Just beginning my journey

My name is Cindy and I have been over-weight for all of my adult life. I am 42 years old. My BMI is 47. I have an appointment with a surgeon on Dec. 7th for my initial consultation. This is all new and scary for me. I know that some people have trouble getting approved with insurance and I hope that isnt the case with me. I want this so bad. Im tired of feeling bad all the time. I have severe sleep apnea and fibromyalgia and I am hoping the surgery will help.

Dear Cindy, I am a year out and had a much higher BMI but no co-morbidities. I have been very pleased with the surgery. I've not had any complications and only threw up when I ate too fast or didn't chew well enough. My insurance did cover most of the cost, but my surgeon requires we complete a full program that includes behavioral counseling, meeting with physical therapist, nutritional education, and program education. So I had a $600 "educational" fee that it didn't cover. I really like the "holistic" approach and think it is really good to make sure everyone really understands what is involved and that there are people available to help. I still attend the support group. I would encourage you to look into that as well. There can be quite a bit of time between the first consultation and the actual surgery, so you want to be sure to do your research, get comfortable with what you will need to do to be successful, and best of luck! Sally

Thanks for the info and I am doing a lot of research on the internet. I look at the before and after pictures on here and I am just amazed at the results. Cindy

I have fibromyalgia too. Having the surgery and losing 125 lbs did not "cure" my fibro. But, it did improve my symptoms. I had a major flare-up after my gastric by-pass and then since that time, I have had smaller episodes, but nothing severe like before. Your sleep apnea will definitely get cured by losing weight though. And it doesn't really take all that much loss to get that resolved. Are you using CPAP now? jean

I was diagnosed with fibro in July of this year. It was really bad then, I could hardly move my arms, but now it is pretty much under control. Some days are worse than others. I do wear cpap at night. I absolutley hate it! I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2002 and I still have a hard time wearing it all night. I also have pulmonary hypertension due to the sleep apnea and it makes me short of breath a lot. I am hoping this surgery will help me feel better. I am not looking for a cure, just something to make my life a little more toleratable. My husband is getting sick of me being tired and not feeling well. He is the one who suggested that I look into the surgery. How long did it take you to lose 125lbs? My greatest fear is having the procedure done and not losing any weight. Thanks for listening. Cindy

I lost the first hundred pounds in the first six months. Then another 20 came off within the next six months, and the final five in the last two months. I had a bowel obstruction and had surgery a month ago. Having more surgery & being in the hospital on IV nutrition and an NG tube down my nose and throat made me lose 10 pounds in a week. But I have gained 3 back, which is OK. . You will get much better with your condition of fibro, I promise. I also promise that the surgery WILL WORK. But, once it does it's work, YOU have to keep the promise and do the rest and that means eating healthy for the rest of your life and more importantly....EXERCISE. If you do not make a lifetime comittment to exercise and just an overall promise to yourself to be healthy, you may relapse, and learn to eat around the surgery, and regain weight. For me, I would rather die than weigh 265 pounds ever again. My life was miserable at that weight and I never want to see it again. Glad you are making the choice for health!! Hang in there. jean

HI Cindy, Just wanted to tell you Good Luck,this surgery is the best!!!!!! I was 1 of them that had to fight the insurance company tho,but it was soooo worth it! It took me awhile to get my approval but it was soooo worth the fight,I am a lil over a year out I went from almost#300 lbs to #127-8.....I have my life back where before I thought it was over.....keep in touch and let us know...(((BiG HUG))) Lori A.