JerseyGirlJodi

I'm 4'10" and currently 196.5 pounds. My surgery isn't until April. I'm excited to find so many fun-sized people here.

I'm in Roselle Park and the NJ Bariatric Center has an office in Springfield.

My surgery is not until April and I've only told some of the people closest to me. I have also asked my parents not to share it with their friends or the rest of the family. Mostly this is because it is my body and my decision about who I choose to share it with. Eventually I will tell anyone who asks. I'm proud of the fact that I recognized I needed help on this journey and am doing whatever it takes to get healthy.

Hey all! I'm 4'10" and pre-op. Hoping to have my surgery in April. Gotta jump through all of the UHC hoops. I live in Union County, NJ and am doing the surgery with the New Jersey Bariatric Center at Overlook Hospital. I'm so excited to be here and to meet other fun-sized people that are going on this journey, as well.

Hi guys! My name is Jodi and I'm from Northern NJ. I started this process 4 months ago, by first attending a seminar. I currently have Aetna but am switching to United Healthcare as of January 1. So, going by their requirements, I have to have 6 consecutive visits (one each month), a BMI of 40 or 35-39 with 2 (I think) comorbidities, and a 5-year weight history. I just had my 3rd appointment last week. So, 3 more to go. I'm hoping for surgery in April. I look forward to getting to know more pre-op people, so we can travel this journey together.

I was with my ex-boyfriend for over 7 years. One of his many excuses for us not getting engaged was because of my weight. Meanwhile, he looked like he was about 9 months pregnant. I finally realized that my weight was not the problem. HE was the problem. Dumping him was the best thing I ever did for my self-esteem. Edited to add: While it was definitely the best move I ever made, it was also the hardest. But, once I got past the initial shock of making such a big life change and started working on myself, I became forever grateful that I made the decision to leave.

Hi there! Are you at the office in Springfield, Hoboken, or Somerville? I go to the one in Springfield. I started this process three months ago. I have Aetna at the moment, but my company is switching to United Healthcare as of January 1. I was told that for Aetna, the requirement was 4 months of visits. I wonder if different Aetna plans have different requirements? Shouldn't the Navigator have known that from the start (that's basically their job, no?). For me, I have three months down and since I switch to United Healthcare next month, my requirements change from 4 to 6 months. I was told by my Navigator that I don't have to start over new. That United Healthcare will accept the three months I've already done. I would think that if your requirements changed from 4 to 6 months, that it would only mean 2 more months. Not having to start all over again.

Unfortunately, I have United Healthcare and so I have to do the six months of visits. I've done three. Three more to go. I'm ok with the wait because I feel like I can use the time to start to wrap my head around the changes and feel better prepared. Of course, from what people have told me, you think you're prepared, but you're really not until you actually experience the changes. But, I figured I'd get as prepared as I can. Definitely let me know after you've had the surgery. I'm hoping for April for mine.

I know this topic was from a long time ago, but I figured I'd respond in the hopes that you see it. I, too, met with Dr. Forrester in October (met Dr. Goyal at the seminar) and met with Dr. Jack yesterday. So far I like Dr. Jack best, but I'm curious as to your experience with the practice.

My original plan had been to tell my parents right before the surgery was scheduled. That way I didn't have to deal with any of their negative thoughts and comments, which I was pretty sure they would have. Instead, I wound up telling my parents a few weeks ago. Basically, I said, "This is what I'm doing. Period. As my parents, I feel you have a right to know. But, I'm not asking for opinions on the matter. I'm asking for support and if you can't provide that, then I really don't want to hear anything at all." Surprisingly, they are being pretty supportive. To be honest, though, even if they hadn't been, it wouldn't have mattered to me. I'm doing this because I need to do what's best for me and my health. And if anyone doesn't like it, that's their problem, not mine.

Hi everybody! My surgeon suggested that I go to this website as it's a great source of information, support, etc. I only ust started this particular journey last week, with my first visit with my surgeon, nutritionist, and insurance advocate (called a Navigator). I haven't completely decided whether or not to have the surgery and to be honest, I'm not sure what's holding me back. I spoke with my therapist about it yesterday and we determined that I'm probably afraid of the change it will bring about. Most people don't handle change well and I'm no different. It takes me a little while to get acclimated and for the change to become a new normal. So, I think a lot of my fear is based on the fear of not feeling "comfortable" within myself. Don't know if that makes any sense. Anyway, I look forward to reading through as many posts as I can and being an active member of this site. Jodi

Thanks everybody for the warm welcome! I probably have had surgery in the back of my mind for about 10 years or so. I had a PCP that told me that I have to have surgery (at the time, there was only gastric bypass) because I'll never be able to do it on my own. To which I told her to go to hell and got myself a new PCP. I refused to "give up" without a fight. And I went on to lose about 40 pounds by dieting and exercise (Curves). But, then, as always, it started creeping back on and now here I am, 10 years later, having to admit that she's right. But, I don't feel like I've failed because I couldn't do it on my own (which is how she made me feel at the time). I feel like I've tried everything I could and that this is the "last resort." I've learned A LOT about myself in the past 9 years or so (a long story for another day) and I've come to realize that with the amount of weight I need to lose, that my willpower alone will not hold out that long. I have recurrent severe depression (controlled with medication, for the most part) and when it rears its ugly head, the very first thing to go is my willpower. So, I refuse to admit defeat or that I'm a failure. I'm just doing what I need to do to get healthy. I've tried all other tools and this is the tool that I know will work.

Thanks, Jillian! Good luck on yours, as well!