Today I told my boss that I'll be having bariatric surgery.

[Bertha Venation]

I've decided that if insurance will cover it, I'm going to have the lap band done.

I just told my boss about it. Told him that although the surgery won't be until late this year or early next (or later), there will be a number of appointments leading up to it. That really sucks and I know he wasn't happy to hear it. I told him I scheduled four of the appointments for when he's on vacation, and I think that might've helped.

I really didn't want to tell anyone, but I wanted him to have the heads-up so he'd know there's a reason for all the appointments.

Ugh.

[HopeHoops]

1. Double take - on the inital read, I saw "lap dance done".

Must be me.

[Robb]

3. No, not just you.

:hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Good luck, hon! *hugs*

[bigwillq]

4. Good Luck!

:hug:

[femmocrat]

5. Good luck, Bertha!

:hug:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. Making the decision and committing to the appointments is half the battle

and, now by informing your boss, you are well on your way. Keep us updated. :hug: :hi:

[mnhtnbb]

7. That's a tough decision. Hope your insurance will cover it and that it goes well.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Good luck, my dear Bertha!

I hope it goes well for you...

:hug:

[applegrove]

9. It really seems to work for people. Good luck with it Bertha. A tough decision but I think

you made a good one.

[NJmaverick]

10. What are you going to tell coworkers who notice the change?

[Bertha Venation]

13. I don't know yet.

I might tell them the truth. But it would be more fun to lie. "Oh, nothing. Just running home to CA and back every weekend." :)

[auntAgonist]

22. It might surprise you

when people DON'T ask. I speak from experience. People look, but most don't ask. I hear comments like "you look good" I did have one person ask me if I was ill.

[RebelOne]

11. Good luck, Bertha. You won't regret it.

My daughter had it done a few years ago and she lost 200 pounds. She has put a little back on, but overall, she is holding steady.

[Roon]

15. I had a cousin who was on disability

and she got the surgery, lost the weight, and was able to go back to work and ditch social security!! She had kept it off, too!

[Bertha Venation]

24. that is an encouraging tale

:bounce:

[Pool Hall Ace]

12. Good luck! :hugs:

[Roon]

14. Hi Bertha

I am going to try and get the surgery myself. I just need one more diagnosis of high blood pressure and diabetes and I am in. I totally understand it's not as easy as it sounds..you have to meet up with a counselor, lose weight before the surgery, etc.

[Bertha Venation]

16. Different insurers require different things.

Not all require that you "try" before the surgery. Some - like mine, it seems - will take the doctors' word for it that you have tried.

Good luck! Keeep me posted. :)

[Roon]

25. Will do, bertha!

[Book Lover]

17. Good luck!

I don't have experience, anecdotal or otherwise, to share, but you have my very best wishes for success!!

[auntAgonist]

18. Good luck

I hope you get good results and that it improves your health. I've never regretted the BPD/DS. I'm here to support you in any way I can :)

:loveya:

aA
kesha

[dugaresa]

19. Please make sure that the surgeon doing your procedure specializes in it

I have a dear friend that had the lap band put in place by a general surgeon who was doing this to make money on the side.

In her case he thought he put in a 10cc band and in reality he put in a 4 cc band. At her first "filling" he put in 2cc's and in a 10 cc band that may not have done much but in her case it literally cut off her esophagus at the stomach and she was in loads of pain. It has since been corrected and she is now with a doctor who does this for a living all day and every day and doing much better.

She hooked up to a lot of chat rooms that discuss these procedures and learned lots.

Take care and I wish you luck!

[auntAgonist]

20. Bertha, I'm not sure

if I gave you this website. http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand

lots of informed people post there.

:loveya:

aA

[Red State Rebel]

21. Bertha - Conrats!! I had Duodenal Switch & lost 130 lbs.!

A guy in my office had Lap Band and has just reached 130 lbs. too. Good luck - you are doing your mental and physical health a great favor.

If I had to have that surgery every year I would do it!!

A great place to go for information and support is www.obesityhelp.com they have discussion boards dedicated to each different kind of surgery and will answer every question you can think of.

[jakefrep]

23. Good luck!

I hope your boss comes to understand that a healthier, more productive you will emerge from the other side of this process.

[mdmc]

26. My OA group has several people that have had that surgery

just so ya know.