Hello to everyone....

Hi I am new here. I am going in for my first consult with Dr. Yood in New Haven on Friday. I have attended the St. Raphael's seminar already. I am very excited and truly ready for the first time in my life to get control of me. I am 31 married to a wonderful man and have two boys 14 and 22 months. My husband is not all that supportive if this surgery "Why can't you just stop eating...." or the famous " Why not just pretend you had the surgery?" . We have come to an agreement and he has decided to stop being so negative about it and I have decided that this is something that I want to do for me. I would love to have the support from him but I also have an amazing family that will back me up 100%. I want to run an play with my boys and be around for them for many many years, they are my life. I have recieved a letter of support from my ob/gyn,as she is the one who treats me like a PCP would. I am also bringing all my records from her with me to my consult. I have called Oxford health and discussed critera for approval. Is there anything else that I should be doing to get ready for my visit with Dr. Yood? Any help or suggestions would be great. I look forward to getting to know everyone, recieving support and giving back also. Thanks for taking time to read this. Terri

Hi Terri Nice to meet you. I'm Bree. I too have Oxford, and did all the calling prior etc, etc. Let me tell you, the answers I got I thought were fabulous and perfect, but when it came down to it, they put me in the wrong direction initially. But we did eventually got it all figured out. Make sure you keep in constant contact with them. They didnt send me the approval till way after the doctor's office got theirs. It is sad to not have the support from your hubby, but it is a decision you need to make for yourself. You just need to decide if this is what YOU want, and hopefully he understands. I had the support of my Mom who passed away suddenly and then people started pulling away from being on my top supporters list cause they were scared for me. But I knew this is what I wanted and by golly I did it!!! It's only been just about 1 month now and I feel so much different already. Please feel free to ask any questions you would like and I will help you the best I can. I had a lot of help on this site when I 1st started and will be glad to step up the plate and have a turn. Good luck with everything and stay positive! Bree

Terri, Welcome and good luck to you on your journey. I think your husband will come around when he know your going through with the surgery for a healthier YOU. Best of luck when you meet the surgeon I'm not sure what he will ask of you as I have a different surgeon. As far as the insurance goes I have connecticare and they require me to see my pcp for 6 month before they will approve the surgery? But anyway good luck and keep in touch this is a wonderful messageboard and everyone is very very supportive. Take care. JEN

Hi Theresa, Welcome to the board . Feel free to ask any questions that you or your husband may have about this kind of surgery. I have found that the more one knows about reasons and benifits of having this surgery. the more understanding they become. Take care and will look forward to having you on board with the rest of us! Be Well, Julio

Hello Terri, Welcome to the OH Family. I wish you all the best on your steps to getting to your journey to the losing side. I hope and pray you succeed in everything your about to embark. Its a great journey and you will be so happy and so healthy. Dr. Yood is a sweetie, and your in great hands. He took care of me after my surgery since Dr. Barajas was away, I really like him alot. Your with a great group of surgeons and the staff is wonderful. We welcome you with open arms here and now you are part of a very loving and supportive family. Anything you need don't hesitate to contact any of us here on the boards. Its a great group. If you can try to come to the gala on Saturday night at Monticello's in Wallingford/Meriden. Its $20 with a DJ and food too. You can meet alot of us and see what your life will be like. Hope to see you. Hugs KimC

Terri, I am not sure about Dr. Yood but I had my surgery with Dr. Valin at St.Raphael's and they have an awesome staff for your hospital stay. You picked a really good hospital in that respect. Good luck with everything. Scott

terri, welcome to this great family of support and love. i too had oxford, and i have nothing but good things to say about them. they approved me with no hassles. i had no comorbidities. i also had no contact with them whatsoever, my dr's office took care of all of it. as far as the husband thing, you'll see his reaction is pretty normal. he's probably feeling a little fearful, as you gain more knowledge, and become more confident in your decision, he'll change... you'll see. good luck and keep us posted on your progress! patty

Good for you Terri - Being able to run and play with you kids is not to be missed - they'll grow up fast! Your husband is probably just afraid the surgery is dangerous; I'm sure he doesn't want anything bad to happen to you. He hasn't spent a lifetime battling obesity, so it's very hard for him to understand it. If he won't buy into it, maybe he can just borrow it for awhile. When he sees the results, he'll get it. Welcome to the board! Arline

Hi Terri - Congratulations on making a great decision for yourself! I know exactly what you mean about running and playing with your children! Am I reading what you wrote right - are your children only 8 months apart or is that 14 years and 22 months? That's great that you get to meet with the doctor at the beginning of your journey! I had to have all other visits complete and the paperwork in before I could get an appointment. Getting through all the appointments is like a part time job! Make sure you're organized with names, numbers and dates - I made a little spreadsheet - it can get a big overwhelming.......As you set out on the journey it will seem like forever to get to the end, but just like everything else in life, it goes by fast! "See" you around and best of luck to you! Best Regards, Tammy Count Down: 6 days!

Thank You to everyone who welcomed me. It is great just knowing that there are people out there on this journey with me. I went to my consult today, and Dr.Yood told me that I am a great candidate for the RNY. I am very excited. I have to make appointments for the other evaluations now. Once I have completed those steps I will see him again. He thinks that I could have my surgery the end of April, if insurance agrees with us. I wanted that, as my family will be so supportive, but when my brother comes home in May I really want all eyes on him as he settles back in at home after a year in Iraq and a year away in Colorado. Moving home for him has been a long time coming and I do not want to steal any of his thunder. Over all I was very pleased with my visit I liked the office staff and I believe that all of my questions were answered. As for my husband, he is the best man in the world and believe it or not fights his own battle with obesity. He has his beliefs, and I support him on them. However, today I saw a bit of what is holding him back. I think that he just did not think I would really go though with this. Now he is asking to sit down and have a talk about it so he can know more. He is very scared that something will happen to me and the boys will lose there Mom and he would lose his wife. It is touching when people express how much you mean to then no matter what your size. That being said, I still feel this is the best decision for me and my health so I will move forward, excited to start a healthly life. Tammy- my boys are 12 years apart, it is amazing starting over with one almost all grown. It is like being a first time Mom all over again, and now as I am older.... MUCH more nerve racking!!! I want to run and play with both of them... although I am not sure I will ever be able to catch the 14 year old ever again. Thank you all again for the support and welcome, I am sure I will have questions along the way. Thank you also for the invite to the Gala, however hubby bartends Saturday nights so it is me and the boys at home our night to veg out and get my butt kicked in uno. I hope I will get to meet everyone in the future. I hope you all have a blast!!!!! Terri