katanne

I am in nursing school, although I am a Nontraditional student at age 42 and I don't live on campus. My school is surrounded by restaurants, though, so I will definitely have eating challenges. My plan is to eat at the hospital cafeteria, which has Greek yogurt and lean protein options available. I of course have to make time to cook for myself at home, too, which is hard when assignments start piling up. My first appointment is on the 9th.

This article/post couldn't have come at a better time - I've been procrastinating about getting the required letter from my PCP. I actually have NO idea whatsoever what she thinks of WLS; I just fear she'll have the negative reactions a lot of people have. She has told me to lose weight several times. I am fortunate in that I am a patient in the University of Pennsylvania health system, so I know there are many other options to go to if she turns out to be unsupportive...but knowing that intellectually isn't the same as the emotional fears that pop up.

I'm going through Penn as well, in my case Pennsylvania Hospital at 8th and Spruce. All my appointments, including the psych screening, have been right there. I'm pretty impressed with the program so far. I'd contact them/go to an info session (they have many at many locations in the Philly area) - someone from my insurance co. told me I couldn't have the sleeve, and the Penn coordinator said that was incorrect and they'd sleeved many people with my insurance. A lot of people who work for insurance companies are unknowlegeable about their own policies.

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.