Insurance approved and a New Years' Eve surgery!!

I am soooooo excited!!!!!!!  After a lifetime of weight loss disappointments, I am finally going to be one of the biggest losers!!  I started "the process" in January, doing the 6 month supervised diet, then the seminar, testing, testing, testing, psych eval, egd, sleep study (again), getting my blood sugar down to a better level.......*whew....they finally submitted my paperwork to insurance a few weeks ago and the insurance company sent me a letter stating that there was no 6 month supervised diet.....it was just a simple matter that they didn't understand what my doctor had written (stall tactic, I think), and I got approved today!!!!!!!!  I cried, how silly was that??  And, they gave me a New Year's Eve surgery date!!  I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I still have to go to a nutrition class, and then the 10 day liquid diet......
Let me ask this question of all of you...............this whole year I have been doing all of this, I haven't uttered a word to my co-workers.  I guess fear of another failure is why.  Now, I have to tell them.....how do I do it?  I thought of just telling them that I have been pursuing this for a long time, and that I need this surgery, literally to save my life.  Any suggestions?
Marie

First off, congratulations. Having done similar "through-the-hoop" tactics for the insurance companies, I can empathize with you and the committment it took to get to this point.

That being said, i approached my co-workers that I knew would support me first. A few of them I thought I might have to question as to whether they would understand (you know the ones - eat anything and not gain an ounce types). I found that once you have a decent sized group cheering you on, you don't have to worry about the ones that are idiots. This may not be the case with you, if so, enjoy sharing the news!

Other than that, I think you just let them know that you are open and willing to talk about it. A lot of people are skittish coming up and talking to people like us because they are afraid of the reaction. Let 'em know it is ok to come up. Sharing with them often educates them as to the multitude of reasons we are doing this and eases the tensions if any. Worked for me. 

 

Thank you for your encouraging words.  I know who I will tell first, and then I will ask her how she thinks I should tell the others.  It is good to see someone so close to me, I noticed you live in Tuttle, and Dr. Gornichec is your doctor, too.  I live in Blanchard!!  Do you attend the support meetings?  Maybe we could ride together sometime!!

Yes, I definitely work with a bunch of those eat-anything girls...but, I will say this for a fact, I know one of them is bulemic and takes diet drugs, and another lives on diet drugs...yes they are very thin, but, like me, they have eating disorders, too.  I don't know what i am nervous about!

Well, I guess everything will work out.  Do you just love Dr. Gornichec?  So far, I do!!

Take care, and thanks again!!

Marie 

Yes. Dr. Gornichec is exactly what I needed. He is very direct with me and has always told me EXACTLY what he expects of me, which is what I need. Whether it is a mental block or whatever, i simply could not do it without his strict rules and expectations. It has what has allowed me to get this far.

he may not be this way with everyone, which is even better because that tells you he knows how to adjust his mannerisms in according to what he feels it is going to take to get the patient to comply. I love that. Nothing fake about him at all.

I do go to the support meetings. After surgery, I will probably make one in January. My wife and I enjoy them. They are informative and helpful to me.

I am in the middle of my 10 day liquid diet right now. Lovin' it. Have lost another 8 pounds since monday and I could even zip up a leather jacket I have that I have not been able to in 2 years, always wore it open. Wow. 

I know and feel your excitement!  What a way to begin the New Year of 2009.  It will be awesome for you.  The date makes it real for you I know. 

I didn't tell anyone at my office until about 2 weeks before my date and then I told my boss and supervisor.  I told them how personal it all was for me and they were so very supportive.  I asked them not to to tell everyone for a while but right before my big day I shared with a few I knew would support me.  It's personal and up to you who you decide to share with.  If they haven't walked a mile in your shoes they can't understand and won't.  I only told my two sisters and brother...not my Mom.  I think I was afraid of failure.  My Mom still doesn't know I had surgery and unless she asks she won't know.  My Mom has had eating disorders and has always been so critical of my weight.  I just didn't want questions from her everytime I saw her.  I didn't want anyone negative or their comments in the beginning.  Everyone knows some story about someone and want to share those....  You've done your research and homework and are comfortable with your decision.  I don't care who knows now and if they have questions I will answer.  Good luck with your decision but you don't owe anyone explanations except those you want to know and who will support you.  You have lots of support here.  These folks have become friends for me!  I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!   

Congratulations, you couldnt be in better hands

Sweetie,
I would not tell them anything. Its trulynone of their business until after you have surgery. Then they will ask questions as to why you cant have this or that.
Some people will say negative things so subject your self to that.
I am so happy that you got approved and your surgery date is the end of the beginning for you...
GOOD luck!

I only told my two best friends at work and one co-worker who had had the same surgery 20 years ago.  They have all been very supportive.  The rest either passed rumors or finally had the courage to ask.  If they passed rumors they didn't deserve the truth, if they asked I told all.  I have inspired others here at work to lose on their own and to pursue surgery.  It all comes out in the wash !  Good luck to you.  Lynette

Congrats on the date!

I told my prinicpal and one assistant principal and my friends at work before surgery.  Everyone was very supportive.  When I came back after summer break my weight loss was obvious so people were asking how I did it.  I just told them.  No one has said a negative word- at least to my face.  But, I have been in the same building for 18 years so they have seen me struggle with my weight and health.  I guess telling is a personal decision.  I was pretty certain I would get a good reception and wasn't disappointed.