Newbie here... in the research phase

[iamworthy 7]

Hi everyone,

I stumbled across this forum in doing my research, I have pretty much made up my mind about having WLS and I have decided that I think I prefer the gastric sleeve. Any thoughts on that?? I am terrified, and ready lol. I go to see my PCP tomorrow 11/7 to talk to her about getting the ball rolling. I am interested in hearing people's stories from the beginning of their journey. Why you decided to have WLS, why you chose the type of WLS you did. And I want to hear about the good, bad, and the ugly. Any information, tips, thing that "you wish you knew before surgery" tips, just as much information as you are prepared to give me lol.

my name is Ali, some of my stats are as followed: I'm 5'2" at 284lbs... I'm 32. Some of my reasons for wanting to have wLS are:

I want to be healthy, I want to have a healthy pregnancy. I want to stop letting my weight dictate my life and what I feel comfortable doing. I want to feel confident in my own skin, I don't want to be afraid of social situation, memories and pictures. I want to get married and look good on my wedding day and in photos. I want to fit comfortably on an air plane, paint my toes, get up and down without struggle. Have energy, workout, be able to make, maintain a life style change! This has been a long time coming for me. I have always pushed off the idea of WLS, out of fear, or pride, or embarrassment. I always thought oh I can do it myself. Yes, I lose weight, very slowly might I add, but I always gain everything I lost plus more. Every year I gain more and more weight. I am honestly at a point where I can longer make excuses for needing help. I need help. I am addicted to food, I have issues with food, I am ready to face it and make a change. Though i am terrified, I am ready.

So, yeah, that's where I am.

Ali

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Edited November 7, 2016 by iamworthy

[Stevehud 1,790]

okay what your asking , is a long long long answer. Id recommend checking out my blog and starting off from the beginning, it may answer some of those questions, its a bit blunt, there's no adds or anything. but maybe it can help. you its posted below.

Good luck, ask all the questions you want etc.

People are here to help.

heres a link to the beginning as well.

http://cuttingthefatwithaknife.blogspot.com/2014/10/day-one-niceman-cometh.html

Edited November 7, 2016 by Stevehud

[vegbeth 79]

What's your blog Stevehud?

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[iamworthy 7]

Oh wait. Thank you Steve I got it! I will check it out.

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[kan_dice 10]

Hi Ali! I'm a newbie too and just one baby step ahead of you in the process. I saw my PCP 10/26 and she referred me to the weight loss surgery program I'll be dealing with. Currently waiting on them to call me to schedule the consult.

I'm also terrified, but excited.

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[iamworthy 7]

Hi Ali! I'm a newbie too and just one baby step ahead of you in the process. I saw my PCP 10/26 and she referred me to the weight loss surgery program I'll be dealing with. Currently waiting on them to call me to schedule the consult.

I'm also terrified, but excited.

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I am terrified too but ready. I'll keep you posted on the journey. It's a long process to get to where we want to be. Please add me! Do you know if your insurance covers?

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[morningangel79 38]

Ali... I too am at the begining and i have my Psyc eval today.... Im so nervous all the what Ifs. We should keep in touch through this looks like a few of us are at the begining.

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[amf1025 71]

Hi everyone, I'm new also I have an apt with my pcp on 11/22. Ali all of your wishes of things you want to do spoke to me . I'm terrified of surgery but I'm really unhealthy, 5'10, 355lbs 44 years old with a seizure disorder, knee and back pain.

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[Babbs 14,680]

Long story short?

I was 47, the Queen of dieting and losing weight but could never keep it off for more than a year. I did that several times until I just gave up and got to 235 pounds. Being in my 40's, it was effecting my health. Blood pressure and blood sugar through the roof and put on meds. The last straw.

Two plus years later, 90+ pounds down and maintaining for over a year. I'm in the best shape and health of my life. Off all medications except something for GERD, perfect blood pressure and blood work numbers, resting heart rate in the 50's. I can run 2 miles and do 130 levels of stairs on the Stair Climber....sometimes on the same day. I look and feel like I'm in my 30's.

Is it easy? Not at all. I have to ALWAYS be vigilant about how much I'm moving and what I'm putting into my mouth. Is it worth it? Absolutely!

[theantichick 2,204]

My story is pretty much all on my blog with the tag of bariatric surgery.

http://www.theantichick.com/tag/bariatric-surgery/

I'm also a nurse, and am happy to answer any questions people have if you want to IM me or tag me in a thread with a specific question.

[kan_dice 10]

Hi Ali! I'm a newbie too and just one baby step ahead of you in the process. I saw my PCP 10/26 and she referred me to the weight loss surgery program I'll be dealing with. Currently waiting on them to call me to schedule the consult.

I'm also terrified, but excited.

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I am terrified too but ready. I'll keep you posted on the journey. It's a long process to get to where we want to be. Please add me! Do you know if your insurance covers?

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My plan covers anything that is considered "medically necessary," and my rep lead me to believe it wasn't exclude I didn't want to ask my HR person at work because everyone at the office is a gossip and I'm not ready to talk to anyone but close friends/fam/hubs abt it. I'm actually calling my insurance today to make 100% sure because I'm still nervous and I don't want to get too emotionally invested and then its not covered. At this point I would probably be devestated though because I'm already 99% committed to the idea.

[indyana 2]

Hey Everyone, my name is indyana and am also new. Really new.. as of right now am just searching a hospital that will take HMO NJHEALTH.. I was going with Hackensack Hospital but the one person the take my insurance close the office practice. So, if anyone from Northern Jersey or knowns a hospital or practice and can provide me with the details that be great I been searching for a few hours. Probably just call the insurance for a list. Anyways, good luck to all of you in your Journey!

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[mbuczkowski 272]

Before you get your heart set on it, check with your insurance to see if it is covered. I was all set to pay the deductible but then found out my insurance didn't cover. I am going plan B as a self pay.

I met with my PCP and got a referral prior to knowing that my employer excluded bariatric surgeries from my insurance...even when deemed "medically necessary"

I am meeting the surgeon this week at his seminar and will move forward from there.

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[indyana 2]

Thank you for the information. I will be checking on that.

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[Sexymomma 0]

Hi Ali,

I'm a newbie as well. I had gone to the bariatric seminar and just saw my pcp for who he suggests to see in the way of a nutritionist.