They finally called me back!

They finally called me and scheduled my orientation for next Wednesday!  She said between now and then she will find out for sure if my insurance will cover the surgery and if I need to have a six month supervised diet. I've already looked and to my knowledge they do cover the surgery IF the doctors recommends it.  So we will see!  I like this, so this way I will know where I stand not only with if I can have the surgery, but which one..etc.  So I can stop wasting my time researching so much!   They also said I can bring my spouse or friend for support.  Are they just being nice or is there a reason?  They're not gonna put me on the spot are they?  I know that sounds silly, but I have a phobia talking in front of people.  Anyone know?

If you choose to have surgery it will have a great impact on your family/spouse.  I think that making a decision like this without having your spouse fully informed is a BAD decision. No one will put you on the spot - but your husband will begin to understand how big a commitment this is - for you and him. For my family orientation was what really got my husband on board with helping me to lose weight through eating right.  When he saw the stats on women my (our) weight and the likleyhood of death he got on board real fast.  Also, while he was supportive of surgery as an option he didnt look forward to me having to have my insides re-arranged and that has made him more willing to eat what I cook and not bring crap into the house.

I went to that orientation and what a mind blower it was. No you will not be put on the spot.

I felt like Bob Marley seeing the Ghost Of Christmas Future. 75% of those people were the sickest, grayest, nearly crippled bunch I have ever laid eyes on in one spot. i swear, yellow fat about dripped out of their eyes. That realization alone makes me tell people - do NOT wait until you are *that* goddam fat and decrepit to start research into WLS. THOSE people are the ones who have the higher risks.  Of course, anyone might have a complication or two, but looking at some of them, it was a no brainer that they would have about 6-7 complications if they could survive the surgery. For sure, bring your hubby.  This has a family impact, big time.  He needs to see for himslef what you will be going through and perhaps begin to see how he can support you far more than he is now. It is interesting what his perspective might be.  be ready...he may not really want you to do this.

Oh wow, that's sort of scary.  Makes me wonder if I'm one of those people!  I'm really wondering what you guys saw through it all that others didn't see.  Guess I will find out next week.

I had done a lot of research before i ever got there, and i am glad i did. I could tell many people, from the questions they were asking, were very confused.  Also, a great many were not only very heavy but still smoking! I could not believe it. I used to smoke, and i know how addicting it can be, but wow. Like i say, I realized i could be one of them, very easily, if something did not change and fast. It was an awakening for me.

1) I am pretty sure you mean Jacob Marley, unless you were high as hell and sporting dreadlocks at the meeting.

2) I generally disagree with your "don't wait to have WLS" philosophy-- re-routing guts is permanent and risky ****  But you know that. I think you should do every other possible thing you can first (unless you co-morbs are killing you-- then GO NOW!)... no, I also wouldn't wait until I was half dead to do it either. One-third dead seems like a nice place to start. You have to have enough health issues to make it necessary, 's all I am (perpetually) sayin'.

HA HA!  Bob Marley....but hey, that actually suits me more....LOL, what a dumass i am......

that's great! i haven't been to mine yet. i am supposed to go on the 25, thurs i think. but i am going to reschedule b/c my insurance will not pay unless i've been on the whole dr diet for 6 months. so, i am hoping that this works since we have to pay out of pocket for this, so i really hope it works! but congrats again!

Hey Holly... Congrats....  Do not worry... they will not front you out... you have to remember there will be others like or less like you there.... You will be fine... I attended several orientations.... and my hubby went to 3 with me....  You may not even have to sy a word.... but I would not be shy about asking any questions.... that is your time to get your answers.... I bought the book Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies... and it had a list of questions that I could ask... I am sure if you peruse the boards you can find a post with questions to ask also....  You ultimately will have to make the decison on which surgery you want.. the doctors may make a suggestion...but you have to take an honest look at where you are, where you want to be, and what your level of commitment will be to working your "tool"....  Good luck.... I know you are excited to the get the process going!

I went to a few of them and they are great-really informative.  The nice thing is that most of them have patients who "success stories" so you can ask someone who has been through it.  Also, if you can, I would recommend attending the post op support groups if they will let you (many do allow those interested in WLS to attend).  It is good b/c you can see people at different stages of the process and what they are going through.  They'll have successes and challenges just like anyone else, but it will give you a better, more honest perspective. Good luck with it!