WitchySar

I know I've asked a few questions that you'd probably prefer I'd have asked my surgeon. Problem is, I don't have one yet. I get what you're saying, I really do, but if the only proper way for anyone to get answers is to ask their surgeon then what's the point in having this forum? I came here to get answers to questions I have while waiting for my first appointment with the surgeon. I'm here to research, but I can't do that without asking questions. Will I also ask the surgeon when I have my appointment? Of course, but there's nothing wrong with asking here for advice and opinions from others who are going through/have already gone through WLS. Seriously, this is one of the most UNfriendly forums I've ever frequented, and I used to be a member of a crunchy mothering board!

Back when I was 24 a good friend of mine got WLS. I thought about it, I've always been fat my whole life but my health wasn't bad so I decided it wasn't for me. When I was 26 another good friend got WLS. I thought about it, I was getting more tired of being fat but my health still wasn't bad so I decided it wasn't for me. When I was about 29 a couple more people I knew has WLS. I thought about it but decided I'd rather give weight loss another try on my own. I was strong enough to do it myself, I wasn't *weak*, I didn't need surgery. Fast forward to now. I'm 42 and several more friends, and my bio-mom have had the surgery. My health has been going downhill, fast, and I know now I need the surgery. None of my previous attempts to lose weight worked long term. I am now ready for this journey. Am I scared? Hell yeah, I'm scared. I'm terrified I'll die, or I'll have some horrible complications from the surgery (about half my friends had complications), or I'll lose too much weight and hate myself. I'm scared of flappy loose skin. My looks have always been super important to me, I'm so afraid I'll be ugly after surgery. But you know what? I'll get through it. I have a supportive husband, supportive friends (only told a couple, but it helps). I have a therapist I can talk to about my concerns. So despite being afraid I'm going to do it. I NEED to do it. I wish I had done it years ago when I first thought about it. Don't let your fears hold you back. Don't be like me and wait so long. Start your life now.

Sorry to piggy back on this thread, but I have a question for those who've had drains before. How did they remove it? Did they have to close up the hole it left? I'm terrified by the idea of having a drain after my WLS. I have a super LOW pain tolerance.

Before I had kids I wore a size 9 - 9 1/2. After having three I now wear a 10 1/2. I really hope I drop shoe sizes. Even down to a 9 1/2 would be amazing. So hard to find shoes in my size currently.

I gained a good amount of weight on hormonal birth control. One of the worst side effects in my opinion. Have you considered a diaphragm and spermicide?

I'll test it out after my surgery, but that's not for quite a while. Currently it sounds like perhaps the person I was talking to was just a fluke. Sadness.

Two of my worst allergies are peanuts and all seafood (not just shellfish). Do you know how hard it is to eat low carb when you're allergic to both of those?

That's something I think will depend on your insurance, or if you are self pay it'll depend on your surgeon. I have Colorado Medicaid and the lowest bmi they will approve at all is 35. Period.

According to the published medicaid requirements I have to go through a 6 month medically supervised diet. The requirements actually seem pretty straight forward. I'm hoping that since I started earlier this month with my primary that this month will count even though I'll be switching to the dietitian at the surgeon's office next month. I do have many friends and one family member who have had WLS. Several friends and my bio mom have had the bypass, one friend had the band, and another had the sleeve. Of all of them the one that had the sleeve had the best results and fewest complications (none). Good luck with the pre-op diet!

I don't have a date yet. I'm still at the very beginning of my journey. I discussed my decision with my primary, got started on a dower she recommended, and now I wait for my first appointment with the surgeon on July 21st. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Just now I realized one of my triggers for mindlessly eating. I try to eat only when I'm hungry, and I have a list of things to do when I'm hit with head hunger, but this is different. Definitely emotional hunger. It's my kids. Specifically my two youngest (11 and 7). Whenever they fight (which is often, they are both stubborn and hard headed, just like me) I feel an incredible urge to run to the kitchen and find something to eat. I'm fighting it, but oh it's strong! So instead I'm posting here to hold myself accountable.

It's not something I would choose personally, but I'm not going to denigrate anyone who chooses it. I am not them, I don't know their health, their lifestyle... I know nothing of them. If this can help some people lose the weight they need to lose to become healthier then that's fine by me.

Aside from a very high bmi I also have hbp that my primary can't get controlled with meds, as well as major problems with my knees and ankles. I'm glad to hear that Parker Adventist is nice. I'm so nervous and excited. I just want to get started and get it over with. lol

Yes, Parker Adventist with Dr Long. I think medicaid has been approving bariatric surgery for at least about 4 years. The approval requirements page is dated from 2012. I can believe they didn't cover it before that though. Seems so silly too that insurance wouldn't cover something that can save them money in the long run and save lives.

I'm having to go all the way to Parker for a surgeon. Apparently there aren't any surgeons in Springs that take medicaid.

I may have to try that, both the Listerine strips and making them clean. LOL I'm sure I could find something for them to do. Unfortunately I can't eat grapefruit. Posting here helped though.

It does seem to be very specific to the plan. I have Colorado Medicaid and the requirements state that if your medically supervised diet makes you fall below the BMI limit (35 w/ comorbidities, 40 w/o) they MAY deny you. Not that they necessarily WILL, but they look at each case individually.

I am pretty sure I'm going to choose the sleeve for my WLS but I research the crap out of everything. I already know I can't have RNY because certain medications I have to take can't be taken after bypass. I also asked about meds after sleeve and someone linked a very useful list and the meds I take can be taken after the sleeve. Now it's time to verify with the DS. I can't seem to find a list of meds that can and can't be taken after DS. Is it the same as bypass or sleeve, or different from both? Specifically I'm worried because I have severe allergies, I have to take 3 allergy meds a day (zyrtec, claritin, and allegra) just to be able to leave my house, and my allergist told me to always have benedryl on hand in case of a severe reaction. Most of those meds were on the *do not take* lists for bypass that I've found. This worries me.

That's very helpful. Thank you for explaining the differences.

I don't have one yet, but I will. My surgeon's office has a dietitian on staff and it's through them that I have to do the 6 month supervised diet. Depending on how useful I find her info will determine if I continue using her after surgery or if I'll find my answers elsewhere.

I don't meet with the surgeon until July 21st so I wanted to do some research before hand.

Thank you. When I mentioned my decision for surgery to my primary she agreed 100% that this is what I need.

I'm in therapy already, and have to see a therapist with my surgeon's office as well. I've been worried about head hunger too, so I'm determined to learn how to handle it before surgery. I've made a list of things to do instead of eating when I think it's head hunger. Stretches, jumping jacks (modified for my knees), clean, text a friend for support, etc. So far it's working. Partly because even when I change what I eat I lose so slowly that my health can't take it anymore. My blood pressure is out of control, despite being on 3 meds a day. I can't work out because I can barely walk from the pain in my knees from my weight. I need something that is more drastic than losing a pound every couple weeks.

Oh believe me, there is no rope left. I'm not *agreeing* to do this. No one else suggested it to me. This is a decision I'm making for myself because I can't live like this anymore. I rarely leave my home anymore because we live on the second floor and my knees can't handle it. I have very little to wear because I can't shop in the stores near me, nothing fits anymore. I take 3 different blood pressure meds everyday and it STILL is high. No, I'm ready to do this. Plus I have a minimum of at least 6 months to get the rest of my questions answered. I have no intention of *eating around* my sleeve. Hell no. Not after all the hoops I'm going to have to jump through to get the surgery, and the pain and trauma to my body of the surgery itself. Nope. Not going to make all that be for nothing. So will the WLS *give* me willpower? No, of course not. But it sure as heck is going to supplement the willpower I already have because I WILL NOT fail this time.

Yeah, Protein vs carbs. That's a bit of retraining my body needs. When I ate low carb years ago it was awesome. So much protein, I felt great! But after getting off that there were days when I'd eat practically no protein at all. Carbs were life. I gained it all back, plus a little more. (It took over 10 years to gain it back, but it did come.)