If you were to go ahead and eat like you will be after surgery (which will be low carb, for life), you can prove to yourself that you will be able to adjust to this way of life!

Low carb is considered to be 150gm of carbs, or less, daily, which isn't that hard when you increase your healthy fats (olive oil, coconut oil , butter, ghee, tallow). Log all of your foods, so you learn what you're putting in your body! This can be very eye opening! At least it was for me! Why not go ahead and commit to what it's going to require anyway? You don't have to be the "fat mom" in the family photos! Plus, the pride you feel from the accomplishment of changing your health for the better can't be beat! Just my opinion, since you've got the time. Why not use it?

Have you considered self pay? My insurance had a WLS exclusion, so I took out a loan with my credit union and paid out of pocket for it. There were no hoops to jump through. I was able to schedule a date as soon as I paid my surgeons office.

I'm sorry you are having to wait so long. 3 years is a long time, but WLS is definitely in your future which not everyone can say.

What makes you think your children can't proudly display a picture of their fat mom? If you asked them if they love you and are proud of you now I wonder what they would say?

Surgery doesn't "fix" the desire to overeat certain foods. You have to change that within yourself! Yes, you will lose weight, but without fixing the thinking it will be very hard to remain a success.

Too many people think surgery will be the answer to all of their problems. How will you handle family pizza night after surgery,(if you aren't willing to inconvenience your family now...)or when you're at the office and someone so kindly brings in donuts? If you can't handle these things now, surgery won't change that.

I'm sorry you're having to wait.

I would use this time to my advantage (knowing what I know now).

I know that the waiting seems to be the hardest part, but imagine being scheduled for your procedure. You had done everything that they asked of you up till that point. Had all those appointments at different locations, and finally, after coordinating with your employer, filling out the FMLA papers, ready to go in one week, you start your hell week, and then you get a call from the physician office that they had to cancel your procedure.

Why? Because the insurance company after doing the initial approval, and trust me, I got the letter from them stating that I was approved and for how many days and all of that, changed their minds and added six months of additional nutrition counseling. Um, say what? I had already completed that, I felt devistated. I was pissed off. I was crying, I mean, I felt like an emotional wreck. I was there, one week to go after a year of jumping thru all of their hoops. Them, the docs, the counselor, the this and that, and of course, the insurance company.

Now, with all fairness, it wasn't just me hit by this, it was several people who were in my 'group' who were hit with this. We couldn't understand how this could happen, especially when we had approval letters in our hands. A few days after that phone call, we all got our denial with exception letters stating it. It sucks and really, I was an emotional basketcase.

But! I was even more determined then ever. And my docs office was very understanding and tried to circumvent it, but short of paying for the whole thing out of pocket (about $28,000) or with the insurance ($3,200 my part), this was just a delay in what I knew was to be the best thing that I was doing for myself.

It sucks, jumping thru hoops and delays. But let this struggle and/or delay be more of a trial of your will to fight it instead of struggling with it.

Work it and fight it, but know that one day it will come to just be a small blip of time and look forward to what happens as you work your program to change your whole life.

nakeddog wrote: »

Oh my gosh, that would totally suck...yes I would be very upset too. I hope you are still not waiting, and was able to get the insurance to help. I don't think we have the same procedures here, for me I will have it covered under my health care, we do have insurance for things like prescriptions, eye glasses., dental. My hubby pays thru work, into our medical health, regardless if we use it, it gets paid montly, and we get our health card and go to the dr when needed.

I've been doing well so far, keeping to 1500 cal-1550 cal range, and I've lost 10lbs.

Where are you at? I have Blue Cross here from my employer in Missouri and I had the VSG almost a year ago now.

Waiting stinks! But take the time and really get used to the new way of eating that you will use as a tool after surgery. And exercise, exercise, exercise! It will help with recovery and help you as you continue your journey. Time will fly by and before you know it --- you will arrive on surgery day! Best wishes.