Justine13

I don't have to have an endoscopy. This forum had me so freaked out! I may have to do the EKG (no biggie) and maybe a chest x ray depending on what the surgeon wants. Phew! I was sweating over that for a bit. I think I'm going to order my Vitamins today- any suggestions? I had a sample pack and I don't care for the chalky taste of the chewables but I tolerate them fine. The Protein Shakes seem to have a lot in them but they seem to lack Iron? What are you all taking- or going to take? Happy me- no endoscopy :lol:

good luck to you!

She said because I don't have acid reflux (OMG I'm so thankful- I have a major problem with the thought of things put in my throat). I had my psych eval and passed that. I found that boring but I do it for a living. I'm so glad to hear you found it helpful. I think for me I rely on my NUT and PA to continue to bounce things off of. I email them a lot So, I'd love to hear about your journey. What brought you to this decision? Do you have insurance to approve this or are you self pay (sorry if that's too personal).

OMG quite possibly my favorite forum yet I don't have a date yet (hopefully mid september) and I'm class of 93. Thanks for the laughs!

Oh YES. I've gained at EVERY single NUT appt. I have one left so I'm hoping to either stay the same or maye even lose! My brain totally has this beat. It KNOWS that I won't be able to eat my faves and tells me to eat it all the time I'm trying to fight that now. I'm hoping to have surgery mid-september. Don't be so hard on yourself. I think it's normal. I had a lot of validation from the NUT and PA that I see. Hang in there.....pretty soon you will win this battle

Sounds like you're doing well. Loading up on those pain meds? (My plan). Thanks for keeping us posted---- I'll continue to watch for updates. Rest up YEY- YOU DID IT!

Wow- oh my gosh I'm in trouble then :-). Thanks for the feedback everyone

So that's different than the chicken broth? I can't imagine it would be much different. I have too picky of taste buds I guess. Blech

Woah, I almost thought you were saying YOU were expecting. I had to reread twice (I'm exhausted from a long day's work and two adolsecent children of mine who really are testing their boundaries lately it seems). Awesome though- keep me posted. I love not being alone during this. Wish I could have you all come with me to the hospital

Tuesday 07-24-2012 6:41 pm So although I've been a member of VST for a couple of weeks maybe and really, started my journey to WLS on March 4, I am first finding myself type something out to be able to reflect back at all of what I've been through. My first thought is- for pete sake- I'm a licensed psychotherapist who has encouraged LOTS of people to journal and where the heck have I been? Lazy. Story of my life My second thought is that I must first comment on my experience on this forum and the VST peeps I've been getting to know through their own journeys. I cannot tell you how inspired I am by so many others who have either gone through similar walks of life or who are going through it. I don't feel alone anymore which is so relieving in and of itself. In this career, I hear many reasons why we choose the profession we are in. For me, it really was nothing about my personal life as it was my true desire to know the brain and study human behavior. So, because of this, I feel my family and friends have highly underestimated my strength at times. Sometimes, even we need a little extra support. I'm probably the biggest person who will dispute this so to put so much emphasis on what others this of me isn't fair really. But it's easier. So, again, I have no major underlying issues. Sure, we all have our "stuff" but I can tell you that I have been through therapy many times with my marriage and honestly, have benefited greatly. I check in with close friends and colleagues as I believe that's just part of my life now- I need to do that...for me. Back to how I got here. Well, I'm not exactly sure HOW I got this so out of control. I do know that I have always struggled with weight but I really have carried it well in my life. I have watched friends and family go through surgeries for weight loss and always believed I ddin't need to do that. Then one day I was dx with autoimmune disorder which really- the only symptom that I have is extreme fatigue and with that comes lack of ambition to do anything. The process of finding the right doctor was exhausting but after years of battling this, I did. But he wanted me to go on a medication that could cause blindness AND he wasn't guarenteeing that this would help fatigue as this is difficult to control. (Have you heard of Plaquinil? I know some have as I have read other's posts about it). Well.....I decided not to do it. So the next year I spent extremely tired; no.... exhausted. Heck, if I didn't know better, I probably would have dx me with depression BUT I WASN"T DEPRESSED. I gained probably another 30 pounds (that was my last straw- I could have cared less that I didn't clean my house like I wanted to or do more things...it was the weight)....So my husband convinced me to try the med. "Just try it". Wouldn't you know it- it was a matter of 2 weeks and I had some of that energy back. I was on it for about a year and I did lose about 15 of those pounds. Then I gradually took myself off. Dr. asked to decrease so I just kept forgetting and then before you know it, I'm off. Then I'm gaining weight again. One would think an educated person such as myself would put 2 and 2 together. Common sense isn't necessarily a subject in college or grad school I didn't want to go back on the med. My doc had told me that exericse was really good too. Yeah, I hate exercising and try convincing someone who has absolutely nothing to give.....to give. It wasn't easy. THEN it happend. I got a new job and found out insurance did not exclude WLS. I cannot tell you how elated I was. I had my appointments all lined up as soon as insurance kicked in. All they require is a 6 month professional weight loss program documented. R U KIDDING ME? I've been through EVERYTHING at LEAST 1,0000000000 times. But nothing recording for 6 months consecutively. So here I go. But who cares right? My benefits at my new job don't kick in until I'm there six months anyway so no worries. Well, I've hit the six month mark at work. My last NUT appt (actually with the PA) is August 13. I told her I have a date in my head of Sept 10. She was excited and told me that they will have everything ready that day so all they have to do is print out her note and send it on. Insurance has 14 buisness days to respond. That quite possibly will be the longest wait of my life. We will see (because these days are long as well). I can tell you I've gained weight at every single appt with the NUT. I'm trying things they say and I KNOW I will follow through after. Remember my energy level is nothing. I didn't have them document the autoimmune stuff (although they do know) as I don't believe it's life threatening- I went to have my fatigue treated and it was totally up to me and nothing more. My feeling is that I want to see how weight loss effects my health rather than relying on meds so I'm dealing. I was worried about the weight gain but the PA tells me not to be concnerned. I'm going to go with that because if I don't....I'll drive myself crazy...... So the countdown begins....to my new life....on this new journey... I know life will change for me drastically. I'm ready....for whatever that means. And I will journal through it---- because I know that it's helpful and I also know- I have a great support system with VST PEEPS. Thank you for listening..... Justine........

Thank you so much for your response. It's a long journey but we will get there

So inspiring- you look fabulous

Positive thoughts Good luck!!!

I can't WAIT to get rid of my fat clothes. CAN'T WAIT- stay tuned We'll keep in touch on this journey

Yep, I'm thinking you all are correct. I was panicked last night- I even emailed the NUT I can't control this anyway. The PA told me that they just want to know that I will follow through and the NUT had once told me that if anything, this just shows I can't do it on my own. I've always said that I'd probably be fine (maybe a little overweight) if it wasn't for all the attempts to lose. I really have insight into it now. I CAN lose about 25-30 pounds at most. I have NEVER kept that off and ALWAYS gain that plust more back every single time and VOILA- here I am. So you are all right. I HEART U ALL

OMG I'm 37! I totally had to ask my family- oh oh

Thank you to everyone - it means the world to me to be a part of this. Really- thank you!!!

Thank you- I'm 36 but I also have some auto immune stuff going on which really causes extreme fatigue. I don't want to blame that because that's not it totally but it certainly has been the reason for my recent weight gains. I'm SO happy to hear that you were approved. Bah! This is NOT fun. Thank you again

Ugh-good to hear as well (well not for those individuals). The only thing I'm nervous about is the constant weight gain. But then I think "r u serious? If I cold lose it I would". Don't want to wait anymore :( Having a bad day/night with this. Thank you as well for your support

All they require is 6 months consecutive professional documented weight loss program. no requirements on if I have to lose or not so maybe you're right. Thank you- That was helpful. I will say I'm trying more now that it's closer. I gave up pop and Breakfast time I'm trying to watch my carb intake and also drinking much more Water. The weather has been horrific (Heat is bad) so no walking. I just dont' want to gain at my next one. Thank you for the validation. I truly am freaked out about this now. These days are going to go by so slow

Sounds like a great plan for you I hate eggs (wish I liked them they are great source of protein). YOU CAN DO IT Totally can do it. Drink more water if you can and walk walk walk. Totally can do this!

I really should be jotting all these suggestions down but alas, I'll end up asking when it's time for me to go in. I want to say to you- YEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY It's your day! I LOVE seeing these posts. I can't wait to read updates. Prayers for you tonight

Prayers and positive thoughts ????

I'm so glad to hear you're doing better and they caught it early. I'm also happy your hubby was so supportive to you. I actually just let my husband know about all this and how impressed I am with that. You take care of you and get well very soon - keep us posted

I'm wondering the same. I gag easily at that stuff an know I need to find one to throw in things like sf jello etc......