Boppin' Bubbe

I am a 64 woman and have been retired for the past 2 years. I have grown children and grandchildren. In 2007 I had a lap band done, in order to lose the weight required by the orthopedic surgeon in order to have my knees replaced.

Initially I lost over 100 pounds and was the poster child for the lap band. However, I developed GERD and had to have much of the fluid removed. For the last 6 years I have had significant problems with asthmatic bronchitis, GERD, aspiration pneumonia and believe it or not, even going to "the best pulmonologist", it took until this past winter to have it figured out. The lap band was the culprit. Seems that as many of us age, we develop esophageal dysmotiolity and the muscles don't push the food down the esophagus like they should. This also leads to GERD. At this point I am still down 65 pounds from the original surgery.

The recommendation by the head of the GI dept at a large metropolitan hospital, was to have conversion surgery and get RNY gastric bypass. Wow! That was not what I expected. I assumed there would be another battery of tests and more indecision like in all the years past.

My wife and I saw the APRN I knew so well from the lap band. He also said he believed it was a great solution. I saw the physician June 10 and he was very convincing. Since I'd been a complaint pre op patient and generally complaint post op patient, at least for the first 3 years, I only had to see the nutritionist and the cardiologist. He sent in the cetification of need and within 2 weeks, by July 5, I had received confirmation by the insurance company that the removal of the lapband and the RNY gastric bypass would be covered.

I am excited and scared with "elevator stomach". I have read everything I can get my hands on, both on the forum, the internet and read the Big Book of Gastric Bypass. I have every confidence in my surgeon, since despite all the issues, my lap band has not moved one iota and I had 0 complications from that surgery.

It seems so silly, but I think the surgery will be earlier since according to the insurance, the lap band removal has to be by the end of July and the Bypass has to be done by the end of Aug. I supposed those dates are always subject to change, but since I am such a rule follower, I know (if only in my own mind) that it has to be done by then. Silly I know. But that's how we "good girls" roll.

I see Dr. T for the pre-op on the 15 and my second appt with the dietician is the 16th. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. :huh:

I am looking forward to using all the folks with BariPal for good times and tough times. I have a great support system who, I don't think will intentionally sabotage me. They are all so happy to see me get well and now know there's a way for me to stay well. I have a couple of friends and acquaintances who have had bypass, though not with my MD, who is part of a Center of Excellence at a large urban hospital. I know that to be successful I must use all my resources and especially go to the support group meetings, even if they are an hour away.