I'm new to all of this!

Hi everybody. I am new to all of this stuff. I had my consult with Dr. Coster on May 4th. Since then I have been informed of this web site and wow is it great. So informative! The personal relationships that seem to have blossomed from it is unbelievable. You all seem like you have known each other for a lifetime, like a real extended family. What great people you all must be. The amount of caring exhibited for each other is awesome. I hope to make some new friends through all of this experience. You all seem to have a huge amount of knowlege. I was initially told I would be denied from my insurance company. Much to my surprise after 1 week I called to check the status with my insurance company and they atually told me I had been approved. I do have a couple of hurdles to cross though. I have a medical condition that may keep me from actually having the surgery. I have extensive BARRETTS ESOPHOGUS. I have to wait until my next endoscope is done before we know if I can actually have it done. I also have to quit smoking. Any suggestoins on that. Sorry to jump rite into the questions. Any info would be greatlly appreciated. I hope to be accepted into your extended family you all seem like such a great bunch. Better sign out for now don't want to wear out my welcome. Thanks again for any info you can offer.

Hi Kim and welcome!! Congratulations on your approval!!! I am pretty sure they can do the surg. even with the barretts esophogus. I think at a seminar I attended they said it was better if you had not had any surg. for the barretts yet. Have you had any surg. to repair the barretts? As for the smoking, I to had to quit. I used the patches. It was still hard but you can do it. I still have days where I want to smoke, but seem to keep pushing through them with out giving in! But there has been some moments where I wanted to, and most of them have been related to the approval process of this surg!! It is a stress in its self!!! I am still trying to get my approval! It is dangling right there in front of me and I just can't seem to get things to go the right way! Good Luck and keep us posted! shelli p.s I was raised in Fairfield, Iowa!!!

First congrats on the approval, Second Welcome aboard ..Happy to meet ya Third keep us posted ok ,lol,new friends are always welcome Take Care, Lori A.

Morning Kim, First welcome Don't be afraid to ask questions that's why we are here. Everyone welcome Please read our profiles & check out our pictures. They can be a great inspiration. Hugs Carolyn

Welcome to the boards. It is a great place to go and find all the info you can find on this process. I dont know anything about your esophagus problem but I do know a lot of us have numerous health problems and was still able to have it. Congrats on your approval too. Mine went really fast I had my first consultation on Jan 7th and had my surgery Mar 3rd all this year. I am so glad I had this done and especially with no problems. Best of wishes going your way for a surgery date and no complications. Keep us all posted. Oh and as for the smoking good luck. I had to quit a year ago due to a bad asthma attack, but still miss it once in awhile. I do feel a lot better and no longer have breathing problems. You just gotta keep telling yourself which do you want more a smoke or the surgery so you can have a healthier life. Suck on hard candy. It might help.