I think I have been asked this question more than any other.  The fact is in the beginning, I would have said no.  It would be hard to find a gastric bypass patient who would say yes to that in the first two months.  You are uncomfortable.  You have been through major surgery and that usually brings with it some depression.  You woke up in the hospital and you did not look like Cindy Crawford and on top of that you now can't reach for your old best friend who gets you through things....food.  But after a few weeks you begin to feel better.  You begin to drop weight and gain energy.  I am almost 7 months post op and now I would say yes!  Yes I would do it again.  I wish I had done it sooner.

 

 

2.  How long were you off work?

 

I was off work 7 weeks.  I could have gone back in 4 weeks since I have an office job, but I didn't have to.  It took about 7 weeks to feel normal again, and even then I got tired easy, and had to take it slow.

 

3.  How much did it cost?

 

The cost varies from doctor to doctor.  My Surgery cost $28,000.00 but my insurance covered most of it.  Some people who can't afford the surgery in the U.S. have it done in Mexico where it cost much less.  I have also read of people who have had it done in France.  If your insurance will not pay for your surgery, and your weight effects your ability to do your job, most states have a Vocational Rehab program that will pay for your surgery 100% if you are approved.

 

4.  What if my insurance will not approve it?

 

FIGHT THEM!  Go to obesityhelp.com and research this topic in the library.  Many people have hired an attorney at a very reasonable price (his name is listed there) and he has gotten insurance companies to pay when they said they would not.  MOST people have to appeal at least once to get coverage.  Do not give up with out a fight!  Also check in your state laws for your rights.  A lot of states have passed laws saying insurance companies cannot deny you coverage of WLS if your doctor says it is needed.  They are not going to make this easy for you but you can win.

 

5.  Did it hurt?

 

This is a tough one.  Some people say they wake up to the worse pain they have ever had.  I did not hurt.  I was very uncomfortable, like I had a bad flu.  I had trouble getting up and down (wearing a tight binder) and I was very HOT.  They gave me demerol shots in the hospital and some Tylenol with Codine to take when I got home, but I didn't need it.  I felt cruddy, but I was not in pain.