turtledoves
Hello,
Over the last 4 months I have read the postings of others on this site trying to educated myself and help me with the huge decision of persuing WLS. I have enjoyed and deeply appreciate all the sharing that takes place here....Now I have become brave enough to share my story.
I am married, mother of grown boys in their early 20's, work full-time, and I have been over weight for the last 27 years! My current weight is 231 and I am 5'3". My health has begun to suffer; this past year I had a knee replaced and my labs are starting to concern me and the dr. I have GERD which is feeling like it alone is killing me. That acid is soooo bad! While sleeping the acid reflux has choked me, cutting off my air, shooting me out of bed like a rocket, leaving my throat smothered in the pain of burning fire. Fortunatley I have not developed diabetes, yet, and my cholestrol is climbing.
Late September 2007 I spoke with my primary care doc about the possibility of WLS, she was very supportive and did the referral to my insurance co, PacifiCare, that day. PacifiCare approved me to see a bariatric surgeon in less than 2 weeks and started me in the HealthyRoads program. My surgeons appointment was 6 weeks out, early November 2007. His office invited me to his seminar and to group support sessions, which I have been attending.
I was doing the HealthyRoads program required by Pacificare while waiting for my Nov consult with the surgeon when state of CA told PacifiCare that the HealthyRoads program could not be manditory. That happened the week I was having my appointment with Dr Jenkins, I researched him and found all was favorable. I had my consult, I like Dr Jenkins, he spent and appropriate amount of time with me answered all my questions and asked a lot of his own. He found me to be a potential canditate for the surgery. I decided not to continue with HealthyRoads as I did not like it and after speaking with the coach the second and third time it became obvious to she had not even remembered me from the week (s) before. Dr Jenkin's office started getting insurance approval for the necessary evaluations, psych eval, dietary eval, more lab work, endoscopy and colonoscopy. It took approximately two weeks for the approval of the evaluations; I made all the appointments and I completed all the evaluations and procedures then had a follow-up visit with Dr Jenkins office on January 21, 2008. It was agreed I would go forward with surgery and they said they would submit to PacifiCare that week for surgery authorization. On Friday, February 8th, PacifiCare approved the surgery and my date has been set for March 11th!
During this time I have read tons of material on the RNY surgery, attended two different seminars, attended support groups, have been going to the gym, I know at least 9 persons that have had WLS and I have been driving them crazy with questions and pumping them for information, and I have read many blogs from people on this site trying to gain from those that have already journeyed down this road; I am ready (at least mentally).
I know there is still alot I will continue to learn. I still have to get a firm grip on the diet, protein intake, the protein drinks, fluid intake, etc. I need all the help I can get and I am open to advise!
May the good Lord gives us all the strength and courage we need to help ourselves and others who suffer from this terrible food addiction. May He grant us the wisdom to use this tool, WLS, to recover and be set free. Thank you.
