Starting journey

Glenda, You are very welcome!  If I can give you one more bit of advice that helped me tremendously when I first started out -- read profiles!  There are a lot of people who have chronicled their journey -- ups/downs and everything in between.. you'll find a lot of kinship and you'll start to realize you're much less alone than you first thought.. and I found that reading other people's thoughts also gave me insight into their logic and how they came to their decisions..  It helped me a lot.  The members on this site are super helpful and open.  I think you'll find, the further you get into the process, the more you'll lean on what's here. It's also not a bad idea for YOU to start journalling, too.  It can help to have a historic record of what you go through, think and feel.  Down the road you'll look back and even learn from yourself! Finally, keep in mind that ALL weight loss surgery is drastic.  Surgery should be your absolute last resort and if you've come this far, you probably know that no matter how much you diet and exercise, you only stand to lose about 10% of your total body weight that you could keep off long term with diet and exercise alone.  You probably did the math and realized that 20-something pounds is 10% and losing that amount won't improve your health very much, long term.  You are probably at last resort stage, like so many of us were when we were where you are now.  Your greatest risk of any of the surgeries is having the surgery itself -- going under anesthesia and having your body cut into.  Obesity makes ANY general surgery (where they put you under) an increased risk.  What they are doing to you while you are under has it's own set of risks.. but no more than the act of going under anesthesia for surgery itself.   I'm not saying this to scare you -- but I want you to know what you're up against.  It is NOT an easy journey.  Anybody who tells you that you're taking the "easy way out" is talking straight out their butt.  This is the hardest thing I ever did but it is almost the most rewarding.   You can do it.  Put one foot in front of the other.  Take each step without thinking about the next one.. you'll get there!

Glenda,  I had BCBS of Il, and they are very particular. Keep great notes and make sure you fight for what you want. I read what you said about wanting ONE surgery that will work for the rest of your life and that you will find a way around any restriction diets put in front of you. I am the same way, so when I was learning about both the LapBand and the RNY, I already heard the devil on my left shoulder saying some pretty scary things like "you can out-eat that, baby!"  I encourage you to look into the duodenal switch surgery as an option, too. I didn't know it existed--I thought I only had a LapBand or RNY for my choices. I am so happy that my "shoulder devil" can't find the cheating way out of this one--for once, she is speechless! Iam very hopeful. I encourage you to visit www.duodenalswitch.com or the DS board here on OH for more info on this. Dr. Prachand at the U of C does it, but I am going to Dr. Rabkin in California for mine (he does monthly support groups/info sessions for newbiesin Chicago, so you can meet him). It might not be for you, but  at least you will know all of your options. And, as for paying for the DS, BCBS of IL does NOT right now, even though Medicare does now and so do many insurance plans. It will probably change in the future. However, if you could handle working at Starbucks for about 3 months part-time, their insurance pays for it. I was going that route when my hubby changed jobs and we got an insurance that pays for it. If you want to PM me, I can tell you more. Best of luck, sweetie! Nicolle

Glenda,  good luck on your journey! Also, I doubt that your doctor is Dr. Kane, Sr.  I think you meant to click on Dr. Kane, Jr.   Dr. Kane, Sr retired a while ago...  ;)