Blue_77
Me... I am 29, married, no children, will be having VSG on January 19 2007.
I have always been heavy; I have 2 sisters and a brother who are of normal size. My parents are both obese. I looked into surgery several years ago and was denied by my insurance company although I don't believe there was exclusion. The bariatric center that I was working with kind of dropped me once I got denied; I was not assisted in anyway from that point on. They quit returning my calls, and when I called I was passed from person to person. They claimed to help you through the appeals process but I was never in contact with anyone who would help once the first denial came. I was young and naive; I thought that was their way of saying it was hopeless. So I gave up and continued dieting as usual. I have had some success losing weight but never a significant amount, maybe 30-40 lbs then I gain it back. I kind of put WLS on the back burner, I even thought for a while that it was the easy way out, (Don't flame me, I was big into Weight Watchers, you know their thoughts on that!) I never really let go of the decision, each time my insurance changed I would look at the exclusions as soon as I got the members book. What finally sparked the interest again was an old classmate who had RNY; she is one year out and down 125 lbs. (I also have another friend who had RNY and she never lost more than 50 lbs and is on her way to gaining it back. )So I talked to my husband about it and told him I wanted to go to Mexico to have the surgery. I told him the cost and his reply was, we can swing that!!! I figure I have spent that much on cars, why not spend it on my health. I am lucky to have a supportive husband, because it is a large chunk of money to self pay. After looking into lap band which I feel is not for me, I had decided to have RNY in Mexico when stumbled onto this thing called DS and VSG. I researched more and made my decision! I think the DS would give me the best weight loss at my size however; I am not interested in having mal-absorption issues. I am only 29 and I have not had children yet. Although I may be lucky like many DS patients and not have that problem, it is a risk that I am not willing to take right now. I support those that do choose DS and I may do the same down the road, however at this point I have decided on taking the first step (VSG) to see where I end up. If I feel that down the road I need further assistance, I will have the option to complete the second part (DS). This is where I have to thank Kim1031 for leading me to Dr. Pleatman and for everyone else on the VSG board for sharing their information that changed my mind.So I contacted Dr. P's office and signed up for his seminar. A few days after the seminar I had my first appointment, by the time I left, I had my date!! I am required to lose 10-20 lbs and the surgery will be cancelled if I don't, but I think I can swing that. I will go in on Jan 3 to be weighed in, meet the dietician, and attend the support group. I will have my surgery on Jan 19.I am happy with my decision and have told my family, and a couple friends. I let my boss know and the medical services coordinator too. Other than that I am going to keep mum until it's over. I am choosing to do this because I don't care to have uninformed questions and comments about my health care. Once it is done and if I choose to explain I will be happy to answer my co-workers questions but until then I am keeping it to myself.
