The Beginning

I have been over weight for many years. Probably the last 10 years I have been. I had considered having gastric bypass but thought I'd never qualify. I was during the year 2006 I decided to really look into it. I called OSU and Mt. Carmel but they wouldn't return my calls or send me the material they promised to send me. I then called Holzer Clinic located in Gallipolis, OH; a recommendation from a friend of mine at work. This place is awesome! They are wonderful people and they take the time to talk to you and treat you like a human being.

I had my initial consultation on January 26, 2007. I weighed in at 321 pounds. For those of you who don't know me you wouldn't think I weighed that much because of my height. Almost 6' tall. Dr. Canady met with us and explained the gastric bypass and what would be involved during the surgery and after surgery. I had to meet with the dietician, the office counselor, and the nurse. I was given several hand outs of things I had to have done before I could even be put on the surgery schedule.

1) I had to have a pysch evaluation. This is mandatory with insurance companies and for this surgery. (This was done by pysch at OSU towards the end of February).

2) Had to have a sleep study. (This was done at Holzer Clinic in Jackson, Ohio in the middle of February.)

3) I then had to have three months of behavioral modification with a dietician. Once a month for three months I drove two hours to Holzer Clinic for these sessions. The sessions went over foods I should and shouldn't be eating, how to eat slowly, increase on exercise and water intake, etc.

4) Information submitted to the insurance company.