oz_freak

Thanks everyone for the positive feed back I have since my last post been on my best behavior eating wise.. the family issues have seemed to intensity and my dr. And I feel the stress over load has and is what is keeping me at this endless stall. So trying to remove myself from the drama of my family however it has been hard being my brother has targeted me and my family for his insanity to the point I have had him put on jail. So that being said I get up hit the gym and try to put my best foot forward and pray my journey is successful. Thanks again for all your thought and prays. All my love and support.
Jessica

I am very sorry for your loss. Exercise can calm average emotional and mental stress, but what you are going through right now is massive. I would honestly recommend talking with your doctor and telling them what is going on and how you are feeling. Ask for help some sort of medication to get you over the hump and keep your stress level down to something you can manage. This is not a permanent solution, but one just to keep you to where you can handle everything you have going on until things have calmed down. I know some people have a negative stigma about using medication for this type of thing, but look at it like you did the surgery. It is a tool to put you in the position to be the most beneficial to yourself and others during such a hard time.
When it comes to craving chocolate there are some good recipes out there, but in your situation, I know the feeling and nothing but the real thing will calm it down. It is here that I highly recommend Russel Stover's sugar free Chocolates. They do not have as many calories and you don't have to feel guilty about eating a ton of sugar. This is not a permanent solution, but sometimes the situation calls for just this. Your nutritionist and surgeon may disagree, but learning to cope in the real world is tough and this is just one way to begin getting yourself back on track. After a while you wont need it anymore.
The last piece of advice is to stop beating yourself up about your weight loss and begin taking things one day at a time. You may even need to take it one morning or even one hour. Each time tell yourself I am going to go this long and eat right, then when you get there set another goal. Little by little you will find it affects you less. We all slip up. We all have times where our eating isn't perfect. The key is to just start fresh and take those baby steps. In the gym, maybe look into finding a way to box or if you have access to a heavy bag try punching something instead of perhaps running or walking. (I do not know what your current workouts are like) I recently started doing this while going through a more stressful and frustrating time and it did wonders to get out all of the anger and sadness. It was therapy.
You did the right thing coming to the community for help. We are all here for you and want to see you succeed. On a personal note, if there is anything at all I can do, I am here for you and my contact information is under my signature. Don't hesitate to get in touch with me for anything. This is just a little bump in the road, one of those things that makes our journey unique. I know you will get back on track and continue doing amazing things. I BELIEVE IN YOU!

we heard back from the new insurance company last week. They want me to do their 10 week telephone course, and we'll resubmit once that is complete. Disappointing, but at least I see a clear path forward again.

Cosmorgirl2535 had the option of both and my surgeon and I finalize the decision to have RNY do to the fact that i have acid reflex as well as I wanted to loose 162 pounds. So far I am 9 months post opt and have lost 100 pounds , I am confident that I will reach my goal , I had no complications with my surgery and I felt so great that I could have went back to work after 5 days after surgery. You are tired but your body adjust, I also did not want to run the risk of having gerd or more acid reflex resulting in a conversion to RNY I wanted to have surgery only once and to take off only once. I made the best decision and I am so happy that I did and would do it again in a heartbeat. My only regret is that I did not do it sooner. Good luck.

@@cosmogirl2535 I'm about 4.5 weeks post-op bypass -- I had originally wanted sleeve, which my surgeon agreed would be good for me. Honestly, there was a teeny-tiny voice in my head that said "yea; I'll eventually be able to eat some of my fave foods, just smaller amounts!" The other voice in my head said "I'm scared; I'll eventually be able to eat some of my fave foods" (same reason for both). However, I THEN found out my insurance only covers band and bypass. Back to doctor - he said bypass would be good for me too, and honestly, my little voice said "whew - I can never eat some of those foods" - yes, said, like divorcing someone/something you love, but I now feel confident I'll lose the weight I need to and keep it off. I have about 150 lbs to lose, and am losing at the rate of about 1 lb a day since surgery. I know that w/slow down, but so far, I'm very very happy with my bypass. And like the ladies you hear talking, I really haven't had much pain at all. Biggest problems so far have been fatigue, which starting getting significantly better at about week 3 after surgery, and Constipation, which is an on-going battle with either surgery. I don't know if this is helpful, but best of luck w/your decisiion!

Hi Everyone! I usually don't do much topic starting, but I thought I would share. One of the things I wondered about pre-sleeve is if I was going to be successful. I was the world's WORST dieter. I was even worse with sticking to anything long term. The sleeve has changed my life 100% for the better. Granted, there have been some adjustments that have to be made (like new allergic reactions to foods etc), but I wouldn't change this. I was walking in the mall last weekend and walked by Victoria's Secret. I have never purchased any bras (or anything matter of fact) from in there, my chest was just too big. I thought, what the heck, lemme check it out. I need new bras anyway (semi-annual sale, extra 25% COME ON!!). Let me start by saying I was a 42DD (even a 44DD at times this time last year), so I was a little apprehensive. I still think of myself as big (that still is taking some time to adjust to). I walked out of the store with a 34DDD and a 36DD, And they were sexy bras (too bad I am the only one that sees them lol)! I skipped all the way to the car! Woohoo!! I finally cut up my Torrid credit card (plus size store), and paid off the bill. Victoria's Secret here I come! I've gone from a tight 20, to a size 8/10, size medium/large shirts. The only thing that hasn't changed are my feet.....still an 11, but now I don't have to get wide width calves!
I never thought I would have this opportunity!
Thanks for reading, and have a FABULOUS day!

What a great question! I was wondering that same thing. I have BCBS of North Dakota and they seem to approve things quickly but I had been wondering if it would take longer for something like this or not.

I was low BMI just under 34 by surgery day. I have been between 20-21 BMI now for a year and a half. It seems like folks I know with lower BMI have all reached goal.

Some folks just don't get it. That's exactly why I didn't tell no more than 5 people. Those 5 people understand I was borderline diabetic- cholesterol - HBP, had sleep apnea, back & joint pain. So they knew I needed the sleeve to get & stay healthy. I didn't want to hear or deal with the folks telling me I didn't need it because I went "big" enough to need WLS. It's been almost a year & 1/2 post op and it still haven't told anyone else. Me limiting folks that I told has made this journey a good & positive experience.

Hi swimbikerun, thank you. I think you got it right.. People believe you have to be severely overweight in order to justify WLS. I know the qualifications changed to a lower BMI a few years ago because obviously someone knew the benefits of it if you have health problems. Most people don't know that, all they see is my 600 lb life on tv and overweight celebrities getting the surgery. I am at the point now where I'm just not going to tell anyone.

I have PCOS, had the sleeve, lost a ton of weight and have pretty regular periods for the first time in my life. My doc said that he thinks 5 years from now sleeve could be considered a viable (i.e. covered) treatment for the most stubborn PCOS (like mine).

Does anyone know which sugery would be better for PCOS. The sleeve or bypass