I'm not sure where to start.
I'm 22 years old, 5'2" and I'm at least 300 lbs (I'm honestly too scared to weigh myself).
I'm not sure where to start. I've struggled my whole life with my weight and right now, my PCP has been no help at all--with suggestions or otherwise--and over the past few years I've developed asthma, I can't stand for long periods of time, my back always aches, I can't get to sleep and when I do, I sleep forever or for very brief periods of time, I have chronic depression and I've urinary incontinence. My doctor was surprised that I didn't have diabetes.
I'm just hoping for some help, I suppose. In my situation, what would you do? My mother is a nurse, but she says surgery is the "lazy way out" and I can't discuss it with her at all. I'd like to go to a seminar, but I don't drive (and apparently the Henry Ford Wyandotte center doesn't cover my health insurance, so it wouldn't be of much help). I have state-issued health insurance (Great Lakes Health Plan) and I'm not sure where to start or who to talk to about this.
I tried discussing this with my PCP and she almost immediately changed subjects and I couldn't steer her back on it. It was pretty much all about my health insurance probably not accepting it and... I honestly don't know what to do.
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
I'm not sure where to start. I've struggled my whole life with my weight and right now, my PCP has been no help at all--with suggestions or otherwise--and over the past few years I've developed asthma, I can't stand for long periods of time, my back always aches, I can't get to sleep and when I do, I sleep forever or for very brief periods of time, I have chronic depression and I've urinary incontinence. My doctor was surprised that I didn't have diabetes.
I'm just hoping for some help, I suppose. In my situation, what would you do? My mother is a nurse, but she says surgery is the "lazy way out" and I can't discuss it with her at all. I'd like to go to a seminar, but I don't drive (and apparently the Henry Ford Wyandotte center doesn't cover my health insurance, so it wouldn't be of much help). I have state-issued health insurance (Great Lakes Health Plan) and I'm not sure where to start or who to talk to about this.
I tried discussing this with my PCP and she almost immediately changed subjects and I couldn't steer her back on it. It was pretty much all about my health insurance probably not accepting it and... I honestly don't know what to do.
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Well you started in the right place. There are alot of helpful people here.
I would suggest finding yourself a PCP that wants to work with you. Find out if your insurance covers this, and where it covers. Find the doc or hospital and make connections in your area with the people here. See if you can find a support group, most take preops that are looking for answers.
We are all at different stages of our journeys, and have tons of information to share. Do you have any idea what type of surgery you want? What fits best with your lifestyle? Read, read and read some more.
Best of luck
Pam
I would suggest finding yourself a PCP that wants to work with you. Find out if your insurance covers this, and where it covers. Find the doc or hospital and make connections in your area with the people here. See if you can find a support group, most take preops that are looking for answers.
We are all at different stages of our journeys, and have tons of information to share. Do you have any idea what type of surgery you want? What fits best with your lifestyle? Read, read and read some more.
Best of luck
Pam
We write our own destiny. We become what we do.
Take a second and take a big deep breath.
First of, you have made one of the hardest decisions and that's to face your weight problem. For that congratulations. Most of us on here have been where you are and have or did suffer with very similar weight related problems. It sounds like you're just starting to go down the road of co-mobidities and it's not a bad sign that you don't have diabetes yet (and again congratulations on trying to work towards good health before full onset diabetes).
As for you PCP, you've got a couple options with her. 1) Go in again and go through your health problems and tell her you are looking at WLS and would like help/support from her in this regard. At a minimum it will start the documenting process that you'll eventually need. At the very least she should be able to provide you with a low calorie diet for you to follow (it's a doctor prescribed diet, even if you have difficulty in following it). You may need to be somewhat firm that you're seeing her for your weight and your weight related issues. I think many PCP are hesitant to recommend or talk a lot about WLS because 1) they're worried if it's not as successful as the patient wants, 2) they don't have as much information as they may want/need, and 3) things really do change radically with WLS so quickly and it's such a personal decision they don't want to steer their patients wrong. When I met with mine he suggested a 1200 calorie diet (which I knew I was going to fail) and said "sure I've had several patients that have been successful." Since surgery we have talked frequently and I help steer him to things we need to watch (vitamin/iron levels) and he knows if he has another patient thinking along these routes he can talk about me or give them me name/number if they want it. While he was always supportive he is totally amazed at me now.
Insurance can be an issue, so don't be afraid to post another question asking about Great Lakes Health Plan care has been like. Also don't be afraid to call them and ask them what their
requirements are for WLS and what is/isn't covered.
Now for the: "Lazy way out" -- I'll admit there's times when I think I took the lazy way out because it's been fairly easy for me. What people don't/didn't see was all the time I spent exercising and working out. I exercise at least 5 days a week and try for 7 days a week. I have set and achieved personal goals in terms of fitness that I work to maintain and achieve. It's part of my daily life now so I don't think so much of this as being a radical departure from normal life but pre-op I never really moved. I saw a good friend recently who hasn't seen me since surgery and she was overwhelmed with how I looked. I often forget that it's not 'normal' to go run 3,4,5 or up to 10 miles a day + swim or bike too.
The surgery will allow you to relearn how to eat normal sized portions and hopefully learn what being full feels like. That's about the extent of the 'easy way'. No more no less. The other thing that those of us with great weight loss have done is get moving and exercising.
Remember weight loss comes from 2 things: 1) Burn more calories (exercise) and 2) Eat less calories. One with out the other will not truly change your weight.
Being in Wyandotte you've got lots of great facilities and clinics fairly close to where you live. Coming from Port Huron I didn't think much of having to drive over an hour to get to the clinic of my choice. Many people on this board had to drive 3 hours to get to their clinics of choice. Maybe a bit simplistic on my part but what about getting one of the smart busses or a taxi to get to a seminar.
You may or may not get your mom to one right away. If she goes she will learn a lot about the procedure and realize that in no way is WLS easy or lazy. You must commit to life style changes to be successful. That's the hardest part and WLS doesn't actually help this, all it does is gives us tools to use during our journey.
Maybe I'm a little long-winded here and I'm sorry if it comes across as preachy. I think making the decision and deciding how to tell my friends/family about the WLS was the hardest part.
Let us know how your journey progresses
--Sax
First of, you have made one of the hardest decisions and that's to face your weight problem. For that congratulations. Most of us on here have been where you are and have or did suffer with very similar weight related problems. It sounds like you're just starting to go down the road of co-mobidities and it's not a bad sign that you don't have diabetes yet (and again congratulations on trying to work towards good health before full onset diabetes).
As for you PCP, you've got a couple options with her. 1) Go in again and go through your health problems and tell her you are looking at WLS and would like help/support from her in this regard. At a minimum it will start the documenting process that you'll eventually need. At the very least she should be able to provide you with a low calorie diet for you to follow (it's a doctor prescribed diet, even if you have difficulty in following it). You may need to be somewhat firm that you're seeing her for your weight and your weight related issues. I think many PCP are hesitant to recommend or talk a lot about WLS because 1) they're worried if it's not as successful as the patient wants, 2) they don't have as much information as they may want/need, and 3) things really do change radically with WLS so quickly and it's such a personal decision they don't want to steer their patients wrong. When I met with mine he suggested a 1200 calorie diet (which I knew I was going to fail) and said "sure I've had several patients that have been successful." Since surgery we have talked frequently and I help steer him to things we need to watch (vitamin/iron levels) and he knows if he has another patient thinking along these routes he can talk about me or give them me name/number if they want it. While he was always supportive he is totally amazed at me now.
Insurance can be an issue, so don't be afraid to post another question asking about Great Lakes Health Plan care has been like. Also don't be afraid to call them and ask them what their
requirements are for WLS and what is/isn't covered.
Now for the: "Lazy way out" -- I'll admit there's times when I think I took the lazy way out because it's been fairly easy for me. What people don't/didn't see was all the time I spent exercising and working out. I exercise at least 5 days a week and try for 7 days a week. I have set and achieved personal goals in terms of fitness that I work to maintain and achieve. It's part of my daily life now so I don't think so much of this as being a radical departure from normal life but pre-op I never really moved. I saw a good friend recently who hasn't seen me since surgery and she was overwhelmed with how I looked. I often forget that it's not 'normal' to go run 3,4,5 or up to 10 miles a day + swim or bike too.
The surgery will allow you to relearn how to eat normal sized portions and hopefully learn what being full feels like. That's about the extent of the 'easy way'. No more no less. The other thing that those of us with great weight loss have done is get moving and exercising.
Remember weight loss comes from 2 things: 1) Burn more calories (exercise) and 2) Eat less calories. One with out the other will not truly change your weight.
Being in Wyandotte you've got lots of great facilities and clinics fairly close to where you live. Coming from Port Huron I didn't think much of having to drive over an hour to get to the clinic of my choice. Many people on this board had to drive 3 hours to get to their clinics of choice. Maybe a bit simplistic on my part but what about getting one of the smart busses or a taxi to get to a seminar.
You may or may not get your mom to one right away. If she goes she will learn a lot about the procedure and realize that in no way is WLS easy or lazy. You must commit to life style changes to be successful. That's the hardest part and WLS doesn't actually help this, all it does is gives us tools to use during our journey.
Maybe I'm a little long-winded here and I'm sorry if it comes across as preachy. I think making the decision and deciding how to tell my friends/family about the WLS was the hardest part.
Let us know how your journey progresses
--Sax
First of all, call your insurance company (probably a number listed on the back of your card) to see if they cover weight loss surgery. If they do, find out if they have a certain place that you have to go for surgery. If they don't cover it, be aware that it is very expensive. Once you find out that they do cover it and they can tell you who to go to, you make your appointment and start the journey. And believe me, it is a journey. I've been at it since November 08 and am just meeting with my surgeon on April 22nd.. The people that say this is the 'lazy' or 'easy' way out don't know what they're talking about. It's a life changing decision and not easy. Surgery is a helpful tool, but if you don't put forth the effort to change your eating habits, you'll eventually fail. Keep looking for a support group to attend. Good luck in your search, and keep us informed.
Jan
Jan
Others have given you some really good advice, so I won't repeat these things. I did want to say, however, that how I recommend people go after WLS is quite different than I see many recommend. Personally, I am the head of my health care team, and I direct the decisions. Many people are not comfortable with this, and simply follow whatever a doctor / surgeon recommends for them. I have seen so many people get referred to surgeons who aren't qualified to perform all four of the major WLS options, and people don't always end up with the surgery that would best meet their post-op lifestyle desires. Also, I don't recommend simply going with what your insurance will cover. You may have to really put some effort into this, and work for what you want, but if you think you are worth it, it won't be a difficult process and you will be well prepared when you finally go under the knife.
I recommend to people that they first review all they can absorb about the four major surgical options, and determine which one is right for them. Next, is finding a surgeon. I, personally, would never settle for a surgeon based upon who my insurance dictates or the surgeons proximity. Once a surgeon is determined, their office has a process to follow, based upon your insurance, and will set you on the path to your ideal WLS. They have insurance experts in their offices, to help you jump the hurdles of your insurance, or can give you suggestions of insurance that will cover you for your chosen WLS.
Please, see my profile for links to loads of information on the different WLS options, and get to researching. This isn't a *quick fix*, and you owe it to yourself to know all your options, know as much as you can absorb about what your post-op experience will be like, and what your responsibilities to stay healthy will require of you.
Good luck!
~ I am the proud wife of a Guatemalan, but most people call me Kimberley
Highest Known Weight = 370# / 59.7 bmi @ 5'6"
Current Weight = 168# / 26.4 bmi : fluctuates 5# either way @ 5'7" / more than 90% EWL
Normal BMI (24.9) = 159#: would have to compromise my muscle mass to get here without plastics, so this is not a goal.
I 
my DS. Don't go into WLS without knowing ALL of your options: DSFacts.com
I am a nurse and your mom is misinformed as are many people in the medical profession, including your doctor. I agree-the first step is to find a doctor who understands WLS and will help you to document your weight struggles. This PCP will help you find a surgeon to work with you and the PCP to get you where you need to go. We ave all been in your shoes and know that there is hope. You might have to work hard and fight stereotypes to get what you need, but we are here for you.
Judy
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