Wendy B.
My journey towards Gastric Bypass Surgery has been a lengthy one. My husband and I have traveled this road together and I couldn't have asked for a better partner to take this journey with.
We have been to several different programs in our area to do research and enroll in the pre-op programs over the past 5 years. With every one of them something has happened from our insurance changing and the new company no longer covering to the hospital losing paperwork and having to start the program again from the beginning. Finally we have insurance that covers it and a great hospital close by that has a fantastic program to follow.
We attended the information seminar in September 2006. I had every intention of going through with the surgery first and then letting my husband go. In January I switched jobs and didn't want to take time off from work right after starting so Steven went first. Our surgeon required a 6 month wait before he would perform the surgery on me.
That time has come!!!
The pre-op program at Portsmouth Regional Hospital is very lengthy. I am required to lost 10% of my excess body weight, which equates to 24 lbs. I am also required to take a 5 week Behavioral Modification class. The class is facilitated by the programs psychologist and held once per week for 1 1/2 hours each session. There are meetings with the nutritionist, physical therapist, plus an EKG, upper GI, Chest x-ray, ultrasound, and blood work. Once all of these steps are met you finally meet with the surgeon.
I met with Dr. Gens, my surgeon, on August 20, 2007. There wasn't must to talk about since my husband had just gone through the surgery with the same surgeon. The good news was that I had met my weight lose and then some. They submitted my paperwork to the insurance company once the dictation was received, this took 1 week. Within 48 hours the insurance company had approved me for surgery. I was then scheduled for a pre-op appointment with Dr. Gens for September 19, 2007 and a surgery date of October 2, 2007.
I am so excited that I can barely wait. My husband just just over 5 months out of surgery and has lost 121 lbs. He looks and feels absolutely amazing. I can't wait to be at that point.
I will try to keep my journey updated, but I can't promise anything.
