EEK - Case Opened!!!

Hey VA Ladies and Men!  I know it's been a while since I've been here... Ive been on the see saw of decision and in the swirls of the weigh loss journey.  I went back to weigh****chers to curtail things and get the mind straight. I started working out... YAY  and Ive been slowley crossing things off the list for theinsurance submission.  After much delay (fires in CA where my nutritionist is HQ) we got all the letters together and faxed over to Dr E's office. I talked with the Insurance Coordinator and she will be faxing today and scheduling calls with the case reviewer and medical director ( Its all greek to me!) But I guess there's lots of people she has to talk to...  Im excited and nervous and we have tentatively scheduled the date for December 18th. WHICH IS GREAT NEWS!!!!!!  .... (wait about 10 min and then....) I still go back and forth can I do this on my own, can I not, do I have what it takes, what tool do I need,  I can't tell if its out of fear or being scared that Im causing this juggling and see saw of decision. One day Im sure, One day I am not.... All I know is one step in front of the other and then once I get the final yay or nay we can choose then...  BAH! It's been a WILD WILD RIDE!  Stay tuned... XOXO Amanda

Sweetie only YOU can make the right decision for yourself. Lemme tell you this I'll be 5 years post op in January. So, putting things in perspective about just how LONG a journey it was to get to 2003 I actually went to an informational meeting in 1999 and watched the videos and did all the research, the crying, the getting together of papers, necessary this and that and kept getting "try this pill", "try this diet",  etc. I gave into OTHERS and thought ok fine I can do this on my own. NOT! Its not because I didn't have will power or guts or what have you. Its because there were things out of my control and in 2001 when I had my daughter 2 1/2 months early she fough for her LIFE in the NICU/PICU and having us both nearly having lost our lives we were there, we survived and she needed me. If she fought to stay here then so would I. So, I began the whole process AGAIN. Research, doc's visits, consults, diet and exercise revamp etc. Then again went and pursued WLS and from the point on I decided that was it I'm doing it, nothing and no one is stopping me and its one of THE best decisions I've made in my life. Its not an easy journey but it is WORTH it for sure. I wish you the best in whatever you decide and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Regardless of the "reasons" you are doing this most of all do it for YOU! All best......

Kat your the best, thank you so much.  I know that in the long run my health will benefit me, my future kids (when ever they get here) and my friends and family. I want to be healthy, fit, fun and sassy :) Ok so Im already 2 of the 4 ;-)  But none the less.... I have to keep my eye on what started me down this path a second time... and all the acitivty and changing Im making now can only be good after surgery.. its just how it looks right now.....  Thank you for your kind words... *hugs*

Amanda- Your seesaw of decision is not an unusual one! I too played in that yard for over a year! Only you know your truth. I knew for me, the surgery was going to be the only way to get the weight off so that I had a half decent chance at having a healthy enough body to have children (someday...maybe..if HE gets his act together...oh sorry...this is your post!).  I'm still not where I want to be and the surgery didn't fix all my flaw, physically nor mentally. I still struggle with exercise, I still think fat...but I'm working on it and it's a whole lot easier with almost 1/2 of my body size gone.  Best of the best to you as you start the waiting part.....Dec. 18 has a great ring to it....a great early Christmas present for yourself! Much Peace to you...

Hi Amanda,

I'm struggling with the same thing.I've been researching surgery for years. I keep trying things on my own thinking I can do this without surgery. I'll lose about 20 pounds and then I'm back to my old ways. I'm suppose to see the Dr on Jan 22nd (long, long wait). In the meantime, my local dr has given me  phentermine. I've lost about 12 pounds since starting, but I hate the way they make me feel. Sorry to ramble, but your story is so much like mine. I wish I could do this without the surgery, but after 9 years of being overweight, it just doesn't seem to happen. I do like reading the post when people who have had the surgery always seem to say, they are glad they did and wish they had done it years earlier. That is an encouragement. Penny

Hi Amanda - what you are feeling is natural - honestly.  We all wish there had been another way without surgery but we have all been there and done that - and surgery - for me and many others  - was really the only way to lose enough weight to be healthy.  The difference this time is that you are not on your own any more - you have a full support system on this board and we will all help you be successful. Only you can decide which way to go with this - but you are right, most of us have no regrets at all about the results of  this surgery.... Having surgery just before the 25th means you won't be tempted to overeat during the holidays lol! Jackie