I'm a bookololic. I believe I have now read every book written for laymen on WLS. I accidentally ordered a book I thought was a bout WLS but it was about WLS reversals. A woman had WLS and all kinds of problems then had it reversed. Some of the info was really scary. I had a very hard time believing the story. First, the author wrote she was morbidly obese and could not loose weight unless she was eating less than 500 calories a day. She mentioned this many, many times. I just have a hard time believing someone can not loose weight on 600 calories a day. If she stretched this part of the story I assume the other parts were stretched. She also claimed several of her doctor's patients deliberately lied to her about WLS then AFTER her WLS told her they had serious problems but didn't want to scare her off. Again, hard to believe when I read so many positive stories, even with complications. I have a hard time believing someone whould have serious problems and continue to promopt WLS by lying??? Nevertheless, I began having doubts and really rethinking my WLS decision. "What ifs" started popping into my mind. What if I can never eat comfortably? What if I can never absorb enough nutrition to feel healthy? What if 50% of my hair falls out? What if everything I ewat gets stuck?What if all the reasons I choose to have this surgery- to feel go to get healthy--don't happen. What if I'm worse!? The doubts continued for a few days then yesterday I washed my dog. All doubts are now gone. This simple act completely convinced me I'm going full steam ahead with my WLS. I have a large dog, a great Pyrenees. It took about an hour to wash her. I was in tears from pain by the time I was finished. Bending over is so difficult. I was up all night with muscle and joint pain. I first took Tylenol then finally a pain pill. I don't think I selpt an hour. The arm, leg, and back pain from bending over combined with my typical nightly heart burn acid reflux and arthritis aches kept me awak and turning for hours. My God, I'm so fat I can't even wash my dog without being incapacitated--How can I raise my boys (now toddlers) and take care of them? I'm only GETTING BIGGER! Evey year adds another 20 lbs or more. What will I be like at 300 if I can't function at 247? I realized I don't have a choice! I hurt all the time! I'm so sick of being sick and tired. I want the surgery- I need the surgery. The quicker the better. Thanks for letting me vent. Robin post -op. 247, BMI 44

I just had a house built this last year. It took about 12 months. I have an Excel database of all the different people working on the house: kitchen cabinets, carpet, etc. It was a year from he**. This WLS and insurance is beginning to look just as complicated. I began an Excel database to keep track of all the doctors I have to call: GI, Sleep center, Psyc, etc. The Primary Care Physician gives me a name then I find out they won't accept the insurance, so I call the insurance co that gives me several names and I call all of them looking for a appointment time this century I can make. Its taken all day and I only have one appointment! Its 1:00 and I'm in my PJs. And they say WLS is the easy way out!?

Did you see 20/20 last night? They did a segment on calorie restrictions. Normal size people are eating 1600 or less calories a day - being hungry- to live longer becasue of test findings on rats. In tests on rats, researchers found lifelong calorie restriction significantly reduced the death of muscle fibers and halted the decline in strength that naturally occurs with aging. In another group of nine old rats whose calorie intake was restricted over their lifetimes by 40 percent relative to their counterparts', however, the levels of these proteins remained the same as those of the young 12-month-old rats -- the equivalent of 30 to 40 years in people. In fact, calorie restriction worked so well the rodents experienced almost no muscle loss after middle age, the point at which those fibers typically stop growing. More surprising, their muscles remained as strong in old age as they had been in early- to mid-life, when they typically reach their peak. In another group of nine old rats whose calorie intake was restricted over their lifetimes by 40 percent relative to their counterparts', however, the levels of these proteins remained the same as those of the young 12-month-old rats -- the equivalent of 30 to 40 years in people.

My pre-op paperwork has a lot of questions about exercise. How much, when, etc. I was walking three miles a day for over 6 months (after shots in my feet) and going to a personal trainer in a gym, but I haven't exercised for over a month becasue of work schedule. However I plan on getting back on track with my exercise program to prepare for surgery. Here's my question: This preop paperwork is for the Dr. does he want to know for health reasons or to qualify me for WLS? I'm afrain of answering wrong and not getting approved. I'll be gald to start back exercise to day if thats what is needed in the blanks???? Also should I take my personal trainer's documentation with me to the Dr. office? Thanks, Robin

Here is a summary of what happened from NBC site: The guys got a visit from Melana's friend Heather and her "cousin" Danielle. The cousin, however, was actually Melana in a Hollywood special effects' fatsuit. Think "Fat Monica" on Friends. In addition to gaining 100 pounds, she also got new teeth, different colored eyes and darker hair. It was like extreme makeover in reverse! Before meeting the guys, Melana cruised around Palm Springs' main street in her new look. She was shocked by the maltreatment she received. One group of guys even called her a "hog"! So rude! Once back at the mansion, an elaborate sting involving a Melana body double rolled out so that the guys thought that Melana left the house. One by one the guys greeted Heather and Danielle, who threw out a bunch of hard-hitting questions. Adam seemed calm, cool and collected. Michael had no problem making eye contact with both women. Jason, however, didn't even look at Danielle. Zach also had some eye contact issues, plus Melana almost cracked up laughing and had to shield her face with her notepad! After the interviews, the guys met up with Melana by the pool. She tried to get the guys to open up about Danielle and Heather, but they were very polite. Then she got them to open up about their feelings. The guys all had positive things to say, but Adam (once again) knocked it out of the park and brought tears to Melana's eyes. Once Melana excused herself, the guys retired to the poolroom. Little did they know, that Melana would see and hear them via hidden cameras. The next morning, Melana watched the tapes to see what the guys really thought about her "cousin," Danielle. Adam kicked things off with joking around about having to kiss Danielle to get to the next round. A lot of Zach's responses were bleeped out! Later, he referred to her as the DUFF. The Designated Ugly Fat Friend. Ouch! He told the others that you've got to be in with the Duff, to be in with the girl. Truer words were never spoken. When it came time to eliminate two of the guys, it was Danielle who greeted Adam, Zach, Jason and Michael in the living room. The guys were non-responsive until she told them that she heard everything that they said about her. Zach covered his face with his hands, Adam stifled a nervous cough. Then, Melana peeled off the makeup to reveal herself! The guys were stunned, but smiling…except for Zach. She announced that the two guys going home were: Michael and wait, not so fast. She asked to speak with Zach before she announced her decision. She told him that she was real with him and hoped that he had changed for the better through the experience. She gave him a cheek kiss and said goodbye! Zach had some choice words for the camera before leaving.

I MISSED IT! Please tell me what happened? What were the guy's responses to the fat Melana (Danielle) ??? OH I wish I had Tivo.

If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck ....you have a duck on your hands. Been there, done that. I was the last to know...when I found out forsure I felt sooo dumb. But I wasn't stupid-- I was innocent. I would never cheat I assumed he wouldn't. I agree with everyone else --focus on you for now. You'll have time to deal with the duck later. Your in my prayers.

I'm curious as I had planned to keep WLS very secret but its getting harder. Of course, you have to tell your spouse but I did not plan on telling my mother or friends. Now, I have told Mom and one friend. Both were very supportive (they know me and know I have done my homework). I have not told my adult children. Who did you tell you were having WLS? 1. Everyone who would listen. 2. All friends and relatives. 3. Only very close friends and very close relatives. 4. Spouse and mom or best friend (or children). 5. Only my spouse How did they react? Do you think its wrong to withhold info about having WLS from family or friends?

One of my WLS surgery books by a Dr. said he had a patient that was not loosing weight. Upon investigation he found out she was "sipping" on coke all day-- when they added it up it was three liters a day!

Can you imagine the Pilgrims and Indians sitting around eating dinner and someone saying, "One day this land will be so fruitful that people will have so much on their plate they can't eat it all. Or "One day this land will be so fruitful that people will have to have their stomachs cut open and bound so they don't eat too much." Or "One day this land will be so fruitful that people will have to run to get nowhere to keep the food from expanding their stomachs." Or "One day this land will be so fruitful that people's dogs will have more treats than we have.

I never did introduce myself. I'm Robin. 48 5'2" 249lb 46. Dh and I are an older couple with two toddlers at home (other children grown). I want to have WLS to be sure I'm here for my children and grandchildren. I did not have trouble with my weight until I was 31. Before that I was about 110 to 120 size 3 to 5 my whole life and one of these people that could eat anything. A pregnancy took me to 150. That started me on the weightless yo-yo. I began Oprah's liquid diet. Lost and gained then tried another, and another, and another,--lost and gained it back over and over --until I hit 200! For some strange reason I did not gain during the recent two pregnancies? Go figure. I stopped dieting and maintained at 200 for a few years. But after my son turned one I tried dieting again. Personal trainer, Jenny Craig, etc. Now I gained another 47 lbs!!! I know dieting made me fat. Now I'm glad I'm where I am because I qualify for the WLS. I'd like to get an idea of when my surgery will be --so I can fantasize my small self in the proper seasonal weather Should I fantasize a bathing suit or turtleneck and jeans? I hate being big the last 50 lbs have made me stay at home. Size 3X are tight. I just order 4X hoping to hide my drooping belly. The thing I hate the worst is feeling bad all the time. I have arthritis and my feet hurt constantly. the very worse thing is being HOT ALL THE TIME!!!! My dh says I'm freezing them all to death. I just hate being hot. about how long does it take between the first surgery visit and surgery? I know it will vary for each surgeon but how long for all the tests, results, etc. Before you get a surgery date? I guess you can tell I'm anxious. My first surgeon appt is Dec 30. I tired very hard to get in earlier but my insurance did not give me much choice in surgeons. Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!