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Hey fellow Chicagoans!! How are you all?? I'm a 36 year old educator currently going through my 6 month supervised weight loss program through LCM Bariatric Center.... I'm interested in knowing what doctors you all choose and how you are doing so far!!

Hello!!! I'm still completing my 6-month supervised weight loos program.. My WL doctor is trying to get me to eat more, I know i need to, but when I eat the 3 small meals and 2 Snacks he wants me to, I gain weight!!! I'm working on not being as scale conscious and instead, trying to be health conscious!!! I've done my NUT visits, Psych eval and I have seen my surgeon who is requiring a cardio and pulmonary consult... I'm ready for all of this to be over!!!

My doctor told me some of the same things yesterday!! I don't eat enough food, I don't eat at regular times, and I don't eat often enough... Those 3 things in themselves have caused me not to lose weight at all in the past month or so.... For me, I'm processing the whole situation.. I'm not a mother, but I am daughter of 2 elderly parents, a full-time educator, doctoral student and vocal artist (with a project to finish this month.. ugh!!)... With all of that on my plate, plus I'm a total perfectionist and very hard on myself because I have a medical background.. I feel I should know and do and yada, yada, yada.... Well, yesterday, as my doctor and dietician were both telling me how great I was doing w/ eating Breakfast lately, I had an epiphany... I can't get there for my loved ones or do the things that I aspire to do without being healthy and wise!! I know I need to eat and choose good food, not just for my taste buds but for my LIFE.... Ultimately, if I get sick, I will join my parents in needing medication for the rest of my life, being on dialysis and insulin and at the mercy of my caregivers.. That's not the life I want.. I'm only 36 years old... Now, I know that I must do something.. and that something has to be a tool to help me get ahead of the 8-ball instead of playing behind it ALL the time.. WLS, diets, trainers, nutritionist, etc... are only tools to help me come to know that I have to think more of myself, my quality of life and my future.. There is no cure for food addiction, there is no magic bullet or pill that I can take and wake up healthy mind, body and soul from this thing that has plagued me all of my life.. I'm not naive!! Neither am I naive about the ramifications of not doing anything about it now... For me, it's very difficult to accept that I can't do this on my own.. I struggle w/ feeling inadequate and impotent because I have not been able to maintain a significant weight loss ever... I don't like feeling vulnerable and neither do I like conceding to defeat... But I find freedom in saying, without the help of WLS and the group of professionals that I am working with, my food addiction, hormone imbalance and insulin resistance will cause me to have an early death or a quality of life that is not really life at all!!! Now that I think about it, it's not defeat at all to need help.. I tell my students that the most noble thing is to admit you need help and not fail because you are trying to save face and do it on your own... I'm not sure if you have someone who can help you for a few hours a week.. or just maybe one hour... During that time, I suggest you take a walk in the park or to your favorite quiet place and reflect on the kind of life you want to live, the kind of life you would have if you got sick from some weight-related illnesses and finally the kind of life your family would have if you died from an obesity-associated disease....What legacy do you want to leave for your children?? After that, set small goals.. and Celebrate each accomplishment.. It will help you remember and look forward to the next one.. My goal this week is to eat breakfast each day... So far, so good!!! I'm going to celebrate this weekend by purchasing a new blender!! As far as exercise, housecleaning or walking around the house is a start... Don't feel like you have to have everything down to a science!! One thing at a time, one day at a time, one step at a time!! I was freaking out when I started doing 3 meals a day and I gained 5 lbs!! I stopped eating again.. DUH!!.. I was too scale-conscious.. though my body felt great, more energy, finally sleeping, etc... I could get passed the numbers on the scale creeping up... Today, I'm planning my small goal for next week... drinking the appropriate amount of Water.... So, I understand the thinking and processing that must be done when considering WLS or any other major life-changing action.. Just know this, small successes build us up to have larger ones... you will get addicted to accomplishing your small goals and before you know it, your decision will be made, your life will be changed and you will be able to help someone else through the process... Sorry this is so long, your post really helped me put some things into perspective for myself.. So, maybe I needed to write this for me!! LOL... Blessings to you!!!

LOL... Nothing wrong with that!!! I'm great w/ 200-220.... Because of my height, I think it's perfect!! Had my 3rd appt w/ my WL spec... He's concerned that I'm paying too much attention to the scale and thus, not eating enough!! UGH!!! I'm so hard on myself... So, now I have to schedule each meal and snack each day!!! Didn't do so well this AM, but I'm eating Breakfast now (oatmeal, green tea).. gotta find some Protein... What are your meals looking like these days??

Rosalind, It's funny because my surgeon didn't think I needed to lose the amount of weight that I do... I was all for the band, when he paid attention to my chart, he was surprised that I weighed what I weigh...I'm looking to end up between 200-215 because I'll be in the 10/12 range... I know my "ideal" BW is 150-163, however, I'll take a healthy, shapely 215 anyday!! I've only lost a little weight and people are commenting that I look 20-30 lbs smaller....

Thanks for posting this!!! I've grown a bit overwhelmed w/ the number of consultations and drs visits!!! This is besides my regular check ups and visits w/ my gen prac, gyn and dentist!! GEEZ!!! But, it's for a good reason.. I keep telling myself!! 66' timestamp='1313507907' post='194967'] So I am starting to get a little anxious with all of this pre-op evaluations. They seem neverending to me because everytime I do something, I have to go back again for something else. For example, went for Cardio clearance and everything looked great but he can't clear me without an echocardiogram and stress test so I have to go back for that this Thursday. Same with Gastro, went for that, went for Endoscopy and have to go back for results (which really can be done with a phone call, but phone calls don't give them co-pays). Sorry, I'm just venting frustrations. But I am in the home stretch of all of these things - Thursday I have 2 appointments, Friday is final gastro appointment, Saturday Bloodwork and then I'm done. I just called my surgeons office and spoke to the person who handles all of this there (sooo nice & helpful she is!) and she made me feel so much better about all of this. She told me what she had already received and what she still needed and I gave her all the dates of my upcoming appointments. She said that by the last week of August she should have everything and then she gives the complete file to my surgeon who will review it all and sign off his approval. Then she will call me and we will decide on a surgery date, which will be at least 6-7 weeks from that day (because of my insurance company). Then she will submit that to my insurance company (GHI-CBP in New York) and they take about 5-6 weeks to give approval. She said that's how my insurance company does it, they require a surgery date for the approval process. So basically I will have a surgery date before I have actual insurance approval (which will be very nerve wracking to me!). But it is what it is. She also said that GHI has been very good about approving surgery. I also told her that I have a deadline in my head of November 7th, otherwise I am waiting until January. I asked her if she thought I was being unrealistic but she said I am very realistic and so long as she gets everything as expected, realistically I can have it done by the end of October!!!! So that made me very happy. The reason I want it before the 7th is that I don't want to run into the holidays while still on the liquid diet. I realize I won't be eating a hell of a lot at Thanksgiving no matter what, but I really don't want to have to explain to anybody why I'm drinking a Protein shake instead of eating dinner. So that's my update. I started my day very anxious about all of this and now I feel like I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. The light is still a small dot, but I can at least see it now.

Congrats!!!! I'm in month 2... It's been soooo much going on!!! I'm so happy for you!!! I'm also glad to hear that everyone else is closer to their surgeries!! I started work again this week.. Pray my strength!!! LOL...

Thanks Leslie!.. Congrats on all your success w/ VSG!!!!

I got a Mirena in February... (shhh... I've haven't had sex yet!!)... My gyn placed it during the last day of my cycle (sounds disgusting, I was freaked out, but it wasn't so bad).. and it went in w/o a hitch....

Thanks!!.. I've decided to go w/ the sleeve, per my surgeon and the fact that I don't want to have another surgery if I can help it... I was just concerned because they instruct you to stop taking birth control so many weeks before surgery and I have a Mirena w/ low doses of hormones.... I think it's cool because the dose is soooo low... Thanks for responding!!

Below is a repost about me!! I'm glad this group is available for us!!! Hey Guys! I am a 36 year old teacher and doctoral student from Chicago.. I have been researching WLS for a few years now. Until recently, I never took the next step to meet w/ a WL specialist and surgeon... I'm in my 2nd month of a 6 month pre-approval process.. I was dead set on the band, even w/ the failure percentage and probability of revision and port problems.. Yesterday, I met w/ my surgeon Dr. Gerald Cahill and he gave a thorough explanation of why I am a prime candidate for the sleeve.... I'm still apprehensive, but upon perusing the board, I'm encouraged by the success stories and the support provided here... I am so SCARED to share this news w/ my family... a little over 7 years ago, my 28 yo cousin died from complications of gastric bypass, because of this they are not very open to WLS...Also, because I am active, confident and successful... my friends and fam don't think I need WLS... I've been losing weight fairly steadily, but I aggravated an old back injury and can't workout like I need to.. and for the past 2 months, I've not be eating properly and essentially sending my body into starvation mode and an imbalance in my blood sugar..... I think I just got disgusted w/ my weight and kind of said.. whatever!!.. I'm much better now and excited to start focusing on me and what I know I need for my life... How did you tell your loved ones?? Or should I wait until after the surgery to tell them??? I'm willing to accept all advice, input, etc.... I'm going to do it...I want my life back!!!!

I had a Mirena put in in February of this year due to excessive bleeding and hormonal imbalance.. Since then e'thing has been great!!! I was wondering if any of you have a Mirena or another IUD and if there have been any issues w/ it since having VSG... I was researching the band and found that several women have had lots of problems w/ Mirena after being banded.. I haven't found anything concerning VSG and Mirena.. Thanks!!

Hey! I'm new to this forum and recently found out the VSG is the best option for me.. I'm so glad I found this topic because I think it's just what I need to make it through the next 4 months of my 6 month supervised diet.. My 12 things are: 1. I look forward to my outside matching my inside!! 2. Lots of rides at theme parks!! (I'm doing Disney and Great America as soon as I can!) 3. Visiting each of my siblings w/o fear of flying and of sleeping in their guest beds. 4. Not hearing kids say "Look at the pretty fat lady" 5. Shopping at the upscale shops on Michigan Ave. 6. Walking for extended periods of time w/o back pain (my weight aggravates a previous back injury) 7. Having my loved ones see how much I needed this surgery!!! 8. Traveling to Puerto Rico and Hawaii w/o cringing at the thought of wearing a bathing suit 9. Having people compliment me on more than my hair and clothing.. I wanna hear nice arms, nice shape.. LOL 10. Helping my other obese friends feel comfortable choosing the BEST option for them to live long and healthy lives 11. Running a marathon and not wanting to die during the first mile! 12. Having a wedding day where I'm not the "FAT Bride"...

Hey Guys! I am a 36 year old teacher and doctoral student from Chicago.. I have been researching WLS for a few years now. Until recently, I never took the next step to meet w/ a WL specialist and surgeon... I'm in my 2nd month of a 6 month pre-approval process.. I was dead set on the band, even w/ the failure percentage and probability of revision and port problems.. Yesterday, I met w/ my surgeon Dr. Gerald Cahill and he gave a thorough explanation of why I am a prime candidate for the sleeve.... I'm still apprehensive, but upon perusing the board, I'm encouraged by the success stories and the support provided here... I am so SCARED to share this news w/ my family... a little over 7 years ago, my 28 yo cousin died from complications of gastric bypass, because of this they are not very open to WLS...Also, because I am active, confident and successful... my friends and fam don't think I need WLS... I've been losing weight fairly steadily, but I aggravated an old back injury and can't workout like I need to.. and for the past 2 months, I've not be eating properly and essentially sending my body into starvation mode and an imbalance in my blood sugar..... I think I just got disgusted w/ my weight and kind of said.. whatever!!.. I'm much better now and excited to start focusing on me and what I know I need for my life... How did you tell your loved ones?? Or should I wait until after the surgery to tell them??? I'm willing to accept all advice, input, etc.... I'm going to do it...I want my life back!!!!

Hello from Chicago!! I am on month 2 of my 6 month program.. I met w/ surgeon yesterday... I was sold of the band, but he recommended the Sleeve due to the amount of weight I need to lose... Thankfully, I don't have any co-morbidities, just a back injury being aggravated by my weight... I'm doing okay, struggling to eat like I need to.. as far as the number of meals and Protein w/ each meal and snack. My NUT thinks my body has slipped into starvation mode b/c I wasn't eating.. I guess I was just too busy and disgusted!! But I'm much better... Started on 5K IU of Vitamin D daily, cause it was very low.. other than that, I'm good.. just trying not to freak out!!!

Well...my psych eval was rescheduled due to some emergency w/ the doctor.. but I had my appointments w/ the dietician and my WL doc.. Basically, I haven't been eating enough and my blood sugars go from one extreme to the other.. Thus, I have to stick my finger and check my glucose each day.. plus, I have to take metformin because my fasting glucose level was 120. I'm a mess today because I've never had problems w/ my blood sugars and now, I have to stick myself and take meds!!! My doc was trying to reassure me that this is a precaution to make sure I don't develop pre diabetes or diabetes.. but, I'm UGH!!!! I cried for about 2 hours last night because I'm so pissed w/ myself to let this happen!! And to think, when I was eating like crazy, I was losing weight and had good levels... Anywho, I guess I just needed to vent!!.. Oh, and I was vit D deficient.. So, I have to take 4K IU daily!!! UGH.. More pills!!! quote name='favoredone' timestamp='1310493479' post='1638838'] Thanks!! I usually don't freak out about stuff.. but today... I'm kind of vacillating between going to all these appointments today or just going shopping!!! I don't know!!! I've been a little on edge for the past week or so... making some huge career decisions and life stuff.. UGH!!! I just want to go to sleep!! LOL...

Thanks!! I usually don't freak out about stuff.. but today... I'm kind of vacillating between going to all these appointments today or just going shopping!!! I don't know!!! I've been a little on edge for the past week or so... making some huge career decisions and life stuff.. UGH!!! I just want to go to sleep!! LOL...

Hey Guys!!! I'm having my psych evaluation today at 3:30 pm... I'm a little nervous, as I don't know what to expect.. After that, I'm back to my weight loss doctor and nutritionist.... Just wanted to share where I was in the process.. 5 and a half months to go!!!! How is everyone doing so far???

Skylily, Thanks for the Independence Day message!!! I hope your holiday was great!!! I noticed you mentioned the Mirena.. I had mine placed in February... I was a nut for about 2 weeks, after that, SMOOTH sailing!! I'm sorry it didn't work for you... I can understand where you are coming from!! I've had tons of recent respiratory problems that have nothing to do w/ my weight!! Go figure!!!! However, we must remain positive and find out what will work for us!! Something will and we will do GREAT!!! Changing a lifestyle is a huge undertaking!! But I believe you can do it!! One step, one moment, one day... at a time!!!

Hey!! I'm okay.. Just struggle a little bit with some respiratory issues!! My radiologist thought he saw a mass in my lungs, but it was actually a collapsed bronchi, which is not that serious!! I was so grateful to God that there were no tumors and stuff... My weight loss doctor thinks I don't eat enough!! Which I don't.. I need to eat something every 3-4 hours.. really 2 hours.. Since I've been basically starving (not on purpose), just so busy.. I'm a teacher, doctoral student and I work as a chemist for my friend's hair care company!! Now my metabolism is virtually nil!!! I'm trying to do better... didn't eat Breakfast any this week... but, I'm planning my meals for next week... Glad to know your are doing okay... Oh, I met w/ a cool personal trainer who gave me great info about things I can do that won't aggravate my back and foot injuries.. Now w/ the whole collapsed lung thing, I have a new set of limitations.. BUT, I am not discouraged.. I'm looking forward to being able to exercise like I used to... I'm thinking that losing at 50 lbs will work wonders for me...

Dawn, how are you these days???

Hey!!! I'm currently in my supervised weight loss program.... I'm going through the bariatric center at Little Company of Mary in Oaklawn... Congrats!!!!

Hey!! Take care of yourself!! You have plenty of time to get more weight off when you get banded.. The added Protein will help boost your metabolism. Don't be so hard on yourself, you are doing great!! At least you didn't gain any weight!!!!

Don't be so hard on yourself... take it one step at a time.. and remember, stress is counterproductive to what we are trying to do!! I believe it will get better!!! Stay positive and look for other things to do instead dwell on what you can't do right now... I look forward to hearing about small victories you are experiencing!!!!

I would love to see your vblog.. Would you send me the link?? Thanks for the information!!