duckydoom

@@KristenLe that's how I see it I was given the opportunity to choose any Tuesday from October 25th on, and it seemed like the most poetic "new beginning" way that I could do it

Two days after my 33rd birthday. It's gonna be kind of a bummer being on the liquid diet during my normal time of celebration, but it will be so awesome to see myself on my 34th birthday and all of the progress I plan on making!

I have two very dear friends who had it done about 5 or 6 years ago. Being able to talk to both of them has been so beneficial for me to keep me motivated and excited for surgery. When I start to get freaked out about the process they both talk me down, and they're great examples of how well it can go. Sent from my VS990 using the BariatricPal App

@@KristenLe I think the visit with my family this weekend really solidified that. In the hour and a half drive back after dropping my mom off all I wanted to do was stop at Krispy Kreme and eat the tears away. I'm proud of myself because I called my husband instead and planned a healthy dinner to pick up ingredients for. I can definitely use as much help as I can get with coping mechanisms for after surgery

@@KaiserKid Thank you - and best of luck to you as well! Psychologist emailed me back on Friday and said he is clearing me for bariatric surgery, but that I absolutely need to follow up with him to discuss the rest of the results. I initially was a bit annoyed since I knew that was coming and I've literally had years of therapy... then I spent the weekend with my bipolar mother and grandfather and was like OK I WILL TOTALLY HAVE MORE COUNSELING lol. I'm pretty sure the remainder of the results are going to highlight my neurotic tendencies, and depression. The upside is that he really did seem to notice that I've come a long way and things could have been much worse than they are

I'm over back and hip pain, and being super skilled at hiding that I'm out of breath after 2 flights of stairs. That shouldn't be a skill anyone is proficient at, unless you're a ninja trying to protect your cover.

I took the MMPI yesterday and I'm actually fairly eager to see the results. Doc said he would go ahead and review the results today and forward them to the surgeon's office so we can hopefully get the ball rolling a bit quicker, and then we follow up on the 31st.

I had the first part of my psych eval yesterday, and it went much better than I anticipated. As usual, I was over thinking things. The only thing he did do was gently remind me that he does 1:1 sessions as well (LOL) and talk me down from a PTSD trigger. Today I go back and take the MMPI test (that 600-ish question monster) and then we follow up on the 31st for that. He said that I could email him and ask for a phone appointment to go over it so he could get it in before the 31st, so I may do that just so it gets me another week or so off of waiting. I wasn't expecting it to be a 3 parter to get it done, so that was overall the only disappointment.

Congrats! That's exciting have you talked to your surgeon yet? They will have all of the info for you on how to have a healthy pregnancy. Mine told me that he wants me to wait 18 months to make sure that I can get in enough nutrition for me and a potential baby, but said that it happens a lot where people get pregnant because your hormones etc are adjusting and it makes some people super fertile.

My husband has joked a few times about "WLS divorce" and has had a couple of moments where he's even admitted that he's scared I will get more attention and find someone better and leave him. 13 years of ups and downs and a really strong relationship and he still brings it up... so it's definitely a fear that our partners can have even in the healthiest of relationships. Having said though, I agree with some of the other comments on here - if your partner truly isn't like this on a normal basis, it's probably just really really strong insecurities manifesting themselves in the worst way. If he's been like this already and it's just getting worse now that you're doing something positive for yourself, @@Admanda you really DO deserve better, and your son deserves a good male role model, and a healthy example of what a relationship should be and how both parties should be treated respectfully. I'm glad that you're working to get everything together so that after surgery you can make that move. You'll find lots of support here. All the love and hugs and positivity to you...

@@ccraw106 when I had the lap band done I took 2 weeks off, and went back. I have an office job, so it was lots of sitting and not strenuous at all, but I was still pretty tired. If I could have had 3 weeks, that would be better. When I had the band removed, I only took 4 days (surgery was on a Tuesday) and I was back the following Monday. Again, still tired, but just fine. I would immediately go to sleep as soon as I got home for the first week or so after that, and then I gradually got back to my normal schedule. I'm looking at the sleeve now, and I would love to take 2 weeks off, but it will most likely be only one since that's all I can do PTO wise. (I'm trying to get it done before we switch insurance and deductibles etc renew at the beginning of the year) I still have the same office job, but at least I work from home now, so I can just go to sleep once I clock out if I need to. I would say take your current energy levels into consideration, and how well you recover from general illnesses.

as @@Bufflehead said, it really depends on your insurance coverage. For example - my plan covers bariatric surgery and is based on Medicare guidelines. This means with a BMI of 35-39.9 I would need at least one comorbidity from the list. With a BMI over 40 (which I now have), there are no comorbidities needed to qualify me, I just have to complete the other requirements of a nutrition evaluation and a psych eval and then we can submit to my insurance for authorization. They still have the final word of course, but they base it on the Medicare standards. I am trying to get my surgery done before the end of the year when we are set to change to Kaiser, because they have additional classes and requirements to be approved. I have a friend who is looking at the surgery, and her plan excludes anything related to bariatric surgery, even if it will help alleviate other life threatening conditions, and it specifically calls that out. In her situation, we are looking at grants through WLSFA to see if we can have her approved there - to do that you need a referral/recommendation from a surgeon at a certified bariatric center of excellence, and luckily we have one local to us. Of course there is always Mexico, and from what I understand (which is very limited, I haven't looked as I am trying my insurance first) they don't really have the BMI limitations that insurance companies do. If you have serious health issues that would prevent you from safely undergoing the surgery, any surgeon would want to resolve that prior to even considering it. Family history doesn't guarantee that you'll have the issues, so if you don't have them now it (in theory) shouldn't be an issue. Definitely talk to your insurance though, get to know your coverage! Then get an appointment with a surgeon and talk to them about your health concerns and see if you are even a candidate to be approved at this point. Good luck!

you look absolutely amazing! you're beautiful in both pictures, but the best part is your smile in the after

@@Qwalla thank you <3 when I had the lap band done I just remember that in my psych eval the doc was really annoyed that I was "so young" and getting it done and basically made me promise to go to al-anon and therapy, but I don't remember the questions. When I went in to the eating disorder clinic I had the hundreds of questions booklet and a pretty in depth analysis after that - I'm a perfectionist, type a, etc.

@@TammyMMD @heidikat72 @KristenLe Thank you - I don't know why this is the "scariest" part for me... additional counseling isn't a horrible proposition, I've just gone through so many years of it, even at an eating disorder clinic for binge eating disorder. I have a good support system at least, hopefully he focuses on that.

@@TammyMMD I always get nervous because they want to know about my childhood etc... that's the part where I feel like I'll fail lol.

@@Qwalla where did you get test questions? I'm so nervous about my psych eval (even though I know I probably shouldn't be) and it's tomorrow.

I've had what has been diagnosed as lymphedema in my left leg since puberty. It affects mostly my ankle and foot with the "balloon" effect on the top of the left foot, meaning its definitely lymphedema. its really difficult to wear shoes, I have compression garments that I wear on my foot and ankle but it just pools above, and generally sucks. It's been progressively worse over the years as I've gained my weight, obviously, leading up to me barely being able to fit in my husband's winter boots this past season. Primary doc sent me back to the venous specialist who I saw 10 years ago who again told me "sorry it's lymphedema, that sucks here's some expensive compression garments." I've recently been youtubing, and finding myself questioning things, as one is wont to do when searching the internet for information. My entire left leg is all gross and Fluid filled, it seems. The skin texture is super dimply (think marble sized cellulite), bruises easily (though that may be the anemia), and is always really, really sore, like I can barely have it massaged because it feels like you're stabbing me with a knife. Has anyone had lymphedema that was later diagnosed as lipidema? Have you tried lymph sparing liposuction? I'm wondering if it might be something for me to pursue after the sleeve and losing my weight. I'm sure that once I have the sleeve and start losing weight it won't be nearly as bad, but given that I still had the issue 100 lbs ago, I'm not sure it will fully go away. Diet and exercise haven't helped in the past which is why I'm pursuing the sleeve... I just can't stop grasping at straws, I want my damn foot fixed, or at least somewhat normal!

@@Bufflehead Thank you for the resources. I tried a vague google search and also here on the forums, but didn't find anything for bariatric pantry. Ordering some samplers now - if all else fails, they'll be good for the pre op diet! @@smg I do have sleep apnea, I was previously on a CPAP for it and then later had a tonsillectomy and a UPPP that "cured" it enough to get me off of the cpap, but it seems that I'll need it again if I don't lose this weight. I've had 4 sleep studies and 1 day study, but the most recent were about 2 years ago after I had the lap band removed. Thank you for the tip on About Time, I'm going to order a few to try of those as well.

Well, I'm a couple of steps closer, and so happy. I had my motility study done on 7/27 and that went well. Now I've got a nutrition eval on the 8th and my psych eval on the 17th (though I'm on a waiting list in case an appointment opens up sooner). I'm guessing I will be looking at mid to late September, possibly October for a surgery date. Depends on when everyone gets their info in to the surgeon and they turn them over to the insurance company. I had my lab work done and it seems that I have anemia. For those of you inclined and familiar, the values that were off are as follows: MCV High (99), MCHC low (32%, normal range starts at 33%), Folate is high - Greater than 22.0 ng/mL, Iron is fine but TIBC is high (483 ug/dL when 240-400 is the normal range). Whatever all of that means. Dr Google says its anemia, but I'm not jumping to conclusions. I'm waiting for the final word from my doctor, but it would seem to explain the debilitating fatigue I've had lately. Sunday I slept 17 hours, Monday 10, and last night I slept 15, and I'm still ridiculously tired. My FitBit says I'm only averaging 5.5 hours of "restful" sleep a night. Now I'm going through the "nesting" phase, I guess... trying to find some stuff that will work well through the stages of recovery. Has anyone tried the Atkins Lyft drinks? I'm looking for drinks that I can have in the "clear liquids" phase that still have Protein, and I'd love to try some in advance before I invest in a bunch of expensive ones. All of the Syntrax are currently sold out on the BariatricPal Store. I'm pretty much set for my full liquids. Any tips for me at this point? I'm taking my food logs with me for the last 8 months to the nutritionist appointment. Not entirely sure how the psych eval is going to go - they always delve into my childhood and want to know more about that than they want to focus on my mental stability when it comes to getting the surgery. When I had the band done, the guy said he was concerned about my young age but had no reason to deny me psychologically, but he just didn't' want to recommend it. Thanks in advance

Congrats! You look great Can't wait to see more progress pics down the line!

@@reinventingme63 I'm so sorry, I just saw this today. My band removal went without a hitch and I was back up on my feet within a week or so... are you healing or healed now? I've heard of all sorts of reasons for people to have their bands removed, but not issues with the wounds not closing. I can't believe your doc was so callous to just stick his finger in there, ouch! Are you going to have a revision? All of my best thoughts and prayers to you...

Thank you ❤ I have an amazing artist who takes my concepts and makes them real, I am imagining additional tree/forest related things around it one day Sent from my VS990 using the BariatricPal App

I have 11 total, and definitely plan on getting more. A cat between my shoulder blades looking back, always keeping an eye out on those behind me. Sailor Jerry styled swallows on my low back, lore said they would carry your soul to heaven. A duck with a halo on the right inner forearm I got right after my dad was stabbed, to remind me life is precious. 7 stars on my right ankle, a play on Revelation 1:19 A flaming green pixelated fist with "Mrs. Punch" beneath it in script on my left inner forearm. Private joke between my husband and I, and now the name of my soap line. Goldfinches and roses on my left outer bicep in memory of my grandmother after she passed. Sugar skull styled cat on left inner bicep, an homage to all of The cats I have (and will have) in my life. A family portrait as imagined by my brother, on my right outer bicep It is a thunderstorm turning in to a rainbow, symbolizing the strife we experienced to the beauty of life we recognize now. This was his guest artist spot on Ink Master, and he actually got to do some of it A koi on my right inner bicep to symbolize the long and hard fight upstream I've traveled to get where I am now. An elephant blasting a heart shaped hole through a wall on my left calf, love can conquer all A tree with 7 magpies and "I'll fly with you" on my right calf. I love magpies, and our family tree flourishing is predicated on sticking together. Definitely going to be getting more, I want to finish half sleeves on both arms and perhaps get a few more leg tattoos as well. I love them, they tell stories and capture moments in my life, and I also think they look rad Sent from my VS990 using the BariatricPal App