Rhonda_B.
In 2005 my primary care physician referred me for surgery because in his words “It’s impossible for anyone your age and your size to lose weight.” I knew that my insurance would not cover it because of a specific exclusion and I had talked to someone who just had RNY and she said the cost was $80,000 but her insurance covered it. I told my doctor not to bother but he referred me anyway. When the letter came from my insurance refusing to pay for the consultation visit I cried and cried because I felt like there was no hope. Because I was so angry with my doctor and my insurance, I vowed to lose weight in spite of them. I lost 40 pounds only to gain most of it back over 2 years.
In January 2007 after watching a LapBand commercial on TV, I decided to investigate the possibilities of that surgery by using the internet. That’s when I found out about cash pay. I knew I could handle $14,000. I thought that since I did not have to justify my surgery to my insurance, I would soon have a date set. HA! After dealing with lost lab orders, stress tests, an angiogram, and misdirected Xrays, it was June before Dr. Moore’s office called to schedule my appointment with her. By this time, I had begun to doubt whether the LapBand would be effective for me because I am a grazer and I looove sweets. I really thought the RNY would be more effective but I really felt guilty about spending an additional $5000.
Well, that decision was taken out of my hands when Dr. Moore saw my esophagram. She said I was not a candidate for LapBand and asked if I had considered RNY. My prayers were answered and the decision was made. My surgery was scheduled for June 20. I was told to prepare for a 2 day stay in the hospital. I told almost no one that I was having the surgery because I didn’t want unsolicited advice and deep down I feared that I wouldn’t be able to lose weight even with the help of surgery.
When the big day arrived, I was nervous as I drove myself to the hospital. I didn’t want anyone to go with me. My surgery started around 10 am. I woke later that afternoon with no pain. The nurse said everything had gone fine. Early the next morning, one of Dr. Moore’s partners came to see me and said everything went so well that I could (drum roll) go home. My sister came to get me and I left with a bouquet of flowers from my office, well wishes from the great staff at the hospital, and a prescription for pain medication.
I never used the pain medication. I was expecting to fell as lousy as I did after gallbladder surgery. Except for felling tired and not being able to eat, I never really felt like I had RNY.
Two months after surgery I have lost a total of 43 pounds. My family and coworkers have been supportive. After I began to lose and it was noticeable, coworkers began to ask how I was losing. I was’t going to lie, to I told then RNY. Only one person has made a negative comment.
She said, “Julie lost her weight a lost faster than you after surgery.” On the other hand, 2 coworkers, my sister, and one of her coworkers are considering the surgery now.
