Swmcknight

Things I will not Miss: -Having a full on panic attack when running into my husbands ex-fiance (blonde, perky, 110lbs former cheerleader) at the store. -anxiety at going to parties, pinics, ect. ect. -not going to weddings of friends because of the embarassment of having gotten so big in such little time. -getting mad at "regular" stores for not having a plus size department. -quietly listening in disgust and outrage at my husbands friends making fun of "fat" people who are smaller than me. -wanting to cry because I was the fattest person in the entire club at my friend's bachelorette party. -looking in the mirror and thinking "I used to be pretty." What I am looking forward to: -being able to keep up with my kids -swimming in a bathing suit -buying jeans for the first time in years -having a family portrait taken because i wont hate the way I look. -not feeling guilty for every time I'm hungry, tired, out of breath, sore, ect. ect. -actually wanting to have sex again!

Ok, nevermind about my above question. Went onto the Mcgee website and found the phone number. Scheduled for the November 19th session with Dr. Hamad.

How do you go about signing up for the classes at Mcgee? I've looked around for local classes, as I know a local clinic has offered them before, but the hospital website doesnt have any listed any time soon.

Probably best to just ask the insurance company though. Cause after all, they are the ones who pretty much decide everything, not the doctors.

I think the amount of pre-op testing depends on your particular dr/surgeon and your potential co-morbidities. Then again, it could be how particular your insurance wants to be about verifing "medical necessity". just my best guess though. it seems some people have tons of test, while others only have a few.

I dont want to start documenting a 6 month diet before my surgeon visit if it will drop my BMI down too low. My insurance seems to find every little loophole to get out of paying for treatment. (currently in a battle with them over a $15 co-pay that they are telling me was never paid. so i can only imagine what they'll put me through for this $$)

Whenever the doctor decides what your BMI is to qualify, is it at your initial apt with your PCP to get the preliminary co-morbid tests done, i.e. cholesterol, blood pressure, gall bladder ect. ect.? or is it when you have a surgeon consult?

Here is my story, I am 5'2", about 200lbs, im not really sure, threw the scale away a long time ago. My biggest hurdle is my husband. He is totally against me having the surgery. He actually is a better candidate that I am, my BMI is 35.5 and his is 42. I think he is afraid that if I lose weight I'm going to leave him, due to someone he knows that left her husband after losing 200plus lbs after surgery. I dont know what to do anymore. Ill lose 20lbs dieting, then 6 months later gain it all back and then some. My husband has never said anything about my weight, but I know his friends make comments about it. It sucks. That, and ive had a horrible time trying to talk to my doctor about my options. His advice was "Just eat less, get up and move more. Problem solved." so, yeah, looking for a new doctor. Any advice on husband/doctor difficulties?

Is there anyone out there from Indiana County? I am seriousy considering having lap band done, but I dont think I would be able to travel to Pgh for the classes. (its about 1hr, 1 1/2 hrs away) and with two kids, i would never make them. Also, any advice for someone with Highmark BCBS PPO? Or a sympathetic PCP? I couldnt even talk to mine about prescription meds for weight loss without being snarled at. So, now im afraid to go back for any appt, let alone to talk about weight loss surgery.