New to WLS and have a few questions

Hello My name is Dawn and i am 26 years old.  I have been heavy since i had my first child 10 years ago and i cant seem to get the weight off.  I am no longer comfortable in any clothing and i hate shopping.  I am considering WLS so that i can see my children grow up and live a long healthy life.  I really enjoy playing softball and volleyball but cant stand running so I don’t play those anymore.  I want to be able to get up and go for long walks with my kids and go hiking.  I always say we were going to go but we end up staying home since I don’t know if I can make it.  I am embarrassed to go outside of my home because ALL my neighbors are thin and into fitness and I am not.  My neighbor said I don’t need the wls but I think I do.  She said she would be my fitness coach but its hard to do things like that with kids, I don’t have anyone to watch them.  I know that I am going to start walking soon but I think that if I have the wls It would make me more motivated to do those things.  I don’t eat badly, I can go for days eating what a normal thin person would eat but then that 4^th or 5^th day I am SOO hungry I overdo it and then I am always hungry for days on end.  I have been drinking a lot of water but it doesn’t seem to be helping.  I weigh myself everyday just to see if I have gone down any and nope still a thick 230lbs.  I am 5’1 so my BMI is 43.5.  I would love to be 150lbs or less.  There are just a few things that I am worried about.  So I do have some questions if anyone can help me answer them I would appreciate it.

 

 

#1 How long after I send my paperwork into the Dr should I wait for my consult apt?  They received it last Friday and haven’t called yet, is it to soon to call them?

 

 

#2 How much protein do I need to have everyday after the surgery?

 

 

#3 What foods are high in protein that I will be able to eat after surgery?

 

 

#4 How much weight is the average that I should loose each month after having the surgery?

 

 

#5 I have title 19 insurance right now since I just started my job and id like to have the surgery before it gets taken away, Did anyone here have title 19?  If so how long did it take you to get your surgery date? And did you have any problems getting title 19 to pay it?

 

 

#6 last question!  My moms boyfriend is I think scaring my mom with this surgery telling her that I will die if I have it and how I will ruin my life because I wont look good afterwards.  Do you think that you look better now then before?  Did your attitude change at all after the surgery, and I mean for the worse?

 

 

#7 ok one more!  If you could give any words of advice to someone who is planning on having WLS what would those words of advice be?

 

 

Thank you for reading this and I really appreciate all the help.

 

 

I am also looking for those in my area to keep in contact with.  Im in Dubuque Iowa and go to Fennimore Wisconsin once in awhile.  Anyone from those areas please get in contact with me.

 

 

Thanks

 

Dawn

 

 

hi there congrats on the beginning of your journey..... 1-  call your doc.... make an apt for your consult.... no biggie in that  2 - usually.... 60 to 70 grams a day 3-  protein powder, refried beans, to start off with in your pureed faze.... then meats, fish, beans.. things of that nature.

4- that all depends on you  and your body.. everyone is different.  i average about 15 pds a month. 5- i have blue cross blue sheild.... so i cant answer that.

6- any surgery there are risks.... i have some sagging skin but i feel soooooo much better i went from a size 28 to a 16 in 4 months.... its amazing.. i have so much more self confidence.... and feel so much better about myself.

I hope this helps... any other questions... please feel free to get in touch with me... hugsss Christine

Hey, I have BCBS also...did you have many problems getting them to approve??  I def. have medical needs with my liver and such....but, the wait is killing me!!!

#1 Call the Dr and find out... cant say because every office is different 

 

#2 You will have to ask your surgeon/NUT... everybody gets different post-op eating plans... the amount of protein you need depends on how much your surgeon bypasses. 

 

#3 There are zillions... a quick internet search of high protein foods will give you a good idea. When you go for your NUT eval they should provide you with materials and guidance to help with your post-op eating. 

 

#4 10-15lbs a month... but your surgeon can tell you what his patients average 

 

#5 n/a 

 

#6 Its not a matter of looking better... its being healthy and feeling better. You have to accept yourself and love yourself no matter what. Your post-WLS body wont be perfect... there will be excess skin, saggy spots, wrinkly spots, fatty spots... you just have to learn to accept it or start saving now for plastic surgery. I definately feel I look better now than before... why? because I feel better... because I am no longer limited by my weight... I have a healthy relationship with food... being happy on the inside makes me beautiful on the outside! 

 

#7 Advice... do your research... WLS is *not* easy... its a LIFE committment... you have to be prepared to deal with the major changes that will be happening in your life. The first year or so post-WLS is *YOUR* time... you need to be selfish and put yourself first as much as possible! If you keep putting yourself last you will have a much harder time reaching your goal and staying there. Start working on developing better habits now... start exercising... work on cutting something out - like soda... especially work on yourself psychologically!