so frustrated

I am just so frustrated with this whole process. I had an appt yesterday and I gained 9.5 pounds in the last two months, so my next appt is delayed at least 6 wks to make sure I lose the weight. I am feeling super frustrated b/c I feel like I have already done a lot for something I don't know if I will ever achieve. I know my insurance {medicaid} doesn't really approve people unless they have co-morbidities and I don't. It's like they want to wait until i am seriously ill before they will "fix" me. I have quit smoking which I miss more than anything, I have jumped through all their hoops, done a godawful amount of paper work, appointments etc and now I have to go on a DIET? For what? To just find out I'm not going to get approved and I got my hopes up for nothing? I started crying during my appointment yesterday b/c I am so frustrated. Don't get me wrong; I want this more than anything. I am just sick to death of the waiting and the not knowing. If I *knew* I would get approved, I would do ANYTHING they want me to do. At this point, I am wondering if it's even worth it. Alisha

Dear Alisha, I hear your frustration and your anger. I know it isn't easy to diet on our own or we wouldn't all be here. But losing weight (for most of us) is a prerequisite to going onto the next step. There has to have been some diet in the past that has worked for you for awhile...low carb, weigh****chers, Slim-fast, something? Just do that and get it done so they will move you on. Did they say how much you must lose in addition to the 9.5 lbs you gained? YOU CAN DO IT! I know you can. Don't let your anger and frustration get in your way. It is very understandable for you to be down right now (I would be!) and a even a little bit negative but don't let yourself stay in that place. Just take it one day at a time and come here for support. We will all be here for you.

I wasn't told I had to lose any extra weight, just the amount I have gained.  I am just wicked irritated... I mean, dieting is horrendous; if diets worked, I wouldn't BE here, you know?

I understand your frustration however do you really understand how WLS works? Do you realize you're going to be watching what you eat for the rest of your life? I think you should read and read and read some more about this surgery.  Make sure you're going to be okay being on a diet forever.

boy I can understand how you feel.  most of us are here cause diets have failled us in the past, most of us to loose and gain again.  Diets do work, its just we can't maintain, and our issues with food or emotions take over.  I have to loose 10% of my weight before my surgeon will approve me, as everyone else who see this dr.  some guys have to loose more, if their BMI is higher.  some dr's don't require it.  But from what I've read it is important, for a safe surgery to keep our organs lean and in good shape for the "Surgery" itself.  Please try to read and educate yourself on why pre ops diets are necessary and you will understand, it is just another step on this journey.  You can do it, don't give up.  one woman I met had to loose 98 lbs.  NOw that must of been discouraging.  We are all doing it, if you need support we are all here for you, with many of the same issues.  Good LUck, cheryl

It's just if I could be SURE that I was doing this for something good, I would do it in a second.  And don't get me wrong, I'm going to do it.  I'm just not into suffering for an invisible end I can't reach, you know?  I have done a LOT of research, a lot of lurking on message boards, etc.  And it is worth it- it's all worth it is you know that you're going to benefit in the end, but am I?  That's what lurks in my head.  I am not worried about the pre/post op diets b/c that means that I am on the road to being thinner forever!  Right now, I feel like I am going to bust my butt, do all this stuff, and still be denied.

But honey, it isn't for a lost cause.  If you loose 9 lbs on your own ,you will be 9 lbs. healthier.  and "LETS JUST SAY" your insurance DON"T cover your wls.  What will you do?  You need to at least try, and not give up.  NOw you wouldn't go back to smoking and gainning weight.  NOt to say that we all haven't done that, because I HAVE, but,  maybe in another year, your insurance will change its policy.  Cause, WLS is really becoming a neccessity for the health of obeste folk and actually cheaper for insurances then to pay for health complications.  So give it a try, and show the dr. you can loose those 9 lbs.  If you need any support or help with a good plan, you've come to the right place.  Good LUck

This is a frustrating process. I went through something similiar to you - only my gain was two pounds. They just want to make sure that you will be able to handle life after WLS - the surgery in itself is not going to solve any of the problems, you will still have to work the tool. I know it seems like there are so many hoops to jump through and many of them may not even make sense - but there are there for a reason. So what would happen if you acted "as if" - you know as if you knew you were going to be approved? Try it - see if it will help you get where you need to be, I know you can do it and it is worth it if this is what you really want.  You've already proved that you are strong by giving up smoking, that is no small feat.