To Be opened......

First, folks, I love this site. It has helped me tremendously thru the years of my WLS journey.
So I thank all of you esp. those from the Barix Support Group. I'm so glad that our paths crossed.
After a long 6 years of learning about WLS, going to a Health Institute for months, questioning "Is this the right thing to do?", after having so many surgeries in my life.....I know that this surgery will change the quality of my life. I got in my own way of  planning for WLS. And as of today my life has changed for the worse.. I am not the person that I was 6 years ago. 


I was given a surgery date today and it is 11/19/09.
My question to group is: Has anyone had the open procedure at Abington Hospital.? or at Barix?  
I wish that I could have the qucik recovery surgery but ahhhh no.... I am guessing this recovery with another long abdominal scar will take weeks. My biggest fear is that when I don't work, I don't make money AND I don't have STD (Short term disability).

I would appreciate anyone's feedback. As always thank you thank you for being an awesome support group.

<3  Loweeze

Hi,
I had laproscropic surgery at Barix and understand the fear of not making money while recovering from surgery but this surgery will change you whole life. Are you able to save up some money between now and you surgery date? Can your family and friends help you or give you a hand just until you are financially able to get back on you own 2 feet. I know several people who have had open WLS and were able to get back to work in about 8-10 weeks depending on their wound care. I have no way of knowing what kind of situation you are in but I know that the day I got approval for my surgery I was the happiest person and felt like I had won the million dollar lottery. I wish you much luck with whatever your decision is in the end but as you probably have heard from other Barix folks this has changed all our lives for most of us for the better. Hugs and hang in there we are here for you if you need anything.

I was "cutted and gutted" and back to work in less than three weeks. As long as you're not busting rocks in the sun, you can be back on your feet pretty quickly.

Honestly, it's not that bad. The first few dys, you'll feel tender, but then you'll feel a lot better very quickly.

Oh, and here's a oney saving tip for you. They'll tell you that you need to buy the big Johnson & Johnson bandages to cover your incision, but maxi-apds work just as well, and they're super cheap.

Yes, I taped maxi=pads to my stomach for like five weeks after surgery. Whatever. :)

I had an open VSG in May, 2008 with Dr Bonanni at Abington. Having had previous open abdominal surgery, I kinda knew what to expect.  I could have gone back to work (a desk job) in 3 weeks, but I choose to take 6 weeks- to at least get to the phase where I could eat "normal" food and not have people stare...... 

Loweeze

Congrats on getting your surgery date!  I don't have an answer to your question as I had laproscopic, but wanted to wish you well and some have made good suggestions and shared their experience and I'm sure there will be more.

Best wishes, Laureen

"And as of today my life has changed for the worse"  Hmmmm...why the worse? 

I understand all of your fears....as many of us had the same issues.

As far as healing from open goes, I do not know....as I had lap but I wish you all the very very best and am sure you will do PHENOMENAL

As far as the financial situation goes...I don't know if it would be financially possible for you to look into buying your own STD insurance?  I don't know the prices of that kind of stuff or the requirements (for example, because you already have a surgery date, would they consider it a pre existing condition?) etc but it might be worth looking into.

Big hugs and best of luck to you!  My husbands and I anniversary (10 years of dating, 5 years of marriage) is on 11/19/09 so I can tell you that it is a WONDERFUL date with lots of good luck and love surrounding it!

Pam