Ok. So I was invited here by some lovely folks from another forum. This is a new thing for me and I've had a lot of fear about the advice of my particular surgeon. (Dr. Stephen Boyce in Knoxville TN) So, I've been seeking advice,opinions,insight,etc about some pretty overwhelming feelings I was having.
I have got to say, I got WAY more info and support than I ever expected. After hearing some of the more difficult things being addressed in posts over there, I realized 2 things.
1) I need to do a lot more research on my surgeon and the DS itself!
2) I cannot let fear deter me from making this life-saving decision (for the 3rd time)
So, I will just share my story here now,and if anyone else wants to know more...just ask.
Im 5'7" and currently 243# I'm 46 years old and a Seattle girl transplanted into Tennessee. I've been here 13 years and have finally gotten used to the culture shock. I have been obese my entire adult life and have many co-morbidity issues associated with that. I have been a diabetic for 23 years,with 15 or so of that being insulin dependant. Sleep apnea, a leaking tricuspid valve&murmur associated with the sleep issues. I have arthritis,GERD,4 herniated discs in my back and about 20 years of fibromyalgia/Chronic fatigue syndrome. I am a cancer survivor as well. I had uterine carcinoma and have been clear for over 10 years now.
A bit over 5 years ago was my first attempt at bariatric surgery. My insurance told me I couldn't have a gastric sleeve so I walked away after the seminar. I was scared to death to let anyone cut out or mess with my intestines. So I left and bought a food scale, new shoes and a gym membership and lost 128 pounds in little less than a year. I was able to ditch all but 1 of my 14 meds as well as three injectibles (lantus,humalog and Byetta) I was ecstatic and hoped I'd found the cure for my diabetes.
Stalled out for a couple years, lost my Brother, my only sibling in an accident and fell completely off the wagon. Gained 40 pounds back. Im also back on Metformin and its not woring well. My numbers are high again and definitely not in control. I know insulin is going to be the only option again very soon.
Tried again to do the surgery thing but chickened out again with the same response from insurance.
Here I am....third time is the charm! They finally approved the sleeve but ow my surgeon says I barely qualify in my BMI and he has suggested the DS instead because of its 98% remission rate for diabetes.
Bottom line is I'm still scared, but think this is the right choice, so I'm reading everything I can on it. Good, bad and ugly!
As I've stated at the other forum, I don't feel I have many choices left. This disease ravaged my entire family on both sides. I watched it kill my mother slowly and take everything from her before it did. When she lost her legs and then her sight, she gave up. The CHF and renal failure took her and it was not quick nor painless.
I won't go out like that. So...I'm fighting. But not afraid to say... I'm still scared.
*whew*
So...there ya have my story.
I'm just doing the best I can to get as much info as I can before the first week in April. Seems like a long time from now, but I know it will be here in a flash.