Daphne G.
Well, I started investigating WLS back in Sept 09 when I took my husband to 2 seminars. When I first went to the seminars, I was leaning toward the LapBand, but the more I listened, the more I leaned toward the RNY. I need to lose about 100 lbs., my BMI is 40 and the only comorbiditiy that I realy have is Sleep Apnea.
The real reason that I want to have WLS is because I have serious mobility problems because of my knees. I have arthritis and have had surgery on both of them already. It seemed like they may be getting better, but now I am really struggling. I can barely get up and down stairs. I can't walk very long at all. That kind of takes the oomph out of 'working out' too. My husband and I joined the gym and were doing ok but it got so bad that I couldn't even walk on the treadmill. that really bums me out, because it made me feel good when I got done working out.
I am only 46 and I just want to get my life back. I have an 8 year old grandson that I can't even play with because I am always in pain. I feel so left out when ever the family gets together to do something and all i do is sit on the sidelines. Always on the outside looking in.
Believe me, considering this surgery has not been something that i have taken lightly at all. I read all kinds of articles on the different kinds of WLS even before I went to a seminar. Now, I am going onto these groups/chatrooms/support groups to find out as much as I possibly can from anyone and everyone at each and every step along the road of this process.
In one way, I have it kind of easy, because my insurance doesn't require much at all from me before approval. I don't have to have a psych eval, a nutritional eval, be on a diet for a specific time prior to surgery or anything. All they required is a food diary and 5 years of doctor records which I believe I have. Hopefully all will go smoothly for that. I know that I have heard a lot of nightmarish issues from others regarding insurance requirements. Good luck to all of you who may be struggling with that. I will keep you in my thoughts.
I have read and reread the binder with all of the good, bad and the ugly that I received from my Doctor. All of the risks, complications, preparations for surgery as well as the post op do's and don'ts, diet and lifestyle changes, the importance of the vitamin requirements and exercise and what to expect for the rest of my life.
I am definitely not going into this unaware of anything. I want to know the good, the bad and the ugly!
The good thing is that I ahve a wonderful support system. My husband supports me fully and will be there to assist me in any way that he can any time he can.
My daughter supports me although she is worried about me. She had someone close to her that went through the RNY and didnt follow the rules and didnt do well. I think she has that in the back of her mind when thinking of me doing the same thing. I will prove her wrong.
I intend to do this to give myself and my family a new start with me. I want to enjoy everyone again! I want to be a part of the fun and not just hang around on the outside anymore.
So I am hoping to get some feedback from everyone on here to help me in my journey and maybe in some small way I can help someone else too.
