My story is similar to many others.  I've been big all my life.  I've tried countless diets and exercise programs, all of which have failed.  There was a point in time where I thought it was hopeless, that I would be big for the rest of my life, so I might as well embrace it. 

Then 3 years ago, my older sister had gastric bypass.  I didn't know much about the surgery at that time, but I knew that I didn't like the idea of surgery itself, so I didn't even consider it an option for me.  However, during her 1st year post-op, she changed dramatically.  Looking at before and after pics now, you wouldn't even think she was the same person.  It's simply amazing.  She's more confident now, and more outgoing.  I admire her strength, and then I decided that maybe I should look into this.

That was 2 years ago.  I've had many ups and downs on this journey.  I started with one doctor, who decided to take his practice somewhere else.  So there I was, in the middle of his program (prior to insurance submittal), stuck in limbo.  No doctor, no other options.  It was close to 6 months before the hospital found a replacement for this doctor, and all his patients (including myself) were just waiting in line.

Finally a new doctor arrived.  He is very direct, no nonsense, but caring about his patients.  I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and I'm glad that this new surgeon will be doing MY surgery, I trust him.  

Ironically enough, the pre-surgery weight loss wasn't really a problem for me.  It's like things fell into place without much struggle in that area.  I've lost 30+ pounds and haven't had the surgery yet (scheduled for 5/18/09).  The hardest part of this journey so far was the insurance approval.  My first insurance company (Preferred Care) wanted to put me through a lot of pre-approval loops that other companies wouldn't.  Even though I had lost weight, been approved by the psych and completed alot of the other pre-reqs, they still wanted me to then see another dietitian (Besides the one from my surgeon) for 6-8 additional months before they'd approve me.  It had already been close to 2 years at this point with the setbacks mentioned previously, so an additional 6-8 months to me seemed like an eternity.  Luckily enough, it was around annual enrollment time at my job, and I could change insurance companies.  I switched to Blue Cross / Blue shield, because my surgeon told me they had slightly more relaxed guidelines, and the approval process would be easier.  That was an understatement to say the least----after I changed insurance companies in January of 2009, I was submitted for approval towards the end of January, within 2 weeks I received a call directly from my insurance company that I had been approved!  

I was over the moon with joy.  Finally, after all that time, an approval!  However, I had to deal with a final setback.  Although I was approved in February, I needed to see the surgeon again for his final approval before he would schedule me for the surgery.  Unfortunately, he had several medical conferences and then a couple of weeks of vacation time scheduled.  Therefore, I had to wait from February until April 15th before I could see him again.  This was particularly scary for me, because at my job, we were given layoff notices, and my projected layoff date was around June.  I was truly afraid that by the time he scheduled me, his schedule of operations would be so backed up, that it would be after June, and therefore, I wouldn't have a job anymore and therefore wouldn't have the insurance to cover it.  After all that time/work, was it all for nothing?

No, it wasn't.  God is truly good.  My job was actually saved, and the layoff was lifted, so that was something I didn't have to worry about anymore.  And as it turns out, the nurses knew that I had a pending layoff (i must have mentioned it before), so they held a spot open for me on his calendar in May, so that when he did final approve me, I would have the surgery before June regardless.  So everything worked out.

I now have less than 2 weeks before my procedure.  These last couple of weeks have been eye openers.  This is reality, and it's coming soon.  I've been extremely nervous.  But talking to friends (who have had the surgery as well), my sister, joining this board, and PRAYING have truly helped.  I'm not as nervous as I was before, and I'm praying that by the time my day arrives, I will be at complete peace.

Thank you for reading my story  :)

About Me
Rochester, NY
Location
28.3
BMI
RNY
Surgery
05/18/2009
Surgery Date
May 05, 2009
Member Since

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