Suzi_the_Q

I just took my written test last week, it's really no big deal. Some of it is obvious, like "do you hear voices?" kind of thing, some of it is stuff like t/f "I had a great relationship with my father." Some of it is things like t/f "when I am upset, I turn to food for comfort." Then there was this, IMO trick question: t/f "I like everyone I know." (I answered false, but there's more than one connotation to that one, isn't there?) You'll do fine.

6 months Medicaid.

That all sounds about right- thank you for all of your input- puts me more at ease about the whole thing.

That makes sense, thank you!

Yeah, 170 lbs. is seriously a no-go for me. We shall see I s'pose. I think they seriously underestimate both my motivation and my ability. Just gotta get the inertia going in that direction.

They put me on a special scale that sent an electrical current through my body.

So I just had my 1st appointment with my PT where they do all your measurements, body comp etc. And according to that my "fat-free mass" is 124.4lbs, so they think my goal weight should be around 170.... The HELL you say?!? I have BEEN down to 148 before and I was STILL a little pudgy, hence my personal goal of 130 which is a reasonable BMI for my height. I'm wondering if I'm retaining a lot of water?? I'm having my 1st period in months rn so maybe that's it? I know I have a decent amount of muscle under all this, but still. I've been 170 and it's heavy for me. I guess it's too soon to tell/ worry about it, but it seems weird.

Maybe try pureed potato soup?

What do you mean by "everything" please?

Have you had your gallbladder checked?

That's the difference between a custom made corset and an off the rack sort. The off the rack kind will have gapes in places, but the custom ones are made to your measurements, so they will be fitted. There are a lot of custom corsetry shops on etsy that you can work with your specific needs to custom make a garment for you that is more supportive of your lower abdomen. It may be tricky though because your hips stick our farther. Maybe gussets would help to alleviate that? Definitely contact some professional corsetiers though. This lady is my favorite, though she only takes a few orders at a time. She does send a muslin mock up of your corset so you can work on fit etc before the real one is made. She's been in business for over 20 years. https://www.facebook.com/ElectraDesigns http://electradesigns.net/ - web prices are old, best to contact on FB

Thanks! I can't wait to get my body back, honestly; pregnancy followed by major back injury did me dirty! Re: corseting- you can see the waist to hip ratio is pretty good here, if that's what you're going for. And absolutely DO NOT exercise in a corset. You could hurt yourself and will likely break the steel bones in it too. If you must wear something while exercising, there are waist trainers designed for that. The key is to go about training very slowly in small increments. The link I included above goes over how to do it in a very safe, conservative way. It's definitely not for everyone and requires a lot of patience and attention to your body.

Oh, that’s the BEST part- they want most of this done before my next appointment, on June 23rd. ? Next week I have my pap, iud, ultrasound, mammogram, upper GI X-ray, and my lower extremity bilateral. I just did my fasting labs and ekg today. Bloody whirlwind! It’s not like I’m getting surgery this month (I wish!) Ugh!

My PCP is a women's health clinic, specializing in all women's things plus medi-spa stuff too (vaginal rejuvenation, anyone?) The bariatric clinic is tied to my local hospital. Honestly, I'm ok with all the hoops, at least they are thorough and I have never had surgery in my life aside from oral surgery to get my wisdom teeth out. Otherwise I'd have to drive at least an hour for every appointment vs. 7 minutes and I have anxiety and agoraphobia issues so that's not very likely to succeed. All the hoops might be because I have medicaid too, they're known for being pains in the ass no matter what Dr. you go through.

Now I wonder if my PCP was BSing me about the IUD requirement....

This was me back then. Not too extreme.

I did not damage my internal organs and my blood flow is fine. One has to be very careful though.

My pcp said they'll require me to be on birth control so I don't get accidentally pregnant during this process, the surgeon didn't mention it at our 1st meeting yesterday, but maybe she saw I had the IUD appointment on the books? I can't stand hormones so I go with the copper IUD (extra cramps, yay!). The surgeon requires that you're up to date on pap and mammo and I was due anyway. All together it feels a bit over the top though.

Maybe you should see your (or a) bariatric doctor? This might be something in their wheelhouse.

Right??

So, back when I was normal sized before, I did waist training with actual corsets, Victorian- style. You need a corset with steel bones, both flats and spirals, and a steel busk in the front. Yes, they work. It takes about 6 months to a year of slowly tightening them down about 1/2 inch per week or 2. It's best to get a custom made one (Etsy) and wear a thin tank top underneath so it stays clean. You have to wear it to bed too, though loosened. I permanently moved my ribs and pulled my (uncorsetted) waist in by about 4-6". It takes 6 months to a year for your bones to recalcify in their new shape, afterwards it's more or less permanent, though over time some spread can happen. I recommend doing your research first as it can be dangerous if you go too fast or use the wrong garments. Under all my bulk I can still feel the sharp hourglass shape of my bones even though it's been around 15ish years since I did this in earnest. I think I wore them every day for at least a year to achieve this. It IS work, but you get results Here's a website that can help you get started if you wish to go this way. https://www.orchardcorset.com/pages/how-to-waist-train-safe-effective

My surgeon requires the mammogram and pap, plus birth control, so the IUD. My PCP wants the urine collection and the ultrasound (because I have leak issues and haven't had a regular period in about 8 months, likely due to weight.)

Yes, a few of them are doubled up/ back to back. I also have a couple in the same day but across town from each other. My insurance won't pay for me to have my pap and IUD in the same appointment, so that's a nonsensical split.

Just had my first appointment with the surgeon today, and holy gods the number of appointments I have immediately ahead of me! I have appointments for: Fasting labs; EKG; Pap smear; Mammogram; Ultrasound; IUD; Upper GI x-ray; Lower extremity venous duplex bilateral; I have to collect and measure my water intake and pee output for 2 days; Psychological computer test; 3 Nutritional evals; Psychological evaluation; Physical therapy evaluation; 7 weigh-ins; Plus, I just had this funky catheter/ bladder test; AND I have to make an appointment with my Sleep Dr. to get my CPAP adjusted too! (I have yet to schedule this appointment), and have 2 support group meetings TBD. Giminy Crickets- I'm kinda reeling at the enormity of it esp. since most of these tests/ appointments are happening in the next 2-3 weeks or so. Is everyone's experience this... exhaustive or am I just lucky that I have very *thorough* doctors? Oof. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited as Hell, but WOW. They gave me a binder to keep track of it all. ?

You're so lucky- my insurance requires a 6 month, doctor supervised diet, so my surgery won't be until late December at the very earliest, most likely January or February.