The ball is finally rolling!
By Katlady2
@Katlady2 (9904)
United States
September 10, 2007 2:16pm CST
I have been waiting for almost three years to have gastric bypass surgery, at first because of waiting on the insurance to approve it, and then because of the insurance denying the first hospital I went to due to the fact that it wasn't on their list of centers of excellence. Now, before some of you condemn me for taking the "easy way out", I need you to know that it is being done for not only weight loss but also for medical reasons. I have had back problems for over 20 years, and it has been getting worse and worse because of the extra weight putting too much pressure on my lower back and hips. My doctor feels that if we get the weight off as soon as possible, the problems will at least become greatly minimized, if not completely stopped altogether.
Now, on with the good news. I finally received a notice on Friday to call the hospital that my insurance approved. So I went ahead and called the contact person, even though it was around 4pm when I did so. And I actually was able to reach her! As of right now, I have an appointment on October 3rd to go to the informational class that is required. And my consultation with the doctor is on October 12th. So there may be a good possibility that I will be having my long awaited surgery next month, or maybe in November! Wooohoooo! I am so excited I can't stand myself! LOL! But my one slightly negative thought was this: "Oh GREAT! Now I'll have to puree the turkey and mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving and Christmas!" But I guess if that is the only "bad" thought I am having about the whole thing, then I guess I'm doing pretty darned good! HAHAHAHAHA!
7 people like this
15 responses
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
10 Sep 07
well i wish you the best of luck and thats great news,especially if it was something that you have been wanting to do for some time and now its finally coming true,thats wonderful,my brother in law had it done 4 years ago and it was so worth it and man it built up his self esteem so much and now he keeps his head up high all the time.you have to go thru some rough periods with the eating and you can only tolerate so much food at one sitting but man you are gonna be so happy and pleased.he basically eats what ever he wants now but just very small portions.yo go girl,wish you luck and my prayers will be with you then.pattie
4 people like this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Yeah...thanks Ambie! LOL I will definitely be careful. I absolutely HATE throwing up, and I equally hate having my stomach hurt. So you can bet I'm going to be careful. And thankyou Pattie for the support and encouragement. I can't wait...I want it to happen yesterday! LOL
2 people like this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
10 Sep 07
Yeeppee skippy dooooo!!! You go girl..I am so happy for you and don't you dare apologize about anything..This will reduce the pain you have and I am so happy for you...Awesome my pea pod partner...PPP for short...LOL..HUGS to you and keep us posted...
4 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
11 Sep 07
My daughters ex mother-in-law went through the same surgery
just recently. I guess she is doing great at losing weight
now. Her and her husband are both very large people so this
was the last resort for her. I hope things go well with the
CLASS and first meeting weith the Dr. Let us know when it all
happes. Prayers also going your way for many reasons along this area.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
3 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Thank you as well. The classes offered by hospitals and clinics are great. I've been to classes for high cholesterol, congestive heart failure, also for care givers. I've learned a lot from them. Good ;luck once again sweetie. Friends like you are treasured by me.
3 people like this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Thank you so much my wonderful friend. I've actually been through the class for the first hospital already, so I have a pretty good idea of what it's all about. But at least this class will give me a better idea about the surgeon that I'll be dealing with. A friend of mine went to him too, and she said he's really awesome...and she hates doctors of any kind! LOL Thanks again hon. I'm glad your daughter's ex MIL is doing so much better. I will definitely keep you posted.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (120738)
• United States
10 Sep 07
If anyone here gives you trouble, just point them out and I'll take care of them. : ) No one knows your situation like you do. Too often people give 'helpful' advice, but they aren't considering everything that the person has to deal with. Heck, they don't even know half of the story. I am very happy to hear that this is coming to fruiton for you. Pretty soon it will be a whole new life!
3 people like this
@zoeroberts5 (1)
• United States
10 Sep 08
All you need to do is put the fork down as Jay Leno puts it! THere is no secret to being fit calories in versus calories out! Whatever happened to dicipline, sell worth, and will power.
It's pathetic some insurance companies are even covering this, If you worked so hard to get so big than you should work hard to pay for it too!
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
11 Sep 07
That is really wonderfull news, I am so happy for you. I hope that all goes well for you.
3 people like this
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I will and i will also keep you in my prayers.
3 people like this
@alamode (3071)
• United States
10 Sep 07
Oh, FINALLY!! I'm so happy for you!! There's back pain and there's BACK PAIN... and I know you've had the capitol letters for a long time, too!
So you'll have 'Turkey Through the Straw' instead of 'Turkey in the Straw'... the important thing is that you'll be on your way to good health, and you can be here with us a lot longer! I'm pulling for you all the way, my friend!
3 people like this
@alamode (3071)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Yes... it would seem to me that the risk of NOT doing it is equal to or larger than the surgical risk... in the hospital, the surgical risks can be dealt with in an efficient way. But strain on your heart, or high blood pressure, or stroke... these things can sneak up on you at home, when help is miles away!! Stay positive, my friend... I'm sure all will be well!!
3 people like this
@applsofgld (2506)
• United States
22 Sep 07
I wish you well Katlady with your surgery. I know surgery is the only way for some to lose the weight. I have a cousin who had a surgery similar to this about 15 years ago, it was when it was fairly new and she has not gained ANY of her weight back, but...she loses so much really fast as the food goes right through her that she has to take vitamin shots and sometimes is bedridden. But she swears by it and even found a way for her young teenage daughter to have the surgery done. For her it was life threatening to be so overweight. A lot of advances have been made to make this a safer surgery and I wouldn't hesitate to have it myself if the need ever came up. I applaud you for your courage to go public with this and I hope you will keep us updated on your progress. You have a lot of friends on here that I am sure are cheering you on. And yes, we want pictures of you along the way. I am proud of you :)
1 person likes this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
23 Sep 07
Thanks so much hon. And I promise to post pictures of my progress after the surgery (and yes, I will post a "before" picture too). My doctor is setting things up for when my daughter turns 18 next year so that she can have the surgery too. My daughter was born with club feet, and even though everything turned out fine with two corrective surgeries, her weight is causing her a lot of pain, and we feel that it's the best way to get her weight off. Tell your cousin to check out this website: www.obesityhelp.com
There are forums there, and actual doctors and nurses that might be able to help her with the problem of the food going through her like that. Sometimes a simple change in the diet can be a big help. Thanks again my friend.
1 person likes this
@applsofgld (2506)
• United States
23 Sep 07
Thank you for the link, I will definitely check into it. Looking forward to your updates, this is so exciting. I love to hear when someone makes a life changing decision and they are so excited about it.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
10 Sep 07
Well HIP HIP HOORAY!!! I am so happy for you!!! That should relieve a lot of those troubles you have been having. I'll keep praying for you that everything goes well before the surgery, and that you enjoy the taste of pureed turkey afterwards. (I feel for you on that one!)
3 people like this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
10 Sep 07
Be careful. Star Jones had that same surgery. Now, due to complications, she looks really sick and elderly. I, for one, think she was better off with the weight on. But don't let this discourage you, just get all the information you can before you go through with it.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Well congratulations Katlady, I bet you'd like to do cartwheels to celebrate...waiting three years IS a long time. Forgive my ignorance, since I don't know what is really involved once a person gets gastric bypass, but you can't eat anything solid I take it? That does kind of suck...LOL..but you're health is more important to alleviate the pain you've been going through...hugs to you!
3 people like this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
11 Sep 07
You can't eat anything solid right after the surgery. The newly created stomach pouch can only hold about 4 ounces at the most to begin with....it's about the size of your thumb, to put it into perspective. And then gradually you work your way into more solid foods. It pretty much starts with things like sugar free pudding, broth and things like that. Then it graduates to things like scrambled eggs and other things with a bit more solidity. It takes a while before getting to things like steak and the like. Here's a link to a really awesome site that explains everything in detail, and has a lot of success stories of people that have gone through the surgery: http://www.obesityhelp.com/
Maybe it will help you to understand it a little more. Thanks so much hon.
2 people like this
@HomeFlower (987)
• Canada
24 Sep 07
Congratulations! It sounds like it's been a long process. My sister in law has already lost 17 pounds from the pre-surgery diet they put her on. I'm not sure when she actually goes for the operation. Your back and hips are going to feel so much better.
Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings pureed.....yum! LOL! Well it's better than nothing at all I guess.
1 person likes this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
24 Sep 07
Yeah, I know about that pre surgery diet. I will be doing that too. It's all liquid protein, so I've been stocking up on the protein powder to add to my shakes. And as for pureed Thanksgiving dinner, if that's all I can get, then I'll take it. LOL Thanks hon.
@theprogamer (10532)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Well its good things are finally coming up Katlady in that department. Too bad you have to puree the Thanksgiving meal though. Well, there's always the insides of pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce and stuffing! I wish you a good surgery and a speedy recovery. Make sure to have enough things on hand to keep your nutrition up and be sure to not strain yourself post surgery!
3 people like this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Thank you so much hon. I'm starting to stock up on the foods I will need post surgery, and the powder protein that I will be having to take all the time too. Hopefully by the time this surgery happens, I will have my cupboards good and stocked. Thanks again.
2 people like this
@crazy_ol_lady (1014)
• United States
10 Sep 07
I am so happy for you!!! I do hope that this works for you. I know several people that had this surgery about three years ago. They are very happy and well adjusted. They feel like a brand new person. Their whole outside has changed but their insides are the same. (Meaning their hearts, outlook on life) It is just so amazing!! They had bad periods during their transformations, but all say it was well worth it!!! Good luck to you and God Bless!
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Thank you so much hon. I have several friends, including a few online, that have had the surgery and they have told me all about the ups and downs that happen. Plus, I went through the informational class twice when I thought I was going to be going to the first hospital, so I have a pretty good idea about the whole thing. Thanks so much hon. I'm soooo excited!
2 people like this
@GaiaFireLynx (208)
• United States
23 Sep 07
Good luck with your prodedure. I need to lose a little weight myself. I don't want to result to surgery though
1 person likes this
