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1st Appt. Scheduled!



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Hello from Chicago!

I just realized that I posted this in the wrong place earlier... so here's a repost.

I have been reading, researching having WLS and came across this forum. I knew I was interested in WLS in Jan. ’06; I visited my PCPat Northwestern Mem. Hosp. on my birthday in Jan. '06 - she told me to purchase a rice cooker and to cut back. I joined WW {again} in March, ’06 - lost approx. 20 lbs. & here I am again in Jan. ’07 with more weight than I had this time last year. This happens every year – diet/lose/gain +.

I have my first appt. with Dr. Robert Kushner at Northwestern’s Wellness Group 01/30/07. I’ve read a lot about his WL approaches; he’s written a book on WL - his Northwestern profile list his areas of interests as: Nutrition/Diet Counseling, Obesity, Weight Loss / Management. They have sent me paperwork to turn in for my initial visit. They ask you to ensure your Insurance will cover visits w/Registered Dietician & Health Psycologists. The receptionists says I'll have to attend 4 classes (1 month apart).

I began an excel spreadsheet listing all weight loss attempts since 2000. This is my first time being at 40 BMI, therefore, I won’t have medical documentation to show 5 yrs of 40 BMI. Almost all previous doctor’s appt., have recorded the times after I’ve lost weight. I’ve never been under a supervised diet. I began this week documenting EVERYTHING I can remember & will from this point on, because I have a fear of dealing with my Aetna Open Access HMO. Since 2000, I’ve been on slim fast, medifast, WW x2, south beach, nutrisystem. I know HOW to lose weight… haven’t learned how to keep it off. So, if things don’t work out with getting approval for WLS {I’ll be completed crushed}, yet I’ll be ready to work with the Wellness Center on to assist me w/losing & learning to keep it off (hopefully).

Currently, I’m not diagnosed with anything. I’ve had a hysto surgery in 2000; Vag. Prolapse surgery in 2004 & hemmie surgery in 2006. I snore loudly (wake myself up) wouldn’t be surprised if I actually have sleep apnea. Both my sisters have been are diagnosed. Wish me luck and give me advice... Thank you!

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    • Alisa_S

      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.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      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.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

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

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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