September 19, 2004

Although I have been on this journey for sometime, I figured it was about time that I add something to my profile..so let me catch you up now.

July 2003, Due to multiple culmlative injuries to my feet. I left my job which required me to stand for long hours. In January of 2004, my podiatrist suggested weightloss surgery. This is where my research began.

Almost simultaneously, this doctors office errored in filling out my insurance disability extension forms. My health insurance was cancelled as a result, despite my attempts to resolve the issue. As a result I appealed this action by my insurance company. It took 5 and 1/2 mos for the insurance company to review my appeal. I won the appeal, but had lost 5 1/2 mos of insurance coverage in the meantime.

During this 5 1/2 mos time, I suffered from very low Thyroid, gall bladder disease and pancreatitis as a result of the untreated gall bladder disease. Realizing 12mos of my remaining insurance coverage was ticking away during the appeal process I was quite frusrated.

In april of 2004 I decided to contact Dr. C's office to arrange for atttendance of the required seminar. It was scheduled for May 26, 2004.

Meanwhile all my research told me that gall bladder surgery could be done at the same time as the WLS. It was my goal to have both surgeries done at the same time.

The day before May 26, 2004, I was informed by Dr. C's office they would be moving their office from Manteca to Modesto. The May 26th seminar was cancelled. I was then assigned a date of June 6. On June 6th I contacted the seminar coordinator, to let her know I had not recieved any of the paperwork that had been promised. I was told by staff that my name had been erroneously eliminated from the June 6th seminar roster. Therefore I was given a new date of July 7th, despite my pleadings, concering my limited time line.

Mid June I won my appeal, insurance coverage was reinstated.

July 7th, 2004 I attended the seminar. Dr. C mentioned during his talk, that he had recently made a policy of NOT removing gall bladders at the same time of WLS. He said Gallbladders would have to be removed with at least 3-4 weeks healing time between. I spoke with Dr. C after the seminar and he said make consult appointment with him and he could review my history. I noted on my forms that there was great urgency as to the completion of my GB removal and WLS due to insurance coverage.

July 19, 2004 I met with Dr. C for my first consult. We discussed my insurance situation. Dr. C told me he could do the gallbladder surgery and if the surgery was going well, there was a very very slight chance he could continue on with the WLS. Given this chance, I told Dr. C I would like him to do the GB surgery.
He gave me some orders for tests to be completed prior to WLS. I finished all testing by August 3rd including the pysch exam and pre op class.

I called Dr. C's office several times, trying to contact his assistant, S, in order to schedule the gall bladder surgery. I also informed them of my desire to have the gallbladder surgery immediately by fax. No reply.

I called again repeatedly the week of August 15, 2004, still no returned calls. I informed the person who answered the phone that I was in dire need of a return call as my insurance coverage was ticking away. Additionally I was suffering the ill effects from my gallstones.

I finally faxed another letter approximately August 23, 2004, outlining my frustration and the need for surgery. Dr. C's assistant, S, contacted me the following morning. I was told the Gallbladder surgery could take place in 3 days at Manteca Doctors hospital. Knowing that WLS was never done at MDH anymore, I questioned his assistant,S. I explained to her that Dr. C had told me he would attempt the WLS if the gall bladder surgery went excemptionally well and I was confused as to why the surgery was being scheduled for MDH. S said she would speak to the doctor. Within a few hours I was informed by S that Dr. C would not attempt to do the WLS simultaneously with the GB surgery. S then said the doctor and herself would make sure my surgery would be done within the tight time line. She apologized for the problems I had with scheduling. She assured me this would not be a problem. Frankly, I was pretty frustrated as I could of had the gallbladder done much earlier by someone else locally had I known.

S. and I discussed insurance approval for the weightloss surgery. She told at this time, she had contacted my husbands insurance and they had a requirement of 6 mos supervised diet and many other strict co-morbitity guidelines I would qualify under.We discussed I would not attempt to use my husbands insurance coverage as it would be less likely they would cover and a safer bet to use mine and have the surgery completed and out of hospital before October 1 2004. S assured me this process would be started.

August 27, 2004, My GB was removed without incident at MDH. I was pleased with Dr. C during this procedure and following hospital stay. I had a relatively smooth recovery. During my stay in the hospital Dr. C assured me more than once that the WLS surgery would be done within 3 weeks, 4 at the most. ( sept 17-24) He told me to contact his office that following monday to make sure that his assistant had completed the insurance approval process.

Monday August 30, 2004 I contacted my insurance and was told by the insurance company, there was NO record of Gastric bypass request. I then called Dr. C's assistant, S. S was on another line and the receptionist took the call message. As I was speaking to the receptionist she called across the room to S. S stated , " I have the approval right here in front of me on paper" I was confused and reiterated to the receptionist but she assured me the process was complete and would call me by the end of the day with a surgery date.

TO BE CONTINUED

Update October 17, 2004

WOW I need to update alot has happened since August 30, 2004... to make a long story short... there were many ups and downs as far as scheduling a date for surgery..in fact with only a week an a half left before my insurance ran out, the doctors office told me they could not do the surgery in time... and at the last minute came through with a date of Sept 29, 2004.

On September 29, 2004 at 1:30 pm I had surgery. Surgery went through without a hitch..in fact you can see pics right after I came into my room post op. Marta is my angel... she was an awesome angel, she drove all the way from Porterville to take me to hospital and sit through surgery. She is so skinny and beautiful and sweet and bubbly. Some of my other OH friends also visited, ( see pics) Denise, Connie Sue, Sara, Kristy T. Kristie, mike, nathan , jim and his son.

I had a great roomate named Tammy... her and I had buffa contests and laughed alot..between other bodily functions. We are keeping in touch still.

The last couple of weeks have been a real adjustment for me... I never realized just how good a friend food has been to me over the years. I miss the social aspect of food... but I am sure in time I will be able to celebrate over the big changes to my body.

July 21, 2005

I HIT NORMAL WEIGHT!!!!!!

I have been sooooo slow at updating my profile. Today was a big milestone, I made it to 132. Top of the normal range BMI. What a great feeling it is!

I still have alot of firming up to do... my thighs and hips still give me problems proportionately but Iam in the NORMAL range I never never thought I could do that!

I am down to a size 8 and even a few 6's. Still can't do those darn low rise hip hugger jeans. Too short with chunky thighs! I dont think that will ever change. It really seems irrelevent in the scheme of things, if flabby thighs are the worst of my problems I will have it made.

I have had no problems with the WLS itself. But came down with a triad of autoimmune disorders in December 2004. They knocked me on my butt. Never had I experienced so much continued pain and fatigue in my life. I am on long term low dose chemo therapy treatment to lower my immune response therefore keeping my immune system from turning on my body. It seems to be keeping things somewhat at bay. Although I have pain all the time, I only flair bad now when I get run down. It definitely has taught me alot about life. Life is much too precious to waste worrying about the small stuff.

Losing the fat not only changes the clothes size but with every pound goes that Fat girl syndrome... it rears its ugly head from time to time, I am however getting much better at meeting it head on when it does.

My track record as far as keeping my profile update really sucks... I hope to do much better in the future.

September 22, 2005

We had a great loss in the OH community today.. I will miss ya John. May your soul soar with the angels. You were and always will be a GENTLEman.




September 24, 2005

Spent the afternoon at connie sues starting over shower..



Great to see my friends. Christie shot this "after pic" of me..thought it was time to add one here on my profile.



January 23, 2006

FINALLY! I am updating my profile.

What an experience this has all been. So many emotions going along with all the changes.
This weekend I had a great time with alot of the OH girls down in Visalia. I needed it.

Met some people I was looking forward to meeting and even some I didn't know about to meet. What a treat! Didn't even crave chocolate, cause I had all the endorphines I needed.

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Now back to reality... been looking for a job... at 45..with not alot of varied work experience it has been tough. Kinda getting me down, but I am sure something will come through. I just have to keep plugging along. I just want that chance to prove myself, I am a quick learner, Iam not a genius, but not dumb either.. ( even though I think WLS took with it a few brain cells).. yikes don't want this to sound like a resume. I hate the whole "sell yourself" thing when it comes to resume writing and looking for a job. I have never been very confident or even good at pretending to be confident. I want people to like me for me. When they don't I just take it to heart. UGH! I am sure I will feel better about the whole thing when things start to come in. Just having a pity party tonight!



March 24, 2006

What a year and a half this has been. Lot's of changes in my life. Who would of thought a couple of years ago.. this would be where I was now. It's been a bumpy road.. not gonna lie there.. But overall I am a big believer in what is meant to be will be. Ya just have to make the best of the situation.. good and bad.

Haven't been on OH much, been doing other things to keep me busy. Getting in touch with my creative side...having fun with it. I needed to take a break to take an inventory of what is real in my life. I have so much to be thankful for.My priorities are constantly being rearranged, but Iam trying hard to be content with every day, even if there are days I would rather be doing or feeling something else. It's all about facing the crap and moving on.

For my friends here, who have really given me the chance to be your friend and accepted me for who I am, Thank you. I really appreciate your sincerity... I know who you are and love you for it.

I can't wait for spring.. the wet weather has got to go! The idea of shorts and swimsuits scare me.. but warm sunshine sounds so wonderful!

Faith

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June 28, 2006

Well Summer is here..it has been HOT HOT HOT! I had my surgery in september of 2004 and have had no problems whatsoever with my stomach, never have thrown up or had tummy pain.. always regular.. that is until about 3-4 weeks ago. I started experiencing pretty persistant stomach pain. Thought maybe it was a bug.. but it has persisted. This morning I woke up after a pretty good day yesterday pain wise but had a relapse of the cramping/burning pain. So I called my surgeons office.. I have to admit I haven't been to see him since my 6 mos checkup. Partly because I was under care of my specialists for the autoimmune issues that were taking precendent and I didn't have any WLS issues except for Vitamin B definciency which the specialist's were treating. Anyway the Surgeons receptionist gave me an appointment for August 16.. no openings before then, she told me if the pain gets unbearable to go to ER.

I take alot of medications that are hard on the digestive system of even a normal person.. and have been pretty lucky so far.. hoping this will pass.

I have been under alot of stress with a family issue. Additionally my son is returning to Iraq on July 15th. The stomach problem started before the family stress but Iam sure it is not helping.

Hoping to update soon .. and report NO STOMACH PAIN!

October 14,2006

Photos