PurpleDiosa

Having all my evaluation pre req appts today. So far my metabolism is totally normal, so the weight gain problem is MY BRAIN, lol. Everything else is coming out normal and good for surgery. Woohoo!

@robinson - my doctor requests I lose 10 lbs before surgery because it helps with recovery to be at least 10 lbs lighter.

I had a scare this morning - I have all my doctor's/nut/check up appointments on 2/10 - all day. Then my psych eval on the 18th. I got a card in the mail for Jury duty on 2/10!! NOOOOOO!!!!! I called, and jury duty has been pushed out to the 24th - PHEW! Don't mess with my appointments, people!

So, I still do not have a date yet, still going through the doctor's appts and such, but as I was reading through all these posts, and after having a full on grazing day yesterday (after being good all week - damn that superbowl), I had a deep thought this morning: Why am I freaking out about not being able to eat certain foods again, or having problems with certain foods??? Aren't those the foods that helped me get to the 280 I'm at right now??? I need to wrap my head around the fact that this is LIFE CHANGING - the life I am currently living is NOT HEALTHY, and this surgery will be the kick in the behind to MAKE me make the move to a healthier life - without the option to fall back on my cheating ways a week into it. Hopefully, down the line, after I've LEARNED a healthier lifestyle by forcing this onto my body, I won't have the cheating urges I have now. I can be hopeful, right? Because I want to be the healthy slim fit person I see in my head, not the tired, painful, overweight person I see in the mirror.

Thank you, and that's VERY true - this is a mind game, and I completely get that - I'm hoping that this will help me teach my mind that there is a healthier way to live.

And SandeeD! Congrats on your approval!!

You knoe, the people who have been most supportive are the healthy fit people in my life. Many of the ones who are obese are the ones who have flat out been negative. I think part of it is that they have done some research themselves and have found reasons why NOT to do it for themselves, and try to push those reasons on to me. But I've done my research, too. And I'm not backing down that easily.

We will get there!! Eventually!!!

I'm right there with you - I think I have more coffee than blood in my system - I'm really dreading the withdrawal. I'm hoping to switch gradually to decaf, then none at all. Right now, since I don't have a date yet, I'm just working on cutting back to three cups a day, next week, on to two cups a day. My coworkers are more concerned about my coffee withdrawal than my surgery recovery, LOL!

Got my psych eval scheduled for 2/18. So this pushes it all out a little bit farther than I hoped, but I'll get there. I asked to be called if there were any cancellations so I could get in sooner. OMG, I just want to DO THIS ALREADY.

OK, had my first consult with the surgeon today, then met with my advocate. Thankfully, if approved, insurance will cover a large percentage of it all. Now to go through the hoops. I am at 280 and 5'4", so I qualify without comorbities, of which I have none right now. Doctor suggested I seriously consider RNY, but said he would do the sleeve if, after I do more research on both, I still want the sleeve. His preference for the GB is because it has a longer tract record. I'm still leaning towards sleeve, though. I told my boss today, so that I can make my appointments without feeling like I'm cheating on work somehow. She said she supports me in whatever I plan on doing, so that is a huge relief. I already spoke to my husband and my MIL, and they both support me. Now I need to talk to my parents about all this, and for some reason it freaks me out, but I know they will support me in the end - just the idea of major surgery will be scary for everyone, not just for me. DEEP BREATH. Breathe....yes, I'm panicking a little. HUGE decision. If I can get my psych done (can't get through to the office for some reason today), then I should be done with all classes and such, in for approval by mid Feb (per my advocate), and then approval takes 2-3 weeks (per advocate), and possibility of surgery in MARCH! OMG, this might really happen. Did I tell you I hit 280 today. My head is everywhere. This is the heaviest I've EVER been. Going over all my issues and reasons with the Dr made my heart sink, but knowing I was there to help find a solution to help me go in the right direction....SO MANY CONFLICTING FEELINGS. He's also the same doctor who did my hernia repair, so he said that went so well, he believes that I should have similar recovery from this surgery and could go back to work in about a week. This was a huge worry for me, so that was one less worry off my mind. I know nothing is guaranteed, but he knows me and my body, so it was nice to have a little reassurance, even if it was just to help be lower my panic level. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a total OMG RUNNING AROUND FREAKED OUT, but in my mind, yeah, I'm doing a little of that. Tell me good positive stories about your adventure in WLS, help me put my mind at ease and help me get my brain in the zone.

scarlet333, thank you! I can relate to so much of what you just posted - I always sort of turned my nose up at the idea of elective surgery. But I had an ah ha moment, and realized, that although it may not seem like it, this is medically and mentally Necessary for me. Seeing the before an after pics has just solidified that for me, I obviously can't do this on my own, and I need the mental and physical kick in the ass to keep me in line. You are such an inspiration!

law001: I hear ya! I'm supposed to lose 10 lbs before the surgery, and since I don't know my exact date yet, I'm having a tough time controlling the urge to EAT ALL THE THINGS.

Oh, VERY reassuring, THANK YOU all - off to look it up, that does help some.

Had my first consult today, but if all goes as planned per my advocate, I should be able to get it done in March. Oh My Holy Cow. I have to set up my psych eval, hoping to get that done in the next week or so, all other appts are set for 2/10 (all day at the doctor's office for testing, nutritionist, the whole shebang done at once), then, as long as everything else goes OK, we can then submit to insurance. Keep your finger crossed!

You are an inspiration.

I’ve been considering this since last summer. When I first looked into it, the insurance I had at the time would only cover 20% - EEP! So that didn’t happen. Now I am double insured and I expect that about 80+% will be covered. SO I have been looking back into the possibility - and, of course, I am now 20 heavier than I was when I started looking into it, and now qualify at the 43BMI without any additional medical issues. Yay me (read loads of sarcasm into that last comment). I set up a consult next week with the surgeon to discuss options, but I want to hear from people who have had the Vertical sleeve and what your thoughts are. Here are a few of my concerns: I have 2 girls, 2 and 4. I need to be able to care for them, even post op. How out of commission will I be? How weak will I be? I also work full time, granted, I’m at my desk, and it is very low impact, but I know that during recovery, it can still be rough just moving. How soon would I be able to get back to work? I can’t be off work for long due to $$ and wanting to keep my job. I have had a hernia repaired on my abdomen by the same surgical group that would be performing this surgery, so I am fairly confident about their abilities, but what questions should I be asking?? Any additional advice would be VERY welcome. .... and coffee…I NEED COFFE - like I need air…what have you done to help with your coffee addiction?

Penman53, thank you, and my recovery from the hernia surgery was actually really quick, so that is encouraging! I don't mean to be whiney in any way, so be sure to give me a swift kick if I do. Except for the coffee withdrawal, I'm actually looking forward to this next adventure.

Thank you to everyone for the replies!! I have no delusions that this will be a quick fix. I'm hoping it will help Me keep in line and get to where I want to be, as has been said a hundred times before, a tool. I want all the help I can get to gety mind and body into healthier shape.

I'm looking forward to this! Right now I could peel paint off walls.

Hi All!! I know it's been quiet in here for the past couple of months, but I was hoping to get the Northern Nevada peeps out and talking again. I have my first consult with Western Bariatric next Wednesday, I'm really hoping it goes well. I have been researching all this since last summer, and now that I have new insurance, I've been told most of is should be covered...we shall see. Oh, I really do hope this is the right decision! I have 2 little girls, ages 2 and 4, I work full time, and manage a small home biz on top of that, my biggest concerns are that I won't be able to keep up with all that I have going on during the recovery time. Oh, and coffee....how WILL I SURVIVE WITHOUT COFFEE??