Getting to know you part 2

Okay....I did the first one and was fairly well received so here is another! 1. How are you handling nerves? 2. How long did journey take you once you approved with your insurance/or for self-pay...how long did it take to get your surgery date? 3. What last minute preparations are you doing? Okay...her goes: 1. Nerves?! I really hit me when I signed the consent to surgery form on Wednesday! But...I am trying to stay calm because my husband is doing enough worrying for the 2 of us! 2. I started my journey in November 2004....insurance approval March 31st, 2005.....got my date on April 1st (what is a joke? NO WAY) and my surgery in on June 1st! 3. We are having a family picnic on Sunday...Memorial Day weekend...my daughter and her family are coming up so I can see the grandkids! Also having my dad and FIL over for Father's Day all in one day! I know I won't feel like doing anything for them in June! This may sound a little morbid but I am also writing letters to my daughters and my husband telling them how much I love them and how important the surgery is to me and that I have no regrets in choosing to have it done to better all of our lives! They will only read it if something happens to me and they clean out my underwear drawer! Good luck to all of us having surgery in June! Sue

1. Nerves: It may seem strange but I'm not at all nervous. I have been through major surgeries before. I've had so many tests done that I figure If they haven't found something wrong by now I'll be fine. Maybe I'll be more nervous as the date approaches? I know there is a big risk of dying but I just feel that won't happen to me. I believe God will work it out for the best. I just want to get my life back so I guess I'm more excited than nervous. 2. How long did it take. I took my first step in the fall of 2004. For the most part knew I did not want the proceedure until June when I was finished with work for the summer (I work as a school counselor). I kind of took my time getting all of my tests arranged on my own. Had I done them at Temple as they had arranged I probably could have been finished with them in February but did not want to get through everything and then wait. I got my date two weeks ago. I have pre-op testing and Surgeon visit scheduled for next Wednesday (May 25th) and then surgery on June 20th pending insurance approval. So basically if all goes off on the 20th it will have taken about 8 months (probably could have finished it in 4 months). 3. Last minute preparation - I'm trying to tie up loose ends at work, learn as much as I can about what my food and activities of daily living needs will be after surgery and preparing for them, My partner and I are spending the next few weekends taking mini vacations since our summer will be shot with my recovery. We are going back down to our shore house on *****oteague this weekend and will go to NYC for his birthday next weekend. Then perhaps a small trip the weekend before my surgery.

1. My only nerves are that they will post pone my surgery again since the first one for may 10th they did 5 days before surgery. Other then that i am so ready for this. Well thats not true makes me a little nervous this surgery is 1 day short of my 5 year anniversery for my first surgery i had. 2. I started my journey about 2 and a half years ago for my revision when i found out my first one was not done correctly for my body. But insurance wouldnt cover it. Then I found out in january the new insurance that bought out my old insurance company would cover it and started the process then. Found out at the end of March I was approved and got a date of May 10th but then found out the 6th it was post poned and then on the 10th I found out my new date of June 6th. 3. Last minute prep for me is that I am trying to get my apartment straightened out so i dont try and do something when im off work and i know if its there to be done I will want to do it. Also getting stuff together that will be easy for me to do when im off work so im not so bored. Going away memorial day weekend also to see my friends for the last time before surgery. Jess Ps good questions to ask

1. I'm actually not having any problems with nerves right now. Hopefully that'll hold up. I'm just really excited and ready to get on with this new phase in my life. 2. I guess my journey actually started in July 2004. When I started looking for surgeons. I then attended Dr. Boyce's seminar in August. After that, there were some insanely frustrating delays with my PCP getting a letter of recommendation to my surgeon's office. I first talked to him about it in September. And even with staying on him constantly, they didn't get their letter out 'til February. I'm still quite angry about that whole process. After that, with all my information in, I was made an appointment with my surgeon on April 1st. Then I had to get the psych consult on like... April 19th, I think. After that, it was sent to the insurance company and on the 29th, I found out I was approved. I went for my nutrition class on May 10th, paid my $500 for their program fee, and got my date of June 13th. Took almost a year from start to finish. 3. I'm on a diet and I'm trying to get used to protein drinks and shakes. I'm also buying a bunch of comfy t-shirts 'cause I know I won't feel like wearing my usual tightish cleavage displaying clothes. I guess that's about it. I'm telling the people I want to know and working at keeping it a secret from people that I think might send any sort of bad thoughts towards me or my surgery. That's pretty hard when the latter category includes most of your family.

1. How are you handling nerves? ~I seem to be on a roller coaster with my nerves...today was a good day...my family has told me not to worry cause they'll do that for me...they just want me to think about getting better after surg. I got an e-mail from someone from another board yesterday and she really made me step back and realize I was making myself crazy with worry.....But I think I'm over it now =) 2. How long did journey take you once you approved with your insurance/or for self-pay...how long did it take to get your surgery date? ~My first consult with Dr. Randall was Feb. 28th..from there I did all my pre-op consults and finished with them in April.....Dr. randall's office submitted to my ins and about 12 days later I got approval. It's gone VERY fast! 3. What last minute preparations are you doing? ~Just getting all my child care taken care of...between my husband and mom they are rotating days with my 2 kids so I can just recoup. This week I'm going to buy all my Diet supplies for the 3 weeks following surg. I love the letter idea...but I'd feel like I was jinxing myself....maybe I'll just write something in my kids baby books...Just to let them know I love them..not mentioning WLS. Well, I wish everyone a speedy recovery! ~Issy

1. How are you handling nerves? Eh, I have been worse; am just trying to rationalize that lots of people go through this/have gone through this and am somewhat comforted by the fact that my pre-op tests went well and I am a reasonably healthy candidate, despite my size. (BMI = 67) My motto in this is hope for the best, prepare for the worst. 2. How long did journey take you once you approved with your insurance/or for self-pay...how long did it take to get your surgery date? I started in 1999 with researching. After I eventually made up my mind that I wanted this surgery, I started working with insurers to get it covered in 2003. Finally, in 2005, I managed to get it covered. Very long story; it's in my profile, if you are interested. Took about a week to get my surgery date after approval. 3. What last minute preparations are you doing? * Created advance health care directive; getting it notarized and making copies for family and hospital. * Created last will and testament; getting it notarized and making copies for family. * Created contact list for hubby of people to call after surgery is over. * Created a list of directions for hubby in the event I should pass away -- things like funeral arrangements, etc. * Planning on writing letters to loved ones in case something happens * Took "before" pics yesterday * Have been stocking up on things I can have after surgery, especially protein, vitamin, and mineral supplements. * Started my 7-day liquid diet today, per doctor's orders. - Beth