jmw1982

I have never had an issue getting stuck in a chair or not fitting, but I always try to stand. For example at work, if there's a meeting without enough chairs, I will volunteer to stand in the back of the room. I don't like feeling crowded and worrying my fat rolls are lopping over invading someone else's space. I take the stairs instead of the elevator so no one has the feel the drop when I get on or off. When I do take the elevator I try to not step from the hall to the elevator but rather place my foot over the break to help disperse the weight shock.

Your writing is so honest and raw. Your story is an inspiration.

I haven't told anyone. My mom should be my biggest support system but I've seen her reactions to people who have had WLS. I frequently travel so the time off wouldn't be questioned and have yoyo dieted for years, so I don't anticipate anyone questioning me when I start losing.

I'm worried it won't work. I know I have issues with food, emotional eating, and binge eating. If you put something in front of me, I will eat it, hungry or not, no matter what it tastes like (amateur psych analysis-I think this is from growing up not knowing when your next meal was). This surgery, I hope will help by simply restricting the amount I can eat, but I worry that because I have counted calories for so many years, that the extreme calorie restriction the surgery causes will only be temporary too.

1. Being able to buy clothes off the rack 2. Not having to replace my single pair of jeans every couple months because of thigh rub 3. Not avoiding cameras. I'd also like to mention being in pictures without having to be the fat girl prop that makes the average person look fantastic in comparison. 4. Going into a restaurant and not having people stare while I eat.

There were several highly regarded surgeons in my area. However, after researching, I found only one that accepted my insurance.

I'd say I have 2 pet peeves. The first is when people say, "you put the weight on slowly, you need to take it off slowly." Are you kidding? It wasn't put on slowly. I look at a slice of cheesecake and the scale goes up 4 pounds. The second is more of a fat bashing pet peeve. When people, particularly men, tell me I need to be healthier in order to be involved in their lives. I want to say, "Tell it like it is. You don't want to be seen in public with a fat person. You don't care about my health, what my Blood pressure, cholesterol, CBC, blood sugar, or EKG results are. All of which are perfect by the way."

I'm in Phoenix and have seen Dr Graf at Banner. So I'm just starting the medically supervised diet required by my insurance. However, I'm also seriously considering doing self pay in Tijuana. After calculating the copays and deductibles, Mexico will still be slightly more expensive but without jumping through all the hoops.

I've known only one person who has had the sleeve. She lost 100 pounds but was so large to begin with, you couldn't really tell. That is where she stalled and has been there for 3 years. I have failed at every diet and exercise plan I have ever tried, yoyo dieting lose 50, gain 75. I'm starting to worry that I have this surgery that I have spent months preparing for and it turns into a failed attempt too. I realize this isn't a diet but rather a lifelong change and I'm prepared for that, but still concerned. Everyone on this board seems to have been very successful, often surpassing their goal weight. Is this because the successful patients are posting more often and more open about their experience? Is this woman I know an exception who wasn't adhering to the post op instructions?

As of yet, I have only met with the NUT once. Knowing that she had the power to cause insurance to deny me, I smiled and shook my head in agreement as though what she was saying was brand new information. I agree with some of the other posters above, the NUTs think fat=stupid. Newsflash-I've been counting calories/carbs/fat grams/points for 20 years.

I just had the consult with the surgeon this week. Before scheduling the consult, I had to attend a educational seminar where they explained the different procedures. I have to do a 3 month supervised diet so hopefully December will be my timeline. The office was very sure to let me know if I don't lose during the 3 months, the insurance will deny the surgery. I hate having to act stupid about calories and carbs. Do you not realize I've been counting and dieting since I was 12? Clearly this hasn't worked otherwise I wouldn't be in your office. I'm not telling anyone. I've yoyo dieted for years so I don't think anyone will question it and if they do will jut give the generic low carb/high Protein answer. Part of me doesn't want to tell anyone in case I fail at this too. I read somewhere that they like you to lose about 10 lbs before surgery in order to shrink the liver but can't remember where I saw that.