My Introduction

Merry Christmas. Called United Healthcare again just to make sure if I needed a referral or not to get to see a WLS Specialist. I dont. As long as I meet the criteria and it is deemed medically necessary, I will be approved. I almost feel like I am taking the easy route opting for surgery. But this is a life changing decision. Not like choosing what shoes I want to wear. (Cant see my feet anyways! LOL!) I am having a case of what my mom calls the "Screaming Meemees". I am so frigging SICK of being fat. I am not "overweight" I am FAT. I hate it. I get out of breath rolling over in bed for pete's sake. And bending over for 10 seconds to feed the cats. Sometimes I just pour the food standing up and if it lands in the dish, great, if not, I will get it the next time I sweep. How pathetic is that? This is ruining my life. -I have tried Weigh****chers (3x) lost a total of 15 lbs altogether on that. -Atkins: 8 weeks lost 10 lbs, gained that back with a vengeance. -Scarf and Barf (binging and purging) lost no weight after a week. -Starvation: I actually went 18 days with out eating. Lost 18 lbs. Gained it back the moment I started to eat again. -Over-exercising: yeah.... This has been a viscious cycle for me. Lose Gain Lose Gain. I hate myself!!! I feel like I am on a self destructive journey by being fat. I have started taking really high risks, like smoking pot, (I dont get the munchies), I have started to have sex with men I barely know, just to prove to myself that I am sexy still. Somewhere under here, under this second person, is a wonderful, beautiful woman, SUFFOCATING. She is dying. I hate myself. I have been to this site several times thru out the past year, but have never had the courage to post. Or to tell my story. I always thought I have the will power to lose weight. I just needed some extra help. I am not going to resign myself to a life of obestiy, I want to live. I am going to change my life for good. Come hell or highwater. (hell and high weight?) I will have this surgery. Even if I have to pay for it out of my pocket. Thank you to OH.COM for this site. I love all of you. I have read all the profiles in Iowa already and will be starting over again when I am done blathering on this post.

Welcome Stevie, Hi I'm Denise, I was new 3 weeks ago & 2 weeks post op. Been there, Done that. Lose weight, Gain more. This is not the easy way, believe me. Christmas dinner was the pits, 2 oz & you're done, no desert. I'm down 20lbs in 2 weeks though, WAHOO!!! I'm not complaining, I'm just a big baby after surgery. Today is the 1st day I've great after surgery, I came down with a nasty cold this week, but getting better now. It actually takes alot of work meal planning for your family & yourself. Your tastes change after surgery. Your insurance seems as easy as mine was on being approved. Good Luck on your decision, Denise

Stevie, Me again, I do suggest Grinnell, Denise

Welcome Stevie and congradulations on your decision to pursue WLS! No, it is not a "quick fix" nor an easy journey. But you WILL be able to feed your cats without spilling! We have all reached that point of desperation. I know I am extremely grateful for the technology making this surgery possible and for my insurance company recognizing that WLS is not cosmetic! You make a good point about feeling like a woman again. Now that I have lost 87# I am taking more interest in my vanity. I didn't care before, besides, who was going to look at me except those who would stare! I am using nail polish for the first time in years! I am also ready to shop for high heels again! Now I feel like one of those "normal" people I used to envy who can say "I need a doggie bag" for half of my miniscule chunk of meat! Before, a 12 oz sirloin would barely satisfy me! Losing weight will not make all the issues go away, the increase in your self-respect will take care of that! Good luck and I hope to see more of you on here in the future!

Thanks you gals! I really needed the pick me up! Love Stevie

Hi, My name is Karen and I just had surgery the 15th.I had the open and they also found a pretty large hernia so am glad they did that.But I came home the 18th with my drain tube and stomach full of staples.Hopefully I will get them out the 30th.I have to say that being 41 which is younger than you I went through all that and finally decided that I wanted to be around for my new grandbaby and family.At least you are making your choice before your health becomes so comprimised that you have to do it. I had the open and am doing pretty good now.And the weight is just melting off.You have to remember this is not the end all.This surgery is just a tool.So We All can either follow the guide lines and rules of this surgery or wind up the way we were.When I made my decisicion it was made with Jesus because I knew I may not come out of it.But I had a very good surgeon in SD. Dr. Donald Graham.He was great.His nurse is wonderful.And He has done this surgery for 20 years and has only lost one person.And she weighed 800lbs.She had so many complications before.So I have rambled on and will be happy to exchange e-mail with you anytime.We all need that support.God Bless and Good Luck

Stevie, glad you decided to come out in the open! I have learned so much from the people here. Don't be afraid to post any questions or comments you might have. Elizabeth

Stevie, Hi, and welcome. I do not have a lot of advice to give you because I am only several weeks out. Surgery was 12/8. I can tell you this - SURGERY IS NOT THE EASY WAY OUT!!!!!!! It is soooooooo hard when everyone else is eating the holiday dinner and you are s-l-o-w-l-y chew-chew-chewing your measly 2-4 tbsps of food with no drink to wash anything down with. What I have to look forward to is the weight loss. As of 12/24, I was down 25.5 pounds in 2 weeks and 2 days. We can all live longer healthier lives if we do what we are supposed to do with the surgery. That is to change our eating behaviors. Good luck to you and welcome to the group! Andrea