Scared!

Hi, My name is Cindy. I'm from Butler, Indiana. I'm 45 yrs. old. I am 5'4" & weighed 435 lbs. at my meeting on 7-20-05 with my surgeon Dr. RoseMarie Jones in Carmel. I recieved her letter today to send to my insurance company, so I faxed it and am also sending it certified. My insurance company said they should have an answer this week! I am so scared! I am scared that they won't approve it, and I'm scared they will! I can hardly get around anymore. If it weren't for my precious husband of 26+ years and our son and daughter helping me, I think I'd be in a nursing home! I really believe that our insurance will approve it. I'm excited but scared! I know I need to keep my eyes on the Lord through this and Trust, Trust, Trust Him! It has been so encouraging reading your profiles and posts. I wanted to thank you all for sharing and encouraging others as you do. I wish you all the best and ask that you would add me to your prayers! P. S. I started my profile about a month ago but only have two posts in it, and am waiting on my pictures to be published on it. Anyone know how long it takes before pics are put on? Thanks, Cindy

Cynthia, Good luck! It is normal to be scared. I can't tell you how scared I was in the beginning stages of this whole process. But, I was also terrified of where my health was going if I didn't do it. Now, I'm 9 weeks out and have had no complications. Lost 60 lbs and can walk without pain again! I've also been taken off my blood pressure medicine! Woohoo! It takes 1 to 2 weeks to get your pics posted. Lori 384/323.5/170

Thank you, Lori for the encourgement. I am so glad for you and it is wonderfulto hear that you have had no complications. I also look forward to getting off of the 10 medications that I am on plus the C-PAP and lymphademia pumps, etc. Good for You, Lori!!!! Cindy

Cindy, I couldn't help notice that you are using pumps for you Lymphedema. How is that working for you? I've had MANY friends who did the pumps and over time the fluid in the legs moved into the stomach. Long term they have been proven NOT effective and can make your condition worse. Have you done any type of treatments MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage) for your legs, have you had your legs wrapped, how about compression hose? These have been proven most effective. You are welcome to check out my website I set up for more information. www.lymphedemaawareness.com Sorry to go on about this, but this is a big issue for me. So many doctors do NOT know how to properly treat this condition and often times the treatments they recommend make their legs much worse over time. I'm wishing you the best of luck with your surgery approval. This surgery was the best thing I ever did for myself. Amy

Amy~ I love your lymphedema site. I've forwarded it on to our lymphedema specialist at work. She is doing an ongoing study with the University of Arizona, and she trains other lymphedema specialists across the country. I'm sure she'll love your site. Julie

Hi Cindy, I had to write to you, I am 46 from Pa. I was at one time 477. And if it wasnt for my wonderful husband I dont where I would have been either. Who makes these guys anyways. I lost 324 pounds on my own a few years ago, had plastic surgery, but then started gaining weight back I am having my first appointment to have the surgery. This is a scary thing, but I do still remember what it was like to be at 149. It was wonderful. Good luck to you. Debbie

Bless your heart, Debbie! That is awesome that you lost 324 lbs.! I know that horrible feeling as the pounds start coming back on, it makes you feel like you're on a slippery slope of no return. It will be wonderful when you see 149 again!!!!! Thanks for replying. Cindy

Hi Cindy, I know how you feel, I am scared too but trust in HIM and know that HE will take care of you. Don't you just love how everyone is so incouraging here. I am new to this site and it has been a blessing to find it. Take care of yourself and I will keep you in my prayers. Bonnie G.

Hi Cindy, I got your email and have sent you a response. Georgeann

Cindy, You said it all when you said Trust, Trust, Trust in the Lord. It's what I did, and I'm 4 months post-op now. Took me 14 months of trying to get the surgery, but it finally happened. I was also almost non-ambulatory from my weight, a deteriorating back problem and failed back surgery. I walked what little I could with a cane. I had become almost house-bound. Now, I can walk about 1/2 mile without becoming breathless at all, have to stop ever so often to let my back and hips stop hurting, but I can keep going. And NO CANE! I'm in a water aerobics class three times a week that I love even though I'm not the prettiest thing in a bathingsuit, and I've been shopping lately and going, going, going. The changes are amazing. Please hang in and have faith and courage. This surgery can give you back your life! You'll have my prayers and best wishes. from Missouri Myra LBS 442/430/349/150 hw/sw/cw/gw BMI 69.2/67.3/54.7/23.5 hw/sw/cw/gw