Question:
NOW THAT I AM APPROVED A MILLION THINGS ARE RACING THROUGH MY HEAD...
First, let me say that GOD and Obesityhelp.com has been the backbone that has kept me going through all of this and I appreciate everyone's kind words. Now that I have got my approval so many things are going through my mind. Will I this? Am I this? Can I this? Can anyone share some stories when they were at this stage in the surgery? Thanks. I haven't received an official surgery date yet. Does this come before or after pre-op tests? — Brandi C. (posted on March 11, 2004)
March 10, 2004
Ahh the fear, and yet wanting surgery. FINALLY getting a date, then
countinmg down both looking forward and dreading all at the same time.
Because of a previous bad experience, I had nearly died after minor knee
surgery and my step sister my age died after minor leg surgery a couple
years earlier I was certain I wouldnt wake up after WLS EVER Looking back
some 3 years ago I wish I hadnt wasted all that time worrying. If I coukld
have got just a glimpse of my post op life I would of jumped on that table
and begged them to begin. WLS IS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE IN MY ENTIRE
LIFE! See my long winded profile for details. Its pretty complete, but
needs a recent update. CONGRATS YOU ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN A WONDERFUL
EXPERIENCE. It may have a few pot holes along the way, but still its a
terrific ride...
— bob-haller
March 10, 2004
Brandi,
I didn't go through this - I only went through insurance denails - it was
pretty discouraging, so I'm happy for you! I do remember the elation when
the funding came in for me to self-pay for my surgery, though, and the
actual getting a date for surgery ranked right up there with best birthday
present in the world feeling. If you'd like to read my story, you can find
it at: http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Dina/dina.html
Blessings,
dina
— Dina McBride
March 10, 2004
First of all- congratualtions on being approved! To answer your other
question about pre-op testing, that really depends on the tests! If you
need a sleep study and psych eval, you may have to have those done before
you get a date, and then you will have your pre-op labs scheduled just
before your surgery date. I knew I would be approved by my insurance (I
work for the company!) However, the reality of an actual surgery date was
like waiting for Christmas - thought it would never arrive, then it was
next month, next week - and then tomorrow! I was excited and not really
scared - I knew my risk factors were few, and I was a lightweight. I also
knew I had tried everything to lose weight and this was my last chance to
become healthy and be around a few more years, and avoid diabetes and heart
disease. I remember going out to dinner with my DH and
"practicing" eating the "new"way - small bites chewed
well. I also enjoyed a lot of the foods I thought I would never be able to
eat again. (Some of them I have eaten - others I have no desire to eat
again!) I spent a lot of time day dreaming about the clothes I would be
able to wear, getting rid of my to big stuff. Although I have not lost a
lot of weight, I am healthy and happy I had the surgery. My best advice at
this stage would be to try and get yourself into the best shape you can for
surgery. If you smoke - try to quit now. If you don't exercise, start
walking - even 5 minutes a day is a start. Consider getting some small
weights and using those. Get a video tape and work out in the privacy of
your home if you want - if you can't do the whole thing from the start - no
biggie - just keep working on it! All the best!
— koogy
March 10, 2004
Please take some time to read my profile. This may help you prepare
yourself and you home for after the surgery. This surgery is a commitment
to yourself. Your new stomach is a tool that will help you develop good
eating habits. When I decided to have this surgery I stated to myself
"I want to eat to live NOT live to EAT! You will find that after the
surgery how much of your time was spent eating. Now what do you do with
yourself since you can no longer eat. This can be a real struggle. It was
for me. Remember, the surgery is not a miracle worker. If we have
emotional issues before the surgery you will have them after and some. I
suggest support groups before the surgery and after, this website and even
professional help if needed to deal with these issues. I LOVE my new me.
I have lost 178 lbs in 11 months (down to 151 lbs). I doing things that I
haven't done in 20 years (playing tennis, riding bikes, walking races,
etc.). I have gone down from a size 32 pants to a size 14-16. I wish you
the best of luck with your surgery.
— Linda R.
March 11, 2004
We are all so different that it is hard to predict what you will experience
once you are postop. A couple of things that I did during the going-crazy
waiting period that were helpful: 1. I had a professional picture made. I
had been hiding from cameras for so long that I didn't have a photo. I went
to a Motophoto (strip mall place) and they took a picture. They even put it
on a disc for me. I was so glad to have it once I lost my weight and didn't
look like that anymore! 2. I organized my closet into sizes. Like many
m.o. people, I'd been on many diets and had many different sizes in my
closet. I looked at everything and first decided whether or not to keep it.
There were some things that were just out of style. Everything I still
liked, I organized by sizes, largest in the front of the closet, smallest
in the back, everything else in order in between. This helped me later on
as it was much less work to find something to wear as my size changed.
HOWEVER, I didn't try stuff on often enough, so sometimes I would pull
something out to see if it fit and it would be already too big. Also - and
I never anticipated this - by the time I was done losing I was many sizes
smaller than the smallest I'd ever been before. But in the meantime, it was
great to be able to "shop my closet" when I needed a new size.
Good luck to you! hugs, Ann RNY 9/10/99 260/124
— [Deactivated Member]
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