New Here - Intro
I have been a member for a while, but this is my first posting. I just had to share my excitement somewhere.
A little about my journey, I am a 30 year old single RN and have been overweight since I can remember, like 8 years old! Like everyone else I tried lots of things, but have never lost more than 20-30lbs with something. Then in the summer of 06 when I finished school (for the second time) and became a RN I thought about getting bariatric surgery as I had seen what it did for some gals in my nursing class. Much to my dismay after attending my first info session and contacting my insurance I found out it wasn't covered. So nothing happened for the next 2 years, other than several unsuccessful attempts to lose the weight. Then I changed jobs and to my excitement, my new insurance covered surgery. So I went through all the steps, meetings again, nutrition, psych evals, meeting with the doctors and nurses, and the HP phone program. I then was excited to get my approval in Jan of 09 for the Rny surgery, sadly I had not lost my 20# and was stuggling with it. In feb then I found a study at the U of MN and decided to try that. It was called the TOGA study, it was a transoral device that was placed that reduced the size of the stomach. It was a blinded study, and 2 out of 3 people got the device and 1 out of 3 got nothing. I did loss weight initially, only about 15 pounds. But then it slowly came back. Even with the great support of the nurses and doctors and nutritionist at the U of MN. Then in April of this year I found out I had the device, and was devistated that "I failed". I had a lon long talk with the bariatric nurse right away about what my options were. I went home and that night, cried a little more and then changed my attitude. I went in the very next day to meet with the surgeon again, and we set a goal of losing 10# and planned for the DS this time as soon as we could. I sadly had to go though all the psych testing and evals again, as it has been over a year. I am also having to redo the HP phone calls. But then things just kept moving in the right way. I got my surgery scheduled for July 20th, this was tenitive, pending my approval, but they kept telling me not to worry, since I had gotten it once before. Well I still worried, that something else would go wrong. Well it didn't, on July 22nd, the U called me and said they got my approval, only took 8 days! So I had my pre-op this last Wed and next week I go in for my weight check and the U. Then next is my big step.
As sad as I am that it took me this long to get here. I just keep thinking that all things happen for a reason, and that this really is going to be the best thing for me. Sorry this was so long, but I had to share!
A little about my journey, I am a 30 year old single RN and have been overweight since I can remember, like 8 years old! Like everyone else I tried lots of things, but have never lost more than 20-30lbs with something. Then in the summer of 06 when I finished school (for the second time) and became a RN I thought about getting bariatric surgery as I had seen what it did for some gals in my nursing class. Much to my dismay after attending my first info session and contacting my insurance I found out it wasn't covered. So nothing happened for the next 2 years, other than several unsuccessful attempts to lose the weight. Then I changed jobs and to my excitement, my new insurance covered surgery. So I went through all the steps, meetings again, nutrition, psych evals, meeting with the doctors and nurses, and the HP phone program. I then was excited to get my approval in Jan of 09 for the Rny surgery, sadly I had not lost my 20# and was stuggling with it. In feb then I found a study at the U of MN and decided to try that. It was called the TOGA study, it was a transoral device that was placed that reduced the size of the stomach. It was a blinded study, and 2 out of 3 people got the device and 1 out of 3 got nothing. I did loss weight initially, only about 15 pounds. But then it slowly came back. Even with the great support of the nurses and doctors and nutritionist at the U of MN. Then in April of this year I found out I had the device, and was devistated that "I failed". I had a lon long talk with the bariatric nurse right away about what my options were. I went home and that night, cried a little more and then changed my attitude. I went in the very next day to meet with the surgeon again, and we set a goal of losing 10# and planned for the DS this time as soon as we could. I sadly had to go though all the psych testing and evals again, as it has been over a year. I am also having to redo the HP phone calls. But then things just kept moving in the right way. I got my surgery scheduled for July 20th, this was tenitive, pending my approval, but they kept telling me not to worry, since I had gotten it once before. Well I still worried, that something else would go wrong. Well it didn't, on July 22nd, the U called me and said they got my approval, only took 8 days! So I had my pre-op this last Wed and next week I go in for my weight check and the U. Then next is my big step.
As sad as I am that it took me this long to get here. I just keep thinking that all things happen for a reason, and that this really is going to be the best thing for me. Sorry this was so long, but I had to share!
Welcome out of lurkdom! Sounds like you've been an a huge journey and are more than ready for this final step. Congratulations on getting your approval. Hang around and ask lots of questions.
--gina
--gina
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
5'9.5" | HW: 368 | SW: 353 | CW: 155 +/- 5 lbs | Angel to 
Hi Shan, welcome out of lurkdom and congrats on getting your date! The time should fly for you.
I had heard about the gizmo that you had and wondered about it. I don't know anyone who had actually had it done. Im sorry that it didn't work for you, and sorrier that you felt like a failure. That will be behind you when you have your DS.
Best wishes to you!
I had heard about the gizmo that you had and wondered about it. I don't know anyone who had actually had it done. Im sorry that it didn't work for you, and sorrier that you felt like a failure. That will be behind you when you have your DS.
Best wishes to you!
Duodenal Switch 4/29/09
Loving my DS!!
Loving my DS!!
Welcome to our forum, and you have made an excellent choice in the DS - this one won't fail you. Best. Surgery. Ever.
Lurking is great, posting is better!
Lurking is great, posting is better!
~Martie~
"And pride - don't keep it all inside. Don't keep your aching celebrating, wonder-making heart alone. Write your own song!"
HW 360 / SW 347 / CW 198 / GW 180 
Angel to Relifeagain (Marz)
Hey Shan!
I'm not a vet, but I'll welcome a new friend any day! I am so excited for you!!! I can't wait to watch your progress. If you've been lurking for a while, you probably already know to keep this board as a life line. I consider the vets here to be part of my post op package - and that my success will most likely be linked to following their advice.
So, welcome. I have been trying to get WLS since 2001. The journey has been long, and i can totally understand your excitement. Keep posting! I can't wait to see you shine!
I'm not a vet, but I'll welcome a new friend any day! I am so excited for you!!! I can't wait to watch your progress. If you've been lurking for a while, you probably already know to keep this board as a life line. I consider the vets here to be part of my post op package - and that my success will most likely be linked to following their advice.
So, welcome. I have been trying to get WLS since 2001. The journey has been long, and i can totally understand your excitement. Keep posting! I can't wait to see you shine!
kathie09
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