OnlyDownFromHere

Yeah the nexplanon works a lot like Mirena. Progesterone only, slowly released, lasts for years. The only difference is that it's not in the uterus. Nexplanon was not offered to me by my ob gyn. If it were, I probably would have done it. For now, I'm happy with my Mirena. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

My current therapist has worked with patients who have undergone surgery and have needed therapy during that but admittedly it's not her specialty. I like her for other reasons though. I'm not currently attending a bariatric support group as I am an evening and night worker and it always conflicts with work. So I've never been. Not sure if it would be much help though. I don't know where to find such a therapist. Obviously I overeat sometimes and have my own issues with food but I am working on that with my therapist... But I do not have an eating disorder. I'm not a binger, nor do I purge or starve myself at any time. Body issues? Sure. I have some serious reservations about being thin again (I was thin through childhood) but I know I have to do this before my health gets even worse and because I want to do certain activities again. But yeah, I don't know who else to go to. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

OP I forgot to add, you can still have thanksgiving dinners and nice times with food. Just not as much food. I am still pre op but have been struggling with insulin resistance for 5 years. I have been forced to give up carbs. Part of it is that I simply can't tolerate my metformin in high doses so carbs make me feel sick... I've cut back a lot. I'll eat m turkey (white meat) at thanksgiving with green Beans but will only have a single serving (1/2 cup) of mashed potatoes... No rolls or pie because I feel sick. And I can't have seconds of carbs. I can overeat turkey though, unfortunately. I anticipate I'll be cutting a lot more after surgery but honestly, what I'm doing now, it's not that bad. You get used to it. I think I like turkey more now! Things will be okay we will all adjust. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Yep, pretty much. Sadly, nothing in life is guaranteed. You have to give it your all but be prepared for the worst too. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

I'm always aware of the possibility that any relationship can end, any at all. That's just me. I've never felt "Oh we'll never ever break up and be together forever!" I was single before him and also had other relationships but felt fine in that I felt I could use my weight to "screen" guys. Any relationship has the potential to end and if mine did, I worry that I won't have my weight anymore to weedle out superficial men. That's really about it. I'm currently working it over in therapy but I feel like my therapist doesn't really know what to say. It's just one of those things I guess. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Thanks. I wasn't sure how well my thread would be received. Like you, I didn't care about being popular when I was younger. I still don't care about it now, really. It's a silly concept. I certainly don't thrive on male attention. I find men flirting with me now, when I have a boyfriend, gross and unwanted. I guess I worry, like, if I had to date, how would I weedle out the superficial ones? And you're right, bottom line, I'm not happy. For many reasons but my weight is a moderately big one. I know I won't be completely happy after the surgery but I will be at least somewhat happier when the weight is gone and I am healthy again. I've missed out on activities I used to enjoy. My boyfriend and I used to bike. Can't do that anymore! Can't ski. Or hunt with my father. He Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Just wanted to say, I've discussed this in therapy before. Not just here. I first looked into weight loss surgery in 2010. I needed it then too! At the time, I looked at the bypass. Thank goodness I didn't end up getting it because I feel the sleeve is better. Beside the whole dumping issue and the malnutrition issue, another big reason I opted not to have the surgery was because I was single and afraid to date again at a normal weight. Let me explain more. Fast forward to now, I am now in a relationship of over 2 years with my best friend of 7 years. We live together. Neither of us want children and I'm ambivalent about marriage but he wants to stay with me for life. He wanted to be with me when I weighed almost 240 at the time, and he was this 120 lb, thin, multi talented musician who could had good looking girls vying to date him, but he chose me. Now, at almost 290 lb, I am fully ready, mentally and otherwise, for surgery. I do not think if I were single, I could do this. I guess my worries are/were that I am disgusted with the idea of dating someone who wouldn't give me the time day now at my current weight. I know my boyfriend loves me now and will love me when I am lighter. He is not superficial. I fear if I get this surgery and were single or became single, I could never really date in confidence because I think any and all guys who give me attention at a lighter weight would have never looked my way at a heavier weight. I can't put into words how much it bothers me. I want to know that the person I'm with will love me at any size, in any condition, as I would them. I'm very thankful for my boyfriend and his love and his support. I have faith in our relationship but I do dread it not working on the because I don't know if I ever could trust anyone else to love me for me. Anyone else feel the same way? Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

I got and love it. I actually had no issues with the Pill but had to go off of for surgery. I'm pre op and got off of it well in advance. I also have PCOS. Can't comment on the fertility issue as I haven't tried because I don't want kids, ever! But my symptoms have been okay. I have seen an increase in acne but have managed to keep it down by changing my skin care regimen. No biggie. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

You had one chocolate. That's a good thing not a bad thing. I almost think it's better to have one tiny piece and feel satisfied than to never have any at all. Everyone is going to be exposed to foods they want but it's beat to have a morsel and be fine with that then to actively avoid and either make yourself miserable or binge later. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

I have not been diagnosed with GERD but I suspect I have it. I had to go for a chest xray 2 months ago because I aspirated my vomit in my sleep. I've been taking PPIs ever since. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Anyone else have it? I have it through my employer. Getting the surgery at the same hospital I work at too. I am meeting with the surgeon in a couple months but I'm told already by the PA that I shouldn't have any problems, by the looks of it. I didn't have to lose weight. I'm 43 BMI, age 23, with a couple comorbidities. My cholesterol is high, my LDL is high, I have insulin resistance. They made me have at least 5-6 weigh ins, which I have done already. I guess I'm worried about history. My PCP wrote my letter stating I have over 5 years of being obese. I have maybe 3 years documented at that one hospital of me being at least 37 (37 was my lowest, mostly been 40+) BMI with my comorbids, but I didn't see a doctor much in college, but I was obese that whole time. Thoughts? Also wonder if age would be an issue. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Butterflyhigh, From what I've read, you can still drink a little wine 1+ year post op but not everyday, just very occasionally, and not a whole glass. I drink only very occasionally and don't intend to give up alcohol completely. Vix, Yeah insulin resistance is usually cured when you lose a lot of weight. The thing is, it's hard to lose weight when you're insulin resistant. Catch 22 right? I have no doubt that insulin hunger has contributed to my weight today, although it's definitely not the sole cause. It's hard though because the one symptom I can't stand is nausea. If something makes me nauseous a few times, like a food, I'll never want to eat it again. Sadly, it has made it so I am not compliant with any Metformin dose over 500mg. I've never been able to get through the sweating, shakes, and nausea that I feel on that dosage. But metformin has not caused me to lose much of any weight anyway. I can't wait to kick this insulin resistance. For me it's truly the worst part of PCOS. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

I like that... food being a friend, not a lover. When I was younger, before I got really big, I used to love Lean Cuisines. I'd eat one and be done, maybe a little fruit. I want to get back to that. It sucks being hungry a lot of the time. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Yeah I can't believe it's all coming together! When do you meet with your surgeon? Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Nutritionist just approved me!!!! I meet with the surgeon in August. Later than I would have liked, but I am still happy. I have BCBS through my employer and the bariatric PA says I shouldn't have a problem. Psych eval? Done. BMI is 43 and I have one comorbidity (insulin resistance) because I have PCOS. Nutrition is done. PCP letter is done. Had my Mirena put in for birth control (got off the pill). Oh god oh god oh god. I'm finally going to be healthy! BTW my nutritionist said my triglycerides (118) were very, very good and she rarely sees them that good in pre-op patients. She says it shows that I am doing well with limiting my carbs. I have been been eating rather low-card for about 3 years now so that made me feel really good.