The process so far

I'm a person who loves to have as much information as possible before making decisions, and I like all my "i's" dotted and my "t's" crossed and to be fully informed on what decisions I need to make.

I recommend that before contemplating surgery go to the information session, it is really helpful, even if you know people who have been. It will answer the questions YOU want answered.

I was going on a cruise in September 2009 so having lap band prior to that was not an option, hence the amount of time lapsed between the decision and the surgery. So if you have a major event in your life talk to the Dr before deciding on a date for surgery.

I chose to go and see the Nurse Consultant before I went and saw my GP, I did that as I knew how much I weighed, my BMI and what I needed from my GP in order to have a successful pre-surgery journey.

This proved to be a wise decision. As I was using funds from my Super, I needed a correctly worded letter from my GP, and the staff at Dr Bowden's clinic were able to give me everything I needed.

My GP was very supportive of the idea and had no hesitation in writing the letter to APRA or a referral to Dr Bowden. My BMI was 53 and I was morbidly obese. I was very lucky not to have high blood pressure or diabetes with the amount that I weighed.

Armed with my letter and referral off I went to see Dr Bowden, I must say that I was very intimidated by him. He was willing to take the time and be very helpful and I wasn't use to Dr's being like that. Usually it's get you in and out as quick as possible. As usual on the drive home I thought of things I should have asked him.

I was also given a letter from Dr Bowden with a quote for the procedure for APRA. So as soon as I got home, I completed the paperwork, scanned it all into my computer and emailed it to APRA on 31 August 2009. As I wasn't sure how long this process took, I looked on the net and found it could take 20 to 30 working days to get approved. I was very fortunate that it only took me 10 working days to get approval. But I did make sure that I gave them as much information as possible. The wording in the letters from your GP and your Surgeon have to be spot on. I even wrote additional information on why I wanted this surgery and why I couldn't apply for a personal loan. It all helped.

I've now been on my cruise and start the next stage in my journey.