cuteascanbelizzie

My name is Elizabeth. I am a 33 year old single gal and I currently reside in Charlotte, NC. I started looking at surgery as a weight loss option in 2008. I went to a seminar each year since then and kept shying away because it felt like the easy way out. I have been overweight since I was in kindergarten and had attempted many forms of dieting and exercise since then. I have never had any problems making friends, having a boyfriend, or being successful but my weight still seemed to hold me back in many ways. I haven't been on a roller coaster since middle school because of the seat belts. I always have to ask for an extension on an airplane which is very embarrassing. I've had ovulation issues since I was 11 and was officially diagnosed with PCOS in January. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2001and sleep apnea in 2009.

I chose to seek WLS partly out of pressure from my health insurance company (higher premiums for high BMIs) and because I sincerely want to be able to have children one day. The office I initially went to would not approve me for surgery because of my BMI. They offer a medically supervised weight loss option but the NP I was seeing and liked left and the doctor I was assigned to was very condescending and mean. Friends and co-workers kept talking about Dr. Voellinger and Southeast Bariatrics so I decided to give them a try. It seems like I've been in a whirlwind ever since. I researched alot prior to going in and really wanted the vertical sleeve but my insurance no longer covered it and gastric bypass seemed like the most permanent way to go although I didn't like the idea of having organs rerouted. I met with the new surgeon in the office in May. He seemed nice but not all there. I told him I wanted gastric bypass and he said OK. I was disappointed that the risks (which I already knew) were not even discussed with me. Dr. Voellinger seemed to have a better bedside manner and I wished I would have seen him instead.

I had my upper endoscopy in June along with the exercise and nutrition orientation. By the middle of July I was cleared by the nutritionist, exercise physiologist, the clinical social worker, and was awaiting insurance. I was a bit fearful since my insurance company required a 5 year weight history and I somehow missed going to the doctor in 2010. Kim, the patient insurance coordinator tried to ease my mind when I got worried about. I received a letter at the end of July stating that my surgeon was no longer with the practice and that I would have to see Dr. V if I wanted to continue. Although that follow-up visit seemed a world away I was glad it came. A co-worker who was recently banded was divinely sent to encourage me to explore another type of surgery. At the time I had started the process my insurance would not cover the sleeve but that changed with the new coverage period. I was ecstatic to learn i could have the surgery I wanted! Dr. V came in and we discussed the change of surgical procedures and discussed the chance of leakage and other possible risks and decided to change to VSG. I also found out on that visit that everything had been submitted to the insurance company and they had approved me for surgery. Yay! The scheduling nurse had a very busy schedule and did get back to my for nearly a month but once she did I was ready. Since my mother wants to be at my surgery I scheduled it for Monday, November 21, 2011. Thanksgiving and my birthday are the same week but I'm going for it. I've prayed that everything will work out right and that the Lord will ease my pain and gas.