HRHMKB

I am! December 13th!

I have my surgeon consult on Friday and am both excited and nervous. I have been working with a weigh management clinic for almost a full year now and am ready to move on to the surgical option and change my whole life. I'm ready to get started, but nervous mainly for my family and the actual surgical process and healing. I have question for you all: How long did you all stay in the hospital when you had yours done? My babies are 4, 3, an 2 and it's just my husband at home. No family nearby. It's still a huge weight on my shoulders about how they will manage. When did you return to work? I am a professor, so while I'm on my feet off and on, I don't feel it is overly strenuous work. Did you tell coworkers? I'm not ashamed of the surgery, but I'm curious if you shared this information. Thank you all!

Thanks! Yeah, I think I have been hearing a day. Someone said they were in less than a day. I guess it kinda depends. I'm trying to schedule the surgery so that I can take the least amount of time away from actual classes. early December and/or March for Spring Break seems more ideal than weeks prior. But I digress. If I would have planned for things better, I would have done it before classes even started, but it is what it is. Thanks again and good luck!

I have been with a doctor to discuss treatment options for my spider and varicose veins. I have approval and all the stuff necessary to get started, but it's a long process. Is this something that can be done before weight loss surgery? Has anyone done it that way? I have heard conflicting responses, so I don't know if I should just wait or go ahead with it. I'll be asking my surgeon next week, but I was curious what anyone else had done or heard about.

How long did it take for you all to get approval from insurance and what did they ask of you? I'm BCBS Iowa and was just curious if anyone else had them too! I have been on a medically-followed plan for almost a year, so I shouldn't have to do anything more if that is a requirement. What hoops are there to jump through beyond the BMI and health issues category? I already know I qualify for that one! Thanks!

Thanks! That's good to hear. I hope that since I'm younger, I can bounce back a little easier. My doctor seems to think so. My oldest is 55 lbs and the other two are 37 and 34 lbs. (my 2 year old girl is a bit of a monster). I think it is doable. My kids are also in daycare and I teach, but can remain sedentary for a time if possible. Anyway, thank you for the information! How long was your hospital stay?

Congrats on the loss. I don't think I remember being that small. I'm working on my own being just under 300lbs at the moment. My husband is supportive of the surgery, but honestly I'm more concerned about how I will be post surgery while trying to take care of my kids. I don't want to put all the burden on him. I have three kids ages 4, 3, and 2. Still jumping between sleeve and lap band for that reason. How long was your recovery time? Thanks!

Thank you. This is really helpful!

I feel like my appetite has already changed in just a few days on .6. Now granted, I am weaning off of Topamax currently so that explains some of it, but really yesterday I had a very small amount of food and realized how full I was. It was so strange to me. It was much smaller than the smaller portions I had as a result of the Topamax I had been taking for the last 6 months. It was really the first time I noticed it. I recognized how sick I felt when I ate too much and it didn't seem that much. It's a step in the right direction. I go to the gym 3 days a week as well. So we will see. I change to 1.2 tomorrow.

That's all good to hear. So far so good. I have been on it for 3 days now at .6ml. I will change to 1.2 on Monday and 1.8 the following Monday. I think getting some kind of balance will be a good thing. Good luck with your surgeries or post surgery journeys.

I had some concerns with the phentermine too - but had no problems honestly. I guess we'll see. There are risks with everything I suppose. I am willing to try this stuff first before surgery. I just don't want it if I can help it.