Introduction, Questions

Hi guys - I have just finished reading the last month of posts (although it will take a while to read further back - you are prolific!). I just left my doctor's office for a 3 month BP check and blood work, and it has been a traumatic day. I need someone like you! I got on the scales (been avoiding those for YEARS!) and found out I have gained 60 pounds since 2002. OMG! I cried instantly when she gave me the new number...288!! I have seen larger women before and thought, well at least I haven't hit 300 yet...and find out I am on my way and VERY close!! After a good cry, my doctor told me he is recommending me to Vicksburg to talk to a doctor there. He knew I had been exercising, been on a diet that I truly thought I was doing well on, and now this. Actually, I should have guessed and I think I was in denial...the bigger dress I had to buy for my son's wedding last March, the airplane extender I needed the last time I flew..and not to be indelicate, but the gradual inability to keep "clean" when I go to the bathroom...I am sorry, but I just have to say this to someone. Still I didn't really accept it - I look in the mirror and I still look the same, but the pictures are horrible!! At any rate, I am ready to do something. I am a teacher, and I need to be healthy enough to STAND and teach all day - I find myself sitting more than I used to. Not to mention a few health problems for the first time in my life - things that come with age/weight, and although I blame the first, I know in my heart it is the latter. I am not stupid, as I can tell you on this board aren't - I am a well-known and liked teacher, and I have won awards - but the prejudice is there. How can an "intelligent professional" lose control of herself like that? Here are my questions...I lived in Hattieburg for 20 years before I moved back home to McComb. Are there good doctors in Hattiesburg that do this? Better than or equal to Vicksburg? How do we get around Blue Cross Blue Shield, since I have read the information here and they seem notorious? What about the rumors that friends tell me about people paying $XXXX and spending two weeks in another country and it being cheaper (but is it still safe and advisable?) I just want info - I will keep reading the board. Thanks for just being here - it seems like an awesome group!

Hiya Joyce!!! Welcome to the MS forum. I know how hard it is to finally admit to yourself that you're one of "them" but at least you've made it this far, you've taken the steps to a healthier life and I am very proud of you!!! For me it has been over 2 yrs now since I had surgery, I'm still fighting those last 30 lbs but I am not even worried about it any more. Having a blood pressure of 110 / 70 and NO LONGER being diabetic was what made it all worth it. One thing to remember.. now that you think that you still look the same as you did before.. wait till u get down 100 lbs.. you will STILL think u look like you do now. I think I look like I did at 334 but the pictures speak against that. At times I carry a bag of dogfood in the house that weighs 50 lbs and I m thinking OMG how the hell did I ever weigh an extra 140 lbs??? OMG!!! So anyways, enough of the ranting here... welcome to our board.. you'll notice I ain't in Mississippi any more but I am a MS BOARD girl. Hope you have an easy time with surgery and please, come here and post all you want, we'll gladly help you !!! ~Andie~~~ 334/201/173 ( yeah.. one day!! )

Hi Andie, I just spent over 1.5 hours reading your story - it is amazing! I found myself saying "Yeah, I remember when Ivan came in" or Katrina, or relating to the other days you were giving. You look so good! Now, another funny coincidence...I was at Kamper Park with my grandchildren on June 5, 2005 - the boys were playing in the sand and swings to the right of the pavilion you were at. I saw all of you, then I saw the report on the news that night - it was just a short news story on WDAM, but I remember thinking - wow, that is so great for them. Can't believe you were there! Congratulations on your success - be praying for me to be one of "you" as soon as I am ready!

Joyce- I feel your pain. I have been there except--- I was almost 400 lbs. I had WLS 02-02-04 I am minus -250 lbs now. I am a teacher at Laurel High School. BCBS is the pits--- I appealed 3 times. My surgeon was Dr Roger Blake at UMC. Dr. Salemah has now replaced him. Both were wonderful to me. In Hattiesburg, Dr. Whitehead does WLS. He is very nice and they have a wonderful follow up program. Support group meets on third Monday's in Hattiesburg. Try Central MS Hospital in Jackson. Speak w/ ADAM DUNGEY--- HE IS WONDERFUL, he is their coordinator. Email Sonya Sumrall here on the board. She went out of the country and she has done great!!!! My school starts tommorrow. Please call me (I stay up late) or email me if you like. glenda

Hi Joyce ! Sorry it's taken so long for me to answer. I'm just such a slacker these days, I guess with my life being so busy these days, my board duties are taking somewhat of a back seat position. One thing I wanted to point out to everyone ( those lurkers out there especially ) is that just because you havent had surgery, does NOT mean you can't join us here. This is "Obesity Help" and it's meant for everyone, not just those who had surgery. Reality is, a lot of folks can actually do it without having surgery. I wish I was one of them. Can we say LACK of willpower? But to make a long story short, most of us who are here have been exactly where you are. DO NOT let anything stop you , even if it takes longer than you wanted it to. Two years of fighting and finally getting surgery, now I'm already over 2 years post op and it's really a new life for me. Not just health wise. I mean, personal life, relationship with my family as well as job related. The hubby is happy as a bug with a skinnier wife ( nuff said lol ) the kids definitely respect me more, not sure if that's because people in general just don't respect fat people OR if they're just worried that now, weighing 140 lbs less , I can actually run after them, catch 'em and beat 'em if they dont listen ~~ JUST KIDDING!! ~~ and then there's the business aspect. Thats what bugged me the most all my life, being fat , I was never given the chance to show what I'm really worth in my job, and now I'm just so happy with my job, my position allows me to be myself, I enjoy marketing and the people at work talk to me with a business manner I've never experienced before working as an obese person. It's always been assumed that as an obese person, I was stupid and couldn't achieve anything. Obviously it's BS but that's the common perception and I truly attribute my carreer changes and successes the last 2 years to having lost all that weight. Society has a lot to learn!!!! Enough about me though. I am keeping you in prayer and I'm really rooting for you. Just take one day at a time, don't give up, DONT give in when someone turns you down, and if they do... try try again!!! Please stay here, update often and ask questions!! We've got your back!! ~Andie~ aka Dawn's Donut Buddy

Where is your head???????????? I liked that pic now put it back!

Welcome to the board dear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!huggs and love..........Sherry

Joyce, Welcome aboard! Glad to have you! Congrats on this decision, as heart breaking as it is to "come to terms" with the fact! I'm sure you've read all of the ups and downs along the journey to WLS. There are many decisions to make, who, what, where, when? etc... We will be there holding your hand the whole way. I know there is at least one person here who had surgery out of the country. I'm sure she'll chime in for you on that topic. BCBS state insurance is unrelenting. They just simply won't help you at all. I wish they would take a look at all the good this surgery has done for so many people, and realize that in our extremely overweight state, they would be wise to pay for this surgery... but then again, if I ran the world it would be perfect! LOL I know that CMMC has a discounted rate going for self-pay patients. I know someone who just went that route with them and didn't have ANY problems at all, and has been very pleased. She got her surgery fairly quickly. Might be worth a try. I used CMMC and have been very pleased. I don't know much about the group in Vicksburg, maybe someone else has used them and can give you an opinion. I would check around, visit several, and make a decision from there. This is a great group of people, you'll love it here! Let us know how we can help! HUGS Kimberly

I don't know anything about the doctors in Vicksburg as I had my surgery done in Alabama by Dr. Joseph Galloway at Providence Hosptial in Mobile. I had BCBS of Alabama and they paid for my surgery. But I don't think BCBS of MS pays for it no matter what you do. It is the pits. But, anyway I just wanted to say welcome to the MS Board. I hope you will post often with us. I had several friends who used Dr. Whitehead, and really love him and his nurse Janet. He has a good followup program as I attend his support groups. I was one of the ones who planned the picnic here in Hattiesburg at the park. Dr. Whitehead and his wife both came and so did his nurse Janet. They are really involved with their patients journeys which is very important. And I believe Forrest General has financing options available for the hospital part for those whose insurance won't cover it. I am not really sure how it works. Robin Strickland who works at Forrest General and who was also one of Dr. Whitehead's patients would know more about it and would be more than happy to speak with you. She is great. So, give Robin a call. She is full of information. I know all about scale avoidance too. I was shocked when I went for my consultation and weighed 277 pounds. I, like you, was just in denial, but the scales and pictures sure do tell us the truth. It is the best thing I have done for myself. I grew up small and put on weight after getting married and having children. I was miserable for years trying every diet under the sun, and nothing worked. I had a obsessive compulsive binge eating disorder which didn't help matters any. I researched the surgery and spoke with people for two years before having the surgery. I wanted to make sure I was up to the challenge and life long changes I would have to make. I got some therapy for my eating disorder as the surgery only fixes the stomach not the brain. The therapy coupled with the surgery has surely given me my life back. I am healthy and energetic and enjoying every minute with my husband and kids. I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted. Melissa Lap Rny 1/15/04 277/135

Hey and welcome on "board"...You've gotten some WONDERFUL advice above, so I will just leave you to that, but wanted to say hello and invite you to post often and ask any "dumb" question you want, we are all here to support each other and do a mighty fine job if you ask me...DeAnna.