New Here

HI everyone
I wanted to introduce myself as I am new.  I am currently waiting ins. approval (it will be denied the first time) as my BMI does not qualify me for surgery.  I have severe GERD and at this point my only option for relief of heartburn is WLS.  I do have my surgery date set for June 29th and I'm hoping it will be moved up once I get ins. approval.

Question for all of you - What was your biggest obstacle to overcome after WLS?

Hello! I am new too! I am also having Dr. Ikramuddin! Good luck with the approval process and welcome to the boards!

Leigh

After WLS?  You'll get many answers on that one.

For me, the biggest obstacle is now, 3 years out - the mindless eating and stress eating.  Even tho I've done quite well, those old "friends" never completely vacated my brain.  So when I'm near food and not thinking, I sometimes find myself chewing things I didn't even realize I had grabbed! 

But stress eating has got to be the worst.  I'm actually rather proud that I've only gained, about 10 pounds in the past year, because personally, it's been the year from hell.  The GOOD thing is that my tool still works!  Once I admitted to myself what I was doing, I found I'm still able to make better decisions about what, when and why I eat.  And the pounds do come back off.

This is for life, not just for the "honeymoon" period when the pounds just seem to melt off.

 You've got GERD and your BMI isn't high enough for a RNY...who told you this is your last option? Just curious. Ever heard of a Nissen Wrap? It's not a WLS at all, but it will cure your GERD. Surprised Dr. I. didn't mention it. You might want to do your research because if you don't have to have WLS, why bother?

Just wanted to say the Nissen Wrap cured my severe GERD 100%!!  They did however have to undo it when I had WLS.  I had hoped to have the WLS before the Nissen Wrap but it became too severe and my insurance had denied me for WLS.  I then changed insurance companies and was approved the first time.  So I'm kinda of the opinion that if your BMI is not high enough..do some more research unless you want the lifetime commitment of WLS.  Not trying to 'flame' you just sayin'.  If you'd like more information about my experience with the Nissen Wrap just PM me I'd be glad to answer any questions you have.  Donna

I went in to talk to Dr. I about a Nissen, but, my GERD is so severe there is very little chance the Nissen will work. That is why we decided to go with WLS.  I've had GERD for 18 years and there is no longer any flap to hold my stomach acid in my stomach.  I'm on 3 different meds for it and still have heart burn 24/7.  I hope that helps explain why Dr. I. and I decided to go with WLS.  Now back to my question - What was YOUR biggest obstacle to overcome after WLS?

 Makes sense. Just wanted to mention the Nissen as I didn't see it in your original post and knew that was another option for GERD. You & Dr. I have a plan and that's awesome because quite frankly, my GERD was gone the day I woke up from my surgery and I haven't had one lick of it since - so to know that day is in your future, I'm just super happy for you!!! I suffered from it for 10 years, so I know what a great day it's going to be for you when you wake up and realize you have not had any burning.

 My biggest obstacle post-op remains taking my vitamins/minerals daily.

I'm still very early out... So my challenges I'm sure are "immature" compared to people that are several months or even years out at maintenance.  The biggest obstacle since WLS... the easiest answer would be the liquid diets... pureed diets... label reading... water intake... sticking to a schedule just to make sure I get all that I need in to stay healhty....I could go on.  But really and truly- the most imprtant challenge has been coming face to face with my relationship with food -- learning to control food rather than let it control me; finding other things in my life that bring me a similar instant gratification that I got from eating.  I am really not an emotional or stress eater - just the opposite really... so as I was "forced" to make the necessary changes in my lifestyle, I was also forced to admit and to face that food impacts me much more than I thought.  Developing a new, healthy relationship with it has been the most challenging for me.