Tiffany Talbert Corbet

How about a doctor-supervised weight loss program? It sounds a bit more intense than Jenny Craig, but you're not having to admit to surgery in public. Then, if it's a friend or someone you know socially outside of work, and you want them to know, you can update them away from the office.

What does your primary physician say? Have you gone to a seminar and had the opportunity to ask questions? Have you talked to others who have gone through the procedure and were successful and happy about the outcome? I'm definitely not saying that iggychic had to say isn't important, because it is. It's very important to learn all the good AND all the bad that can happen so it will help you make the best decision for YOU. Only you can make the decision. Not us, not your hubby, not your mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, cousin, or friends....only YOU. You know what's best for you and your son, You know what will work best for your weight loss. I have told only about 10 people (not including my parents, etc.). Only those I knew would support me and my decision, and they are all very excited for me (hubby, mom-in-law, sis-in-law, sis, half-sis, 1 uncle, and friends). I too have struggled all my life with my weight. I've gained, I've lost, I've gained it back....only to be frustrated over and over. Last year I started seeing my current primary. He mentioned that he wanted me to lose weight before seeing him the next year for my physical. I burst into tears and told him what a struggle it was. He said he thought I was a little depressed and prescribed welbutrin (which I LOVE) and a meeting witha psychiatrist to work out my self-esteem issues. Try as I did for a year, I would lose some, but gain it back, and only watched the days tick away until that next appointment, only to be scolded at my next appointment with him and I broke. I asked him how in the world am I supposed to be successful? I've struggled with this all my life! That's when he suggested the sleeve with the Center of Excellence and a Dr. they hospital had hired away from another hospital who was one of the first to be trained on the procedure in the U.S. In my opinion....I would talk it over with your primary. Go to the seminar, meet with the psychologist, maybe attend a support group and meet people who are in a similar situation, and really search inside for the answer that is right for you. It will take a little time, and maybe a lot of tears and guilt, but you need to do what's right for you, and what's right for the future of your relationship with your son. I send you prayers and wish you much luck with your decision. PS. My surgery is scheduled for 11/16. I'm nervous and excited all rolled into one.

When the nurse practitioner asked me if I had any questions or fears, I told her I thought I had asked all that I wanted to know. I also told her I looked at this similar to flying in an airplane. I figure the pilot doesn't want to crash any more than I do, and I also figure the surgeon probably doesn't want me to die any more than I do, so I'm pretty ok with it. My hubby was with me, so having him there to hear everything she told me to make sure I heard it the same way, helped me. Plus, it just helps me know he's on my side. I'm sure the closer I get to my surgery date (11/16) I'll probably become a bit more nervous and self-aware. I wish you much luck, and hope you are able to find the strength to make it through so you can enjoy the success that comes on the other side.

You look M-A-R-V-E-L-O-U-S, darling! Congrats! Keep enjoying that slide down the scale.

I'm not sure how long it lasts. Some I have heard was 3 - 4 weeks. I have a friend who is a beautician and she has suggested nioxin. She is a breast cancer survivor and used it when she lost her hair. She now has a healthy, thick head of hair....and she says it's curly now too, when it wasn't before. Also, make sure you are getting all your protein. Hair needs protein and if you're not getting enough that will slow it's regrowth.

Yeah for you! I say go for it and ask that guy out! If he's flirting, and you know he's single, then he's interested! So happy for you....have fun on those rides at the fair!

I wasn't too keen on the unjury chicken broth myself. Have you considered getting a protein bullet (whey protein) and mixing it in your water with Crystal Lite? They have several different flavors. I'm considering the grape to mix with my grape crystal lite then sip it with the water. This will get you 42 grams of protein which will be a good amount for your first week. I don't think they're as concerned about your protein intake the first week or so as you are still quite swollen and just getting fluids in is primary so you don't dehydrate. I found the whey protein bullets in the vitamin section at Wal-Mart. Good luck!!

I'm a Nov. 16 sleever. That's the earliest date available for the surgeon. I told his nurse that can be seen one of 2 ways....either it's great there are so many of us having this procedure wanting to get healthier, or there are that many of us in this condition who need this surgery. Either way, I'm glad he's as busy as he is. I'd rather him have more practice and successes before he gets to me, than not. I've been approved since July 31, but getting the pre-op testing scheduled/completed has been the difficult issue. (Not to mention the dr's office staff isn't the best at communicating. I've found I have to do their job for them and push them to get things accomplished.) Question...those who are getting close to starting their 2-week liquid diet...what is your strategy to get yourself ready for it? I figure since I have 6 weeks, it would be easier on me if I were to start weening myself...so Monday I'll start liquids only for Breakfast and go from 5:30/6:00 a.m. to 11 or 11:30 a.m. before eating something for lunch and then a regular dinner with the hubby. Then in 2 weeks, I'll have breakfast and lunch as liquids and then dinner as regular. This will leave me to only have to give up dinner the final 2 weeks prior to surgery. Any one have thoughts on this or strategies they are using or will try to use? Tif

This was my first thought. If I were back at her age and I saw my mom wearing clothes that I wish I could fit back into it would kill me inside. I remember groing up my little sister would ask to wear some of my clothes because sometimes she "just liked to wear baggy clothes and mine were just the right size". It was nfuriating and only made me turn on myself inside for being so fat my sister could use mine for "baggy" clothes. Someday, post-sleeve, I'm making it a point to get into her closet and find SOMETHING I can wear....just for my own little bit of satisfaction. Maybe some "couples" therapy where you can both work on the situation. Having a safe place where she won't be judged for what she's feeling and can vent her feelings/frustrations might help her from internalizing, and stress eating. (not sure if that's an issue with her, but I know I could put on a good show handling it in front of people, but self-punishing/ soothing myself later with something sweet and sinful.)

all good suggestions. My only note would be to watch out for the "fat free" items. For a food to be tasty and fat-free, many manufacturers will load it with sugar to make up for the loss of taste from the missing fat. Suger is the DEVIL. What your body doesn't need to use for insulin, it will store in your fat cells to use later, which in turn defeats the whole purpose of us going through this. A little fat is better for you than the sugar to avoid the fat.

I have a friend who is a beautician and a breast cancer surivor. She lost her hair due to chemo therapy treatments. She used nioxin, and suggested it to me as well. I'm still pre-op, but have used it some to try and strengthen my hair prior to surgery. She said she used it religiously and massaged the leave-in treatment into her scalp well. She now has a very healthy, thick head of hair, and mentioned that it is now curly as it was straight prior to her losing it. I can't guarantee that Nioxin is the answer, but this was her experience.

Whew! Finally. If I'm learning one thing during this process, it's patience. It's been baby steps since May, but as of Wednesday I have a surgery date! November 16, 9:30 a.m. with a 2 week liquid diet prior to lose 9 - 20 lbs. Since our liver stores fat, the idea is the shrink the liver by getting it to purge it's fat and shrink so the surgeon won't have to battle it to get to the stomach. Have my prescription for anti-nausea patch to apply the day prior. Since I have seven weeks from today in which to prepare, I'm going to star working at getting my breakfast and lunches to liquid while eating sensible dinners with the hubby until the first day of the liquid diet (which coincidentally, happens to be the day after my b-day). I've found some Turkey stock, so while I won't be able to gorge as in years past on Thanksgiving, I will be able to still have that taste of turkey. Patience....that's always been my hardest lesson to learn, but I guess I have no choice, but to count the days and get prepared for the liquid diet and SUCCEED!

Did you happen to see any other doctors outside if your primary? I have had 3 different primaries in the past 5 years due to moving around, but my gyno was the same for the past 14 years. I got the documents from them and that solved that issue. (Though, according to my plan, the 5 yr height/weight wasn't required. I think the dr. office just asked for it out of habit because so many other insurance plans require it.) Do you happen to have welness testing where you work? Maybe they would have it for those years? Do you donate blood or platelets? The Community Blood Center or Red Cross may have that history.

My surgeon requires a 2 weeks liquid diet as well. His nurse says the liquid diet will typically cause you to lose between 9 and 20 lbs. My suggestion is to get some of the Special K protein water packets. While they only have 5g of protein, I have found that they really help to keep the hunger pains away. I won't have to start my liquid diet unitl Nov. 2, but I'm trying to start weening myself so it won't be a jump off a cliff. There are only a couple of bad parts, but I'm sure I'll survive. My b-day is the day before the start of the liquid diet, and my sugery is the Friday before Thanksgiving....but I'm not waiting any longer! Good luck, I hope this was at least a little bit helpful.

Oh, sweet girl, please take care of yourself. I'm not trying to pile on, but please consider reaching out to a counselor or a therapist to help you with all of your many challenges. While I'm sure your daughter is quite mature for her age, she still needs a mom who is strong and centered. Therapy isn't a failure, it's a way to have another grown up to help you work through the stresses and help find ways to cope with each and how to exercise the bad ones (namely the memory of your father and husband) and find a way to be more self-confident. Once you are self-confident inside, it will show outside which will draw people closer to you. This will be when the "right" guy shows up because what you project will be what you bring back to you. Remember, what you put out will come back to you 10-fold. I believe in prayer, and I think you're very smart to put your problems in God's hands, but please remember, the Lord helps those who help themselves, and he's put angels in our paths. Some of those angels look like doctors, others therapists. Please take advantage of all that is available to take the best care of you.

Wow! Sounds like things are moving along well for you. Congrats! About your dry skin...I'm not trying to sell to you, just giving you an option. Mary Kay makes an extra emolient night cream that is a very thick gel that you massage into your skin. It's $13. You can order online, or search for a consultant near you based on your zip code. They also have a satin hands set that has the extra emolient cream, an exfoliant scrub and lotion. My brother-in-law uses the unscented, as he's a frozen foods manager and has a very bad case of dry hands from the cold of the freezer and his hands getting sweaty in his gloves. This stuff really works well for him. Just an idea. I hope your successes continue to increase! Good luck!!

Seems this has been moving along slowly. In May I went to the information seminar. June I met with the psychologist. July was the meeting with the bariatrics team (surgeon, nutritionist, physical therapist) and a battle to get the dr's office to do their work to get information to the insurance company for approval (have you ever pushed a rope?). August was the upper endoscopy, and finally today, almost the end of September, I had my EKG, Chest x-ray, and blood drawn for pre-surgery testing. Wednesday I will go meet with the nurse practitioner who will go over all the test results to determine if I'm healthy enough for surgery, and set a surgery date. FINALLY! According to her when we set the date for today's tests, the surgery has to be performed within the next 30 days, or the tests will have to be re-done, and the insurance companies don't like do overs. SO....with any luck at all, this time next month, I will have my sleeve and be on my journey into my new life.

I see it!! You look F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!!! I'm right there beside you on the "you would be so pretty if you would only lose weight" soapbox. I've heard that from my grandma for most of my life. Would be nice to hear just once that I'm beautifly without the need for the pre-amble. Keep rockin! You're doing great!!!

Ok, chances are I'm overreacting, and if so...ok. It's Monday, I'm in the office, and no fewer than 6 people since 8:00 a.m. (it's 12:30 now) have walked down the hall and each one has made a point to either say "hi" or stop and talk to the girl across the hall. Now, mind you, I'm not a wall flower....I'd say I'm pretty outgoing in this office, and I have worked here 13 years. I'm the "go to" when people need things. She's quiet, reserved and an engineer who isn't all that outgoing. The other difference between us is I've been overweight my entire life, so those who have worked with me have only known me as overweight (and in my opinion have a bias against that and feel uncomfortable.....so sorry), I'm 5'7, red hair, fair complexion and 254 lbs. She is 5'6, blonde hair, fair complexion and probably 130. So the question is, why do they make the effort to say hi to her, and can't be bothered to turn and say hi to me as well? Why is it I only exist and am noticable when it comes to what they need and when they need it? Well.....times, they are a changin.....and there's a reconin' coming! After I'm sleeved, and the weight starts falling off.....you can BET I won't be interested in their attention. I've known all my life who my "real" friends are and who those are that are only there for the fair weather. I won't suffer fake people. Not worthy of my time or trouble. It's amazing to me how easily it is for others to be so rude and judgmental against those overweight. I've even noticed that it's actually socially acceptable for talking heads and comedians to poke fun at overweight politicians! How DARE they? Isn't it said that you can't judge a man (or woman) until you've walked a mile in their shoes? Sometimes, I just wish the world would grow up and try to consider those around them and pre-think they're actions. Kicking the soapbox back into the corner.

I hear ya on the self esteem part. Funny thing is....those I grew up with (since we were about 2) have NEVER treated me like I was overweight. Only those I've met since Jr. High have treated me in that way. And that's where the self esteem really started to take a downturn. Thus I learned at a young age, just who my "true" friends are. I will make a conscious effort every day after I'm sleeved and I reach my goal weight to NEVER be that person who is so cruel and rude.

Be patiently persistent! They waited a week to get mine submitted, because they didn't request my phych eval results. I had to chase them all over hell and gone to finally get that submitted, and then I had to jump all over their heads and shoulders to get the information out of them that insurance needed additional information, and then once I was approved by insurance and got my letter in the mail, it too me a WEEK to get them their copy (either they couldn't find it in their mail, they didn't get it, they couldn't log into the webpage I sent them to print it directly from the website.....). I finally gave in and faxed them my letter so we could get things moving. Stay the course, but make sure you don't let them slouch! Good luck.

I know how you feel (sort of). I'm a non-smoker, but pre-sleeve, and I get that way trying to lose weight on my own and failing. Once I slip, it's like a slope I can't recover from and everything in the kitchen is in danger. I would suggest seeing if you can find a support group (maybe your surgeon's office offers one?) or a therapist who can help you through some counciling that will help you with the coping of the changes you're going through, and exercises (mentally) you can do to help you stay (feel) in control of what your body is doing. It sounds like your brain is fighting what your heart and body want to do and it refuses to make the change which is only going to drive you even more crazy. Maybe an andi-depressant can help with the "down" feelings you have, and give you a bit more "positive" outlook. I feel so bad for you and wish I could help. Mostly, I wish you would be good to yourself and seek help. It's not a weakness to ask for help in situations you've never experienced before. Maybe by asking for help and getting to goal and seeing how great a decision this was, you will be able to help others through similar situations by telling your story. Good luck! I'm cheering for your success!!

No, it doesn't mean no surgery. It means the psych's have NO CLUE what it means to be obese and how it affects people. My psych eval was very similar. She asked all kinds of unnecessary questions about growing up, when I started gaining the weight (the day I was born) and what I thought was the cause (well, since I have no co-morbitities and I'm 43 years old, I'm guessing genetics like my primary said it was). Then she proceeds to have me take a 100 question T/F quiz that asks all sorts of odd questions pertaining to drug abuse, sex adiction, etc. I'm sitting there reading these questions and thinking "did this nut job even give me the right test to take?" All will be well. Keep positive thoughts, and stay on your doctor's office and your insurance. I waited a week before checking, just to find out my doctor's office never requested the psych eval results and thus had not submitted my insurance request! I wasted a week thinking these people actually knew how to do their job! Then it was like pushing a rope for 2 more weeks as I would continue to call both and find out the other had not done something (or tell me they either needed more info, or were waiting on something) and I was left to do the leg work! Be your own advocate and make sure they are working for you. Good luck!

Good luck! The upper endoscopy isn't all that bad. I had mine last week. I was supposed to call the dr's office Friday (and I did) to get results, but they haven't returned my call. I refuse to keep playing the phone-tag game, so I'm assuming if there was something they needed to address (which I doubt there is) they would have called me to come back for further tests or medication. My next tests (x-ray, ekg, blood work) isn't until 9/24...I won't know my surgery date until I meet with the nurse on 9/26. Right now, I think the hardest part is the time waiting in between these tests to just get to the surgery date. I know the post-surgery work for the weight loss will be hard work, but I also know that the life-long struggle working to lose weight has been hard work as well and if I had this tool during that struggle, I probably wouldn't be here today going through this now. I'm just thankful we have this option when I need it! Good luck to you!

Wow, she's helpful. Good thing she's in the medical profession! Who cares if you had it done private and abroad? She's your physician and should want to do what's in the best interst for your health! (Ok, I'm stopping before I really start dancing on my soapbox.) Here's a list of tests that are suggested for follow up at 6 months.... -CBC -Chem 12 -Folate -Vitamin D -Iron Panel -Vitamin B-12 -Lipid Panel At your annual visits All of the above, pluse a Vitamin screen.