katanne

It was so much less intimidating than I thought it would be! My surgeon and insurance don't require a specific amount of weight to lose aside from the two-week 1000 cal max diet right before the operation. I was terrified I would have to strictly justify everything I ate to an obsessive degree. Instead I was told to hit the 60-90g Protein target every day, sample different protein powders and shakes, to slow down eating so that a meal takes me 20-30 minutes to eat, to practice sipping Water slowly, and to start the protein first, veggies next, carbs only if you're still hungry pattern. And no meal skipping (I tend to skip breakfast). She said most people naturally start to lose weight even pre-surgery when they start these habits. I'll have a weigh-in next month but it doesn't sound like it'll be Draconian.

Ask your surgeon. I asked mine and he said he doesn't routinely remove gallbladders. Most of his patients don't end up with gallstones that block the bile duct (the only problematic kind). I can't think of an insurance company that would deny coverage for a medically necessary surgery later in the event you need it.

Awesome! This is my hope as well - I may never be "skinny" after surgery (but who knows?), but I'm optimistic about being able to keep off whatever I do lose. My surgeon told me that realistically, my weight will probably settle down between 150 and 170 with some possibility to go lower. At that weight, I'd still be technically overweight but a hell of a lot smaller and healthier than I am now.

Good luck! And let us know how he did w/the surgery!

I used to read FA websites/blogs/books all the time. I have no problem with wanting everyone to be treated with dignity regardless of size or health status. My problem is with some of the people in the movement/phenomenon (Paul Campos, Kate Harding) - they continue to insist that fat doesn't cause health problems, although Campos at least makes an exception for type 2 diabetes. I think it's safe to say few of us would be getting WLS if not for concerns about our health. My blood pressure is MUCH lower when I'm thin. I can move around with MUCH less pain and shortness of breath when I'm thin. My body can fit into WAY more yoga poses WAY more easily and without fear of injury when I'm thin. And so on and so forth. My lived experience just does not back up their assertions on this point.

I live in Philly...inner city, not suburbs. City living can be....interesting, to say the least.

Awesome! I had my meeting (and giant binder) today, too and might be having my surgery in June, too!

So I had my meeting. Everything and everyone is set up in one place like the two of you have experienced, fortunately. I felt very comfortable with the surgeon and nurse and will be meeting with the nutritionist shortly (she had to leave early because of a family emergency, so I'll be seeing her later this week). I have a HUGE binder of info and a bunch of appointments to go to and am nervous/excited. They told me my insurance DOES cover the sleeve! And that it's not uncommon for the people you talk to on the phone at insurance companies to give you incorrect info about your own insurance. Ugh. I decided on the sleeve because I'm on a lot of medications and will be able to stay on the exact same doses afterward because there's no malabsorption. I'm relieved that I'll be able to get the procedure of my choice. The doctor said I'd be having surgery in June or July at the latest, as I'd hoped, so I'm psyched about that.

I haven't had my surgery yet. but as a long-term yo-yo dieter, yes, people treated me MUCH better when I was normal weight. Even jerks on the street who yell nasty things at women - Saturday I had a bozo yell, "MISS, MISS, YOU GOTTA BIG BUTT! YOU GOTTA BIG BUTT MISS!" I'm sure if I were thin he would have called me a bitch or something, but when you're big, people decide to go straight to insulting your size.

So, I have my first appointment with my surgeon (or at least a surgeon I am considering) tomorrow. I was originally looking at Lap-Band but after learning that most insurances only pay for one bariatric surgery per lifetime, I'm not willing to risk the possibilities of slippage and lesser overall weight loss if I can't revise to RNY later. My insurance doesn't cover the sleeve, so I guess I'm looking at gastric bypass, assuming he gives the go-ahead. I've been doing a ton of research, both on this website and in books....I have my questions ready re: how many surgeries he's performed, what percentage of his surgeries are WLS, why he chose bariatric surgery, what about gallstone prevention, how much weight can I reasonably expect to lose if I adhere to the diet, when can I reasonably expect to have the surgery scheduled. I have questions for the dietitian re: how to change my pre-op eating pattern to 3 meals instead of undereating during the day and grazing at night and just overall making healthier choices so I can succeed in the mandatory 3-month supervised diet. Anyway, are there any other questions I should ask? Is there anything you wish you'd asked your surgeon or dietitian at your initial consult?

I'm pre-op and have my first meeting/consultation with the surgeon on Monday. I'm afraid I"ll be turned away. I know it's unlikely at a BMI of 42+ with hypertension and foot pain, plus snoring that could turn out to be apnea, but I still fear it. I also fear the reactions I'll get from family and friends when I tell them I'm doing this. I don't plan on telling many people. I told my parents, and their initial reactions were very negative. They are starting to come around, though. I hope it goes like that with others - that, no matter how shocked/disappointed/whatever they feel about my surgery, that they will come around and see that it is the choice I genuinely want to help me become healthier.

I just had my info session this past Monday....have my consult with the surgeon this coming Monday. I'm really nervous and I hope it's normal to feel this way. I kind of can't believe I'm actually going through with this!