NewDawn50
STILL A LOT OF LIFE TO LIVE
Sep 16, 2010
9/16/10
My name is Dawn Dickson. I have not always been a fan of weight loss surgery. I considered it dangerous and foolhardy. For most of my life, I have been overweight to varying degrees. My weight was an issue, but never bothered my physically - until I hit my 40's.
I became a first (and only) time mom at 40. My husband and I adopted a beautiful baby girl from China. I had already begun to hit a weight that was giving me trouble - it was the first time I had to use a seatbelt extender. I had only thought about the trip to get our daughter as an exciting journey, not realizing the physical toll it would take. It was very hard to keep up with the constant walking and outings - not to mention the stares from the Chinese people at a 285 lb. American woman. When we got home, being a mom to a just-walking baby was exhausting. Before becoming a mother, I had not ever had to worry about doing anything I didn't want to do. It really made me understand how difficult being so large was going to be.
It first began with knee pain. Then trouble getting up and down quickly, then going up and down stairs. My bladder began being a little incontinent. I started becoming arthritic in my joints. At 45, I became diabetic, but sloughed it off, telling myself the numbers weren't that high - that I could eat better and excercise more and get in better shape. Except I didn't.
I realize it was all denial. When my toes became numb and painful, I went to the Dr. and found that my sugar was so high that I had neuropathy in my feet and toes. PAINFUL!!! I finally got on oral meds, but it wasn't controlling the sugar because I continued to eat horribly. I am now on oral medications and insulin. I was recently diagnosed with high cholesterol. And I turned 50.
I realized that I am not living. I'm 5'5" and 334 lbs. My feet have neuropathy, arthritis, bunions, a hammer toe and a heel spur. Walking is a nightmare. I take Neurontin for the neuropathy pain - 300 mg. 3x daily - this has helped somewhat. I have to wear shoes with high toe boxes and I have custom orthotics. And I still can't go far or fast, both because of my feet and my weight. Climbing stairs is out of the question because of my right knee. My poor little girl is 10 yo, and what I can do with her is so limited. Movies, dining out, an occasional trip to a bookstore or clothing store, or maybe take her a and a friend bowling (I watch.). Mostly, I work, then come home and flop onto the sofa. My husband will take her to the county pool with friends, out for ice cream, and he does the shopping. I have great siblings who have summers off and treat my daughter with trips to Florida, time at my sister's country house, etc. I don't know what I'd do without them.
But, I woke up and realized that, at 50, there is still a lot of good life left to live. And I want to live it.
I've begun the journey. I've attended the seminar, made an appointment with a part of the surgical team, who spoke to me about what I'd need. I have packet filled with all the testing and clearances I'll need. I was called the next day by the person who handles the insurance for the hospital where I'd like to have my procedure. I've been told my insurance, The Empire Plan, which uses United Healthcare, is one of the better insurance companies to deal with. We'll see.
I called the pre-determination unit at my ins. co. and she told me that, with my BMI (55) and co-morbidities, it shouldn't be hard to get approval. I live in Rockland County, New York, about an hour north of NYC. My wonderful PCP recommended the team at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ. Their team has been awarded as a Center of Excellence in bariatric surgery. My surgeon, Dr. Beth Schrope, is part of a team that includes a pioneer in bariatric surgery, Dr. Marc Bessler. They work out of Columbia University in NYC, but also work at Valley Hospital. I haven't been to the hospital yet, but I'm told its more like a hotel (I should be so lucky)!
I have obtained my medical necessity letter and my psych eval. I have had an echocardiogram (fine) and EKG (fine) and am going for a two part nuclear stress test this Monday, 9/30/10. I meet with my surgeon on 9/23/10, and am scheduled for a sleep study on 9/24/10 to see if I have apnea (wouldn't be surprised). In early October, I see my gastroenterologist, and will then schdule a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. Whew! I'm hoping for a smooth approval process, but I know what a contradiction in terms that can be - not to mention a joke, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Everyone from family to Dr.'s to co-workers is very supportive. Will update. I'm nervous!
