Shannypooh

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Last Tuesday, I finally got to meet with Dr. Burhop.  He is a nice man.  The staff and BIW are all awesome, and very helpful.  My insurance will require me to do a "doctor supervised diet" for 6 months prior to approving the weight loss surgery...but I am willing to do whatever it takes to make this all possible.  I am getting excited about what lies ahead.  I have really made an effort to make better food choices.  Now if I could get going on that excercise thing...that would be helpful.  I have forbidden myself to purchase any new clothing until after the surgery.  So...I have taken the next step...a small one...but a step all the same!

Well, I was finally able to attend an informational seminar at the Bariatric Center of Wisconsin.  I was so glad I did.  I found out more about the different surgery options, and also got to know a bit about the doctors from the Bariatric Center.  This morning I called to schedule my first consult with my chosen doctor (Dr. Burhop).  I have an appointment scheduled for March 20th!  I did find out from the receptionist, that due to the type of insurance I have, I will be required to try 6 months of doctor supervised diet, before they will approve my surgery.  While I am a little disappointed that this will prolong the process, I know it won't really make a difference, and I will end up having the surgery.  I've had a lifetime of weight issues.  I have tried diets, exercise, even some prescription medications, all took off about 20 pounds and then I level off.  Once I level off, I start gaining it back.  So, I'll do their required diet.  I don't think it will change the outcome though.  I am just happy to know I am finally on my journey to a healtier, thinner me!

Last night as we were getting ready for bed, my loving husband and I began to talk about the potential of me having bariatric surgery.  He brought it up, because he is considering having a vasectomy, since it is not in my best interest to get pregnant again.  I said, I did not want to schedule both surgeries too close together...because with 3 kids, we both can't be out of commission.

He keeps saying he loves me for who I am, and how I am.  He keeps saying that he doesn't think I am "that big".  He just doesn't understand that my weight is not only just a self-esteem problem for me...it is affecting my life and my health.  My mother was diagnosed as a diabetic 27 years ago, and has also always been kind of heavy.  She is now dying a slow death due to renal failure, and diabetic neuropothy.  I have no idea how much longer she'll be around.  It could be 20 years, and it could be 5 years.  The point is....I don't want that for myself, or my kids!  I don't want my kids to have to see me suffer like I have had to watch my mom suffer.  I want to better myself for my kids.

He doesn't understand, that after being heavy all my life, it isn't as easy as a "diet".  Yes, diets and lifestyle changes have to happen, and they will help....however, they have just kept me on the yo-yo scale all my life.  I want something that will help me loose it and keep it off.  

He has never been, nor is he now an overweight person.  He mom is a very tiny person...in fact she can't gain weight.  He really has no idea what it is like to live life overweight.  He doesn't understand how much this surgery would mean to me!

Can anyone tell me how long the process takes from when you find a surgeon?  I just need to know what I'm up against.