petra1124

Yeah I have a pretty good support system and would not really consider myself to have a severe food addiction...Ive been able to stick with my pre op nutritional diet for the most part and have lost 10 lbs so far.

I have experienced the same thing, you are not alone! One of my good friends told me the exact same thing...I hate having to try and justify myself even though I am not over 40 BMI. This is a decision that I have made to better my life! I want this surgery now BEFORE I get to be over 40 BMI and my co-morbidities worsen. Just try to explain it to them that way and maybe they will understand.

thank you!

I can understand that she is concerned, but the risk for this surgery is <1% where as the risk for me developing diabetes and heart disease is a lot greater...and Ive tried to explain this to her.

I told my girlfriend about my weight loss this past month, following my NUT plan, and she was like "yay, so reconsider surgery!" I was like...you just dont get it....I need to be able to keep it off. Ive lost and gained my whole life. Im tired of the yo-yo. I just want to be healthy...and I dont understand why people dont see WLS as a healthy option for weight loss.

So I just had my nutritional seminar, and I have a long check list of goals I have to accomplish the next 2 months. Apparently my bariatric program requires 2 meetings with the NUT. so I have no clue when things will be submitted to my insurance. Im sticking it out though...have to follow a new nutritional plan and its tough right now! Its that time of the month and I almost drove to Taco Bell last night...its so hard to resist cravings!! I just want to shut my stomach off! I am hoping that after my first 1:1 with the NUT. I can get an appointment scheduled with the surgeon, because this waiting game is going to kill me! I am also having a hard time slowing down when I eat...partially because I forget, and partially because when I am eating softer foods, it doesnt take much to chew them, and I eat at my normal pace. Im thinking the only thing that will remind me to eat slower is to write a note on my hand...but that just seems silly!

So over the course of the month that I have been following the nutritional program, I've lost 11 lbs (and that is with a few cheats here and there, hubby took me out for a super fancy valentines day dinner)!! I have been finding that my husband and I are eating out a lot less, and I haven't even missed eating out that much... I am really happy about this, and my boss even made a comment that it looks like I have lost a few lbs. I am just really nervous about the next couple months as I am not sure how many times I will need to meet with the NUT. I cannot go below 210 or else I will not qualify for the surgery. The bariatric NP that I have been talking to said that once I have my 1:1 with the NUT things will progress faster as I can't lose a lot of weight...and tomorrow is the day!! So excited Things are finally starting to feel a bit more real for me! One thing I still struggle with is eating slow. I have definitly been able to eat slower, but not as slow as they would like me to be...I can never take 30-60 min to eat a meal unless we are at a resteraunt.

So happy to hear about your progress!! I am the exact same weight as you are (and 5'5" tall) so I hope that I have similar results as you are having!!

I have not had my surgery yet, but I have had my gallbladder removed...they inflate you with gas then as well. I experienced gas pain mostly in my shoulder...very bad...but stretching and moving around really helps!! The pain meds didnt seem to help with the gas pain...not really sure why, but it went away within 3 days.

I have my first NUT appointment monday, I am soo excited!!! This weekend cant go by fast enough...I took on an extra shift so hopefully it will lol! I spoke with the bariatric NP (Kathy) that first saw me, and she said that I am doing great with getting all of my appointments completed. I also have my psy eval next friday...cant wait for this next week! Kathy did tell me that I would have to see the NUT at least 2 times, that almost no one gets cleared the first time...but she also did say that she thinks I will get to see Dr. O'Malley by the end of March, and I could have a surgery date for as early as April if everything goes well, which by looking over all my info she doesnt see any issues... I was also diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, so I now have 2 comorbidities (as I am under 40 BMI) so insurance should approve with no issues. My PCP documented that I did 5 months of Weight Watchers this past year along with calorie controlled diet, so I should not have to see the NUT for 6 months *fingers crossed* I just want to see the Dr!! I am getting so impatient, but Kathy told me I am moving very at a really good pace, and for many it takes a lot longer. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

I get that I will have to change my eating habits and exercise, but I dont think that many other people know this about WLS. They think that you just get the surgery and thats it....I did explain to her that getting the surgery is a tool for me to be successful with changing my diet. Ive lost and gained and lost and gained....I can lose but it always comes back on. I need this tool to help me....I cant do it by myself. Thats what shes not getting. Thanks for all the support guys! It really means a lot to be able to talk to others who are going through this as well.

So I have only told a few people about my WLS decition, one of those people being my best friend. When I first told her she was suprised stating that she "didnt think I was that big." I have explained to her why I wanted the surgery, but she still asks me why I cant just diet and exercise. My mother, who is also supportive asks the same question from time to time, stating that I never stick with any diet and that is why I cant lose weight....that if I just stuck to the diet and exercised I would lose the weight. I am getting really frustrated and I dont know what to tell them anymore to make them understand. I am planning on telling my father and step mother about the surgery right before I have it, and I am afraid that they will have the same reaction. What do you guys tell people?! I am getting frustrated with being questioned and people thinking that its just a matter of will power and I am taking the "easy way out."

thanks for the advice! that is crazy that someone would but into your conversation like that! I would b**ch someone out for sure lol!

I do have high blood pressure, mild sleep apnea and pre diabetes. Ive told her these things too...my other friend thinks that she is jealous and this is how she is displaying it...

Well, I have told my boss and she is really supportive. My husband and 2 other really good friends are also supportive as well, but both of those friends are also overweight and one of them has looked into WLS. What is weird is that my best friend is also overweight, I think she weighs as much as me, but tends to see herself as not being as big since she wears her pants lower. She has a lot of belly fat, but not an apron stomach, so she wears her pants below her belly button, therefore needing a smaller size...but in reality, she is the same size as me, if she were to wear her pants at the right height. Maybe she doesnt see herself as being as overweight as she is...and its just really suprising that she cant relate with me. She says that she is there for me, but its hard to talk to her about it since I feel like in the back of her head she still thinks that all I need to do is diet and exercise. My dad and step mom on the other hand, I dont want to lie to them, but I expect them to react badly. I think it will be a little easier for me to handle them knowing that they will not be as supportive...but my best friend...its a little harder to handle.

I know this might be a little vain....but I LOVE anthropologie (way too expensive but I love the clothes)! When I get to my goal weight I want to treat myself to an outfit from that store!

I am going through Highland Hospital as well....how long did the process take for you?

I started this journey at the end of December, and I am now being told that I cant even schedule the appointment with my surgeon until I meet with the NUT....and even then I could have to see her 1 or 2 more times before I see the surgeon. Im starting to feel like this is just going to take sooo friggin long and I am getting so impatient. The worst part is, is that I am under 40 BMI and I am afraid that I will drop below 35 BMI. Ive been able to lose weight in the past but it never stays off for long. I am so tired of yo yo dieting and Ive been really hungry following what I learned at the NUT seminar.....I am thinking maybe I should try the other hospital in my city that does bariatric surgery, but the hospital that I am working with right now is like the best for this surgery in my area....I am so scared that I wont be able to get this surgery that I really do need

So I am a little more relieved....I called the surgeon's office today and spoke with the NP that did my first eval. She reassured me that once I have my first NUT appointment, the process with my insurance (BCBS) should go quickly especially since I am under 40 BMI. She advised me to talk with the NUT about my worries regarding losing too much weight and that they will work with me so that does not happen. I can't wait to meet with the NUT and get the ball rolling...I think I will be a lot more relieved once that happens, but regardless the NP does not have any doubts to me getting approved

Yeah, the practice is very large....I just get imaptient seeing everyone on here getting approved and getting their surgery date, I want that to be me too!!

I just dont get why I need to meet with the NUT before they submit to insurance, especially when I might not require 6 months of seeing the NUT. My PCP filled out the paperwork for the surgeon's office noting the diets that I have tried....they wouldnt even know if I needed the 6 months of NUT until it was submitted. And then I am afraid that if I do follow the diet plan, I will go below 210 lbs, especially since they want you to try an exercise routine. Losing the weight is great, but I know in the long run it wont stay off. If I dont follow the diet plan then I might not qualify then....so its a catch 22. I guess I will just have to wait till I meet with the NUT 1:1...I think I will give a call to the office tomorrow to get more of my questions answered. I just spoke with a receptionist today who wasnt able to give me any useful information.

I just dont see the point of meeting with the NUT so often before I can even see the surgeon...

for me to apply to insurance...

Hey guys...I to suffer with hidradenitis suppurativa and I am hoping that once I have the surgery and start losing weight that my outbreaks will reduce...I have a few deep ones going on right now, nothing that will come to a head any time soon. Ive been to 3 dermatologists who just prescribe clindimiacin foam or [worse] gel (the gel bleaches everything it comes into contact with). I also use Oxy Acne Wash 10% benzoyl peroxide which has helped a little bit...especially with any that are draining, and works better than hibiclens. I also take doxycyline when I am having an especially bad outbreak, and at first worked wonders, but now that Ive taken it many times it seems that I am becoming immune I try to only take it when I am having a lot of pain, as it does help with that. Any other suggestions or remedies would be great! I just ordered some turmeric capsules as I read that it can help...I will update!