Introducing myself..

My name is Lisa. I live in Jonesboro, Arkansas. I just turned 40 yrs old, Im married and have 2 kids. Ive been trying to get this surgery for a few yrs now, but with my only insurance being Medicare, I kept meeting resistance.  Well, it looks as if it will finally happen. I met with Dr, Jones here in Jonesboro last week.  He said he would do the surgery provided I lose some weight....about 50 lbs. Im scared of that part....i havent been able to lose weight for many yrs. Im going to be on the Nutrimed liquid stuff for 3 wks, then I go back to him for an eval. I see a dietician in Dec. and will start a 1200 cal/day diet after my 3 wks are over. If I dont lose the weight, I dont get the surgery...simple as that....NOT.  I have so many emotions running thru me...so scared is the main one. Scared of failure. It seems Ive always failed at everything, esp diets. My BMI is over 70, so he wants to get it down below that.  Dr. Jones is recommending the VSG for me. Ive been looking into it and agree with that. I should say that Im also an RN, by profession, altho Ive been on disability for 5yrs..I still keep my license current tho. Im hoping someday I can go back to work.... anyway....I have lots of support from family and friends. They all know I need this and are willing to help me all the way. Im really blessed to have them.  Since I have Medicare and there is no provider in Jonesboro, Im having to pay for my surgery myself. Its gonna be tough, thankfully Medicare will pay for some of my tests. I had gone to Memphis to a surgeon. They made me mad when they told me I had to lose weight. I thot that was absurd. Of course, since then, Ive found this is quite common. LOL. But I dont have a way to go back and forth to Memphis or LR...so I must stay here in Jonesboro.

Welcome to the Arkansas Board! dont give up before you start! any weightloss is a good thing. maybe you couldnt do it before because you need the right motivation. Surgery was that for me.....when I went to seminar I learned that at my BMI I would probably be put on a 4 week liquid diet...as I was sure I couldnt do that I decided before I evebn saw the Dr I would eat healthier and try to excersize more.....I lost 20 ibs in 2 months...enough to only have to do a 2 week liquid which is the norm.  Im happy that you found someone close to home to do your surgery! Good luck and please keep us posted. The fun is just beginning! nutti

 

Hi Lisa, I remember you from 2 years ago, we were trying to get our surgeries (with Dr Baker), but we both had to wait cause we didn't have enough weightloss attempts.  I stuck with seeing a Dr every month and finally got my surgery in August this year, Medicare paid for it.  You will be able to lose the weight on the liquid diet.  I didn't think I would and Dr Baker put me on the liquid diet for 4 weeks, and I lost 30lbs.  Just about everyone else on this board who has done a liquid diet of one kind or another has lost some weight, even when all other diets failed.  Just stick with it and start walking, a little at first and soon you will have the 50lbs gone and be walking all the time.  And if you don't lose the 50lbs, I am sure that Dr. Jones will see that you tried.  I am glad to see you have come back here, I was looking at my old posts and was wondering if you ever got your surgery or not, I remember you were real upset about not being able to have it.  I think Medicare would have paid for it even if we didn't have the weightloss attempts, but each surgeon has something they are picky about, LOL

Welcome back!

There are a couple of doctors in Little Rock who take Medicare and they use a hospital that is a center of excellence. I'm not sure which ones, but it might be worth the effort to research them.   I always tell people that after wls the weight melts and really that is almost a true statement.  I don't think I have ever had a week when I didn't lose weight, of course I don't weigh except at the doctor's but it averages out to a pound or more a week.  I wish you a speedy presurgery weightloss and hope you do well.  Welcome.

I know how you are feeling.  My BMI was over 70 and I went to see Dr, Gibbs in Little Rock.  Am so glad I went to him. I didn't have a special diet or anything. Am very glad that Dr.Gibbs done my surgery. I had surgery on Nov. 2 and am up and going, More than what I use to go,  Good luck with everything.