New here, pre-op, surgery on June 20

[carriet 12]

Hi all! I have been lurking around here about a week, scared to dive in, but here I am.

The short version is: 45 years old, one knee gone and the other not so great, back problems, high cholesterol, 60 pounds overweight. Low BMI, but steady gaining the last 5 months. I was down 20 pounds at the beginning of the year, and broke my leg in 2 pl;aces and sprained the other knee ligaments during the healing process. the ankle will never be the same, so now even excersise is painful. I have lost and gained the same 50 pounds countless times over the last 11 years. My research led me here, and I am scheduled for surgery on June 20. I am a little scared of the outside support, as because I am tall, most people don't think I am overweight, and they usually don't believe me when I tell them what I weigh. I have support at home with hubby and my mom, (who is 2 years post bypass and doing great) But I have told none of my friends yet, (just got the surgery date last week) But since I am self pay, I did not have a whole lot of hoop jumping to get approved. Funny how cash talks, huh? LOL

My doc requires a 1 week liquid diet pre surgery, and then 2 weeks liquids, 2 weeks mush, then 2 weeks regular diet. I am not entirely sure of the dates for post op checkups or fills yet, I will get all that info on my pre op date of June 14.

So needless to say, I am scared and excited, and questioning my decision.....about 20 times a day. But my doctor and I agreed that we can do this now at 60 pounds or do it later at 100+. so I looking for the support that will not tell me I am crazy, or fat enough, or sick enough.....really happy to have found this site

Has anyone else found that with low BMI, the support is less when people know, or ??

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

Hi all! I have been lurking around here about a week, scared to dive in, but here I am.

The short version is: 45 years old, one knee gone and the other not so great, back problems, high cholesterol, 60 pounds overweight. Low BMI, but steady gaining the last 5 months. I was down 20 pounds at the beginning of the year, and broke my leg in 2 pl;aces and sprained the other knee ligaments during the healing process. the ankle will never be the same, so now even excersise is painful. I have lost and gained the same 50 pounds countless times over the last 11 years. My research led me here, and I am scheduled for surgery on June 20. I am a little scared of the outside support, as because I am tall, most people don't think I am overweight, and they usually don't believe me when I tell them what I weigh. I have support at home with hubby and my mom, (who is 2 years post bypass and doing great) But I have told none of my friends yet, (just got the surgery date last week) But since I am self pay, I did not have a whole lot of hoop jumping to get approved. Funny how cash talks, huh? LOL

My doc requires a 1 week liquid diet pre surgery, and then 2 weeks liquids, 2 weeks mush, then 2 weeks regular diet. I am not entirely sure of the dates for post op checkups or fills yet, I will get all that info on my pre op date of June 14.

So needless to say, I am scared and excited, and questioning my decision.....about 20 times a day. But my doctor and I agreed that we can do this now at 60 pounds or do it later at 100+. so I looking for the support that will not tell me I am crazy, or fat enough, or sick enough.....really happy to have found this site

Has anyone else found that with low BMI, the support is less when people know, or ??

My BMI is 40, but I don't look "fat" to my friends and family. Although they are supportive, they never skip the opportunity to let me know..."you've lost weight on your own before, you sure you don't want to give it another try" or "you're not heavy enough for that surgery, they are just taking advantage of your insurance benefits..." blah, blah, blah... the truth is I am fat on the inside and now have been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. I have to remind them that I am not doing this for vanity - I think we all agree I am cute enough . But I have a child to live for and just because it looks normal on the outside doesn't mean that all is well on the inside.

Good luck to you, I'm on the fence about this...I've mulled it over and over in my mind but what it all boils down to is that I need help, I've been overweight my entire life and I want to know what it feels like to be a "normal" weight. My surgery is June 19th, so I'm just a day ahead of you. Let's keep in touch - I'm adding you as a friend so I can check in on you from time to time.

Hugs,

Gwen

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

Oh wow...you are a fellow Libra! My birthday is October 6th. Without knowing another thing about you, I know that you are a sweetheart and you have a ton of support...because that's the role you would play in someone else's life.

[TheDuchess 106]

Welcome to the forums! You'll get tons of support here :] I'm just curious what has been your history with weight gain or loss?

[carriet 12]

Welcome to the forums! You'll get tons of support here :] I'm just curious what has been your history with weight gain or loss?

I have been on either WW, or Jenny craig or visalus or beyond diet or.....and at the gym for most of the last 11 years. I have got back to my pre pregnancy weight of (160) once, in 2006 after a brief hospitalization. But other than that, I have been between 150 and 200 for the last 11 years

[carriet 12]

My BMI is 40, but I don't look "fat" to my friends and family. Although they are supportive, they never skip the opportunity to let me know..."you've lost weight on your own before, you sure you don't want to give it another try" or "you're not heavy enough for that surgery, they are just taking advantage of your insurance benefits..." blah, blah, blah... the truth is I am fat on the inside and now have been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. I have to remind them that I am not doing this for vanity - I think we all agree I am cute enough . But I have a child to live for and just because it looks normal on the outside doesn't mean that all is well on the inside.

Good luck to you, I'm on the fence about this...I've mulled it over and over in my mind but what it all boils down to is that I need help, I've been overweight my entire life and I want to know what it feels like to be a "normal" weight. My surgery is June 19th, so I'm just a day ahead of you. Let's keep in touch - I'm adding you as a friend so I can check in on you from time to time.

Hugs,

Gwen

thanks so much Gwen!!! I loved how you said "fat on the inside". I have never heard that before, and it is exactly how I feel.

[lynndtt 21]

Hi, I can relate to you and this is my first reply to a post. I too have been lurking around. I just found out my insurance covers lap band and have my consultation the 14th. My BMI is just barely 35. I am 5' 4" and 203 pounds. I also have high blood pressure so I think that is why I was approved. People are always shocked when they find out what I weigh, they say I "carry it well" but I don't feel like carrying it at all anymore. I have been doing a lot of research. Watching a lot of you tube videos and seeing a lot of unhappy people who have gained the weight back. I'm scared this might happen but I am hoping it is due to not getting fills when needed. I am hoping there are not a lot of hoops to jump through after my consultation. I've read some people need upper GI's and 6 months of documented dieting before. I just want to get started. It is hard to find people with lower BMI I guess because insurance usually doesn't cover it. Good luck and keep us posted on your journey.

[carriet 12]

Hi, I can relate to you and this is my first reply to a post. I too have been lurking around. I just found out my insurance covers lap band and have my consultation the 14th. My BMI is just barely 35. I am 5' 4" and 203 pounds. I also have high blood pressure so I think that is why I was approved. People are always shocked when they find out what I weigh, they say I "carry it well" but I don't feel like carrying it at all anymore. I have been doing a lot of research. Watching a lot of you tube videos and seeing a lot of unhappy people who have gained the weight back. I'm scared this might happen but I am hoping it is due to not getting fills when needed. I am hoping there are not a lot of hoops to jump through after my consultation. I've read some people need upper GI's and 6 months of documented dieting before. I just want to get started. It is hard to find people with lower BMI I guess because insurance usually doesn't cover it. Good luck and keep us posted on your journey.

Yeah I have to have an endoscopy, but I am self pay, so there are way less hoops to jump through!! No 6 month of documented dieting, but I have done so many diets over the years, I probably could do the documentation. People tell me, "But you're tall"!! LOL Nobody's THAT tall!! I heard something the other day which totally summed up the fears I was having like you. I read "The band controls the quantity, YOU control the quality". The way I figure it, if I eat right and exercise, the band will work. If I try to cheat the band, I will not. I am sure there are exceptions, including complications, but for the most part, on average, I believe it will work. Probably take longer, as I have read that smaller BMI's don't lose weight as fast, but I am excited.