katanne

They definitely aren't typical of most of us WLS patients...a lot of us have gotten, "Do you even weigh enough?" comments from others - these shows make people think you have to be as far gone as the people on them to qualify for surgery. Most people don't even know what a 40 BMI looks like. For a while *I* didn't think I qualified at a 43 BMI because of the inaccurate media representations of who gets WLS.

I have my medical weight management appointment tomorrow....wonder if Penn is going to try to rope me into this. I love walking, but I loathe lunges with every Fiber of my being. I was always last in those presidential fitness tests. Every single year. Even when I was skinny, I was not "in shape." I've never done a proper full push up in my entire life. The thing is, I don't think anyone but me has ever noticed. People were mostly focused on themselves. Everyone in a gym/exercise class is. If everyone's pre-op, I'm guessing just about everyone is wishing they could do more, even those who did relatively well. We're all getting this surgery because we're unhappy with the limitations our bodies impose.

That show is depressing in general. I've only been able to watch one episode - the one with Nikki the costume designer, who ended up doing really well with the sleeve. But her family situation bummed me out. One thing to remember is that you didn't start out nearly as heavy as they did, with consequently nowhere near as severe issues with overeating, so a weight regain of 150 is probably VERY unlikely for you. You've posted before about how careful you are with food intake, using Protein shakes for Breakfast and lunch, etc. I can't see you regaining substantial amounts of weight with the way you eat. Also, I'm guessing you don't have family members who are anywhere near as enabling of terrible eating habits as the people on the show. Nikki's dad was sending his daughter six donuts before breakfast every day, etc.

I ordered the sample pack set for the Symbax Nectar protein powders. Really convenient to be able to try all of them, and decent pricing.

They're a bad idea in general, whether you're having surgery or not.

I don't have your insurance, but my supervised diet is through individual sessions with the dietitian and nurse practitioner at my surgeon's office...I had a choice about whether or not I wanted them to do it or my PCP - either was acceptable. it's best to contact your surgeon's office about this. They most likely have worked with people with your insurance and will be able to tell you.

Good luck! I had the same reaction to the $300 Vitamins - I got a binder of info that included a list of different brands of vitamins that would be appropriate, and I can choose from among them to purchase myself instead of a big payment to the surgeon like that. On the other hand, my final pre-op nutrition class is $200 to cover the costs of all the previous medical weight management sessions, which my insurance doesn't pay for. So it might be something like that.

I took it years ago. It reduced my appetite and I lost weight, about 20 pounds if I recall correctly.

I was asked what my understanding of the surgery was (i.e., that getting sleeved involves removal of most of the stomach but no banding or rerouting), what the potential risks and complications are, what the progression of liquids/foods would be afterwards, etc. Just to make sure I knew what I was getting into, basically. Then she asked me who my support people would be and how I could cope with stress without eating. Then she asked about my psych history, starting with whether or not I'd ever had a substance abuse problem and from there to whether or not I'd ever had a mood disorder. I do have a mood disorder, so she got the contact information for my psychiatrist and psychologist and called them to verify that I was treatment-compliant, mentally ready for surgery, and went to all my appointments. It was all pretty straightforward and MUCH less stressful than I thought it would be.

My understanding is that if you do have a history depression or another mental illness and are not currently in therapy, they require you to start therapy first before giving you a surgery date. They want a support structure in place for all the changes you'll be going through.

I just had another denial-puncturing moment. There's an ad popping up in my Facebook feed showing a cute outfit on a very plus-size woman. When I saw the ad, I thought, "Whoa, she's BIG!" Then I noticed the store in question only sells up to a size 24...and I am in size 22 jeans. Meaning at most, the "OMG BIG!" woman is only one size bigger than I am. And of course it is entirely possible they chose a model who doesn't even wear their largest size. Ugh. This shit hurts.

Mine was mostly to see how much I understood about my surgery and the possible complications and what changes I would have to make. She asked about sources of support, things I could do to cope with stress without eating, and about my psych history - I happen to have bipolar disorder, so she had to go into that and then contacted my psychologist and psychiatrist later to make sure I am compliant with meds and go to all my scheduled therapy sessions (I know most people don't fall into this category, but just want to put it out there to show you can get approved with a mental illness if it is well managed and you do what is necessary to take care of yourself).

They are both good, effective surgeries. Which one you choose is a personal decision to make in conjunction with your surgeon. S/he will go through the pros and cons of each surgery s/he performs and make a recommendation, which you are free to take or leave.

By any chance was the person who said this to you also overweight? I think some people who don't qualify for the surgery (or incorrectly believe they don't) might view it as cheating if it's not (to their knowledge) an option available to them. It's definitely rooted in competitiveness (not wanting to be the "fat friend" or "fat coworker") and ignorance (not knowing how hard it is to get approved for the surgery and then make drastic, permanent changes to how you eat afterwards).

You're embarking on major life changes - it's understandable that your moods might be all over the place for a while. And you can no longer use overeating as a coping mechanism, so that can leave you feeling vulnerable.

Awesome! I'm a 41-year-old student myself. Tons of people go back to school later in life (not that I'm *that* old). You can do this!

2 weeks out from surgery, your incisions probably won't be fully healed, so you won't be able to take baths or go swimming. I personally wouldn't go camping 2 weeks out, and from what I've seen here, it's unlikely you'll have the energy. You definitely won't be able to carry heavy equipment. Most of us have to sacrifice something to have this surgery - I typically see a couple friends who live far away in June and we always go out to eat in restaurants, which is just not likely to happen this year given my likely June surgery date - you may have to give up the trip(s) this year...but think about next year when you'll be much healthier and more able to enjoy it.

My goal is to get through all the pre-op tests, supervised diet, etc. and get a surgery date. Shooting for June.

I totally get it - I'm your height and my BMI is also over 40. One of the things that started to break through my denial was seeing myself in the full-length mirror a local coffee shop has across from the cash register - got the whole side view and couldn't believe it. Ugh. Never went back to that cafe, but maybe I will once I've lost a bunch of weight.

H&M - stylish but relatively inexpensive clothes, and of course thrift shops. Will probably be using Ross, and later on thrift shops during my weight loss phase because I won't have the money to keep up with rapid size changes any other way.

I have to take a class after I get my surgery date - it's a pre-op nutrition class. This is in addition to the monthly visits during the 3-month supervised diet. It's my surgeon's requirement, not my insurance company's.

I ask because my upper GI fluoroscopy showed one. I have to have an endoscopy now to determine how severe it is. I'm afraid I won't be allowed to get the sleeve because of the possibility of GERD...have any of you had a hiatal hernia and were able to get the sleeve? I really, really don't want to do gastric bypass.

My issue with gastric bypass is that I'm bipolar and am on several psych meds. Finding the proper meds and the right dosages was HELL and took several years during which I was on disability and unable to work or go to school - being suicidal and in and out of psych hospitals ranks higher on my personal misery scale than GERD by a long mile. I really don't want to get back on the med-go-round because of the malabsorption factor if I don't have to.

I have yet to tell anyone other than my doctors and my parents. I chickened out during my last conversation with my best friend and didn't tell her...so yes, I am a bit afraid about how people will react, if they will try to talk me out of it (I just don't want to hear it - I've made up my mind), think I'm doing something crazy extreme, etc.

Unjury Chocolate Splendor tastes just like chocolate milk to me when I mix it with milk.