naturegirl

I am not into telling people about my upcoming procedure. Too many judgy people. I've told my parents, boss, two coworkers, and my Girl Scout co leader. I'll probably tell a few others, but honestly it's none of their business.

Welcome to the group. Good luck with your bariatric journey.

My psych eval was 2 weeks ago and it was less intimidating than I thought it would be. The psychologist is aware that I'm on medication for depression, and asked me questions pertaining to my stability, emotional well being, if I've seen a counselor before, etc. I thought more emphasis was placed on my attempts to become healthy and what lead to being overweight. I may be odd, but it was nice telling these hings to someone who would listen. To be able to share the embarrassment of being the biggest kid in my class or the soccer/field hockey teams, was refreshing IMO.

While I'm still awaiting my surgery to be scheduled, it's nice to read accounts of what the surgery and recovery processes are like. Of course I realize that everyone is different, but I'm hoping that this prepares me for what's ahead.

Mine is pretty basic, it's me. This was taken July 2014 while riding a cable car in San Francisco. I really liked the picture and it felt great to be back in CA; my childhood home state.

I've had the Fitbit Flex for a year now and like it. I've never really tracked my Water, sleep, or food intake on it. Instead I use it as motivation to keep moving. I enjoy when my wrist vibrates for hitting a daily goal. You can compete against others, but I don't. I'm too competitive lol. One downside I've noticed is that since it's placed on my wrist it tracks all hand movement as steps, so your actual step count can be off. One day during Girl Scout cookie sales I spent a large portion of my day waiving at cars (drive through cookie booth). By the end of the day it said I had completed 26 miles. I don't recall running a marathon.,,,

My husband and I are doing this together. Our doctors encouraged us to do the procedures about a month apart. This would allow for one to take care of the other during the recovery process. My parents will watch the kids at our house, but there's one of us to help take care of them as there are 4 kids. Our initial plan was to have the surgeries at the same time, but the more we thought about it, the more we agreed with our doctors to have the procedures at separate times. Especially as one would need to drive the other to post-op appointments which are ~1.5 hours away at the doctor.

I'm fortunate that my DH and I are going through this journey together. I also have a friend who is anticipating a surgery date around the same time as mine later this summer. I honestly don't know how my parents feel about me having the surgery, but they are there is help with the kids while both my husband and I recover.

I met with the surgeon and case manager today for our first appointment. They are looking at either the end of July or early August for my procedure. I have blood work and an EKG tomorrow and then need to meet with the Psychologist before we can move forward.

A few weeks ago I attended the group info session, and today had the initial consultation with the surgeon and case worker. I have an appointment for my blood work and EKG tomorrow. I'm looking at a possible surgery date of late July as my husband is also going through the procedure with a June surgery date.

Hi everyone, My husband and I are just starting our process towards the VGS (having the surgery a few weeks apart) and have a question that I am hoping that some of you can help me out with. We have had our first pre-surgical meeting with the surgeon and have been given our list of pre-surgery tests we need to have done. Part of that is the psych evaluation. When I was first told that we would be doing the psych eval, I was not worried. Now, after emailing a bit with the therapist who will be doing the eval on Friday, I am much more worried. He indicated that what he is concerned about, and the things that can prevent us from being approved for the surgery are that we are currently obese because any of the following reasons: A history of binge eating Poor adherence to prior diet and physical activity plans Inadequate control of portion sizes in meals Boredom eating, stress eating, or eating out of habit rather than hunger Eating to self-sooth or as a distraction from stressors Inability to control cravings for unhealthy foods/poor food choices So guys, what’s the deal? Do they expect that we got fat be a freak accident? Or perhaps the surgery is only for people that stick to diet and exercise plans, have good eating habits with small portion sizes, never boredom or stress eat and still end up obese? I want to be honest with the guy, but it sure sounds like pretty much like a history of any activity that makes people fat will disqualify you from having weight loss surgery. I know that my husband and I are both obese because we eat too much, eat the wrong things, and don’t burn enough calories. It is all related to bad habits that we need to break and the surgery is just one part of that. Any advice or thoughts? Thanks!

Safeway and Walmart carry sugar free Popcycle brand.

I've been wondering the same thing. My husband and I have been going through this journey together, and the surgeon recommended the bypass procedure to him. While they decided on the sleeve, I'm curious about hearing more pros-cons of the bypass. My appointment with the surgeon is in 10 days, so I don't know what his recommendation will be, but hadn't even really considered the bypass until now.

I'm making mental notes to inquire about nausea when the time comes. I do have a question about he gas pain. Is there anything that you can compare it to? Also does everyone experience it?

I no longer live in Northern California, but grew up near San Jose. Have you checked out the state/region boards?

I can't wait for a feeling like that. Sounds like great will power too.

You're going great!

Yay for victories!

Mine were: - Having to walk off rides at 3 different amusement parks because I didn't fit in the seat. My friends and kids rode, but I left to snickers, laughs, and criticism of strangers. - pre-diabetes and having to take Metformin - Watching my 10 daughter head down the same road as me - Seeing the scale cross the 260 mark and having to buy size 22 pants - Back pain. I have a bad back due to a car accident in 2000, but the pain has only gotten worse in the last two years due to my added weight.

Hi. My name is Keri and I just turned 36 a week ago. I've been married since 2003, and have 4 children ages 4, 5, 8, and 10. I have always been overweight. I was the fat friend in our group in elementary and junior high. In high school I was the fattest girl on our field hockey, soccer, and softball teams. But at least I was active and trying to control my weight. With college and adulthood I became sedentary. I sit at a desk for 8 hours, where the extent of my walking is to refill my Water or use the restroom. I started jogging in 2013 in an attempt to get healthy and control my weight. As a result I have run a dozen 5ks and 2 10k. Unfortunately this spring my momentum to jog is seriously lacking due to a 15lb spike in my weight. I'm need to get back into it because I like where it puts me mood wise. In 2 weeks I'll be jogging the Tinkerbell 10k at Disneyland. I haven't trained as much as I'd like, but am still excited. I just began the bariatric journey two weeks ago. So far I have attended a group info session and have my first meeting with the surgeon scheduled for the 13th. My husband is also along for this journey. His first meeting with the surgeon is this coming week. Emotion wise I'm scared, excited, nervous, and anxious. I don't know how long the wait will be and it frustrates me! I'm a planner and need to know what lies ahead. But until then I'll be reading all I can to prepare for the journey ahead.

Since I have 4 kids I never work out without wearing a pantyliner. It's the whole coughing/sneezing/jumping thing. I have also heard a lot of women recommend rubbing stick deodorant on inner thighs to prevent chaffing. Don't know if that's an issue too.

While I am in the early stages of this process, I find it refreshing to know that I am not alone in my shape. I have thick, wide thighs with plenty of dimples. My calves are also quite large, and my butt...well it's there. Before kids #3 and #4 I did have some definition where my mid section once was. I too was one of those ladies who had a gap in their waistband because they had to size up to accommodate the large thighs. These days I've got the bulging belly and wide/thick thighs and calves. I've come to realize that they will always be there, but if anyone learns of ways that actually help to tone the beasts I'm happy to listen.

My husband has been using a CPAP machine since 2006 and can't live without it. I on the other hand was first issued one in 2008 and have not had much success. I've attempted to use it multiple times, but with no luck. Two weeks ago I decided to give it another try as it's needed for the surgery. So far it's been going well in terms of keeping the mask on, but I do not feel well rested. If anything I feel worse because I spend time at night adjusting my mask for the best fit. The nasal pillows are too big (even small), and the triangle shaped nose mask in small is to big too. I have an appointment with my doctor next week, so I'm hoping to talk about my options and a possible new sleep study. But as long as I can keep the mask on then I feel like I've made positive strides. Good luck with your cpap.

Hello, I have just begun the process of getting approval for bariatric surgery. My PCP submit a request for me to begin the process of surgery, and have since attended a group information session, and have scheduled my first meeting with the physician. I'm curious as to what experiences people have had with Group Health and their bariatric surgery coverage. Thanks!

I just joined this group but have been reading the boards for two weeks now. I just attended the group information session at Rockwood/Deaconess last week and have my first appointment with Dr. Rawlins in three weeks. I live about an hour and half south of Spokane and have not yet investigated support groups in my area. Has anyone noticed if there is overlap in the people in this group and the people that attend the Rockwood support group?