im sooooooooooooooo close.......
So I started looking into wls back in 2007 and I'm as close as I haved ever been. I currently have insurance which will pay for me to have a vsg and tomorrow I complete my 6 months of weigh ins with my pc. I also have my consultation with my surgeons office. After tomorrow I have to do the psych eval, attend a nutrition class, and do my sleep apnea study. I'm planning on having this all done this month and hope to have my surgeon submit to my insurance the end of March or beg of april. I'm hoping to have surgery end of april or early may.
I'm as close as I've ever been and you guys believe in prayer, as I do, please say one for me. I'm also at my highest weight ever right now 355!
So I just wanted to touch base again asif this really happens to me I will be writing questions and looking for more support than ever before..
Jack
I'm as close as I've ever been and you guys believe in prayer, as I do, please say one for me. I'm also at my highest weight ever right now 355!
So I just wanted to touch base again asif this really happens to me I will be writing questions and looking for more support than ever before..
Jack
Jack: I'm an old geezer who finally, at 65, had an ephiphany last year following decades of happy obesity that had spawned sleep apnea, diabetes, and high blood pressure. I was not going to be able to enjoy the comfortable retirement I had worked so hard for all those years, if I didn't get my weight under control. I (read "we" w/my wonderful wife) decided it was time for WLS.
The 6 mos. post-decision/pre-surgery period was hell for me, I had made my decision, and just wanted the damned gut-cut ASAP. But it turned out to be a blessing, as I joined a pre-op/pos-op support group and learned tons of info about the whole process from those who had been there.
My VSG surgery was the day before Thanksgiving (appropriate, I thought) and the weight-loss speaks for itself, 93 lbs. @ 3.5 mos. post-op (24 pre-op loss incld.) I no longer have any of the ailments mentioned above and the only hurt I have is "good hurt" from the exercises I do - my current minimum is a sweaty 3 mi. walk daily.
It's not all easy, there is a lot to learn, and finding support here and on other OH Forums is an excellent start. I hope you're also getting support from those around you - I told everyone who loves me about the WLS well in advance and they created a tidal-wave of support for me - I'm proud of what I'm doing and that pride is shared by all of those around me. What a rush!
Jack, I may not live a long, long time - but I'm reasonably certain today that it won't be obesity that takes me away from my happy life. All the best as you continue your journey down the staircase. Keep us informed of your progress. Pop-Pop
The 6 mos. post-decision/pre-surgery period was hell for me, I had made my decision, and just wanted the damned gut-cut ASAP. But it turned out to be a blessing, as I joined a pre-op/pos-op support group and learned tons of info about the whole process from those who had been there.
My VSG surgery was the day before Thanksgiving (appropriate, I thought) and the weight-loss speaks for itself, 93 lbs. @ 3.5 mos. post-op (24 pre-op loss incld.) I no longer have any of the ailments mentioned above and the only hurt I have is "good hurt" from the exercises I do - my current minimum is a sweaty 3 mi. walk daily.
It's not all easy, there is a lot to learn, and finding support here and on other OH Forums is an excellent start. I hope you're also getting support from those around you - I told everyone who loves me about the WLS well in advance and they created a tidal-wave of support for me - I'm proud of what I'm doing and that pride is shared by all of those around me. What a rush!
Jack, I may not live a long, long time - but I'm reasonably certain today that it won't be obesity that takes me away from my happy life. All the best as you continue your journey down the staircase. Keep us informed of your progress. Pop-Pop
Hey Jack - you are in my thoughts and prayers as you move forward on this journey. I hope and pray you get a quick approval from your ins co, and get your surgery as soon as possible. Keep coming back here with your questions...there is so much encouragement and support on this forum! Keep us posted on your progress. Mike
Eating junk food and CRAP is not a reward...it's a punishment...
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010
Total Lost: 92 Lbs; Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
Jack, we'll all be praying for you throughout the process. We've all been where you are now, and know how tough it is when you're waiting... Trust me, it will be worth it! Four months out from RNY, and down 109 lbs, my life is better in every way. I'm off my diabetes drugs, about to go off my blood pressume meds, and off the CPAP machine completely. For the first time in years, my wife doesn't hesitate to ask me to move stuff for her - for fear I'll have a heart attack and die. I really hadn't noticed how much she's taken on herself, because I wasn't able to do things. Now I can do those things, and treat her like she deserves. I've become something of a gym rat, and people there are starting to look at me with respect instead of revulsion like they did when I first started going... I just wish I'd done this 10-15 years ago, and regret all that wasted time.
Hang in there, Jack. It will amaze you how quickly the time goes by. Before you know it, we'll be reading a post from you telling us how it's 3 days before surgery, and you're getting seriously scared about it, and wondering if you're doing the right thing. (Also completely normal, and something all of us go through.) Use the time while you're waiting to research everything you can about your surgery, and the other types available (RNY, DS, and even lap-band). Do this now, so you won't have to worry later "Did I pick the right surgery for me?" And as annoying as they can be at times, don't skip over the "surgery wars" in the forums - you will learn a lot, and be able to reassure yourself that you've picked the right surgery for you.
Some will tell you to stay away from the "revisions" forum, the "failed surgeries" forum, etc. But I think it's a good idea to spend a little time there, so you get the "other" perspective as well. Don't dwell on it, but do learn about some of the things that can go wrong. Most of us here have been extremely successful, with relatively few problems. That can partly be attributed to the encouragement and advice found here, but we've also been pretty fortunate as a group to have minimal complications.
Check out your surgeon thoroughly - verify his/her claims, and ask questions about him/her on the main forum. If he/she is good, you'll quickly know that. If not - well, better to know now than on the operating table. And if it comes to that, don't worry about switching surgeons having an adverse affect on your insurance approval - at worst it might be an additional week or so.
Keep coming back, and feel free to ask any questions you have. The guys on this forum will encourage you, inspire you, and challenge you throughout the process. We've got a fantastic community that really cares about each other, and it makes a huge difference having other guys to talk to, freely and openly.
We're reserving a spot for you on the "loser's bench", and looking forward to hearing your progress as you move through the WLS process.
Jim
Hang in there, Jack. It will amaze you how quickly the time goes by. Before you know it, we'll be reading a post from you telling us how it's 3 days before surgery, and you're getting seriously scared about it, and wondering if you're doing the right thing. (Also completely normal, and something all of us go through.) Use the time while you're waiting to research everything you can about your surgery, and the other types available (RNY, DS, and even lap-band). Do this now, so you won't have to worry later "Did I pick the right surgery for me?" And as annoying as they can be at times, don't skip over the "surgery wars" in the forums - you will learn a lot, and be able to reassure yourself that you've picked the right surgery for you.
Some will tell you to stay away from the "revisions" forum, the "failed surgeries" forum, etc. But I think it's a good idea to spend a little time there, so you get the "other" perspective as well. Don't dwell on it, but do learn about some of the things that can go wrong. Most of us here have been extremely successful, with relatively few problems. That can partly be attributed to the encouragement and advice found here, but we've also been pretty fortunate as a group to have minimal complications.
Check out your surgeon thoroughly - verify his/her claims, and ask questions about him/her on the main forum. If he/she is good, you'll quickly know that. If not - well, better to know now than on the operating table. And if it comes to that, don't worry about switching surgeons having an adverse affect on your insurance approval - at worst it might be an additional week or so.
Keep coming back, and feel free to ask any questions you have. The guys on this forum will encourage you, inspire you, and challenge you throughout the process. We've got a fantastic community that really cares about each other, and it makes a huge difference having other guys to talk to, freely and openly.
We're reserving a spot for you on the "loser's bench", and looking forward to hearing your progress as you move through the WLS process.
Jim
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