New and Nervous

Hello All!  I've been lurking around this site for a while stealing inspiration from the before and after photos, and finally joined today.  I have been considering WLS for years, but up until now it hasn't been the right time.  I'm actively persuing surgery now.  I have been seeing a nutritionist on my own for almost a year now, I've gone to the WLS seminar twice in the last 6 months, have an appointment with my PCP this week, my health and physical appt with the PA at the Bariatric Center next week, have had the psych eval (they said they would reccomend me - AFTER they got my co-pay - wtf???), just went though all the sleep study crapola, have been trying to manage the type 2 diabetes - have the blood pressure under control with meds, quit smoking in April, quit McDonald's three weeks ago and am currently FREAKING OUT!!!  I want this so bad, but am dealing with a lot of anxiety on almost a daily basis.  Is this normal???  I'm not even sure who to tell that I am doing this.  A few people at work know I am becasue they need to know.  I made the mistake of mentioning it in front of my mother's bf who apparently has some strong views about people's will power and the invasiveness of surgery for something I should be able to do myself - whatever!  I don't want to post anything on facebook because my dad is highly critical and thinks Victoria Secret models are the standard all "healthy" women should be reaching for.  It seems like there are so many appts and so many steps before I can even get there.  Its driving me nuts.  The last time I went to the seminar, this girl I knew was there and she's ALREADY had her H&P and nutrition semniar.  Makes me very upset.  Why do I have to wait so much longer?  I'm looking at probably another 4 months.  Anyone else have difficulty getting there? Any words of advice???  Sincerely - Freaking Out in NY

Welcome to the group.  The hoops that the surgeon and insurance make us jump through seem endless.  Go with the process.  I went to the intro seminar in feb and had 6 months of dietician consults before making it through to see the surgeon.  Has my surgery in sept.  So 7 months from start to surgery.  I felt similar to your post from time to time, now in hindsight, this was the best for me.  I learned about nutrition, myself and my weaknesses during those months. 

I too told selected positive folks before surgery.  I work in health care and did share with my co-workers before surgery.  They have supported my decision all the way.  Family, on the other hand, not always supportive, I told those that needed to know, as they needed to know.  I am glad I revealed my plan this way.  Those that opposed my decision, did not have the opportunity to cause negative feelings in myself. 

We are here for your support.  Keep the freaking out to a minimum.  Use the excitement to help you lose any weight you can before surgery.  The loss will make surgery easier for you and the surgical team.  Do not compare yourself to others on the same journey.  Insurance requirements vary, other things fit into the scheme of things.  Just look at each hoop presented as another accomplishment in the end result, surgery and improved health.

Congratulations on your success to this point, smoking, fast food are difficult to give up.  You go girl.  Look to the healthy end result.  Let's be loser's together.  Hugs

Hi "Candy",
         I agree with everything Kathy said. It took me 2 years from the first time I attended a seminar until. I had my surgery. I'm glad for the wait. I was so much more informed and sure about my choice of surgery. (RNY)    I ended up changing my insurance company because the first one didn't even know their own requirements. All is well and I love my surgeon and hospital....Hope all goes well with you. Looking forward to knowing you better.   Mag  

You got great advice from the other gals. Welcome to our group. Hang in there girl. It may take a bit of time, but trust me, it will be well worth it. I too had to pay for my psych eval up front. I am sure they have been left unpaid by others too many times and have learned to leverage things in thier favor.
If the anxiety is coming from the wait and jumping the hoops, do yourself a favor and try very hard to come to terms with the fact that the whole process will take some time. Use this time wisely to learn all you can about the procedure you will be having, and all of the things you need to know to ensure your success. Took me about 8 months start to finish, but I really opushed em to get it done that soon. Many wait a year maybe even longer. It is worth it, and don't gie up or it all starts over again, when you find yourself back to considering it again.
Welcome to our group.

Welcome to the group!  I know how you feel about not knowing who to mention your surgery to or even how to mention, it.  I just kind of take it as it comes,  I have not made any formal announcement but I am not keeping it a secret either.  If it comes up I talk about it if it doesn't I don't.  As I lose more, more people ask how I am doing it so I tell them, but did not really discuss the pre-op process with any one.  I guess part of me was always afraid something would go wrong and I would not be approved.  And try not to compare yourself to others.  LMAO  I say that like that is some thing I am able to do.  Everyone's process, surgery, recovery, and weight loss is different.  I am so excited for you!  I am almost 5 months out and love  sharing the excitement of beginning this journey! Best of everything to you!!!

Donna

Thanks so much ladies for the words of encouragement! I never thought of it that way Kathy - that each hoops jumped is an accomplishment. I will try to adjust my thinking. I went to my nutritionist this morning and since starting the Victoza (for diabetes), and quitting McDonalds a little less than three weeks ago, I've lost 9 pounds! That made me really happy. I will try to find a way to refocus my "freaking out" energy into something positive. I'm really happy to be a part of your group.

  Yayyyy for positive.  Makes the wait slip on by soooo much quicker.  Plus I enjoy looking at the more positive side of most things.    Let's continue the race, one hoop at a time. 

Hi Jennifer!  We have the same surgeon!  I completely understand everything you are feeling.  I am actually have surgery on Tuesday, but it was a long time coming.  After years of contemplating it and trying every diet out there (as I am sure everyone here has done) and then fighting with myself over whether to go with the RNY or Lap Band, and then all the hoops you've mentioned, its been insane.  If anything, it does give lots of time to know for sure if this is what we really want.

Here's a little light at the end of the tunnel for you.  After you are cleared for surgery from the nutritionist its truly a sprint.  I was cleared by Glenda (btw I pray you get her, she is SO nice), two weeks later had my consultation with Dr. O'Malley and was given a surgery date that was less than 2 weeks away from that day. 

I attended my initial seminar at the end of September, so that's 9 months from start to finish.  Looking back it flew by, although at the time, I felt as frustrated as you are.  And also keep in mind that I had to reschedule a couple nutrition appointments due to some of those freakish snow storms we had this year, so you will probably fly through even faster. 

I am excited for you, hang it there, and you will do great!

Thanks so much for the encouragement Mandee!  I will be thinking about you this week, hoping everything goes great for you.  

Since we are working with the same group, do you have any idea if the nutritionist will accept my food log that I keep for my other nutritionist?  The other person I know that attended the seminar the same time as me said the nutritionist at the bariatric center is making her wait another 30 days for an appt so she can have a month's worth of food log, but I've been keeping one for quite some time because I have been seeing a nutritionist on my own for about a year now.    I'm just hoping they'll accept it so I can fast track it a bit.  My appt for the history and physical is this Wednesday.  I'm soooooo nervous. 

I can't wait to hear how you do with the surgery tomorrow.  You have to be so excited and so nervous at the same time! 

I am not sure honestly.  I know that they will require 2 once a month visits to the nutritionist after your nutrician seminar.  More than likely they will want a food log of their eating plan.  Did you go to the nutrition seminar yet or just the first informative one?  MVP required 3 months for me with the nutritionist and a 5% weight loss.  It wouldn't hurt to ask though.

Don't be nervous.  I got nervous before every single appointment, especially the nutrition ones.  Its like the moment they tell me I can't eat someone I want it even more..ugghh.  In the end, it all worked out and it will for you too.

Thanks, I am super super scared and excited, but at the moment more scared.  I just want it over with so I can be passed the scary stuff.