Good Morning

So I decided to start this blog after reading so much on this site from so many people my head is spinning!!!

First here is some details about me:

I am 52

Married for 30 years great husband (Professional Chef)

I have a 27 yr old son who is a research chemist and a great guy (not just cause I'm his mom). He also makes homemade wine and vinegar's.

I have two wonderful and crazy dogs that keep me laughing all the time.

I am a full time college student Criminal Justice.

I volunteer with senior citizens and abused children.

I am a cancer survivor and a host of other crap.

I have been on disability since 1996 and my goal is to become whole again.

That being said lets get to the meat of it all:

I am a classic YOYO dieter, I have tried every new or old thing I find. I always seem to lose but gain back more. I finally realized I needed help, so I turned to the internet and looked at information on WLS. My cousin whom I am close to had RNY lost it all and gained it back, she then got the lap band and does not lose, so I was aprehensive about the whole thing.

I went to my Dr. (who is also a good friend) loaded with all the information I found, and asked her if she thought I would be a candidate for WLS, she said yes. From there her and I went to a seminar. I already had so much of the pretesting that is required done, so I scheduled a consult with the surgeon from the seminar.

I felt like I was in a used car lot, all he cared about was how he was going to get paid from the insurance company. He had good reviews on the interent however that did not sway me, I ran from his office second guessing myself.

I then went to another seminar at Duke University, and another at a private Dr.'s office. What a difference from the first dr. I learned there are so many different procedures available and not everyone can have the lap band.

I have decided to go with Duke and Dr. Yoo for a lap band with plication (they stitch the stomach into a sleeve and it is reversable).

I am going for my consult with Dr. Yoo on april 28th, I only need two more months of documented weight consult with my dr.

I am trying to have my surgery the first week of June.

I have only told a limited amount of people what I plan on doing, I found the less people know right now the better. I don't want anyone to try and influence me.

The best advise I can give to anyone just starting this journey is find out what your insurance company requires and start doing it now! The wheels move slowly and as the time gets closer you want to know you won't miss anything that would cause a delay. Be totally in love with your Dr and the staff cause this is a marriage. Keep a book with you at all times and write down questions nothing is a stupid question. So many of the postings I have read are questions people should have asked their doctor.

Start experimenting with protein powders and drinks now, cause you want to be somewhat prepared when the time comes. Remember this is a tool not a magic pill.

I will post as often as I can or when something happens good or bad cause we are all in this together.

Peace

T