buttonsmommy

Preparing for surgery 2/23. Two more pre-op appointments and I'm there. Anybody else dealing with anxiety and excitement both?

Hi 67newbie and all 60's. I am 64 and traveling this road for the 4th time -- that's because the first 3 times I chickened out after a couple horror stories from "friends" and a false sense of pride (I should be able to do this myself). Well, now I have chronic back pain, my brother died at 68 last year after not following dr's advice after his quintuple bypass at 63, and I have been down a long road of less than stellar emotional health. Now I'm greatly improved on the inside, but my outside is falling apart! I turned 64 in March and I know I have 20 more active years -- and I am determined to make them count. I'm committed all the way through this time (never got beyond the psych test previously...not that I failed, just felt insecure). I have to jump thru the 6month insurance co. hoop; 2 months under my belt, so am hoping for my RNY bypass in November. As Red Green used to say (anybody watch that on PBS?) "we're all in this together". Let's go for it! By the way, I asked my surgeon how he thought older patients compared to younger, and he said "well, I don't track that, but I like the older ones because they don't holler and whine for painkillers every 5 minutes!" Good answer.

Thank you for your response. I have Cigna which also requires the 6 month "dance"; I am being pro-active getting letters from my gyn, orthopedic surgeon, and pcp all who have recommended surgery for me for the past 2 years. I am hopeful that somehow all this information will fulfill the 6 month requirement. It's taken me 2 years to make this decision and now I'm fighting anxiety over it not going as quickly as I'd like. But that's part of the process and goes to show commitment I guess.

Thanks for your reply. I really need to lose weight soon (knees are starting to literally give out). My hospital has a weight loss program (medifast or similar I think) which I may as well start on if they consent. I'm afraid my insurance will hold me back as well as some others I have read. Good luck on your continued journey!

Does anyone have a sense of an "average" time span between first surgeon consult and actual surgery? I've had one consult, additional physiological testing, nutrition and psychologic exams coming the 18th; don't see doc again until July 6. Trying to start new habits but frustrated in the process. Want to get this show on the road! Any helpful ideas?:tongue2:

Hi, just winding my way through this site...haven't had much experience writing online, but here I am, and this is who I am: married woman, 5'1" (used to be 5'4"!), 275 lbs; live with hubby & 3 cats (one is buttons, which makes me, buttonsmommy). I started gaining weight in 9th grade, had some plateaus and several losses along the way but re-gained each time plus more. I'm 60 now and if I don't change things I'll just get worse and worse. My life has become very limited. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low thyroid, crappy knees from osteo, low back pain w/arthritis, and a strong emotional connection with food. I have one consult with the bariatric psychologist but definitely will need more than one visit! Had one surgeon consult, so far, so good. Only need to lose 5% of weight to fulfill program, not sure how insurance company is going to fight me, but I'm sure they'll find a way. I vacillate between band and bypass, but leaning heavily toward banding. I hope to learn a lot here, already encouraged, good to connect with others in the same place. :thumbup: