4jin02
just a saying
Jan 31, 2008
I read this on a post I wanted to post it on my blog for future reference:
This was from a psychologist:
After the surgery you are going to Lose A LOT of weight. You may not change who YOU are-but people will see you differently.
You may no longer be seem as SAFE. Many people after surgery come back to my office because they are having difficulty dealing with losing friends & support networks.
Just remember that is NOT YOU- it's them and THEY WILL HAVE to adjust to the new you-they must ADAPT!
Day after....
Jan 30, 2008
Good Morning Everyone!
After an eventful appointment after appointment date yesterday I am pleased to be back at the office working.
I absolutely loved the hospital staff. They made me feel right at ease. Wonderful...wonderful people....they are.
My surgeon's office staff is ok.....the receptionist was way friendlier today and wished me luck and asked me if I was ready....which she has never sparked a conversation other than to ask for the usual copay$$$.
The preop class was ok. Only 4 of us in there. We were held back waiting on the decision of the doctor for a patient whose insurance I guess was cancelled. It turns out it was her mother's insurance. Her mother had quit her job. And COBRA was paid for but has not kicked in as active in their system. Everything was kind of mind wobbling to me because why would she have a surgery date of the next day which would have been today and have not done the preop class the week before. She kept stopping the instructor and asking some questions that I just wanted to scream.
You are making a life changing decision here....how could you not research on it prior to even having a surgery date!!! hello!!
does anyone else see anything wrong with that picture?
Ok I am not being mean. The questions were like...what is a fill? So I can't wear a bathing suit or short shirts because of the port? What do people use to cover up the port from being seen by others? Won't it get infected walking around with an open port?
Hello....don't you get it....the port is inside you! Not some hanging object that can be seen....GOSH...HELP!!
Then again we should have all known because in walks her mother...yes her mother ....she wanted to sit in the class because her daughter might forget to tell her what was covered later...what? how old is she like 12? not!
thank goodness my mom is relaxed and just patiently waiting at home for my call with info.
Moving on....afterwards...I was the first one called out to see the surgeon. He was great. And I guess some of the ladies in the class have not met him because they were calling snickering when they saw him. Yes he is a handsome man. Not fair some say. Others were just drooling. But he is very professional. Even has pics of his beautiful kids in his office.
After the consult with him Can't help it...at first it made me wonder..should I do something this drastic to myself...to my body... Cold feet....no.. then what was it...he said pre-jitters happens to everyone but him.
I just laughed...great he has a good sense of humor!
Afterwards ...off I went to the pharmacy to get my pain RX filled and a nauseau med he RX because of my nauseau history.( always throw up...and even get dizzy....) ....Then I had 20 minutes to eat lunch....and make my next appointment to pre-register at the hospital and then the last appt -the anesthesiologist.
Stopped at BK had a salad-no dressing used lemons.... was ok....served its purpose....ate to live....
Got to the hospital....pre-registration was great....The lady was good- she did not make any comments on the type of surgery or anything....
Ends up she lives like 2 miles away from me and we exchanged tel#'s to buddy up as exercise partners in the evening after my surgery.
cool!
She then sat me in a patient waiting area...had a wrist band placed...(don't know why but ok)
Then I was hoping not anymore needles please...
turns out doctor ordered another blood work since my hemoglobin was very low last time way to close to anemic and I have been taking extra vitamins.
Got over that....then got all my vitals taken again....
sat for a while...can't help it got the palm pilot out and got some work done.
then she finally walked in...but that took almost an hour.
She went over all my records...read my EKG and echo....
wanted to listen to my heart since I have a small murmur. She cleared me for surgery yeah!
Was showed where to come in.....at the curve the Valet parking man will be waiting...hand over the vehicle keys....tell my hubby and mother to wait in the main lobby...I will walk thru two double set of doors and VOILA! surgery prep ward......after I am scrub ready for surgery....My husband and mother will be called in...they will be given a beeper that will notify them when I am out of surgery and when I will be able to be seen in the recovery room.
And of to my private room I go. I requested to be discharged if possible that same day....yes...most likely was told my request will be granted if everything goes according to plan.
And to wait we go until Monday very...very...very early...I will be the first surgery of the day....
5 days to Monday...or is it 4....
awhh...
superbowl day and I will be on clear liquids....great!
After an eventful appointment after appointment date yesterday I am pleased to be back at the office working.
I absolutely loved the hospital staff. They made me feel right at ease. Wonderful...wonderful people....they are.
My surgeon's office staff is ok.....the receptionist was way friendlier today and wished me luck and asked me if I was ready....which she has never sparked a conversation other than to ask for the usual copay$$$.
The preop class was ok. Only 4 of us in there. We were held back waiting on the decision of the doctor for a patient whose insurance I guess was cancelled. It turns out it was her mother's insurance. Her mother had quit her job. And COBRA was paid for but has not kicked in as active in their system. Everything was kind of mind wobbling to me because why would she have a surgery date of the next day which would have been today and have not done the preop class the week before. She kept stopping the instructor and asking some questions that I just wanted to scream.
You are making a life changing decision here....how could you not research on it prior to even having a surgery date!!! hello!!
does anyone else see anything wrong with that picture?
Ok I am not being mean. The questions were like...what is a fill? So I can't wear a bathing suit or short shirts because of the port? What do people use to cover up the port from being seen by others? Won't it get infected walking around with an open port?
Hello....don't you get it....the port is inside you! Not some hanging object that can be seen....GOSH...HELP!!
Then again we should have all known because in walks her mother...yes her mother ....she wanted to sit in the class because her daughter might forget to tell her what was covered later...what? how old is she like 12? not!
thank goodness my mom is relaxed and just patiently waiting at home for my call with info.
Moving on....afterwards...I was the first one called out to see the surgeon. He was great. And I guess some of the ladies in the class have not met him because they were calling snickering when they saw him. Yes he is a handsome man. Not fair some say. Others were just drooling. But he is very professional. Even has pics of his beautiful kids in his office.
After the consult with him Can't help it...at first it made me wonder..should I do something this drastic to myself...to my body... Cold feet....no.. then what was it...he said pre-jitters happens to everyone but him.
I just laughed...great he has a good sense of humor!
Afterwards ...off I went to the pharmacy to get my pain RX filled and a nauseau med he RX because of my nauseau history.( always throw up...and even get dizzy....) ....Then I had 20 minutes to eat lunch....and make my next appointment to pre-register at the hospital and then the last appt -the anesthesiologist.
Stopped at BK had a salad-no dressing used lemons.... was ok....served its purpose....ate to live....
Got to the hospital....pre-registration was great....The lady was good- she did not make any comments on the type of surgery or anything....
Ends up she lives like 2 miles away from me and we exchanged tel#'s to buddy up as exercise partners in the evening after my surgery.
cool!
She then sat me in a patient waiting area...had a wrist band placed...(don't know why but ok)
Then I was hoping not anymore needles please...
turns out doctor ordered another blood work since my hemoglobin was very low last time way to close to anemic and I have been taking extra vitamins.
Got over that....then got all my vitals taken again....
sat for a while...can't help it got the palm pilot out and got some work done.
then she finally walked in...but that took almost an hour.
She went over all my records...read my EKG and echo....
wanted to listen to my heart since I have a small murmur. She cleared me for surgery yeah!
Was showed where to come in.....at the curve the Valet parking man will be waiting...hand over the vehicle keys....tell my hubby and mother to wait in the main lobby...I will walk thru two double set of doors and VOILA! surgery prep ward......after I am scrub ready for surgery....My husband and mother will be called in...they will be given a beeper that will notify them when I am out of surgery and when I will be able to be seen in the recovery room.
And of to my private room I go. I requested to be discharged if possible that same day....yes...most likely was told my request will be granted if everything goes according to plan.
And to wait we go until Monday very...very...very early...I will be the first surgery of the day....
5 days to Monday...or is it 4....
awhh...
superbowl day and I will be on clear liquids....great!
Busy Bee was me today
Jan 30, 2008
So today I went in for preop class......last surgeon preop consult and anesthisiologist appt and pre-registered for surgery..
Talk about an eventful day!
Talk about an eventful day!
Realization
Jan 29, 2008
This morning I had the appt with the dietician.
Finally learned why no drinking allowed until 30-45 minutes before/after eating.
Makes complete sense. Ok so she recommends Unjury but only for during the period of liquids. thereafter as needed to get additional protein in or after a fill for 2 days. But no other time. She wants all calories if possible to come from real food. So now I have to dedicate myself to make my own recipe book so when I do get to that stage I have some on hand-until I can get a good handle and things become second nature.
Off to work I was. So I get to work. They are making us rearrange our office assigned areas. When I got in mid morning my stuff was moved. Which was ok-because I collected everything in boxes the day before.
But right when I was settling in pictures and other things I was told schedule change and have been reassigned to a different desk.
Thank You Lord-for you anything is possible.
I am getting an even better office. corner-away from noise and at the end of the hall. I will have complete privacy-a corner and nothing but windows surrounding me. YES!
So now I am in a temporary office waiting for my real one to clear out so I can move in!
IN the meantime- my old broken teammates and I went out to lunch on company time and paid by our company. Those are always nice!
Everyone looks forward to them.
We went to Longhorn in Tucker, GA. Great restaurant-but more of a dinner place than lunch. So I tried to start applying some of the nutritional guidelines today. boy was it hard. Made mental note--STAY AWAY FROM RESTAURANTS FOR A LONG TIME!
Even if tab is paid by someone else. No too hard. And it is not so much the food portions I don't forsee a problem but the routine that we normally do without noticing like eating and talking in between, like drinking-or sipping along with the food, like all the food they give you that you don't need and the darn bread that is always offered.
That evilness again spoke...you know the same one that says skip the surgery is trying to make me feel bad for skipping out on future meals out.
(what) who cares....think about all the other goodies...but no....
I was able to overcome this feeling by telling it to weigh out the consequences in the long run.
Yes completely worth it!
NSV realizing that I will save $ after surgery from not eating out!
Finally learned why no drinking allowed until 30-45 minutes before/after eating.
Makes complete sense. Ok so she recommends Unjury but only for during the period of liquids. thereafter as needed to get additional protein in or after a fill for 2 days. But no other time. She wants all calories if possible to come from real food. So now I have to dedicate myself to make my own recipe book so when I do get to that stage I have some on hand-until I can get a good handle and things become second nature.
Off to work I was. So I get to work. They are making us rearrange our office assigned areas. When I got in mid morning my stuff was moved. Which was ok-because I collected everything in boxes the day before.
But right when I was settling in pictures and other things I was told schedule change and have been reassigned to a different desk.
Thank You Lord-for you anything is possible.
I am getting an even better office. corner-away from noise and at the end of the hall. I will have complete privacy-a corner and nothing but windows surrounding me. YES!
So now I am in a temporary office waiting for my real one to clear out so I can move in!
IN the meantime- my old broken teammates and I went out to lunch on company time and paid by our company. Those are always nice!
Everyone looks forward to them.
We went to Longhorn in Tucker, GA. Great restaurant-but more of a dinner place than lunch. So I tried to start applying some of the nutritional guidelines today. boy was it hard. Made mental note--STAY AWAY FROM RESTAURANTS FOR A LONG TIME!
Even if tab is paid by someone else. No too hard. And it is not so much the food portions I don't forsee a problem but the routine that we normally do without noticing like eating and talking in between, like drinking-or sipping along with the food, like all the food they give you that you don't need and the darn bread that is always offered.
That evilness again spoke...you know the same one that says skip the surgery is trying to make me feel bad for skipping out on future meals out.
(what) who cares....think about all the other goodies...but no....
I was able to overcome this feeling by telling it to weigh out the consequences in the long run.
Yes completely worth it!
NSV realizing that I will save $ after surgery from not eating out!
Monday January 28, 2008
Jan 27, 2008
Ahhh.....it is going faster than expected!!
yes..yes..yes!!
starting to get some flurries in the stomach thought from the nerves....but then I think about the scale and my health and yes that is enough energy to muster up and say open me up now!
Official countdown begins!
Jan 24, 2008
10 days to surgery!!
countdown begins........
countdown begins........
I GOT A DATE
Jan 24, 2008
Feb 4th, 2008!!!!!
I shall be reborn!!
I shall be reborn!!
snow
Jan 17, 2008
well ge got snow!!!
not much...but at least it snowed!!!
then it turned to rain overnight and all day yesterday and there went the snow....it was water!
update on insurance...
yesterday was a bitter sweet day with the insurance. Something came over me I got sick of them.....I couldn't take it anymore of their "pending for reviewal" BS.
This was a post from 1/17/08.
I've had it!
Good morning,
I've had it!
I called just got off the phone with BC/BS...they drive me nuts...
spoke to the same girl from yesterday...yes! and on the first try..yes!
So I thought it would be my lucky day....NOT!
ok....so no denial...but no approval neither..
my record has just been pending there...just plain sitting...out there the frickin' frackin' f'ing supervisor has not forwarded back to RN for reviewal...
The rep was even stunned....she can't believe....I told her I've had it...by law this must be decided today...it is DAY 30!
She confirmed and is just as flabergasted...she emailed that frackin' supervisor requesting she contact me immediately.... I told her not good enough I want to speak to her now...I am getting my decision today...
She couldn't give me her tel# she said. She transfd me to her..ofcourse rings twice straight to voicemail-ok...I think I'll leave a message..nope voicemail box is FULL....I stay on line because it says stay on line if you want to be handled now and the person taking over her calls will assist..it rings...NOT...it goes right back to her frackin' voicemail...and I do this over and over and over...
I think ok....hit * get to the directory...choose to do name look up...I have her name...got two hits...they each say their names..I listened to her message so many times I definitely recognized her voice....it asks to verify I want first, last name at extn xxxx....yes I got her extention number...I let the system connect me and voila....I can all of a sudden leave a message!!!
I will be sending a request contact to the georgia insurance commission today...and seeing about contacting an attorney...i've had it with these people!
oh...but I will call today every 2 hours...!
Another post from 1/17/08 as the day progressed...
OK.....I called Georgia Insurance Commissioners office. They assigned me a rep who called me right back. She informed me 30 calendar days...is what they have and decision should be in writing. especially if it is a denial...
Armed and mad...I called the insurance back...dialed the prior approval number...selected the extention number I got for the supervisor....
she actually answered this time....
she recognized my name right away...looked in what sounded like a notebook and informed me she sent my record about 45 minutes ago to her urgent RN reviewers. She will be hearing back from them in a couple of hours and verified my phone number and said WILL call me back TODAY..
I finally feel like I have complished to splatter some oil on their wheels and it is finally running....
Now I am so nervous lunch isn't even an option....my stomach is doing turns....
I am going to profusely pray that GOD gives me an initial approval.
Please pray for me...
And then later on around 6PM I was talking a walk releasing some anger and my phone rings....I didn't even look at who called just answered and there she was the supervisor calling me back....she said I bet you gave up on me.......(yes I did lady) -i thought of course I was politically correct with her...she said well your hard work paid off...
Update!!! Update!!!
HERE IT IS UPDATE!!
APPROVED!!
not much...but at least it snowed!!!
then it turned to rain overnight and all day yesterday and there went the snow....it was water!
update on insurance...
yesterday was a bitter sweet day with the insurance. Something came over me I got sick of them.....I couldn't take it anymore of their "pending for reviewal" BS.
This was a post from 1/17/08.
I've had it!
Good morning,
I've had it!
I called just got off the phone with BC/BS...they drive me nuts...
spoke to the same girl from yesterday...yes! and on the first try..yes!
So I thought it would be my lucky day....NOT!
ok....so no denial...but no approval neither..
my record has just been pending there...just plain sitting...out there the frickin' frackin' f'ing supervisor has not forwarded back to RN for reviewal...
The rep was even stunned....she can't believe....I told her I've had it...by law this must be decided today...it is DAY 30!
She confirmed and is just as flabergasted...she emailed that frackin' supervisor requesting she contact me immediately.... I told her not good enough I want to speak to her now...I am getting my decision today...
She couldn't give me her tel# she said. She transfd me to her..ofcourse rings twice straight to voicemail-ok...I think I'll leave a message..nope voicemail box is FULL....I stay on line because it says stay on line if you want to be handled now and the person taking over her calls will assist..it rings...NOT...it goes right back to her frackin' voicemail...and I do this over and over and over...
I think ok....hit * get to the directory...choose to do name look up...I have her name...got two hits...they each say their names..I listened to her message so many times I definitely recognized her voice....it asks to verify I want first, last name at extn xxxx....yes I got her extention number...I let the system connect me and voila....I can all of a sudden leave a message!!!
I will be sending a request contact to the georgia insurance commission today...and seeing about contacting an attorney...i've had it with these people!
oh...but I will call today every 2 hours...!
Another post from 1/17/08 as the day progressed...
OK.....I called Georgia Insurance Commissioners office. They assigned me a rep who called me right back. She informed me 30 calendar days...is what they have and decision should be in writing. especially if it is a denial...
Armed and mad...I called the insurance back...dialed the prior approval number...selected the extention number I got for the supervisor....
she actually answered this time....
she recognized my name right away...looked in what sounded like a notebook and informed me she sent my record about 45 minutes ago to her urgent RN reviewers. She will be hearing back from them in a couple of hours and verified my phone number and said WILL call me back TODAY..
I finally feel like I have complished to splatter some oil on their wheels and it is finally running....
Now I am so nervous lunch isn't even an option....my stomach is doing turns....
I am going to profusely pray that GOD gives me an initial approval.
Please pray for me...
And then later on around 6PM I was talking a walk releasing some anger and my phone rings....I didn't even look at who called just answered and there she was the supervisor calling me back....she said I bet you gave up on me.......(yes I did lady) -i thought of course I was politically correct with her...she said well your hard work paid off...
Update!!! Update!!!
HERE IT IS UPDATE!!
APPROVED!!
Let it snow!!!
Jan 14, 2008
Well I'll be darned!
We might get snow down here in the SouthEast state of Georgia!
Yes.......LET IT SNOW...LET IS SNOW...LET IT SNOW!!!!!
Oh...sorry....
maybe I haven't mentioned I grew up in the North states where snow is a hassle because we got so much of it....
now living in the South...I thought I'd never say it...but we love to hear the possibility of it coming to us!!!!!
so I will say again......LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW....
we will be making snow angels...LOL
We might get snow down here in the SouthEast state of Georgia!
Yes.......LET IT SNOW...LET IS SNOW...LET IT SNOW!!!!!
Oh...sorry....
maybe I haven't mentioned I grew up in the North states where snow is a hassle because we got so much of it....
now living in the South...I thought I'd never say it...but we love to hear the possibility of it coming to us!!!!!
so I will say again......LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW....
we will be making snow angels...LOL
support
Jan 14, 2008
I don't know why I have forgotten to post...but
most of my support and new friendships that really understand this new lifestyle are on www.lapbandtalk.com.
I recommend anyone thinking of the band to check it out!
It has been awesome!
most of my support and new friendships that really understand this new lifestyle are on www.lapbandtalk.com.
I recommend anyone thinking of the band to check it out!
It has been awesome!
