Tanya B.
I started on this wonderful journey 9 months ago. It was then that I attended an information session at Abington Hospital. I met Nurse Paula and Annie the dietitian on that night. I was so impressed at how friendly and professional they both were. I made an appt. that evening and it has been a journey ever since.
Dr. Bonanni is sooooooo wonderful. Very friendly, personable, and explains eveything in terms I would understand. I actually wanted the Lap Band procedure initially. I felt this procedure had the least amount of complications and I would be "safest" with this procedure. Dr. Bonanni educated me on the different procedures and stated that he did not recommend the Lap Band for me. I have a signigicant amount of weight to lose and would probably benefit from one of the other procedures more. I left there full of information and spent the next week reading and doing research. After a week I called Dr. Bonanni's office with my decision.... I wanted the BPD-DS procudure. From there it was over 6 months of back and forth with my PCP, shrink (this is required by the insurance company), nutritionalist and physical therapist. Once I completed all of the requirements I had to sit and wait for my insurance to approve me. This took approx. 4-6 weeks. I finally had my approval. My date is August 14th and excited doesn't begin to describe how I feel.
I have been overweight for my entire adult life. Food had been my major source of comfort when ever I felt lonely, afraid, stressed, or sad. I now am finding other ways to "express" myself. I am learning to identfy what triggers my urges and am dealing with it one day at a time. I really feel like having this surgery is going to change my life. For the first time in a loooonnnnngggg time I will be able to hold my head up high when I walk into a room and not feel like my fat is the first thing people see in me.
So just 11 more days...........and here I come world!!!!!!