CrazyJaney

Because the goal to weight loss surgery is weight loss. Untreated, moderate to severe sleep apnea causes high cortisol levels. High cortisol levels make weight loss harder. It's like only treating half the problem. And severe sleep apnea is often seen and treated in the hospital during and after a surgery such a gall bladder removal but outpatient diagnostics, like a sleep study, are needed to completely diagnose and treat. Severely obese patients often come to ICU post op for close observation after ANY surgery because of concerns with sedatives, narcotics in the presence of sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea can hinder healing at any level. For a physician to ignore addressing it, when he is performing WLS, would be less than thorough in my opinion.

I've had so many reasons for the sleeve. Pain every day, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, lymph edema and severe arthritis. But until this year, I only "thought" about it. In August, after hosting my 8 year olds birthday at a water park and having to ask other moms (even if they are my best friends who love me) to go down the big slides with the kids - that might have been the final. I started my work up in October. Hoping to be sleeved in Feb/March. Today, I watched my sister and niece teach my 8 year old to ski. I posted pictures on fb and childhood friend commented "you were such a great skier in our youth". And I was. It was joyful to see him take to it so easily but excruciating that I could only watch. It's been 25 years since I've been small enough to ski and even then, it was rough. I want that so badly again. My goal, one of many, is to ski in 2015.

There is an old saying (from AA, I think) that says "you know you're getting better when you piss people off". I think we are so ingrained in our roles with people (sometimes as the hero, the martyr, the fixer, the peacekeeper) that when we start to focus as much on ourselves as we did on others, they get pissed. I want for my life/health/happiness to be equal to my want for others life/health/happiness. Changing roles makes others uncomfortable.

Hi all! I'm in TN. Been a nurse 17 years. 14 of those in ICU, last 3 as a nurse manager of tele and ICU. I'm hoping to take 7-10 days off. Fingers crossed I'll get scheduled for end of Feb or early March. Worried about getting enough fluids in. Even though I'm not at the bedside, I still inhale my food, forget to pee, and don't drink near enough. Really hoping I can learn to fix all those bad nursing habits. Not telling many. I really don't want that kind of focus on my personal life.

Sorry for double post. iPad malfunction.

Absolutely gorgeous! Total inspiration!

You are gorgeous!!!!! Total inspiration!!

My last NUT appointment is Feb 14th. I'm doubtful I'll get through approval and on the schedule before March. I had my head set on Jan/Feb. feels like a defeat to wait til March. (Sigh). I'm in Nashville (dr.Williams at Vanderbilt).

Listen to Indigo. The thread "Uncomfortable truth" sorta changed my life. Well, that might be excessive.... But it certainly brought some clarity to this quest. This is about so much more than loosing weight. It's about they"why and how" of why we got here.

This is awesome. Thanks.

I'm preop and hoping for the end of February. Seeing Dr.Williams at Vanderbilt. Either of you have yours done at Vandy? I'm getting excited, just wish it was here now.

The all or nothing thinking is my biggest foe. Tonight, after a hard, kinda awful day at work I got stuck in the worst traffic (rush hour, holiday, etc). I was so thirsty. I started thinking about how my job lends itself to self abuse. I never stop to pee. I inhale my food. I run from one emergency to another. I listen to and fix other peoples problems ALL DAMN day. It's my job. I signed up for it. But I'm sitting in traffic, thinking about how I think maybe a career change is in order- how little I prioritize time, energy for myself and I start to think how thirsty I am. And how Arby's is just RIGHT there. And how one coke wouldn't hurt , and hell, while I'm being "bad" wouldn't a Beef N Cheddar taste so good after this really, really crappy day????? Like, surgery is still 3 months away - why would it hurt to have a delicious Beef N Cheedar? Right? And then I resisted. I drove past Arby's and their deliciously BAD food, and I felt the thirst. I sat it the car and thought about thirst. What it physiologically means. What it's telling my body. And I told myself "YOU CAN DO THIS". And I drove through more traffic and past many more fast food places, and I finally made it home (2hours later). And I made my dinner, scanning every content into MFP. And I survived. So I'm going to Celebrate that one small victory because that voice in my head that says "go ahead, that's not a big deal in the scheme of things" is NOT. MY. REAL. VOICE. And I'm not listening to it anymore. The End. PS: I don't know how I could embark on this endeavor without this safe place. Truly, thank you.

Kinda liked being pecked to death by a flock of geese! Fast Food is,has always been, my downfall.

Thank you both for some much needed inspiration!! I'm in the waiting for approval phase. Trying to get used to small portions, taking vitamins, getting my head wrapped around it. You both look fabulous! I can't wait to look AND feel better.

Ugh. I've worked at the same hospital for 23 years. Hospital employees have zero filter. Especially night shift. I have gotten sidetracked from the frank feedback in the past. I'm preop, have lost about 15 pounds and I've already had a few notice. When I was in my 20's and had a lot less to lose, I did Jenny Craig and lost 42 pounds. I had people I had never talked to comment on my weight. They think you should feel thrilled they noticed. I just wanted to say "MYOB and stop looking at me, you don't even know me!" Night shift takes a huge toll on your body. Mixed with nutritional deficits (if that's the case) could really do a number. Rest! Take a sick day to sleep and eat well. And then tell them to get back to work!!!! When I start loosing, I'm gonna make myself look too busy to chat. Hopefully that will fend some off. There are some great threads in other forums with some good comebacks. I wish you strength!!!!

HW 325. CW 311.1. Having a hard time trying to determine a goal weight. It's been so long since I've weighed a normal weight. At first I said 160. Then, after realizing I can be successful with a sleeve, probably beyond my wildest dreams, I'm going for 140. Anyone else having trouble figuring out how to determine goal????

Per the check list my MD group provided, if I am able to check off each item, and I'm certain I can, I'll be approved. But, anything is possible I suppose. Fingers crossed! I won't submit til Feb. nervous but mostly optimistic right now. . Thank you for your input!!!!

I saw that tonight too. I think it'd be a gamble to not take them after wls. I know from experience that when severe PMS hits, extra B vitamins make a big difference in how I feel. I'm still waiting for the Biotin to kick in and help my thin nails that were ruined by gel nails. I also pray it helps fend off hair loss after I'm sleeved. .

BEST. THREAD. EVER. Now that's what I'm talking about! The practical applications of the benefits of weight loss!

I have told a few close friends. I work in a hospital. Nurses truly are as gossipy as TV makes them look (in general). There are many who will be happy and proud of me. Some who will love me no matter what. And others who will enjoy making me feel uncomfortable. And a few waiting for me to fail. There are so many emotions that go all along with this. I'm not fully ready to be an open book. Down the road, I'm sure people will wonder. And I'd hope to inspire some (as I've been inspired by so many here on this site), but I need time to process without too much feedback. It's been a turning point (in a bad way) for me in the past when I've lost a lot of weight. I'm hoping I handle the feedback better this time. I will say that being older (45) has an advantage. It's much easier to not care what others think. I love all the comebacks here! I especially like the "why are you so interested in what I do". Again, making unwanted comments about coworkers relating to their physical traits is a no-no. Less is best at work unless someone is a true friend (not just a coworker).

I thought Aetna required a BMI of over 40 or a BMI under 40 with 2 co-morbids. But by reading this thread, it sounds like it was more complicated than that.

I have Aetna and a BMI of 50 with sleep apnea, hypertension and arthritis. I'm still doing my 90 days (it just started officially because of a scheduling snafu). I was sure I would be easily approved but now I'm worrying after reading this! To come all this way and not be approved would be so heartbreaking. I have Aetna through Vanderbilt univ med center which is where I'm having surgery. I'm hoping that might help. Did anyone with Aetna and a higher BMI get approved easily??? I thought the higher BMI might help? Best of luck tomorrow! Sending good thoughts!!!

I'm so inspired by everyone's stories. I'm curious though, about how successful those Pear Shaped post ops have done. I've always been very disporportioned with more junk in the trunk than most. I also have severe varicose veins and lymph edema that has been there, even when I was a normal weight (3rd grade???). I definitely inherited "thick legs" which improve with weight loss diets but not much. If I've lost 40 pounds before, it's usually in my face, breast and waist. The swelling and pain in my legs is better from diuretics but I don't see it ever getting tons better. Would love to know how others have done. A success story would really give me the extra confidence that this is the right thing. There are so many benefits of massive weight loss that, even if I never lose my tree trunks, it will still be better than what I have now (pain and worsening mobility). I see so many before and after pics but everyone had shapely legs to begin with. Just curious if there is a difference in what to expect in regards to # lost?

"Problem with nosey co-worker". Look for it under general forums. Lots of good thoughts, stories. It's no ones business. I hate being under a microscope.

I'm preop and feel 100% the same. There are some good threads on this. Wish I could remember the title but if I can find it, I'll repost.