Nancy E.

I have Tricare Standard (West) before starting this process. I asked specifically what requirements I needed to meet to qualify for the by-pass surgery. I have completed everything on the list and expected a surgery date first week in August, as did the bariatric center I will use. Well, it is past Aug. And I still have not been given the green light. I've called tori care twice this past month as was simply told I didn't qualify. Say what? I pointed out that I had called in the beginning of starting this and have fulfilled all the requirements including the ones the surgeon added, yet could not get an exact answer out of them. The bariatric center called twice and have appealed for me. Early last week I called insurance again and got same results so I called bariatrics who called them too. We should have heard back today but have not. I am so bummed out I just don't know what to do. My hips, knees, ankles, feet hurt so much I hate to stand up. I'm sick of being out of breath after just a few steps. I hate using a bi-pap machine with oxygen every night (real sexy, let me tell you!) and I hate going out of my house because of how I look. I'm sorry folks, I guess I just needed to get this off my chest because tears just don't cut it. If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate them, if not, that's ok. Thanks for reading and letting me vent. Feeling sad in the west.

We all have so much to look forward to in our "new" life! I can relate to just about every goal listed here. We are all beautiful inside and it's time to let it shine, with our smiles, laughs, new feelings of self confidence, and just feeling alive and energetic! We will each get there and sharing our thoughts and feelings with each other is part of that process. I am so happy we are able to do this. I look forward to watching each of you reach your milestones! What an awesome journey!! <3

I don't have a surgery date yet, hoping for early August or sooner. My post surgery list: 10. Shop in regular size clothes stores again. 09. Stop having food as my main focus. 08. Stop hiding food and eating it in private because I am so embarrassed. 07. Wear my necklaces again. Did you know even your neck gets bigger?? 06. Have and enjoy sex again 05. Be able to go to store without feeling so self conscious 04. Put my own socks and shoes on..and tie the shoes myself too! 03. Wear my wedding rings again. 02. Walk more than a few steps without being out of breath. 01. Have more energy.

I don't have a surgery date yet, hoping for early August or sooner. My post surgery list: 10. Shop in regular size clothes stores again. 09. Stop having food as my main focus. 08. Stop hiding food and eating it in private because I am so embarrassed. 07. Wear my necklaces again. Did you know even your neck gets bigger?? 06. Have and enjoy sex again 05. Be able to go to store without feeling so self conscious 04. Put my own socks and shoes on..and tie the shoes myself too! 03. Wear my wedding rings again. 02. Walk more than a few steps without being out of breath. 01. Have more energy.

Hi, I will be 59 years old this month and will hopefully have a surgery date for early August. I've seen NUT, had psych eval and passed, am on 2nd month of 3 month supervised diet. I am curious if anyone feels that having this surgery and loosing the weight fast verses a slow version diet makes you look more old and "hallowed out"? I am so ready to be healthy and feel this is my best option, but have a few friends and relatives telling me how big a mistake I am making because of my age. I'm so tired of difficulty standing up, being out of breath with just a few steps, being unable to put my shoes on let alone tie them. I'm tired of having no energy and needing naps each day as well as many other weight related issues. I want off my bi-pap machine so bad!! Anyway, any comments on the subject would be appreciated. Thanks!

I'm so excited for you! Congratulations on doing so well! I'll be over on your side before the end of the summer hopefully! Keep up the good work!!

Hello fellow Bariaticpals! I'm curious, has anyone tried Nioxin shampoo and conditioner for hair loss? I heard it is suppose to be good but I'd love to hear that from someone who has tried it. If you have tried it did it work? Did it make your hair stronger? Healthier? Did it keep your hair from thinning or fill in lost hair after the fact? If it worked, do you recommend starting to use Nioxin BEFORE any hair loss or is it meant for AFTER you notice hair loss? Any replies are appreciated. Thanks! :-)

Hi Shmily and Bobby46, thank you for your replies. I guess I will get me some Nioxin Shampoo and Biotin and start using them now. Hopefully it will minimize the hair loss I hear associated with this surgery. Although I don't have a surgery date yet, early August hopefully, I am going to purchase the Vitamins recommended for post op and start them also. Perhaps that also will help. Shakily, I am sorry about your husband. I hope you are doing well now. 3 months post op, wish I were there already! I hope before summer is over I will be joining you on "the other side!" Bobby46, any idea when you will have surgery? I'll be looking for you! Can't wait to get this show on the road! Again, thanks to you both for your replies!

Hello ALLGODSGRACE. I have to say I am so glad I am not the only one to say my goal weight instead of my current weight! LOL I constantly have to correct myself! I think our minds are already there, and that, in MHO is a good thing! Although I cannot answer your question as I am not there yet, I just want to assure you you will get an answer soon from someone who knows. The people here are just so AWSOME and helpful. Makes you really feel almost like family. Anyway, you won't mess it up. You want it too much to do that. You will do wonderful. My only suggestion is to call your doctors office or NUT and ask them specifically what they want you to do. Hang in there and keep us posted! Best wishes!

Mrsglomartin, what a WONDERFUL goal!!! You can do it too as long as you keep your eyes on the prize! I'm hoping for surgery in early Aug. Perhaps next year I could run a 5k, I've always wanted to try that. Right now my knees are shot from this excess weight but I am hoping weight loss will take care of that. So you are doing great! Listen to your stomach!! I think next to your doctors advice your stomach comes in 2nd as an expert! :-) Let us know about that race so we can cheer you on!!!!

Helenamarie83, I just love happy endings and that is exactly what I see for you and your cousin!!! I agree, I would take the date being open for both of you as a sign also. Do you guys live close to each other? You will be able to walk together or whatever form of exercise you choose. Having an exercise buddy I think helps to keep us accountable and I know gets me out there on the days I just don't feel like it. Make sure you and Mexicangirl keep us all updated. I'm so very excited for you both!!

Helenamarie83, I am so happy for you and your cousin being able to do this together! What a blessing! Having someone to confide in, to share the emotional roller coaster with will strengthen your resolve, especially since you are so close. And after the surgery it will be a big plus also! You and your cousin are very fortunate! Bless you both on your journey and keep us informed on how you are doing. It is so nice to have this forum where we can all ask and share information! Thanks everyone!

Bunny toes, it seems for every one person happy for you ten more can't wait to tell you about how bad so and so looked since surgery or some other scare tactic. Most of them are over weight themselves so I don't know if perhaps they fear the surgery for themselves and therefor manifest it onto others, or if they are afraid someone might actually look and feel better than them, or a combination. Either way, I am now very hesitant to tell anyone and wish that I never told the people I did. Like you, I am excited to know that weight loss can be rather quick as long as you follow the directions given you from your doc and nut. I can't wait to get there and see the new me/ old me/ real me! Best wishes to you and let's keep in touch!

James Marusek, thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. It is always good and oh so helpful to hear about others success stories. A year out! Wow! Like Mexicangirl commented above, I can't wait to see where and how I am a year out from surgery! When I think about it I get such a warm, happy feeling because I believe not only will I be off most my medicine and weigh far less than I do now, I will actually be able to breath without so much effort. I will be able to put my shoes on and tie them without holding my breath and struggling. AND I will have more energy and feel better about myself! Oh! And of course I can't wait to be able to "buy off the rack" again!!! :-) Anyway, we sure do appreciate your feedback. Please come back and fill us in on your progress! Thanks!

Bunnytoes, so many people have reported being taken off so many medications. I sincerely hope it will be the same for you! I am hoping to get off a bi-pap machine, cholesterol medication, pain medication, and hopefully reducing the strength of medicine I take for fibromyalgia, as well as loose about 100 lbs. Like others, I go between excitement and concern if I am taking the right way. I believe I am, but when others talk it down to me that is when I question myself and my decision. I know this is right for me. I just have to be patient! :-) Do you have a surgery date yet? Mine will hopefully be early August but that is yet to be determined. Keep us posted as to how you are doing! :-) best of luck!

Mexicangirl, June 16th is right around the corner! How lucky for you!!! Keep us posted on how you are doing please, and eventually I will join you on the other side!!! :-)

Yay Sleevie2014!!! You are on "the other side"!!!! Congratulations!!! I'm so happy to hear how well you are doing. That is just GREAT!!! I can't wait to get on the losers bench with you! Please keep us posted with updates when you can. So, so happy!

I'm just starting the process for the sleeve. I saw the Bariatric Program Director for my initial intake information. I have Barrett's Esophagus which is pre-cancerous cells in my esophagus and I put that on my intake form. My concern is that I had read somewhere that you can't have bariatric surgery if you have this condition but he never batted an eyelash when I told him. I want and need this surgery so bad so I was glad it didn't seem to be an issue. But, now I am afraid I am going to jump through all the hoops only to talk with the surgeon after months of anticipation and work to be told I can't have the surgery. That would be crushing. My question is has anyone else with Barrett's Esophagus had this surgery and how has it affected you? I can only think that a 100 lb. necessary weight loss would be good for me in all ways. I sincerely hope I can get some feedback on this. Thank you...

I also planned on the sleeve and was redirected to the bypass due to several conditions I have. Took me a bit to get used to the idea but I'm more comfortable day by day and just want to get it done and be on the "other side"!

DL, thank you for the copy list of food. It is great! Also, thank you for answering my questions above. Your answers are extremely helpful to me and I'm sure many others as well. Most of your ailments that left you after surgery are exactly why I am having surgery. I will not only follow my doctors plan but will always keep your words of wisdom with me too. "Your challenge is mental discipline"...truer words could not be said. This will be what I will need to work hardest on and I am trying now, prior to surgery, to get and keep a strong positive mindset. Thank you again for taking the time to respond to my questions and for a copy of your list. Nancy

So, DL, you had your surgery quite a while back which gives you a great deal of experience to share with the rest of us. I hope you don't mind me asking you a few questions. Are you glad you went the by pass way? What do you feel best about the process? If you could share with the rest of us not yet there one thing you consider essential what would that be? Knowing what you do now is there anything you would do differently? Thank you in advance for considering these questions.

Not sure you can read my email I put everything too close so here it is again...just in case! :-). Sunshine.52555@gmail.com Thank you!!!

I can't believe you are still sending this out! Must be the longest running thread going! :-). So, here it comes....may I also please have a copy? My email is:sunshine.52555@gmail.com. Thank you in advance SO much!

Thank you everyone for your comments. It is so nice to find a community that is there for each other, willing to share their information gathered either first hand, from their doctors or even their friends. I'm sure we all go through the same up and down roller coaster ride, second guessing ourselves, and there seems to always be someone here to give the encouragement needed. What a wonderful group of people!!! Thank you!