Catracks

Like a lot of you, I've been through some monstrous medical tests. The psych eval just came back and they are submitting for insurance approval. THIS IS THE WORST!!!! I am so afraid of being denied for some reason. Please say a prayer or keep me in your thoughts. I feel like this is my last chance. I so WANT this

Where I live, sometimes ordering ala carte is more expensive. I don't know. I know that sometimes one just needs to eat out, but the salt and extra fat that chains like Applebees (yuck), Macaroni Grill, Chili's, Cheesecake Factory and other chains put into their food in many cases far outdo the fast food joints.

I am praying for all of you. All that I need is my psych eval and the insurance approval. The insurance is the thing that is producing most of my anxiety - even more so than the surgery itself. I think in the coming years it will get even worse.

I would only use this at a buffet or places that charge you to split meals. Children's menus are usually crap consisting of hamburger, hot dog, chicken strips, grilled cheese and mac and cheese. I don't mind leftovers AT ALL. My plan is to ask for a "doggie bag" immediately, set out my portion and bag the rest. I would give my Soup or salad away - unless I planned to only have a bite or two. I also keep in mind that the restaurant is under no obligation to accommodate me. Of course, I am under no obligation to return with my family and Yelp would probably hear of it.

Those mouth movements were due to me chewing the inside of my mouth. I'm not sure what causes it. I was only on Phentermine and it did work - Only I gained it all back and then some. I barely ate and I barely slept. Haven't been sleeved yet.

Pray for me too. I'm sure praying for all of you! This pre-op stuff is the WORST!!

Is it really funny that I'm actually looking forward to surgery like I would a vacation? It's the start of my new life and I can barely wait! I've had two open abdominal surgeries so I know what surgery is like. Heck, I'm also looking forward to the two weeks off! I did have what I think may have been a mild anxiety attack (first one ever) when I left work that Friday, but that was for a myomectomy (fibroids). This feels more like a gift.

That is something to definitely ask your surgeon. When I've had other surgery, it could not be done when an infection is present. He may have you take an antibiotic. My daughter got one in her armpit TWICE. They had to lance it both times. Painful!

I just went over to the Lapband forum to find out what a PD (productive burp) is. This lady was eating milk and Cookies and it came up in a bunch of slime. First of all: She is complaining about not losing weight and then asks if her band is too tight. Should band people be drinking while eating? and eating cookies (plural!)? These are the kinds of things that scared me off the lapband (slippage, erosion, fills, unfills, things sticking, vomiting, etc. UGH!!!! It stands to reason that the band would have to eventually come out in the best of circumstances. What I want is a smaller, but working stomach. The restriction and hopefully less hormone hunger will be enough for me. Honestly, I don't think you'd all be "doing that again." This board is SO different than the lapband board. The successes here give me much hope.

I had my endoscopy on Saturday and one note says: Rule out Barrett's Cardia and the other says Gastritis. I also have a small erosion. I'm afraid this diagnosis will go against the sleeve and maybe push towards Bypass. Does anybody know anything about this?

Thanks! I know my doctor is more sold on bypass, but I want my plumbing intact. I'm, not addicted to carbs and sweets, but I would like to have all foods available to me. As it is I am worried about not being able to deal with the pith (fibrous white part) of citrus fruits, but I can deal. I also swallow watermelon seeds whole when I eat watermelon. That has to stop I'm sure!

What I mean is: Is there anything NOT wrong with me? My labs came back borderline high glucose, extremely fatty liver and through the roof cholesterol. My ultrasound came back with gallstones. My mammography came back with a request to get an ultrasound on the left breast. God knows what the endoscopy will show tomorrow. I'm afraid my insurance wont cover the surgery because it says age 15-40 or 40 -50 with no diabetes. Does slightly elevated blood glucose mean diabetic. The surgery coordinator says insurances are only looking for out of control glucose. I don't know what to think. The coordinator told me, "Thank God you are getting this surgery now." What happens if insurance is denied?

Thanks for the support. I had the endoscopy and it showed some erosions and he took a biopsy to rule our Barrett's cardia. Dang, I'm a mess, but I feel fine basically.

MEN!!! No actually, i wouldn't have gone to the doctor either - and I would have never admitted that I was hurt riding. Last year I was thrown and pulled about every ligament in my lower back. I got the horse back to my friend and walked off quasi-psuedo normal looking (I didn't want to worry her) and didn't walk right for the next 3 months. You probably swelled up and bruised. Heal and maybe eat all the Proteins first, no slider type foods yeah?

I have my psych evaluation this Saturday. My insurance doesn't cover that so I will be paying $250. I'd just swallow this. It's one of the last rich things you will have to swallow ;

The other women sound jealous. I told my mother and she went mental. Others like my husband and daughter are supportive. If your surgeons office offers a support group, I think you should join. People do treat you differently once you've lost a lot of the weight. You get noticed more and that brings up mixed feelings for some. Good luck!

I know they care, but seriously? My mother said: Be sure that this is what you want to do and I know you will thoroughly look into it and weigh the side effects of such a procedure. Well DUH!! I really shouldn't have told anyone outside my immediate family. I told my mother to keep it under wraps, but I'm sure she's told her friends, my uncle, her hairdresser, etc. I could kick myself.

I got exactly the same speech only I'm 5'1" and 240. He said that if I fall into the normal curve then I would be at 180-190. Hell, I think I could do that on my own. Yes, I think they are covering their butts. I am going to follow the instructions and get inspiration from this board. Look at how far you all have come!!

He says that statistics show I will only lose 50% of my weight with Sleeve. I don't think he has as much faith in it. I mean I appreciate the honesty. He says that if I am average, I will fall in at the top of the bell curve or near that. I come on this page and see people making their goal weight or well on their way. I am a little confused and certainly do not want bypass. Opinions?

Thank you for all of your responses. My surgeon is known to be very strict and doesn't pull any punches. He said if you follow instructions, you will do well. If not, you will be on the phone to us constantly. I'm set on getting sleeved. These studies only make the decision easier.

Yup. What I want to do is eat like a normal thin person. I was going to go for the band until I heard about all the problems (not even able to swallow a pill or having pineapple stuck). Bypass sounds like a nightmare to me with all the mal-absorption, dumping and throwing up. I want a normal, smaller stomach please.

I like the idea of taking the stats, but I would like to see 1 year out. Isn't that the cut-off for most of the weight loss? The results might be skewed because I would think the more successful people would stay with the board. I'd still like to see though.

You'd all like my daughter. She got the explanation and watched a few Youtube videos and she was so excited for me. My daughter rocks.

This is what I get in response to clearly explaining the procedure and telling her about all of you: "What does your primary doctor say? Does he recommend this? I worry because any kind of surgery has side effects. I do not feel like celebrating something that is unnatural. God gave you a stomach just the way it is and not to be cut in half." I want you to be happy. I did not realize that you were unhappy. So, you are saying that if you were thinner, you would be happy. No, healthier! and then the guilt trip: "I have had more heartache than anyone can imagine. It seems like I always have to be dealing with something or another. " After she said it was unnatural I lost it and fired back: "having your appendix out is unnatural." Immature I know, but God put that organ in her and she had it out. Ugh!! Perspective anyone?

I'm also worried about these things, but then I remembered how after a surgery I got awhile ago, I just didn't feel like eating much. I really didn't miss the food in quantity. I didn't miss stuffing myself. I want to feel that way again. I want to be satisfied with a half an enchilada and a dollop of Beans rather than an enchilada, a taco, a chile rellenjo, rice, beans and chips with guacamole. From what I understand from reading these boards is that you can still can enjoy many foods (although some people's tolerance for things change a little). You just should not eat the slider foods like ice cream or things with empty calories because you need the space for Protein and other nutritious stuff. and think of the money you will save eating out when you can have a little off a family member's plate (I already discussed this with them and they are fine with it). What I will miss is the drinking with meals, but hey, small price to pay. Eat slower and savor rather than wolfing down food. I learned to wolf down food in the Army when in basic we were not allowed much time for meals. I had to hurry to get the calories or I would lose too much weight on my 98 pound body. Wow. I was that skinny as an adult???