred me to a surgical group. I called to have it pre approved with my insurance, i have Horizon BCBS NJ and they said as long as i have all the medical supporting documents from my doctor, that it is fully covered. All that i will have to pay is my surgery deductible which is $2500 and any copays etc.

I dont want to jump the gun or anything, like i said my first consult appoint is this Thursday, but i guess im "one of the lucky ones" that my insurance will cover it. (that is if i dont get denied, im assuming they will require me to do the standard 6 month supervised diet).

I didnt even begin to think that would be the reason that so many people would look at Mexico as an option but now it all makes sense. But with the cost being so high and uncompromising insurance companies, i can understand why people would look at Mexico as a solution.

I wish everyone the best of luck and i apologize in advance for asking the 45837 questions that im sure are to follow as i continue on this journey with all of you.

I'm new to the forum and to WLS in general. I've attended a few free seminars and I have my first consult with a surgeon on Thursday. While I'm 98% positive I'm going to go forward with the sleeve surgery (pending approval) I'm still researching and trying to learn as much as I can about it in general. I'm noticing that quite a few people are getting the surgery done in Mexico. I'm wondering why? Is there an advantage with going out of the country (USA) for the surgery?