How Do You Stay Motivated During The Long Waiting Period?

[Strangefruit 179]

I have been approved for sleeve surgery by my insurance plan, and met with my surgeon in May. Now comes the long, long wait. My insurance plan has only one surgeon on staff in my area that does this surgery, so there is a bottle neck and a long wait list...It has been 4 months...I have been told the wait COULD be 7 months! I feel like I am getting discouraged and bounce between, "now is the time to start making good habits" to "I will NEVER get surgery, it's hopeless..." to "well, I'd better eat all the {fill in the blank} I can, because after surgery I won't be able to..."

Last night I actually dreamt I had the surgery...except in my dream, it was an outpatient procedure...and they released me into the street still wearing a surgical gown with open wounds. I had to go to urgent care because they forgot to give me any pain meds. I was sitting there in the waiting room, trying not to bleed on the nice sofas.

I feel like my life is on hold - I don't want to make any plans for the fall because I keep thinking I will get a surgery date...but as every day goes by with no phone call, I get more and more depressed. Any suggestions to pull myself out of this rut?

Any suggestions or a virtual kick-in-the-butt are appreciated!

[Chimera 644]

Keep reading the boards, practice the techniques you will need to be doing post-sugery - Dr's vary but no straws, no gum, wait 15 mins to eat after drinking and 45 after eating, start cutting carbs,

stop smoking, stop coffee (some do some don't - I myself did not want to recover with a caffiene withdrawal headache) stop all carbonated beverages. Start taking your Vitamins, and start all of the testing that needs to be done prior - which is pretty significant.

I went to my first seminar in March 2011 and did not have my surgery until may 21, 2012. I worked on trying to eat better and prepare best I could - now that I am on the other side - losing the 44 lbs. prior to my vsg is one of the things i am VERY glad I did - it simply ups the chances of success.

Hang in there - it can take a long time, but the time will pass anyway. use the time to educate yourself, and take great care of yourself

[simply.torri 28]

wow im sorry, that is a lot of frustration!! Are you only allowed to use Doctors in your area? My insurance has doctors all over the place... Infact my surgeon isn't even near my home. Is that not an option for you?

Also that dream is crazy lol. I surely hope it doesn't happen like that!

[lsereno 2,525]

I had a six month wait. During that time I focused on getting ready for surgery. I trolled this forum and obesity help, attended a face to face support group, got all needed tests, bought the Vitamins my program recommended and started taking them, followed a pre-op diet and dropped 32 lbs., worked out 5 days a week (3 x strength training for 30 minutes, 2x walking for 1 hr.), bought or gathered stuff I needed for post op (small spoon, small fork, little plate and bowl, nightie, slippers for the hospital, books to read while recuping from surgery) tested Protein drinks, and as time drew closer, I cleaned the house and did as many errands as I could pre-op so I had less to do post-op.

It seemed so long at the time, but when surgery came, I was so grateful that I was well prepared and informed.

Best wishes on your journey!

Lynda