Gail L.
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* Leilani * 20 years, 8 months ago
Hello Gail - <b>Congratulations</b> on your approval for weight loss surgery! You'll find the changes that follow, nothing short of a miracle. For 20 years I prayed and hoped for a "second chance" in life to be healthier and thinner - I never thought I would get that chance, but I did, and now <u>so will you</u>. My humble advice? Walk as much as possible after surgery. As your body begins to heal make sure to get in your protein, even if it means plugging your nose and chugging back the protein drinks in baby [pouch] gulps. Vitamins need to be chopped, minced or crushed... whatever it takes to get them in daily, no exceptions, YOU are worth it. Also, let's not forget your new best(est) friend, water. It is SO important to get your minimum 64 oz in daily. One final thing, remember to <b>CELEBRATE</b> all the special moments along the way, big or small. Too many people focus on the <i>number</i>, ie. pounds lost. There are so many "moments" to look forward to and to embrace along the way - don't let any of them slip by. Enjoy your new healthier life, you've earned it!! Hugs and smiles -
vonnie2304 20 years, 8 months ago
Gail, just keep your faith in God, and remember to ask God for his will and not yours and everything will be fine. As long as you keep God first then everything will be okay. As you can already see things are starting to go your way very smoothly. I am going to pray that you have an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery. Don't worry yourself more than necessary, it is normal to worry when we are facing surgery. You wouldn't be normal if you were not worried. Blessings to you as you continue on your weight loss journey.
maureen 20 years, 8 months ago
Gail Congratulations on your approval! I hope your surgery date is soon to follow.... hugs and God Bless Maureen
Naes Wls J. 20 years, 8 months ago
~*~I SAID A PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY~*~ I said a prayer for you today And know God must have heard- I felt the answer in my heart Although He spoke no word I didn't ask for wealth or fame, I knew you wouldn't mind, I asked Him to send treasures Of a far more lasting kind, I asked that He'd be near you At the start of each new day, To grant you health and blessings And friends to share your way. I asked for happiness for you In all things great and small, But it was for His loving care I prayed the most of all.
Jamie M. 20 years, 8 months ago
Gail, All these feelings are so normal. I know when I got my approval I thought I was going to throw up right then and there with the letter still in my hands. But now I KNOW I did the right thing. Those first few weeks post op were the hardest but now WOW I feel great! Yoy just got to keep the prespective as to why you wanted this to begin with. My feelings were if I didn't do somehting soon my weight was going to cripple me then no doubt kill me. I started off 370 lbs and down to 289 already (Suger was in April). Hang in there. You'll be in my prayers. Jamie
cinthygrady 20 years, 9 months ago
Hi Gail. I know exactly how you feel. My insurance, Cigna, was going to change the 1st of May, so I had to hurry up and get approved, so I got all of my "stuff" done before the end of April, and they denied me because they said the hospital wasn't on their list of providers and I didn't have any out of network insurance. I think it was because they were leaving at the end of April, they didn't want to deal with me. So we got this real crappy insurance...Allstate....who has ever heard of Allstate in the Midwest? They only cover $10,000 for life and that only includes cancer and some other life threatening illnesses (of course there are exclusions). There's no way they would cover wls. I cried so hard I couldn't breathe. My mother, praise the Lord for my mom, gave me her life savings to have this surgery. Yes, I'm paying her back, but this was her life savings. She said she would rather see me have it to save my life than to watch me slowly die because of MO. Please keep your chin up and I'll be praying for you!!!
Susan W. 20 years, 9 months ago
Gail: I was convinced I wanted to have the Lap RNY until I spoke with my surgeon. He said he would do it (and had done plenty at the patient's request), but that he much prefers the open. For one, the surgery is much more precise (easier to work when a patient is all the way opened up, rather than looking at everything through a t.v. monitor), the staples are closer together, and the pouch can be made a bit smaller. He said that the increase in leaks/complications is much higher with Lap, as a result (less precision in placing the staples). After that, I was convinced that Open RNY was the way to go. As far as recovery, yes, I'm sure the open must be a longer recovery -- from what I've read, at least. I did great following mine, but was pretty sore for the first 5-7 days. After that, I felt good, but I was tired enough to take my entire 4 weeks of leave from work. ANYWAY, if you have any more questions, please feel free to e-mail me! Good luck in your decision.
Carole V. 20 years, 9 months ago
Hi Gail, To answer your question about open vs lap, I had the lap surgery and my good friend had the open. Although I was ready to return to work in weeks, it took her 6 weeks till she felt ready to return. I was not on the table any longer than her, maybe even less time. Time in surgery is often dependent on problems and complications that arise during the surgery. I spent way more time in recovery, only because my room was not ready yet. I chose the lap not because of shorter recovery time but because I am a chicken when it comes to pain and I knew a big cut on my belly was going to hurt a lot more than several small punctures. Plus there is a better chance of wound infection with a big cut. But my friend had no problems at all and recommends the surgery (open or lap) to anyone who asks. Hope this helps. Carole
Sharon Neva 20 years, 10 months ago
Gail~So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable