My DS is scheduled for 12/16/09

I am a 40-year-old family physician with a present BMI of 48.  I also have progressively worsening diabetes type 2, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea.  I have wasted 3 years trying to get insurance to pay for my surgery.  I've given up on my employer approving it on our plan because it is, by the way, "cosmetic" and "costly".  Now I've finally sucked it up and saved the money to pay cash for duodenal switch.  I could not be more excited!  I have started protein shakes preoperatively to decrease my fatty liver in hopes of having a successful laparoscopic surgery.  I am new to this website and am looking forward to getting hooked into the network.   

Congrats to you fellow self payer!!!

I wasted time, but I've decided to just pay for it ourselves. I told my hubby we'll save that money in visits to my podiatrist and all my other obese-illnesses.

My doc put me on a two week liquid diet for my vertical gastric sleeve.

You are really going to do great, and probably influence your patients to take the plunge too, good for you! You're going to be changing alot more lives than your own, I'd bet on it!

 

Congratulations!

You are determined and committed.

My RNY is scheduled for 12/8 and started the process back in March and my BMI is 40.  I've been following a pre-op diet for 4 months of no alcohol, sugar or caffeine, replacing breakfast with a protein shake and a gluten free, high protein/ low fat lunch & dinner.  The toughest thing for me to give up was caffeine - I was up to 4 XL coffees a day.  I knew I was ready when I stopped the caffeine.

The one thing I cannot wait to do is go back to Yoga and actually be able to do the basics. 

Let us know your progress.

Kerry
Boston, MA

I've started a protein shake diet and am supplementing with food as needed.  I started out doing just shakes, but it was too fast of a change.  My body revolted and my glucose actually went up due to the stress.  Caffeine is probably my greatest obstacle to overcome, but it's going well. 

I think determination and commitement describe anyone who goes thru this process.  I look forward to following your progress!  Thank you for the note of encouragemtent!

That is cool...I have decided to go ahead and pay cash this month as well. It takes a lot of courage to do that.  Best of luck to you.

Best of luck to you also!

Thanks and welcome!  I love this message board.  I will check back with you when I have a surgery date. I spoke with the gal yesterday and I should be able to have my VSG this month.  In the meantime,  I'm finding the lead-up to surgery and the testing quite distracting to the everyday life and stressful. 

Hi!  I am having my surgery on Dec 16th as well.  I am having Roux en Y.  I can't BELIEVE that your insurance wouldn't approve you with all of those co-morbidities.  But good for you for going forward with it anyway.  Good luck!  Cindy