What if you are very nervous about the whole thing?

Hi, my name is Pam Gilliam and I'm currently waiting for insurance approval. I am sure that WLS is the route for me but I am very nervous about the procedure. I am going through Dr. Kerlakian and Good Sam Hospital in Cincinnati. Does anyone have some words of encouragement....or warnings...Would you do it all again???

I am also waiting for WLS approval through my insurance, Dr. K is my surgeon as well. I have been thru this website a zillion times now. I have yet to see someone get a surgery date and not be thrilled and terrified at the same time. The question of would you do it again has come up before-I think I saw it posted about two weeks ago. Want some words of comfort?? People from 6 months to 2+ years post op responded and they all said yes! they would do it again...EVEN IF IT HAD TO BE DONE YEARLY! I found that very reassuring. Also, Dr. K's support group meeting is 2/21. I plan on going to meet with some of his before and after patients. Lastly, remember, you are going to mourn food-if you aren't under the care of a psychiatrist/psychologist, remember Dr. Cobb can see you after surgery. This is included in the money you already paid-don't pass up a freebie! Good luck and keep us posted.

Thank you for the reassurance, I do appreciate it. I do have a question for you.. I am attending a support meeting that I thought was Dr. K's but I have it listed on 2/17 from 6:00-8:00 at Bethesda Oak, is there a different group that maybe I'm not aware of? I got the list of support meetings in the white binder that we received at the beginning of the program. I hope I got a good one. When did you start this process and how long have you been waiting for your approval? If you don't mind me asking.

Duhhh. Yeah the support group meeting is 2/17 at Bethesda. I have too much on my mind-beyond the surgery. I started the process in January. The process has gone as they stated, except I had to have an electrocardiogram. I spoke with Dr. K's office on Monday and was told my paperwork was sent to Anthem. Today when I spoke to Anthem, they said nothing had been received. I will continue to be persistant though.

I'm bumming because now I can't make it there tonight. I'm in a book club with my daughter at school and tonight is the big book club dinner meeting. I forgot about it. Anyway, it sounds like we started around the same time. I went to the seminar on 1/17, seen Dr. K on the 1/21 with the nutritionist the following week and so on...I think Cyndy is sending my paperwork to Anthem this week. I'm on pins and needles waiting...

I am taking my daughter to the meeting tonight because she is so afraid for me. I'll take notes and let you know how it goes!

Thank you.

WHAT IF YOU ARE NERVOUS? You are soooooo normal! I was a nervous wreck, more afraid of complications than anything else. And guess what - I did have a minor complication (infected incision) that turned out to be *not much of a problem.* Really! My doctor took care of that in a few minutes! At first, you won't feel so perfect, and if you are like me, you will mourn for the foods you loved, and you will go through a few mental stages (somebody called one of them the Desperate Dog stage - wanting to eat so bad). But I am at the point where I KNOW I would definitely do it again if I had to. Two people at work called me "skinny minnie" today! LOL I weigh 204 pounds! I went from mourning food, to having to make myself eat more - who would have ever thought -- ? But if you have done your research, and have made your decision with great care, and it sounds like you have, you will have the courage to complete the task. Then your new life will begin! Best of luck to you. Kitty B. RNY 12/13/04 251 / 204