Sumaire

When I was at 135 pounds, I wore a size 10, but my goal weight is 125, since I was still noticeably pudgy at 135. I'm just tired of carrying around more than 4x 40 pound bags of dog food (the way I explain what morbid obesity is like on my body) on a constant basis that I am unable to put down and walk away from.

I'm still waiting for approval. I've tried so many diets, it's insane, but none have been long term successful. The Scarsdale Diet, Atkins, paleo, etc, and no luck. The only time I lost weight and kept it off (for a time, anyway), was when I was taking Adderall for my ADD. When I could no longer afford the psychiatrist visits, no more prescription and my weight went from about 235 up to 299 at its highest (I'm at 283 and holding right now). Anyhow, you shouldn't have to take drugs to lose weight. That's nothing that's going to last in the long run.

Waiting on approval for a barium swallow now. He wants to see how my esophagus is behaving.

My surgeon wanted me to be checked for a hiatal hernia before surgery, as I've had issues with throwing up after eating for the past few decades. Well, yes, I do have a hiatal hernia. I also have esophagitis (from long-term GERD) and moderately severe gastritis. I'm thinking that the surgery should help to eliminate/reduce those issues, and have explained that to my Mom, also reminding her that I am doing this for ME, as esophagitis is known to lead to esophageal cancer, which no one wants. She, of course, did the whole "well, if you hadn't eaten so much for all these years" thing, and my response was "well, that's in the past, and we can't do anything about the past, just the future", to which she grudgingly agreed. Family. Can't live with 'em, can't make 'em listen the first time.

I am H Pylori-free.

My daughter went through a bunch of stuff online and looked up complications of the surgery tonight, as a coworker's Mom just passed on today after getting a kidney infection in the hospital after having a knee replacement. I know she's freaked out about my getting the surgery, but it's not dissuading me. She's certainly trying to get a reaction out of me, and I'm not going to give it ot her. Thanks for listening. YOU understand, I'm sure, how frustrating all this can be.

I've got severe GERD and my doctor recommended RNY over sleeve because of it, since the former can aggravate GERD, while RNY seems to help get rid of it. Easy choice for me that way.

If you're looking for Premier Protein shakes, Redplum has a manufacturer's coupon for it online for $4 off the four-pack, if you buy it at Safeway/Vons. I prefer the chocolate flavored ones. They don't double manufacturer coupons in SoCal, where I live, so mine came to about $4.99 each, but it was better than $8.99 each (before tax). costco also sells 18 packs, but not sure of the price there. Amazon's are WAY too expensive. Just a thought.

My daughter's been negative about it, and isn't happy at all that I've chosen this tool to help me on the road to being a healthier person. She's concerned about the anesthesia end of things, from what I've been able to glean. I've been under general anesthesia four times now, and two times in twilight sleep, so I know that going under isn't an issue for me. Going to have two more experiences with twilight sleep over the next two weeks with the upper and lower GIs I have to get to clear that pre-surgery hurdle. As for others, most of the people I know do NOT know about my plans, and I've decided it's none of their business, anyway.

I'm in Pomona. I'm hoping to get my surgery date in the next couple months, after my insurance accepts the previous two years of medical records (before the ACA, I couldn't afford to get insurance, as I have several preconditions). I look forward to getting to know some of my SoCal board-mates better.

Thanks for the information. I'm also doing Covered California/MediCal, and it appears they will cover the whole thing, as I have no income, but plenty of medical issues that are aggravated by my morbid obesity. My highest weight was 299 pounds, and I'm currently at 283. The first time my surgeon saw me, I was at 294 pounds. Waiting on two years to pass since I was first insured so that the insurance will approve the surgery. Two years will be April 2016.