heath0827

Good Morning Everyone, My Name is Heather and this is the first time I am visiting this wonderful site. I am 35 years old and have recently been approved for vertical sleeve gastrectomy. at this moment I weigh 400lbs. My journey began in November when I took a fall and became painfully aware of just how badly my weight affected my health. I wasnt hurt badly but doing little things became a monumental task because of my weight. It was like having the curtain pulled back on my life and I realized just how many adaptations I had made for my weight without even realizing I was doing so. I had thought about weight loss surgery on and off for the last few years but had not yet come to the point where I said enough is enough and I need to do something until now. I went to my initial seminar in Feb and had my first meeting with my surgeon a few weeks later. When I went to the doctor the surgery I was interested in was bypass because I had read, and heard so much about it. Sleeve was something I was not that familiar with. After meeting with my surgeon Dr. Rantis and hearing more about the sleeve and the benefits vs. bypass I agreed that it was the best option for me. We submitted for approval with my insurance and I agonized for two weeks worried to death that we would not get approval. When I found out that Insurance approved it was like the world came off my shoulders and I could breathe. Next week I am doing all of my requried doctors appointments and I am hoping to be able to set a surgery date very soon. While I am a little nervous about surgery I am anxious for it to be done so I can begin the process of getting healthier.

After all of the frustration and waiting I finally have a date for Surgery. June 11th I am so exited even if that means I will have to begin meal replacements on Sunday. It will be worth it.

I have been going through the process to get my sleeve since March. Got the insurance company to approve which was the most nerve wrecking for me, then I was so happy because they were not requiring a 6 month diet ahead of time. I started going to all the required appointments to be cleared for surgery psych, then pulmenologist, ultrasound, dietician, behavior modification classes etc. All have cleared me the same day I have seen them accept the Pulmenologist. First I had to do a sleep study because he was so certain that someone of my high body mass must have Apnea. Great fine did the sleep study came back not actually apnea where I stop breathing but my breathing does shallow so before they will clear me I have to use a CPAP monitored for 7-10 days which has meant very little sleep for me but I have been doing it because it is what needs to be done. 10 days was up on Wed, and have been calling to find out if he will clear me for surgery with no answers. Then I call my surgeons office because they have been checking on me I am playing phone tag with them. I am just so irritated with the process. I know it is nessesary to ensure my health. I just want someone to tell me something and I am getting no answers and my anxiety level is getting higher because I am not getting answers and I really just needed to vent with other people who might understand what I am going through. Now that I have I feel a little better still irritated beyond belief but calmer than I was.

thanks for the support, and you were right it is Heather