jenblove
Hope
Aug 09, 2011
Well, here goes...I'm on the verge of setting the date for my surgery with my surgeon next week, the day after my 38th birthday, Happy Birthday to me!I started pursuing the gastric bypass in May and slowly but surely I have made it here.
I'll never forget how psyched I was after the seminar and how I cried when I found out my insurance covers the surgery if you meet the criteria and I more than did. I went in and shared with a co-worker who had the surgery 2 years ago, she said she knew what I was feeling...it was "HOPE". And she was exactly right! I had HOPE!
The surgeon's office couldn't call me fast enough to set up my consultation appointment. I ended up calling them after two weeks and it turned out my paperwork had gotten buried on someone's desk. Once I got the appointment I still had to wait a couple of weeks. It seems excruciating at the time. At the appointment it was mostly question and anwer. I found out what was required of me financially and what other steps I would need to go through before their office could submit the information to my insurance company for approval.
Then I had to wait another two weeks to meet with the nutritionist (with a group of other surgical candidates). She made the diet sound so easy, but I'm not so sure...I still have concerns. I'm a child of the drive thru and convenience foods. I get stressed when I try to have to plan what I'm going to eat, cook, etc. I usually eat whatever I'm craving and that's going to be hard to adjust to. I'm guilty of using food to comfort me, as well. I'm going to have to find other outlets for my emotional and other needs I use food to fulfill.
Then two weeks later, the meeting with the psychologist. It was pretty basic Q and A. She just had to ask to make sure I understood what I would be undergoing with the surgery, how my lifestyle would have to change...that this was just a tool. We didn't really get into a whole lot of detail about my emotional issues or anything. She agreed I would be a good candidate and said she would have her report to the doctor's office by the end of the week.
Nine days later I get the call from the doctor's office calling to say insurance approved my surgery! Of course, I wasn't there to answer the call and I didn't get anyone until the fourth time I called. My stomach was in knots bec/ I knew there was a "verdict", I just didn't know what it was. When I finally got through, I was told I had been approved and my physical and scheduling (for surgery!) appointment was set for 10 days later. I'm trying to be patient, but it's so hard...it's been a waiting game throughout this whole process, but I know it will be worth it in the end.
So far, it has been 8+ weeks since I've had a carbonated beverage, I'm sticking with Crystal Light and water. It has been 6+ weeks since I quit smoking (so I've put on a few pounds, since...), I'm hoping I don't get fussed at too much...Both of these were big steps for me, so I'm trying to encourage myself for conquering these two hurdles. Now to get started exercising. I have good intentions when I'm lying in the bed at night thinking about how I'm going to get started the next day...and of course, it hasn't happened yet. I'm determined to at least try by the end of this weekend. I hear exercising can help reduce the amount of loose skin throughout the weight loss process, but I know I will have a lot to contend with...
Yesterday was the first day I logged on to this site. It is a little slow, probably bec/ there is so much information, but it is all so good! The goals...I've only been through a few of them, but it's amazing to see so many people wanting the same things I do! "Being able to sit in an airplane seat comfortably!" "Not having to shop for plus sizes..." Just sooo many things...
I'm encouraged and inspired by the Before and After photos. I just can't fathom that one day that will be my before and after photo. The hardest thing for me now is looking at a photo of myself. It literally sends me into the throes of depression...but that's a story for another time.
I read one girl's blog about her experience and it was so inspiring how candid she was and I thought I'd try to start writing about my experience, hopefully to give someone "Hope" or just to remind myself down the road what was going through my mind throughout this process and to see how far I've come.
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About Me
NC
Location
31.3
BMI
Surgery
09/19/2011
Surgery Date
Aug 08, 2011
Member Since
