RE: Thinking about Gastric Bypass Surgery

[Guest guest]

HI Yonnie,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I understand a lot of what you felt.

That is why I am thinking about it. Right now, my husband is the only one

that knows. I don't know who else I will tell at this point. I will be

doing a lot of praying about it though.

Gloria

>

>Reply-To: Gastric_Bypass_Family

>To: Gastric_Bypass_Family

>Subject: Re: Thinking about Gastric Bypass Surgery

>Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2004 20:57:51 -0700 (PDT)

>

[Guest guest]

..Hi Gloria!

I think it's great you are looking into the surgery. For me, it was

a very good friend who had gastric bypass in august 2002 that

convinced me I should look into it. She had a great team of surgeons

and was losing weight so easily. We have both struggled with our

weight for our entire lifettimes. I have been overweight since

puberty. I am an extremely emotional compulsive overeater. I had a

baby in december 2000, and was worried that I would die of a heart

attack due to my weight. I was 315 pounds when I began my journey in

october, 2002 I went to an informational seminar. I am in the

Chicago area, where there is an awesome group of doc's who do the

procedure (Dr. Kane and Dr. Guske's team!).

Anyways, I learned about the risks, knew that there could be

complications but also came to the decision within myself that it was

the only thing left for me to try. I have yo yo dieted all my life,

and have gained and lost 50-75 pounds at least 5 times, always

putting on alittle more (which led to my weighing 315!).

I worried that I wouldn't wake up from the surgery, but prayed alot

and left it in God's hands. I only told my immediate family and

closest friends. Like you, I felt it is a private matter and didn't

want to tell the world.

Regarding the insurance, in october 2002 I had bluecross/blueshield

HMO and I was lucky to be able to change to the PPO in november (at

the recommendation of the surgeorn's group as they knew it would be

easier for me to see them as they were out of network for my HMO).

So getting approved was a pretty simple process for me. Sorry I

don't have any tips, except to say that if you're not happy with your

PCP I would change, but that's just my opinion!

I saw the surgeon in february, 2003; the pulmonologist in march, had

the psychological in april and was scheduled for surgery may 27,

2003. I was so excited! It was the day after labor day, and I was

the first on the schedule for the day, 7am. Dr. Guske is very kind,

patient, skilled, and understanding. I think it is VERY IMPORTANT to

find a surgeon that you feel comfortable with and trust. I wish you

were in the chicago area, because Dr. Guske is the best!

Well, everything went well. Had a slight wound infection afterwards,

but other than that, no complications. THe pounds literally just

fell off for the first 6 months, 100 pounds gone! The losing has

slowed alot after that, and I am down to 172 as of this morning.

Some weeks/months I don't lose anything, but I am trying to accept

that. My goal is 150, and I am also trying to accept if I don't get

there that I am OK with where I am now. I went from size 30 to a

size 10! It's amazing that I can shop in regular stores and fit into

size 10 and medium clothes. It's a dream come true!!!

The decision to have the surgery is a very personal one. For me, I

embraced it 100%, tried to have a very positive attitude about it

from the start, and now have NO regrets (other than wishing I had

done it sooner!!!).

Best of luck to you on your journey! I will say a prayer that you

make the decision that is best for you,

gbp 5/27/03

315/ 172/ 150

[Guest guest]

Gloria,

You asked about how long it was from the beginning of our looking into having

this surgery and actually having it. I think that the time frame is different

for everyone. I personally started researching over a year ago but did not

start the insurance process until late February. It took from February until

this last Friday the 16th of July to get my insurance approval. I had a number

of hoops to jump through to get it. But some people take a lot longer than 5

months for their approval and some are a lot less.

As far as the pcp, I was not sure that mine would be on board for this either.

Luckily he said that normally he would not be but because I am so healthy to

begin with he would be behind me on it. But I was fully prepared to change

doctors if he stood in my way of getting this surgery. Once you research all

the options and decide that this is what you need to do for yourself, don't let

anyone not even your pcp stand in your way. But bottom line it is something

that you will have to decide about on your own if it is right for you or not.

Dora