happygirl65

OMG! It is really happening in just 3 days. I am so busy reassuring my kids that everything will be fine that I am getting nervouse myself! I was sitting on the couch, BIG SIGH...and my five yr old daughter says, "oh mommy, you're gonna be ok...they are gonna put you to sleep anyway...you won't even feel it." She was so sweet and sincere. Then I thought how sad is that....my baby girl is reassuring me?! I think she is my angel though...she is going to be my big helper after surgery and my food buddy. She is the only kid I have ever met who...in the grocery store...says...heck with Cookies mom...can I have a piece of that broccoli....right NOW?! She actually loves to munch it like people do grapes right in the store while shopping! Her big brothers and Dad...whole different story but she is really excited to be my helper. She gives me hope and love everyday. So I know how blessed I am. I will be traveling 2 hrs form home for the surgery and then staying with a family member whose house is more like...a hotel the way they always make me feel so welcome and comfortable...I am going to stay there for 4 days and do a followup at the end of the week before going back home. I am going to miss my kids like crazy but thought it was the only way I would really get down time to rest and not have to worry about anything but listeningto my body. I cater to everyone's needs so much that even my husband thought it would be a good idea. He is being so amazing. He will have to take on everything for four days and I know he is not lookiing forward to that but he has not said a word except what a great thing it is that I am doing for myself and the family. Big Sigh...any suggestions on what to bring? Comfy clothes, slippers or sandals, chapstick, liquid diet foods...anything else?

Happy tears...thanks for sharing this. Tomorrow....tomorrow. A new chapter in our lives begin, to be lived and written and learned by each of us. What a miraculous thing. The taking into one's own hands, a new destiny and claiming it as our own.

That is such a great idea. I know she would love it...and they are doing health and nutitions segments in school right now too so I KNOW she will keep me on my toes. Same with her older brother who is 7....he was so worried this morning he was crying. I just hugged him and told him I promise...cross my heart I am going to be just fine and I will call the school to get a message to him as soon as I am awake. He keeps telling me that he loves me the way I am and I don't have to do this. I just hug him tighter and tell him that I know he loves me no matter what, and I know this is a big scary thing righ tnow, but it's going to let me be a better mommy and be around longer...and wouldn't it be nice for us to go on more family hikes and bike rides together and not have to stop because mommy can't make it?! I know I am excited about that. I promptly changed the subject after that to...who wants sugar free jello in their lunch?! I DO I DO! lol. It was a rough morning for them. Tomorrow will be even harder but I am working on special notes for them for their lunch boxes...and I have emailed their teachers to let them know what is going on so they can help them cope if need be tomorrow. Luckily my surgery is in the morning so hopefully by lunch they will know all is well.

AWESOME! I had to call too! My daughter last Monday got a positive test for strep! I was like...oh crap...this could delay things...but they said no I would be fine, just get lots of rest and don't kiss her on the mouth or drink or eat after her. I guess I shouldn't have worried since I never do get sick from my kids...I get kind of OCD about handwashing ans stuff when they are sick...then I went on a bleach parade all aroun the house washing down all the little hands spots...lol. I keep crossing my fingers and praying that it doesn't get delayed because my insurance is changing in a week to more requirements

The thing is you have to keep your intake of water up (that is what the nutritionist says) to avoid that...but I think my doc's requirements may be different than yours. It seems that she only says I need two protein drinks in a day and that hot cocoa mixed with milk counts as a protein drink....so maybe your requirements are higher.

SWEET! Goodluck!

HEY Good luck! I had my tubes tied...the only incision was in the belly button...now, unless you really stretch it out...you can't see the scar at ALL! I would LOVE it if that is how my surgon did this

I have lost weight in the past and lost hair as well. It is sad as I don't have much to spare but I figure there are lots of things I can do...new style, color, hats...lol. It's worth it, it will eventually stop. As a prev poster said, it only makes you lose that which would have come out gradually a little quicker, the new stuff is still always growing.

What is covered in your "after care"? How much is the "program fee" and what does it include for the money? Do you have support groups? Are the support groups held by the doctors, nutritionists...or are they patient lead? Do you require a Pre-Op diet? What kind of tests will you require me to complete (slee study, cardio tests, psych eval etc) Do you offer nutrition support post op? Is it included? How much are fills?

I think we all go through a phase where we wonder if we can do it on our own. And it sounds like you ARE...my goodness you ahve lost so much on your own...be proud of that! I think the surgery makes it more "real" that this is a way you have to eat forever because of the device. But so much of the time it's a matter of getting your mind around the fact that you are DONE with being fat. Sounds like you are on the right track no matter what choice you make about surgery. Stick with it...you are WORTH it!

My anesthesiologist is "out of network" and the fee is usually around $800 my bariatric coordinator told me. My insurance will pay half but it sucks, that is who is on the schedule and so that is who I have to use. I cold probably have chosen a different day .....? But decided what the hell, lets just do this thing.. Maybe you could call and ask...ball park...how much is the fee for the anesthesiologist?

I would ask your surgeons office. I am sure they have seen the form or the letter and have an example they can send to you. Good luck. How NICE that you already have a therapist. That should help a lot.

Hi Nicky! I would like to say GOOD FOR YOU! Taking control of your life and improving yourself is a great place to start discovering what you really want out of life. I think in many ways it may be easier to go through this journey as a single woman without children. You wont have to mold your life to fit anyone else, you can keep the junk out of the house, you can exercise on your terms....eliminates a lot of the excuses that people (like myself) let get in the way. I am a 35 yr old mother of 3 and let me tell you, even on the BEST day...it is hard to think of myself first and then their needs. Children are a wonderful blessing, but they will be even MORE of a blessing to you when you know what you want and expect out of life and once you LOVE yourself. Maturity also will help with the patience needed to raise kids. The main thing is, go through this whole thing learning to love yourself, treat yourself with the respect you give to everyone else and learn how to make YOU the number one priority in your life. Then you will be ready for ANYTHING life has to offer you...and then some.

You should call your ins co and find out what their specific requirements are because they do differ. Mine required BMI of 40, proof of obesity for 5 yrs, medical documentation of diet attempts such as self directed, physiscian directed, programs like weight watchers etc. Some require 3 to 6 months of physician supervised diets, and they are changeing requirements all the time. Make sure that your policy doesn't specifically exclude weight loss surgery. I would go to a seminar if you can, it's free, and loads of info. Definitely talk to the dr each time you go and make sure they note it in the progress notes on your chart that you discussed weight loss options, even if it's as simple as them recommending you try exercise and south beach diet or something like that. It shows that you are trying and the insurance co needs to see those notes. Some are easier than others so really, call them they will send you a checklist and make things a lot easier on you. Some of the things on the list are taken care of by the surgons office like the nutrition classes and psych eval. Some require sleep study, some do not. It is all variable depending on your insurance and your surgeon's requirements. Don't get discouraged, I think the paperwork can be the hardest part of the whole venture. I wish you every bit of luck and happiness on your journey!

17 lbs...are you KIDDING ME???!!! That is AWESOME! Just think....how long did it used to take for you to lose that much with lifestyle changes and not dieting? OMG you are not giving yourself enouhg credit. You are doing amazing and you haven't even hit the "honeymoon phase" yet. I say keep your chin up! You are doing what you need to do and doing really well. Remember that quick fixes...are all too often temporary fixes. Also...do you have a scale that measures body fat and muscle instead of just weight? Maybe you are staying the same number but things are changing inside? Have you been measuring yourself with a tape measure...belly...arms...legs....etc? You need to look for those Non Scale Victories...I bet you have some you haven't even noticed yet. At 17 lbs lost I bet it's easier to stand for a longer period of time...easier to walk, more comfortable sleeping....lots of things change with that amount of weight. Even ten pounds can make a huge difference in health risks...and you are nearly double that in just over a month! KUDOS! YOU did that! Own that...beleive it...there is more to come. Furthermore...I beleive it is the stress that really has you down. Not the weight. Stress is always there but in sometimes you have something that just shakes you to the core. You have been violated and very rightly feel like things are spiraling out of control..... This time the difference is, it's not your health or food choices or your weight that is out of control...it is an external event that is as random as it is senseless. I don't know about you but I have real control issues. I can't STAND it when I can't control the details of things. And now you are thrist in a situation you didn't choose, don't deserve, and you have to deal with unected unplanned details in making your world right again. Prayer (if it comforts you) Yoga, Deep breaths or simply doing something you really enjoy may help a lot! Go get a massage! Have you made a list of things you will do along the way to reward yourself for dealing with stress in a new way? If so take it out and pick something! If not...MAKE ONE! Include things you love to do, things you never bother to make time for...for me it's learning a new song on my guitar, drawing, playing legos with my kids, or even allowing myself to spend a little too much time cruising the internet Treat yourself right now because you have been through something traumatic and need to heal emotionally. Think of how you would comfort someone else if they were feeling blue...and treat yourself with TWICE that kindness....bet you will feel better in no time!

RIGHT ON!!!

They say excessive coughing warrants a call to the doc...just to be safe.

Six days to go for me...excited...nervouse....releived....all at the same time. Hope you are all doing great!

I hear you...waiting on the insurance company was really hard. I am not patient to begin with....sigh....but hang in there, keep the faith and keep busy...it really helps!