I feel like I am at a standstill. I have all of my requirements completed as of this Thursday the 7th except for my psych. I am required to establish care with a mental health professional, which I personally feel is a waste of time. The Psychiatrist told me they want to make sure I have the appropriate tools for my anxiety/depression before I get the surgery, which I appreciate. However, I have been living with theses disorders for my entire life and I feel that I know exactly how to handle them. I am not sure when I can request another eval, if I can select a different psychologist or if I have to wait for the same doctor to approve me. I am ready to get my surgery date, I keep seeing all these photos online of people successfully completing their surgery and seeing the after photos. I feel so defeated, like when will it be my turn.

I have been about 1 1/2 years in this process. At one point I stopped due to a new job and hoping I could do it on my own. I completed an extensive program through the VA to get approved for surgery and there was a delay time and again.

I finally got the approval but the surgeon I chose also had requirements, most of which I had already done with the VA. I was frustrated and I was so jealous when people would get their surgery dates. But I think the extra time has been so helpful to me. I feel confident I can make this change because I’ve already made massive changes to my diet and lifestyle. Changes I would not have done without the wait. I would have relied on surgery to “fix” everything.

They may think your weight gain is due to your depression and anxiety and want that addressed so you are successful. Jump through the hoop and put the time to good use. Your time will come and you will be better prepared due to the wait.

We didn’t gain this weight in 6 months and it’s ok to not be on the fast track. Better to follow the advice and lose the weight and keep it off than to find a way to bypass it and undo the surgery a year from now.

You got this!!! My surgery is 3 weeks from today and I feel like my time is almost here. But I still get jealous that people are scheduled before me. Good luck!!!

P.S., I’m going to talk to my doctor about seeing a therapist on a regular basis just so I don’t end up undoing my surgery.