Lurking no more...
Good morning! I have been reading the boards but now coming out of hiding! My brief history is I have been overweight since middle school and morbidly obese most of my adult life. Like most of the stories I have read here - I would diet and lose 60 or 90 lbs and then regain it. I looked into gastric bypass a few years ago but my insurance would not cover it. Last summer I went to have a simple outpatient procedure completed but ended up waking up in ICU with Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema. I did not have any major health problems that I knew of beyond the weight going in. After many tests and procedures I discovered I have obstructive sleep apnea which, if identified, may have prevented the surgical complication. It has been a blessing in disguise though as when I decided this summer to pursue gastric bypass I had many of the tests already completed that the surgeon required!
I have a great family doctor who immediately wrote my letter of medical necessity and have completed my psych eval. I met with the surgeon on my birthday last week and I feel very comfortable with him and the decision to move forward with RNY. My paperwork was submitted to insurance this past Monday and Tuesday I was approved!!!! Still a little bit in shock about the approval! I meet with the nutritionist on Monday and hope to have a pre-op appointment scheduled soon. So far this is the best birthday present ever!
I am very excited about this next step in life - I know surgery is a drastic measure and my lifestyle is changing but it is what I need! I am tired of my back hurting when I sweep the floor, tired of having to tell my boys I am too tired to play with them, I am tired of sleeping with a machine (fingers crossed that will be resolved with weight loss), and tired of feeling defeated! I just turned 36 and I am too young to feel this old. I know I can do this and the tool given to me with the surgery will help keep me focused!
This board has been very informative the last few months and I look forward to learning more as my journey continues! Good luck to all!
What a great birthday present! I wish I had had my surgery at 36 instead of at 53. I missed so much with my boys who are now 20 and 21because of my weight. I was overweight or obese my whole life. I now weigh 122 and wear a size 0 or 1. One year ago I wore a tight size 24. I feel like a new healthier person and you will too!
