The journey has begun

Hi, I'm Dawn.  I have decided to take the leap.  I'm ready to begin life anew. 

I just turned 50, and have about 150 lbs. to lose.  I have a 10 yo daughter and a husband and everything to live for.  I want to make 50 the new beginning.  I want to get rid of the diabetes and be able to get up and move and do and see and go.

I attended a seminar last month.  My PCP has submitted a medical necessity, I've had a psych eval, an echocardiogram, EKG, I'm slated for a 2 part nuclear stress test and a sleep study next week.  I'll have an appt. with the gastroenterologist in early October to schedule endoscopy and colonoscopy.  I called the pre-determination dept. at my ins.  co., who said that with my BMI (55) and co-morbidity of diabetes, approval should't be difficult.  Hmmmm....we'll see.

I live in Rockland County, NY, about an hour north of NYC and have chosen Valley Hospital in NJ, which has a certification of excellence in bariatric surgery.  The surgical team there is from Columbia University in NYC.  I have an appt. w/my surgeon of 9/23/10, and then I'll be scheduled to have an appt. with the nutritionist.

I'm nervous - and tentatively excited.

Welcome to the family Dawn.  I read your page, you have lots to change your lifestyle for the healthier.  Any questions, things we can address, please post.  Come to monday eve chat sessions when you can for great caring and sharing time with others from the group.  If you can not attend the entire session, just pop in for a few minutes.

Do what you can to start changing habits before the surgery.  This time with the nutritionist is to address bad habits and start changing them to better ones.  I am so happy that I had my surgery, never a thought of regret.  My knees are happy to be carrying less of me about.  Still working the program with my tool.  It still works, just follow the plan set out be your team.  Hugs

Welcome. You will find a lot of support by posting here, just as I did. Be excited, be very excited. I know it doesn't seem like it, but surgery date will be here before you know it. I wouldn't have believed it either, but there is so much learning to do from now until then - even after surgery I am finding out there is still much more to learn.
Congrats and keep us updated on the progress.
God Bless.
Jeannine

Hi and welcome.  I feel such postive vibes from your psot.  This is the year of change for you and me both.  We can do it.  I 2nd the idea about making changes now to carry you through pre-op and post-op and the rest of your life.  The biggest thing to start doing is drink 64 oz of water everyday.  Its not easy at first, bu tit gets better.  Get rid of those sodas, which were my weakness.  Start taking a multiVit now. Start an exercse routine (and feel free to push me in this department as well). 

I wish you the best. Surgery date will be just around the corner. 

Welcome to our family here and best of luck to you in the journey you are on. Just keep jumping the hoops and before you know it you will be embracing a healthier fuller and more enjoyable life! So glad you joined us here! keep us posted on your progress through the approval process andask any questions you may have.