Thinking about Gastric Bypass Surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I am at the very beginning stages of the Gastric Bypass Surgery journey. I

am over 420lbs. (Don't know my exact weight because my doctor doesn't have

a scale to weigh me and I started back at weight watchers for about the 8th

time in my life and the scale they have zero's out. They are working on

getting another.

I know of one person that has had this surgery, but they are a former

teacher of my son and is no longer at that school. I have been very

frustrated with my weight and told my husband that I have to do something.

I am diabetic and borderline high blood pressure. My doctor has started me

on Lipitor not because my cholesteral is bad but for the added protection

for heart disease. I have seen some programs on 60 minutes or 48 hours

about Gastric Bypass Surgery. I mentioned to my husband that I have been

toying with the idea of checking into it.

Yesterday, I had an appointment with another surgeon in regard to another

minor health issue. He indicated that at this point that surgery would be

considered elective. He was asking me alot of questions about my weight and

had I considered Gastric Bypass Surgery. (Not the direction my husband and

I thought this meeting would go.) He recommended a couple of surgeons and

gave some recommendations on alternative treatments for our initial visit.

I came home and spent the rest of the night on the computer looking for

information about Gastric Bypass Surgery, and stumpled upon this site. I

have read some very interesting and successful stories.

I am curious of the steps from the time you're thinking about it and the

journey to when you are approved and have the surgery. I live in the

Washington D.C. area in land and Dr. Finelli and Dr. Kirkpatrick were

recommended. From postings and stories I have read from patients they both

seem to be excellent doctors. I have Optimum Choice - HMO. Is there anyone

that has recently had the surgery with that insurance and how hard was the

approval and what did you do? Also, I have not talked with my primary care

doctor about this yet but we are dissatisfied with some things that have

been happening at the doctor's office - mainly in the front office however,

I am not sure my doctor would approve of the surgery - he is very

conservative but I could be wrong. My husband and I have decided to switch

pcp but if I'm thinking about this surgery, I don't know if this is a good

time however I don't think we want to go another 2 yrs with our current pcp

with all of the problems we are having. Any suggestions and I would love to

hear from some of you about you road to deciding yes and how you came about

deciding to have it and the process for getting approved particularly if you

have Optimum Choice HMO.

Thanks for sticking with the long e-mail.

Gloria