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Topic: RE: A WOW at almost 5 years out
That's just awesome!! :)
Topic: A WOW at almost 5 years out
I'll be 5 years out this April, and it's been a crazy ride.
I started at damn near 400#, and lost 150 in my first year. My lowest post-op weight has been 209, I gained back up to 231, and am currently at 223. I know some people START WLS at my current weight, but I'm a big girl - 5'11". My ultimate goal is to get below 200. Even if it's not a realistic goal for me to maintain a weight below 200, I just want to experience it.
I've had some of the best times with my WLS family. I've made, and lost, some amazing friends. I have a core group that I would just die without. I've also had some incredible struggles since losing the weight, most of them unrelated to my WLS (husband's unemployment going on 3 years, working 2 jobs plus trying to help him get his own business off the ground, a teenage daughter who is MO and making a lot of life choices I can't make sense of....).
I have recently come to recognize that I had begun feeling life was a whole lot of negative, with hardly anything to make me smile anymore. And I decided I didn't want to live like that, so I talked to my OB. After discussing my feelings and taking some blood, it turns out that in addition to being depressed, I'm perimenopausal - which took my depression to new depths. I have really never been a depressed person before - even though I really didn't want to, I started on Zoloft, as well as an estrogen replacement. I'm already feeling better knowing that I'm not just crying in my cornflakes, but DOING something - not accepting the horrible way I've been feeling as my fate.
Then last night, I had a little "wow" moment at my hobby job - an old neighbor I haven't seen in about 5 or 6 years came into the store. As he walked up to me, he had that 'deer in the headlights' look on his face. When he realized it was, in fact, me? He LITERALLY shook his head like he couldn't believe what he saw! We had a very nice chat - he didn't say anything about my weight loss, but the smile on his face made it quite clear that he liked what he saw (in a happy, friendly way - not lewd).
It's been a while since I had an honest-to-God "WOW" moment, and I'm not gonna lie - it felt GOOD.
I started at damn near 400#, and lost 150 in my first year. My lowest post-op weight has been 209, I gained back up to 231, and am currently at 223. I know some people START WLS at my current weight, but I'm a big girl - 5'11". My ultimate goal is to get below 200. Even if it's not a realistic goal for me to maintain a weight below 200, I just want to experience it.
I've had some of the best times with my WLS family. I've made, and lost, some amazing friends. I have a core group that I would just die without. I've also had some incredible struggles since losing the weight, most of them unrelated to my WLS (husband's unemployment going on 3 years, working 2 jobs plus trying to help him get his own business off the ground, a teenage daughter who is MO and making a lot of life choices I can't make sense of....).
I have recently come to recognize that I had begun feeling life was a whole lot of negative, with hardly anything to make me smile anymore. And I decided I didn't want to live like that, so I talked to my OB. After discussing my feelings and taking some blood, it turns out that in addition to being depressed, I'm perimenopausal - which took my depression to new depths. I have really never been a depressed person before - even though I really didn't want to, I started on Zoloft, as well as an estrogen replacement. I'm already feeling better knowing that I'm not just crying in my cornflakes, but DOING something - not accepting the horrible way I've been feeling as my fate.
Then last night, I had a little "wow" moment at my hobby job - an old neighbor I haven't seen in about 5 or 6 years came into the store. As he walked up to me, he had that 'deer in the headlights' look on his face. When he realized it was, in fact, me? He LITERALLY shook his head like he couldn't believe what he saw! We had a very nice chat - he didn't say anything about my weight loss, but the smile on his face made it quite clear that he liked what he saw (in a happy, friendly way - not lewd).
It's been a while since I had an honest-to-God "WOW" moment, and I'm not gonna lie - it felt GOOD.
Imperfect does not = unsuccessful
Topic: RE: Blue Cross BS of MN lower BMI
Oh, and yes I want very bad to have a baby, but need to loose as much weight as possible before as I already have back issues. I was soo hoping to get the surgery this year so I did not have to delay pregnancy any longer than I have to. I am afraid the closer I get to 40 the harder time I will have getting pregnant.
Topic: RE: Blue Cross BS of MN lower BMI
Thank you so very much for the post! I made some calls today and it is BS that the co-morbidities have to be at least 2 years old. I can show that my weight was 34 prior which is darn close! I called BCBS and two different reps could not tell me if I need to have a BMI of 35 for two years, the policy is so vague. The question was sent to a claims rep and I should hear back soon. I will keep everyone updated.
Thank you so very much for responding!
Thank you so very much for responding!
Topic: RE: Cinnamon and Chromium curb the munchies-true story!
Hey, at this time anything is worth a try. I am 4.5 years out and getting hunger pangs, grazing, munching, and drinking way too many mochas from Caribou. I am seeing my weight climbing steadily over the last months and am getting quite scared. I cannot seem to leave the carbs alone. I am all for trying something to make me want to stop the carb monster from taking control.
Ramona
Topic: RE: Cinnamon and Chromium curb the munchies-true story!
Never make somebody a priority when they only consider you an option.
Thank you for this advice! I have been looking for something to help stop the munchies. I've been hit hard with them lately and am worried about gaining the weight. I am going to stop at Walgreens on the way home from work tonight so I can start taking them in the morning.
Brenda
Brenda
Never make somebody a priority when they only consider you an option.
Topic: RE: Blue Cross BS of MN lower BMI
Before you settle for what this person said as your final answer, call BCBSMN and ask THEM what their requirements are. Go to your PCP and ask if he/she would be willing to go to bat for you. You have the diagnosed co-morbs now, that has to count for something, as should the documented upward movement in your weight.
Fight for this, if you truly believe in your heart it's right for you. And if you have to fight or wait for a long period of time, just trust that it's worth it in the end.
As for having babies? You don't necessarily have to wait until after you have WLS. I had mine at well over 300 pounds, my BMI was over 50.
Good luck to you ~
Fight for this, if you truly believe in your heart it's right for you. And if you have to fight or wait for a long period of time, just trust that it's worth it in the end.
As for having babies? You don't necessarily have to wait until after you have WLS. I had mine at well over 300 pounds, my BMI was over 50.
Good luck to you ~
Imperfect does not = unsuccessful
Topic: Blue Cross BS of MN lower BMI
I am so hoping someone out there can help me with this question.
I have steadily been gaining weight for years now, seems I loose 20 and gain back 30. I am sure everyone's story out there. I currently have a BMI of 43 and two years ago it was 32. I have went up and down a lot over those two years, with now being my largest. I have obstructive sleep apnea that was diagnosed recently and degenerative joint disease that was officially diagnosed three months ago. I have struggled with both for YEARS undiagnosed. SO to get to my point, I was told today by my program's INS specialist (half way through the program) that I will not qualify as I did not have a BMI of at least 35 with the co-morbidities diagnosed two years ago.
I am heartbroken! I am 33 and am waiting to have childred until post op 18 months. I do not know If I can go another year like this and I have tried every diet known to man and have no faith in my ability to loose anymore.
Has anyone found that they COULD have surgery without a two year co-morbid history and at least 2 years of BMI being 35 or above?
I have steadily been gaining weight for years now, seems I loose 20 and gain back 30. I am sure everyone's story out there. I currently have a BMI of 43 and two years ago it was 32. I have went up and down a lot over those two years, with now being my largest. I have obstructive sleep apnea that was diagnosed recently and degenerative joint disease that was officially diagnosed three months ago. I have struggled with both for YEARS undiagnosed. SO to get to my point, I was told today by my program's INS specialist (half way through the program) that I will not qualify as I did not have a BMI of at least 35 with the co-morbidities diagnosed two years ago.
I am heartbroken! I am 33 and am waiting to have childred until post op 18 months. I do not know If I can go another year like this and I have tried every diet known to man and have no faith in my ability to loose anymore.
Has anyone found that they COULD have surgery without a two year co-morbid history and at least 2 years of BMI being 35 or above?
Topic: RE: 4th Week of the Year Weigh-in--where u at?
Great job Renae! So glad you're achieving what you're working for.
Julie Sadek 
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