Okay...I'm not too sure about this journey that I've started. The logical side of my brain knows I need to lose at least 150 pounds and I've battled my weight all my life. I know that if I'm starving..it isn't going to happen. Add to that my battle with hypothyroidism and I want to be healthier.

I gave weight loss surgery serious consideration and researched doctors. A month ago I went to a seminar. They had us fill out information and the very next day the wonderful lady at the seminar calls to tell me that my insurance plan is one of the easiest to get approved with and would I ask my PCP for a letter supporting me. I did that and here I am two weeks later with an approval. Don't get me wrong..I know I should be very grateful but somehow I feel this is too fast. I felt confident until my first consult with the doctor today. You know the one where they tell you all the things that could go wrong. My husband was with me and he is beginning to think this approach may be too aggressive. At this point I feel like I am in a state of complete information overload, I have a surgery date scheduled for the 15th of July, and I'm having second thoughts. So if any of you could read some of the questions below and give me honest answers it would mean a lot.

1. Anyone out there with hypothyroidism? They are still trying to get mine under control with medication and I'm wondering if this will be more difficult to do after surgery?

2. I heard all about the diet today and all I could do was die. Yes I'm fat but believe it or not fruits, veggies and nuts are my favorite foods. The thought of having to center my eating around a piece of meat or fish with none of the above for a long time (my center recommends until you hit maintenance) is making me cringe. I'm not a big meat fan...but at the same time I don't want to end up malnourished...

3. Heartburn - does everyone have to take acid medication after surgery or only some people? I'm not overly fond of taking medications for anything and the thought of making a choice that would require medications is scary for me. I'm reading about people who are suffering from massive heartburn after surgery. I've only had heartburn when I was pregnant and I still have nightmares about it...

4. I am already battling anemia...will this surgery make that battle even harder?

5. Vitamins...the whole Vitamin taking sounds a little daunting. Does this get easier? Will I have to crush stuff up forever? I read some places where it says no..but then my doctor says he recommends it from here on out...

6. Recovery- how long did it take most of you? I'm a teacher...and that is 3 weeks before the kids hit the classroom again. Not being ready is not an option and the thought of managing all that at the beginning of the school year with the liquid diet and all is scary. Are there any teachers out there who have managed? Help!

I know if I go digging I could probably find some of these answers but like I said earlier...I'm completely on information overload right now and the more I read the worse it gets. So to hear first hand some answers would be great...

Thanks....

Wow! You did it.

Congratulations.

Congratulations on your journey. What insurance do you have?

Congrats! Sounds like everything went well for you. My surgeon is also extremely conservative with post-op eating. No fruit, no starchy veggies, no grains, etc. for 8 weeks after surgery. In fact, while limited fruit can be introduced at 8 weeks, there are still no starchy veg or grains allowed until six months after surgery! And he has a very high success rate.

You mentioned not liking the fruity protein drinks or Isopuke. Have you tried something savory, like the protein soups or Unjury chicken soup protein? If you are still on clears, the broth types of protein soups as well as the Unjury work on that phase. There are also creamy type soups if you are on full liquids.

If you are interested, I would suggest a couple sample packets of the Unjury and maybe a variety box of the HealthSmart brand:

http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/hot-soups/

http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/reg/chicken_soup_flavored_protein.shtml

For the Unjury you definitely need a food thermometer to make sure your hot liquid is not over 130 F when you mix in the protein powder. Unjury does sell a "starter kit" with a variety of protein flavors, including the chicken soup, and it has a food thermometer in the kit. If I remember right, you can use any temperature of hot liquid with the HealthSmart soups as long as it is not actually boiling.

Good luck!

Congratulations on your journey. What insurance do you have?

I have Humana...on their website they said you have to diet for six months before but the insurance lady in my surgeons office told me they didn't require it any longer...and she was right...they approved it without.

Awos, I am curious, I have Humana and my info says you have to have failed with medically supervised weight loss. Was that a requirement for you, and did that apply. I have never had medically supervised weight loss until I was diagnosed with diabetes In March and since then I have lost 40 pounds so cant call that unsuccessful. My family and friends all keep saying, if I can lose 40 I should keep going and not have surgery, this drives me nuts.

Awos, I am curious, I have Humana and my info says you have to have failed with medically supervised weight loss. Was that a requirement for you, and did that apply. I have never had medically supervised weight loss until I was diagnosed with diabetes In March and since then I have lost 40 pounds so cant call that unsuccessful. My family and friends all keep saying, if I can lose 40 I should keep going and not have surgery, this drives me nuts.

Hi smiley!

My humana info said the same..but when I went for the seminar the finance people there told me nope..not anymore...just get my medical support letters..and they were right...the whole process took about three weeks for me. I dropped almost 30lbs following that pre surgery diet but the question is keeping it off. I'm only a month postoperative right now but its a relief not to be hungry......its so much easier to do what you are supposed to when you arent hungry all the time.... But I think it is an individual decision...

IT'S OBVIOUS, YOU ARE NOT READY!!!! Do yourself a favor and give yourself some more time to think about this. I thought about it for 2 years. In that time I did my research, and asked a lot of questions. You will know when the time is right. You will wake up one morning, and you will be tired of the pain. Yes the pain that all that extra weight your carrying around causes, you will be tired of the heartbreak from not being to do the things that a average weight person can do. You will get up one morning look in the mirror and say, "I am worth it, I want to live a long life, not a short one, cause lets face it Morbidly obese people don't live that long. Good Luck on your Journey, I will say a special prayer for you!

IT'S OBVIOUS, YOU ARE NOT READY!!!! Do yourself a favor and give yourself some more time to think about this. I thought about it for 2 years. In that time I did my research, and asked a lot of questions. You will know when the time is right. You will wake up one morning, and you will be tired of the pain. Yes the pain that all that extra weight your carrying around causes, you will be tired of the heartbreak from not being to do the things that a average weight person can do. You will get up one morning look in the mirror and say, "I am worth it, I want to live a long life, not a short one, cause lets face it Morbidly obese people don't live that long. Good Luck on your Journey, I will say a special prayer for you!

She had the surgery! And by all accounts looks to be doing well. Hooray!