Cross your fingers... my paperwork is pending

Although Dr. Bertha's office staff told me that my insurance company has a 6-month physician-supervised weight-loss wait, my insurance company  claims they don't have one.  I guess we'll find out, because although I'm still only 4 months into the 6-month thing, my tests are all completed, and my paperwork was sent to the insurance company for approval yesterday.

I still am thinking about a January surgery date and here's why...

We're going camping on the Dry Tortugas the week before Thanksgiving - it's a National Park asseccible only by boat or plane 70 miles off the coast of Key West.  No potable or running water, nothing but sand, the Gulf of Mexico, a falling-down fort and a couple of park rangers.  Somehow, I don't think it would be a good idea to have the surgery say, 10/30, then go somewhere that remote on 11/20.  Getting there (plane to Miami, drive to Key West, ferry to the Tortugas) is kind of a pain even when you don't have any special needs.  Worth it when you wake up to aqua water and palm trees, but still.

Similarly, we're going birding in the Rio Grande Valley the week between Xmas and New Years - I'd be interested in everyone's comments about that - we're leaving 12/25.  What if I had the surgery on 11//30?  Would I be ready by 12/25 to handle a flight to San Antonio, a 3 hour drive, then 9 days of birdwatching and hiking (nothing too strenuous) in remote areas of Texas?  There's a local border hospital within 15 minutes from our inn, and at least we won't be camping, but the nearest major medical center would be hundreds of miles away if something went wrong and on most days, we see only park rangers and / or border patrol (and other bird nerds and beak geeks).  I think it might be too risky, or am I worrying too much?  I;m torn between wanting to enjoy the vacation as my old self or as having just started a new life.  Comments?

I'm posting this in both PA and NJ, being a border babe...

I would suggest waiting until after both vacations, frankly.  Both seem physically active (which is great) and they present challenges that are pretty different from staying in a traditional hotel setting in a big city (which I did a couple of months after my surgery and it was an interesting challenge in logistics).   I would be concerned that you'd be spending SO much effort worrying with and working out the logistics of your physical care (adequate hydration including more than usual to replace what you'd be losing hiking, need to eat every 3 hours, need to supplement protein significantly at that point, etc.) that you wouldn't enjoy the trip nearly as much.    You will also not likely be up to long walks at that point (a month out from a major abdominal surgery, you still get tired, need naps, etc.).

Go, enjoy the trip, and when you hit challenges along the way think to yourself how much EASIER it will be next year without so much extra weight to carry along.  It will give you a good point of comparison and a good motivator for working hard post-surg to succeed!

Karen

Can I pack my bags and go with you?? My siblings have vacationed in the Dry Tortugas by fishing boat and love it down there - Ft Jefferson the one you're talking about? They catch tons of fish down there.

I agree with Karen,tho - both of these vacations present unique eating situations and some possible strenuous situations that you may or may not be able to handle so soon after surgery.

Once you're approved you can pick your date, so I would suggest waiting at this point until you're back from both. In the meantime start working out some if you don't already, start logging your food, and generally just try to be healthier for your surgery.

Don't know who your insurance company is - I had Aetna and required that I had already done a 6 month diet/exercise supervised by a physician or go on a 3 month diet/fitness/nutrition regime and that's what I did. Actually lost 33 lbs just doing that, and it really helped me prepare for surgery and post-op eating, exercising, etc.

Good luck - go and have a fantastic time!!