Question:
Expert Advice Needed!

Hello everyone. I am 34 years old, bmi of 45, about to do my psych evaluation on Monday. I am a single parent. So as you can imagine, this is a major decision. I have never heard of a dissatisfied WLS patient. I am so looking forward and hoping from an approval letter from OSF Healthplans in the very near future. Please send me an e-mail telling me not only about your physical improvements, but your social improvements. I would really like to hear more. Thank you.    — Marcy G. (posted on December 22, 2002)

December 22, 2002
I have BCBS PPO I called to see what they require. They said a BMI of 40, must be medically necessary, you must have 5 years Dr. supervised weight loss attempts and that it will go before the medical review board. I think everyone's policy is different. I would recommend you call to see what they say about your policy. I have a BMI of 40 have not had any Dr. supervised weightloss attempts but am diabetic and have high blood pressure and BCBS approved me for surgery in 5 days. I wish you luck in your journey. Juls
   — Juls B.

December 22, 2002
Well if you have never heard of a dissatisfied WLS patient it is because they do not remain on lists like this. Trust me, they are out there! I never learnt about that till after my surgery of course! Basically you are going to be dieting and exercising much the same way you did before the WLS within a certain number of months or you will not lose weight and will start regaining. For me it was 4 months! I have to work very hard to lose weight and I do not find the surgery makes any difference and I am only 4 and a half months out.
   — chealsea L.

December 22, 2002
Hi Marcy! I am a former Rockford/Loves Park resident now living in La Salle. I am also a patient of Peoria Surgical Group, of which your Dr. Rossi is a member. I actually met him on my first post-op visit -- he pulled out my drain tube. He really is a nice doctor, very pleasant personality. (I am quite happy with Dr. Marshall but he is rather lacking in the personality department.) Don't sweat the psych eval, either! The staff psych they have is a very nice guy. Good Luck to you! - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -98lbs.
   — Anna L.

December 22, 2002
I am 6 months post op. I have lost 83 lbs. I know of 2 people who had complications from surgery, but they still say they would do it again. It does require you to be constantly of what you are doing. I have to think before I stuff my face, which is a big change. But, it becomes a habit much the same as eating everything in sight becomes a habit. Most people who are unhappy with it that I have met, regret not being able to eat socially anymore. I still enjoy social occasions. I just nibble and then I carry around my ice water while everyone else eats. It doesn't bother me anymore. I look good, and feel great. I am very happy with my decision.
   — Regina F.

December 22, 2002
have you read the memorial page at this site? it is dedicated to people who have died from wls or complications from it. i know a couple people personally who wish they had not had wls becuase ofthe terrrible complications, but i know more happy ones too! be sure you look at all sides before you decide! good and bad so you can be prepared! even knowing all the horrible things that can happen i will have wls, one of these days when my insurance stops playing around!
   — janetc00

December 25, 2002
I agree with what someone else wrote... there are many people out here struggling with many things post op that don't post here anymore. When I was really struggling and voicing it on my profile I always received bunches of email telling me that I sounded "depressed" and I should get that checked. I love this site but I know for a fact that people disappear from it because they feel alone because they are having a hard time, it really does seem to be filled with the positive people. There are so many people that post on here pre-op and they are so excited and then once they have surgery they may only post once and sometimes never post-op.
   — dream_small

December 25, 2002
Many people do post their problems with the surgery, but many do not bother for a lot of reasons. It is hard to post about regain when you believe it is your fault and feel like a failure. If you believe it is not your fault, people here and elsewhere will try to tell you it is. Most will help, but we tend to dwell on what the negative people tell us and quit the board. I believe that the people with the biggest struggle post op either have serious eating disorders that require more that surgery or there is a mechanical failure. Many docs will not acknowledge these mechnical failures. If your stoma stretches, the food goes straight through and even though you have a small pouch, the food move right through and therefore you can continue to eat and eat and never feel full. Then there are those that refuse to follow their docs program. They do not exercise and eat mostly non nutricious carbs. As has been said before, surgery is only a tool. How you succeed depends on you. I hit the carbs and started grazing this week. I am going to try to go back to all protein for a few days. I truly believe that carbs set off cravings and cold turkey is the only way to stop.
   — faybay