This doctor no longer takes Medicaid I just called recently.

I had the vertical sleeve done on 3/10/10. I lost 100 pounds. That was great...or was it. It was great for my health but emotionally it threw me for loops I could have never imagined.

My surgery itself went well. My trip to mexico and the experience I had while there was excellent! I would never have received such good treatment in the US. I didnt experience much pain at all and flying back across the country to get home was a breeze. I couldnt have asked for anything better.

I got home and started losing weight and completely changed the way I ate and the way I thought about food.. I loked at food as strictly a means of nutrition that my body required. I concentrated on eating proteins, vegetables and fruits only. I completely cut out all carbs. I drank only water. I was excited for a while as the weight kept coming off. I then was able to buy clothes that were several sizes smaller which was very exciting for me. There was only one problem...no matter how much weight I lost, what size clothes I got in to, any time I looked in a mirror I saw someone who weighed over 300 lbs. I saw the old me. I could never get past that to see the new me. I would get compliments daily, run into people who could barely recognize me because of my weight loss but I never saw that slimmer person.

Ultimately this all lead to depression, me being discouraged, me wondering why I was doing without food that I liked if I wasnt going to see the difference. I began to slowly eat the things I shouldnt. I add things back into my diet here and there that I shouldnt eat. As I am sure yo have guessed by now I gained weight back. I would estimate a good 50lbs of it back. I dont know for sure because I refuse to step on the scale.

What I realize now is that I wasnt emotionally or psychologically prepared for what was ahead of me after surgery. I had no idea I would go through the self image issue. I never realized that I truly did like to eat. I also use food for comfort and when I am happy.

Nonetheless, I am so embarrassed that I rarely leave the house because I do not want people to see I gained weight. I am ashamed of myself. I completely let myself down and wasted money having surgery. I saved for years to be able to have that surgery in hopes that it would change my life for the better. I wanted to be healthy and happy for my kids. I wanted to be able to run and play with my kids. Instead they have to be embarassed of me. I have absolutely no energy on a daily basis.

It is really taking a lot for me to post this but I am posting in hopes that maybe someone else has gone through something similar and just maybe can point me in the right direction. I just dont even know what to do with myself.

 Dr Kim - Celebration, FL (outskirts of Orlando) has full program that accepts Medicare and medicaid (as secondary only).   http://www.floridabariatric.com/ Here is their website which has all kinds of info on it.  Need any more info.. feel free to mail me. He is an AWESOME Dr and has a well oiled machine in the running of his program.  All the staff members are extra sweet and him and his staff actually CARE about ALL their patients.
hugs 
Liz

Hi All:

Just moved to the Boynton Beach, Fl are.  I am in need of meetings.  Are there any in my area?  I prefer days so it's easier to travel.  Anybody know of any meetings for maintenence?  Please help.  Since I moved I find myself slipping after 4 yrs.

Thanks,
Susan G.