Just Introducing Myself. - ThinnerTimes

JustAngie · 12-06-2005, 06:52 PM

Hi all, I was just online researching the Gastric Bypass and I came across this site. I have been researching and learning as much as possible, within the next few months I'm planning on seeing my doctor and see if I can qualify. Anyone have anything they would like to tell me, or walk me through the steps of just starting out, or basically any info or comments at all would be greatly appreciated.

coptergirl · 12-06-2005, 06:55 PM

Hi Angie...welcome to the forum family! I am pre-op myself still, and I started with a visit to my PCP. I told him what I wanted, had a spreadsheet available with all of my weightloss attempts, and he said ok and referred me to my surgeon. Their staff have walked me through all of the stages so far with a lot of prodding by me.

Start with your PCP and go from there. I wish you the best of luck on your decision. Research everything you can...

JustAngie · 12-06-2005, 07:00 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I am mostly just wondering how to prepare to approach my DR. I'm not sure if I will qualify and so on, I've heard a few people say that it's really hard to qualify. I just know that I"m ready to take the steps of surgery but I'm really not even sure where to begin.

Mavisavis · 12-06-2005, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustAngie

Thanks for the welcome. I am mostly just wondering how to prepare to approach my DR. I'm not sure if I will qualify and so on, I've heard a few people say that it's really hard to qualify. I just know that I"m ready to take the steps of surgery but I'm really not even sure where to begin.

Hey Angie..........you basically have to be 100 lbs overweight to qualify for surgery. But being a candidate doesn't mean your insurance will agree......getting their approval is the hardest part. I started by going to a bariatric seminar for info, then went to my doc. Some aren't good about supporting your decision and helping, and some are. I was afraid mine wouldn't because I was just about 100 lbs over, but she was great and has had other patients that have been successful.

Good luck.

Bypassingme619 · 12-06-2005, 09:13 PM

Welcome Angie glad you found us. Seems like the ldies have covered the basics but for more info the best place to always get indepth information would be http://www.obesityhelp.com. Best of luck on your Journey.

Blueyz · 12-06-2005, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustAngie

Hi all, I was just online researching the Gastric Bypass and I came across this site. I have been researching and learning as much as possible, within the next few months I'm planning on seeing my doctor and see if I can qualify. Anyone have anything they would like to tell me, or walk me through the steps of just starting out, or basically any info or comments at all would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there and welcome to the forum.. I am glad you found us. We are all here for you.

JustAngie · 12-07-2005, 01:01 PM

Well just a little info on myself, I'm 24 5'8 260, starting to have high blood pressure which I've never had before. I've done a BMI caculator online and it stated my BMI was 40.7. I've been overweight my whole life but right now I'm at my peak usually I have held off thoughout my 20 at 225. just recently in the past year I've gained! I've tried numerous ways to get it off, but it just ain't happening~

Dyann · 12-07-2005, 01:25 PM

Welcome to the forum. Here you will find a group of people with varied opinions, but not judgemental. Sounds like you qualify from a medical standpoint of a BMI of over 35 with co-morbidities, or 40 without any. Some require a label of Morbid obesity for 5 years (the above parameters) and 6 months to a year of supervised diet and exercise weight loss plan. Each insurance program is different and designed to make it very difficult to get approval. But if it is something you decide to have, then great. There are different types of surgery as well and you have to take an honest look at your eating patterns and tendencies and see which one will give you the greatest success with the least risk. WE are here if you have any questions

JustAngie · 12-07-2005, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyann

Welcome to the forum. Here you will find a group of people with varied opinions, but not judgemental. Sounds like you qualify from a medical standpoint of a BMI of over 35 with co-morbidities, or 40 without any. Some require a label of Morbid obesity for 5 years (the above parameters) and 6 months to a year of supervised diet and exercise weight loss plan. Each insurance program is different and designed to make it very difficult to get approval. But if it is something you decide to have, then great. There are different types of surgery as well and you have to take an honest look at your eating patterns and tendencies and see which one will give you the greatest success with the least risk. WE are here if you have any questions

Thanks for the welcome. Just a thought swimiing around in my head, the more and more I look around on this site, the more worried I am, I guess I just thought it was gonna be a fairly easy cycle, I knew there were going to be a few steps but I'm left thinking no matter what I do, or the steps I take I'm looking at MONTHS and MONTHS here...... No offense to anyone here, cause I"m sure it's just me gettin to myself, but I"m gettin disgusted, and I'm thinking my "dream" of having this all happen isn't acutally gonna happen, I'm impaitent.

Mavisavis · 12-07-2005, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustAngie

Thanks for the welcome. Just a thought swimiing around in my head, the more and more I look around on this site, the more worried I am, I guess I just thought it was gonna be a fairly easy cycle, I knew there were going to be a few steps but I'm left thinking no matter what I do, or the steps I take I'm looking at MONTHS and MONTHS here...... No offense to anyone here, cause I"m sure it's just me gettin to myself, but I"m gettin disgusted, and I'm thinking my "dream" of having this all happen isn't acutally gonna happen, I'm impaitent.

The process can be daunting indeed. Mine was simpler than most, and still I was running to appointments (consult, regular doc, upper GI sleep study, dietician, psych), calling to follow up, filling out lots of info and paperwork, chasing down "proof" of past attempts, attending support meetings, following up add'l tests needed after pre-op testing (EKG, ECHO, stress test) including harrassing them for a quick appt, for the results, and traveling to a different/further office to get these accomodated. There were many hoops, and mine was simple compared to many. So, not to scare you away, but it requires determination and commitment to get through.......but honestly, you need that to be successful using your new tool. Think of it as preparation! Good luck in your decision. For me, it was worth every effort.