StartingOverNJ

BTW - thanks for the kind words and about feeling better. Unfortunately I don't feel very good at all....

Hi all. This past Wednesday I took a major turn for the worse and went to the emergency room for blood clots in the arm I had the IV in. Seemed like a fairly minor issue since I've had clots in my legs in the past and they have always been superficial. (Not serious) An observant triage nurse noticed my difficulty breathing and probably saved my life. Long story short, I developed a massive pulmonary embolism and was admitted to the hospital. spent the next 4 days getting pumped up with blood thinners and have a rather long road ahead to get over this thing. Beginning to really wonder if I made the right choice in going for this surgery.... sigh....

Feeling much better the past 24 hours. I left the hospital with a full bottle of pills and my tail between my legs so to speak.

Up until yesterday/today I was having some pretty serious doubts about the choice I made. I really wasn't prepared for feeling so beat up as I've felt. Thankfully that is finally starting to change.

After years of ups and downs I finally had the Realize band implanted and I thought I'd share some of what I went thru. I've been able to lose significant weight on my own via exercise and diet only to watch it slowly return over a period of a few years. Each cycle became harder and harder and now that I'm over the half century mark the excess weight has impacted more and more of my health. Several daily medications for high blood pressure and acid reflux, failing hips and left knee and people that know me are aware that I'd be better off without feet! Over the years I've done them all from Atkins, to zinc drinks and it was time for some drastic action. It took over a year of research and self education before I finally decided to take the plunge and have surgery. I had attended several different seminars before selecting my bariactric surgeon. Months of tests, blood-work, psychological, nutritional, and a few others. Each insurance company has it's own set of rules they place in front of you to try and discourage you from having surgery. My primary care doctor has tracked my trial and tribulations with weight control over the years so well that that actually proved to be the easiest part in preparing an insurance packet for surgery approval. The packet was ready on a Tuesday and I was told to expect an answer in about a week. I've also heard horror stories of people waiting months for approval which concerned me. See I understand that weight loss surgery is NOT a magic bullet and will require lifelong changes in how I live. Knowing that, it was important that I have the surgery during the beginning of the boating off season to give me time to adjust to the changes. Well, by the next morning, less than 24 hours later I had my answer and a positive one at that. A date of December 2nd was picked due to scheduling of all involved including my Admiral. I had one more pre-surgery class to go to where I found out that my "last meal" would have to be 2 days before surgery. Seems all you can have the day before is Water and Clear liquids. The pre-surgery class was supposed to prepare you for what to expect when on your day of surgery including being in the OR. Let me tell you that surgery is akin to a hard core S & M session. As the kids today say, OMG!!!! I'm going to leave out a lot of the details but let me just say it is 5 days later and I'm still black and blue on my wrists and legs from the damn leather restraints they use. And don't surgeons know that if BOTH of your shoulders have 3 to 6 inch VISIBLE scars that your range of motion just might not be as good as many people and tying someone down with the limbs raised higher than they can make them go themselves is gonna HURT!!!!! From what I was lead to expect most people that have this surgery recover pretty quickly and require little if any pain meds. Apparently I had an excellent recovery nurse, (I was told this by another nurse), because I required morphine, Demerol and then for the past 6 days oxycodonye to tolerate the pain. Seems without the trained eyes of the nurse I had i would never have received the medications I was ultimately given. Anyway, the last 6 days have been very difficult but on a positive note I have lost 20 pounds since the morning of the surgery. The admiral insisted I get off my lazy a$$ and go out with her to pickup some of the things I need and make a quick visit to see a friend. I was able to put on jeans I haven't worn in quite sometime. Time to go take a nap....

I was expecting at least a week if not more based on all the insurance horror stories I've been reading here. I guess if you take the time to get all your ducks in a row things move more quickly. I think the key reason is that the PCP I've been using for the last 3 or 4 years has kept detailed notes of the progress and then the lack of progress of my attempts to lose weight. Interesting to read them myself, a true roller coaster experience for sure. BTW - do you use the lapband support group sessions that Abkin/Bertha offer? Are they worth while? Thinking of going to the 11/19 one to check it out. I'm not sure group meetings are for me as I'm an Internet type person but willing to try anything to help adjust to my new life ahead.

Thanks for the welcome. I'll try and do the class proud. :thumbs_up: (Already voted as well...)

Well I didn't get a chance to read all seven pages of this thread but wanted to add another December bander to it. Been quite a road to get here but my insurance package was submitted 11/4 and I received approval the next day! I now have a 12/2 surgery date. Very excited but starting to get some nervous doubts which seems to be pretty normal but hey, it's a big step!

Just got my date today. Add me to the December banders. 12/2/08 is my big day.

My insurance packet was submitted yesterday and approval was received today! I was not expecting word back that soon. Now the nerves and doubt are starting.

Wow, a whirlwind of activity the last few days. Finally got all the insurance documentation together and it was submitted yesterday morning. Received approval today!!!!! (BCBS even!) Looks like 12/2/08 is my surgery date. Now the nerves start. Sigh!

Thanks Jetti. Just an FYI I'll be using Dr Bertha's partner, Dr Abkin.

I'm working towards my surgery and it is def. a scary process. Only you can answer your question. Are the goals you set worth it you? If you want it bad enough you'll have to work for it and I'm sure there will be bumps along the way. Thats what I tell myself anyway!

Over a year ago I went for my first seminar and have been reading and studying everything I can get my hands on. Went to more than one seminar before deciding on a surgeon to use and I've been spending lots of time trying to meet all the insurance requirements. One more doctor to see today before the insurance package will be ready to submit for approval. I'm being told that everything so far looks good but time will tell. Currently targeting a November 20th surgery date. Been reading this site for a little while now and figured it was time to say hi. I used to be an avid walker and look forward to getting back to it. Started with the treadmill last week so I'm hopeful. Nervous, frustrated and excited all at the same time....