Thanks all for the great chat so far- wow!

Well a small update, saw my primary care doc AND my endocrinologist this week.

Good visits- I always forget the BIG correlation with diabetes and depression. Both docs wholeheartedly back me on this. I am DEF a candidate. My diabetes is NOT controlled, tryglicerides (sp), lipids, hdl are "not good", ditto A1C.

I 'official' weighed at 398 lbs (I am 6'4 1/2"). The endo took about 1/2 gallon of blood...(will know more in 2-3 weeks (his staff is horrible (laughing).

Question for the group- should I say something to upper managment about my plans for next year? (to do an 'end run' basically saying I want to be a better employee, etc...etc...). I WILL tell them I am wating for a new med to kick in (should help with mood, tiredness, etc).

(background, we have had 2 knees surgeries and one foot surgery in the past year). I have been with the company for 5 years.

Still waiting for my consult Dec 1st (if not sooner)

thanks

PenNdulum

If your concerned your on the edge I would def say something. I work for a huge corporation and even there when I'm dealing thru big stuff, just staying open and honest helps. Shows as an employee you care

I agree with Secretbeauty. If you work for a large corporation with a good benefits package, it is best to tell them what you plans are as soon as you can. Especially if you anticipate future issues in relation to your work or layoffs. I work for a large Wall Street firm. I told HR as soon as possible and provided letters from my doctors. This put me into a temporary disabled category which has saved my job.

Also, many people don't realize it, but if your benefits include disability insurance, the time off for surgery can be approved as STD. I did not know this, but when I told HR what I was doing, they told me.

Thanks- think I will def tell them my plans for the future (one of the things I want to do is sort of say 'I want to be here a long time and be a better employee). There has been some 'throwing under the bus' lately (my dept is in a bit of freefall as we have a supervisor who is a) untouchable and does NOT want to be there and we are all on our own.... I am ALSO a big worrier so I want to cover my 'butt'.

Her boss (the asst mgr) is.....an...er....I think Idiot is safe statement, so telling him will make me 'safe'. I also realize this WILL take some time at least 3-6 months. We have had to dept heads who kept putting off surgery and they were very supportive of them. One was in a lot of pain for years (foot issues) and the store mgr basically told her that he did NOT care what was going on in the dept, GET the surgery...she was out for 3 months (she could not stand on it) and now her counterpart is having knee surgery- there is no 'good' time to be out so...

Writing this I realize I know I have MAJOR self esteem issues/self worth and having the lap band will help BIG TIME in dealing with that.

I am assuming the getting to surgery is a bit of a roller coaster? that said just having made the decision is a weight off my shoulders (no pun intended). I even woke up craving Protein for a change, not sugar/carbs.

thanks all.

PenNdulum