Sandra C.
I am 57 years old and had gastric bypass surgery when it first came out and was still a new procedure back in 1983. Back then you didn't need preauth and things were so very different. No support groups or followup care. YOu just had the surgery, one followup appointment and that's about it. Things concerning the surgery, before and after are so much better for the patients today. I think if I had the knowledge I do now, I may not have to get a revision. But that's a moot point and here I am again in the same miserable, unhealthy place I was 25 years ago. I have always been a fatty... a big girl in more ways than one. I was always the tallest one in my class and I had big breasts way before anyone else in school and I felt like I stuck out. I came from a family of seven children and although my mom fed us healthy food, I think there was always something going on in my subconcious like, "you better hurry up and eat or there won't be anything left. " Consequently, I always gobbled my food and never chewed properly. After going through nutrition counseling with Dr Emershaud, this finally dawned on me and I now take my time and actually chew and enjoy my food. I lost 125 pounds the first time and kept it off for about 15 years and then it started creeping back up on me. I really lost motivation to lose when I was working a full time desk job and going to college at the same time at 50 years old and the weight really piled up fast then. I didn't take the time to shop for healthy food..never cooked..ate fast food..ect. Then I finally divorced and got out of a very abusive marraige and moved frm Ohio to Arizone 4 years ago. I love it here! I started a new job 2 years ago and a girl from work was seeing Dr Blackstone and getting ready for wls. I made an appointment and went to see her and I loved Dr Blackstone, but her office was very unorganized. I finally gave up on going there. I was unhappy with my job and was only sticking around to use the insurance (Cigna) for the surgery. I quit my job, had different insurance (UHC) and went to Dr. Juarez, on the recommendation of another friend who had successful he had performed. I wish I had gone to Dr Juarez in the first place. I would have saved myself a lot of time and money. Things are going very well this time. I had my first visit with Dr Juarez in January and today is 03/09 and I have a surgery date already! Approved in 2 weeks!! I am feeling alot more confident with this Dr and his staff and look forward to beginning a new journey back to normal size clothing! The new job is going good also! And I have a boyfriend, who loves me just as I am and has never seen me thin and really doesn't care if I lose weight or not. Isn't that wonderful!
