Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Waiting in Florida



Recommended Posts

Hi I'm Melissa and I live in Jacksonville, Florida. I have been told all of my life, that I was overweight. I look at pictures of me when I was younger, and boy do I wish to be that size again. I have finally topped the scale at 335 pounds at about 5 feet 6 inches tall. I switched insurance at the beginning of 2008, so that the band would be covered. I have my first consult on January 23rd; so my journey is beginning. I predict I will have my surgery in May, once I have done my three months of nutritionalist, etc. I have also determined, I will not be informing any of my family members of my surgery. All of my family lives in NC, so it won't be too hard to conceal it. I want to see the look on there face when I go home for Thanksgiving and have hopefully lost some weight. I'm tired of being obese. I saw a picture of me sitting in a chair at Christmas and burst out into tears; I had no idea that is what other people see when they look at me. I don't see it in the mirror, as I do not look in the mirror anymore, but now, I need to project a better image. I'm ready to make that change.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, my name is Midge and from Ohio and I feel the same way I just had paperwork turned in a few days ago not sure how long it will take. If you need someone to talk to I am here.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I totally know what you are talking about. I dont have any pics of me from the past 5 years or so because I hate what I see. Apparently not enough to quit eating! Lol. I am sooooo anxious for this to happen! Good luck, I hope everything goes quickly for you. The waiting sucks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Midge. Thank you for your reply and yes let's be chat buddies. We are going to need the support to get through these next few months before the surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Elyssa. Pictures these days are no fun. I have avoided them for many years now, but took a few during the holiday's. I'm ready for the procedure now, so that the weight can start coming off, and picture taking will be more enjoyable.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah. I am looking forward to being ok with pictures. Also looking forward to trying on clothes and not being disappointed when I see what they look like on me! Do you know when your surgery is yet?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi All, hi Melissa,

I too am going to be getting the lapband. I have my first consult on January 24, and CAN'T wait. Melissa, I feel the same way. I am at my heaviest ever and am tired of the looks and the way I feel. I saw a picture of me standing next to my husband at Christmas time, and removed it from the pictures before sending them out to family and friends. I looked so much bigger than I see my self. I am so looking forward to being healthy and being able to keep up with my 4 children. Good luck to all of us as we start our new lives.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Elyssa. My surgery has not yet been scheduled, but I think it will be sometime in May, since I have the three month "waiting" period for my insurance. We are going to make it through.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi hheishman. We will make it through this. Pictures do tell a picture, one that I don't want to hear or see anymore. It appears our consults are one apart. I'm looking forward to my first appointment on the 23rd. They say it should take about 2 hours the first time. I'm just ready to lose some weight, without the fear of gaining it back.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I go for preop stuff on the 5th of Feb. They will schedule surgery after that. I am hoping it is soon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mee too. Very excited, but also terrified of surgery. I think I would be less nervous if I didn't have my 4 kids, but the thought of something terrible happening, well, I just can't get it out of my head. Although, haven't read anything but positives on this site. Would love to hear as things progress for you. Where are you having it done?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Elyssa, going in for pre-op on the 5th, sounds really exciting. Keep me posted on your surgery date and progress

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

H. Heishman, I'm excited as well, and too I have only heard the positive about this procedure. I know you will do well and your kids are going to love you for it. I will have my items done here in Jacksonville at Memorial Hospital I believe. We'll all be support for one another. I'm just ready to get the surgery done

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good luck and keep us posted. It will be interesting since our first consult is only a day a part to see how our journey goes. I wish you luck and much success.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am still waiting on approval from my insurance company (united) I called them last Wednesday and was told that it was still pending and to call back in 2 days and so on Friday I called back and was told by the rep that she could not find the paperwork and was told to callback again in a few days. That is so frustrating (the waiting) I hope I get approval soon, I already went thru the seminar and had my first consult and I am just waiting on insurance

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • 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.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×