Hello all:

I started looking into this surgery in 1976 after my Dad had the surgery.  He went from 450 down to 180.  He was one of the few people that had survived the procedure.  He passed away in 6/04 from unrelated health issues.  Back then the surgery was $1,000.00.  I worked hard trying to save my money for the procedure, and something else always came up.  I kept hoping that one day the procedure would be covered by insurance and that I would have an employer that would allow me to have the time off to recuperate.  Well, the surgery has come a long way since the 70's.  Now the decision was whether or not to have the Duodenal Switch or the Roux en Y.  I did research over and over.  I finally met a Duodenal Switch Surgeon, and the truth was, he didn't impress me at all.  In fact, he told me that there was no advantage to having the D.S. that is was merely a decision I would have to make on my own.  When I went to Barix for a RNY consultation in 1/05, I was very much impressed by the surgeon and his dedication to his patients.  I didn't get that vibe from the other surgeon.  My insurance would not pay without a fight, I was tired of fighting, I had spent years looking into the surgery and wasn't getting any younger, so I went self pay for my surgery.  Let me tell you, it certainly was not $1,000.00. 

Although I have hit enough plateau so far to make me stray, I will remain strong, I waited long enough for this journey to start, I will not cave in.  This is my last hope for a normal life.  I am approaching  my 50th birthday and have not had more than a years worth of socially acceptable body fat my entire life.  I started this journey the day of surgery at 421, left the hospital at 435 and am keeping my head up and moving straight forward no matter what.  I have never been happier than to find a home for my 5x clothing.  I also found a home for my new 3x clothing, which didn't fit for very long.  I look forward to releasing my 2x clothing back into the wild. (lol)  At the April '07 Support Meeting at Barix I released my 2X clothing back into the wild.  I am now wearing 16's.  Oh what a rush.

I will say this though, it is very hard to walk a straight line when that plateau keeps you locked in for a long period of time.  I have come to realize that the reason I gave up so many times before was because of plateauing.  Now I know that my body just works that way, but this time I will win, this time I am aware, this time, I hold the cards.    This time I am drawing Aces and will win the big prize....................a normal life.  Now I have come to realize that I am so carb sensitive that going over 40 on a daily basis will make me plateau.  A valuable wild card in my hand to play to my advantage.  Every single day is a learning experience.