Long Journey to get to this point

[dianna mann]

Hi Folks new to this site and with my upcoming surgery on Feb 27th I am a lot scared but excited to have a new beginning. I was going to do Dr Reynoso on Jan 4th but my friend who had Dr Blackstone said why settle so I called back and made it with Dr Blackstone. It will be at the end of February my choice because of my work and my birthday. I wanted my 54th birthday to be nice and then go under the knife. Strange but I thought why not cuz my hubby enjoys doing things for me and I do not want to be under the weather for that. I figure let it all fall after my birthday and have new beginnings. I have tossed the surgery from 2008 when my Dr Mullins suggested lapband. Doing the research I really did not see much in favor of that and decided to wait. In the process of my research I found out about Dr Galpher who does the psychology about overeating and she suggested the gastric sleeve as it is more in the lines of keeping it under control. I decided to look into it and went to see Dr Blackstone but my insurance said no to it and I had to wait. The new year came and around May 2011 BCBS then changed their rules and I called Dr Blackstones office up again and they got it rolling with the approval. It has been a long journey and one with a lot of hesitation. My hubby is scared for me and thinks it might be too late in the game but I feel that it is just another step in the right direction to get healthy. I was 310 in Aug 2008 and did a wild Dr Sophia Fontis diet and lost 135 pounds went down to 175 and gained back to 249 and went back on the diet because Dr Mullins said if no lapband do it again. Lost weight down to 190 and regained to 260. I have since joined a gym and had a personal trainer for 18 months which was costly but have not changed much on my weight. Eating is better but my metabolism is really screwed up. I have to decide to get healthy by diet as well. I now have the working out to a routine but now I have to do the diet and that is why the sleeve. I am looking forward to it but only because it has taken me so long to get there.
Have any of you seen the show "The Doctors" where Dr Brian Quebbermann of California does the sleeve with the spider technology which is the one opening thru the belly button and no other areas and does it on video with the spider tool which gives him the option to move around inside. It is a cool video but not any doctors do it in Arizona but a few do it in California. Sorry for the babble but just signed up and looking for advice as well. Hope to hear from you soon. Dianna

[michelleb]

Welcome and best wishes on your journey!

[justme1]

Welcome to the family!

[JoyESS1]

What a welcome and informative introduction! Thank you. I did not know about ths spider technology, just had my sleeve 8 days ago by laproscopy w 6 holes punched from midline to Left side, 3 up under my L breast and 3 below it. I am 55 and covered w tons of old scars and stretch marks so I don't give much of a fig for a few more but if I was young and wanted to have a sexy body naked, I'd go for that spider in a big way!

[sano42]

Hello and welcome! Thank you for sharing your journey! I am also seeing Dr. Reynoso. I am "settling" because I just can't wait any longer! I had to go thorough 8 weeks of behavior modification before they can send in the request for surgery to my insurance. I still have one pysch appt left before the request is sent. I saw Dr. Reynoso in October and he was only booking 2 weeks out. When did you book your January 4th surgery? Was he that far out or did you choose that date? I was hoping to have this done the last week of December Thanks!

[mc_phx]

Hi there...I am 3 days post-op from my surgery and I did have Dr. Blackstone. She runs a great office and you will be very happy with the results. Dr. Reynoso works under her and I think he would be a good choice, too. Be ready for the first couple of days to be very hard but once you start to move around more and get in your liquids, you will feel much better. Good luck!

[dianna mann]

Thanks Michelle, looking forward to getting some tips.

[dianna mann]

Hi Monica, hope you are doing better since your surgery. Thanks for your reply and hope you get better as the days go by. I thought of Dr Reynoso and did not have a problem but when my friend just suggested it I thought oh heck it would be better if I just do as she first suggested and keep the peace. It will all work out I am sure. Thanks though for your kind words and welcome to the site.

[dianna mann]

Hi. Thanks for the welcome and I just postponed it until after my birthday. I was going to go with Dr Reynoso but since my friend suggested that it put some thoughts into my head and I just wanted to keep peace. I picked my Feb 27th date because it would be after my birthday and Angelia was ok with it. I which you luck as the countdown is coming and you are brave to do it right after Christmas. Can you pls tell me what things they are having you do prior to the two weeks upto your surgery. Angelia said she would send me items but I have yet to get them. I figure you would of gotten them by now and if you do not mind letting me know. Thanks Dianna

[brendadenton64]

welcome, there is so much information on this site, all your questions could be answered in once click, well maybe 2 or 3, check out the past posts and it should all help you. many blessings on your journey

[sano42]

Thanks Dianna! I should know by the end of the week when my surgery will be. I will let you know what things they are asking of me. Thanks!

[Bobbie]

Welcome, thanks for sharing your story. I am 56 & had surgery on 11/10/11 & so glad I did. Glad you found a doc you are comfortable with. You will soon find out that the doctors all have different pre & post-op instructions, follow the instructions & you will do great. I've had a pretty easy recovery, hopefully you will also. Let us know how you are doing.

[Shoppingbeemom]

Welcome, I had seen the spider technique on utube via the Dr's show. I thought it was very cool. I didn't look to far into it because I have stretch marks and other scars I plan on getting rid of by tummy tuck latter.I also NEVER plan on wearing a 2 piece at my age.