ella37

Can you tell me a bit about your experience with Chantix? I actually have it sitting in my cabinet but I'm too scared to take it, the side effects list kinda put me off...

If all else fails, show up at her office and park yourself in the waiting room until they give you the paperwork

I couldn't agree more. My first appt was August 4th and on the phone they made it sound like self pay meant you'd be having surgery in a couple of weeks. Since then I've just been ticking off the list of requirements: nutrition meeting, psych eval, blood work, physical, endoscopy, pulmonary and cardiac testing, nutrition class, etc etc. I'm finally done and only have my final meeting with the surgeon left. One week I had 7 separate doctor appointments. It's a lot of hoop jumping but you'll get through it eventually! The office administrator said my surgery date would likely be Oct 4th so it went from 2 weeks to 2 months, lol. I'm sort of glad though because it's given me more time to do serious research and ask every question I can think of. You'll get there!

#1, I also love thredup, lol. Maybe it does suck for the sellers (never sold there) but it's great for buying stuff!! #2, Money was a huge concern for me too especially since I am paying out of pocket for the entire surgery cost.. but then I did a little math. Think about how much you spend eating out or on convenience foods. I just ordered some stuff for my preop diet and the prices did make me crazy but once I broke it down it's really only a couple dollars/meal. Then I thought about things like soda, frozen coffees, Desserts, and impulse buys like candy or a pretzel when I'm shopping. The small things will all add up and we will actually be saving money. #3, For anyone who quit smoking, that will basically pay for the surgery within several years. Same for drinkers. #4, People with a lot of obesity related health problems will save on meds and visits to doctors and specialists. It seems like a lot up front (esp with the 15K we're putting into the surgery) but it will pay off in the long run!

Some people really have no life. Seriously, who is sitting around thinking about a co-workers wife's weight? Get a hobby. I hope your husband told him to shut the hell up and mind his own business.

Where do we enter the coupon code? You will see this option when you checkout. Screen Shot 2016-09-19 at 8.06.35 PM.png Thanks a lot! I get really nauseous from vitamins so I'm hoping these work without the stomach problems.

Mine just asked me about the surgery mostly. She asked if I knew what exactly they did during it and how and what I expected to happen afterwards. Then I had to fill out a pretty long quiz with those like agree, agree somewhat, disagree type options. I just tried to be as honest as I could. It really wasn't anywhere near as bad as I expected. I'm nervous too! I have my last consultation a week from tomorrow and I'll get my date then. It's exciting but scary!

Where do we enter the coupon code?

I know everyone is different but what are your favorite Protein powders/drinks out there? I don't want all sweet flavors but all I see everywhere is chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Is there anything non sweet? Any good unflavored brands? What do you mix them with? Thanks!

I seriously doubt all of these people are in bad marriages. Just because your spouse thinks that you should go about something a different way doesn't mean that he doesn't care about your health. You have to remember that surgery is risky too and to a lot of people who haven't dealt with weight problems it sounds scary and extreme. It's like any other struggle, whether it's with alcohol or anxiety, people just don't get it unless they've been through it. I will say that my husband has mostly been great. When he first heard the idea he was totally against it, having only heard of WLS in reference to people who are hundreds of pounds overweight. Once I explained it more and he learned more he got on board, but I will say that if I were to cancel tomorrow he'd probably be relieved. I am self pay so it was a big decision for us even on top of the usual fears of surgery. He also put his foot down on Mexico and said no way. Yes, WLS is about health but there ARE other ways to lose weight. Most of us have done them all and been successful for an amount of time. People close to us see it and think, "well obviously he/she can lose weight on their own, they've done it before!". Like I said, they just don't get it. Especially people like my husband who can eat anything they want and never exercise and be in great shape. They just can't wrap their minds around it. After a few days of talking about the money I just told him, "I'm not going to do this without your support, so you make a decision. If you decide to support it I don't want to hear anything other than encouragement from you after this". He decided we should go forward with it and has been great, but I know he'd still be fine with me not doing it. It's okay for spouses to disagree, especially about major medical decisions.

I've posted about getting that comment several times too! I talked to a few friends over a year ago when I first started thinking about it and that was the response I got the most. "You're not THAT fat". Seriously? Is that supposed to be a compliment? They usually followed it up with tons of unsolicited diet and exercise advice. I'm only telling my husband after I made the mistake of telling my best girl friend and heard nothing but negativity. I know she won't tell anyone else though, neither will I!

What sort of things did you go over? Is it usually a one on one or group class? Is there anything you wish you'd asked that you didn't? Thanks!

Just had mine today. It was only 4 of us and lasted about 1.5 hours. Nobody really talked much and we just watched some power point presentations. It was really educational though and Im glad I went!

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/376720-is-it-normal-to-get-cold-feet/ This is a similar post I started recently and it got a lot of responses from post op folks who went through the same thing, REALLY made me feel better!!

I started my sleeve research over a year ago and never thought it would be possible For a few months I talked to people about it but then found out that my insurance wouldn't cover it and just kind of gave up. I found out recently that I've developed some mild health problems due to my weight and after a long talk with my husband we decided to spend the money for the sleeve. I had my first appt in early August and since then have been doing the necessary blood tests/doctors appointments, etc. Well as of today they officially have all my paperwork. I go in for the nutrition class on Wednesday and then the following Tuesday I have my pre op consultation with the surgeon. She said we're likely looking at a surgery date of early October. All the sudden I find myself terrified and wondering if this is too "extreme". I have struggled with my weight for years. It makes me depressed and now it's affecting my health, but I'm so scared that I'll do it and something will go wrong, or I'll hate it and not be able to reverse it. It just feels so REAL all of the sudden! I know that I can lose this weight on my own, because I've done it about 10 times before. So I know that I'll end up right back here in a year still being unhealthy and depressed and possibly even heavier like I am with almost every regain. I know that everyone is different and no one can make this choice for me, I'm just wondering if others went through the same emotions?

I think that they should. It's up to a doctor and not an insurance company to decide what treatment is best for you. If the insurance company is going to make it a hassle for you to get a treatment you need then I don't see any problem at all with a doctor helping you to get covered.

@@Tiffgetnthin I always did weight loss pics in bra and underwear. I also noticed that it took me MUCH longer to see differences in the pictures than it took other people to start noticing in real life. I think we're all our own harshest critics.

Ive seen some things on this board, people trying to gain weight to meet the required BMI, bending their knees a bit when getting measured, and someone even wore ankle weights. If you're on the borderline I would consider any of the ideas. My insurance won't cover so I just had to be above 35 BMI

I'm self pay in the USA. My first appt was August 11th and I'm going in for my surgical consultation next week. She thinks we're looking at early October so it will a little less than 2 months if that date works out.

Thanks to everyone for the kind responses so far. I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone in this! Also really appreciate everyone who shared stories about canceling surgery and trying to lose on their own again because this is exactly what I would end up doing and just like you I'd be right back where I am in a year

Thanks! He didn't really understand it at first and wasn't totally in favor of it. Once we got more info he got on board and promised to support my decision. I talked about going to Mexico to get it done cheaper but he flat out refused to even talk about it. It's a lot of money but hopefully it'lll be worth it!

@@chycky yes, i think the 14K + we are paying is adding hugely to the pressure. it'd just be devastating to spend that much on something i regretted.

No one except my husband and best friend, and I already regret telling her. When I first got interested about a year ago I shopped the idea around with some friends and got some pretty awful responses. I got told its too extreme, you're giving up on yourself, and (my personal favorite), "you're not THAT fat!" I also got TONS of unsolicited diet and exercise advice. Maybe your friends are less judgmental than mine but I'm not telling anyone else and I'm glad to know that the one friend I told isn't someone who would repeat it. I support people's decisions about telling either way but people can get awfully judgmental and be insanely rude.

I'm so glad to hear that there are others who felt this way. Hoping to hear more stories!

I've considered just strapping them in with a belt, personally. They hit at about waist level anyways... Oh yeah, mine too. My mom (who has no shame) was talking to me the other day and started changing her shirt. She was just standing there facing me without a bra or shirt on, I was like, mom, GROSS! The sad part is I realized that her boobs at 64 are still higher than mine.