BrickHouse

I had my first appointment with my surgeon today and I am on my way! I have already met several requirements and my particular insurance plan is one of the easiest to get approval through. My surgeon was great. He answered all my questions and, believe me, I had many! He explained everything in detail and said that normally the process, from first visit to surgery, takes about 3-4 months. <Big frown and exhale> ...BUT since I have the plan I do, it will go much more quickly for me! <Resume goofy grin> I am on track for a late September/Early October date! I've scheduled the first of two appointments with both the PSYCH and NUT. My upper GI is Tuesday. The rest will be scheduled through the surgeon's office (sleep study, pulmonary, EGD). I am officially a bariatric patient and I couldn't be more excited to get my life back!

Ha ha! DANG! Well, you just go with your bad self!

I don't think many of us in here have had any trouble LOSING weight. We've done it over and over. It's KEEPING IT OFF where we have the problem. My husband, who is my biggest supporter and cheerleader, also swore I could "just do it myself," and begged me to reconsider my choice, stick to a program and work out. I patiently (ok, well not so patiently) told him that I HAD reconsidered several times and it's not up for discussion. I have made my decision and I am doing this for me because I deserve to enjoy the second half of my life. I deserve to enjoy and savor food again, and to be able to enjoy exercise again without pain. I commend the OP for letting her co-worker know that her opinion wasn't asked for and therefore had no value to her.

I was 8 years old and 130 pounds. My family went to a local "drive-thru zoo" where there were all kinds of animals. At the end of the attraction there was an area where you could get out of your cars and interact with some of the animals. There was a little sort of "merry-go-round" with pygmy ponies in harnesses which were attached to a wheel and they would walk around in circles with kids on their backs. Now, I had no business trying to get on one of those poor little ponies. But I was 8 and I loved animals (still do), so I did. Well, as you can imagine, the pony couldn't walk with me on its back. It just stood there when the harness wheel started moving. They made me get off and I cried all the way home. I can still feel how that felt and it was 40 years ago.

Ugh! I can't wait to NOT pee myself when I sneeze or cough!

See you on the other side!

I found a bonus Skittle last week!

Wow - we are on three pages already! I can commiserate with so many of these posts. Yes, having people not wonder what in the world my husband sees in me. That's a big one. Not having my grocery cart looked at sideways. To not have to stand behind the toilet to close a door in a public bathroom stall...

LOL As soon as I read, "Try peaches," I started singing that song in my head! Goin' to the country, gonna eat me some peaches... That song has a whole different meaning now.

Go over her head. It was not only unprofessional, but illegal.

I enjoy a scoop of vanilla protein powder mixed with my morning coffee and I likely will do the same post-op. Just mix it with a little water before adding the coffee so you don't cook the protein! Lumpy coffee is pretty nasty.

Yes, I have unearthed my "Belly Band" from my pregnancy 9 years ago and it's standing by. Sometimes being a packrat pays off!

I can't wait to NOT have sore feet. And sore ankles. And sore knees. And sore hips. And a sore back.

That's terrible. I'm glad you're better now!

I can't say for sure yet, but it seems people have trouble with cold water. I've read that some people drink warm water because of this. There could be many other reasons, though.

I can't wait to NOT hear my daughter struggling to fit her arms all the way around me when she hugs me. I can't wait to NOT wait until my husband leaves the room to get changed. I can't wait to look down and NOT see my cheeks. Oh, I could go on all day...

...and I would LOVE to not hear, "At least she's doing something about it" whispered behind me at the gym.

Oh yeah - and I'd l ike to stand up at church without pulling my dress out of my butt.

Instructions are on the pudding box. This is delicious with Jello Cheesecake flavored instant sugar free pudding mix and vanilla Protein powder!

I am really hoping for a September date. I've read stories from people whose paperwork was pushed right through and I hope I am one of those lucky people. My BMI is just over 40, but I have several co-morbs. My insurance doesn't require a long pre-op supervised diet, although I have gotten a letter from my PCP detailing my years of past weight loss attempts and stating she recommends this surgery for me. I have another letter from the neurosurgeon who did a big spinal fusion on me early this year. She is very supportive and believes this surgery will help me avoid future problems and contribute to the further healing of my fusion. I have pre-authorizatioon paperwork from my insurance and I have already attended my surgeon's seminar. My first appointment with him is next week. My fingers are crossed, and I'm hoping that I can schedule the necessary appointments (NUT, PSYCH, etc.) quickly. Ideally, I would love to do this after school starts on Sept. 4 since I won't need to drive the little one to summer camp - she'll be on the school bus. Oh, yeah - and my insurance covers 100%! Good luck to everyone!

Not only do you look thinner, but also so much happier! Congratulations!

Ooooh, that's going on my shopping list! I love them both, and I'll bet they're delicious combined!

Peanuts and bacon are low- or zero-carb foods. The point of most pre-op diets is to detox your liver of glycogen by depriving yourself carbs. They have to lift your liver up and hold it out of the way for this procedure. A smaller liver is much easier to work with. You didn't really do any damage, so stop beating yourself up, Parris!

While I have told my immediate family, when the time comes, I'm preparing to say that I had a hormonal imbalance (grehlin) and had a procedure to fix it. And now I can finally lose weight and keep it off. All true. This is assuming that I feel that I have to explain anything. I may tell certain people to mind their business since there was no concern from them while I was getting fat. As for restaurants, I plan to just simply say I lost all but one tenth of my stomach to surgery and as a result, I can only eat small amounts. Regardless, I'll be truthful in what I say, even if I leave a few details out. Hopefully people can leave it at that, and don't feel it necessary to keep poking. If they do, an honest "Why do you ask?" should shut them up. They won't want to admit they're just nosy! LOL!