GBLady41

Good luck!!!

I know it can be very frustrating. After I made the decision to get gastric bypass surgery, it took almost three months to even get the paperwork submitted! My pcp and her MA kept holding things up because neither one knew what papers they needed to fill out. I'm the one who looked up the information, after calling my insurance company, which is what they should have done. I actually wrote down the website where the instructions for bariatric surgery was so they could get started. That's after I changed my pcp for not starting the paperwork after three weeks. The current pcp I have is on her third MA that I know of. It was so frustrating!! I had to call multiple times a day because they would never return my calls. Finally, thank God, the head nurse (I believe) took on my case, because I had been through so much. And she's been wonderful. I still get impatient because she's so busy it's hard to get in touch with her, but I know she's got my back. Now, I am literally waiting for my approval. So don't give up. Keep pushing. Keep pressing. You are your strongest advocate. You will make it! ????

Congratulations!!

Congratulations!!

Tulsa, Oklahoma

My surgery will be in the next couple of weeks. I've already done most of the hard work. Now I just have a few more things to do and waiting on the exact date of my surgery. I'm excited!!

I have gotten a few calls from a nurse with my insurance. Then she left a message saying she wanted to help with my health. Maybe I'll give her a call tomorrow.

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

I'm planning to give a lot of my clothes away. But for the clothes I really like and want to wear as I shrink in size, I'm planning to get them tailored. A few pairs of jeans and some shirts. I know of a place where they are very reasonable with their prices. You might want to look into that, as you could end up paying way less than you would if you went and bought new clothes. Although, I will reward myself with new clothes, once I reach a certain weight.

I am like you. I also have PCOS as well as acid reflux and LPRD (laryngopharyngeal reflux disease, which is also called the silent reflux). I haven't had my surgery yet but I know I will be getting the gastric bypass. No other surgery will take care of the acid reflux and LPRD. And because gastric bypass is both restrictive and malabsorption, it will change my metabolism, causing it to be at a higher rate. I don't want something foreign in me. And I only want to have one surgery.

You have support here. I haven't had my surgery yet, but I know that support is important. Out of the few people I have told, some support me and some don't. But I'm also doing this for my life, my health. Just know you have support with us.

Hi! I'm at this stage too. It's been quite a journey but it's more than worth it. I'm waiting by the phone. Any day now! I hope we all get our approvals expediently!

I'm pre-op too. I don't have a date yet but wanted to be pro-active. I have fought so long and hard for this surgery that I'm training my mind and body to change forever. Whenever I look at food I want and my stomach starts acting up, I just think about my journey so far. I'm doing the pre-op diet to prove what I know about myself, and because I'm standing in faith. I'll be getting my surgery date any day now. I've also been getting more active, working up to walking till I'm walking at least a couple thousand steps. Because of my knees, I have to walk a few minutes at a time and work up to 30 minutes. I'm waiting for my Fitbit to come in the mail. I'm so excited for all of us!

I don't think one episode is bad, but with three days till the surgery, try to get back on track. You don't want to be in surgery and the doctor has to stop because the liver isn't small enough. I'm doing the pre-op diet as well and that thought helps to keep me on it. It's worth it, not just before the surgery, but the self discipline will help after your surgery. I just keep telling myself that I have more than enough nutrients. Picture your new self, where you're going to be one day very soon, and all of this is worth it. You can do this!! ????

I agree with Pinkgirl1234. You don't need to change doctors. I would check with your oncologist, do some more research and tell your surgeon which surgery you want. At the end of the day, it is your choice and yours alone.

@@ambrosia916, I think you might want to see what is required by your insurance. Your dietician may have a point. There's a reason why you need bariatric surgery, just like the rest of us. Maybe gaining 8 lbs will put you where you need to be in order to qualify for the surgery. Check your insurance qualifications for surgery.

Mayastone, I'm reading this book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery. I just started but it does say that "It's also important to realize that over time, your gastrointestinal (GI) tract adapts or evolves by increasing its absorption of more nutrients and, therefore, calories." - pg. 6 (Nutrional Needs After Weight Loss Surgery) This is something I didn't know. I thought the malabsorption never stopped. It might be a good idea to check this book out. ????

Hi, Mayastone! Well, I do know from research that the gastric sleeve does not help you lose as much weight as the gastric bypass. Every website I've looked has stated the same thing. I've also thought that malabsorption will be part of a person's life with RNY. But I know that people need to take vitamins all their lives anyway. As far as the other things, as a surgeon, she probably knows how much risk is involved in both surgeries, as well as the sleeve being done away with. I would do some more research and maybe ask this question in the sleeve forum to see what others have found out about the gastric sleeve. ????

Me too

@@HappyValleyHappy, I have 'silent reflux' too (LPRD-Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease). Didn't know I had it until I started having problems singing. Now it's a lot better. That's one reason I'm choosing the RNY, to get rid of that.

Don't lose hope. It will get better! You didn't have the surgery for nothing ok? Be encouraged! Stick with the diet and go somewhere you like to go and walk around, thinking positively about your weight loss goals and congratulating yourself on how well you're doing. This is not easy. If it was everyone would do it. You can do it!!!

@@JoJo_G - congratulations on your surgery and progress!! And thank you for telling your story! ????

I know how you feel. I didn't realize that people can be treated that way until it was me. I had to change my primary doctor twice before getting one who acted like he/she cared, and didn't just assume all of my problems were because I was fat. The doctor wouldn't really believe me, like I needed to lie. I have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), and if it wasn't for my endocrinologist and my gynecologist, I still wouldn't know what's going on with me. PCOS makes it even harder than normal to lose weight. I learned one of the most important lessons of my life, to be my own best advocate. I had to almost fight for every step of this gastric bypass process, from calling to check to see if the forms have been filled out, to calling to see if there has been any updates. But now I know to always stand up for myself.

did you have to provide documentAtion for each year, or where they ok with some kind of documented weight during that time? I just wonder how picky they will be! If I have to have a weight for exactly each of the 5 years or if my doc can just diagnose it... No. On my form there were spaces for weights and then one space for my weight five years ago. So I filled in the spaces with my previous visits and then filled in the one that was at least five years ago. But I also think that if you talk to your doctor, he/she will understand and give you what you need in order to get your surgery. Keep us informed. ????