NEWBIE CHECKING IN

Hello all- my name is Matt from West Union; I have just been approved for T-19 and am considering WLS. My wife Michelle, had a very sucessful surgery done in CR by DR. Keating. I just have so many questions I don't know where to begin. She said I need to do the homework myself cuz it is such a personal issue. I am 45 5'10" and weigh 265. I am so ashamed of what I have let my once lean solid body turn into. I am embarassed to go swimming and take off my shirt cuz my boobs are bigger than some womens' I see. I feel dumb/ashamed talking about this stuff to people I don't even know; but Michelle said that is what this site is for. I just need to be able to vent and tell someone how I feel other than my wife who has been there herself. For now I just would like to know a couple things: 1) how is Medicare or T-19 about paying for surgery? Anybody have any luck/sucess with either of those entities? Secondly- does anybody know of a good WLS doc in Waterloo? Please feel free to email me at: [email protected] I will check back every day and keep you guys posted on my goings ons. Thanks... Matt

Hi Matt Welcome!! The first thing you need to do for t-19 is to get on a Dr.supervised diet right away!!! They will want that!! Good Luck keep in touch feel free to email if you want.... Lori

Hi Matt I had surgery in 2003 in Grinnell, I was on T-19. No problems. I didn't have to do much but after a year after I had my surgery, they now want a consultation with a therapist to make sure you know what you are doing. Which probably makes since. Well, I'm at school, so I better get to my homework. Take Care Lisa Young Started at 350 Down at 220 Dr. Eibes--Now at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines

Welcome to the Iowa board!!! Everyone is really nice here so feel welcome to post anytime. I don't know about T-19 so I can't help you there but I just wanted to welcome you. Melissa 337/204/170

Welcome Matt I had my surgery done in August with Dr. Glas**** in Cedar Falls. Look on this website for information about him. My surgery went great and I had no complications. I've lost 84.5 lbs so far in less than 6 months. Your wife is right about this being a personal decision only you can make. For me, I looked at the alternatives. Can I ask a question? Have you tried the Atkins diet? Men lose weight so fast with it (my hubby did) and it is very similar to what your wife is eating post-op (high protein/low carb) that you would be eating the same things. Maybe if your insurance requires a doctor supervised diet, you could try it. You would be considered a lightweight as to how much weight you need to lose so I think it will depend on your health problems as to whether you get approved for the surgery. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!! Ask any questions you like here.....we've heard it all. Leslie 306.5/222/Healthy

This is a good site for information. I had my surgery on 10/12/05 and have lost 88 pounds in a little over three months. Men typically lose faster than women, or so I have been told by the dietician and others who have had the surgery. GOod luck. It was the best thing I ever did.

Welcome, I don't want to discourage you, my husbands Dr. won't even consider him for WLS. So I think it depends on the dr. My DH is the same size as you. He would love to have this surgery also, but since his Dr. won't give him the paper work he can't. Don't get discouraged just hope your Dr. will help you. Keep in touch let us know how things are going for you. I know it seems embarassing to talk to someone you don't know but we have all been through what ever you will encounter along the way. Or at least someone on here has done it, seen it or felt it. Good luck Cindy G.

Hi Matt, Michelle & I have conversed a few times recently. Welcome! I really can't add anymore to what the others have said except that Dr Glas**** in CF is really good & I hear that he is very good with other men. I don't know why except maybe because he deals mostly with women & it's probably a relief to have a man for a patient. Speaking of men, as you may have noticed, we are mostly women here & you are very welcome, just like anyone else but, do you know that there is a men's message board here where the men congregate? They actully discourage women from joining in but allow us to lurk. You can ask & get the males point of view there & believe me, they discuss everything, including male boobs. You can find that board at http://obesityhelp.com/forums/men/ I like to lurk there because I work mostly with men & really like the way men react to each other. No nasty backbiting there. If they disagree they get over it right away. Definately something we women could learn. Now, as far as being eligible for the surgery, by my figures you have a BMI of 38. You will need some comorbidities to be eligible for the surgery. Even with them, you may have a hard time getting approved. Hey, it doesn't hurt to try. So, are you really a hog farmer? Dairy farmer's wife here. Dixie

Welcome Matt! Best of luck in your journey! You have definitely come to a great place to get info on the surgery. There are also some great books out there. I really like Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies! It sounds funny but it is simple and answered a lot of my pre-surgery questions. -Nan

Hi Matt, Good luck on your journey. Do start with your Dr doing a supervised diet. You have to go at least once a month. Make sure the Dr charts that you are there for weight issues. Also you need to chart what you eat and exercise daily. Then they can't make you start over again. I had to do this for 6 months with principal insurance. Also there are a lot of yahoo sites for gastric by-pass. They are very helpful with the vitamins and protein you will need. Also with lab work. April