Hi all. I'm pretty new here and just recently made the decision to pursue weight loss surgery. I've always been happy being a fat woman, I've never been thin, but I can't do it anymore. My tipping point was when we moved a few months ago. We moved into a second floor apartment. A few years ago that wouldn't have been a problem, but now I can barely manage to go up and down once a day. I have injured my ankles many MANY times in my life including breaking each of them thanks to being a complete klutz, and I injured my knee years ago when I was younger in a dancing accident and was told then I'd likely need surgery. Well it's 25 years later, no surgery because of my weight, and now I can barely move. I have three kids and can't take them anywhere, can't play with them, I'm in constant pain. I also have high blood pressure that my primary can't get under control despite me being on 3 different meds. I also have hashimoto's (a thyroid disorder) and chronic pain. Because of my thyroid problem it makes it even more likely that I'll develop diabetes. I know losing weight won't fix everything but it surely will help a lot.

I haven't talked to my primary yet but I'm going to call tomorrow for an appointment. I would prefer to call a surgeon directly but I can't find any in my town. Well, google did find one place that offers mini gastric bypass but my research, and chatting with all my friends who've had the surgeries, has led me to wanting the vertical sleeve instead. So not sure how that's going to play out. If anyone knows of any weight loss surgeons in the southern Colorado area (preferably Pueblo) that take medicaid I'd LOVE to hear about them.

I did have my gall bladder removed last year... is that going to cause a problem with having the surgery? I can't find info on that. At least my experience with that surgery has shown me that I can survive surgery, which is one of my biggest concerns.

I know I'm rambling. I'm just excited to start the process and very nervous at the same time.

Ah, gotcha. Here's a small excerpt from one site:

"Vertical gastrectomy offers more benefits than gastric bypass, including the following:

• It is a safer and less complex operation
• It limits ingestion of food and hunger by getting rid of ghrelin, the hunger hormone
• It leads to natural digestion that doesn’t cause nutritional deficiencies typically associated with gastric bypass
• It keeps the small intestine and pyloric valve intact
• It is an option for high-risk patients with high BMI and/or medical issues such as Crohn’s disease, prior surgery, anemia, or anti-inflammatory medication"

One other big factor for me is that the bypass is a longer surgery. The longer someone is under anesthesia the more risks increase. Plus my BMI is above 50, which other research shows is the preferred cutoff for the bypass (it can still be done but higher risks), and I have chronic pain and need to be able to take anti-inflammatory meds, which you can't do after the bypass.

Those are some of my reasons.

Sorry for the double post. I'm really excited and nervous about my appointment tomorrow with my primary. I don't know what she'll say, I'm not sure what the next step is, can she even help me with this at all since there are no bariatric surgeons in my town... My weight has been well documented over the years so I know I have that part covered. I need a 6 month supervised diet but will my primary refer me for that or do I need to find a surgeon first and he refers me to one? So many questions and I don't like waiting for answers! 23 hours and 50 minutes until my appointment... but who's counting? Hehehe

Hmm, I can't find an edit button. I meant 11 hours and 50 minutes, not 23. Lol

I can understand your excitement. Once you make the decision, you just want it all to happen! I felt that way too. But, calm yourself down! You've got a bit of a ways to go before that surgery can even happen. Have you found a Center of Excellence for bariatric surgery any where near you? I would also check with your insurance company to see if they have any places they can refer you to that is covered by your plan. Work with the insurance, your doctor, and whomever else (specialists?) can help you.

I wish you a world of luck. This is quite a process, but the benefits are a much healthier life.

I saw my primary today and she confirmed there are no bariatric surgery centers in Pueblo. And no place she can technically refer me. I did find a center on my own though. Getting to the appointments will prove to be a challenge but my husband said we'll rent a car every month if needed. So I have my initial appointment at The Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado in Parker Colorado. My first appointment is July 21st. I wish it was closer! In the meantime though my primary took note of my desire for surgery, documented my weight, and made a diet recommendation. She suggested vegetarian and lower fat, but also said I could try South Beach. I think that's the route I'll go for now. I had great luck on Atkins in the past (about 13 years ago) so I know low carb can work for me (though thanks for aging it doesn't work AS good now as it used too). And then on 7/21 I meet with the dietitian at the surgical center and will begin working with her instead. But this should be a nice boost to show the insurance that I'm starting it now instead of waiting.

I'm no doctor, but I really don't think going vegetarian is necessarily a good idea. Protein will help you lose weight, as well as keep your body strong for surgery. When given the 6 month diet through the insurance, the nutritionists all recommended Protein drinks, and getting in at least 60-80 grams of protein daily.

Again, I'm not a doctor, but I would do as much research as you can. Also, I would listen to my doctor unless I found out anything contrary to what he/she told me. In that case I question it.

Good Luck!

Well I have an appointment with my primary on Wednesday. Maybe I'll be able to do the nutritionist and psych eval here in my town. My husband said we'll do whatever it takes to get me to appointments out of town, including renting a car, but financially it'll be too expensive if I have to go more than once a month.

My appointments are all over an hour away from me as well - mostly because I choose to go with the Dr that put my lap-band in. However, I made everyone well aware that I lived over an hour away and that all my appointments had to be done on the same day as the others - because coming out there more then once a month wasn't an option as I had to use vacation days to take time off.

They should work with you to make sure that happens that way - especially if you schedule them in advance. I might have just got lucky that way.

Good luck!

I decided to go with the dietitian at the surgeon's office instead of with my primary. The office said I could do them there since I'm out of town but after seeing how little my primary new about bariatric surgery requirements I decided against it. Last thing I want is for something to get documented wrong and then I'm pushed back another 6 months.

I'm also definitely not going vegetarian. It's not a good choice for my body, especially since I have to stay away from anything with soy in it. Kinda limits me. As far as my primary goes I'm going to go on South Beach, but in reality I'll be doing closer to Atkin's since I'm familiar with it and have had good results on it.