I'm new and scared!

Hi Minnesotans!

I'm Leigh. I'm from St. Cloud. I am in the process of trying to get approved by my insurance. I went to the weight loss seminar at ANW and I met with the surgeon yesterday. I need to get a sleep study and all my lab work done.  I'm terrified! The surgeon said I would be an excellent candidate for roux en y gastric bypass and sounded optimistic about it. He said that we will plan for a surgery date in October. 

I'm just so worried that my insurance won't approve me because I don't have any doctor supervised weight loss attempts. I've tried to lose weight via slimfast and south beach, as well as diet and exercise. I've failed (obviously).

I'm just scared. I am not telling any of my family about my plans for surgery until I have a date and approval. I need support and reassurance so this is why I decided to join this board. ARe there any support groups in st cloud?

Thanks! Leigh

Hi Leigh and welcome to the MN board.

Yes....this can all be scary....we have all been there before. It is the unknown we are afraid of.

Trust in your surgeon....if you feel comfortable with him you will be okay. Follow what he tells you....they do know best.

I am also from St. Cloud and my surgeon was Dr. Glass from Sartell. What an amazing doctor. I am almost 3 years out now. I haven't had any kinds of problems and feel great. Yes, there are support groups at the St Cloud Hospital. Kristin , Dr Glass' nutritionist leads them. She is awesome!! 

I wish you the best of luck. This is the place to come if you have questions or doubts. We are all happy to help.

Hugs.....connie d

Leigh,

Welcome....I'm from Clear lake.....

We have a wonderful group of people that meet for coffee.....Watch the boards because we meet at Caribou coffee outside of the mall once in awhile on Saturday mornings....

I had to have 6 months documented doctor supervised diet, you may want to do that now, just in case.....

It's normal to be scared....And I think your right in not telling anyone till it's a go.....

Hope to see you at a coffee.....

Good luck, Kelly

I agree with the above two posts.. however...

There is a difference between being nervous about not having insurance covering you or the procedure itself and being "scared" of things as you put it.

If you are truely scared about the outcome, surgery, and you don't have any personal support around you, you may not be ready to have the surgery yet.

My sister had RNY 3 years before me. I took 2 years to check out different surgeries, surgeons, bariatric programs, and learn about lifestyle changes that are absolutely necessary for WLS to be a life long success.

I just dont' want to see you jump into this without thinking the whole process through.

Also, yes there are support groups and things out there for us. But please make sure you also have a personal support net around you. It's essential to have that as well as the support groups with people who can help you along your weightloss journey as a post op. If I didn't have friends/family to support me then this never would have worked for me. But thats just my personal story/experience.

I wish you well. I also had my surgery at ANW (and I work here)... with Dr Schwartz. Excellent care here. You're in good hands

 Hey there, 

Regarding the 6 month supervised program, I didn't have that either, and my insurance required it.  Basically I just met with a nutrition from the group at ANW for 6 months prior (started back in November).  I'm actually glad my insurance required it... they really got me ready for the changes that I'll need to make (chewing, 30/30 rule, protein first, etc)  and really helped reinforce it at my monthly visits.  It was also really good to have someone that I was accountable to for dropping a little bit of weight in prep for the surgery.  

I also had to do all the other stuff last fall (i.e. Sleep Study, Psych review, etc).  

I've thought and prayed about going this route for about 3 years or so... and at first only talked to my wife about it.  Then slowly I added other people that I was close to, including some friends that had gone through the same thing a few years before.  It was really helpful to talk to them, get their take on it etc.. definitely the same type of thing we have through the OH website.  Just within the last month I have started to chat with a couple of close friends about it to let them know it would most likely be happening, etc.  

Anyway, as my other post said, I'm still freaked out about it... but I think that's totally normal. 

Best of luck!
John

Hi again! I have told a few people about it, but I dont want to let the cat out of the bag until its a go. I have good supports. My aunt had it and she is a good go to person and my boyfriend and parents will be great, as well as my other aunt and best friends.

I'm mostly scared about not getting approved. The surgery itself will be fine. I'm ready to make the lifestyle change. I am drastically shorteing my life by being "fluffy" and I want to get my life started and be healthy. I am meeting with the dietician beginning at tthe end of may. I need to see her 6 times. This will be a great tool in helping with my health and I am ready to make the committment. I get to start taking vitamins ADEK 3 times a day as soon as I get it.

The sleep study is scheduled for thursday and the psych eval will be soon, I see my counselor tomorrow and ill get a date tomorrow. There is just soo much to do! I have to do a subclinical cushings test. Does anyone know what that entails?

Thanks for all the responses! I will totally be up for coffee!!! Am I able to attend the support group in st cloud even if I have the surgery with Dr. Ikramuddin?

:) I look forward to getting to know my new MN buddies!

 Insurance & a RNY = a piece of cake if you ask me. Then again, I had BCBS of MN and went for the DS, so yeah, um, now there's a fight (which I won after 2 appeals mind you and beat the calendar with surgery on 12/23). So just go along and get the insurance requirements taken care of and try to have no worries. Focus on your healthier self each and every day and get your mind right about life after surgery.

 Sleep study is a pain, but a good test to have if they think you have sleep apnea - it only adds a comorb to your list and helps in getting that insurance approval. Plus, if you do have it and end up on a CPAP, you'll finally sleep good!

 Did not have the cushings test so I can't offer you any info there.

 Support coffees are not surgery or surgeon specific, so yes, you are welcome to attend!

 Congrats on your decision and best wishes!

Thank you! I would like to start attending those groups because it would be nice to have a support system of people who have had the surgery and stuff. We can help each other all stay on track. I want to find someone to go for walks with too! :)

      I attend several hospital led support groups and all are welcome. There is a difference between the promotional-pre surgury educational types and the support groups. I did go to at least 7 educational ones, but the support groups allow you to hear day to day struggles and vixctories of those that are preceding you. Coffee groups are not hospital led, but are the Best place to meet new freinds and walk together towards success.
     This operation is a BIG DEAl, and is not a cure for getting your head wrapped around having a new heathier lifestyle. If you don't have a desire to embrace a diet and exercise program. It takes awhile to embrace this but the rewards are significant in relation to the huge amount of work you will be doing to change and improve your life.

Leigh, I was in your same shoes worried that i would die on the table and leave 3 kids!!!!!  Your worth it!!!!  This surgery is a no brainer comming from someone that has never even been in the hospital!!!  It's a journey you need to embrace!!!!  Prayers go out for you to be calm and relaxed dueing surgery...  If you need some support family or personel  let me know.

T-Rex