Finally Admitted to Myself the reality of my life

Hi folks, I'm new here. Actually I've been browsing through the site for a few months. After doing all the research I could online about WLS, I've decided to take the next step and see a surgeon. I've been overweight since I was a child, reached critical levels over the past couple years. I weight about 475lbs. and have a BMI of about 69. I really wi**** hadn't come to this but I know it's my only way out. It's kinda wierd. I feel good that I have finally accepted the reality of my health condition rather than be in denial about how bad it really is. However, I am troubled by the fact that it has come to this. I guess my biggest worries right now are whether my PCP will support this and give me a proper referral. I have an appontment on Friday to talk to him about it. Also, I am worried about insurance approval. I have Connecticare. Also, the biggest worry is the risk. I read about 1 in 200 to 300 people dying from the surgery, 10% chance of repair surgery, 30% chance of hernia. I guess I'm just trying to balance those risks with the risks of being in the condition I am in. Well, I just thought I'd write for your support and for your input on things. Thank you all for your wonderful input on this website. It has been a valuable tool for learning about WLS. God Bless You All, Jim

Hi Jim, Welcome to our CT family . You will find us very supportive and willing to answer any of your questions that we can and just to listen when you need an ear. Yes there are risks with this surgery as there are with any surgery that you might have. Most of us have researched and weighed our options as you seem to be doing. My personal bottom line was ........what are my options if I don't have this surgery?? Those options were much scarier to me than the statistics you mentioned. Have you found a surgeon yet? Getting started with a surgeon's process as soon as possible is important because they all have long waiting lists these days. I wouldn't wait for your PCP's approval before contacting some of the surgeons. Also my PCP wasn't particularly supportive and did not in my opinion write a good letter however my endrocronologist did write a couple of wonderful letters to my PCP which I submitted and those were the ones that were really looked at. Good Luck with your journey and remember we are here for you!! Linda

Hello Jim, My name is Kathy Krewsky of Waterford, Ct.. I did not go to see my PCP doctor to get approve yet. All I did was join to group support to meet people who had it or Pre-op people who will going to have surgery. This is ENORMOUS support and big helpful than where people who do not understand about this surgery or do not understand what we went through Struggle alot of things because of our weight problems. I do not know where you came from but if you put where you come from . I am sure all of us will tell you where to go support group so you can meet new people there and iam sure you will be glad you went there like I did. Before I was chicken in and out about surgery but after meeting people at Gathering party last saturday. Now I am processing to attend Seminar to listen Dr. Jonathan Aranow s lecture about Gastric Bypass . There are alot of good doctors but you have to research all doctors and meet other people and ask them about their doctors who did on their gastric Byrass. That will help you to decide who the doctor you prefer. GOOD LUCK ! I am glad you did typed this message board and you will find all of us will support you all the way 100 percent Kathy K.

Hey neighbor! I too am from "Hard-Hitting" New Britain! Welcome to the board...everyone is wonderful, full of support, compassion and empathy. We've all been there, felt your feelings and fears. You are 100% correct...you have to weigh out your condition today and what it could be in one year from now, even 6 months. I was willing to risk everything to try and get healthy by this surgery and so far so good. I feel fantastic, had a decent recovery and in my heart of hearts I know I made the right decision. I couldn't have done it without the support of the people on this website. No matter how understanding my family was (I told very few people prior to surgery) there's nothing like the support you get here from people who have been in the same boat. Feel free to email me at anytime, I've been there, done that and wearing a much smaller t-shirt! -Deb

Welcome Jim, It sounds like you are well on your way to making a decision. As everyone has mentioned, you are in the right place to get support and information. Use this message board as a sounding board; to get answers to questions about the procedure and surgeons; and all those "supposedly" stupid questions that you are afraid to ask anywhere else. This message board is my life line right now. It gets me through each and every day. I always know there will be someone there for me if I need them. Best of luck to you. Carolyn

Hey Jim! Thanks for writing & welcome to our little family! We're here for you, whatever you need. I wanted to mention that I had surgery in 2002 with Connecticare. They were absolutely FABULOUS. My total out of pocket cost was $300 for the hospital and a few co-pays, for the surgeon and the psych eval and the PCP. All total, maybe $400 bucks. The one unique factor with Connecticare is that they REQUIRE you go to see a PSYCHIATRIST for an eval. You can NOT see a psychologist. It's got to be an MD. I've got a great lady in West Hartford that I saw, if you need help with that, since most surgeons only use psychologists. I couldn't use the psychologist my Surgeon uss and he didn't have a psychiatrist that he worked with, so I had to hunt one down on my own. Let me know if you want her info. DON'T let anyone tell you that a psychologist is OK, even the surgeon. It's weird, but true. It will hold you up and/or get you a denial, that you don't need to experience! They do routinely approve gastric bypass, with medical necessity, so I think you should be OK there, unless your employer has chosen to specifically exclude it. You will need to get a letter of Med necessity form your PCP as well as the surgeon when he/she submits for approval. Have you picked a doc yet? I used Aranow in Middletown. He accepts Connecticare and is an in network provider. Wel, good luck to you and we'll look forward to seeing you on the boards! Lisa C RNY 11/14/02 start wt 306/current wt 143

Hi Jim, Welcome to the board. As everyone has said, this is a great group of people! As far as your risk of death, etc. from the surgery, the one thing you can do is be sure you are working with an excellent surgeon. I had Dr. Bell in New Haven and he is fabulous (I drive to New Haven from East Windsor)! The other thing you can do is to follow your surgeon's advice to the letter. Do whatever they tell you to do - and you should be successful. Of course, obese patients have a greater risk with any surgery, but doing research will help to eleviate some of the other problems that can happen. Feel free to post often - we are here to help. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -72 lbs.

Jim -- Welcome to the boards! You've made a big decision. It's frightening to (1) come to grips with where you are now and (2) decide to have surgery in order to have a healthier life. Understand that it takes courage on both fronts. I commend you for that. I am one of the few who had complications and had to have a second surgery. It was hard, believe me! That being said, I'm now almost 5 months out and I'm very happy that I had the surgery and I feel my strength and energy returning to levels I haven't seen in quite awhile, and I feel better about myself in general. I feel like I'm headed to a much healthier life. Risks of complications are there, but there's also a BIG chance that you'll do great & recover with no problems. Don't be afraid to ask questions on this board -- I've found everyone to be very kind and supportive and will answer all questions. Good luck to you in your journey. Best wishes! Kathy Felker

Hi James! I'm new to this site also. I'm 5 years post op. I had my surgery done at St. Francis with Dr. Barba. I honestly wouldn't tell anyone to go to him. A lot of different reasons. I had a tough time at first. He is a really nice guy...but I think from what I've read on here, I would go to Dr. Elmer Valin in New Haven, he also has had good results with the insurances doing tummy tucks after weight loss. I live in West Hartford. Write me anytime.

Hi Jim! Welcome to the group! I am sure you will grow to love this board. The people here are all very supportive and also willing to help you as much as possible. I have been a member for about two months and I find that I miss it when I'm not on eveyday. I feel like the people here are friends. On Saturday we had a "get together" and now I enjoy it even more. Hopefully, we will have another one. You mentioned that 200-300 poeople die from complications from this surgey. Well, that is nothing compaired to the amount of people who die each day from being obese. The way I look at it is, "I'll die if I don't have this surgery." At 300 pounds and 5ft 3in, there's not a whole heck of a lot I can do! I want to enjoy my kids while they are still young. Life would be much easier at 200 pounds. I wish you a world of luck through your journey. If I can be any help you can email me. Christine