McButterpants

Sending prayers your way. ((hugs)), too!

OMG - I am so glad I found this thread. My PCOS was finally diagnosed last year by my 8th doctor. I'm on Meformin now, but would love to not take it any more. Glad I found this thread and know I'm not alone.

Here's my plan for Thanksgiving...Stay home and not go to my parents' house where everyone will be (they live 3 doors down from me). I will still be on liquids at that point (11/14 surgery date) or maybe on pureed foods. I think it will be better for me to to stay home and read and reflect - like a mental health day.

Penciled in for November 14th in Las Vegas! (I have a countdown ticker on my phone...6 weeks, 1 day, 21 hours and 46 minutes...but who's counting?)

What a transformation! Truly inspiring. Congrats and wishing you continued success on your journey.

Welcome back and congrats on the new date!

Backstory - going to Las Vegas from the northwest for surgery due to self-pay. I was feeling increasingly uneasy about the local team (doctor, nutritionist, & social worker) that I was working with for the past few weeks. Last week, I felt like the doctor was "mad" at me for choosing Dr. Umbach down in Las Vegas as opposed to going thru the insurance appeals process which is what he wanted me to do. I was very upfront with this team by telling them I was considering going to Dr. Umbach from the beginning. Quite frankly, I wasn't prepared for the roller coaster of appeals, rejections, appeals, rejection. I felt like I was ready to move on with surgery prep and my efforts we better spent doing that then spinning my wheels with insurance. I also have a very specific exclusion in my policy - basically anything weight related is not covered (behavior modification, pills, etc. - it's not covered). I felt really comfortable with my decision on going to Dr. Umbach. So, I told them last week that I was going with another doctor and since then, he has been really difficult. In retrospect, I think he was trying to make it hard on me to go elsewhere for the surgery - things like requiring Dr. Umbach to do the 2 week and 1 month post op visit, requiring me to make two trips back down to Las Vegas for follow ups. So, I contacted the other local hospital here which has a Weight Management department and was contacted immediately by their patient coordinator. She was friendly, upbeat and sounded more than willing to help me. I told her my dilemma and said the local after care is my biggest concern. I need a good group of people here locally to help ensure my success. She said she would talk to the doctor and would call me back. I was like, "yeah, she'll call me back at the end of the week" About 20 minutes later she called back and said, "The doctor would love to work with you. Can you come in this afternoon to meet her?" I arrived at their office and was welcomed - literally welcomed with open arms. I met with the doctor for about 30 minutes - she's very nice, asked me a lot of questions, explained the surgery and said she would do the 2 week and 30 day follow up as long as I don't have a drain. Then I met with the patient coordinator and she was equally as fantastic. I am so relieved. My husband saw a difference in me when I got home - he said, "You feel really good about them don't you?" It was really like a weight was lifted. It's one less thing I have to worry about.

I want to...(in no particular order) Walk into a room and not worry or think about if I'm the fattest one there. Feel attractive. Have the energy to be a mom that can do active things with her son - maybe embarrass him by breaking out into a river dance in front of his friends.. Take the 3 mile uphill hike up to the lake. Run. Run with wild abandonment. Have my picture taken - there has to be some documented proof that I existed. Smile. A lot. I have a lot of time to make up for. Shop for clothes in the Misses section, not in the plus department that has the worse selection and prints that look like they belong on a 1970's vintage couch or window covering. (Sore spot, obviously) Sit in a chair and not worry that the creek I'm hearing is the chair asking for help or a warning it's going to break. Sit in a booth...comfortably. Have my wedding rings fit comfortably and not look like they are forced on a Breakfast sausage. Take a walk without fearing some smart ass kid isn't going to yell something out the window of his car at me like "Speed up!" "It's going to take more than a walk!" Not fear seeing old friends. Be proud of myself. OK - that's enough for now.

I don't drink tea - I'm a coffee gal - have been looking for some to try. Any suggestions?

Sending positive vibes and virtual hugs your way for tomorrow! Keep us posted on your progress!

My son turned 14 this month - I don't think he's mature enough to go thru this with me. I agree with the other folks that posted - I would do it alone before I brought him into this. I would worry about "IF" something went wrong. That would stay with him for the rest of his life. The juice isn't worth the squeeze on this one, in my humble opinion.

Thanks for the reply, Chris. We about a week apart on our tentative surgery dates! I'm worried about the coffee (as I sit here with my second cup)! I plan on starting to cut back this week and maybe switch to hot green tea or something like that. I'm going to ween myself off the java. I hope this upfront work we are doing will make the recovery and subsequent diet changes easier. Good luck!

I don't go to the grocery store nearest my house for fear I will run into someone I know. I won't return a facebook message of a friend I haven't seen in 15 years because she wants to get together for coffee and I'm embarrassed by what I've become. (My rational mind knows she will NOT judge me.) I won't shop at the mall to shop for clothes - I only shop on line. I have no pictures of myself in the past 15 years - I am always the one taking the picture so I don't have to be in the picture. I felt the same way about my husband until we sat down and had an honest conversation about my weight for the first time in ....well, ever. I told him I can't believe he finds me attractive and would want to touch me. I was wrong and let's just say, things in that department have been much, much better in the past couple of months. It was MY hangup, not his. Stay strong! Believe in yourself.

I'm doing this for my family - I want to be there for my son now and do things with him and I want to grow old with my husband. I am doing it because I'm exhausted. I've tried, tried and tried again to lose weight "conventionally". I am doing this because I see a future that doesn't appeal to me - diabetes, joint pain, a sedentary lifestyle, difficulty doing the most mundane tasks around the house. (I see this because my mother is living it right now - I don't want to.) Am I scared - heck yeah I'm scared. But I'm committed to making myself better. I wish you luck in your journey - I know it's a tough decision. You'll know what is right for you.

I heard the pain pump is awesome because it localizes the medicine rather than other delivery methods, like pills. I think my doc uses a pain ball or something like that (I may have the name wrong) - i can't find the thread. It slowly deflates and releases the medicine directly into the abdomen. Better living thru chemistry is motto when it comes to pain!

Sending positive vibes your way! Congrats. Keep us posted on how things go tomorrow.

Inspiring! Thanks for sharing your pics!!!!!

I am traveling to Las Vegas for my surgery. The hubby and I plan on staying there for about a week after surgery (maybe two depending on requirements of local doc for sign-off - another story completely...ugh). We are staying in a condo, so we will have all the comforts of home...sort of! :-) My son is going to stay with my parents regardless of how long we're gone.

Best of luck to you the hubby tomorrow! Keep us posted.

Beauty29 - Wow - 4 days away. Awesome! Best of luck to you. Thanks for your tips! Keep us posted on your progress!

Hi, all. I'm just over 6 weeks from my surgery date (11/14/13). I'm wondering what you pre-sleevers are doing to prepare yourself for the pre-op liquid diet, post-op diet, and general preparations. Any post-operss with the helpful hints would be appreciated as well! I'm starting to exercise (walking and planning on starting back at the gym), I'm trying different shake varieties and flavors, I'm eating smaller meals and I'm working on getting my home office cleaned up (for some reason that's important to me). Thanks!

Hey there, Cyster! I'm about 7 years older than you, but your history is similar to mine. I was finally diagnosed with PCOS just last year - apparently telling every doctor you've ever been to you have never had a regular period (maybe 3 a year - one doctor actually said "that would be nice"), you've been gaining weight consistently since age 18, etc. didn't warrant a proper diagnosis. So, welcome to the forum and good luck with your journey. Imagine yourself being able to play with that little jelly bean baby of yours. I have a 14 year old son and my hope is that when I'm done with surgery my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Take good care.

How inspiring! You look great. What a transformation in 7 short months. Congrats!

Beautifully written! Sending positive vibes your way for your surgery on Tuesday. Please keep us posted on your healthy, new, fabulous life! Take care.

Sending ((hugs)) your way.