TonyaMac

Had my first visit today. I have to do a pulmonary function test, and get my cavities fixed but it looks promising. My ins requires 3 months of weight watchers in conjunction with once a month dietician visit at the surgeons office. No biggie because I have done ww before and it will take me a few to get the cavities fixed. He agreed to the sleeve which is awesome! I was afraid that he would recommend bypass when I really wanted the sleeve. He said insurance would not be a problem with all the other doctor recommendations. So looks like a few more months but at least I have a starting point and I know he will push for the sleeve

Now that I have come to terms with the surgery part and mad emy decision to do this how do you deal with the waiting? It is triggering some emotional/stress eating I thought I had under control. I'm working through it, but now that I have decided what I am going to do I just want to move things along. I know it takes awhile and I just need to be patient. But how did you cope with the waiting time before hand and not twirl out of control?

Is this going to be an ok brand for me to stick with? I really like the flavor. I mis it with Soy milk for added protien. I added the link to the ingredient page because I couln't copy and paste http://visalus.com/sites/default/files/products/ingredients/web-prodpanel-vishapepouch.jpg

I found protein "crips" and I am going to order some on payday. I was told they were good in a salad or wrap for that extra crunch and they have 28g protein http://www.gnc.com/pwr/product-reviews/BODYBUILDING-PROVISIONS/p/4096345-BPT-Inc-Proteinification-Whey-Protein-Crisps-Chocolate.html

Good point. They do tend to be spendy. 116 for a month. I shop at Sam's alot- I'm going to check out their prices and brands as well

I'm taking my bag with me to my doc visit on may 8th. I have been doing the 2 shakes a day for almost 8 weeks and only lost 4 pounds. But my joints feel better. It was my last diet. My RA doc told me to try it and when it didn't work thats when he referred me to a bariatric surgeon for the sleeve (or RNY) I wont know till may 8th which way they want to go. I'm going to push for the sleeve because I tend to eat vegan (allergic to poultry). I'm terrified of dumping with the RNY.

I started off struggling with my own failure to lose the weight. How could I fail so miserably? In the past few weeks I have had to look at myself closely and admit I failed. There I said it. i failed. I ate fried chicken, i ate the ice cream, I ate the cake. I'm a fat girl. It happened I'm choosing to move past it. I wasn't going to tell anyone at work out of shame but today I just felt like I had to say something and well then the cat was out of the bag. I was at a department luncheon today and this chick across the table from me was complaining about her 27 yr old son. He had "snuck in" a girl from the bar. yes he is 27 still living with mom and no job. Anyway- she was ranting how she knew he had snuck her in because she was a fat girl and she had told him repeatedly not to date fat girls because they are ugly and, useless, and cant hold a job. Now i was not the only big girl at the table and I could see their discomfort. So me being me blurted out- "i'm a fat girl and i have had a job since I was 14. I have a wonderful marriage, an awesome kid, and 2 dogs who love me. Whats your issue with fat people? Will you like me better when I have weight loss surgery in a few months?" She stammered how she didn't mean it like that what ever lady, yes you did. Well it got around the office fairly quickly and I am now "that girl" who is getting surgery. so what? yeah I am that girl. that girl who is choosing to take charge of her life, that girl who is going to change herself, that girl who refuses to continue down a negative and destructive path. Plus side- i had 4 people come up to me who have had WLS and i never knew it. they offered their support, warning, and help.

I found out today my boss had WLS almost 10 yrs ago. He had a little chat with her in his office today. I can only assume she will soon be taking the state class on diversity here soon. As a state employee with the Department of Health and Senior Services you have to be a bit more ethical.

Thank you! I know I need to stop thinkign of what I might look like, or how much I will lose. Everyone is different. I think I am just sidetracking my fear of failure. Working through alot of emotions right now. Trying to get it figured out before I go under.

I think telling your complications is beneficial. I'm struggling with the decision. This was not my own idea. My doctor is recommending it due to other health related issues (lupus, RA, thyroid) he hopes getting the weight off will help with my joints. They told me to start thinking of whether I want RNY or sleeve and we will discuss it more at my appt on May 8th. I have toyed with the idea for awhile but it wasn't till he wrote a referral that I started to seriously consider it. I don't know what I want to do yet. The complications scare me, but being able to exercise again is a plus. I have only been overweight for 12 years. I know it still sounds like a long time- but most people on here have been overweight since childhood I have noticed. I personally like knowing the truth from patients- good and bad. It is all fluff and good stuff it gives a false representation of what might really happen

You look amazing!! How tall are you? I wear the same size you did right now, I'm 5'4". Do you have much problem with skin? What was your starting weight? I know I shouldn't compare myself to others but I'm naturally curious what changes will happen for me.

Yes the excess skin. I have heard a few say they thought they would look different, not the extra skin more of a model type body. I have been reading several books and most talk about how their body did not turn out they way they had pictured it

From talking to others noone I have talked to has regretted it. They regret not follow the doctors orders, or not following the proper diet. Things that were of their own doing. I have seen a few blame the suregeon for not telling them what their body would look like afterwards. I think that if you are real with yourself about what you are doing and what you might look like afterwards you will enjoy your success. Will it be all unicorns and rainbows jetting off to the french riveria in a 2 piece- doubtful. But I know that going into this. I just want to be healthy again. I'm not doing it for a skinny "pretty" body. I'm doing it for me. I think people who regret it did it for the wrong reason. Just my opinion and I am pre-op so I it may all change afterwards but I don't think so.

Here is the link for your state: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hfp/complain.shtm

I wouldn't say call a Lawyer, but I would say to call your states Department of Health and ask for the Bureau of Hospital Standards. It is called a little something different in every state. But every state has a department that you can report hospitals too in cases where you feel things just didn't go right. They do not tell the hospital who called but the investigate complaints and see if it is a violation of hospital standards. At the very least you can make an official complaint to the hospital - in writing- and they are required to do their own investigation into their procedures and respond to you. I work in the Division of Regulation and Licensure for the State of Missouri. There are laws protecting the patient and making sure the hospital stays on their toes. Plus it does not effect the cost of healthcare, It is a system that is already in place in the state and hospital regulations.

My doctor referred me for WLS. I go to the bariatric surgery place at university of Missouri on may 8th. My rheumatoid doctor suggested it and has written me a referral letter. I already saw my pshycologist and he signed off. My insurance will cover all but 10% with doctor referral and a BMI higher than 40, I am at 47. Totally nervous and scared and embarrassed. Embarrassed that I got here, that I couldn't fix it on my own. I know part of it is my health issues but it was my fault for eating Oreos and everything else. I have RA, lupus, and hasimotos thyroiditis. I'm scared of having the surgery. That I will get in there and they won't do my surgery. That it won't work for me. Just anxious and nervous all at the same time. So here I am at the beginning of my journey into a different portion of my life.

Great question! I have lupus and ra and my doctor recommended surgery because since my diagnosis my weight has sky rocketed and will not come down. He feels it is. A tool to combat my flares. My lupus came about after a pregnancy. It has been 12 years but I have gained 150 pounds. It's frustrating I'm too tired to move to get around or anything. Recently I found out my thyroid is non functioning as well. They said I have hasimotos hypothyroiditis. I'm on meds for that now too. I meet with the bariatric clinic here on may 8th to see what's next. My insurance covers all but 10% and I already have my psych evaluation done. So we'll see where this leads. I'm scared but I need to get my life back. I'm scared surgery won't make me feel any better like they are saying it will.