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Before & AfterThere are currently no before and after photos for this member. See these instructions if you wish to submit your own Before & After photos. Surgeon TestimonialRafael F. Capella M.D.**last edited June 3, 2007**rnJan '07 Found the names of Drs. Capella and Iannace by searching on obesityhelp.com. rnFeb 6, 2007 – Attended “Informational meeting” - very disorganized. No one told us what do. Took a clipboard and completed a stack of papers. Then stood on a line to make an appointment for a consult. This was before we were given info. I was told I would see Dr. Rafael Capella because his name was under my insurance. We then saw a powerpoint presentation that boasted of all their successes and experience. They described all possible procedures, and the after weight loss surgery that Dr Capella Junior does. Lots of information about risks, complications, etc. At the end of the presentation they took questions. Overall, it was an informative meeting but I had the distinct feeling they wanted the open RNY for all patients. rnFeb 13, 2007 consultationrnI arrived early for my 3:00 appointment. It didn't take long for the nurse to call me to get weighed and have some pictures taken. There was a huge issue with my insurance coverage. Had consult and exam and was told they'd be in touch. Meanwhile, they still hadn't followed up with my insurance company so I called and got the information I needed. I got everything I needed together, and faxed it to them.. followed up 2 days later and was told that they hadn't sent it yet because they were trying to determine what they needed to send... grrr.. explained I did that and to please send it. Next communication was a form letter telling me when to go for pre-surgical testing and what my surgery date was. About 2 weeks pre-op a nurse called me to say that I had to come in to pick up prescriptions I had to fill. No contact with anyone else in the office. rnDay of surgery - Dr. Capella said hello and he'd be back soon.. Dr. Iannace was late and they were trying to call him. Then I was out. Post-op -- day 1 both dr's stopped in for about 45 seconds to say hi. Rest of the time, Dr. Iannace stopped in. He was very late on the day of my discharge - I had to wait at the hospital 4 hours longer than I planned. I was told to schedule next appointment in 4 weeks. rn1 month post surgery visit-rnSaw Dr. Capella for about 7 minutes for my 1 month appointment. I lost 25 pounds in 28 days and he was very disappointed saying that he would have expected me to lose 30 pounds.. then he tried to reverse himself because I was only 28 days out and had another 2 days to lose the rest.. I told him point blank that I'm not in a contest and that I was very happy with my progress. rnOverall, I think as a surgeon he is top notch and would recommend him for that part.. but bedside manner, realistic expectations, aftercare, etc.. all are way below what I'd want. I don't care to be treated as a statistic. rnrn |
I've been heavy for about 41 of 44+ years. I am a very tall 5 feet (it's not that I'm overweight as much as I'm undertall)
August 5th on August 5, 2007 5:24 pm
Just for the record.. I have updated twice since the last published post, but they failed to work when I tried to save them. Stupid. The summer is going very well. Today was very strange. It wasn't as hot out as it has been lately (I think it was the upper 80s) but I was so hot! Actually decided to come inside. That almost never happens. Of course once inside I'm absolutely freezing again. Despite that, I haven't turned on my heater yet today. My vacation is creeping up! 47 days from now.. and though I can't wait to go - that means the summer is over. I do have to call to change at least one of my ADR (advance dining reservations) because I made it way too early on my first day there - I likely will just be getting to the Pop Century and there's no way I can make it to the Magic Kingdom. I reserved my scooter (ECV - electric convenience vehicle) already since my feet are still my feet and hurt. I have a follow up appointment this coming Tuesday to review the results of my latest battery of tests - nerve conduction tests. They found a bunch of anomolies and abnormalities.. what a shock - and it seems the plantar faciitis is getting bad again. At least thats only bad in the morning for now. I have been wearing Crocs daily and they are probably the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. My psoriasis is also getting bad again. I lost like 55 pounds and feel great - aside from the aforementioned bull.
I do hope the foot doctor comes up with something though. I know they shouldn't be hurting all the time - though they do hurt a lot less than before. But that month after surgery, before returning to work - they didn't hurt at all.. so I have experienced non hurting feet and want that again.
I have been walking a lot more than ever before - and I park my car well away from the entrance to work.
Back to WDW - the only thing I really need at this point is a bathing suit.. but I don't have a clue what size to get. I'm going to order one in the next few weeks - as long as it isn't going to fall off or choke me I'll be happy. I can always resort to shorts and a tank top.
On an OH note.. I'm still in total amazement about the goings on from the DS board people on the RNY board yesterday. It never occurred to me to separate or divide people up based on the surgery that they had. My feeling is that people are trying to find a healthier life and regardless of what procedure they choose - have the same goal. Well... based on the words of some of the DS people.. the ones that posted anyway.. show themselves to be a bunch of judgmental bullies who are downright nasty. I can't imagine going to another message board and saying the things that they said.. so much for support for those trying to lose weight. There were 2 or 3 of them that I can't even bear to look at.. especially after knowing how badly they upset some folks. I did block a bunch of them, but I do wish I could smack them upside their pigheads
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July 8 - Sunday on July 8, 2007 7:41 am
Damn weekend is almost over. I'm about to go outside because it's going to be another beautiful day.. 95 degrees.. I'll be in the sun. Tomorrow is supposed to be 99! But I have to work.. which means they'll up the air conditioning and I'll be the idiot wearing a coat. To think that as I lose more weight I'll be even colder.. I sort of hope I'm backwards on that and I'll start to warm up.
My scale is evil and possessed. I have to step on and off at least 15 times before I can rely on what it's saying. It goes up and down by 5 or more pounds before sticking to a weight. It's a digital.. I also bought an analog one.. but when I step off the dial goes back to zero and I can't see the little lines from 5 feet above it. It's just the point of it and it's pissing me off. So I can't choose a weight until I get the same thing 5 times after weighing something else because the scale has a dumb memory and reverts to that weight. I don't want to waste even more money on another scale.. so if I just use the same one,maybe it is sort of accurate.
Yesterday I walked on this hilly trail at a local park.. my knees hurt but I managed to walk the whole trail. The best part was that no one else was there because it was too hot for most people. I had a tiny sweat.. just behind my knees.. so I guess it must have been very hot. :)
I'm going to try to go to that park evenings after work and start to walk a lot more.
Ok.. time to go outside now!
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SUMMER! June 23 on June 23, 2007 9:12 am
SUMMER! My time. Heat! I love it. Though yesterday I was totally freezing.. it never went above 70 degrees.. everyone else was happy - I ended up wearing a flannel pajama shirt at work (only thing I could find that was warm). I wonder if I'm going to get even more cold as I lose more weight? I guess it's possible. That'll be quite funny.
90 days to WDW! I realized I can't even shop in advance since I have no clue what size to buy. Virtually everything I have is going to be way too big. Most of it will be wearable - at least shirts - so I don't have to worry all that much. It's stupid work clothes that are the bigger issue. I hate spending money on new stuff as it is - so I'm buying as little (clothes) as I can.
My removed toenail got infected (my fault) - so I'm trying to treat it. I want it to heal yesterday. It does feel a lot better though. I made all my ADRs for Sept - got smart and made the majority of them for lunch - that was I got virtually every reservation I wanted. The dinner ones.. or anything late afternoon to evening are always made very early - and for me it's not going to matter what time I eat.. plus it's nice to have a table service/sit down meal at lunch as break from the parks. In 3 months, I should be eating better also. I am trying to eat as many "normal" foods as I can now.. just very small amounts of it. It's the only way I'll have long term success. I ate a soft taco - no lettuce from Taco Bell yesterday - well.. most of it.. couldn't finish the soft taco shell.. but I ate the meat and cheese. I'm eating a lot of the Gerber graduate meals - again.. most of it, but not the whole thing. I need to get the feel for portion size. I haven't gone over 600 calories a day yet.. I usually am in the 500 range - which will have to increase. I'll have to go to 3 or 4 meals eventually - but for now I'm going to increase my protein supplements - I tried to limit it because if it were up to me that's all I'd eat.. or drink.. and I don't want to go there (memories of OPTIFAST)
My only issue is liquids.. I'm not anywhere near what I should and I still have a problem eating without drinking. I'm working on it.
Otherwise, things are great. I'm about to venture to the great outdoors to do some garden work. (I covered my toe this time)....
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June 12 on June 12, 2007 7:54 pm
This morning.. the scale finally moved. Like 3 pounds down... weird as hell.. but I'll take it. So I kept stepping on and off to try to see if it would change. I'm going to stay off it for a few days.
Today I went to a new foot specialist! (This is about the 9th one I've seen over the past 20 or so years - I usually just give up because they never can figure out what to do) Anyway.. I've learned to tell them my basic history - surgeries, diagnosis over the past 20 years... but I never mention that I have had issues literally from the day I was born (several congenital abnormalities affect my entire lower body)... and so far, this woman was the FIRST ever to tell me she saw signs of this without me prompting her! She also asked other questions which showed she really was listening and feeling things.. It'll be a long road to figuring out what to do (if anything) to relieve the pain and I need help with coming up with a way to walk without killing myself now. The massive pain I had from wearing shoes was a major massive ingrown toenail - one that I had removed about a year ago, but grew back and was misshapen and very painful now... so that is now removed again and the root hopefully killed.
So I have a big ass bandage on my foot (it's pink.. it's really cute) Anyway.. that's it..
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June 10 on June 10, 2007 3:47 pm
The weekend is almost over.. grrrr  - I did go out and get a pair of Crocs.. everyone is saying they're so wonderful and since my feet are acting up, I'm willing to try anything. I am having lots of trouble with closed shoes (sneakers or any running shoes) because it's pressing on my big toe nails and it's very painful. The arthritis problem I have with my left foot appears to be back... I can't flex or move the foot without pain - and it seems much worse when wearing shoes... Used to be that a very supportive shoe was helpful but that's changed. So I was wearing my Teva sandals to work with black socks (not allowed to wear sandals) and that was ok.. but not for any amount of time.. so I got the Crocs and I'll see how I do with that. I made an appointment with an new foot specialist next week so maybe she'll have an answer. I've been going for years and no one gets past the arthritis thing. Now that I'm off celebrex and every other NSAID - I'm in a little pain again. Of course I probably should stay off my feet.. but I can't. I'm still not exercising though. Not like I should be.. but that's mostly because I can't do the walking right now. Oh.. I'm having a stall!!! I'm telling everyone to stay the hell off their scales and here I am getting on every morning and for a whole week it hasn't moved. I stand on it cursing it like it's gonna care. I expected a stall about now.. but it sucks to be having it anyway. I get that stupid thinking like how this is it I'm not going to lose anymore...
Today I got daring and stopped at Taco Bell. Even before surgery it never quite agreed me... I ordered a beef and potato burrito - it actually tasted pretty good.. I took 2 lactaids before eating.. I didn't feel sick.. not at all.. but about 30 minutes after eating.. just when I was getting happy I could drink something.. I had that familiar gurgling in my stomach (like with IBS) and knew I had to drive home.. LOL... I made it home -- it was exactly like IBS - never felt sick at all. I was very curious as to how I'd handle that - and now I know. It definitely has lots of fat in it - (the burrito that is).
103 days till my vacation! I can't wait! Walt Disney World here I come!!! Several people have been getting emails for free upgrades to their hotels for their trips (mostly around the end of August, beginning of September) which send them from a value resort to a moderate or higher. Since mine starts on the LAST day of the free dining package I doubt I'll get that chance. Plus I did enjoy staying at the POP Century last year. I've decided to never pay more than I have to for a room there. Years ago, before the moderate and value resorts were built I always stayed at the Polynesian.. well mostly - I liked the Disney Inn a lot also when that was alive. Once the moderates were built I stayed at the Port Orleans mostly - when that was still alive.. and then I went to the Caribbean Beach.. followed by the All stars... now I think I'll stick to the Pop. I think my favorite resort was the Grand Floridian - but that is just stupid to pay that much. (I stayed there back when there were stockholder & annual pass discounts during value season) and I really liked the feeling of the treehouses (it was different) - but the Port Orleans and walking through the Dixie Landings (before they merged) was my favorite for a long time. Beignets.. I loved those. Why am I writing about this? Hehe. Anyway, I'm older and wiser and know that I go once a year now and may as well take advantage of saving money anywhere I can. And so I do. Plus I have like no money.. heh.
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June 8 2007 on June 8, 2007 6:01 pm
Things are going well. I'm avoiding the scale during the week because I don't want to obsess about it - so as far as I know I've lost like 30 lbs. Which I am happy with. My clothes are all fitting differently and I had to buy new bras. I am having a lot of trouble with getting in enough liquids. I have always drank (lots of Diet Coke) with my meals and thats tough to get used to - and not drinking before I eat and not drinking during or after is really very hard. By the time I can drink I'm usually busy doing something and it's the last thing I think of. I'm working on it. I'm finding that I wait too long before feedings and I'm filling up very fast. So I'm not even eating what I should (which I'm less concerned about because I take the supplements including protein) but I would like to figure out how to stick to some sort of pattern. Today was the first day I've felt any signs of pouch issues - probably both minor dumping. Tightness, pressure.. but it passes. At lunch I made some tuna fish (3 ounces) and for the first time I ate the whole 3 ounces - my pouch apparently didn't like that. And after I ate my supper (cubed chicken with baby food garden vegetables) it felt like it was stuck. And then it hurt.. I guess I ate too fast or too much.
I got through the first week back to work.. my feet.... are killing me.. and I thought I was cured.. I guess it's not as bad as it was though because I'm not on pain meds.. all I have taken is Tylenol but not even that much.. and I'm still able to stand and walk. I am going to a new podiatrist next week.. maybe there's something they can recommend for me...
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I am not a statistic! on June 2, 2007 5:59 am
I had my first post-op visit with my surgeon (at 28 days) - and I was down 25 pounds from the last time they weighed me (which was several weeks pre-op) - personally I was thrilled.. my surgeon however wasn't too impressed and stated that he would have expected me to lose 30 pounds.. at which point I was open mouthed (shocked actually) and he referred to my chart and said.. "Well you are really only 28 days out so you still have a few days". My reply was "First of all I feel great. Second, losing 25 lbs is major for me. Third - I am not and will not try to break any records - every pound I lose is a happy thing and I don't care how long it takes" He tells me that his statistics indicate that the most successful patients tend to lose more in the beginning because of the limits they place on eating for the first few weeks. To me it seems that their primary concern is simply bragging about what their patients lose. He told me he wants me to start a daily walking program where I aim to walk at least 3 miles a day. (I laughed)
I'm sure that it's his way of trying to encourage patients to try harder - but I'm very happy with my rate of loss and how I feel. It is more important to me to learn how to eat properly and lose weight and keep it off. I never pretended that I was concerned about the rate I was to lose - and I never will be. Needless to say, I was totally pissed off.
Meanwhile, I pulled something - internally - which Dr. C thinks is probably just an internal staple that will re-heal. It's uncomfortable when it hurts - it sort of pulls (it's to the left of the incision and he said it's probably near the pouch) - so I've been trying to take it easier. It happened when I was laying mulch in the garden and was bending over for a very long time. (as in like 2 hours)
I'm going back to work Monday - which I'm not looking forward to - but I'll be happy when I'm there. And in 112 days I'm going to walt disney world!!! I've lost count but I know this is my 50 something vacation there. I'm going by myself and I just hope no one gets mad that I never mentioned I was going (which I did - months ago but as usual I don't give the opportunity to join me) I can't wait.
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Tuesday night on May 22, 2007 9:39 pm
Things are just moving right along. And that means going back to work.... I'm so enjoying this time off! Yesterday I went to IKEA in Paramus, NJ - bought stuff I really don't need, but hey what the hell. Then I went to Home Depot and bought more things I really don't need. But they're plants so who could blame me. Today I stayed home mostly - gorgeous sunny day -- I set up a table outside and started a 3-D jigsaw puzzle. Nothing like that to keep me challenged. Stupidly I forgot the part where I'm supposed to take the sunscreen bottle and actually put it on my skin. I must think that buying it is protection enough. So of course I'm peeling. Oh well. Somewhere in the back of my mind I believe that baking in the sun broils away fat... so it's okay then. :0
I've been doing ok with food. Still only tried tuna fish and refried beans. Got my period today and was hungry so I had an extra few ounces of refried beans. I'm still way under 600 calories.. but I'm only supposed to care about protein - so I'm ok. it's all ok! meanwhile.. time for bed now..
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may 19 on May 19, 2007 12:41 pm
Stupid idiot weather. It's raining .. again.. and down at like 50degrees out. I have things to do. I can't wait for next week for it to be back in the 70's. My idea to be a tourist is sounding better and better. I may even opt to take a bus into the city instead of driving in and dealing with parking. I will have to bring some type of food with me. Today for lunch I made myself tuna fish with a small amount of fat free or low fat or fat reduced or they took out the fat somehow mayonnaise. I put it into my brand new food processor and I have to say it was absolutely delicious. So I can easily take that with me in a little ziplock thing. All I'll have to do is buy water and be sure I drink it. I'm going to relax and watch the Mets play - where they will hopefully beat the crap out of that other NY team whom I despise. I may also go to a Met game though I probably will change my mind. I get too bored sitting for that long. I'm hoping one of these days the sun comes back out.. it's supposed to be nice next week.. crosses fingers.
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Fri, may 18 on May 18, 2007 4:41 pm
This morning I got brave and tried to eat instant grits. My pouch didn't particularly like this attempt. I didn't feel especially sick - just over full sort of - and then had TMI TMI diarrhea. I'm pretty sure this is cause and effect. My stomach reacted more like it did to accidently having milk products, but without the cramping. Tomorrow I'll try something else. I would like to try to blenderize tuna and try that. I've had small pieces of chicken in the cream of chicken soup - so I may go for some of that too. Meanwhile, I'm just taking it easy and will have a protein shake later. Unfortunately the weather isn't cooperating - it's chilly out and rainy. I need nice weather. I want to go walk somewhere. I may actually do a NYC tourist bus tour -- just to get out and go to different places. They have a 48 hour double decker bus tour that I did years ago when I had friends not from here visit. It's fun to be a tourist sometimes and I think I may take advantage of this off work time. I haven't been down to the city in like 2 or 3 years now! Ok.. going to go look at my gardens :)
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May 17 - 15 days out on May 18, 2007 12:39 am
Things are still going very well! I was supposed to start on mushies but all I did was purchase a few things. I haven't yet eaten any. I've been having cream of soups (one can is good for the whole day) and adding protein to the soups. I found that cream of chicken with Unjury chicken broth (supplement) was delicious. Or at least what the new delicious is to me. I also enjoyed cream of potato soup. That's been about as much as I've tried. I've been trying to get in more liquids - I haven't been getting as much as I planned - so I decided to go for 2 small sf jello cups to boost liquid. I'm tracking everything and so far so good. I bought a scale! It seems to give me a different weight every time I stepped on so I averaged 5 weights I got at one time and so I lost around 15 lbs.. it could be more or less.. whatever though - I can feel it.
I do find that I tire out at the end of the day. It's nice to just relax in bed for a while - but I end of falling asleep which is nice. The other day I finally was home during a bad storm (really bad storm) and fulfilled my dream of laying in bed during a bad storm and just listening to the thunder, lightening cracks, sirens, more sirens.... the joys of being at home and not at work all day. My feet are still good!! yay! I have another 2 weeks off... I'm going to enjoy that. More to come....
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On the twelf day... ok.. how do you spell 12th.... on May 15, 2007 1:07 pm
What a beautiful past 2 days - and what a perfect time to be off work. I'm staying out of work until the end of the month (because that's the first approval on my short-term disability) and I deserve a break! The good part is I keep all my banked leave days (vacation, sick, personal) so I can use them for my next trip to Walt Disney World. My original plan was to go in September - but I may delay that. It'll depend on a few factors. September is when WDW offers their amazing "free food plan" which I won't be able to take advantage of - but then again it would be a great way to go to the more expensive buffet meals without paying and having the best choice of foods.. So I haven't totally ruled out Sept.. I did fall way behind on my vacation savings -- but then again.. I need significantly less if I'm not paying for food... lots of then agains...
Yesterday I worked in the garden for much of the day. I sat on my garden buddy rolling thingy and dug holes while sitting. I only planted 4 things. I have a few more small ones to plant, but it was actually too hot for me to do it earlier today, so I'll get at it later. I'm being careful not to over do things. You'd never know I was 12 days out of surgery. I have to keep reminding myself of that. After gardening, I went over to Tar--get (the -- make it less searchable) and visited a bit. Again.. they didn't believe I was recovering because I'm told I look very healthy (it's the tan) and my feet don't hurt so I'm smiling a lot. I knew I was tired from yesterday though because I slept way more than normal. Good times! I really am considering buying a scale just to keep track of how the numbers go. I do hope my boobs shrink and fast.
Foods.. I've managed to happily drink carnation instant breakfast with soy milk, lots of cream of chicken soup, and various Unjury protein supplement shakes. No problems with any at all... except I feel very full and haven't been able to finish the whole thing most of the time. I'm trying to get my protein up a little closer to 60 grams.. and I'm using the FitDay software to keep track of everything. I'm currently trying to finish a Strawberry Sorbet frozen shake -- its a challenge! I am feeling hungry a few hours in between but nothing major. It reminds me to do a supplement. I'm supposed to start on mushies on Thursday - before I do so I'm going to write out a meal goal plan so I can make some sort of schedule. I know me and if I'm outside gardening I'll pass up eating - and I can't do that -- in the past I'd just make up for it later on -- I want to avoid that make up for it eating.
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May 13, Sunday on May 13, 2007 6:56 pm
A fun day. I began moving back to my own personal cave - I'm feeling 500% better (and I wasn't even feeling all that bad before). My big question was if I could manage on my bed - I have a super thick air mattress on top of a futon. To get in bed, I have to climb up 2 steps (granted I'm slightly under-height at 5 ft). And once I'm in the bed, it's not always easy to move about to get in a good position. To solve the issue I put a blanket on top of the sheets which stops sliding. I bought a wedge pillow so I can lay at an angle.. and it's perfect. This week, I'll start to clean up a bit. To entertain myself I headed to Home Depot - planning to get my mom some hanging baskets (they were sold out) so instead I picked up 6 assorted perennials for one of my front gardens. All are very small and light. I also bought a very small spade to dig holes (it's small enough that I can sit on my rolling garden bench and not strain anything) so I can do some work. I spent way too much time there, but had to forgo buying a few things because they're heavy and I have lifting restrictions. Finished a whole bottle of water while there.. which is good for me! Hooray! Then I went to the supermarket for a few items.. more broth, soy milk, an insulated bottle with a strap I can wear, cream of soups... drank another bottle of water and realized I'd been walking around stores for 4 hours! I realized it because there was this massive pulling in my chest/stomach. BUT MY FEET DIDN'T HURT. So, I just slowed down a bit and finally gave in and came home. I was so happy to have walked that much and not been in pain. I felt hungry. So I decided to mix soy milk with chocolate Unjury protein mix. I was a little hesitant, but decided that there's no time like now.. put it in the blender. It was the most delicious thing I've drank/eaten in 12 days. Took almost an hour to finish 1 cup. I feel more energetic afterwards. Rather than go right to mushies on Thursday, I'm going to remain on liquids for the week and then introduce mushies next weekend. My doctor pretty much told me the reason they use the diet plan they do is to maximize weight loss the first month. I'm more interested in long-term loss and long term change than I am in the first month. They love to brag about statistics - "our patients lose so much in the first 4 weeks so come to us to cut you up!"
I'm thinking of going in to visit work tomorrow. (to shop) I'm hearing all the great rumors about me.. it's so funny! I did get a great card that many people in the store signed. And all the calls and emails.. it's nice.
My next big dream is to have a bath. Showers are great, but I like to do a long bath with a refreshing shower after. Thats one thing I hate after tattoos.. they don't want you to have baths. oh well.. enough babble for now~
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May 12th! on May 12, 2007 3:33 pm
AN update! Today is Saturday and my baby brother Jamie and his daughter (Rebecca) who is 3 came to visit. We met at our parents' house. As a total surprise, our middle brother, Bruce surprised us with my s-i-l Moia and Jeremy, Ben and Emily (nephews and nieces).. it was lovely! I sipped my crystal light water. And sipped more. It was a nice day. Walked around outside the house with Rebecca around 10 times. Afterwards, I decided to go to the Christmas Tree shop to see if I could find inexpensive carpets. The smell is pretty much gone now as everything dried out and I have so much stuff absorbing water and such. But I still don't feel good about walking on it until I can really sanitize it. So I got a few runners there. I also bought those mugs with water on the outside that you can freeze. Once I start working outside again I will need to keep drinking.. so thats a start on that. By the time I left the store I was completely pooped and felt intense hunger. Lightheaded on top of that. So I drank more water. Came home, drank broth. Still felt hungry. Decided that I was going to try some Unjury protein mix in water. Waited a while and kept trying to see if I had doubts.. I didn't.. so I mixed the powder in 8 ounces of water. Took me almost 2 hours to slowly sip it (started by dipping a spoon in it and licking it) then graduated to a tiny amount on the spoon.. and now I'm almost done with it taking small sips. SO far I feel great.. more energy (probably from sitting) and don't feel hungry. If I have no problems at all the rest of the night, I think I'll add one mix of this for the next few days until I'm supposed to actually go to it. That's it for now!
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May 10 - 1 week post op part 2 on May 10, 2007 1:30 pm
Addendum:
I went "grocery" shopping! It was the funniest experience for me.. no real food. I did buy beef broth and I'm sipping that now. I walked the entire store and by the time I was done I was completely tired. It was nice to get out though. Aside from beef broth, I got chicken broth, pre-made jello and decaf coffee. That was my excitement. I'm also thinking that I'll need to buy a scale. My first post-op visit is in 3.5 weeks.. maybe I'll just wait till then so I don't have a clue.. I don't know.. but that's it for today I think! | Leave a comment.
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My Story 2005 - 2 years ago.. my body began to complain in the form of an all out revolt. My joints ached. My foot problems worsened. My whole lower body wanted to divorce the rest of me. I had lost weight before - on a variety of diets including not bothering to eat.. oh and Optifast about 20 years ago. I don't have much trouble losing weight. I have lots of trouble keeping it off. So at some point in 2005 I began reading about alternatives. I kept it in the back of my mind - and each time another physical problem crept up, I reminded myself that there was option - and someday I may be ready for it. 2006 - Now on Celebrex, Neurontin, Ibuprofen, and occasional Vicoprofen - I realized I'm only getting worse. However, the focus went off my issues when my aunt (who's home I live in) (my mom's youngest sister) was diagnosed with breast cancer. Within a week or so, she was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts. (She was 58 at the time) She had a double mastectomy - and that set off a sequence of events... Her sister (my aunt as well :) and my mom's next younger sister - who also lives with us) was also diagnosed with breast cancer a month later... only on one breast.. and she has a single mastectomy. (My mom had breast cancer back in 1978 when she was only 39) Meanwhile, I went for a mammography and due to the extreme density of my boobs, had to have so many images taken that I thought I'd be a pancake for life. Since my boobs are so huge, it made the images hard to take. They found "something" - but it turned out to be a misplaced lymph node. But again, my overweightyness was a factor that I couldn't deny as impeding a diagnosis. My thoughts returned to a bariatric procedure.. however, no sooner that I began to think of that, my mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer. (my mom and dad live about 2 blocks away - not that it's relevant, but since I mentioned my aunts, I figured I'd throw that in for good measure) During this time, my "significant other" of almost 6 years, decided I deserved better (another long story.. and unrelated to my weight issues - but still a big factor in my life) I realized that at some point, I too could be faced with cancer - and having surgery is far more risky with obesity. Plus, if I ever did need to have a mastectomy, the loss of one big boob would make me totally unbalanced - in purely a physical way. I'd literally fall over. Or sideways.. So I decided that I was going to make 2007 my year of helping myself. On 1/1/07 I joined this board and began reading everything I could. Feb 6, 2007 - Informational meeting with Dr. Capella and Dr Iannace.
Feb 7, 2007 - called my insurance company and after being transferred around a bit, I finally found someone who was able to tell me the 10 things I must submit for determination of approval.
1. MD Documentation of obesity for more than 5 years.
2. BMI (over 40)
3. Documentation of co-morbid conditions.
4. Documentation: Despite doctor supervised diet of more than 6 months, couldn't keep off the weight.
5. CardioPulmunary Evaluation.
6. Dietary consultation with a licensed Nutritionist or Dietitian.
7. Drug/alcohol screening.
8. Rule out peptic ulcer disease (h. pylori test)
9. Measure of thyroid.
10. Psych consultation – psychologist or psychiatrist.
Once they have these 10 things it should take about 15 days for them to decide.
I have my consultation scheduled for Feb. 13 Feb 13th - found out that if I choose to stay with this practice, the lap band won't be covered by insurance (Dr I. is out of network - I'd have to pay $30,000 plus and then submit it for partial reimbursement) AND neither doctor suggests the band for me. My BMI is 55 and they highly suggest the Banded roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass - so now I'm back to thinking.. (I'm still thinking I'm going ahead with it.. but I need to think I'm considering lots of things for my personal satisfaction.) So my saga continues.. March10, 2007 Things are starting to move along now! Got a preliminary date for pre-surg testing (April 12) and preliminary surgery date of May 3rd! Today, I made several appointments to get the stuff done for insurance... and something told me to call the insurance company again... good thing.. Now I'm told that all I need is a medical necessity letter from my doctor - that is all that Target's insurance requires... not the 10 things I was told last time. So now I'll call one more time and see what the 3rd person says. According to my benefits department, I will have to pay $3000 out of pocket and then insurance will pick up 100% of the remaining costs (aside from regular medical care which I still pay $40 per visit for) If this is the case, (just a letter) I am very glad.. March 28th - It took exactly 1 week for them to approve me! I faxed the letter of medical necessity last Wednesday and got a letter in the mail today! They said it takes about 15 days so I wasn't planning on calling until next week.. and what a surprise to get the letter so soon! Wow. I've been a non-smoker for 16 days now! Things are really starting to move along fast.. I'm purposely not looking back because I'm not going to let me change my mind. I'm sure I will have some rough times ahead, but I'm going to focus on the long run.. and hope in the end I'll be thankful to me. If not.. oh well... my bad..
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