I just registered today, and this looks like a great support group. I haven't scheduled my surgery yet, but I have my consult on August 22. I plan to have a gastric sleeve. It was only a couple of months ago that a diabetes specialist told me point-blank that he thought I should have the gastric sleeve surgery - and I was shocked and a little offended. I went straight to my PCP and told him (with righteous indignation) that I wasn't going to pay for a process like that when, in the end, it still comes down to self discipline. Then I went and joined Weight Watchers...AGAIN...and slowly started thinking more and more about the possibilities of WLS. Then, in June, I had my first bout of diverticulitis. OMG, that is painful! And I started thinking about all the co-morbidities I have developed - Diabetes II, Sleep Apnea, high cholesterol - and I started to do a little research. Now I think I understand what a helpful and life-saving tool WLS can really be, and I am so excited to begin my journey that I can't get there fast enough. I really appreciate all the sharing and the benefit of experience everyone brings here. Thank you from a Newbie!
Hello from Texas
- Thread starter shellwi8
- Start date
Lizzie
Member
Hi. My name is Elizabeth but friends call me Lizz or Lizzie. I am from tx too and am 17 days post op. I started my journey last August and so far I have lost a little total of 85 lbs. There have been very hard times and very exciting times also. This journey is not easy but it is well worth it. Keep your goals in sight and focus one day at a time. Good luck on your new journey and keep us posted. You can do it!!!!
Hi welcome to the forum! I'm glad you had an OMG moment and put it all together. My surgeon says 95% of obese patients don't keep the weight off using traditional diets, and that sounds right to me, based on personal experience.
Just a random thought-- I'm hearing more and more often that professionals are recommending WLS. Anybody have any thoughts on whether this is a good or bad trend? In other words, is it better to have your own epiphany, or have it "forced" on you? I'm thinking that it might be harder to embrace the whole process if you can say "my doctor told me to do it" ???
I don't think I'm making myself clear. I have made some acquaintances through my support group where they say they are doing the WLS because their doctor told them to. These particular people don't seem like they want to learn anything or do anything outside their comfort zones. And I wonder how successful they will be. Just sayin'
Just a random thought-- I'm hearing more and more often that professionals are recommending WLS. Anybody have any thoughts on whether this is a good or bad trend? In other words, is it better to have your own epiphany, or have it "forced" on you? I'm thinking that it might be harder to embrace the whole process if you can say "my doctor told me to do it" ???
I don't think I'm making myself clear. I have made some acquaintances through my support group where they say they are doing the WLS because their doctor told them to. These particular people don't seem like they want to learn anything or do anything outside their comfort zones. And I wonder how successful they will be. Just sayin'
That makes a lot of sense to me Karenina - I understand what you are saying and I agree that the total commitment you have to make to this type of lifestyle change MUST come from within. I guess I can say that I am doing this because I know that it is the right solution for me and I had to get there on my own...but I'm not sure I would have yet made the consideration had not the doctor told me he thought that was what I should do. I was really surprised to hear it from him after such a short first consult...and this was from a doctor at a Diabetes Clinic at Medical City, Dallas!
Hi Lizzie,
I hope your post op is going smoothly! You've had great results in weight loss so far! I don't know how long it will take me to get scheduled - I don't have to meet any insurance qualifications because our particular BCBS policy doesn't pay for WLS under ANY circumstances! My husband has been so supportive and we'll have to do this on credit. I may not have had enough time to be really scared about this yet, but I know without a doubt that this is the best alternative for me since I'm approaching mid 50s and I want to see my grandkids grow up!
I hope your post op is going smoothly! You've had great results in weight loss so far! I don't know how long it will take me to get scheduled - I don't have to meet any insurance qualifications because our particular BCBS policy doesn't pay for WLS under ANY circumstances! My husband has been so supportive and we'll have to do this on credit. I may not have had enough time to be really scared about this yet, but I know without a doubt that this is the best alternative for me since I'm approaching mid 50s and I want to see my grandkids grow up!
Pat99
Member
Weight loss surgery is just a tool and success will vary on a case by case basis. It is a poweful tool. In the end it is what you make of it. In my own experience my PCP was never an advocate for any type of WLS for many years. She then began hearing success stories from her colleagues and saw first hand the positive impact it had when 2 of her patients had the surgery. All of a sudden she became a WLS "flag waver". She has been very supportive of me since my surgery but has never made me feel that I was being "forced" into having the surgery. As WLS becomes more widespread I think many doctors have changed their mindset regarding this. You can't argue with the statistics 
Pat, I had never thought of it as a tool until I began to read more about it...I now think I have the proper respect for the process. Every time I think about the hard work it will require, I also think about the wonderful results so many people have seen. I have been reading everything I can find to get my head in the right place for this battle. I think support groups and forums are also powerful resources for people - providing information, insight, and encouragement to so many.