How long..........

I started in the Fall of 2004, went through the whole process for RNY and then found out my insurance company had wrongly informed me, and it wasn't a covered benefit.  So I put it on hold for awhile, had a baby in 2005.  Then I went back to researching in the winter of 2008, this is when I discovered  the DS.  I went to a seminar at Bayview in June, had my consultation in July.  I had surgery in January.  So I guess the whole process was 4.5 years.

Tia, I am so glad you asked this question. I feel like I am so far behind everyone. As I see it there is alot of thought and research that goes into this. I am glad I am trying to find out all I can. I feel so bad since I cant really express things like all the rest of you can. You opened my eyes so much today by this one question...Thanks

                                                   Julie

I started in July 07.  I saw one surgeon and started the necessary appointments needed.  I got my psych eval done and then could not commit myself to go through with anything else.  A year passed and in July 08 we went to Disney World.  I was so miserable and ended up having to rent a scooter in each of the parks to get around.  My legs and feet swelled so bad I could not walk around the parks.  I knew deep down I could not handle being obese anymore.  I did the seminar at another surgeons office that I found recommeded on OH and I will be having sugery in two and half weeks.


Melissa

i've known about it a long time.

over the years i've very briefly considered it and then said  no... over and over...

a couple of years ago the doctor suggested it. I still said no.

DH wanted it.  I fought it...

this year we decided to do it.

went to the seminar in february

doing tests now

dh will probably have surgery in June
i'll probably have it in august.

Nessa Got the book today I have started reading it I willtake it when I go to the nut next week. I have fought this to but I am tired of fat.  It makes me sick to my stomach......I still dont know which way to go. I think band because if I fail I will still be able to do bypass. I got weight loss for dummies too. I have read alot but still dont know...Crazy aint  it...Have a good weekend


                                                                                              Julie

Did you think about having the surgery before you actually took the first step?
About 3 years ago a coworker had it and I talked to her but still decided No.  Joined OH at that time and thought I could try the mind set and lose it.  Joined WW, lost 60 pounds, gained it all back.  Then another coworker got the band and I thought I'm tired of this yo-yoing and started the process.

Did you rely solely on what you'd heard, or did you do research?
I can't say that I did a lot of reserach.  Just listened, learned, asked questions.

Did you attend any info seminars?
Yes one at Bayview but I was already set in my mind to proceed.  Thought I wanted the band but changed my mind.  Probably good thing I did, but at the same time, I'm scared once my honey moon period is over that everything will revert, I've done this to many times not to feel insecure, een though I love my RnY. 

Did you think about having the surgery before you actually took the first step?
    Well.....I havent had surgery YET {I am waiting on approval!!!!} but I had thought about it for almost 3 years now. I talked to my PCP & she agreed. I discussed it with my family & my BFF, and they agreed. I then set an appointment....and had a psych consult. ....then my insurance compnay was bought out by....well, thats not important, just another company who did not cover WLS. This was all done within 9 months of first thinking about it. Now here I am 3 years later.......all done with all the pre-op stuff waiting on insurance approval!


Did you rely solely on what you'd heard, or did you do research?
    NO! I have met several people who have had one surgery or another, and I listened to what their opinions. BUT I have researched soooooooo much! I do not want to make a life long & life altering decision based on what someone else has to say!

Did you attend any info seminars?
 Yes, the one at Bayview.....I also went with a friend to one in Philly.

Did you think about having the surgery before you actually took the first step?

I've been thinking about it for years. I was hesitant in the beginning because I heard so many horror stories. Then it seemed like the WLS world took a turn for the better. Sure, there are still horror stories, but I've heard so many more successes. Plus it helps that I know several friends and family members who have had it done and are willing to share their experiences.

Did you rely solely on what you'd heard, or did you do research?

A lot of both. You can never be over-informed!

Did you attend any info seminars?

I first went to Dr. Roe's seminar. I liked that he wasn't a typical doctor. What I didn't like was the $500 bucks he wanted upfront. I also went to Bayview's seminar.

Did you think about having the surgery before you actually took the first step?

I wanted to have the surgery back in 2002-2003 after I gained so much weight after having my son but I was scared. I was looking into having surgery at Univ of Baltimore  don't recall the surgeon's name but I got scared and the dr had a long waiting list to get an appt.

Did you rely solely on what you'd heard, or did you do research?

I relied soley on the advice of my PCP then I begam doing my research.

Did you attend any info seminars?

I attended DR. Von Rueden info session at GBMC in 3/08 and had surgery 10/7/08. I went to all my appts by myself because I was doing this for "ME AND MY HEALTH" and only wanted my family with me on my surgery date.

Danielle

Im another one who hasn't had surgery yet.

Actually for me about 2 years ago a good friend of mine told me that her mom was having Lap-Band. At that time I had never even heard of this and it got me interested so I started checking into it. I really had already made up my mind a long time ago not to go the RNY route because of some complications my SIL had when she had hers (she nearly died) and it scared me to death. Anyway, once I started researching the band it really seemed like the way to go for me because it was reversible, however, at that point in my life things were kind of shaky with my job and there was a lot going on so I stuck it on the back burner and didnt think about it again...until last spring. At that point I found OH and really started researching the band and talking with a lot of people who had already done it and made my mind up. Along the way I had been talking to my husband about it constantly everyday telling him little things I learned or what this one or that one said. I finally told him im going for it and he dropped a bombshell on me and said he was too. We started our 6 month diet in July together and finished together. The only thing we are waiting for now is to get our NUT report released so we can submit to insurance and hopefully get approved. We would have had it by now except our furnace died on us this winter and we had to have some major work done to it completely throwing us off budget and well the nut had to wait a bit. Im hoping to get her paid this week though and get the ball rolling again finally. And it looks like I just wrote a book. Sorry guys.