Taking The Leap

[WildIris 4]

I've been thinking about bariatric surgery in general for a couple of years now. My BMI is 37, and I turned 35 on April 29. That was the crucial day for me, the day I realized that I had to do something, because I realized that I am now older than my husband was when we first met. He's fifteen years older than me, and I'm afraid that if I don't take drastic measures, that he'll outlive me. We've already been through so much together in our nearly thirteen years of marriage.

I have diabetes, hypothyroidism, high cholesterol (jaw-droppingly high, despite medication), back problems, and a minor heart condition. I take far, far too many medications every day to treat these obesity-related illnesses, and the side-effects are unpleasant. I want to be healthy! And I'm willing to do what it takes.

Previously, my husband wanted to either go through insurance, or wait a few years to do this, and since I'm unable to work, it would be his paycheck funding the whole thing. But the insurance route is a for-sure no-go, specifically excluding weight loss surgery.

But, on Saturday we went to a seminar done by Dr. Myur Srikanth, and now my husband is enthusiastically on-board to do this as soon as it can possibly be arranged!! We're going to take out a home equity loan to pay for it, and later on this morning, I'm going to talk to Dr. Srikanth's patient coordinator about getting the process started! I am so excited that I woke up at 3am, and I have been poring over statistics about weight loss for this surgery, calculating how much I might/will lose, and thinking about all the things I want to do after this actually happens.

It still almost seems like a dream, that I'm being ridiculously optimistic, that I should keep my expectations low so I won't be disappointed. And it still feels almost crazy-silly to speculate about doing all the things I want to do: the annual Seattle-to-Portland bike ride, hiking part of the Pacific Crest Trail with my husband, backpacking and hiking and bicycling in general.

I'm not sure it's going to seem solid and real until I actually have a date for the surgery. I still have to get a one-on-one appointment with Dr. Srikanth (scheduling to happen today), and see a psychologist (to be arranged), and all the preparatory things for surgery.

I haven't even told my family, except for my mother, that I'm doing this. And the only reason I told her is because she's a nurse and will be coming to help me out post-surgery. I'm sure that some of my family is going to react negatively (extremely so), and frankly, at this point, I don't care and don't want to hear it. Hence my keeping silent.

But I'm soooo excited! :001_smile:

More to follow, as events progress. Wish me luck, please!

[Kelkie 0]

Nice to see another North Westerner, welcome! Your story is very similar to mine, in that my husband didn't seem to think it could happen for a long time, then after the seminar, was very motivated to see that I got it done. Of course his excitement has waned a bit as I had to do a 3 month diet, and some other delays. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. All prep work is done except my last weigh in, which is coming up the 17th. Then we submit to insurance. I am sure there will be a fight there, but we will see. Good luck with your journey, and keep us posted!