my intro

[Guest guest]

Hi there.

After putting my 2 cents worth re: hospital bean-counters, healthcare

funding cuts, and all, I thought I should introduce myself and say, " howdy. "

I'm Jenn from Vancouver, WA. I'm 32 years old, and have been severely

overweight as long as I can remember. (My earliest memory was of topping

100 Lbs., in the 3rd grade.) I have been holding my weight between 270 and

300 Lbs., for approximately the past 10 years. I've tried multiple programs

and, " diets, " to try to lose weight. I've gone through loads of support

groups and councelling sessions to try to be, " better. " All that led to is

more self guilt. The weight, if any was shed, came right back again and

again.

I've recently become disabled (September 1999) from my work as a Respiratory

Therapist, specializing in ICU life support, due to a small bone in my foot

that developed a compression fracture and necrosed. (rotted) This was a job

I've done and loved since 1988.

I'm currently applying for vocational rehab with a goal of getting a degree

that can enable me to qualify for a councelling license and go into private

practice. I was a very physically active person; hiking, riding, camping,

volleyball, and other outdoor recreations, before this injury. I hope that

once the weight comes off that I can return to my outdoor activities again.

I have family histories of cardiac disease and diabetes, and know that if

nothing is done about my weight I will develop the same. I'm Native

American, so the cardiac and diabetes risks are even higher than most

people. In fact, it is so prevalent in my tribe... the Choctaw Nation...

that they have their very own diabetes clinic on tribal grounds. I've

worked with many patients during my career with severe cardiac disease...

managing them post-operatively after heart surgery and found myself

wondering each time when it would be me. I'd wonder the same when we'd have

patients with end-stage diabetes.

I've been researching WLS options for the past 9 years, so considering this

not a recent event for me.

I know that my insurance will not pay for the procedure, due to the express

written exclusion of WLS in the policy. Fortunately I am able to draw out

whatever is required from my retirement policy to self pay. I figure that

the retirement plan isn't any good if I'm not in good health to enjoy it.

Thats an investment in my health I'm more than willing to make.

Why haven't I, " gone through, " WLS yet? I had a few concerns that had held

me back from making the first definative steps toward, as someone put so

beautifully, " crossing to the other side. " First and foremost, my mother

had the illeo-jejuno gastric bipass in the 1970's. After nearly starving to

death, among other things, it had to be reversed. After the reversal there

were multiple side effects that continue even to today.

I recently found the www.clos.net website while doing more research on WLS.

After reviewing the procedure it was like a bell in my head went off. I'm

extremely impressed in it's relatively minimal invasiveness compared to,

" open, " procedures. I'm also happy to see that reversal, if needed, isn't

as difficult as in other WLS procedures. I've decided that it is the

procedure best for my needs, should the doctor agree.

I filled out the information form on the website last week, and am going to

present the letter to PCP's from the website to my PCP this Friday. (I'm

going in to pick up an oximeter for an overnight apnea monitoring at that

time.) I was put on BP medication last week by him, and had told him that I

was considering WLS during that visit.

I do have a question. The out-of-state process listed on the website... is

that in addition to the packet procedure, or is that the out-of

state-procedure in itself? I'd hate to assume one way and have it be the

other... therefore wasting both everybody's time and prolonging the process.

Thanks for letting me ramble! *chuckle*

Walk in Peace;

Jenn

(the Choctaw Gal)

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