6/5/06 Attended seminar at KC Bariatric Center, met Dr. Hoehn and his staff. Very informative and fun evening!
6/6/06 Filled out all paperwork (around 10 pages!!), kept copies for me and mailed to KC Bariatric Center. Called my personal doctor's office and requested medical records be sent to KC Bariatric Center. Signed the release, and was told they would be sent ASAP.
6/9/06 Received postcard from KC Bariatric Center saying they had received all information!
7/10/06 Received phone call from KC Bariatric Center informing me that my medical records had never been received. The postcard they mailed me applied to the package I had filled out and sent them myself. What a disheartening phone call. I thought I was only waiting on the call to schedule my first consult. I flew into a rage and called my doc's office. Found out later that the "medical records" gal is also actively pursuing having the surgery, but she's been trying for about 8 months to get it herself. She only does medical records part-time and I kinda felt bad for her, but I still told her that I would call every single day and bug her till they were sent.
7/13/06 The medical records gal finally believed me when I said I would call her every single day. She wouldn't take my calls today and had the receptionist tell me that she had mailed them the previous day. More waiting now.
7/26/06 Found out last night that the medical records nazi was "let go" and is no longer working at my doctor's office. hee hee
I also got a call from the surgeon's office yesterday to let me know that they received my medical records so we can move forward now. I have heard from a couple of people from my area that use this website, and it's just glorious! I love meeting people and making new friends. So don't hesitate if you are thinking about contacting me. I love it! I'll surely be posting more often once the ball gets rolling. Till next time...
10/5/06 Wow, it's been too long since I updated! Okay, okay...I called my insurance company today on my lunch hour to check on the situation. The gal told me that I've been approved for the gastric bypass to be done as an outpatient procedure (1 day) and I have until December 31 to have it done. Why does that not make sense??? I called the Bariatric Center and left messages for Nola and Shelly to call me with a status update. Now I'm super-confused. I guess there really isn't much else to say about me...however, my dad got the lap-band on 9/26. He's back in the hospital now due to some issues with his gall-bladder and his blood is too thin. He's on blood thinner due to having a mechanical valve in his heart. I think he's doing better now and will get to come home before long. As far as the lap-band goes, I don't think he had any problems at all. He's surviving on broth and jello so far, and tiny amounts of that. Hopefully I will have good news about ME before long. In other good news, my 2 new friends that I have made in my area are both doing wonderful! They both have had huge success and are looking and feeling GREAT! I wish them both continued success in their futures.
Love, Steph
10/12/2006 GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!! Surgeon's office called me yesterday to let me know that I've been approved by my insurance and the ball is rolling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The gal at the surgeon's office was mailing me a packet and also contacting the other doctors on the team so they can contact me for consults. I think I have to see a psychologist, a nutritionist, and pulmonary doctor and the surgeon himself. So my journey has really begun now! My insurance has approved me for a 1 day procedure, which just means that if I go in the hospital at noon on surgery day, with no complications I will leave before noon on the next day, thus less than 24 hours. And if by some chance I haven't had the surgery before December 31, re-approval is a simple process (let us hope). It will depend on how fast I am cleared by the team as to how soon the surgery will actually be. I will post more often, now that I have something to report on.
My dad is doing well now after experiencing some complications that had to do with his blood-thinner medication. He's home and says he never had any pain associated with the lap band at all. His surgery was 16 days ago, and he's lost 20 pounds. He hasn't had any throwing up, which I think is fantastic. He does have to go back and have his lap band adjusted in a few days, and I think after they inflate the band that his weight loss will really increase. It's hard for me to believe what a huge difference 20 pounds made with him...I can actually see his face again, he's not swollen and retaining a ton of fluid now. He went in at 296, so I'll try to update on him as time goes on too.
1/11/07 Wow, it's been a while since I updated! The psychologist has finally given me the thumbs-up for surgery. I have had 5 or 6 visits with him. He was very helpful and patient. He put me on a high-protein diet to kind of get me ready for after-surgery. He said I may as well break those old habits before surgery. My first consult with Dr. Hoehn is Monday 1/15!!! I am terribly excited about it. We will be trying to get my surgery date then. I also have one more appointment with the psychologist and I have a couple of pre-op things to do at the hospital. My dad is about 4 months post-op from the lap band and he's lost 42 pounds. I don't think he's behaving himself as good as he should be. I think that will all change though because my step-mom is going to have it done soon too. He really is experiencing feeling better and not being a prisoner of food now. That's really all I have for today. I will update after my consult on Monday and let you know how it's going. Please keep me in your prayers...I'm going to need patience and strength.
More info later! Love, Steph
3/20/07 Sorry I have again waited so long to update! I had my roux-en-y laproscopic gastric bypass surgery on March 5. Dr. Hoehn did my procedure and he is a GODSEND. I had a very easy time with my surgery. I know this is not the case with everyone. My procedure was at 7:30 and by 8:30 Dr. Hoehn was in the waiting room informing my family that all was well. I woke up in recovery between 10 and 10:30 and by 11:00 was in my own room and was wide awake. I didn't ride the morphine button like some people do though...if you ride the morphine button, you won't be awake as soon. I lost 25 pounds my first week! I went back to work on 3/19 which was 2 weeks following surgery. I feel great!!!! I'm still at the 25 pound mark, and I started walking yesterday during my lunch break. I plan to continue doing that. My dad has actually started gaining some of his weight back following the lap-band. I'm so happy I didn't go that route. I told him that I was going to catch him! He did finally start playing golf this month, so at least he's doing something now. My diet consists mostly of: refried beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, string cheese, deli-sliced chicken and turkey, protein shakes, tuna, and fat free sliced cheese. In a couple of weeks I can begin adding more foods, I have a nutritional book that I am following for the weeks and months following surgery. For the first week I was on liquids. That's why I lost 25! I can't believe how good I already feel though...I'm off all the medication that I took prior to surgery. I am not wearing my CPAP anymore, as my sleep apnea is greatly improved already. I need less sleep than I did before and I have more energy. I don't have problems concentrating and my house is cleaner because I am doing more. I'm still wearing the same clothes, but they are getting very baggy. It's been so long since I've had baggy clothes that I'm enjoying that for now. My shirts that were too tight through the arms and bust and belly are fitting nicely now. When I went back to the office yesterday, I got more compliments that I ever could have imagined. I think the think I'm happiest about, and this is kind of funny........is the fact that I ONLY HAVE ONE CHIN NOW!!!!!!!!! Much love, Steph
8/17/2007
Sorry it has again been so long. I get so caught up with life that I can't seem to find time to update. I've been very successful these past 5 months. I have lost a total of 73 pounds. From 220, I'm down to 147. I started out wearing size 20 and I'm now wearing 8's comfortably. It's still amazing to me. I feel great, I'm healthy. I'm sleeping good these days, the apnea is almost totally gone. I'm not taking any medicines. Only vitamins. I'm still taking the Flinstones Complete (my 6 year old thinks that's too cool). I have a protein shake every morning on my way to work. Some days I have 2, but not real often. I take calcium supplements, and I'm to the point where I can eat just about anything. I bought a swimsuit this summer and I've been taking the kids swimming! I have had to do a ton of shopping...it seems like I fly right through the sizes. I'm hitting thrift stores a lot these days. When I finally quit losing, I will buy new clothes, but there's no point right now. As a matter of fact, my 8's are getting big around the waist so I'll probably try on some 6's soon.
I'd like to send a big shout out to Cathy. We have a mutual friend in RP-A. She told me about you, and I want you to know that I'm thinking of you often. If you ever have questions, want advice, just want to see what all the excitement is about, get my number from RP-A. I'll be more than happy to talk with you. Keep up the good work with WW. Congrats on your 20 pounds!!! I try to keep up with how you girls are doing, and I know it's easier to do with a friend than solo. Keep thinking positive thoughts and good things will keep happening! I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!
My diet these days is great. I have a little bit of everything it seems. Most days I consider my protein shake to be breakfast. Most days I will have a nice VERY small salad for lunch. I'll eat whatever the family is having for dinner, just LITTLE servings. I don't do pasta though or hardly any bread at all. I have had pizza a few times though, and I was surprised that I could handle it okay. Thin crust is the best. I don't eat hardly any sugar at all either. I do drink lots of water throughout the day. I'll have a glass of iced tea in the evenings after dinner. The other thing I have not done yet, I haven't had anything alcoholic to drink yet. My doctor told me to wait 5 months before trying...I think I'm scared...LOL! I haven't really had the craving for beer yet, but I've had the opportunity. I've just stuck to drinking water and being the designated driver so far. I'm sure I'll try it sometime, but haven't yet.
I feel as if I've traveled a very long road in a very short time!
Much love, Steph
10/30/07 - Am feeling absolutely great these days, like a completely different person. I have now lost a total of 90 pounds. I weigh 130 and I'm wearing size 5 or 6 pants and small shirts! It's totally awesome, and I still find myself feeling like I'm on Cloud 9. When I had my 6 month checkup, they told me to start adding carbs back into my diet or I would keep on losing. They were right, because I started adding carbs back and I've lost another 20 pounds since that visit. I'm now enjoying bread again and pasta from time to time. Oh yeah, and I waited forever to drink beer, and I can do that just fine now. I was scared all for nothing. I haven't been sick in a VERY long time now, and it seems to be a thing of the past. Things could not be better for me. I'm still so happy with my decision to go through with this surgery. I feel 15 years younger. My feet don't hurt. I can sleep, I can walk...hell, I can even RUN now! My kids are tickled (so is the husband...he now has a hot wife!) but the most important thing is that I can keep up with my kids now, and I'm not so damn tired all the time. We can even share most clothes, and that's very strange. I don't think the kids are all that crazy about it either, but owell!
Congrats to Cathy on her WW success!!!!!!!!!! R has been keeping me posted and I'm so proud of you both...you GO GIRLS!!! Before long you will be the 2 hottest females in your area!!!!!!! Keep your chin up, look the world in the face and keep on going with it. Great job!
We finally did something I have wanted to do for a very long time. We had professional family portraits done. It was the BEST experience for me. I have always wanted to have family portraits because my oldest will leave next year for college, and my baby is now almost 7 years old...but I didn't want to be SEEN in the pictures when I looked like a beached whale! Our pictures came out awesome, and we spent WAY TOO MUCH MONEY but I can't believe how good they are. I look at them for a long time and try to soak it in, and I still can't believe how much I've accomplished. My family has accomplished many things too, they've been so supportive and positive and they've just done everything I've needed them to do...most of the time without me asking for any of it. They've become very perceptive and I couldn't be happier.
I don't have any more doctor's appointments till my 12 month checkup, that will be in March. I'm so looking forward to the holidays this year. I can barely stand it! I will actually go Christmas shopping this season instead of shopping online because I'll actually be able to physically do it. I even had the photographer make awesome picture cards of us that I'm mailing out to show us off! I can't wait to get them.
Best wishes to all of you for a successful journey.
Much love, Steph
January 9, 2008
Life for me couldn't be better these days. I have lost 97 pounds. I weigh 123 and mostly wear 4's and 5's. Three more pounds to have that 100 milestone. I'm quite content where I'm at right now. It's so weird swapping clothes with my kids. Lots of fun, but certainly weird. I saw an old school buddy last night that I haven't seen since I've been out of school (18 years!). I told him I was surprised that he recognized me, and he said...(this is the greatest compliment)..."you look exactly like you did in high school, how could I not recognize you?!" It was totally great and I couldn't believe it. WOW
I'm still drinking lots and lots of water, I have my daily protein shake and I still take my supplements like a good girl.
We got the most compliments ever on our family Christmas cards this year. And I think I've lost about another 20 since we had them done. I've never gotten this much feedback after sending out cards. It's been very - very good.
I have to be honest, there are actually 2 things that I miss about before...my left boob and my right boob. Oh, man! I'm now wearing a 32 or 34 B, and I used to be 38DDD. LOL It's so funny trying to shop for these items now. Oh, and the other day I bought the first pair of panty hose I've owned in 15 years! I bought the smallest size they had!!
I have got to shout out to my buddy Cathy! Keep it up girl, the fight is definitely worth it in the end. I know that R is looking totally awesome now and I've heard many good things about your journey also. KEEP IT UP!!!!!!! I hope we actually get to meet one of these days, I really feel like we would hit it off.
Well, I have got so many irons in the fire these days that I must leave the computer and get with it.
KEEP THE FAITH
August 27, 2008
Hello to everyone. I have now lost 100 pounds. I can finally say that I did it! Actually, I tend to fluctuate up and down about 5 or 6 pounds. But that's okay because I'm a girl...and I have girly time every month and that's when my weight goes up and down. Recently I purchased heels. I can't believe it...I can wear heels. I don't often, but now have a couple of pairs for the weddings and funerals. I even wore a pair to work one day in the past month.
My good friends at work, Shelley and Sharon, have both now had their gastric bypass surgeries within the past 2 months. Shelley had hers first and is back to work. It's been about 2 months for her and she's down about 45 pounds already. Sharon is only a week and a half post-op but is making great strides! She's planning to come back to work following Labor Day and I'm so excited for her.
I need to get busy, but wanted to post while I was thinking of it.
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