Update - Going through the hoops.

Hello there,

I am new here.  I think I posted an intro a few weeks ago but can't remember.  I am starting out at 50+ BMI.  I have been researching the WLS process since May last year when my doctor sat me down with my favorite nurse to have an intervention with me.  He urged me to consider WLS and gave me a doctor's name.  That doctor sounded great and I was excited but my insurance, CIGNA, didn't cover him.  So I tried another diet (WW), and failed at it.  And then I left myself for lost.

Then my mom and I were talking and she urged me to reconsider the WLS process.  I am at my highest weight ever, and my body is starting to show wear and tear at age 28.  This year I found out I have sleep apnea, and now sleep with a mask at night.  I have difficulties walking.  My back is messed up from a car accident.  I am pre-diabetes with family history of diabetes.  The quality of my life is deteriorating and I think my immune systm is taking a hit because I have been sick way too much this year.  

So I started with Dr. Dakin in NY.  And I am currently going through the circus hoops of fulfilling the requirements for surgery.

Last week I completed the psychiatric evaluation with Dr. Sakowitz, who was fabulous by the way.  Then I went to Liz Delonge, my nutritionist on this journey. 

I still have to make my GI appointment and heart appointment.  I also have to get my diet records from last summer and get my doctor's letters.  

I guess I would say I am almost halfway through the process, except I will probably be seeing Liz until October.  I would say if things go well, I will be operated by November.  

Part of my reason for doing this is I need to live to see my son grow.  I want to be there for his struggles and to cheer him on his achievemens.  I want to be there for his heartbreaks, his graduations, his proms, his wedding if possible.  I don't aspire to have grandchildren, I think it would be a gift enough to see him to his adulthood and possibly have another child to be his partner in crime in adulthood.  I need to be healthy for him.

The quality of my life as is, I might as well be dead.  I need help with simple things, like buckling my bra strap, and sometimes bending over.  I'm tired all of the time.  I feel like I am watching life go by because I can't keep up with it.  

So that's my story.  I would love to hear from others who are in similar boat as me.  And the veterans who have been there and can tell it like it is.  And I'm not very far in my journey, but I have done a lot of research and feel I can answer a few questions if need be.  

 Good luck with your journey! It wasn't too long ago that I had to jump through the hoops for approval but it is well worth it!

Thank you very much.  I am so excited, and at the same time terrified.  I hope the terrified waters down to nervous as the time goes by.

I am so glad you are taking this step to save yourself for you and your son and all of those who love you. Life will be so much easier and enjoyable when you begin to transform and get healthier!

I understand when you say with your quality of life you may as well be dead.. i felt that way myself before surgery. I wasn't at a 50= BMI, buit still felt that way. I told my hubby I'd rather die having the surgery than to go on like i was.

The more questions you ask and the more you educate yourself, the less fearful you will be, at least thats how it was for me. the biggy was i had 100% faith in my surgeon.
Hang in there girl and keep us updated as you fgo through this process! Hugs!

Welcome to the group, Jane.

I won't pretend to understand about jumping through the hoops because from what I've read from others, I had an insanely easy time of it.  I was 9 weeks from my decision to have the surgery to the operating room.

However, I do understand the sleep apnea,pre-diabetes, high blood pressure and the fear of leaving my kids way too soon.

Good luck on your journey.  You will not regret this.  It is not a magic cure but it is the best chance many of us have.

Colleeen

HI THERE, I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE ALL THE GREAT REASONS THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE THESE CHANGES, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT FOR 'YOURSELF'.  ONCE YOU GET THAT MINDSET,EVERYTHING ELSE FALLS INTO PLACE.  I WISH  YOU ALL THE BEST AND YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC SUPPORT GROUP TO HELP YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY.

ROXIE

Keep on trudging through those hoops, it will bring you out to a better life.  I am not as heavy as you are but I am short and heavy enough that my asthma makes breathing difficult which makes walking difficult.  I am pre-diabetic and also have sleep apnea.  I have been working towards my surgery since January and now am only a week away.   Nervous but more than ready.  You will find wonderful people in this group and they (and I) will support you all the way.  

Hello Jane, I wish I had done the surgery when I was 28, I can think of many things that would have been different.  In reality, I am 47, soon to be 48.  I would have twenty less years of excess wear and tear on my joints. 

I have type II diabetes, was on insulin for several years.  I am proud to say that I am still diabetic, but took my last insulin injection almost 8 months ago, the day before my surgery.  I can live with taking pills for the diabetes.  There are many much worse things that I could have.  My family has diabetes in all levels of the family tree.

I also have sleep apnea and sleep with a CPAP machine.  The pressure levels are much less now than they were before surgery.  Another yayyyyy.

My activity tolerance is so much better than before surgery.  I routinely take the dogs for 3-5 miles walks, I walk 3-5 miles, they walk much farther, never can walk in a straight line (too many things to sniff along the path)  Summers, I walk the dogs, winter time, which there are many months of here in northern MN, I go to the gym for treadmill or elliptical time plus weight lifting.  My arthritis aches and pains are less. 

None of this would have happened without wls.  Use the time with Liz to make small, subtle livelong changes to your diet.  The thing that I found the hardest and still do at times is to separate liquids from the meal.  I had a nearly 50 year habit of washing all my meals down with fluid. 

These changes that you are making will set a good example for your child.  They do learn what they see.  Do what you can to start exercising, if walking is difficult, check out some of the on line sites that talk about arthritis exercises, chair exercises, even water walking if you have access to a pool.

Looking forward to sharing this adventure with you.  I didn't realize that I had gotten diarrhea of the fingers (again), getting off my soap box for now.  Hugs

I know what you mean about going through the hoops. I started in Nov 09 workin on getting certified. I also have CIGNA insurance. Double check your requirements, I have to see a nutritionist once a month for 6 months in a row before I can have my surgery. Happy to say have 4 down and only 2 more to go.
I know the journey will be worth it and it gives me more time to work on some of the reasons that I eat. I agree with some of the other posts that tell you all of the reasons that you listed are excellent reasons but the MOST IMPORTANT ONE IS YOU. You are worth this effort.
Good luck on your journey. I have just started here byt plan on hanging around for a long time.