The Candidate

The surgery is just a tool as it's been said a million times before. If you're not ready yet to commit to it one hundred percent than it's to your benefit that you recognized this beforehand and backed out as you did. It's a very brave decision you've made and I applaud your strength in making it. Best of luck to you!

I went into this knowing I wanted the sleeve. That was just my personal choice. But as someone who is currently going through the approval process with Kaiser Southern CA I can say that right from the get go in orientation we were told that it is highly unlikely that we would be offered the band, because it has been their experience that they are now removing far more bands than they are putting in, due to band complications down the line. Then when I started taking their required pre-surgery classes in November, the instructor came right out and said you will not get the band. Period. It's either the sleeve or the bypass. The funny thing is the workbook we were were given for the classes, it still includes information about band surgery, as if it is an option, but they've definitely taken it off the table. The same seems to be holding true for more and more insurance companies as of late.

You look fabulous! And you're wearing your ID badge on your waist. That's something I've been secretly craving to do forever! That right there is a major NSV! In fact, I'm putting it on my post op bucket list right now! Congratulations!

Your post was plausible up to the "my husband doesn't even know" part. If you were really that sort of Charlie Sheen cray cray on a daily basis there would be nobody in your immediate circle who wouldn't know. But hey, on the bright side, you would have definitely gone out with a bang.

That is beyond adorable.

My best piece of advice would be to never give up. And brush up on your frustration coping skills, because you're going to need it in spades. Maybe someday in the not too distant future the medical community will stop looking for ways to disqualify us, and will instead finally come to the realization that WLS has been proven over and over again to turn around weight related maladies such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and the like. The money they'd save on medication and long term care alone would easily cover the costs. They've yet to start thinking outside the box. And don't drive yourself crazy by comparing your pre op and post op experiences to others on this site. You are a unique vessel. Your insurance hurdles will be tailored to your particular insurance coverage, and your lose rate post op will be a journey all your own. No two are ever exactly the same. My insurance approval is a very long process. I started in August 2014 and don't expect to make it through those O.R. arches until sometime in summer 2015. Luckily I've met a lot of great people here, and so I have a lot of support to get me through the waiting while my airplane keeps circling the runway ad naseum. You've definitely found the right place to help you with the answers you're seeking. Best of luck!

I can barely tolerate the powders, but I like the ready to go Muscle Milk. Chocolate is the only flavor of theirs I've tried though.

@@natashab1219 Wow! You can absolutely tell the difference in your before and after, and it's very proportional. Not just in your face, but in your neck, shoulders, and arms as well. You look beautiful!

I'll never understand how some people lose their sense of humanity and compassion by their inability to suppress what they think inside to what they say out loud. No matter how many times it's been done to me over the years, I would never ever think of belittling someone with the power of my words, the way that clerk did with you, simply because I can. No matter how thin I may get, whenever I have my surgery, I hope I never ever forget what it feels like to be fat. I think it instills in us a sense of decency and compassion that a lot of "born beautiful" people may never possess the gift of having.

I just ordered one. Should be here by Friday. Can't wait!

Hang in there. You made it this far. Tomorrow is a brand new day. Try and get a good night's sleep and start fresh in the morning!

When there's divorce involved my sister calls them "out-laws."

Southern CA was happy to be included in the rainfall as well. We'll take anything we can get.

Sauerkraut and cheese toasted sandwiches, with mustard, which I was only allowed to make when I was home alone as it had a tendency to smell up the house.

Your new life is waiting. Congratulations!

I'm still pre-op, but a few years back when I lost a lot of weight (76 pounds - which I eventually gained back and more), I was surprised how differently I felt depending on who made the comment. If it came from someone I knew and trusted, and had always supported me, I was over the moon in happiness. Literally those kind of comments made me feel so good I wished I had a way of bottling them up to save for later, so I could experience the high all over again. On the other hand, if it came from someone who wasn't close to me, or a person who had previously treated me as less than they were, because of my weight, I didn't enjoy it as much. I was much more guarded and suspicious as to their ulterior motives. In the back of my mind I was always thinking how strange it was that this person, who never made a point of engaging me in conversation beforehand, now was deliberately seeking to engage me in conversation. My responses in return were much more monosyllabic and curt, without my even realizing it at the time.

Worried about: Getting through all the pre op hoops and requirements only to be denied at the very end My mom not being around long enough to see that I've fulfilled my promise to her to get healthy Being the one person that the surgery doesn't work for, even though I follow all the rules Excited about: Experiencing life through the eyes of a slim happy veneer. Trying new things, taking chances, pushing myself far beyond my own limits Never again associating myself with words like morbidly obese, fat, overweight, pudgy, stocky, the list goes on.

@angeleil60 please whatever you do don't apologize for your original post. I haven't had a laugh that good in ages, and as it's been said: laughter is the best medicine! Glad to hear you're feeling better!

And yet "anesthesiologist" is spelled to perfection. That's just plain talent.

My heartfelt best wishes, my dear friend. Finally, the long wait is over and I couldn't be happier for you!

I wish I had some solid advice or recommendations to help with your Quest, but I have no children and I don't personally have experience with any doctor in Mexico. I just wanted to say the story of your daughter really touched me, and I hope you eventually find the answers you are seeking. There's no doubt in my mind that you are doing everything in your power to help your daughter find lasting happiness and health. You are a true loving mother in every sense of the word and I commend you.

Jen, I so enjoyed meeting you! You were a delight and I only wish we had all our classes together. I hope your eternal optimism rubs off on me. Thanks again for sharing your notes. Please, let's stay in touch! Debbie

Think of it as a solid investment in your kid's future. They will always need their mama and now you will be there for them and their grandkids!

Hi Jen! For some reason I thought you were coming next week. My memory isn't what it used to be. I'm looking forward to meeting you as well. It's a very small intimate class, so I think you'll enjoy it. You can't miss me... I'll be the fat one! ????

You have the power to banish this bad experience from your life forever. Once you lose all your weight go back to the same place and jump into that pit for all your worth! Make a point of having someone take a picture when you do and proudly display it in your home front and center. The very thought of conquering your demon should give you inspiration to get down to the weight you want to be in no time. Turn that lemon into lemonade!