Question:
How did you get though the waiting?
I'm waiting for my insurance to ok me.I know they will because they did a year ago.(I let my kids talk me out of it,but i'm not telling them this time.)But i'm getting scared.I get to thinking about what i will have to go though.How did you get though it? — cheryl D. (posted on June 4, 1999)
June 3, 1999
I don't how old your children are but mine are 12 and 20 and they were
scared for me and tried to talk me out of it, but I explained the health
problems and how much better I would feel and look. I was so excited
myself and I did not get nervous at all. I had a lot of support from
family and friends and this is what I wanted 100% and I couldn't wait for
it to be over so I could be on my way to losing weight.
Everyone and Everwhere is different but where I had it done and my doctor
and especially the nursing staff at the doctor's and the hospital were
exceptionally supportive. My friends were there when I went in (My 12 year
old also) and when I got out they were all there. A positive attitude
about the whole surgery is a good tool and one everyone should try and
have.
I wish you all the luck and don't be nervous, we are all here for you and
you will feel soooooo much better. Keep smiling and Good Luck!!!!
— Rhonda B.
June 4, 1999
Cheryl,
I am just going for my psycho analysis so I'm getting closer to scheduling
the date and I'm actually looking forward to having the surgery done. I am
a little scared to, but since it will make such a positive difference, I
jokingly tell my friens "no pain, no gain"! Look at it as a
butterfly coming out of her coccoon, try not to dwell on the actual
surgery, since you'll be asleep while it's happening, and imagine all the
good things to follow!
— Carrie G.
June 4, 1999
I was approved and my surgery scheduled for one month after the approval.
Two weeks were used up in preop testing, but the last two weeks were
unbearable. I couldn't wait. But I must warn you that this surgery is no
walk in the park by any means. After you wake up from surgery, you will
probably be in more discomfort than you have ever known in your life
(especially if you are having Open RNY). I woke up with tubes everywhere
and pain like I have never experienced before. I woke up with no
analgesics, only a local anesthesia to the suture line. My first words
were OH IT HURTS. They didn't start the Demerol until I was returned to my
room. The NG tube is the ultimate in misery. You have sore nose, sore
throat and difficulty swallowing. Fortunately some people get their NG
tube out after one or two days. I had to endure 4 days because it was
positioned wrong causing some complications. After the NG tube comes out
you will be REBORN and things will really improve after that. But you will
need the support of someone after surgery. Do you have someone at home?
You will be extremely fatigued, not to mention the excruciating pain of
getting in and out of chairs. I asked my doctor's office about the fatigue
and they stated that it is normal for this operation. I had been on
exactly the same diet for months and never had this fatigue before. The
surgery takes a lot out of you and you will need some support, if not
physically, at least emotionally. I had no emotional support and it did
make the recovery period more difficult and prolonged. BUT YOU ARE TOUGH.
You did not survive in an obesity-hating world all this time, dieting over
and over, turning your back to ignorant and downright hateful remarks
without achieving some degree of inner strength. You will be glad you went
through with this surgery. I am 6 weeks postop and I am glad I did it.
— Deborah L.
June 4, 1999
Waiting,,,,,,
By doing what you are, getting, in touch with people that understand.
I'm waiting too. I'm trying to stay focused on the positive and take each
issue that arises as it comes. Do whatever you have to to stay positive.
But shouldn't you tell your kids. If you can withstand their criticisim
then you can handle this surgery. It won't be an easy road for the first
months but down the road it will be entirely worth it. LIttle things like
tying your shoes won't be such a chore. Chin up and get as much support as
you can.
Carol Taylor
— Carol T.
June 4, 1999
Hi, I am sitting on pins and needles awaiting approval myself. I am a
mixed bag of emotions. But the way I look at it is the discomfort that I
will go through is NOTHING compared to the discomfort I have been living
with all these years. The discomfort from the surgery, I know will only be
temporary, but if I don't do the surgery, the discomfort I am living with
now will be forever. I can't live with that.
My children didn't want me to go through with the surgery, only because
they are afraid I might not make it through surgery. But I explained to
them, that if I don't take the chance with the surgery, I am going to die
from the weight. So they are not happy, but they are supporting my
decision. Maybe that is why your children didn't want you to go through
with the surgery before. You just have to explain that you are doing this
for you, so you can be around longer for them.
You have an advantage, at least you know you will be approved. :) Good
luck.
Edie
— Edie L.
June 4, 1999
don't worry about the operation. It will be so much worth it. I had my
operation Jan. 28/99 and I am down 108 lbs. It is the best think I have
ever done. I guess the morning I went to the hospital to have it done I was
scared. I remember them wheeling me to the operating room I was wondering
if I was doing the right thing because they said I was high risk surgeon
and I would be in ICU after. I was scared but I know that I would be okey.
My brother died from being overweight problems and I know he was there with
me and he would be watching over me. I did good they said in the operation
and I was in ICU with a resporator overnight and then moved out onto the
station for 5 days. I had no pain because they but a epidural in my back
for pain and believe me that is the way to go. I had now. Nobody believes
me but that is true. So don't look back, go for it, you will not believe
how much you life will change.
Email me and let me know how it goes.
— Janice K.
June 4, 1999
Oh, the waiting. I first saw my surgeon on March 26th for a consultation
re: hernia. He talked with me about the RNY (I weigh almost 400 lbs), and
I was thrilled. He scheduled an upper GI, and I had my second appointment
on April 23rd. At that time, I learned that they hadn't filed yet because
they were waiting for me to let them know I wanted the surgery. So, they
filed that day. Three weeks later I called to see if they had heard
anything, but they had not. They followed up and learned that the original
request had not been received, so they re-submitted. I called yesterday,
and once again, they called my insurance co. and learned that I WAS
APPROVED!! The insurance co. had mailed the letter on 5/25, and I got mine
today. My surgery is scheduled for July 22nd. How did I cope with
waiting? Well, I write a lot. This will be my second WLS, so I wanted to
be sure. I wrote so much, that I'm thinking of turning it into a book. I
also have been scrapbooking. I am scrapping this journey. I took a photo
of all the pills I now have to take. I'm sure it will be different this
time next year. I also came to this board a lot, and to be honest, I've
also battled depression (worried about whether or not the insurance co.
would approve me). One final note, I have had a LOT of last suppers....and
now I get to do them all over again. Good luck to you.
— Peggy51
June 4, 1999
DON'T WAIT!!! Start getting yourself "ready" for surgery. Talk
with your doctor about what you can do NOW that will help you in the
recovery process... maybe walking to strengthen your legs, maybe deep
breathing to strengthen the lungs (If you smoke...quit) Try and lose any
extra weight you can. I understand any weight loss will help reduce the
size of the liver and in turn, give the doctor more "room" when
he/she goes in. Do creative visualization - see yourself healing quickly.
(Some say that even visualize yourself doing exercises can help the body)
This are some of the things I am doing - as I am waiting too!
— Amie R.
June 4, 1999
Try making yourself a tape of your own voice with your favorite music in
the background. Right now, you should be concentrating on your body and a
successful recovery. Yes even before you take your operation. By making
the tape you have a chance to be your own bodys best friend. Your mind
will repeat these words while you're in surgery. This kept me centered
while I waited for my surgery date. I played this tape over and over to
prepare myself. GOOD HEALTH
Sheila -RNY 3/26/99 over 60 lbs down.
— Sheila W.
June 5, 1999
I looked forward to what I would be able to do! Talked to friends
and family alot about it! Pray to god that he would help me! My
husband was a great support to me! He would let me know, how thin
I might get, also what I would beable to do as soon as I recovered
from my surgery! Hope this helps you! And good luck, hope
you get your surgery soon!
Robin
— Robin C.
June 9, 1999
Take each day as it comes. Worrying about approval won't make you any
younger or skinnier. Accept the fact that you may not get approved, and
have a plan for appeal if that happens. I waited 18 months for Kaiser
Permanente to approve me. So, I know the anxiety it causes. I went in front
of six boards to be approved. Not because I wasn't a good candidate, but
because most insurance companies, especially HMO's are ignorant to the
facts. They don't see the gastric bypass as preventative medicine. I
believe this will soon be changing. Your best answer to this dilema is the
Lord. Pray hard! God is faithful and he knows what you need. Also, be
prepared to accept it if you are denied. This was most helpful to me. I
made up my mind that no matter what the Insurance company's decision was,
that God was still in control. It is hard to play the waiting game, we have
all been there. I thought I had surgery only five weeks ago, but it has
already been seven weeks. WOW! I have lost 30 pounds and I can't even count
how many inches. Sooo, it is worth the wait. In the meantime, start loving
your body because you will after you have surgery. Get plenty of rest and
continue to communicate with others OPENLY about the surgery. Let us know
how things are progressing. We will keep you in prayer.
Warmly,
Theresa Trusty
— Theresa T.
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