C. Cook
I am 56 years old. I have been overweight all my life except for 2 or 3 brief periods (about a year each). I currently weigh 240 lbs. and am scheduled for lapband surgery on 1/31/07. Dr. George Merriman is to perform the surgery at Doctors' Hospital.
I have tried many weight loss programs, including diet pills, Weight Watchers, Cambridge liquid diet, Mayo diet, grapefruit diet, etc. Although I have lost anywhere from 5 to 55 pounds, I have never been successful at keeping it off and have always regained plus more. I am currently at my highest weight.
I first heard of wls in about 1974 or 1975 when a friend's mother had it. I lost touch with my friend so I don't know what the long term effects were. I have known several people who have had wls in the last 10 to 15 years, some of whom have been successful and others who haven't (gained their weight back). I first started researching wls about 2 years ago after a six month period when I was pretty ill and developed some respiratory complications (reactive airway disease similar to asthma). I was also diagnosed with mild sleep apnea and advised to lose weight. I was very interested in gastric bypass (particularly, RNY) but I let myself get talked out of it . So, I tried WW one more time. I lost 35 pounds in 18 months and have gained it all back plus about 5 pounds.
In September, 2006, I saw my internist who approved of my desire to have surgery. We talked about MD's and he had two patients who had bypass surgery with Dr. Merriman. This was the first time I considered using him. My MD drew blood for a CBC and chemistry and, for the first time ever, I had a blood sugar of 140. This really made me start considering surgery as I have a family history of diabetes.
I contacted Dr. Merriman's office and they reviewed my insurance. My insurance is not paying for the procedure. The good news is that since I am selfpay, I don't have to jump through all the hoops that some of the insurers make their insured jump through prior to wls.
I went to one of Dr. Merriman's informational seminars on November 30. Until last year, I was in the health care industry so I have a health care background. I was very impressed with Dr. Merriman, and his whole approach. I sent my husband to his next seminar to hear him. My husband was also very impressed (he is an intellectual and his opinion meant a lot to me).
I went in for my first appointment on December 11. By this time, I had arranged financing (thank God for family). Dr. Merriman sent me to a nutritionist. I have had my blood work and Ekg done. I had recently been to my pulmonologist who had referred me for a repeat sleep study. I have had the required Egd and Upper GI. I have also had a CPAP study which was a failure due to my claustrophobia, but I will get one if Dr. Merriman makes me. I have joined a workout place (Fit After 50) and started using it. My surgery is scheduled. All I need to do now is go in on Friday, Jan. 26 for my preop visit with Dr. Merriman, stock up on liquids and supplements.
