rissa1224
Pre op story/journey - as requested
Jan 10, 2013
So I have been asked a few times for an update about my surgery and success, and story, so here it goes! Beware, it is LONG.
PRE OP:
It was just a random night at home on my couch while my mom was cooking dinner. I told her I finally had my appointment with my regular physician after x amount of years (yes, it has been that long since I had a 'check up' that I DON'T remember when my last one was- at least in HS- and I graduated in 2006!) My old physician, who was a marathon runner and had pictures ALL over the office, was never helpful, she basically told me I was just too obese, therefore I stopped going to her all together. I only went to a doctor if I was sick. ANYWAY, I told my mom I had my physical in the next few days, and she the minute the words "now please do not be offended when I say this" came out of her mouth, my heart was in my throat. I didn't know what was coming. Then she suggested I ask him about the lap band. Then, inside I died. I just said something like "okay, I will research it", sat for a little bit then went upstairs to cry. I cried and cried and I called my best friend, because that's what we are there for.
My best friend for many years had the RNY 4 years ago. I NEVER thought about having it for myself. I was actually that "bitch" who thought she was doing it the easy way out. Boy, I was wrong! So my friend told me to just calm down and explained to me that mom said that to me because my ENTIRE life I have been the "fatty", (well she put in nice words that I have struggled my entire life). She said that mom is concerned and sees me struggle on a daily basis, especially since in Feb 2012 I REALLY started Weigh Watchers again. I was doing awesome, I was down 25 lbs. Until I lost my temp job. Then gained 10 back in like 2 weeks! FML, right?! So she told me that she also thinks its a fabulous idea and she is with me the entire way. I LOVE HER.
So a few days later her and I were off to a meeting about all 3 surgeries at a surgery center. It was actually with her surgeon- she is wayyyy off track so I kind of got her into getting healthy again, yay! Anyway, that surgeon didn't take my insurance so I didn't even try to make an appointment with them - in fear of having HUGE BILLS.
My mom found out from a friend a surgeon that her friend's hubby went to- Dr. Garrison, right in a hospital 5 minutes away from me. AWESOME. I made my first consult appointment with him (Forgot to mention, this all started happening In September from when Mom made the suggestion). At that point I had done so much research and was extremely motivated and had support ALL around me- with the select few people I had told at that point. I met with the surgeon and he was just awesome. I still had my decision for the band at that point also.
He had me do specific things- make appointments with the Nutritionist, Gastro for an endoscopy, and have a psych eval. One other thing I had to do was attend one of his seminars with post op patients talking to us, and he put on a presentation. That is when I made the decision to do the VSG (verticle sleve gastrectomy). Why the VSG?? The first thought I had back in Oct. at my first seminar ever, was HOLY SHIT I am NOT getting my stomach legit cut out of my body forever! Ha, I changed my mind after doing much research on the band and RNY.
A month later ALL of his "must do's" were completed. Go me! So by November 13th, I met with the surgeon to go over everything before submitting my paperwork. That is also when I told him I picked the VSG, and he said it was and will be the best decision for me. Now it was his job to send in the info to my insurance AND PRAY they approve my surgery. He of course was extremely confident that I was going to be approved. I had to get my blood work completed also, which was easy peasy lemon squeezy. That Friday 11/15 my paperwork from everything- the NUT, gastro, psych eval, and the surgeon, were all submitted. The waiting game (and my annoying the insurance company by calling them myself) began.
2 weeks later, YES that fast, my surgery was APPROVED! Even the office staff was shocked. My date was set for 12/5/12. HOLY.CRAP.
