SippNSotaGirl

I've already decided that I'll explain the WL by saying that I've started to exercise, have cut back, and I'm eating healthier. All true, just not "the WHOLE truth". I won't go into many details, but I'm the largest person here, and I'm made to feel like our high insurance premiums are all my fault. No one's come out and SAID anything, but I get the look. The owner even came to me asking for info about hypertension. I lied and told her, "I don't know anything about that." It's the combination of a lot of little things that have made me decide to keep my WLS to myself. I would REALLY be happy if I can stay here long enough for this insurance to pay for the surgery, but find another job somewhere else soon afterward. I know I'd probably end up footing the bill for fills, etc, but I could plan for it with an FSA or HSA.

I'm scared that the "vacation" time might not get approved. :thumbup:

Do you have any ideas on how to deal with "Last Supper Syndrome"? I'm wanting to eat everything in my path right now, and I need to lost 15 pounds by March 12th. HELP!! Thanks!!

I had the seminar and initial consultation with the surgeon yesterday, and I have a tentative date of 03.26 for my surgery!! I'm so excited. He worked with me to schedule it around my Spring Break. I went to the first psych visit, and I have my second one next week. I had the first of three dietitian consultations. The surgeon wants me to lose 15 pounds. (I thought, for sure, he'd say 30!!) I am SO pumped and motivated right now. :smile2:

I was told that multiple co-morbids definitely help! I have hypertension, borderline diabetes, and joint pain. Plus, the medication I'm taking for hypertension is taking all of my potassium, so I also have a potassium deficiency. I'll be so glad to get weaned from all the meds. Please keep us posted. Good luck!!

I just went to my seminar/consultation yesterday. The scheduler kicked off the seminar, followed by the dietician, then the surgeon. Our consultations were scheduled for the same day (that afternoon). I went in to get weighed, then talked to the dietician, then waited forever for the surgeon. The surgeon FINALLY came and answered my questions and asked several of his own, pointed out where my incisions will be, and scheduled the surgery! I still have the follow-up with the psychologist next week and a few things from my PCP that I need to work on getting. The surgeon is also sending me in for a GI (?), which he said is pretty normal for the process. I meet again with the surgeon in a month, and I have a BCC (bariatric care coordinator) visit in two months. At that visit, we talk more specifics about the surgery since it will only be a few weeks out then.

My surgeon scheduled the date during the initial consultation. I'm not sure whether that's the norm, and it's all contingent on my losing the 15 pounds, of course. But he scheduled the date based on my insurance requirements and the clinic's requirements.

I've seen different posts where people experience shoulder pain after being bended. What causes that? Thanks!!

Hello, everyone! I'm new here. I have my first surgeon consultation on 01.11.2009. I already have psych appointments set, too. I'm SO ready/nervous/anxious to get started. Is there anyone else here from Mississippi? If so, I would love to hear from you. I'm originally from there, and I go home every chance I get. I still have family there. Is there anyone else here from Minnesota? If so, I would love to hear from you, too. I currently live in the Twin Cities area. Does anyone recommend a certain physician in the Fairview - University family? I'm planning to go with Dr. Leslie, but I haven't committed to him, yet. I would LOVE to hear about your hospital/surgeon/clinic experiences to assist in making my decision. My insurance covers a wide range of facilities, so before I get locked into a "horror", I'd love to hear from you. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks!!

Ding! Ding! Ding! The elevator finally made it all the way to the top. I get it now. Thanks for the explanation. :thumbup:

Thanks for the reply!! I just don't understand how the pain would be all the way up in the shoulders. I'm missing something. :thumbup:

Thanks! WOW, it IS a small world!! I didn't think I'd find another Mississippian, let alone someone from The Q. I graduated from QC, which is named something else now. How long have you been in AZ? Do you go home often? I've been in MN for 11 years, but I'm hoping I can relocate when I graduate in May. So what's your LapBand experience been like? I go for my first psych eval tomorrow afternoon, then I meet with my surgeon on Monday. I know that's probably backwards, but I already had the psych eval scheduled because I had planned to go with another clinic. Then I talked to my doctor, and she HIGHLY recommended the clinic I'm going to on Monday. Since I know I'll need a psych eval anyway, I just kept my original appointments. How long was your process from seminar to surgery? How long was it before you could go back to work? Did you tell anyone before hand that you were getting the surgery? If so, how did that go? I think I'm keeping mine private for the most part. I know everyone is different, but are there any foods that you can't eat since the surgery? Thanks for the good vibes, and for letting me ask you questions. I'm sure I'll have more as time passes. :thumbup:

Meg, It's a SMALL world!! My cousin goes to USM, or he may have just graduated. He's a hard one to keep up with. Get this -- I'm graduating in May, too! How coincidental?!?! I go to St. Thomas, and I'm graduating with my Masters in May. I'm looking to relocate after graduation, too. What's your major, and what made you pick Dallas? I'd love to get to the Carolinas, but I have to find a job first. My major is Software Engineering, so hopefully I can find something. I don't know if I should start looking now, or if I should wait until closer to graduation.

I don't have a surgery date scheduled yet, but I'm already worried about post-op. I live alone in a townhouse with tons of stairs. Will I be able to manage by myself? I don't have anyone that I can get to come and stay with me. Will I be okay?

Thanks for the hernia op suggestion -- I LOVE it!! :blushing:

Thanks, Christie!! I've told my one friend here (in MN), and two cousins back home (MS). My friend is the one who will take me home from the hospital and write the letter of support for the psych. My cousins back home also struggle with wieght issues, so they've been supportive. I'm working on getting my exercise up to par and changing my eating habits, so if anyone here at works ask, I'll just say that. I'm the biggest person here at my company of 25 employees. It's SO embarassing! It's a multi-level building, and I can't go anywhere without the floors squealing. Hopefully, that will start to get better, too.:blushing:

Thanks for the reply, Christie!! I have someone to drive me home, so I should be okay there. Is it a realistic expectation to do this "quietly" and "privately"? I almost feel like I'm sneaking to have this done, but I can't tell my co-workers or my family. (I work at a VERY small, gossipy, company!) I don't want to hear the unsolicited suggestions of what I need to do, etc, and I don't want to be judged. Is it possible to get through this without having to tell everyone? I'm trying to determine how I can do the schedule. There seem to be a lot of people who had the surgery on Friday and were back at work on Tuesday. I hope I can do that.

Hi Kristin!! I'm not in your state, but I'm close to your age -- I'm 32. I'm anxious to get started, too. I go for my first psych visit Thursday, then I have my first visit with the surgeon on Monday. I can't wait. I'd love to hear about your journey.

Thanks for your responses, Tina and Dee!! Tina, I grew up in Quitman County, so I wasn't too far from you. :-) My dad works at Arkabutla, but I'm not sure if that's DeSoto or Tate County. Anyway, thanks again for responding.