tmaiello

Two and a half years on a hard to travel insurance road to get to this point! It seems my PCP and I were speaking a different language and he could not get the paperwork and tests right for the bariatric Dr. and his team to get approval for the surgery. BUT, obviously, we finally got it after 3 submissions and a Hail Mary! I was banded on 12/3/09 and am finally getting around to writing this blurb on 12/24/09. I am disabled from 4 spinal surgeries for scoliosis and have not worked since 2002 so, that's one thing less I have to deal with post op. I feel for all of us that have to work right after, it is very difficult to image the changes in your routine and how it can affect your job. I was an IT director and could have managed, not because of the position and entitlements, but my co-workers were always extrtemely supportive when I had to get surgery on my back and return to work. (4 weeks post op after 12 1/2 hours of spinal surgery.....that's tough!) I hope and pray all of you have co workers that can support you during the post operative recovery!  I am now 51.....but glad this is now done and I can start healing, in more ways than one. I have not gone for the first fill yet, however, I still feel a little restrtiction compared to how I was eating prior to surgery. I'd like to see about 85 pounds, although I should really be at 187, I'll take 230 gladly! I have already seen my blood pressure reduce, my pain level from back surgery was reduced immediately, but of course, now that the weather changed, it is a different story and hurts about the same again! (still an improvement overall!!!)This is definitely the way to go for me......I can see the changes already and hope for great things in the future!I hope all of you achieve what you are hoping for, and pray you can be happy with the changes as they come!