Kelly B.
(2010) Update to the below: I was approved back in 2007 to have my surgery. I found out I was pregnant four days before my surgery was to take place when I went in for my pre-op screening. I was happy and sad -- it's very ironic if you read the below because I likened my surgery to a pregnancy. I was hoping to have my surgery after the baby was born but ended up changing jobs in my 7th month of pregnancy (I know, I am crazy but it was a good offer) -- the new insurance would not cover bariatric surgery. In the meantime, we lost one of our kids. Jaylen was our three year old back in 2007 - we had him since he was 18 mos. old and wanted to adopt him. His biological mom came back and we lost him a month after Noah was born. Noah was born a month early by emergency C-section and had to stay in the NICU for a month. We spent the first year of his life making sure he was ok. He had apnea spells, seizures, and all sorts of issues. He is the best baby and has overcome everything thrown at him. He is our biggest joy and blessing. I am now 38, married, and have two teenagers (16 and 15) and a toddler (2), and three dogs. Last December I found out that my new company does cover this surgery and have been working on trying to get approval. That's it for now....
My story...I am not sure what to write, but I'll start with the basics. I am 35 years old. I am married. I have 3 kiddo's, 4 dogs, and 2 cats. We adopted the dogs and the cats adopted us. I have always had weight issues. When I was in high school and college it wasn't too bad, but still was an issue. I weigh more now than when I was 9 months pregnant. I hate that statement, but it's true. For the last 12 years I have tried and tried to lose weight. I could never make it below 200. One year I even walked 3 miles a day and ate my meals off of a salad plate, but still couldn't get below 200. I became very discouraged and lost any hope of losing weight successfully. I do have to say that I am very fortunate. My husband and kids have never referred to, commented on, or cared about how much I weigh. To them, I was wife and mom and they loved me no matter what! I am actually in a really good place right now in my life. I feel strong - emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and now I am ready to feel strong physically.
I have been looking at gastric bypass for the last two years. My husband was against me having this surgery two years ago. It wasn't until my 35th birthday in August did we sit down and I explained to him how much I wouldn't/couldn't do because of my weight. I couldn't quit smoking b/c I ate too much and gained more weight. I wouldn't go swimming or to the lake with our family b/c I refused to get in a bathing suite. My snoring and sleep apnea was so horrible that there were more times in the week where he ended up on the couch than not. I started to dread traveling for work b/c some airlines (like Southwest) have shorter seat belts than other airlines (like Northwest). I even found that if I sat by the window on an airplane I didn't have a long enough seat belt than if I sat on an aisle seat. I had to pretend to answer my cell phone on the walk to baggage claim in an airport b/c I became out of breath. I dreaded going to our favorite place to listen to music b/c my husband might ask me to dance. And, at the rate I was going, my health was about to take a big nose dive. I have lots of family history to go by. Diabetes, two heart transplants, blood pressure, wheezing & breathing problems, strokes, heart attacks, etc...As I explained to my husband it is no longer about wanting to look good so much as it is to FEEL good! My quality of life (physically) sucked and it didn't look any better 10 years from now unless I did something drastic. When I explained it that way to him -- he had tears in his eyes b/c he realized the pain being obese has caused me. I think he also realized how much of life we were missing as a couple and a family.
We attended the seminar at Centennial Hospital in Nashville in August. I started the process that my insurance company required. I was so excited when I made my appointment with my Primary Care Doc for my physical. I went to her office with my folder of questions and information - I had my form filled out to get copies of my medical records. I just knew she would be happy for me b/c she has always bugged me about my weight and my smoking. In the middle of my physical I bring up my desire to have the surgery. I outlined my family history, I went over my own health issues, I talked about quality of life, everything! Next think I know, she starts talking about how insurance companies shouldn't have to pay for this surgery, she says they would go bankrupt if she recommends surgery for everyone "over 200 lbs.", she said it was a waste of my time and hers b/c I would never be approved! Hmmm....It took about that long for me to realize that I needed a new doctor. She lost a patient that day that had been with her for 15 years and countless office remodeling jobs. I was so hurt that a doctor cared more about insurance companies than her own patient and couldn't see the forest for the trees when it came to how beneficial this surgery would be for BOTH parties!
I made an appointment with a new PCP at the Frist Clinic in Nashville. He was wonderful! He spent over an hour with me just going over my medical records and history. I explained what I was trying to do, and he was very thorough in making sure I was a good candidate. Over the next couple of months we worked through my diet, exercise, and medical issues to make sure I was fit enough for this surgery. He finally gave me the go ahead the end of November. I submitted my paperwork the 2nd week of December. I heard back that I needed a surgical consult and nutrician visit before my insurance company would look at my referral. I got in on January 2nd. Dr. Dyer is my surgeon and he is terrific. I couldn't be more pleased with our visit to his office and how much time he spent with me and my husband. I feel very comfortable having him as my surgeon. Centennial sent my paperwork to my insurance company on January 9th and I was accepted and approved on January 18th! My surgery date is now on Febuary 1, 2007!
I cannot wait! Everyone is asking me if I am scared. NO! I am not! I am thrilled to finally have a tool that is going to help me lose this godforsaken weight and the best part is that I can quit smoking without worrying about gaining another 50 lbs.! I have had enough fine meals in my lifetime. I am ready to have some fine adventures with my husband and kids! I am ready to live the life I have always dreamed of! I am ready to feel good! Now, I know you are probably thinking that I have no idea what I am about to go through being this happy and excited, but I do. I have been reading these blogs for months! I have talked to so many people who have had this surgery and I am well aware of the physical crap I will go through to get to my happy state of living the life I have dreamed of. I am ready for it! Bring it on! I am looking at this surgery like I would a pregnancy except I give birth gradually to all that weight I have been carrying. Instead of being "good" for the baby, I am going to be "good" for myself. I am going to eat healthy and drink plenty of water because it's good for the person I am becoming. Sounds crazy, but it's how I feel.
So, that's my story. At least for now. Say some prayers! God bless you and yours!
