highdesertblue

TLC actually has a casting page where you can propose a program based on your life. I don't want to be on TV, but I would love to see a program about people having WLS. There are plenty of interesting and wonderful people who have gone through this process who could be a great inspiration. I watch some of the programs and I enjoy the ones that depict the specific problems of obesity along with giving me a glimpse into the lives of people who live with it. Especially when I can relate to problems they have such as worrying about whether there will be any chairs I can sit on when I get to someone's house. Whitney on My Big Fat Fabulous Life is an upbeat person, I am sure she does not like her weight, but I can relate to many things in her life.

Thanks for sharing your dream. I don't have surgery for another four weeks, but sometimes have a dream that I ate something I shouldn't have. I think I am afraid of regaining the weight!

I am four weeks out, and I have the same questions.

I wish I could quit the food noise in my head! Ice cream, chocolate... just thinking about food.

You are making a great choice! Not just the surgery, but putting yourself first. Don't worry about people who think it is the easy way out. WLS is not easy, but it is statistically more effective than any other method. It is a big change, and most spouses have insecurity about it. Try to involve your husband in the process as much as possible and focus on your health. I am in my late 50s and I know how carrying around extra weight hurts my body. I will need spinal surgery once I lose weight to correct problems that wouldn't be nearly as bad if I hadn't weighed so much. I wish you the best. I made a list of all the reasons that I wanted the surgery (non of them included the way I look or the clothes I will be able to wear) and put it on my refrigerator. My husband stops and reads it once in a while, too. He has been much more understanding since he saw my real goals.

I got my insurance approval! The office is supposed to call and schedule my pre-op in the next few days!

Whew! I just got back from Phoenix and I got my nutrition consult, and psych eval finished. Now, I should hear back from the surgeon's office next week to schedule the pre-op. I am so relieved. It is a three hour drive each way, and the nutritionist was nice enough to fit me in after hours so that I wouldn't have to come back for an extra trip. I've ordered the Bariatric Advantage Protein Powder that my surgeon prefers for the two week pre-op diet. I found it online at BariatricFoodSource.com at the best price. I'm finally allowing myself to get excited since I've had some real highs and lows on my journey so far!

Sodas, even diet sodas are so bad for kids. There are usually walking clubs in the malls. Many malls allow people to come in and walk even before the stores open. We had to eliminate unhealthy snacks in our house, or someone will eat them. I wish you both well!

I've heard that quitting smoking is harder than quitting heroin. I never smoked, but grew up in a family of smokers. I saw what a hard time they had quitting. With that said, I really hope you can quit. Your body heals so much better when your circulation is improved after you quit. My best friend quit a year and a half ago at the age of 62. She coughed so hard when she smoked that she would have trouble catching her breath. She had a constant smoker's cough. Now- no cough! I am so proud of her. My cousin cannot get a breast reduction because she hasn't been able to quit. The surgeon told her that her nipples would probably fall off if she smoked. THAT is scary. best wishes to you.

So far I am using Syntrax nectar, and i just got the Bariatric Advantage for my pre-op diet. I should be getting my surgery date very soon. i would like to see offers for samples all in one place. I do have a question. I need the names of Protein bars that are NOT soy based. The soy doesn't get along with me very well. I am so glad that you are exploring the online store option.

I am very budget oriented. If i have one site to compare prices and see a variety of brands, I will definitely look to bariatric Pal first!

Della, I am so excited for you! I hope you let me know how things go for you!

Della Street, When is your surgery? If you haven't had your psych eval, or nutrition consult, I really liked the psychologist, Dr. Olin, and the nutritionist Michelle Berman. They regularly work with bariatric patients.Dr. Olin is in Tempe, and Michelle is in Mesa.

My surgeon tests for nicotine in your system just before surgery. He will not do the surgery if there is any nicotine in your system. It must cause serious problems for him to be so strict about it.

How exciting! Maybe relax with a cup of camomile tea? Take a few deep breaths and let God handle the rest. I'm still waiting for my surgery date, so I will probably feel the same way as you do now. Praying for you!

Hello, I am trying to find a psychologist for my psych eval, and a nutritionist. My surgeon is Dr. Juarez in Phoenix, so they don't have a list of psychologists and nutritionists outside of Maricopa County. I'm getting a revision, and they won't do it in Tucson. I would be so grateful if anyone has the name of someone who does psych evals, and nutrition counseling in Tucson or Cochise County. The directory on my insurance company website is awful to use, and if I call the insurance company, they just offer to walk me through the web site. Thanks so much!!! Kristy

Today, I had my first appointment with the bariatric surgeon, Dr. Burpee, in Tucson. It did not go well. After looking through my paperwork, he said he doesn’t like to do revisions, and that he probably wouldn’t do it. (sigh) I was trying so hard not to get my hopes up beforehand, but I couldn’t help myself. He noticed my bipolar medication listed on the list, and just said “Lamictal?” Then he noticed I have some minor heart issues. My cardiologist has been wanting me to have the surgery for years, and I told him that. He said he would get the endoscopy notes from my gastroenterologist, look them over, and let me know. He said I could check with two doctors in Phoenix (175 miles away) and see if they might do it. I feel frustrated that he said he does revisions at the seminar, and the website says they do revisions, because he made it sound like he never does. I am hesitant to try this all over again in Phoenix. They do offer a webinar with a test at the end, so I don’t have to drive all the way there for yet another seminar. I plan to start the process with Dr. Juarez, and Dr. Fang in Phoenix while I wait to hear back from Dr. Burpee. I will take the webinar and test tonight, but I hate to get my hopes up again.