sugar-pants...
I'm working on my story, it was a very long journey in the begining! 
My name is Annette and i am 30 yrs. old. i have pretty much been a "cute" over weight girl my whole life. Throughout my life i tried losing weight. When i was told by my PCP( primary care physician), atleast i tried, but it was never enough. In my eyes i was never going to be a "skinny" girl,-always be over weight. 
About 5 yrs. ago my pcp who i had been seeing for 3 yrs. at the time had been watching my weight ad health get worse. He would do what he could telling me what might work and each time seeing me i would only lose 15 pounds max no more. Then my weight would gradually go back up, it was useless. I was getting depressed more and more each day. I would try to work-clean-sweat off calories-go to college, try to do positive things. But i noticed myself falling back in/out of depression. I would love to sleep the day away if i could-make me feel better.
My pcp told me than i would be an excellent canidiate for wls. So i told him i have to look into it before i make up my mind.
At this point, it was a journey...........................................................
My PCP referred me to, "The Cleveland Clinic", which for those who know it's very well known in Cleveland,Ohio.
I had meet the surgeon, who was very nice. But i still had to work my way around w/ appts. that i went to on/off when feeling up to it. During this part of the journey i was seeing the dietitian throughout 5-6 mo. w/ no problem. Next was seeing their psych doctor. Let me tell you, this was not fun at all! I took a 3-4 hr written test (w/ some really stupid que.) which i said fine, i do what i need to do, pretty easy? NO! She Dr. (i better be nice & not mention names) felt the test was, "To Perfect" in her words, and that they could not even rate it. I had meet this psych doctor and did alot of talking which was fine, i'm not that hard to get along w/. After the 5th session she sat there and put me down so bad that i was in tears leaving, feeling like thee most worse fat person in the world who can't and will not get this surgery. Which i believed her b/c i did miss alot of appts. due to sleeping so much and falling in/out of depression. I knew at this time to cross Cleveland Clinic off my list.
Which now i think back saying good, b/c i just was not ready mentally at the time. 
Almost 1 yrs. later, my PCP then referred me to a very well known bariatric center in Cleveland, Ohio called, "Saint Vincent Charity Hospital" I figured at this time i'll try again, what do i have to loss, other than maybe me insurance.
My first appt. was w/ the medical assistant and that was not looking good. She looked over my chart and said, she feels they might not be of any help. The only reason why was that i had depression. Now okay if you are over weight that adds stress not to mention all the medical problems i had while taking almost 15 different meds for my health. This world is full of stress, it is just how you handle it.
The M.A. (who is not even a doctor nor nurse) said then that my records have to go through their psych doctor and "The Team" will have to look over this and call you. I said okay, went on my way once again.
Time went by with their psych doctor calling me every so often saying some what positive things, like we are really working hard on this but no answer yet, so please bare w/ us she said.
Now time still going by and still searching the internet doing research going to group meetings trying to stay positive, my phone call came from the psych doctor..........
-----DENIED----------
Once again i said okay, telling myself not to give up, which was VERY hard!
In December,2006 my PCP came to me for the last time, and told me to call Doctor Craig Eyman located @ South Pointe Hospital, in Warrensville Hts.,Ohio. (same hospital my pcp is at) My PCP told me his office is here at South Pointe but he does the surgery @ Parma General Hospital located in Parma,Ohio.(about 25 min. from South Pointe Hospital), (all very close by).
I was at first alittle leary about calling but i did, i said,"3rd x's a charm"
After i went to a seminar and meeting the doctor at the seminar, i called and got in w/ my appts. right away, no problem. Everyone was their in the office, not having to go floor to floor tracking them down. 
I saw the dietitian for 6 mo., (every mo. on time never missed) ,she is so wonderful, she helped me learn about the labels that i knew nothing about, to top it off i was even lossing weight on my own (pass the 10-15 pound mark). I even decieded to see her after my 6 mo. so i could stay focused . I was able to pick a psych doctor (who i didn't know) test me and clear me for surgery. At this time i knew i was mentally ready now! Also seeing any and every kind of doctor needed to see (heart, sleep study, ect.) they were clearing me for surgery one by one.
While waitting on my insurance to go through, that took 2 weeks, i must add. I was really excited knowing i was really focused and staying strong at all times. But before putting my insurance (Medicare) through Dr. Eyman saw me again to tell me (which he told me from day 1) that he had not yet got his Medicare papers stating he can take Medicare at the Parma Hospital, but that it was in the works, it's just a matter of time, and he will get it.
So he at this time said everything looks great on my part for insurance approval, but do i want to wait for him which the latest could be 1-2 mo. that or he stated he would try to get me in the nearest hospital who does this surgery and that takes Medicare.
Which would be of course my luck again,---------
"St. Vincent Charity Hospital"
I told him before what happened w/ them but he said he would try his best and talk to the surgeon himself. I finally said okay, you can try----good luck---if not, i will wait.
They said it would be best to hand deliver my records, so i did. Well doing that i ran into their psych doctor at the door entering the office. I made sure to hand it to her again! I explained what was going on and i handed her my records and left, still smiling!
St. Vincent Charity psych doctor called me a week later telling me, "The Team" once again,----------DENIED!-----
She told me, they usually will deny if it is the second time around. But i told her, that is ok, it's not going to ruin my day. I've been trying so long and hard that i know someone will call me and tell me everything is ready to go start my new life.
--Boy,------- oh boy,----------was i right!!!!!!
GOD IS GOOD 
My prays were answered the next following day..........
Marla, from Dr. Eyman's office called me to ask what St. Vincent Charity told me?
When i told her they denied me again and i'm gonna just wait for Dr. Eyman.
She told me,everything went through, your ready !!
I almost cried i was so happy! 
I never thought this was going to happen to me. Everything fell into place from there.
My pre testing had been set for 2 weeks later, and surgery 1 week after that!
On 9/11/07
I had to be at the hospital at 6:15am and surgery was set for 7:30am
The night before i didn't sleep much, not only from nerves but they want you to clean your system out.
They also make you shower w/ a solution(no smell) the night before and
the morning of surgery.
My family was their all the way supporting me.(Thank you to my mother,father,step-father, love of life-Daren). It was great!
When i woke up from surgery i was given pain meds as needed, and i also had a button to press for pain. I was not aloud to have anything by mouth, not even water!
I did get out of bed and into a chair that evening, which they encourage you to do.
The doctor and his assistant were both very proud of me.
The next day---
I had to wait to get an upper gi done to make sure everything is fine.
They took me to get the test which i had to drink a cup of, i think called Bearium.
Anyways i didn't mind due to the fact i was so thursty!
Everything looked good so i was able to start my sipping, and i mean sipping!
They gave me a pitcher of water w/ a 4oz. cup that i could only fill w/ the water every 15 min. throughout the whole day! Water only!
On day 2
I was able to handle water very well, it was time for soup and dilutted juice.
The doctor said i was taken in liquids good and that i walked hall okay, that
the 3rd day at 6pm i was discharged.
Being home was even better, nothing like home sweet home.
All and all i had my surgery done open b/c when i was 7yrs. old i had a tumor forming
that the doctors cought in time and had to remove inches of my intestines. This all was good b/c going home i'm free from diabetes and from taking almost 15 different meds.
I have seveal staples going down my torsoand next to that is a drainage bag. They
also called the bag, "A grenade" b/c that is what it looks like.
Week later-9/18/07
Drainage removed
On 9/25/07 @ South Pointe- staples will be removed
I have been doing very well and i do recommend this surgery, also my doctor if possiable (216)491-7669 for those people who are interested in wls, and are
ready also focused as well has determined!
Now that i am a loser lol I would love to be of any kind of support to anyone who needs.
All it calls for is to stay focused and determined also having patiance will help----
and always BELIEVE!
Best wishes to all pre-ops and post ops, where ever you are on your journey!!
--------GOD----BLESS-----
