Linda Jolly
I started gaining weight when I was pregnant with my first child, I gained 76 pounds and was never able to lose it all. I maintained a weight of about 170 until I quit smoking about 10 years ago. Since then I have gained 112 pounds. I think I have tried every diet known to man and just cannot get it off. I have type II diabetes, high blood pressure, GERD and severe arthritis. I lose a few pounds and gain back more than I lost. It seems that every year I add an additional health problem. I have been thinking about surgery for a long time and finally decided that at 60 years old the window is getting smaller and I need to do this while I am still young enough and healthy enough to be able to do it. Kidney disease and heart disease runs in my family and since I am diabetic I am a ticking time bomb.
I went to my first seminar September 29, 2007 and the 2nd one October 10, 2007. I decided to go with the 2nd group of doctors. Had 1st appointment with surgeon October 18. Initially, I was considering lap-band surgery but after going to the informational seminars I changed my mind and decided to go with RNY. I made sure to take all information with me to first appointment (diet history, referral letter from Primary, Insurance info, etc.)
When Dr. told me that I was a candidate, I started making appointments to have presurgical testing done. As soon as they had the Psycological Testing back it was submitted to insurance and was approved Nov 8. I have appointment with Nutritionist, Blood work and Stress Echo Nov 12 and have final presurgical appointment with surgeon Nov 14. He will then go over all tests and schedule a date. I am so excited that this looks like it is really going to happen that I have been flying on cloud 9.
I asked Surgical Co-ordinator if it was possible to have surgery before Christmas and she said that she couldn't promise, but it is definately a possibility.
OH has been a wealth of information for me, thanks for letting me lurk for a while.
