Have my date pending insurance approval!

Well I lost my 5% plus a few pounds so Susan (Dr. Read's office) can get my packet sent to my insurance company. I have a tentative date of Dec. 13th...I can't decide if I am more excited or scared. What am I doing to my body??? I received an email a few days ago from a lady who is 4 years post op and urging me NOT to have the surgery. She is the only person I have personally communicated with who would not do it all over. She also suggested that I try to hear from people who are 4+ years post op and see how they are now. Anyone here who is 4+ years out? I would love to hear from you. Vicki

Vicki, I applaud your decision. I am not 4 years out but I can tell you this, I am 58 years old and had my RNY on April 10, 2006 when I was 57 and I so wish I had been able to do this when I was your age. I have lost 102 pounds and gained a wonderful and livable life. I am off of blood pressure medication, medication for diabetes, pain and high cholesteral, all things that crept up on me with the weight and age. I can walk without hurting each step I take and get up off a chair or the toilet with ease, things I couldn't do just 7 months ago. I have had no problems and would do this again so fast it would scare you. I know that I will have to ALWAYS be diligent in what I eat and exercise but I have this tool to help, I must follow my M.D.'s plan and go to support groups. If I had not had the surgery I would certainly have been looking death in the face very soon. You are much younger and need to take control of your life now so you do not get to that point. I know people do have problems and wish they had not had the surgery but in my opinion you must do this. O.K. those of you 4 years or more out---what do you have to say??

I think you're making a great decision and hope you weigh this person's account along with mine. I have been so grateful for the opportunity to gain my health and be free of the burden of obesity through WLS. I know for sure that I would not be under 300 pounds if I hadn't gotten my surgery, and am afraid to think of how bad my joints would be as a result. That's not to mention the diabetes that was lurking and the sleep apnea that is now gone. That's not to mention the leaps and bounds my quality of life has improved. I would get the surgery OVER again if it meant keeping what I have gained since getting it. I am approaching three years. I have been able to enjoy what I would consider a really "normal" relationship with food and activity. I keep working on myself and try to learn from my past, but try to allow a sense of moving on too. I don't feel the pain of my obesity anymore, just the relief that it is no longer ruling my life. Today my daughter unearthed videos from 1996/1997. Those were happy years raising my family. I have looked at pictures of myself pre-op, but this is the first time I saw moving footage. I was pretty shocked. My husband said how he couldn't believe the difference in my size. It was a real reality check for how much my life has changed. I can't imagine urging anyone to have or not have this surgery. The facts and personal accounts are out here available. I was grateful to have them to help me decide. You will have to make your decision based on what you research. Good luck to you whatever way you go Vicki! The good news for you is you are working on getting your health back. Patty

Vicki, After reading Patty's response to you, I reread mine and am sorry to say I was out of line. I guess my enthusiasm for my life after surgery got carried away. I should not have said that you "must have this done". As Patty said, you are the one who has to make that decision and no one should tell you what to do. I am sure you have done extensive research on the surgery if you have arrived at the point of having a date and if not, do so now and continue to talk to others about their experience. It is not unusual to be excited and scared at the same time. I think we all were. My point of "what have I done to my body" came a month or two out but that thought was short lived. Good luck in what ever decision you make and again I am sorry for my blunder. Julia

OMG, no need to be sorry. I wanted honest opinions and I so much appreciate yours and Patty's. I have researched WLS for the past 2 years and when I found out that one of my insurance options would begin covering it in January of this year, I changed company's and here I am. My husband is also covered by the same company so I have no out of pocket expenses for the medical care. I only had to pay the $750 program fee that the Samaritan Bariatric Program charges. I've worked so hard these past couple of months to lose my 5% and I am so looking forward to the freedom I will have after I have GB. So, my date is still Dec 13th and I can't wait to start my life on a healthy note. Thank you both for your replies! Vicki

Hey Sweetie! Great to see you on the boards. Congrats on the 5% weight loss and your upcoming date. Being scared is absolutely normal. I had a major panic thing about 2 weeks prior to surgery. Then the week before surgery, I was just ready to get it done! As far as the person who warns against surgery, everyone has their own story about weightloss surgery and their own beliefs about it. This will be your decision to make, not anyone elses. You know what is best for your health and what other weight loss programs you have tried before. I have talked with many long term post-ops and 90 percent would do it all again in a heartbeat, even those with some serious complications. The ones who wouldn't do it over, that I have talked with, are the ones that did not stick to a healthier eating plan after the surgery honeymoon period and either stopped losing weight or gained weight back. This surgery is not a fixall. There are many habits that need to be changed. I have failed at eating right more than I care to admit but continually remind myself that this new pouch is just one tool in my arsenal against obesity.

I have my date also for Dec 13th pending on insurance approval. I is now just a waiting game. Let me know how things go for you. We are exactly the same as of this point Kat