The Candidate

Good luck and congratulations!

I'm choosing bypass primarily for the GERD issue. And also because I believe the malabsorption in addition to the restriction will bring about the best results for me. I started the process deadset on the sleeve, but gave it a lot of thought, research, and soul searching before changing my decision. My bypass surgery is on the 29th and I have absolutely no second thoughts.

I finished my six months of classes on 05/14/15. My surgery is scheduled for 07/29/15. So it was two and a half months after. Plus there were more requirements I had to complete before and after classes. I count myself lucky though as I'm the only one in my class who has gotten a date so far. Every insurance is different though.

You were so smart to do that. Pics, measurements and journals to capture every part of the journey, most especially the changes, are key to getting the most out of the surgery. After repeated failures over the years, we are so often unable to see the benefits of our own successes without this incontrovertible proof! And seeing it helps so much with continued motivation!

I'm so sorry your road has been so difficult, and you're feeling like all your dreams have been for nothing. You really touched my heart when you spoke of how you were so hopeful and expectant of a thinner future as a post op. We can all relate to that desire. But please don't discount the amazing accomplishment of how far you've already come. Go back again in your memory and tap into that pre op mindset one more time. Pre surgery, could you have ever imagined yourself losing as much weight as you already have now? You're only 1.5 years out and have lost a lot of weight. I know you're not at goal, not where you want to be, but you have come a long way. That's something to be proud of, don't you think? It's not too late to begin again and having youth on your side makes achieving your end goal all that more obtainable. Please don't give up and believe you have to live in shame. You are not a failure! You were right to come back here for support and we'll be here to help you. Your tool is still there. It can help you, but you've got to get your head back in the game and quit beating yourself up. You're worth it!

This is a great place to be honest and forthright, as we've all been there and done that. I honestly don't think I could have gotten through the long approval process if I hadn't stumbled onto this forum. It was like I was confused, alone, and unsure how to proceed one minute, and then BAM I was suddenly surrounded with all the support and encouragement I could ever need. I've never before in my life been able to so openly talk about being fat, and I never knew just how liberating it could be!

Congrats on a marvelous achievement!

I was a big fan of Muscle Milk for awhile, but Premier was the ultimate winner.

Congrats and welcome aboard! You have just started out on what I'm sure you'll discover is an amazing journey of self discovery.

Oh I can definitely tell! You look stupendous! Congrats, all your hard work is certainly paying off!

I wish you a happier healthier life and this is your first step towards achieving that. Congrats!

She has graciously apologized and explained it was not meant to be anything other than humorous. That is enough. I also happened to find it humorous. Every post is open to subjection.

Get a new doctor. This is your choice and you're over the age of consent.

30 minutes seems to be the consensus.

I think that's the kind of stuff we all struggle with, and leading up to your surgery you are forced to confront it in ways you probably never have before. I know how you feel though, if that helps at all. I'm a little less than 4 weeks from getting my surgery, after going through a year process, and this is turning out to be the most difficult hurdle of all. We're thinking about the trigger food that we'll probably never going to have again, or at the very least, in very reduced quantities than we were able to consume before. You're being faced with giving up something that has brought you a lot of comfort over the majority of your lifetime. It's natural to feel this way. Whatever happens with your appointment though just don't let it define you and your goals for a happier, healthier life. You made a mistake and it might cost you some time. If, worst case scenario, you have to start over, than so be it. Start over. Our addiction to food is fighting to keep its power over us, and it doesn't play fair. Never has. Never will. Don't let it win. And don't let you allow yourself to be the reason why it won. Pick yourself up and start all over again. You can do it! It's a bend in the road, not a fatal collision. And hey, you don't want to be a Penny, do you? She never even made it out of bed and you've already gone way beyond that. You want this. She didn't. Prove to yourself now that you aren't Penny. Go to that appointment with your head held high. If the numbers waylay you a bit, just get back on track and try again. Good luck! This isn't the end unless you allow it to be.

Oh I thought of another one! If I never have to purchase a shirt with a cute picture of kittens and puppies I will be thrilled. I don't know what is about large sized women's shirts but they all seem to come out of the pages of a children's coloring book!

Congratulations on you big day!

You have to remember how long it took you to get to the place where you are now. Until you were personally ready to make such a drastic 360 degree life style change, Mother Theresa herself could have offered you healthier food options and you would have chosen the full sugar route too. Trying to force change on others, or even gently suggest it, even with the best intentions, can often make the situation worse. I know of a few times in my past when others tried to "politely" suggest I lay off the sweets and savory goodies. Or at least cut down on my gargantuan portions and It only made me defensive and angry. Plus I usually ended up eating more just to make me feel better. The best thing you can do to promote change is to continue to be healthy and lose weight. That's the kind of example and unvoiced message that people will want to follow. You can only have ultimate say over your own journey.

So happy that it's over and you're feeling so good! Congrats!

Probably an endoscopy. Welcome aboard you're going to love it here!

@@jenn1 Hairless you say! You give me hope. Oh please Lord make it so! I can't wait to get reacquainted with the parts of my body I haven't even been able to reach or see for the last 20 years!

My co pay for the surgery will only be $250, and I don't have a deductible. I know that I'm very lucky. I will be interested though to get the actual break down of costs after the fact. I had to go to the emergency room not too long ago to have an abscess drained. It took like 15 minutes and my co pay for that was only $100. When I got the breakdown later of "actual" costs it was over $2000! It's ridiculous and a crying shame that a lot of people who can't afford insurance go broke just trying to get healthy!

It all depends on what your insurance requirements are. They are oftentimes vastly different.

Well, first off congratulations! What a wonderful way to start off the new week, and the first day of your new life! If you've been reading this site for awhile you're already familiar with all the mechanics of what to bring, and more or less what to expect. The one thing I would add is that last minute jitters are to be expected. So if you find yourself feeling a little shaky as the time draws near, just keep reminding yourself of how hard you've worked to get to this exact moment. Remember how it felt the day, the moment, that you made the decision to pursue surgery, and kicked the process into gear. Remind yourself of just how far you've come and that you yourself made it all happen. How great it is that your fondest wish is about to come true. I'm so happy for you!

2nd thoughts are normal as you proceed through the process. There have even been those that have backed out at the last minute. It's a good reason why the waiting time and hoops are so extensive. It gives you plenty of time to research, consider, and then reconsider again. Just be positive that this is really what you want before you find yourself on that operating table. Once you've resolved any last minute hesitations and do decide to proceed, I'm sure you'll be joining the "I only regret not having done it sooner" club. At least that's what I hope for myself. Good luck!