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This is the scariest thing I have ever considered doing



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I am Brette, from Detroit.

I have struggled with my weight most of my life, but I began to lose the war about two years ago. At that time I finally found a doctor who understood the trials of PCOS and started on an androgen blocker. It helped with acne, and mood swings and some Water weight, but the bulk of my weight did not budge.

So I walked, and low-carbed, and fasted, tried every new and improved weight loss fix that came along.

I tried to explain to family and friends why my weight was not coming off. Some thought me lazy, some crazy.

In January of this year my health plan required me to have a health assessment and to pursue an exercise program or they would raise my cost-share requirements.

I logged in at that time at 191 lbs. To some that may not seem like a lot, but at 4' 11" tall, I was about 80 lbs over weight.

I once again started low carbing, and walking, walking, walking, averaging between 5000-7500 steps a day.

I thought I was doing good, even though my weight loss was very slow. In August I had follow-up visit, and found out that all of my efforts had helped me to loss a grand total of 8 lbs. 8lbs in 6 months!

I was crushed. To add insult to injury, I then found out I was pre-diabetic and needed to start metformin. This drug has helped a lot with fatigue and I am able to exercise more.

Well, after two months of metformin, I have lost inches, but gained 4 lbs.

My doctor mentioned that even though my BMI is under 40, I have some other corresponding health issues that qualify me. I am ready to take the step. She asked me to try the metformin and low carb for a year, before she would give approval. I have about 8 months of that year to go, but am going to ask her to reconsider and let me do it sooner.

Wish me luck. I want to be a success story on this forum.

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awwwww goodluck && that's a really big step to take control of your life not sure if she'll approve you earlier than 8 months but honestly sounds like she should because from what you said you have co morbidities & you have documentation of your weight loss attempts so that should help in your favor but even if you do have to wait trust me the months fly by then one day soon you'll be sleeved! once again goodluck to you<3

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Good luck to you! I hope you can get the surgery before you develop more co-morbidities. I was like you, had lost 50 lbs last year, then one round of pneumonia and blood clots put it all back, plus a few pounds. UGH! I understand that you are definitely a candidate. My business partner is 4'11 and weighs 98 pounds (literally), which still leaves her about 5 pounds heavy for her body size. Even if you have to jump through the hoops for your insurance/doctor, it will go quickly and soon you'll be on the loser's bench. :)

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awwwww goodluck && that's a really big step to take control of your life not sure if she'll approve you earlier than 8 months but honestly sounds like she should because from what you said you have co morbidities & you have documentation of your weight loss attempts so that should help in your favor but even if you do have to wait trust me the months fly by then one day soon you'll be sleeved! once again goodluck to you<3

Thanks so much!

She is a pretty good doctor, and may be willing to reconsider the time. I see her again in January, so that may be the time she give the go ahead.

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Good luck to you! I hope you can get the surgery before you develop more co-morbidities. I was like you, had lost 50 lbs last year, then one round of pneumonia and blood clots put it all back, plus a few pounds. UGH! I understand that you are definitely a candidate. My business partner is 4'11 and weighs 98 pounds (literally), which still leaves her about 5 pounds heavy for her body size. Even if you have to jump through the hoops for your insurance/doctor, it will go quickly and soon you'll be on the loser's bench. :)

You're so kind! i appreciate the support. I am going to do whatever it takes to be successful. If pursuing their plan gets me there, great, but if it only proves I really need the VSG, then I will have that to look forward to.

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. summerseeker

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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