FluffySaysForkIt!

First off, YOU LOOK AWESOME! Congratulations on all of your accomplishments, and thanks to you for sharing your insights on the WLS process. Here is to the many,many continued successes and joys that are still to come for you! 🍸 Cheers!

Okay, I am pretty new here and I am figuring out some of the features of the forums. (To say I am NOT a techie would be the understatement of the year.) A few times, after I post something, some random words are underlined in my post. I did not underline them myself, they were not underlined before I posted and I can't edit them to be not underlined after I post. Maybe I am just losing my mind? 😰 ( Y'all could totally gaslight me right now and just tell me they aren't there, that you don't see anything! LOL!) Is there somewhere on here that explains all of the features like reputation, linking etc.? Again not very tech savvy, so I might have just missed it. Thanks for helping this CRaZy out! (I did underline that one myself, lol!)

Since you have a "bear" in your name some ideas: Teddy Fuzzy Grizzly Winnie (The Pooh) Yogi I will stop now... (I guess using part of our names would eventually make mine "The Little Forker?".

Glad you got it done and behind you. Always feels good to check off a step!

Congratulations!

That was a really excellent article, thanks for sharing. 😊 This issue really is something everyone will struggle with, to some extent, off or on their whole life. It is a good reminder to "get out of your own head" a bit!

Just a word of caution here for everyone- I too used the "in house" psych personnel that my doctor routinely uses that is part of the hospital because I thought it would be most likely to be accepted by my insurance and they would know how to do the paperwork needed etc. However, my particular insurance would NOT accept it as it was done by a licensed family therapist and my insurance requires a licensed social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist. So now I am going to do ANOTHER eval. with a LISW. UGH! Just be sure to check your particular insurance requirements before you go to anyone. Might save you some time, stress and money!

Well, I only met with mine two times with four weeks between the first and second meeting. I lost 5 pounds during that time.

Did you ask the lady you are seeing now why she can't? Was it because she hadn't been seeing you very long or some other reason? Check with your specific insurance requirements as to EXACTLY what kind of psych evaluation they require you have. As an example, my evaluation has to be done by a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, OR a social worker. They will NOT accept a licensed family therapist, however. Its kinda weird and insurance varies so much. If nothing else, keep trying different psychiatrists. When you call, explain that you have nearly completed the process for bariatric surgery approval with a surgical team that has determined you are a good candidate for this treatment . Then tell him/her that, as a part of the normal process, you need a SIMPLE evaluation with respect to your emotional suitability for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. Explain that this evaluation will then be passed on to the insurance company, as per their requirements. Your surgical team SHOULD have a letter for you to take with or send ahead that explains the reasons for the evaluation and what the evaluation should address specifically. Ask them for one, or at least guidelines of what the evaluation needs to cover. Good luck! You can do this!

That is awesome! Way to go! 🏆

Okay! Thanks everyone for both the help AND for not pretending I was the only one seeing those random underlines. (Though that would have been totally funny!)

Mine does not require weight loss, but they do not want you to have any weight gain either. (They expressed that it might cause them to cancel surgery.) The focus is on lifestyle changes and exercise in the mean time. I will have to do a two week liquid diet before surgery.

Hi! Welcome! I am currently using the Baritastic app. It tracks pounds lost, water intake and all the usual stuff. It also lets you set goals for things like protein intake and has timers you can use for vitamin or water reminders. So far I like it.

Mine would be Hardee's- and not because I love it. I seriously think it is the worst food on the planet. I am pretty sure that the "flame broiled" taste is just from the Hell fires. GAG!!!!!

Yeah, that would make a person a lot less thirsty suddenly. YUCK! Shanshan, yours looks good!

Great idea! Would be a nice visual reminder. I have some family rings that I have not been able to wear as they are too small and I am hoping to fit later.

Congratulations! You are on your way!

The vets on here are giving you some really good, solid advice, I can't offer much in terms of that kind of support, but I wanted to take a minute to tell you a few things that even I CAN see. First, give yourself some grace. You are here, asking for help. NOT because you are some quitter or a failure, but because YOU ARE A FIGHTER! Second, don't let anyone make you feel like "a waste of time". f**k THAT BS!!! Go back to that a-hole Surgeon just to get the information you need and move on. Third, you are not hopeless. I really DO understand that feeling of despair, of feeling hopeless. (I suspect there are a lot of other people here who do, too.) However, I think its a lie we all tell ourselves at one time or another. You DO have hope as, even now, you are still looking for answers and working for a solution. If you are breathing you have hope. Hold on to it and don't let go. You can do this! -Sending you some peace and, hopefully, just a tiny mirror reflection of the strength you have within yourself that even this stranger can see. ❤️

Congratulations!!!!! That is HUGE!!! I know what a victory that must feel like for you as I have severe sleep apnea and it is one of the big, big reasons I am doing all this. I always use my machine faithfully, but I would soooo love to chuck that puppy in the trash. LOL! Again, way to go and sweet (mask free) dreams! (I will do a little no-apnea happy dance for you, too. 😀)

Just a newbie, but I LOVE to see people post about their journey! You should feel so proud. Way to go! Thanks for the encouraging words, too!

That is so great! You have really killed it this year, cheers to you!!!!! 🍸 I hope you take a moment to really let it soak in how far you have come. You deserve it!

Glad to hear you are home -wishing you lots of comfort and rest!!!

This question is actually listed in my packet of info from my surgeon. 😊 Q: "Will the staples you use in surgery interfere with special tests I might need later?" A: "The short answer to this is no. The small pieces of metal are very non-receptive and they get embedded in scar tissue. Tests like CAT scans, MRI's, Upper GI series, and ultra sounds can be performed safely after your procedure."

So sorry you are going through so much!!!! Hang in there! Hopefully you will get things straightened out and feel better soon.