male only Approved and SCARED

[SpeakerSpeaking 6]

So I had my consult on January 4th and started all of the nutrition classes etc that was needed by AFTRA H&R. They submitted my paperwork in late July and after a denial (missing form) I have now been told that I have been approved. However, the insurance company has said that I have to have surgery no later than October 12th.

I did not anticipate this but now, all of the sudden, I am scared SHITLESS!!! That is less than a month away and have 5 appointments between now and then. The appointments are going to make life difficult at home (my wife is having non-bariatric surgery this week) and at work. Part of me wants to bag it all and say that I will do it later once my insurance changes in January.

My total out of pocket from here on out is about $1800 and that freaks me out too...

Anyone else get cold feet??

[gowalking 10,790]

There are two types of bariatric patients. Those who are chomping at the bit to get the surgery and get going, and those who have fear, cold feet, buyers remorse... however you want to put it. All I can say being on the other side for coming up to four years banded in January, is.....do it man! All the nonsense with timing, appointments, family stuff, personal stuff, whatever...is just that. Nonsense.

Don't procrastinate my friend. Jump into the deep end. Believe me...you will be in such a better place a year from now. Why delay that? And so you know...I went into this kicking and screaming. I would have done anything to avoid it but my back was against the wall as I was heading towards a wheelchair full time. This is me just over a year ago and the before pic was easily 50 lbs. less than I was day of surgery. So..not only no wheelchair in that picture, but here I was riding a friggin' bike in preparation for a trip to London...which included a ton of walking. So believe me when I say that the grin you see is 'gen-you-wine' happiness. Time for you to have your happiness too.

Good luck!!

[goblue9280 481]

Absolutely. Everything seemed to happen so quick once I started making the appointments... NUT class, stress test, upper GI, 2 week pre-op diet... next thing I knew, it was the morning of surgery and I was terrified. Never had major surgery before or been under other than wisdom teeth. Only complication I was truly afraid of was waking up in the middle of surgery. Two things I'll never forget... being wheeled down to the operating room, and being laid out on the table. Next thing I remember was waking up in recovery. Since then it has been a whirlwind of a year. Once the recovery period ends and you start eating normal foods again, you'll be shocked at how quickly your quality of life improves. The weight really does melt away... you sleep better, you have more energy, you have better sex, even your mental health will likely improve from all of the physical improvements.

My biggest regret is I dragged my feet for a year knowing I would eventually have this surgery. I wouldn't waste 2-3 months of time delaying it... get it done and start living your new life!

[Dub 9,922]

My only regret with my sleeve surgery is that I didn't do it sooner.

You've been approved. It's gonna cost you $1,800.

I grew tired of the bullcrap delays my insurance company was tossing around. I spent the funds I'd been planning on using for a new car and self funded the surgery. That sped things up significantly.

There is a lot of running around for you right now.....but think of it this way....the appointments will only help to keep you laser focused on the weight loss you can achieve on your way towards surgery.

[defibvt 348]

Like @@Dub my only regret is not doing this earlier in my life.

Believe me, there will come a time, 3 months. 6 months a year after you've had your surgery, that you will look into a mirror and not recognize the person starring back at you. You will be in the middle of doing something, and pause, not because the old you would be out of breath, tire, sweaty or exhausted, but because you realize you can do this and you are not out of breath, tired or exhausted (sweaty is a good thing). You will be out with friends or family, and someone, who hasn't seen you is awhile, will talk to your friends, and realize they didn't recognize you. You will have people talk to you, and treat you like 'normal' people do... You will notice, no one is glaring at you. There will come a time, you grow tired of explaining what happened to you or what you did to loose all the weight. You will also become proud, because people compliment you and say nice things about you...

This is the ultimate price we have paid.... I wish you the best of luck, as you continue your journey. Yes, we have all stumbled at times, but we get back up, because we can, and work harder to do the right thing.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery over 3 years ago. It was a great decision. It took care of many health issues including high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and GERD.

[blizair09 3,250]

So I had my consult on January 4th and started all of the nutrition classes etc that was needed by AFTRA H&R. They submitted my paperwork in late July and after a denial (missing form) I have now been told that I have been approved. However, the insurance company has said that I have to have surgery no later than October 12th.

I did not anticipate this but now, all of the sudden, I am scared SHITLESS!!! That is less than a month away and have 5 appointments between now and then. The appointments are going to make life difficult at home (my wife is having non-bariatric surgery this week) and at work. Part of me wants to bag it all and say that I will do it later once my insurance changes in January.

My total out of pocket from here on out is about $1800 and that freaks me out too...

Anyone else get cold feet??

Man, I so feel you with this. My surgery date is two weeks from tomorrow. And as much as I know that am doing the right thing, that my pre-op work leaves me in the best possible condition for surgery, that I have plenty of STD to cover leave from work after, and that my Mom and Dad will be here to hold my hand (and my partner's hand) for two weeks during and after, I am SCARED SHITLESS, too. (The "being laid out on the table" comment above just freaked me out again. I have to quit thinking about those kinds of things!)

But, you will be fine, and I will be fine. And, in the end, we will be SO MUCH BETTER for it!

All my best wishes!

[VDB 800]

Ditto on what all the guys said.

I am looking in the mirror at a guy who is relatively slim, healthy, no high bp, no diabetes, no massive swelling, mobility is back! I can now hike, garden, live.

15 months out. Go for it, it is essential.

[SpeakerSpeaking 6]

Maybe this is the subject for another thread... but had anybody hid that they had surgery? I have not talked with a lot of people about what my surgery is. A few close friends know but coworkers and folks in my Cub Scout group just know that I need to have surgery soon.

[goblue9280 481]

I don't talk about it outside of close friends and family. People ask all the time how I did it... I tell them eat less, move more (with eating being the primary focus.) I didn't tell people at work, though I'm sure they figured it out since it all corresponded to me being out for surgery for a week. I know I could be a great advocate for surgery, but I simply don't have the time... too many people that I don't feel like dealing with have a negative opinion of the surgery so that's why I decided to go the route I did with not bringing it up. I'm not embarrassed about it, though... I have shared my struggles with others that are of the size that bariatric surgery should probably be something to consider.

Maybe this is the subject for another thread... but had anybody hid that they had surgery? I have not talked with a lot of people about what my surgery is. A few close friends know but coworkers and folks in my Cub Scout group just know that I need to have surgery soon.

[TexasguyEP 56]

I totally feel you. I had thoughts similar while I was undergoing all the appointments, upper GI, venous Doppler and the whole nine yards. However, now I am more than ready for it. I cannot wait. I have my last appointment with the nut. eight days from now and then it goes to the ins to see if they'll approve or not. I have spoken with my director at work and management has been very supportive. I was just asked to let them know of the date so they can start working on coverage for my time off. You'll do great! everything will be good! Just wait and see...