Introducing Myself - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Tara171011 · 03-30-2009, 01:34 PM

My name is Tara. I am a 21 year old college student. I am from Oxford, NC but I currently live in Buies Creek, NC at Campbell University. I applied for Gastric Bypass in February. I heard back from the Duke WLSC last week. My first appointments are April 28th and 29th. I meet with the psychologist and nutritionists on the 28th and then on the 29th I will meet my surgeon, Dr. Dana Portenier. I have been interested in and moving towards this surgery since I was 17 years old. My insurance (Wellpath) does not cover the surgery at all. I recently enlisted the help of Vocational Rehabilitation and through a lot of hard work with them and my VR counselor have found the funds to enable me to have the surgery. I hope to have my surgery sometime this summer, while I'm not attending classes. Any advice or comments are welcome. I'm very nervous about my first visit.

Marella · 03-30-2009, 06:26 PM

Hi Tara. Welcome to TT, and congratulations on getting the funds. WOW! You sure had some good help.

My best advice, other than searching and reading TT, is to get an organized book that you can read, from start to finish, that will give you foundational information: "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies"

The book is a great place to start. Read it twice. Here at TT, you'll get lots of answers from the post-op people on what you're going through. We're all different, heal at different rates, lose at different rates, even follow different protocols from all of our different doctors and nutritionists.

The good thing is that we here want to see you succeed; to have a good losing road ahead; and to help you over those bumps in the road.

I wish you your hearts desire. Just do what you have to do in order to get it done. Take it one day at a time, and soon your surgery day will be hear. After that, it's still, one day at a time.

Ms. Readytobehealthy · 03-31-2009, 02:52 AM

CONGRATULATIONS Tara and welcome to the TT family!! I am looking to have surgery in the August timeframe. When you go for your appointments in April you are actually almost done unless since you are self pay. It is very possible you can get a date in May or June. Keep in touch and again welcome. Also come on over to our thread called "Starting my 6 months" which alot of us are newbies. The book Marella is talking about I heard is good. I have not gotten it yet but I am.