bettyboo

I hope it's ok to post this. I've seem people write about gaining weight or using ankle weights to make 40, so along those lines...does anyone know if its possible to skew a cholesterol test or diabetes test? Chug some wesson? Eat a quick crisco sandwich a couple hours before the blood test? Ok that's gross. I'm kidding here but since we have to jump through hoops to meet somewhat arbritrary cutoffs for insurance I wouldn't feel bad if I had to game the system. Like everyone here - My reasons for wanting wls are for health. Just watched my mom die after being obese her whole adult life despite doing every diet that came along. She had so many problems at the end. Diabetes, hbp, cancer. Do I have to wait to get these? Any ideas that would help with enhancing test results to show some comorbidities?

supbanana - That not sleeping thing would suck the night before surgery. Anxious to hear how you are. Holding good thoughts for you.

I want to have a realistic picture of what this surgery will mean. I am trying to tally up the worst case scenarios, and maybe they are just the "likely" or "eh...could happen" scenarios. From what I've learned on vst, here's what I can expect, in stages: (Although everyone is different!) -Excitement and counting down the days -Hatred of pre-op diet -Nervous, scared, possibly terrified -Sore, nauseous, tired, puking, thirsty -Low energy,trouble drinking, buyer's remorse -Dehydration, weeks of nausea -Sick of Protein shakes, miss chewing -Difficult adjustment, missing food as comfort mechanism, depression -3 week stall, fits and starts, disappointment in slow loss -Judgment from people who know -Trial and error of foods, vomiting when intolerant or too much -Trouble eating in restaurants, missing old life -hair loss, sagging skin, face looking older -Encouraging weight gain, adjustment to new life -Happiness, feeling of accomplishment as getting close to goal -Realization that battle isn't won, won't ever be "over" -Dedication and diligence -Hunger, capacity to eat increases -Rededication after small regain -Acceptance that the fight is eternal I'm the type of person who feels more comfortable having a complete picture of what can happen. I don't want to go into this with rose colored glasses. Any additions? Subtractions? Thoughts? I know that NOT ALL people have all or even some of these. Again -trying to look at possible downsides so I don't get caught up in thinking this is the solution to all life's problems.

Will people be able to see the name of the group?

hi proud grammy. i'm scheduled with dr illan in mexico for 8/30.

lol- laura ven, i don't think I could be more of a downer than my post - but you pulled it out! the plus size of death is that you'd only have to go through stages 1-3 on my list. ok, that's over the line. sorry. Keep em coming guys. We all know the happy stuff. it gets repeated often.

Does rogaine help?

8/30!

Have you seen this? http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/duty_calls.png&imgrefurl=http://xkcd.com/386/&h=330&w=300&sz=14&tbnid=0JDOjcPPBYzZXM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=82&zoom=1&usg=__namo0MPGxeDPEF68F4z3kUEnOzQ=&docid=7GiNB03uLhoDmM&sa=X&ei=C3ntUc_yIrKw4APy2oCADw&ved=0CDkQ9QEwAQ&dur=291

Looking for your opinions. My BMI hovers around 40, no comorbids, although family history of all them. I'm going through all the pre-op steps. This morning at upper GI the radiology tech said he didn't think I was big enough to go through "all that", meaning wls. My surgeon, who is obviously on board with me getting surgery, also mentioned that I was "skinny" which was very weird to hear. Maybe he meant in relation to other patients? He was talking about how that makes me a good candidate for easier recovery, I think. I feel very fat. Can't walk more than a couple of blocks. Wear 2x clothes. I don't feel small by any stretch of the imagination. I have at least 80 lbs to lose to be in the "normal" range. I know I could do it through diet/exercise. Well, maybe not all of it, but probably 40-50, and I'd still be pretty overweight. I've done it many times. I've been on phentermine four times, each time for about a year. Even that isnt' working anymore. Whatever weight I get to -it's not sustainable. My mother died last year from so many things related to/made worse by her obesity I know where I am headed and don't want that life. I've done a lot of research and know what is involved with surgery. I want the sleeve because I want this tool to help me get to and stay at a good weight. I know that most of the work will be mine (not the sleeve's) and that psychologically it's a big change as well. But now that I've heard these two comments I am questioning my judgement. No one in my life knows I am going to do this. I think I know what the general public thinks of weight loss surgery. I want to ask this generally pro-sleeve community what it thinks. Are some people "too small" for everything involved in the sleeve surgery to be worth it? Is there a chance this is a bad idea and I'll regret it in the long term? Knowing what you know, are there people in your life who are very overweight that you think should not do surgery even if they want to? What is your opinion? Any input welcome! Thank you in advance.

Thank you. I could not figure that out.

Does anyone know the difference (cost wise) in going to a Blue Distinction Center and not?

I wonder if there is anyone who has ever kept the surgery completely private and told no one (except spouse). Is it ever possible to keep it a secret? I know people have different opinions on whether or not you should - and I've seen great threads on this here and would rather not debate that right now. Just wondering if anyone has kept it their business and told no one or very, very few people. Thanks!

perfect! thank you!!

Anyone have experience with a BMI of 35 and no co-morbidities? I have BCBS PPO. I am doing a sleep study next week and having hba1c blood test. I have a family history of sleep apnea, diabetes, hpb, thyroid issues, but for now, i don't think i have any of these. I have plantar fasciitis, major depression (on meds) and urinary incontinence. Do those help?

Sorry to be the annoying newbie with too many questions - but here goes: Does anyone have a downtown Chicago (preferrably near NW hospital) female primary care doc who is wls friendly? Also every time you see wls do you think of the radio station? Thanks in advance!

Marfar-That IS Melissa McCarthy! From Gilmore Girls. I'm not brave enough to post my own picture- yet! Thanks everyone!! I really love reading these stories.

wow - Thank you! such great feedback from people who went to all three places! not that this matters much but could you guys tell me if any of those three places had private hospital rooms for recovery?

Thanks! I'm just starting. Going to seminars for NMH , Alexian Bros and St Joseph over the next week. Any advice, experiences, recommendations are appreciated. I've done searches and read a lot here but would always love more info. Thank you!

Hey Chicago people! Could someone who went to Northwestern Memorial tell me the steps in the process? I'm going to the seminar next week but just wondering how many appointments and classes, etc. are involved. thanks!