ObesityHelp

Seems I have a long wait to get my process rolling.  I'm waiting on medical records and all reports from recent testing to be in before proceeding.

I went to the Univ. of Chicago last week, but went empty handed and the Dr. seemed a little annoyed that he couldn't make a thorough examination w/out proper documentation.  My fault of course.

Went to Northwestern's Info. Session and found out that the process there is very long!  Months & months before seeing a doctor who then decides if revision surgery is right for me.  Um, how about I make that decision, and you decide if I have a medical neccesity for a revision, huh?  Plus w/ Northwestern I would have to pay for my dietician consults at $120 a visit w/ a total of 12 visits.  

I'm thinking the Univ. of Chicago would be faster and the docs there seem to have a lucrative business and know what they're doing.  So my plan is to give all my records to Dr. Prachand and see what he says.

In the meantime, I will give my tool it's last shot.  I've changed my eating habits and really gotten done to basics to see what happens.  if I have a sugar reaction then I can't eat it, period.  No soda...didn't know I wasn't suppose to have it.  No eating & drinking at the same time, protien, and tons of water.  Perhaps I'll start my Meridia again...who knows.

Here I go!

P.s. I'm still aiming for surgery though.

This is an update to my previous post today (below the line).  

My PCP called me back after 4pm today, I waited all day long for her!  Anyway, I told her how I was upset with the doctor who did my endoscopy and that I needed to have the "barium swallow" test done so I could take that report to my surgeon consult next Wednesday, and she seemed puzzled.  I said that's initially what I asked for but when I said "Upper GI" she thought I meant endoscopy.  So now I must wait for a call tomorrow to schedule that barium swallow in the next day or so.  Great!  More time from work...

So now I feel better, because sometimes I almost feel afraid to ask for all these tests from my PCP because I truly want her to back me up on having this revision.  Everytime I ask and I feel timid like I'm asking for too much from her, but everytime she willing does what I ask.  YAY!
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So yesterday I had my endoscopy, and the doctor that did it was an ass to say the least.  He came in the room was very methodical and quick.  He gave me an opportunity to speak but he cut me off like he truly didn't care to hear what I had to say.  Thanks Buddy!  I called my PCP's office this morning and left a messgae for my doc to call me back because I'm still upset with this guy and the results "he" came up with.

Keep in mind that I had an upper GI done Feb. 2001 which showed siginifcant follow-thru, and a serious case of GERD.  I had the same test done Oct. 2002 and it showed the same thing just a little worse.  Now, I kept having these done everytime I had a baby, doctors orders.  So by Oct. 2002 I've had 6 doctors tell me I have GERD.  I've lived with this forever!

This doc from yesterday tells me very quickly that my bypass is intact and looks great, I have no GERD or evidence of heartburn, no ulcers or hernias.  WHAT?!   I then asked if he saw that my stoma was stretched and he said "Yes, it was a bit dialated," but I got the feeling that he wasn't so concerned about that.  So I'm thinking this doctor hurried up and did the procedure and said you're fine go home, but how can I dismiss everything all the other docs have told me?

So if my stoma was "a bit dialated" then can you imagine what it looks like with food in my belly?  ARGH!

When my PCP calls me back I'm going to tell her that I am not happy.  I want the Upper GI that my surgeon requested that I get.  End of story.

I've officially started my revision journey by going to my PCP this morning.

I received my bloodwork from last month, and it's not pretty.

1) Cholesterol - 248/142
2) HBa1c - 8
3) Thyroid - 3.46 (that's ok)
4) High Blood Pressure - 125/112
5) Gained 6 pounds from a month ago (put on Meridia)

So now I'm on all kinds of medication:
Nexium
Metformin
Lipitor
Meridia
Lisinopril
Lamictal (already on it)
Klonopin (already on it)

I fell like I'm 80 years old for crying out loud!  I can't believe I'm back to this place after having WLS, this isn't suppose to happen, this isn't how it's suppose to go.

The good news is that my PCP is on board and since this is a new request from me to her she would like to give it a good month or 2 to really try to get some weight off, but if Monday's endoscopy shows significant stretching of my stoma & the ulcer I know I have then she will give me her okay.  I don't need a referral but I do want her on board with my goals.  She's a great doctor and wouldn't trade her for nothing.

I made my request to see Dr. Prachand at the University of Chicago and I was surprised to get a call so quickly.  I kept reading that there was a huge waiting list some years long, but those are folks with state aid.  My first reaction, thank god I don't have to wait and my second was my heart breaking for those who have to wait.  A 2 year waiting list, OMG!

I go for an informational session on the 24th of July and then see him the next day at 12:15 pm.  I'll also spend the afternoon doing a psych eval. and a nutritional consult.   They actually have to put all your information together and when they meet once a week they decide on who they can take as a patient.  Interesting.

Well, good luck to me!

After having an Open RNY on 4/28/99 I lost a significant amount of weight, more than anticipated and I felt on top of the world.  The one thing I was lacking was a WLS education and of course peer support.  Things like this didn't really exist in VA back in '99.  I know about 2 years later there were groups in the area where I lived but it was only for the folks who used those surgeons.  I felt abandoned.

11 months post-op I got pregnant.  Didn't know I shouldn't have that soon after surgery.  After giving birth I was concerned about my 'tool" because I could eat  A LOT!  Did the endoscopy and saw that my stoma was enlarged, but my surgeon said she wasn't sure what to do and she'll get back with me...she never got back with me.  I low carbed it, I did the "back on track" diet, I did everything.  Had another baby, again I discovered my stoma was even larger this time and that I had a hernia.  I went to a plastic surgeon for reconstructive surgery and actually got full approval, however I lost my insurance due to job loss.  I was do devastated!

I moved to Chicago for work, and got back down to a decent size about 20 lbs away from goal.  I was happy, but then got pregnant again.  Gained again, never had a chance to lose it because I got pregnant again 2 months after my 3rd was born.  

Now here I am with 4 children and only 12 pounds from where I was when I had WLS to begin with and I'm at my wits end.  My comorbities are all back: diabetes, severe heartburn, hypertension, etc.

I need a revision, something definitely permanent and I promise to take care of it and I promise to educate myself.