Just starting the journey (I hope!) - ThinnerTimes

cprnow · 09-24-2005, 05:48 PM

Hi-

Well, I have started working on getting approval for GBS or Lap Band surgery. I found you guys through google, and I hope to learn alot reading/posting here.

Anyway, right now I'm 5'5" w/BMI 35.6. I have been struggling and trying every diet and pill known to man. I can lose weight but it always comes back. I was just at the Dr. and found out I have high blood pressure and was put on medication for that.

I want to fix this once and for all! I am going to attend some seminars to learn more about the surgeries...also start working on insurance approval. I have United Healthcare, hope it works.

So, I look forward to *meeting* you all!

SaturdazeChyld · 09-24-2005, 06:31 PM

Welcome to the board. I hope you learn alot. I wish I had known of it before my surgery. Good luck to you

SPICYEYES99 · 09-24-2005, 10:30 PM

I , too am just starting out, although I am officially awaiting dictation. It is nerve wracking sometimes trying to get all the people involved to fax, email or call the other people so we can get this done. I will say that reading the blogs on here help tremendously as you get to see their ups and downs and great tips. I feel so much better prepared for this since going to the meetings at Dr. Callery's and meeting some of the "overcomers" in person. I once read that all the fad diets and some doctors diets can only help an obese person lose aprox. 11% of their excess body weight, and that surgical weight loss is the only method proven to have a high success rate. It's only a tool that we can use to help us be successful in regaining our lives by shedding the weight that holds us down.
I wish you the best and pray you get all the information you require to make an informed decision :-)

LizardQueen · 09-25-2005, 08:27 AM

Welcome to you all! Always great to have new members! Take a look at the old threads. There is info on just about everything!

jlcsmokey · 09-25-2005, 08:42 AM

Welcome to the beginning of the rest of your life! I truely treasure the advice I find out here or at least being able to come and vent about having a bad day or concerns about what to do, when, etc.

There is a really cool tool on this site that allows you to search on certain words. So if you want to search on protein powders or hair loss, or depression after surgery, it is a great tool to find anything posted on topics on this site.

Good luck to you in your decision and process.

cprnow · 09-25-2005, 10:12 AM

Thanks everyone! And welcome to the other *noob* too!

I have been reading some threads and the stories, and photos I've seen of you all are so inspiring! The thing I hated is that people act like I'm such a failure because I diet, and then I've gained the weight back. I seem to be able to stick to a program for quite a while, but never to completion. Anyway, I am tired of being looked at as a failure. You know, the people that criticize haven't even stuck to any diet program HALF as long as I did.

Ugh. I'm just tired of the battle.

I still find it so hard to believe that even with this surgery that people don't seem to gain their weight back. I'm actually skeptical about the success rate - but I've read the stats, and seen the stories. It's just so hard to believe after all the other crap I've tried.

I don't even know if I will get approved though- it seems I may have a case, but it looks very insurance and state related. I don't care, I'm going to keep on trying. I'd even finance it myself at this point! I bet all the diets I've spent $$ add up to the cost of this surgery!

veroniquetalk · 09-25-2005, 12:30 PM

Hi and congratulations on your start down this path. Your life will be better! The people who gain the weight back have some things in common (at least according to my dr):
1. They don't have a support group
2. They drink calorie containing liquids
3. They start grazing all day.

It's good to know those red flags ahead of time so we can recognize it when we get into one of those modes.

Lynne3 · 09-25-2005, 01:28 PM

Hi, Welcome. I haven't been online long myself. I'm 5'5" with 48.8% I started pursuing WLS in July. Last week was my first "education" class. I have my first consult with the surgeon in a month.......then on to the psych visit etcetcetc.

I had NO idea how long it would take to get through this.....when I first found out, it was such a bummer...but, if I don't start now....I'll be this way even that much longer.........and of course, everything will depend on my ins co. BUT, all that I've read here and heard in a support group I just started attending-----it will be worth the wait!

I NEVER KNEW how many people have had this and went through all this emotional stuff. It still amazes me.

I had the same feelings you did with the diets.........I'd do great......and then a few months went by and i'm off the wagon. Over and over and over....and WHY even try??

I'm SO looking forward to using this tool!

This site has been EXTREMELY helpful to give me answers I didn't even know I would have questions about.

Good luck in this journey of ours!!!!!!!

tonyt · 09-25-2005, 03:52 PM

Hi All,
I never really got excited about a Gastric Bypass. But since I have reached a plateau of 305lbs, I believe I must have this surgery or die trying. I had learned I was put on a waiting list for surgery at the VA Birmingham Medical Center. The kicker was, I was number 49 out of 750, but the surgery at UAB was only performed 7 times a year as instructional procedure.
I weighed a nice 200lbs at retirement in 1987, by 1999 I was averaging 250lbs. By the time I had my 5 bypass surgery in December 1999, I was well over 275lbs. I never really recovered from the bypass, short story is that I broke 2 of the 5 pins that held my breastplate together; I had fluid in one of my lungs. I had to return to Eisenhower Medical Center and be re-entered for infection. By July 2000, my wounds were still not healed. I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in 2002 and my health problems just kept adding up. At the present, I take over 23 different types of medications for my health problems.
My surgeon will be the Chief of Surgery for UAB School of Medicine. I requested a session to examine me and move me up the waiting list. Fortunately, my 100% service-connection disabilities did just that. It looks good for surgery in the next couple weeks.
I am concerned about the drastic change, if I will be mentally capable of adjusting.
I just started reading the forums here and hope a lot of my questions and fears will be answered here.

SPICYEYES99 · 09-25-2005, 07:51 PM

Tonyt I definately feel your pain. My weight crept on since I injured my back and my job and had to take a desk job. I couldn't do much with a slipped idsk and eating and depression was all I knew. I cret up over 60 pounds in a few years, on top of what i had to lose already. I keep going tot he docotr with a new ailment that is brought on by weight and I feel like I will die if I don't get this surgery. Thats so strange to say, but I know I can't do it alone, as I have done so many diets and doctor monitored diets its ridiculous! I think this surgery is life saving for those of us who can't lose the weight conventionally. My back injuries prevent me from doing excerise and not doing it adds weight, which makes the back hurt more. Hopeless cycle until I can get the surgery and aleviate the back pain and my ailments disappear or lessen once Iget to a normal weight range for me.
I know you will make it happen for you as I can see you are dedicated to making this life change. I look forward to making the journey with you all!