ErinRN

I went to talk to my primary care doctor about weight loss.  I am from a family that has obesity, diabetes, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, and hyperlipidemia.  I am young, and don't want any of the above.  I see my older aunts nearly disabled due to excess weight and the above diseases.  I have two young sons, and struggle to keep up with them.  When my primary care doctor was unable to help me (he said "Oh, maybe you should take a walk at lunch"), I turned to my OB/GYN.  She was very understanding and referred me to the FAHC bariatric program.  I attended their "info night" in October 2008.  In January 2009 I had a visit with the NP, staff psychologist and the Registered Dietician.  The folowing month I returned and met the surgeon.  He said I would not meet criteria for a bypass, but I "just" met criteria for banding.  Due to the fact I had not developed co-morbidities, and didn't have a higher BMI, I was "borderline".  at 5'8" 262lb I din't feel borderline, I felt immense. I'm a nurse.  I shouldn't be in this condition! From there, I had another appt, my gastroscopy, which showed a normal, healthy stomach & esophagus.  That means we could go ahead with the banding plan.  From March on I have been working steadily toward my weight loss goal.  I lost 16 lbs and was very happy, I overshot the clinic's 5% weight loss goal for surgery.  I had attended my appointments faithfully every month, presented my food logs to the RD and done my counseling and nutrition requirements (this program is full-on!)  For each appt I had to travel 1 hr 20 minutes each way, so I was very dedicated. At the end of August, my paperwork was submitted to my insurace- MVP.  On 9/4 the NP phoned me at work saying my surgery had been denied, as MVP had changed their criteria, and required a 10% weight loss.  This was a massive blow to me.  In order to get the weight off pronto, I was placed on an appetite suppressant  and a liquid pre-op diet.  By  9/20, I was so wanting something to chew on, gnawing a pair of old senakers was starting to be appealing!  I was sick to death of cream soups and low-carb slim fast!  However, I had done it, I lost almost 13 lbs over the 16 days.  I weighed in, had yet another visit with the NP, RD and psychologist, and paperwork was yet again submitted to MVP. I will say, now that I am down to 225 lb from 262, I feel amazing.  Clothes fit nice and loose, I do have more energy and feel nice.  One evening I took a walk down a beautiful country road I live on, with my MP3 player, and i just kept going and going, I must have done close to 3 miles.  It was exhilirating. For quite a while I was reluctant to discuss this surgery with friends or family.  However, the people I have talked to about it have been so supportive, I am now comfortable with discussing it.  I know that so far "my journey" has been a challenging but positive one.It is now October.  I have received approval from insurance, my surgery is booked for 11/18/09 and I am continuing to lose weight.  A big highlight for me was putting on a dress I had purchased for an upcoming event to find it "hung like a sack" on me.  It was a 22/24.  I went and purchased a dress in a fitted style, something I could not have done before... and it was a size 18.  I have to pin my slacks up now, otherwise they slide down and get trapped under my heels.  I am so happy.  I am receiving comments and compliments at work on my appearance, which is very important to me.  As a RN  I want to look healthy, "practice what I preach".  It is not a good look to be quite heavy and be telling patients how to eat right and exercise!
Well, I received a surprise call last week, and my date has been moved up by 2 days.  On 11/16 I am booked for surgery.  I have lost 4 more lbs and am currently on a pre-op liquid diet.  My weight is now 218.  Both the Surgeon and NP asked repeatedly if I wish to move forward with surgery, as my pre-op weight loss has gone so well.  I do want to have the band, as a tool I can use for life.  I don't want to revisit the yo-yo dieting again.