DylanRae

Yeah that is not all that normal.. But hey! Get what you can get! It's really all dependent on when the docs and when Julie is available. All the things I had to do that is on my check list.. Which you will get after your phone appointment.. I did all of that in less then a week. I am super out about it. I first told my family, and some friends. And while some are more hesitant then others everyone is supportive. So, at school and work, and other aspects of my life I am not afraid to talk about it. I have met lots of friends of friends, who who ups strongly advise against it. I just smile and say, "fair enough, I know this is right for me." I hit them with kindness an they have no choice but to politely smile and walk away. I figure that there are a lot of people who are against tattoos yet I still have 11, and wear them proud. I'm considering WLS similar.. but being out is something that is easy for me. I'm out about everything... Why start being in the closet now. Also I am a very... Outgoing.. Bold 'in your face' sorta person.. So that helps. Being out is not for everyone. As long as you feel the love and support around you weather that is from this site, your husband, or your pet. If you feel good that's all that matters.

Yeah.. Well considering I started my conversation with Julie last December.. It's been a long time coming.. Although the dates are still far away, they get closer every day. Where are you at in your process now?

Yeah... Sorta, I have two more appointments. My psych eval and my orientation. Then I get my doc appointment and my surgery appointment. My orientation is in July, so I'm hoping surgery will happen by August. We shall see. thanks for asking! Dylan

As much as I know how important it is to have a partner who loves and supports us, I still can't help but to feel like we don't need to search for this support if we don't already have it. I believe that if you are single, then be single for a while. This is a huge change and not just in your appearance. Take some time to discover the you that had been hiding for so long. Your taste in partners might even change through this discovery. I know that this change is hard on your own, but remember that it is for YOU! I myself am in a poly, relationship. My primary has been on the fence about my surgery at best. He tries to stay positive around me, but I know how much he is really against my choice. It finally took me saying that there is no other option this is happening! For him to quiet down about it. I think that because he is so torn about his personal beliefs and his desire to support me it has put a wedge between us. Not a big one, but it's hard to talk to your partner about something that is so important when you know there are conflicting feelings. Overall, I tend to keep my mind open for more romantic relationships, but since the start of this journey, I have noticed that I don't pursue people nearly as much. Maybe because life is already to crazy, maybe because I want to figure out which partners will fit me after I lose half my weight. It is all scary, and of course there are a thousand other factors. Overall I believe that I you have care and love for yourself, it is much easier to convince someone else to care and love you too. Gotta believe in the product you are promoting! Dylan

That cool beans! I wanted to go there before I knew my insurance did not cover out of network... That clinic has so many amazing reviews! You will do great! Apparently dr Jeff landers who is the group health surgeon orriganally practiced at puget sound. that makes me feel a little bit better about my own surgery. While beggers can't be choosers, I have been losing faith in my GH care. But I'm sticking with it for now... At least until I'm well past my surgery date. Good luck! Keep us updated! Dilly

So while I have been learning about WLS, I have only been out about my decision in the last year. I have been in a lovely relationship during this time. I was doing online dating before, I'm not religious so C. Mingle, ect don't interest me. So you would find me on plenty of fish, and okcupid. Both I have had good and bad luck with when I used them. My mother found her life partner after two devorces on okc. But what I wanted to share, my current partner is close to lucwarm when it comes to my surgery. He loves me very much but can't help to slip on some comment like "just do the diet with out the surgery" this we have talked about over and over about already. I have a feeling that he will NOT Chang his feelings about me when I lose weight, but I worry that I will change my feelings when I lose weight. :/ My two cents.

Hey hey. Well for me, I started in December and hoped for a surgery by February ... The biggest thing that slows me down is waiting for space for appointments. I waited 2.5 months for my consultation appointment with Julie. ... Over the phone. FYI they say 30 mins but it's closer to 15. Very easy basic questions. Then she signs you up for the next available pre op class mine is 7-11.... In the mean time you do bunches of tests an blood work and other small appointments. You won't get a surgery date until after all things are completed which includes the class. Honestly I would be surprised if you got surgery in the next... Idk.. Maybe 3 months... It has almost been a full year for me. Not to discourage you, but be honest with you. Another reason why group health takes their time with it is because they want to make sure that you are truly ready for this life change. I got dined my first time round only because of the type of insurance I have. So I have been a constant bug in everyone's ear.... Not letting them forget that I am sooooo ready for surgery! All that insurance stuff is cleared up now, but still, I got most of my stud done within a week of getting my packet! packet is fun! Julie will tell you about it in your phone appointment. Yay GH people!!!! I'm going to be at the cap hill support group this coming month! Hope to see both of you their!? Dylan

So, yeah this has been a headache and a half. So many steps to get to surgery, I have lost track. But I know that now, I am to far up to be denied! All I have left is my psych eval, my pre-op class which is combined with my first nutritional appointment, then my actual pre-op appointment that will be one on one with my doctor! Literally 3 steps away from surgery! Unfortunately since they all are appointments... I do not have complete control over when they all happen. My pre-op class for example is scheduled for 7-11.... Gahhhh!!!!!!! So far away!!!!! My psych eval is sometime in May. And I won't get my pre op appt with my doc until a date has been chosen, which won't be chosen until after the class! Grrrrr "So close yet so far" has never ran so true to me then now! I have been working on this for 3 years!! I'm so ready to have surgery it's not even funny!!! and I know I'm annoying the hell out of my doctors and staff because I keep asking if there is any way then can set me up sooner! I know they are doing their best.. But I still wanna trip someone so I can get to my surgery sooner! And I'm totally not a mean person. I'm just so ready! Grr.

I'm here.

Hello, I have pcos, and am pre-diabetic with no other diagnosis... Weight related. I am weeks away from getting my surgery date. (Yay!) but in terms of how the sleeve effects pcos. For the last three years of asking this question, I learned that IF the sleeve effects your pcos it more often then not simply improves your symptoms. Although body hair stays.. But does not keep growing... Like the sleeve won't eliminate the body hair we get, but it will slow it down if not stop the growth. The biggest effect that has been reported is simply less menstral issues. I know that having pcos does not effect how slow or fast you lose weight. Because this surgery is such a drastic shock to your body, the pcos does not have the strength or even time to slow you down. It is possible that after you reach your goal weight that it can bring up some questions and concerns then.. But ally doctors and people I have spoke with all agree that if pcos and it's side effects are the only thing you experience during and after surgery, than you my friend are the luckiest woman on the planet! Of course all of this is a general answer, and it can always be different for everyone. But know that I thought about it too early on in my journey, and it's the least of my worries at this point. Good luck. Dylan

Yeah I love the packet I read it cover to cover as soon as I got it! I think I need to call Julie and ask her what more I have to do, because I think I'm done with everything other than the orientation.. And the mental eval. Yeah, I really like the cap hill group. Fairly small, lots of new faces apparently. But all questions where answered I think, and I think I learned a lot just listening. It was lots of fun! I plan on taking my boyfriend, best friend, and my mom with me. My main supporters. I don't explain everything very well so I want all of them to go mostly so that I don't have to repeat it to them later. I really want my date now! I really want to know if I can plan on attending summer classes or not.. Blah! I am fairly... Low level activity person right now. I am in a yoga class, and depend on walking and bussing to get places. So I have a little bit of excersise in my day, but could always use more. The only problem is that if I do to much then I end up with bad inflammation in my knees. I ended up in urgent care once because of a down hill bike ride once. Even standing at the sink doing dishes is a struggle. We should connect more! I will for sure be at the cap hill group next month. Dylan

Hey! Cool! Congrats on the date! Mine is slow going but I got my Bariatric packet yesterday in the mail! I am signed up for the July pre-op orientation class. I hope to get my date soon after. I just went to the capital hill support group! I'm on the west side.. Heh. Exciting! We should connect! Dylan

I'm alright. Waiting for Tuesday!!!!!!

Hey all. Just checking in again... happy Thursday.

Woohoo!! Thanks for your words of encouragement!! I am approved! Although nothing really happens until about 2 months from now. Tomorrow I will talk with the doctors and get an idea of what to expect before surgery! Omg!!!

That is crazy exciting! Congrats!! An thanks it's been driving me crazy.

My official process started in December, 3 months ago. There has been constant miscommunication between my doctors/insurance (sorta the same people) and the appeals department. My first request was denied. I appealed then sent in a second request, under the advice of the Bariatric nurse. Anyway long story short, I am told that I am less then a week away from finding out if this second approval is denied or not. I'm going crazy! I literally feel like barfing all the time. I am constantly remembering my childhood and being ups eased with the doctor shows that showed liposuction. I remember drawing dotted lines all over my body at 10 years old and nearing 200 pounds. I remember looking at photos of me when I was a healthy toddler. I am younger then maybe 6, and I'm at a healthy weight for the last time in my life. I have always loved food, so being anorexic never crossed my mind. And actually barging hurt to much to make a habit out of. It wasn't until late middle school that someone pointed out that I'm getting bigger. In anger, I reply with something along the lines of but I'm barely eating anything! This was their point. Damn, no wonder why I feel so crapy. About 5 years ago, I had started to see a that impost for all my internal body issues. Around the same time a friend of mine (who was about the same size as me) told me that she was going to fly down to Mexico and have this WLS that I had never heard of at the time. I had known about the band and bypass but was unaware of the sleeve. I knew they the first two where not an option for me. I was immediately interested in this sleeve she was talking about, and most deffinetly put off with her decision to go to Mexico. But hey, do what you gotta do. So I went back to my therapist and we started to explore every weight loss option out there, after 4 years of exhausting every diet known to man. I got severely depressed. I ended up homeless with no job, and nearing 330lb. Keep inundated that after puberty, I am only 5'4". I was ready to end everything. I called my mom for help. She picked me up, and saved my life that night. I then reconnected with my friend who is a couple years post op now over Facebook. She looks completely different! I had forgotten about the sleeve as an option. And now after some legal changes, I am on my mothers health insurance that might pay for surgery. So in December of 2013 I decided to use my last option. I had started the proses with my doctors and told a few of my closest friends (3 total) including my boyfriend. Everyone but my boyfriend was being understanding and supportive. He an I have only known each other for a short time, an only have been dating for almost 8 months. So unlike my other friends he never got to watch me struggle with my weight. On Boxing Day (yes my family is Canadian) later in the evening, we all are hanging out digesting our deserts, and I decided to tell my family about my decision on WLS. I was so nourvus. It was harder then coming out as bi, or kinky, or poly, all combined! The room fell silent for a moment. And my entire family accepted me with open arms. I cried in relief. Today, my entire family, many I my friends and any others that happen to find out, all are supportive of my choices. Some are more supportive then others, and it has taken a few people like my boyfriend to warm up to the idea, but they have. Possibly less on the principal of their own and more on the principal of if you can't beat them, join them idea. Whatever the reason I'm happy to have my support network. So as I start my own preop diet, I sit and wait for Wednesday to roll around so I can call my doctor and get an answer from them. Hopefully by then they will have one and I won't have to wait until Friday or even Monday of the fallowing week. My Bariatric story is only barely started. As I can feel things start to look up from here, I can only expect the worst. I have decided that telling people my story is only helping me become stronger, despite any negative reactions I get. The more I tell people the more I validate why this is important to me. In the sense that I do not have to feel like hiding something BAD from the world. Also, telling people helps me weed out my "supportive" friends, on top of giving them an opportunity to learn more about something they don't approve of. Being "out" about my journey is deffinetly hard and sucks when then people are trying to micromanage my food intake. But I'm overall a strong enough person to tell them to back off. I am ready for this change into life! I am ready to feel like I have real control over my weight. I am excited to be the first healthy person into biological family. I am excited to be able to stand, sit, or lay down and be able to see my toes past my belly. I'm excited about being proud of my belly. And of course not having so much anxiety around shopping for new outfits. Plus new outfits will be overall cheaper! Less fabric = less $$! Until next time. thank you all for reading and keeping me motivated to think positive! Dylan.

Quick update on me.. Now after several phone calls an all sorts of other miscommunication. I should be denied or approved by the end of the week... My tummy is in knots. it totally sucks!

So.... When is your date??! Is everything going smoothly? How about your pre op diet? And did they suggest a protein powder for you?

Thanks. I know that I'm a good advocate for myself, and if there is even the slightest chance Of me getting it I will.. But it still fucking sucks! Not to mention that when I told my grandfather about my choices his first sentence was "yeah or you could just get healthy, may I pray for you?" Sure.. Grandpa whatever you say. Let me inform those of you who don't know, my grand mother died because she was overweight and severely diabetic. His daughter is on the fast track to the same grave. And now his granddaughter is using every resource she can think of in order to live past 59 years old. (Yes that is how old my gran mother was when she died) I really appreciate the kind words. Keep them coming.. I still have a bunch of time until I can feel healthy. And if anyone else wants to grumble with me, please join me. I appreciate it! Dylan

It's true, I am. The past three years I have been learning about WLS. The past three months I have been trying to get approved for WLS. I can feel the windows of opportunity close as I exhaust every plan if action. I'm feeling defeated.

I absolutely love the Seahawks! I was born and raised in the 206. There has never been a team that I have been more connected to in my life. Not to mention that I am not even into football.. Or any sport for that matter. But I will always root my home team! I and I excited and happy about the Super Bowl. I love that nearly a million people came out to support the team today down on 4th ave. I simply wish I was not one of them. Yes again I love love love the Seahawks!!! But I absolutely hate crowds. I was so stupid to think that I could push my way through from 5th to 3rd to get to a bus stop that would get me home. Anxiety attack from hell. I got downtown at 12:20. And finally on a bus home at 3. And yes I was at a bus stop the whole time. I love you seattle but never again.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Heh.

Oh!!!! That makes more sense!!! Wow, can't believe I didn't see that on my own.. I feel smart.

Hey ladies and jents... I have been trolling around all the threads that catch my attention, and every once in a while I catch someone referring them-self as on the losers bench because they have had WLS... What is up with that!? I'm not sure I Like this sort of nick name. As overweight people, we where always picked on and left out of things. We where the plague in school and all we could do was go home and cry about it... Or whatever it was we did to make ourselves feel better. But now we are calling ourselves losers?? I understand the whole owning our oppression stuffs. But it still is not healthy to be constantly putting negative language into our bodies when we are trying so hard to be healthy. It sounds counterproductive to me. Please someone explain how we got this name and why. Is there something I am missing?