Would love advice!!

I just found this site a couple of days ago.  I have yet to do much w/my profile, but I'm 28 and live in Clackamas, OR.   I have found ALL of your stories absolutely facinating, inspiring, touching, and incredible!!!!  I recently decided to seriously start looking into a WLS.  Up until now, the surgery hasn't been an option for me, in my mind...My pride wouldn't let me entertain the thought.  But now, I have had a recent change of heart and realized that the surgery would only help me get to where I want to be.   I do have insurance (Kaiser), and was a little disappointed to find that Kaiser does not cover the Lap Band - but they do cover gastric bypass!!  I do qualify for the surgery (5'10" and 396lbs).  I have an appt. on June 28th to discuss it further w/my doctor.   The idea of the surgery scares me, but the idea of living the rest of my life like this is much-much scarier!!!! I would love to hear anything any of you would have to say to someone who is planning on having the surgery and if there is any advice you would have for me!!  

I'm still pre-op, so I can't give much advice. But what I can give is to just keep searching and reading all you can about the surgery. This site is an awesome reference! I love it!! But just keep searching. I've found the more I search, the more I'm reassured I'm making the absolute right decision for me!! Good luck on your journey and welcome to OH!!!

I wish YOU all of the luck in the world!   How long did it take after you decided this is what you were going to do, to your surgery date?   I've heard thru Kaiser it's about a year...

I've thought about WLS for years (6+), but in March of this year I finally decided it was time to stop just thinking about it and do it. I had an appointment with my PCP at the end of March to get the referal to see the surgeon. Attended 2 information seminar the end of April and May. I did most of my testing and consults in May. My packet just went to insurance today. And I have a date of July 6th. So it will be... 3.5 months. I'm having my surgery down in Corvallis (only 20 mins away from me), it is smaller then the portland programs, so maybe that is why I had a quicker date than a year? I'm not sure. But if I had to, I'd wait a year, heck I'd wait 2! Cause I know in the end it will be SO worth it!!

I've thought about it off and on for a long time also, but never seriously - until recently.  The more I learn, the more excited I'm becoming!!   My only wish is that I wasn't limited to Kaiser.  I've read the reviews on the hospital itself and the surgeons on this website, and everything stated was positive, but it would be nice to have a little more of a choice. I'm really excited for you!!!  Is there any part of you that is nervous?  Have you ever had any other surgeries? 

Oh, yeah, I'm nervous. At the top of my nerves is getting approved right now. Should know in a couple of days. I get nervous thinking abou post-op life. Getting enough protein, getting enough water, will I really not feel hungry or I'll actually feel full, will I be the one person WLS doesn't work on....etc..... But I know I have a huge support system here, with my family and at my baratric program as well. I've had 2 other lap surgeries. I had my gallbladder removed in 2003 and last year I had a lap for infertility. I stayed over night for the gallbladder, but the later lap I went home the same day. I don't remember being in too much pain, but then again I had some great medication!! This one is more invasive, so this concerns a little bit more pain wise, but as long as I got some good meds, I think I'll be fine! Sorry you are limited, but hopefully once you start getting to know the baratric team there you'll feel more confident in their program. I know I was a little iffy at first with mine, but they are absolutely wonderful and I have every confidence in my surgeon as well. Did you already find the review page for the different hospitals and doctors on OH?

Well, at least you are familiar with the whole "sugery" drill....  That should take some of the fear of the unknown away for you!   There are so many things to think about, as far as "post-op" goes, isn't there?!!!  Geeze, the more I learn the more anxious and excited I am becoming!!! I am sure that you will get approved and everything will go as smooth as possilbe.....   Thank you for sharing so much of your story with me!   It is so wonderful to have people to talk to about this issue.  So many people in my life just don't understand.   Oh, and I did find the review page!  I found reviews on Kaiser Sunnyside in general and on the 2 surgeons who supposadly preform the surgery.   The reviews were all positive - although none were very recent.  But, I'd rather see some older, positive reviews than some old (or current) negative reviews! 

Thank you for your encouragement and sharing!

Since you do live in Portland, you may want to attend seminars that are offered by OHSU and Legacy Good Sam.  These seminars will also give you important information.  I have attended the same seminar twice in Eugene, only to find out that that my insurance didn't cover locally.  So, I will be attending both seminars in Portland, one June 11 and then June 19.  I want to get a feel for both places to see where I feel the most comfortable.   This website seems extremely supportive and eager and willing to share their experiences.  

Oh, so you have to have the surgery in Portland?  It seems many people have had their surgeries @ OHSU... I haven't come across anyone yet who has gone thru Kaiser.   Hopefully soon! This site does seem extremely supportive!   It has given me loads of relevant information!   Good luck to you!

I understand what you mean about WLS not being an option for you because of your pride or whatever -- it took me a long time to get past my WLS prejudices and make the decision to have surgery.   Then I found that my insurance wouldn't cover lap-band, and I decided against going for gastric bypass and waited the past two years for aetna to provide coverage for the surgery that I wanted. I'm just one week post-op.  Dr. Patterson at Legacy Obesity Institute is my surgeon, and though I was very nervous pre-op (apparently in the short stay room just before surgery I was babbling, freaking out, begging my husband to take me home LOL), I couldn't be happier with my decision to get the surgery so far (altho I am mighty sick of a liquid diet, with another week to go before I'm allowed purees, hehe). Although I could be at goal now instead of still at the beginning if I'd gone with the bypass two years ago, lap was the right choice for me, and I don't regret it, or feel like I'm "cheating" by electing for surgery to help me gain control of my weight.  As long as you are comfortable "settling" for bypass (no offense intended for those with bypass out there!) when you initially wanted lap, then I think you should go for it.  Both options have pros and cons; only you can know for sure if you can live and thrive with the post-op requirements of the bypass versus the band.