So, this is my story...I hope it doesn't bore you...

I have battled weight my entire life, and when I say "entire life" I mean my ENTIRE life. I was always the biggest girl in class starting from 1st grade. I graduated high school weighing 200 pounds. Maintained that for a few years and gained nearly 80 pounds after the birth of my son. I went on Phen-Fen and lost 80 pounds in four months. Then the FDA yanked it off the shelves and over the course of six years, I gained it all back plus 50 more.

I was diagnosed with a kidney disorder (IgA Nephropathy) and was hoping that after my doctor recommend I lose a substantial amount of weight to prolong the life of my kidney that my insurance would cover the surgery. Ummm...yeah...that didn't work in my favor. That was two years ago and I accepted the fact that would not be able to pay for it myself. I have grown more and more ashamed of my weight and two weeks ago I hit an all time low on the emotion scale after attending a sporting event and the public seating cut into my gynormous thighs and left a bruise on both sides. God must have been listening to my cry for help because just two days later I received a gift from one of his angels. Knowing that my insurance wouldn't cover the cost of the surgery, this angel offered to pay for it. [insert wheepy eyes and a sniff, sniff here].

That was on Friday, January 28 (just a 10 days ago). I immediately phoned the surgeons office and scheduled a consult. They got me in on the 4th (yes, just this past Friday) and I met with the surgeon. I originally wanted the Lap-Band but he recommended VSG. I hadn't ever heard of it before so he explained the process and told me to think about it. He gave me the number to his scheduler and said he would contact them as well. I phoned her from my car, while still in the parking lot of the surgeons office, and left her a message. Then I spent the latter part of my afternoon (at work) researching it and then continued my research at home (which is where I stumbled upon this site). After spending HOURS reading peoples stories, blogs, and watching videos on YouTube, I decided that I wanted the VSG.

I spoke to the gal from the hospital this morning at 8:30am and was shocked to hear that my surgeon had already spoken to them about me and...[insert hyperspeed here]... She faxed my pre-op orders to me at work and I dropped them off at my doctors office a few hours later (figured why not have the insurance pay for some "routine" lab work and tests; I had my chest x-ray done while I was there also (the x-ray tech and I both had an extra 15 minutes so why not get it done with); I meet with the Bariatric department tomorrow at 11:30 to sign paperwork and have an abdominal ultrasound at 1pm; on Wednesday, I have blood work at 7:30am, Upper GI at 9am, Echo at 12:30, Treadmill Stress Test at 1pm, and meet with the dietition at 2:30; I meet with my primary doctor on the 16th for clearance and will have my EKG done at the same time; then I have surgery on the 22nd.

Start to finish in three weeks. Is it me, or is that like crazy fast?

After I got my surgery date this morning, I had to start preparing. I purchased my Protein powder (did a lot of research on this over the weekend and found one with 24G of protein, 1G sugar, and only 3G carbs); went to the store and stocked up on other supplies; and am going to continue preparing as much as I can.

I have had several abdominal surgeries including a c-section, hysterectomy, and having my gallbladder removed so I feel prepared for the pain. The hysterectomy was probably the worst and I tolerated that very well so hopefully this one isn't as bad.

Anyway - I just felt like sharing. I don't have a lot of people I can share with so I figured "what the heck, why not share with a bunch of strangers who just so happen to either be getting, or have already gotten, the same thing"?

Thanks for listening! On with the countdown...

God Bless

Dawn

WOW!!!! I have been jumping through hoops for the doctor and insurance companies since last may!!! Maybe if I told them I'd pay for it things would go faster. How much is it for self-pay?

I had mine done 3 days ago. This forum has been a great help to me in preparing along with youtube videos. I pray God's favor on you journey.

WOW!!!! I have been jumping through hoops for the doctor and insurance companies since last may!!! Maybe if I told them I'd pay for it things would go faster. How much is it for self-pay?

Self pay here is $14,250 and that includes everything.