July 23, 2008

So I’ve finally decided to take my life into my own hands…per say. I’ve decided to have the Roux-en Y Gastric Bypass. I’m scheduled to have it on August 28, 2008.

It all started a couple of years ago. I decided to look into weight loss surgery. I started doing research here and there about the Lap Band and the Gastric Bypass. I originally decided to go with the Lap Band because it wasn’t as evasive, less healing time….that kinda thing. I went to a seminar and the lady talking to us was a patient herself and looked great. She made the Gastric Bypass sound like a horrible thing. Time goes by and my husband enlists in the United States Army. We get stationed in Germany. As soon as I got here, and I mean to the DAY, I asked my insurance lady about approval for weight loss surgery. She told me that a lot of people have gotten here in Germany. So I made an appointment with my PCP, talked to her about it…she leaves the room and 5 minutes later she comes in and hands me the referral for the Nutritionist and Psychiatrist as needed per my insurance plan. I go to both appointments, and then follow up with my PCP. (This time it’s a man doc…military…you rarely get the same doc all the time) He talks to me about my struggles with weight loss/gain through out my life and then fills out the form and hands it to me to give to my insurance lady. This is on a Friday. That following Monday, she called me and tells me my referral was approved and can go see the surgeon. The surgeon is fantastic, good stats, speak good English, made me feel really comfortable and explains EVERYTHING to me and my husband. He wants to make sure that my husband and I are as knowledgable as we can be so we know what to expect…or at least somewhat to expect. He prefers me to have the Gastric Bypass because the Lap Band surgery just wouldn’t work for someone like me. (I’m a binger and a sweet eater big time) He recommended me for the surgery but told me he wanted me to continue to consult my therapist regarding this eating disorder. At first I was worried that he wouldn’t want to perform the surgery until I’ve done some more therapy but he went ahead and let me schedule it. *whew*

So today I went in for my Endoscopy. I was assured by the other ladies in my support group that they would knock me out for a little while they did it…uh no. I was wide awake for that crap. That nurse sprayed some crap in my mouth that numbed my tongue and then sprayed again in the back of my throat. As soon as she did that, I inhaled. So here I am choking on that numbing spray and they’re trying to stick that damn camera down my throat. I was flipping out! I couldn’t breathe or anything! I kept kicking my legs and hitting the bed with my hand but he was in and out in a flash. Thankfully I don’t have any ulcers or anything that would postpone the surgery but I do have a small infection in my esophogus that is easily cured by meds. It’s apparently caused by acid reflux and not a big deal according to my surgeon and the endo doc.

So needless to say I came home and felt like caca for a little while. BUT at the end of the day my insurance lady calls me and tells me that my insurance TOTALLY approved my surgery. I was/am so happy! I totally want to celebrate! So my hubby cooked steaks for dinner! WOOT! It’ll be a llooonnngggg time before I can eat steak again…lol

Wow..this is a really long post. I guess I just needed to write out. Not a whole lot of people around that I can really talk to except my friends on messenger. But alot of the time they’re still asleep in the States while I’ve already begun my day and by the end of my day they’re just waking up and it’s at the end of mine.

Until next time…..