Skepford

You need to be asking both your doctor and insurance these questions.

Good luck to you both!

I know you'll do great! I've had two major surgeries in the last 4 years, plus I've worked in surgery (I'm an xray tech). This surgery is a piece of cake. You need to do this for you. I had PCOS (I've had a hysterectomy) and have been diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome. I know what you're going through. Losing weight is hard (when you can actually get it to come off). Tell people that WLS is a very important tool that you need to help you to continue to lose the weight. I know it's hard to deal with people and their opinions. My Mom will say that overweight people are disgusting, but doesn't think about the fact that I fall into that category and how it hurts when she says that. I am not telling my family about my journey because of comments like this. Read up all you can about the surgery. If you can stand to watch it, there is a video on YouTube that shows a sleeve operation. Then you'll know what you'll be going through. There isn't much pain from the operation when they can use the scope to do it. There is some discomfort afterwards in your ribcage that makes it hard to breathe. The reason for this is that they inflate your abdomen with Carbon Dioxide so there is room to work in there. The soreness goes away after a few days. Instead of being scared, try to be informed! You'll be amazed at the difference it will make. I can't wait to hear how you do!

That is awesome! I have step 2 done. I started medically supervised weight loss on March 2nd. I have to do it for 6 months. That's ok, I figured I would have to. That makes the 6 month mark in September when I turn 55. Happy birthday to me. You and I got this!

I start my journey tonight. I go to the seminar, then see the program director within the next couple of weeks. I've used a CPAP machine for about 11 years. I've taken it on trips on my motorcycle in the RV when we go camping, and had it at the hospital through 2 major surgeries. I will be glad to not have to use it. I am so looking forward to feeling good again and not hurting. I can't wait to not carry all of this weight around. Riding a bike is hard because of the weight.

My journey starts tonight (finally)! I go to the seminar, then in the next couple of weeks will meet with the program director.

I'm with all of you! I go to the seminar this Thursday, then meet with the program director to see what's next. I've got enough things going on that maybe I can pass some of the preliminary things. If I have to do a 6 month diet, I'll do it. I've been researching WLS and following friends who have had some form of it for over 10 years. I'm ready...it's time.

Sharon, do you wake yourself up snoring? If you do, chances are you have at least mild sleep apnea. I have sleep apnea, a very bad back, have just been diagnosed as diabetic, plus few other issues. I go to the seminar this Thursday, then get to see the program director to see what is next.

Has anyone gone to the seminar and the first visit or two and been approved right away without having to be on a medically supervised diet? I go to the seminar this next Thursday, then meet with the advisor of the team. I'm hoping that I get approved fairly quickly. I know a co-worker who was approved almost right away because of her back. I have a very bad back along with several co-morbidities.

Thanks everyone. I've researched/thought about/followed friends WLS. I am ready to do this. If I have to go to medically supervised weight loss, so be it. I just want this heaviness on my body gone. I've gotten to where if I try to lose weight, I'll only lose 5 to 6 pounds or so and stop. It gets so frustrating and hard to stay motivated. I know everyone here has gone through the same thing or we wouldn't all be here, right? Stay tuned!

I have GEHA too. What criteria did you have to meet?

I'm scheduled for the seminar on the 28th of this month. My insurance requires 6 months of medically supervised weight loss, but I'm hoping with all the issues, I won't have to do that. I will see. If I have to do the 6 months, I will be right at the two year anniversary of my last major surgery, and 4 years from the first major surgery. I have sworn up and down I'm not on the two year surgery plan. This time though, it will be because I want it not because it's a life threatening condition. I can't wait to get started! I was getting prescriptions earlier today for taxes, and I've spent a lot of money on drugs for my different obesity related conditions. Hopefully that will change by the end of this year!

Can you go to one in a nearby town?

Just keep picturing what you'll look like and how you'll feel once the weight comes off. I'm just barely starting out, but already find myself looking at all the different styles of clothes I'll be able to wear instead of fat lady clothes. Surgery is scary. I've had two major surgeries since 2012. Your team will be there for you to be sure you're safe. Shelley

I am just starting out. I am scheduled to go to the seminar on Jan. 28th. You will do fine! Just keep thinking of how much better you will feel. Surgery is definitely scary! I've had two major surgeries since 2012. Yes, you'll have some pain, yes there will be limitations at first, but you'll get past those. I love reading all the comments. I'm like the one person on here who mentioned that once she makes up her mind to do something, there's no stopping her and after 3 months, she's headed off to surgery. I hope all of mine goes that fast!

What it comes down to is it's nobody's business but your own a. What you ant to share.

Yep, I completely agree. You're doing it for you, not for them. Just ignore the negative comments and bask in the positive ones. I have been contemplating this for about 10 years too. My physician thought it was a good plan and backs me up on it, so much that she put in a consult for me. I can't wait to get started!

What kind of thing are usually asked during the psych evaluation?

GOOD FOR YOU! You are doing this for you...nobody else. I can't wait to get started. It takes me a long time to decide on important things (like this), because I want to make sure it's the right thing. Once that decision is made, I'm ready for it! I can't wait to hear how you do.

The holidays are over. What better time to start on the WLS journey. I am in the very early stages of my journey. Good luck to you!

And it felt good to make that choice,right? You have made many choices. Stick to your guns and what you want your outcome to be.

YOU.CAN.DO.THIS! Think of what you'll look like a year from now! Think of everything that you'll be able to do that you can't right now. Surgery is scary.....I've had two major surgeries since 2012....but it's a stepping stone.

I am also in healthcare and have thought the same thing. Remember the HIPAA rules and that it's nobody's business but yours. You don't even have to explain to your boss. You are right about people will talk. I hate to tell you this, but I know from experience that they are also talking now. I had a lead person ask if I really needed scrubs that big. I think I'd rather have them talk about how great I'm looking and how healthy I'll be, and yes, that it's even time I "did something" about my weight. My mom makes comments that she doesn't realize hurt like a knife cut. She says how fat people are disgusting, etc. I can't wait to see her reaction, for I'm not going to tell her about the surgery until after she sees me for the first time. I have been contemplating WLS for almost 10 years. It's about time for me to do it. My recent visit to my doctor shows that I am now diabetic, after having been pre-diabetic for almost 10 years. I also have several other weight related issues. She thinks WLS is a really option and even put in a consult for me. Now I will wait for the surgeon's office to call. I am planning on going to their seminar too. I am excited and can't wait to do this!