citizenlizzie

You look absolutely stunning - glowing! You also get my vote for best dressed post weight loss - I like your style! We are the same height and I was at the same start weight. My goal weight is also 145 and my surgery is coming up later this month. I have nothing but hope and commitment to hard work, and whenever I feel confused or down, you better believe your pics will be what I go to to keep me inspired. You are absolutely beautiful and I am so, so happy for you. Hugs and kindest regards from the west coast, Lizzie

This is INFURIATING to me! The first endocrinologist I was referred to in my new insurance network upon moving to OR last year told me that "if I can't lose the weight on my own, surgery won't help." This is a man who deals with obese people with diabetes all day long...and he knows damn well that insulin and other drugs make it even harder to lose weight. For him to tell me that my problems are because of will power makes me sick. When I was a fat four year old, what was the problem then? What was my personality flaw then, Mr Biased!?? Then, then! I go for my annual pap and the guy wants to give me a hysterectomy because I have a soggy uterus from adenomyosis - no pain, nothing, he just wants to cut but is worried about how fat I am. He tells me I'm so obese that I have to worry about cancer at this point. I mention having the bypass and he literally guffawed. He said that "there's no such thing as magic." I wanted to punch him in the face. Did I say it was magic? No. Did I say I wasn't willing to remove my uterus on his nine second whim even though the last time I saw him, he said he wouldn't do any testing on me to insure a HPV stage 1 cancer scare hadn't reared its ugly head again after a lot of weight gain in a recent pregnancy? - - he said even though the LEEP procedure I had to get rid of it was 10 years ago, I'd be "silly" to think I'd actually be the 1 in 15 million who would test positive again (even though his statistic was for over a five year period). AAARGH. You know, there was a time in this country where doctors deserved to be revered - or heck, maybe we were all just blind sheep without the power of the internet and they never deserved it - but I tell you what. You sound like you care WAAAAAY too much about what this doctor thinks. The only people you should be discussing weight loss surgery options with is a weight loss center of excellence staff member and/or surgeon. If you want positive encouragement (or honest feedback), go to a support group. But to allow people who don't support your endeavor to get healthy rock your confidence to the point of seeking advice on a website for it....? This doctor needs to be cut from your life. She had the nurse call? Are you sure you have a great relationship? We cannot have it both ways. We cannot change without changing everything, including the people we surround ourselves with who can't support us (and who are usually in relationships with us because we're obese to some degree because it makes them feel better about their own insecurities), and then be surprised or concerned and get upset when these people who keep us - fat, self doubting, depressed, confused - reveal their biases. When I found another endo, by the way, she said gastric bypass is the closest thing in the world to a cure for diabetes and that she was utterly floored by the PA who spoke to me so unprofessionally. She was so angry, she is taking action in her own office and is going to be a stronger advocate for her patients on this issue. Progress somewhere is better than haters who have no specialization or true knowledge of the surgery/process/outcomes/etc. I don't mean to sound insensitive to YOU or cynical, but I have just HAD it, especially with male doctors, who feel it's their right to put me down no matter what I do.

You know what I might say to these commenters who think they're being nice by being interested but it's getting overwhelming? With a smile on your face and almost a quiet whisper, I'd lean in or step forward a little bit and say, "I'm sure you mean well, but let me ask, would you ask someone with a disease like cancer about their chemo treatments? Would you ask someone who lost a limb how hard it must be?" One of the stigmas about obesity is that everyone tends to treat others like you were personality flawed before the weight came off, when clearly, you had a health problem (mental, emotional, physical, all of it, hey, I'm right there with you). Simultaneously they are morbidly (no pun intended) curious, but they are also using you as a mirror to their own insecurities. Unless one of these people clearly has a weight problem too, and you feel ready to say, "I'd be happy to give you some referrals if you want to go to an informational meeting but I don't feel like talking about myself anymore", I really don't think you need to tolerate this anymore. You/we were ignored before the weight came off, we're not there for their entertainment now. I knew a girl who was well over 400, she lost 250 lbs and then met a guy in my husband's band and they slept together and really fell hard for her. Then one day, months later, when he saw an old picture of her, with all this investment in her emotionally, even then he still dumped her. People are SO LAME when it comes to people and obesity. I am a pretty easy going person in life, but I'd kybosh this s*** at work, pronto. It's not healthy, and you're not that person anymore. You get to turn the page - so can they. Hugs from a empathetic reader.

Hi. I've always been overweight and was about 50 lbs heavier than a healthy BMI as my hub and I tried IVF to get pregnant. We failed 4x and then from all the hormones my A1C went from high end of not diabetic directly into full blown type 2. Got that under control and then got pregnant...An unexpected miracle. I was on insulin 9 months, fought against genetics as I gained 65 lbs during pregnancy like all other women in my family but gave birth at an exquisite 5.4 A1C. At 274 lbs. I would be absolutely devastated to gain that much back after getting the sleeve. A couple rude jerks called me "golly you are huge!" but I swear my doctors, nurses, and endocrinologists all treated me very well. Since my blood pressure was low and my type 2 under control, I had a very healthy pregnancy. It's been 4 mos since giving birth and I still have post partum edema that won't leave me til I slim down. My sleeve will be done in June. If I were you, I would strongly consider waiting until after you are done having kids, wait the requisite 6 mos to heal up from giving birth, and do your pre-op requirements for surgery. You need to eat for your baby, and eat healthily. My two cents...Cray to have a kid knowing the surgery could be done after. Best of luck! Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

So awesome, I bet it does feel so amazing. You are beautiful!! [emoji4] Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

Stay off the scale and recover. You just had major surgery!! Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

Let it inspire you so you have something to look forward to!! Attitude is everything...this is the rest of your life...not a short sprint for bikini season!!!! ???? Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your grieving and healing...I needed this today. Hugs! Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

Yep, six consecutive months. Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

Pharm, since you keep responding and your pic is visible in your profile, why don't you just put this to rest for good and show your before and after pics without the emojis. The card could belong to anyone so that's not really proof of anything (don't get upset...I am in forensics and am just sayin'). The thing about this site is like you said, we're supposed to be here to support one another. But we also have an ethical obligation to be honest with people who have fears and concerns about surgery. You may be an outlier but you may also be giving people false hope. No one is trying to take anything away from you. We are asking you to give us a real chance to Celebrate your accomplishment and understand that the discrepancies are not to hurt anyone here by being disingenious. Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

I don't care what you think. The fact of the matter is I LOOK GOOD! That's probably why you are dying from jealousy! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App You look amazing, so much so that she couldn't understand. No one is hating on you and you didn't have to give me a dozen middle fingers...I was defending you. Your before and after surgery are obscured by emoji faces and we can't tell it's the same person. Can we all just let it go now? Congrats on your progress, regardless of the things that don't make sense. You're an outlier..Nothing wrong with that Hahaha that's the same person let's say it not 3 weeks post-pp it's 6 monthss... keep on going cause I'll embarrass you more by post more pic of my paper work from surgery ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1485060672.519591.jpg Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

Yay!! Congrats!! ???? Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

Congrats on the weight loss though...that's not so much as to be dangerous or anything and that's probably the most important thing!! As far as looking better for pounds shed, just be patient. You are on your way! ???? Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

I agree. I am the same size as the clearly white woman on the right side photo and I am pushing 300 lbs. The pic on the left is someone with a browner skin tone and looks way under 200 lbs. The problem is, there is no incentive to lie because she said she only lost what, 30-40 lbs. It just doesn't compute and all of us lifer obese folks know it. We don't know her and she doesn't need to impress us with anonymous pics so why lie, it makes no sense. More problematic is that people who freak out over a reaction such as yours clearly is on the defensive. Let's just ignore her... Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

What state is that? So streamlined! Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

It all depends on where you live. Here in Oregon you do tests, diet, see your primary once a month for 6 months for Medicaid to approve. Marijuana and nicotine and psych screens. must lose 5 percent of whatever you weigh when you start. The hitch here in Oregon is if you are obese without certain confirmed co-morbidities, the waiting list is 1-2 years long. However if you have diabetes and a second co-morbidities like sleep apnea or GERD, as soon as you do your 6 months, you can get scheduled. Call a reputable doctor at a hospital bariatric center in your city/state...they'll tell you what Medicaid requires. Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App