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Surgeon TestimonialJohn Paul GonzalvoDr. John Paul Gonzalvo is the second surgeon I met with. I chose another doctor who quit just as we were submitting to insurance. I think it was a blessing in disguise because when I met with Dr. Gonzalvo I came out with a much better feeling. I was also very impressed with their entire program and the staff. Dr. Gonzalvo even showed up at one of the support group meetings I attended. The previous surgeon never did that. At this point I am still pre op. I have 14 days to go before my surgery. I have been very impressed and pleased with the attentiveness by everyone in their office. I will update more as I continue on in my journey. At that time I can tell you more about my impression right after surgery and then the aftercare I receive post op. rnrnAugust 29th... 2 Weeks Post Op.....rnSince my surgery is in the past now I can better give report as to my impression of Dr. Gonzalo and his staff. I came through the surgery with flying colors. I had very little pain from the time I left the hospital and was able to walk a mile twice a day starting the very next day. I met with Dr. Gonzalvo a day short of my 2 week post op date and he removed my staples. As always he took as much time with me as I needed and did not make me feel rushed. I was very impressed also at the time Dr. G. took looking at each bottle of vitamins that I was taking and advising me on each one. rnI was so happy with my outcome that I wanted to praise him and thank him but he is such a humble, quiet man that he would have none of it. The staff in his office were all so pleasant and excited for me as well. I have not yet met a person on his staff that I don't thoroughly like. It is obvious they are all very dedicated to and love their jobs.rnDr. G. informed me that their surgical team is taking over full control of the WLS program at Morton Plant in Clearwater. They will personally be running the support groups and overseeing the nutrition and after care program as well. Previously Morton Plant had their own staff that worked with the surgeons and patients. I was thrilled to learn that they are doing this and think it is a great step for the patients. rnI HIGHLY recommend Dr. John-Paul Gonzalvo to do your WLS if you are in search of a surgeon. Just read my blog and you will see how well I did after surgery. That in itself is quite a testimonial. Member Interests
- Pets - Owned by a wonderful Maine Coon cat and a very sweet Husky mix
- Pets - Own and run a professional pet sitting business in both NY and Florida
- Theater - Enjoy going to the movies, live plays and musicals
- Music - I like Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Rock.
- Radio & Television - Greys Anatomny, Dick Van Dyke, Seinfeld, Sex in the City,
- Photography - Was a professional photographer for many years but still enjoy it for leisure
- Hiking - I miss hiking in the Adirondacks and need to lose weight to do it again
- Swimming - I LOVE the water... swimming, boating.. love the ocean and lakes
- Road Trips - Love road trips!!!!
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I am 54 yrs old, 16 years happily married to a wonderful and supportive man. I have 2 terrific daughters ages 23 and 26 by a previous marriage and 2 wonderful step children, also grown. I grew up near Albany NY and now we are "Snowbirds" and live in Saratoga County NY for the summers. Our Home now is in Hudson, Florida, just North of Tampa. I have been the Queen of yo yo dieting since I was a teenager. I finally swore off dieting forever since I would always be successful but always gain it back plus more, dieting my way up to 250 lbs. I logged on to OH early in '05 and began reading sporatically over the course of the next year. In 2006 I began to be more serious and did more thorough research. August of '06 I attended my first WLS support group meeting in Saratoga NY. The following night I attended another WLS support group meeting in Albany NY. Attending both of those meetings put wind in my sails to go forward with this. The pre op process took me over a year with several roadblocks, requiring a great deal of determination and patience but I made it, had my surgery on August 14, 07, am BELOW goal weight and BACK to HEALTH and energy! Scroll down for pics and more!
WEIGHT LOSS TICKER on October 17, 2008 12:00 am
BACK TO MY GOAL OF HIKING THE ADIRONDACK 46... on July 18, 2008 4:48 am
MY ABSOLUTE!.... "NON SCALE VICTORY!!!" THIS WAS MY BIG DREAM AFTER SURGERY!!!!! I DID IT AND BURST INTO TEARS WHEN I GOT TO THE TOP...... HERE I AM AT THE SUMMIT OF CASCADE MOUNTAIN, A HIGH PEAK IN THE ADIRONDACKS.... A VERY VERY EMOTIONAL MOMENT FOR ME. YEARS AGO, I SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN THE HIGH PEAKS AND I AM BACK THANKS TO WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY! I MESSED UP ... AND TRIED SO HARD TO LOSE THAT WEIGHT THAT I HAD GAINED... BUT AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS, WAS NOT ABLE TO... SO DID THE ULTIMATE, DESPERATE METHOD.... WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY!!!
This week my Nephew Evan and I hiked 2 High Peaks in the Adirondacks!!! I am thrilled to have a new hiking partner who wants to help me complete the 20 remaining peaks I need to finish to become an Adirondack 46'er. I started them over 30 years ago and I WILL finish them all! These were Evan's first two and it was very obvious he's been bitten by the bug. We had a great time together and we have already scheduled our next hike up another one of the 46. This time we'll do one I have not done so I can "bag" another peak for myself. I can't even begin to explain how it felt to be up there on top of one of those giant mountains with that heavenly view after all these years. Two years ago I was sure those days were over. It's like I've discovered the fountain of youth or a time machine. All I can say to anyone who is contemplating having weight loss surgery.... DO IT! Be MORE afraid NOT to do it! Your life CAN change profoundly! We ARE the designers of our lives!
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SAILING!!!!! on July 5, 2008 5:45 am
SAILING ON MY BROTHER PAULS BOAT. PHOTO WITH BROTHERS BILL AND PAUL. LIFE AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY IS NEVER ENDING FUN AND POSSIBILITIES!!!! NO MORE SITTING ON MY BUTT AS LIFE PASSES ME BY!
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WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS A YEAR AGO! on June 27, 2008 8:21 pm
Jumping on a trampoline! What a great workout!
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FINALLY A FAMILY PHOTO... AND I'm NOT FAT!!! on June 22, 2008 10:57 pm
I'm doing very well at a little over 10 months out of surgery. Am able to eat just about anything and pretty good portions too. I have gotten a little thinner than I think I should so trying to stop the weight loss and maybe even put on a couple pounds. I am still in malabsorbtion state so may have to fight this for a bit longer. I AM still exercising like crazy and LOVING it! I feel fabulous and fit AND muscular! I even joined a gym and am doing Pilates, Yoga and Tai Chi! I love how each of these classes are really helping me to build strength, flexibility and balance! I feel GRRRREAT!
We are up North now for the summer and it's been fun seeing others reactions. Many are shocked but everyone is complimentary and supportive. A lot of my friends and family are thrilled for me especially since they were very concerned about my failing health. My dear friend Mary Fox burst into tears of joy at one point.
Here is a photo taken last week at Cuffy and Terry's house where they hosted a Fathers Day picnic. It was so nice to see everyone and what a rare occassion that all 7 kids and Mom and Dad were together! Great photo op!
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Kayaking!!!! on May 1, 2008 10:36 pm
It's been many many years since I've been able to do this!!! Who needs blood pressure meds when you can kayak down the beautiful Weeki Wachee River! Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE living in Florida!! The area of Florida that we live in is the BEST! We have the gorgeous beaches just to the South of us and the spectacular beauty of the Nature Coast just to the North of us.
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APRIL 23, 2008 - I RODE A HARLEY TODAY!!!! on April 23, 2008 11:05 am
I did yet ANOTHER thing that I never could have done before losing weight.... I got a long ride in the country on our friends Harley today. OOOH BOY am I EVER hooked!!!
APRIL 11, 2008 - IT HAS BEEN A GREAT WEEK. LIFE... on April 11, 2008 6:38 pm
I saw Dr. Gonzalvo last week. My labs were perfect. He says what ever I'm doing.. keep doing it. He had an intern in the office and told him that I'm one of his star patients. Dr. G is awesome.... I get to ask questions and just chat about things without feeling rushed.
I have lost another couple of pounds so down to 148. Doc says even though this is where I want my weight to be, I might lose a little more and then it is normal to gain a little back as my body figures out where it wants to be. I'm good with that as long as I only lose a LITTLE more.
I am still getting a LOT of exercise every day with my 3-5 mile walks every morning. Also doing the water dumbell exercises in the pool every afternoon. When we went to the beach I walked the beach in the water up to my knees. THAT was a great workout on my legs! I have also been riding a bike around the neighborhood.
It's been a really good week.... went to Fred Howard Beach and then Fort De Soto beach with 2 couples who I think the world of. We had a terrific time 2 Wednesdays in a row. The weather here has been fabulous. Only 7 more weeks before we go back up North. So many people I can't wait to see but love it here so much that it's bittersweet.
I have had a thought that keeps infultrating my brain lately. I am sometimes feeling like an imposter. I was heavy for so long that there is a part of me that feels like it's not really me and this is only temporary. I wonder if others have felt this. This is something I need to work through. Perhaps I need to bring it up at our support group meeting this week.
Anyway... Here is a photo of John and I taken this week at Fred Howard Beach in Tarpon Springs here in Florida.
And this one taken at the same beach in November of 2006 just before I entered the weight loss surgery program:
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100 POUNDS LOST!!!! GONE FOREVER! AT GOAL... on March 26, 2008 6:28 pm
 WHOOO HOOOOO!!!!! Absolutely UNBELIEVABLE! As of this morning I have lost ONE HUNDRED POUNDS!!!!!!! HOLY MOLY! I've gone from squeezing into a size 24 jeans and here in this photo I am comfortably wearing a size 10!!!!! And I'm only 7 months out of surgery! So I am where I am feeling at a good weight and size and am working on maintenance now. Because I am still in the more malabsorbtive honeymoon phase, I may have to really try to eat more for a while until by body learns to absorb nutrients and calories better, then I will have to watch and see if my weight begins to climb and will have to cut back again. I can see that this could be a difficult and tricky time and it may prove to be a challenge to maintain this weight. I continue with walking my 5 miles every morning and doing weight bearing exercise in the pool several times a week. I feel fabulous and have a lot of energy! I'll be going to see my surgeon, Dr Gonzalvo on April 7th and will be anxious to hear about the results of my blood work to make sure that I am getting all off the nutrients I need. It's been a fabulous journey and I thank God every day for this wonderful blessing. | Leave a comment.
WHOO HOOO! I DID IT! on March 3, 2008 2:59 pm
Another mini goal accomplished! As of this morning, I weigh less than John!! I weighed in today at 154.2 and he weighed in at 155.8!!! It was funny because yesterday we BOTH weighed exactly 155.2
My next mini goal is to have 100 pounds lost. Only 4 more pounds till I can join THE CENTURY CLUB!
I know I said I didn't want to lose much more but I did want to weigh less than John AND I DO want to get into the Century Club.
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I'm on my own now and it's scary!! on March 1, 2008 7:04 pm
Since I have pretty much decided that I don't want to lose much more, I have been adding more foods back into my diet. I have also taken a taste here and there of foods with sugar with no dumping. It seems I can eat pretty much anything now and can eat more food than I need. THAT is a scary thing. I'm at a point now where I CAN over eat and tolerate sugar and foods that are not heathly. So I am at that point where the surgery has done it's job. I've lost the weight and now I'm on my own. I knew from all of my research this would come. I honestly didn't think it would be so soon, but here it is. So I am in the body that I want and feel fantastic but NOW..... is the toughest part of all. Now is when the REAL work starts. Now when my head says I want more than I need or I'm tempted with deserts and snacks or unhealthy foods in front of me, now is when I have to be stubborn and remind myself where I am and where I have been. AND do I want to go back to 6 months ago? Now is when I need to work on my head. Up until now the head hunger didn't have a chance so it was not a problem. It IS a problem now and I am struggling. I am winning. Every day so far I win but it scares the heck out of me.
FEBRUARY 29th, Pluggin' along.... on February 29, 2008 9:02 am
I am at a point now where if I didn't know what I weighed, I'd be happy right were I am. I'm wearing a size 12 pants and 10 tops. Who EVER woulda thunk!!!? I feel good and think I look fine in my clothes. Since surgery I have consitently lost about 2 pounds a week. I am now only 6 months out of surgery. Supposedly I still have quite a few months to go where I'm in my "Honeymoon" or "malabsorbtion" period where the weight keeps coming off with little effort. So I thought I'd better try to slow my weight loss down a little. I've been keeping to a healthy eating plan and still eating NO sugar or simple carbs like white flour, white rice etc but have started adding in more complex carbs like whole wheat bread, brown rice, sweet potatoes etc. I also have added some sugar free deserts and treats which up till now I have pretty much avoided because they do have a tendancy to be high calorie. Well it's working because in the last couple weeks I am pretty much maintaining and fluxuating between 156 and 157 pounds. I am not too unhappy about that although I miss the fun of getting on the scale and seeing it go down. I also have a little mini goal of getting down so that I weight less than John. His weight fluctuates between 153 and 156 so I'm close but so far it has not happened yet. So I don't want to STOP losing.... just slow it down a little. I'm not where I feel I'm too thin. I feel I could lose a LITTLE more... just not sure how much. The charts say for my height, I should not weigh any more than 135... that's 21 more pounds. That seems a little much to me right now. So what ever... I'll play it by ear. The charts won't rule me. In the meantime I'm still exercising regularly and I feel fabulous!! I have been VERY fortunate in that I had almost no hair loss and very little sagging skin so will not be needing plastic surgery. I could not have asked for a better outcome. I still thank God every single day for this wonderful blessing.
Here is a photo of John and I taken a couple weeks ago at the Hillsboaro River State Park here in Florida where John did a re-enactment:
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February 10th... Valentines Day Dinner Dance... on February 10, 2008 4:51 am
Our neighborhood association Valentines Day Dinner Dance was last night and I borrowed a dress from Mary J, my weight loss surgery Angel. She just had her THREE year "SURGiversary" and wore this dress exactly 6 months post surgery. I will be 6 months out on Thursday and was able to wear her dress last night!! Here I am with the beautiful lady who inspired me to have the surgery and has guided me all through this wonderful journey.
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Good As New! on February 7, 2008 1:10 pm
Not much new to report but wanted to update regarding all that nonsense that was going on with me a couple weeks ago. I truly think my Sister Cuffy was WRONG..... I AM The Bionic Woman!  I had this nasty tail bone injury... couldn't even walk! Doc said it was a bad one and to expect lots of pain for months! NOPE! Can't have that! And honestly it is almost 100 % gone and pain free! AND that instestinal thing I had for almost 2 weeks, with the fever and chills for 12 days? Gone. I am back to feeling great again! Back to walking and doing my exercises in the pool. I hope to get back to skating next week too. I'm DYING to get back into my skates! Both in the rink and on my inline skates too. Just giving it a little more time to make SURE my tailbone is healed completely just in case I fell again. I am also going to be easing up on the skating... not going to go as often and giving up the skate dance lessons. Just going to go occassionally and skate for the fun and exercise.
Weight wise I'm doing fantastic too! I am into the 150's and getting close to my next mini goal of weighing less than John! One day very soon we are going to get on the scales and I am going to be under him!!! He's around 156 so just a few more pounds as I weighed in this morning at 159! AND.... I am in a size 12 now!!!!!! YIPES! What is very strange to me is that back when I was in a size 12 many many moons ago... I weighed around 135 lbs. The only thing that I can think of that explains that is that since I am doing so much exercise, and muscle weighs more and tones you up, it might explain a smaller body at a higher weight? Just a guess... but what EVER. The important thing is not the why or the size or the number on the scale. I just feel fantastic and that's good enough for me! Here's a new picture in my new size 12 bathing suit!
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SIDERAILED FOR A BIT on January 27, 2008 5:16 am
Ok So my Sister Cuffy says I lost weight, I'm NOT The Bionic Woman.  I guess she must be right darnit!.... because even though I really HAD started to think I WAS The Bionic Woman, I got side railed a bit here in the last couple weeks. I fell roller skating during a dance lesson and injured my tail bone bad. Turns out it's not broken but I couldn't even walk for a while there. THEN if that wasn't enough... I got some sort of intestinal infection that lasted for about 2 weeks. I've been to more doctors appointments in the last 2 weeks for scans and tests than I care to think about. Even went down to see my weight loss surgery surgeon, Dr. Gonzalvo because my primary care doc was concerned it might be something more serious and didn't like something he saw on the CT scan. So far inconclusive.. Doc ordered the actual pictures of the scan so he can see for himself because he's not buying the report that says possible Crohn's Disease. Nothing adds up to that and I feel fine now so I doubt even after Doc sees the scan that there'll be anything to worry about. I only had diarrhea for 2 days and even though I do have a history of IBS for years, since surgery I have had NO symptoms of that excpet for those 2 days last week. The concern was also a fever and stomach pains that lasted 12 days. But that's gone now too and I'm fine. I have not done ANY exercise now in 2 weeks but TODAY I am getting out to do my walk. I won't get right into 5 miles but I'll do a couple this morning and maybe more later. I can't wait to get back to skating and swimming again.... very soon too.
But the even GREATER news is I am down to 162 pounds and....
(drum roll please...)
So far, I have lost a total of 88 pounds and am in a size 14 Jeans and a size 10/12 or Medium top!!!! That's down from a size 24 jeans or a 3x! My goal is to wear a size 12 jeans so I am only ONE size away! I have not worn a size 12 jeans since before Erica was born or in my early 20's!
I got dressed last week and looked in the mirror and was shocked! I just asked myself... WHO THE HECK IS THAT PERSON IN THE MIRROR!?? I am having a difficult time comprehending this. My body is changing so fast! Far faster than I ever imagined it would. Far MORE than I ever imagined it would. I never imagined I'd have this much energy. I never imagined there would be SO much love and support and honest to goodness, sincere happiness for me coming from friends and family. I never imagined all of the little things that change and that I can do so much easier or can do at all that I could not do before. This is absolutely THE most amazing thing that has EVER happened to me in my entire life. It's something you only dream about. In your brain and in your heart you know this is not attainable so for your whole life you just long and dream and wish that it could happen but you know it never could. So in between a zillion tries at dieting, you live your life trying the best you can to live with it. Because you have no choice, you try to convince yourself that you are happy as you are. You concentrate on the wonderful person that you are on the inside and hope that people can see what's in your heart. And they do but you can not EVER take away how you feel about yourself. That dread every time you get dressed and look in the mirror or see photos of yourself. The bad feeling about yourself when you see others being active and having fun and doing what you so long to do. But this is your life and it's a good one and you have a LOT to be thankful for so you look at those positives and stuff the lousy feeling about yourself and just enjoy what you CAN in your life. VERY much like a disabled person would do.
Then one day this miracle comes along; Weight Loss Surgery. And in a blink of an eye your life is changed. You still have all the wonderful blessings in your life but that ONE big thing that has been such a huge weight dragging you down is suddenly GONE! And it happens so fast that your mind can not keep up with it and you feel like your emotions are spinning. Happiness, Joy, Confusion.... many many emotions and ALL are over the moon. I type but I can NOT really find the words to explain. ONLY someone who has been here can know. ONLY someone who has been given this blessing will ever really understand or know how wonderful this is. And I thank God every single day and pray that he gives me the strength to never forget and to work hard and to take care of this blessing for the rest of my life.
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A NEW OBSESSION! on December 20, 2007 3:30 pm
I have a new obsession! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd be doing dance/artistic roller skating! A couple weeks ago my friend Judi and I went on a whim to just check it out. I rented skates and had a blast! Now I'm going 3 days a week and taking lessons and have my own skates! We have a very nice rink near us where they have Adult skating sessions 3 times a week for 2 1/2 hours each session. Most of the people there are seniors, skate beautifully, do it competitevly and do shows. You should see the bodies on these older women!!!! They come from all over Florida 3 times a week and many drive for 1 or 2 HOURS to get there! My friend and weight loss surgery angel, Mary J. started cominig after Judi and I went and now she is hooked too and we take lessons together 2 days a week. The lessons are fabulous and I can't believe how I'm taking to it! Learning the dance steps is very hard but it is so much fun and what a terrific workout it is! A man at the rink today took a photo of Mary and I. Here we are!
The Weight Loss Surgery Roller Skate Dancing Diva's!
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FOUR MONTH SURGIVERSARY TODAY! on December 14, 2007 6:08 am
71 pounds gone forever! Only 44 more to goal! Weighed in today at 179 lbs AND I am in a size 16 pants!
Here is a picture of me taken last week in my new bathing suit!
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VERY SAD DAY on December 12, 2007 5:18 pm
 I received some very very sad news today. I have a friend who was to have weight loss surgery this month but he passed away this past Friday, December 7th. Stephan White and I became friends several years ago when I hired his company, Data Vision to host my business website. Over the years our friendship grew and we spent many hours on the phone and countless emails keeping in close contact on a personal level. We always knew what each other was up to and shared thoughts and feelings both good and bad. Stephan was one of my biggest supporters of my weight loss journey and visited my blog almost every day. I felt very close to Stephan and was always inspired by his positive attitude in the face of many health problems. His faith was admirable and even when he knew he was dying I know now from his last email to me, that he was not afraid and was looking forward to it. I had sent him a cute email about a pet Hippopotamus and his response to me, the day before he died was "Heaven will be even better than this, Marianne. God Bless, Hugs Stephan" I did not know what he meant and was worried that he was thinking that perhaps he may not make it through the upcoming weight loss surgery. I wrote him and he never responded. I wrote again and no response. I began to be concerned so I called a mutual friend and left a message expressing my concern. Our friend, Dale called me back a few hours later to tell me the sad news that Stephan had had a heart attack and had passed on. He was less than 2 weeks from being able to have his surgery that could have saved his life. I know that Stephan indeed is in a better place but I already miss him a lot. I have many times when I think of something I'd like to share with him or tell him and still have a hard time believing that he is gone. If only Medicare didn't make him wait so long to have his surgery, Stephan would be with us still and on his way to a better life. I could be angry about this but this is Gods will and I know he has a better plan than we ever will.
This is Stephan with his beloved Schnauzer, "Lady" who passed away suddenly only a month proir to Stephans death. I wonder if losing Lady was just too much for him to bear.
Stephan was one of those who really understood and cherished friendships. His Friendship meant an awful lot to me. Good friends are hard to find and even harder to lose. Someone said to me "death does not end a relationship. I think you'll find that you will carry your friend with you through life." And you know... I am sure she is right.
Christmas Party at Patty and Bobs last night Dec. 1st... on December 2, 2007 7:51 am
Went to a Christmas party at our friends Patty and Bob's house last night. Had a wonderful time and wore a new outfit and felt great in it. What a food spread they had and Patty made every last bit of it. I was amazed at the many choices that were healthy! I certainly didn't get to eat much but it felt so good not to be as thrilled with the food as I was with enjoyoing the people. What a complete change for me. Patty has their home decorated just beautifully for Christmas! Here is a picture our friend took of my weight loss surgery Angel, Mary and I.
NOVEMBER 11, '07 - I THINK I MADE IT OVER A... on November 11, 2007 12:28 pm
I am almost 3 months post op now. It's been about a week and I think I can safely say that I have made it over a big hump eating wise. I have been able to eat consistently without discomfort and feeling like I might get sick. I am able to eat eggs again too! Boy did I miss my eggs. It's a great feeling because now I feel like I can nourish my body with good foods and not rely completely on protein shakes. I am being extremely diligent about what goes into my body. Absolutely NO simple carbs. Not even a bite. This is not a game to me and I will NOT test it to see how much I can get away with. I went through this to be healthy and vibrant and have energy. I feel like I am there already through exercise and eating what I know my body needs. It is working great!!! I have been walking walking walking and doing some Pilates and Yoga that I learned at the rehab I have been going to since the car accident in June. I bought some books and a couple videos, a workout mat and the core ball. Yesterday I found a set of weights for $2 at a garage sale. I can already feel how much stronger I am all over. I have been doing lots of weight resistance exercises and can feel my arms actually growing muscles! I have NEVER had any upper body strength before. AND my arms are slimming and firming up already so nicely that I am not going to need any plastic surgery on them!
On Tuesday I will be flying up to Albany to see family and friends. I'll be there for 2 weeks. Originally I had decided to go because my nephew, Adam is in Music Man at Proctors Theater in Schenectady. Then my Mom planned a 50th birthday party for my Brother Jeffrey. I also later found out that my 35th yr high school class reunion was going on then .. and Thanksgiving is in there too. So lots going on while I'm there to keep me busy and not think about the nasty cold and the wonderful Florida weather I'll be missing.
TODAYS WEIGHT 189 - DOWN 61 LBS
IT'S ABOUT TIME I POST A PICTURE WITH MY... on November 8, 2007 9:24 am
It's about time I get a picture up here of my Angel! The person I blame all of this on! If it were not for her, none of this would have happened. Not only is she my inspiration but she is one of my biggest cheerleaders and best friends! Mary had the same surgery I did almost 3 years ago. Take a look at her! Can you see why she puts wind in MY sails!!!! This photo was taken last night at our neighborhood Bluegrass Festival/campfire event.
NOVEMBER 1, '07 - APPRECIATION AND FRIENDS on November 1, 2007 2:17 pm
Yesterday was our neighborhood/association Halloween pool party. Many of our snowbird friends are back now so it was great to see them again! It was also fun to see their reaction to my weight loss. (down 56 lbs) Many of them have been following my progress via email and also have been reading this blog. I am so moved by the love and support I am getting by so many of our friends here in this neighborhood. I have many cheerleaders who really truly care and are genuinely happy for me. I was very touched by the love I felt yesterday. So for all the annoyances about keeping track of protein, vitamins, calories, exercise and fluid, the final reward of feeling and looking better, this is the true power of this surgery. So when I feel sorry for myself that I can't eat that desert, or have that glass of beer or that Thanksgiving dinner or cookies, I need to remember how awful it was to feel so unhealthy and restricted with what I could do and feeling bad about myself because of it all. I need to never forget that life is just so MUCH better now!
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OCTOBER 30 '07 - I am in Washington DC visiting... on October 30, 2007 12:00 am
I am writing today from Erica's (my oldest daughter, 25 yrs old) apartment on Park Rd. in Washington DC. I arrived here via Southwest Airlines from Tampa on Saturday morning at 9:30AM. I took a bus from the Baltimore-Washington Airport and then the Metro to get to her apartment. I wore my pedometer and had already walked 2 miles by the time I arrived at her house. We then proceeded to tour this wonderful city by foot and by nightfall we had put on another 7 miles so I walked a total of NINE miles. It felt wonderful.. I can't even describe how wonderful it felt. I feel like I have been in a coma or gone or something and now I am back and alive again! Toward the end of the night, Erica and her roommate and I were walking back home to her apartment from a little coffee shop we had stopped at. It was a 2 mile walk home and all uphill. I was booking along at a good pace ahead of them and they kept hollering up to me that I was killing them!  They are 25 yrs old!!! I LOVED it! I have to admit though that I was pretty sore that night.
Sunday we got up and set out again for more sightseeing. This time we went to the Air and Space Museum which was awesome but we only put in 4 1/2 miles of walking for the day. We went to a really cool shopping area at Union Station and I had real sushi for the first time. I didn't eat any of the rice but had a variety of fish and it was a little tough in the digestion process but I didn't get sick and felt good that I ate some good protein and nourished my body. I am in a good mindset these days that food is about nourishing my body as well as enjoying the taste.
I had a really neat nostalgic moment on Sunday. 28 years ago when I was 25 years old I had gone to the Air and Space Museum when my friend Kathy Abbot and I were beginning our cross country trip. I walked into the museum yesterday and instantly remembered being there. Then it hit me that the last time I stood in that place, I was 25 years old and here I was again... standing here now... 28 years later, with my 25 yr old daughter!
Monday Erica was off to work and I headed out to walk 3.2 miles down to the Holocaust museum by myself. John, Erica's boyfriend came into town and we met up for lunch. I had broccoli cheese soup and it went down very well. John then went back to Erica's apartment and after Erica got out of work, we all met up again and went out to eat at a really nice German restaurant. I ordered an appetizer of herring in a cream sauce. I didn't eat much of it but it was delicious and went down very well for me.
It's pretty cold here... this Florida girl is NOT used to this. I woke up this morning to 39 degrees and it's only supposed to get up to 60 today. But it's sunny and the leaves are in color here so it's very pretty. It's a beautiful city and so much fun to walk around in. I can't wait to get out the door and walk again today!
Today is my last day here. I fly back home to Florida tonight. I will have the whole day to do more exploring and lots of walking. It has been a very emotional few days for me. Being able to spend so much one on one quality time with Erica has been wonderful. AND for me... being so free to walk walk walk and feel great with so much energy... I just can't stop smiling. I sent Erica a text message while she was at work yesterday that I am so happy that I felt like I was on drugs. She is just as happy for me too. It is so amazing to see how much of life we really do miss when we are morbidly obese and disabled.
ONEderland is SWEET! on October 24, 2007 6:18 am
After being at 200 lbs for 10 days (my longest stall yet)... I weighed in this morning at 198 and....
 
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September 26th - 6 WEEKS (and one day) POST OP! on September 26, 2007 5:58 am
Monday I saw Dr. Gonzalvo for my 6 week check up and he weighed me in at 207 and said I was down 30 pounds since my pre op visit. WHOO HOO! He was pleased with my progress and all is well. I also saw my dietician, Barbar Correll who spent 2 HOURS with me!!!!! She is amazing! She's got me on a very healthy high protein, low carb, low fat diet. Course I'm working my way up to that because it's still very hard to eat... I can eat such small amounts and things sometimes don't agree with me but it's getting better every day and I'm getting my protein in via protein drinks and supplements. AND the weight continues to come off! It's a little slower than others I see but it's fast enough for me! As of today... I'm down a total of 42 pounds!!!!
TODAYS WEIGHT 208 LBS! | Leave a comment.
September 20, 2007 I'VE LOST 40 POUNDS!!!! on September 20, 2007 3:23 pm
Good day today all the way around! 
FIRST... last night Mary J. and I had our first Obesity Help Support group meeting and it went really well. There were only 6 of us but it was a nice group and we are all looking forward to sharing our journeys together. The group is great and we all had a chance to share our stories, ask questions and plan for the group for the future. We aslo started an online message board through Yahoo Groups where we can keep in touch, share information and support during the month in between meetings. We have lots of experiences and levels of knowlege in our group and we are all going to be a big asset to each other. We have absolutely NO support groups within an hour and a half drive from us so everyone is very excited. We all acknowleged how important support is and even though the online groups are terrific there is nothing like in person friends for support. 
SECONDLY.... I hit 210 pounds yesterday and today so I am now down FORTY pounds since I started my pre op diet. Down 20 pounds pre op and 20 pounds post op. WHOOO HOOO!!
THIRDLY! I am doing a LOT better with my eating! Seems I slid back for a few days but now am doing well with protein, fluids, calories, vitamins AND eating! I've been eating scrambled eggs (sometimes, but they don't always agree witih me), Wendy's chili, fish, turkey, pork, and tonight I tried a veggie burger and ate the whole thing. Of course any eating I do takes me forever because I have to chew each bite to smithereens (IS there such a word?) and wait a few minutes between bites. Of course I am still drinking my protein drinks to supplement my food since there is NO way possible to get 100 grams of protein in with the amount of food I am able to eat.
I feel great and I have my energy back! A couple days ago Judi, Jack, John and I all went on a 2 mile hike on a trail in New Port Richey. It was very hot out but it was a really pretty walk in the woods and felt great. We all decided we want to do more of this, especially when the weather cools down a bit.
TODAYS WEIGHT: 210 LBS.
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September 16, 2007 on September 16, 2007 12:16 pm
I'm having a tougher time this week. Suddenly my protein shakes that I loved are not agreeing with me. Everything tastes differet to me. Things I liked before taste terrible to me now. The mushy foods that were ok before are not doing well either. I've been vomiting and feeling run down. I'm not getting enough protein, calories or fluids in. I have been talking in the groups with others and I guess this is pretty normal so I'm not fretting but just disappointed and a little frustrated. I miss my energy! My surgeon said I should be gettting 1000 calories a day in and I was fretting over that so trying very hard to get more calories in. Today I have decided though that concentrating on protein, fluids and vitamins are more important right now than calories so I am not going to worry about that and just try to find creative ways to meet those goals. It may mean that I won't lose weight as fast because my body will hold onto the fat by slowing down my metabolism, but being healthy is more important than losing the weight fast.
I AM however still doing well with my exercise routine. I have changed it a little from walking a mile in the morning and at night and now I walk 2 miles in the morning. It's still just too hot here even in the evenings so this works out better for me. My weight IS still dropping even if it HAS slowed down a little. I did go shopping last week because Kmart was having a big clearance sale and I bought 2 bathing suits for $5 each. John loves them and I wore one yesterday. He insisted on taking a picture of me:
Todays' weight 212
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September 8, 2007 on September 8, 2007 2:31 pm
It's OFFICIAL! I completed the Obesity Help Support Group Leader training today! There were 3 teleconference training sessions that began at 11 this morning and finished about 5:20 this afternoon. We had a couple breaks but the time just FLEW by. I was amazed at the amount of information they packed into the sessions and I was zeroed in the entire time as I found every bit interesting and informative. The timing was terrific for me even though much of it was what I already know.... it really helps to reinforce and also pick up little tid bits of additional information about things I know. Today's sessions were a great shot in the arm for me and now I am psyched to really get into doing the group. Mary J. already took her training while I was in the hospital so we are set to go. Our first meeting is on the 19th. This week we will be submitting notices to all of the local newspapers and will send out a press release as well. Mary has been designing a nice business card which we will be ordering soon. So we are on our way!
And I am STILL feeling great. Had a bad food day yesterday. Only got 390 calories and 59 grams of protein in because food did not agree with me. But today I'm doing a lot better and have already gotten in 89 grams of protein and 785 calories and I have not eaten the yummy fish that John is cooking for dinner. In fact "The Feeder" just called to say dinner is ready!
Todays' weight 215!
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September 4, 2007 THREE WEEKS POST OP on September 4, 2007 7:57 pm
Doing great and feel great! Walking a mile every morning and night with John. Also doing water exercises in the pool.
It's been a challenge with the food though. Learning what goes down good and what doesn't, how MUCH I can eat and what that full feeling is. I've had some pain eating when I've eaten too much, too fast, not chewing enough or eaten something that is too dry. Gotten sick a few times too. For the most part I'm doing ok though. Struggling to keep my calories up. I'm TRYING every day to get to 700-800 calories but it isn't easy. Doing pretty good with keeping my protein up between 70-90. I'd like to go higher but that isn't too bad. Still have not felt hunger at all. Not even head hunger.
We went to the neighborhood association Labor Day picnic yesterday and of course LOTS of great food. I tried a couple bites but I had already eaten salmon at home so I was already full and it didn't work. I had to go outside and sit in a lounch chair for a few minutes, then I was fine. It does not bother me at all to be around lots of good food since I am not at all hungry. I'm so thankful for that because I really wondered how it would be for me since I'm such a HUGE food lover and always felt hungry. I know that this won't last but I'm glad for it for now anyway.
I am really shrinking already. My clothes are all getting looser on me.I started out last summer in a size 24 (or 2x, 3x) some that were very tight on me. With the pre op diet, by the time of surgery I was down to a size 22 and now they are all getting big on me and I can fit into some size 20's or 1x. The scales say I'm only down 8 pounds from what I weighed upon admission to the hospital but I gained a lot of water weight AND that weight was after the 2 1/2 week liquid diet AND the bowl prep the day before surgery. So I'm 218 as of today. Which is 32 pounds less than I was when I started my weight loss surgery journey last summer. It feels great and I can move around and walk so much easier and with less pain. And John is noticing all the time and complimenting me. He is so cute.. he compliments me fat or thinnner. What a sweetheart. I'm a lucky lady.
Todays Weight: 218
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August 28, 2007 -- TWO WEEKS POST OP on August 28, 2007 5:33 pm
TWO WEEKS POST OP TODAY! I got my staples out yesterday! Absolutely NO pain involved in that. Mom and I made the hour and a half drive down to Largo for my post surgery follow appointment with Dr. Gonzalvo. Mom liked him very much as I knew she would. She was very happy that the timing worked out so that she was able to meet him. I don't see him now until Sept. 24th. He has graduated me to mushy foods so the first thing I did was to go out and buy some cottage cheese.
Mom and I went out for lunch in Tarpon Springs to a nice little Greek restaurant and I brought my cottage cheese. It was my first real food, I had a half cup, chewed it and took my time and it was fine. Tasted wonderful too.
Later that evening Mom took John and I to dinner down at Hudson Beach to The Inn on The Gulf and I ordered 6 broiled scallops. I smashed them with my fork and added a tiny bit of Mom's lobster sauce to moisten it. I was only able to eat 2 of them and they were very small. I did very well with them though and was thrilled to enjoy eating out with them.
This morning I tried scrambled eggs cooked in a little Smart Balance. NO GOOD! I was in distress for nearly an hour after that. Pain! I had only taken 3 TINY bites and chewed it very well but it didn't matter. Once it passed I was fine though. I will NOT be trying eggs any time soon. Mary J. did tell me that she's heard that a lot of people have trouble with eggs at first. I'm bummed because eggs are such a good protein and I love them.
Mom flew back to NY today. It was great to have her here and we miss her already. She thought she was coming down to help take care of a sick person but didn't find any such person here. So we went out boating with Judi and Jack twice, did some sight seeing and lots of walking and shopping. I managed to get a nap in every day too and also lots of downtime where I got to read and relax while she went off and went for a swim in the pool or walked by herself or sat reading outside or in her room..... the guestroom.
The weight seems to be flying off of me. I had that 15 pounds of water weight that I gained in the hospital but now I'm down 4 pounds below my pre hospital weight. That doesn't seem like much but I can definitely see it in my face and how my clothes fit. I'm not much concerned about the scales. It's coming off steadily and I know that will continue.
Mary J. and I are moving forward with setting up the support group. We found a place to hold our meetings which we hope will work out well. The Hudson Library offers rooms for free. We can only book out 2 months at at time but for now that works. Mary has already completed her training certificate and I will take my courses in September. I spoke with Dr. Gonzalvo about it and he said he'd be happy to refer any patients he gets up our way to the group. I also told him I will no doubt be singing his praises and refering to him as well. Our first meeting is Wednesday, September 19th.
Todays weight: 222 | Leave a comment.
August 25, 2007 -- ONE WEEK HOME FROM... on August 25, 2007 7:10 am
Well here I am a week home from the hospital and 11 days post op and feel very close to 100 percent. If it were not for the staples in my 5, one-inch long incisions, I'd never know I had major surgery. So what do I think of Dr. Gonzalvo? He is WONDERFUL! I honestly have never heard of ANYONE doing this well. I have been walking a mile every morning and evening since the day after I came home. I have had NO problem getting in LOTS of protein... between 70 and 100 every day. I have been in almost no pain since leaving the hospital. I'm taking all of my vitamins with no problem. I am feeling energetic and happy and sleeping well. I am not hungry at all and do not even mind sitting at the table while John and my Mom eat yummy looking food. We all even went out on Judi and Jack's pontoon boat for an entire day and stopped at a restaurant and brought my protein drinks and jello made with Unjury protein. I guess I am just so happy to be feeling this good and having it behind me that little things like not eating food feel so minor to me. And of course not being hungry at all REALLY helps! I am still on full liquids and having no troupble at all getting everything in. My appointment with Dr. G is on Monday and I will get the staples out and no doubt move on to mushy or pureed foods like yogurt and cottage cheese. That will be a nice change. Oh and Dr. G took me off of my blood pressure meds completely! Whoo hooo! At some point he said we'll talk about maybe weaning me off of the Citalopram (depression/anti-anxiety_ meds too. I am on Nexium now since surgery. That is an anti acid type of med to help prevent stomach problems. I need to ask Doc how long I need to be on that when I see him Monday. It would be great if I could only be taking vitamin supplements and no medications.
It's been so nice to have my Mom here and even better that she has been able to relax and enjoy herself without having to take care of me. I can do everything for myself but she is insisting on doing some cleaning. Nothing major but like cleaning my master bathroom and vacuuming is a huge help and allows me to relax and save my energy for my walks. I have been doing a lot of reading and taking a nap nearly every day. I still have not gotten on the computer to read my email and the OH support groups since I got home. I feel very guilty about that and am really longing to catch up with everyone but I know I must take care of myself.
Mary J. and I have begun to get the ball rolling for the Obesity Help local support group we are starting. Mary J. took the certification course the day I was released from the hospital and I'm taking mine next month. I registered us for a meeting room at the Hudson library so we're all set with that. I'm going to talk to Dr. Gonzalvo on Monday about refering WLS patience to him and perhaps he could refer to us as well. We're very excited about this and know that it will help others AND in the process help keep us focused and learn from others too.
NOW... last but CERTAINLY not least.... I FINALLY took off all of the 15 pounds of water weight I had gained in the hospital and finally hit my pre hospital weight of 226 this morning. That took a little longer than I expected but I already see a difference in my clothes and my face so I'm not at all concerned. It WILL come off in time since I'm doing everything I am supposed to be doing. 
Todays weight: 226
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August 21, 2007 -- ONE WEEK POST OP on August 21, 2007 5:39 am
Gee... last week at this time I was waiting to go into surgery. And here I am now sitting at my computer after having just gotten back from a mile walk with my friend Judi. I feel fabulous! I have been walking one mile each morning and night. Last nite not as far because I was a little sore and tired. But I am getting in my 3 protein shakes plus some extra protein via other supplements here and there. Also doing well getting in lots of water and taking my vitamins. I've also enjoyed some jello with Unjury Protein and chicken broth in between.Also getting extra protein in iced coffee with unflavored Unjury. I'm not at all hungry and even when John is cooking and eating something that smells yummy to me, I am not at all interested because I am full. That is a relief to me because I wasn't sure how I'd handle that.
I am still not getting on my computer much at all except to post here on my OH blog. I have been doing a lot of reading and resting in between my walks. I really want to get into my message boards and read and post but I don't feel like expending my energy on the computer just yet. I feel like I want to save it for exercise.
I am just so thrilled to be feeling this good and to have the surgery behind me. Now I am concentrating on working on my mind. The battle of weight is one of the most difficult things that humans face. At least here in the great USA anyway. I wish they'd come up with that magic pill they've talked about for so long. It would sure help a lot of people. My luck they'll discover it tomorrow after I've completely revamped my insides. But even if they do, I will never have any regrets for trying this. It is the ONLY proven, successfull long term answer so far. And I could not afford to wait for that magic pill. I remember last year my Dad told me that my Sister (Cuffy, the one who is the nurse) had said I was a walking time bomb. That hit me like a ton of bricks. Cuz I knew she was right. Then moving here to Florida in '05 and seeing so many older people who could barely walk, are on insulin, blind or have limbs amputated because of diabetes. Then I'd see ones like my friend Judi here who is 68 yrs old and puts a 24 yr old to shame. I decided last year that I want to be like HER. I decided I want to give myself the best chance at being like her that I could.
My Mom is flying in from NY this evening! I can't wait! I feel so good now that we can actually enjoy the time she's here and visit and get out and walk.
I read that sometimes people go through a temporary depression when they get home from the hospital. NOT ME! I feel on top of the world!
Todays weight: 235 | Leave a comment.
August 11, 2007 on August 11, 2007 5:57 am
THREE MORE DAYS!!!!!
My Weight Loss Surgery Angel, Mary J. flew in from NY Thursday so I guess now it's truly official. She is here so I'm ready to go! I can hardly comprehend that it's so close now. Over the last year I got so used to working toward this goal and waiting. Not much waiting now! I am still not nervous at all. Still have a very peaceful feeling about it. I have no doubt everything will be fine. I expect to be in pain and expect to feel lousy for a while but I welcome it as part of the process. For a while now I've done everything I can do to prepare my body with exercise, diet, no alcohol, lots of water, no caffeine, vitamin supplements and just positive thinking. I have very few of the health risks going into this surgery that many others do. The mortality rate for this surgery is less than 1 percent and that includes those who are high risk. Since I am on the lowest end of that risk scale and have done so much to prepare, I know that my risk level is VERY low.
I have been really enjoying talking with so many other Obesity Help members both pre op and post op and am amazed at how helpful everyone is and how much I've learned here. I can not imagine going through this surgery without OH.
I do have to say that I have been feeling a little like isolating myself from people these last few days. I feel like I am so totally consumed in my thoughts that I would find myself having a hard time not bringing it up too often in conversation and boring the HECK out of people. So I'm content to just read and converse on the OH website with people who understand and WANT to talk about it.  Again... thank GOD for OH! Look how you save people from boring others TO DEATH! LOL
I guess I'll pack up a few things for the hospital this weekend. I have some good suggestions from people as to what they wish they had or what they brought with them that was helpful.
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August 7, 2007 - ONE WEEK TO GO!!!! on August 7, 2007 7:22 pm
Our good friends Jack and Judi took us out on their pontoon boat today. We figured it would be my last trip out on the boat for a while and boy was it EVER a wonderful day.  We went out on the gulf to a large "sand bar".. looked more like an island to me. But the water was turquoise and clear as can be. You could walk from the beach really far out and the bottom was just sand, no weeds or rocks..... you could walk in your bare feet. The scenery was just spectacular and the water temp was perfect. We docked at a little restaurant called Miss Vickie's near Tarpon Springs and had a nice lunch. I made that my one meal of the day and had a yummy Greek salad. May be my last salad for a long time.
While I was out there floating and thoroughly enjoying this amazing time, I was of course thinking about my upcoming surgery. I was feeling very grateful for so many blessings in my life.
I had gotten 2 calls from the hospital while we were out to set up my surgery, registration info and make an appointment for my pre op testing. That is going to be this Thursday at 11:30 AM. They will need to do blood work, a chest Xray and an EKG. After getting off the phone I began to realize on yet a deeper level that this is really going to happen! I have read on the boards and heard other people say that they are/were at least a little nervous by a week before surgery. Normally when something big is going on in my life, I'm such a worry wort and lay awake at night not being able to turn the brain off. But for some reason I have such peace about this. I am not YET nervous at all. I am, however, very excited to get on with it, move into the next phase and sit on that LOSERS BENCH I keep hearing about on the message boards!
I have been stocking up on things I'll need after surgery as per advise from my WLS angel Mary and from what I've read from post op folks here on OH. I bought some protein drinks, protein supplements and vitamins, stocked up on sugar free jello, broth and sugar free popsicles, liquid Tylenol, Gas-x etc. I have been buying vitamins online from Vitalady who specializes in weight loss surgery products.( http://www.vitalady.com ) I also ordered some of the high protein Unjury Chicken Soup. I've been using the unflavored Unjury in my ice coffee and really like it. (http://www.unjury.com) Also bought some high protein Instone chocolate pudding. I tried it, it's OK. I can get it down when I need to but it's NOT chocolate pudding!  I have been working hard at getting a good deal of protein in for the last few weeks. I know that it will help me to heal in surgery. Then after surgery, keeping my protein up is essential. I will be working hard at protein, water intake and exercise for a long time after surgery.
I've been doing really good with my pre op diet and have lost a few more pounds. Also doing very well with my exercise. In addition to doing water exercises in the pool several times a week, I am walking for 30 minutes every morning and evening. It's not easy to do the walking because it causes me quite a bit of pain in my legs and feet. I can't wait to be able to do things again and not be in pain.
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August 2, 2007 on August 2, 2007 3:45 pm
I had my pre op meeting with Dr. Gonzalvo today. It was a tough drive down to Largo, finding my way in unfamiliar teritory and in the pouring rain and it took me an hour and a half each way.. both ways it poured buckets. Anyway it went very well and he spent a great deal of time with me and answered all of my questions.
I was happy to learn that it looks like I will probably be the first on the surgery schedule on the 14th. That will be 7:15AM. The hospital will call me the day before to let me know what time. If it is going to be 7:15 I will probably have to arrive there at 6AM. Yikes! I am over an hour drive from the hospital so I will have to leave the house at 4:30 in the morning! OUCH! But I will be so happy to be going and moving on that I am sure I'll be very ready.
I did have a little bit of a disappointment. The first thing he told me was that Morton Plant Hospital has just cancelled their Bariatric Program. Dr. Gonzalvo can still do surgeries there but there is no support staff. They have all been let go. So there are no support group meetings, no nutrutionist and no nurse practicioner in the program any longer. Julie Douglass was the program coordinator and was doing the support group meetings and even though she has been let go, she is going to TRY to see if she can find an alternate location like perhaps a church and continue them somehow. As far as nutrition, I can get what I need through his office. He pointed out that I do have a lot of support in that area here on OH as well. I think that Ivy Landell is still doing support groups at Community Hospital so I will look into that. Doc also said that they are looking for another hospital who will have the support staff they need. This was just a blip in the road, I'm still on track thank God, and I will just find ways to get the support I need.
Only 12 DAYS TO GO!!! 
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July 31th, 2007 on July 31, 2007 7:00 am
I called the surgeons office this morning with a few questions. I had started my pre op diet last Friday, a little early for good measure. My instructions are to drink a protein shake for breakfast and lunch and an Atkins type meal for dinner. The dinner is fine of course but I am TERRIBLY hungry during the day and wanted to ask Chris, the nurse practioner if she could make any suggestions. I was pleased to hear that I can have a light high protein snack such as meat, egg or cheese late morning and late afternoon. I want to make sure that I concentrate on getting as much protein in as I can because I know that it will help with healing after surgery.
Chris explained that the reason for the pre op diet is not so much to lose weight but in the process of losing weight your liver shrinks. The liver is located right where the main part of the surgery is located and shrinking it makes it easier and safer for the surgery.
So we're counting down the days now! FOURTEEN more days to go!
I made this little ticker graphic to show my weight loss progress. I started out at 250 pounds when I began my weight loss journey last summer ('06) and had some ups and downs over the last year. I am down to 235 pounds as of today, 14 days pre op. The charts say my ideal weight is between 126 and 135. Since I am 53 yrs old, I think I should be at the top of that range so that is my goal weight. As of today, I need to lose 100 more pounds.
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July 26, 2007 on July 26, 2007 11:33 am
I called BCBS again today. They still have no record in the computer system that indicates they have received the photo that I sent them via overnight express.... AND spent a fortune doing so, I might add. HEHE So another day passes and the wait continues. My Mom wants to know how I stand it. I don't know. Do we have a choice? Don't we all know this is not an easy journey when we go into it? It has been pretty much like this all the way. If the saying is true then I guess I'll have built a lot of character going through the process. I guess I just have a lot of faith in God and know that everything happens in HIS time as HE knows what is best. Not that it's not VERY hard but having the peace of knowing HE has a plan for me... and a good one... I know I can ultimately deal with what ever it is HE has for me. Well actually... my Mom always "SHE". I don't think God is a He OR a She. I think our human minds tend to put God into a physical form so that we can comprehend "HIM" better. So how the heck did I get off on THAT tangent. Diversion, Marianne. DIVERSION! lol
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July 25, 2007 on July 25, 2007 6:15 pm
I called BCBS about 10AM this morning to see if they had received the photo that I overnighted to them. I was told that there is no way for customer service to know if they recieved it because once they receive it, it needs to be logged into the computer and that will take about 2 days. Sounds to me like the same old canned answer. I don't fault the person who answered the phone... they are always very curtious but the system is very frustrating. I guess it's in place because of people like me who are crazy and would bug the (blank) out of them. 
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July 24, 2007 on July 25, 2007 12:37 am
As I have every day for the last 3 weeks, I called Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama to check on the status of my pre approval. Every time I call I get the same old canned answer that it is still in process and could take 30 - 60 days and they will send a letter when it has been processed and they have no other information at this time. Well don't they actually have something DIFFERENT to tell me today. They said that I did not submit a doctors visit to show my weight for the year 2005. They need me to submit that OR a DATED photograph from 2005. I ask what they mean by "dated" and they said it has to be pre printed on the photograph.
I know that in 2005 I never went to a doctor at all. That was the year we were selling our house and moving to Florida and I just did not take care of myself that year at all. So I knew I was not going to be able to fulfill that requirement. The only other option would be to find a dated photograph. After many phone calls, a LOT of scurrying around and WONDERFUL help from my WLS angel, Mary J. and her Hubby, Bob, I managed to have what they needed on it's way via overnight express mail which should get to them by tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 8AM.
You can bet your bananas that I will be on the phone with them tomorrow verifying that they did recieve it.
I am on pins and needles now.... especially knowing they ARE working on my case. AND since they did not request anything else... I am VERY hopeful that I will get an approval very soon! 
It is 4:45 in the morning and I've been up for 2 hours because I was laying in bed wide awake most of the night.
I wonder if there is a surgery to fix the brains shut off valve so I can stop thinking and SLEEP.
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July 23, 2007 on July 23, 2007 2:37 pm
Oh the trials and tribulations of the waiting game. I hope my stomach can take all this anxiety. I know everyone who goes through this journey knows just what I am feeling and how frustrating it is. It will be 3 weeks tomorrow since the surgeons office sent the file for approval. I have called BCBS several times trying to get some help from someone but it's as though you speak to a recording every time. You get the same exact answer with the same exact wording every time. They tell me it can take 30 - 60 days to get an answer. I read on the boards that most people hear within a week. So here I write just to vent. Being in limbo is hard and not having any control over this phase is hard too. So the waiting continues. UGH. | Leave a comment.
July 13, 2007 on July 13, 2007 10:57 pm
I called the insurance company today and they finally have it logged into their computers that they have indeed received my pre approval request and it's gone to "Medical Review". So it's possible I could hear any day now. They told me it could take 30-60 days but I'm hoping it doesn't take nearly that long. I KNOW I will be answering the phone one day very soon to have someone on the other end of the phone tell me they are calling me to tell me the good news that I'm approved and that my surgery date is scheduled for August 13th.
I am still in Florida but am flying back up North to "camp" on Tuesday. I'll stay there until the 28th when John and I will drive back together. I miss him AND Shyann and Chooch a lot. It's been nice to have a good chunk of time to myself though.
On sort of the same note but a little off tract...I am doing all sorts of positive "Law of Attraction" imagry and positive thinking. I've been reading a book called The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks. The very basics of this Law Of Attraction is that we create our own reality through our thoughts and feelings. I was led to this by a website I've been spending a lot of time on a website called Wisdomology. I was led there by a daily inspirational newsletter I get in email called Daily OM. In reading "The Law of Attraction" book I found out about a movie and book called "The Secret". All fascinating stuff. I guess I really knew this but it all confirms to me and adds to what I've known for a while now. I am very energized and excited about and can't get enough reading on it. I find myself up till all hours of the night reading related websites and forums.
Speaking of all hours of the night... it's 2:15AM and I guess I should get some sleep. I'll go to bed visualizing all the things I'm going to do when I get my my healtheir body back. I feel healtheir and more energetic aready!!!!!
NITE! 
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July 5th, 2007 on July 4, 2007 9:01 pm
Well to update since I last posted. I came back down to Florida and met with Dr. Gonzalvo on June 5th. I liked him very much. He spent a lot of time with me and answered all of my questions very frankly and made a lot of sense in his explanations. I met Jan, Chris and Sherri in the office and was very pleased at how professional and friendly everyone was. I left there and in the next week completed the last of the requirements, checked with his office to make sure they received all of the results and was told that my file was going to Sherri, who will submit to insurance. Well I checked last week and she was on vacation. I called her on Monday and the office staff are all out for training this week so being short handed it wasn't likely she'd have time to submit to insurance this week. Sigh. So I wait. MEANWHILE I had a car accident and am going for physical therapy so am staying in Florida to continue that. My neck seems to be the biggest problem for me and I'm getting a little concerned about why the PT and chiropractic treatments are not helping by now. It's been a month since the accident. They keep telling me to be patient. Do I have a choice?
So I wait for insurance approval. As all of us know... this is very nerve wracking. If I get a quick approval the first time, I should still be on schedule for surgery on August 13. I'll be so glad when I finally get the call from insurance. Then I know I'm on my way. Being in limbo is always hard.
Also for the first time in a year, it's not up to me anymore. I have no control over what happens from here on out. For the last year I have been working feverishly being almost consumed by making sure I jump through every hoop and cross all my T's and dot all my I's.
Let's see.. here is what I have had to do in the last year...
*7 monthly doctor visits for supervised weight loss plan
*Cardio Nuclear stress test
*Cardio EKG
*Cardio Echocardiogram (twice because the first one expired)
*Endoscopy
*Colonoscopy
*Overnight Sleep study
*Pulmonary function test
*CPAP therapy
*Psychiatric Evaluation (2 appointments including a 2 hour test)
*Abdominal Ultrasound
*Chest Xray
*Bone Density Scan
*Blood workup
Also... in the process of all of these tests I needed to make many many phone calls in order to get all of these records sent to the surgeon. In many cases they didn't do it and had to be hounded. To make matters even more difficult I started out in a bariatric program in Albany NY, then moved to Florida and changed to a program in New Port Richey. I had to have all my records transferred to NPR. Then in May I found out that the surgeon in NPR quit so I had to scramble around, do a lot of research to find another surgeon who I liked and get all my records transferred again.
So here I am now in the waiting phase and I have no control. Not easy for a control freak like me.
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May 18, 2007 on May 18, 2007 10:14 am
I had some VERY upsetting news this week. While we were driving up North from Florida, I got a call from Ivy Landell at Community Hospital telling me that Dr. Rodolpho Dy is no longer doing bariatric surgery and my surgery has been cancelled. They have no other doctors to do the surgery and I will have to find another program, another hospital and another surgeon. As you can imagine I was devestated. But only for a short while because once I composed myself I resolved not to let this deter me in any way. As soon as I was able to, I got on the Internet and did a lot of research and began making phone calls. I am VERY happy to report that I am now back in another program and all of my records are on their way to the new program. I will be having my surgery at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater and my surgeons will be Dr. John-Paul Gonzalvo and Dr. Richard Gordon. I spoke to Julie Douglas who is the coordinator of the program and also Jan who is the office manager in the surgeons office and was very pleased and encouraged. I have an appointment with them for June 5th which is also the date of my last appointment wtih my primary doctor who is monitoring my 6 month weight loss program. Unfortunately I am back in NY up at camp so I will have to fly back down to Florida for these appointments. It looks like I will still be able to schedule my surgery for early August like originally planned as long as I get insurance approval. So I am really no farther behind and actually right back on track. It was very upsetting to me but I think in the long run this is for the best. The way I look at it is if Dr. Roldolpho Dy is such a man that he would do this to people then he is not the man I'd want to do my surgery. When my husband and I met with him he complained to us about not making enough money doing bariatric surgeries. My reply was to ask him that even though the monetary rewards are not there that he must get great rewards seeing how many peoples lives he has helped. His reply to me was "yes but I still have to pay my bills." That SHOULD have been a red flag to me. That alone should have told me what kind of man he is. It now tells me in hind sight I can see that he was then planning on quitting and he knew he was not going to do my surgery then. But he got one more consult visit payment from my insurance company. And since money is his main interest in life, that is where his decisions lie. So be it. I know that God has guided me toward better surgeons with good character.
So at this point my last hurdle appears to be insurance approval. After my appointment on June 5th with my primary care doc and the surgeon, we will be submitting to insurance and hopefully I should have approval within 30 days of that time.
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April 16, 2007 on April 16, 2007 1:05 pm
John and I met with Dr. Dy today. We did like him. He was very direct and wanted to know if we really understood the risks and the degree of changes to our lives this surgery would mean. He was very pleasant, has a good sense of humor and gave us all the time we needed for questions. He asked John directly how he felt about me having the surgery and was very pleased to see that John was supportive. He explained to us that he feels spousal support is imperative and would not do the surgery on me without it. Our next step now is to submit the paper work to insurance!! I still need to get a pulmonary funcion test, abdominal untrasound and a chest exray but aparently these are not needed before we submit to insurance. Dr. Dy told us that insurance companies in the last year have become difficult when covering this surgery and that they are doing less of them because of insurance denial. Hearing that has terrified me! I will be on pins and needles now until I hear. I know that if I do get denial, I will appeal but I sure as heck hope I didn't get this far and find I can not get insurance coverage. Well... I will try not to worry about that and stay the course and remain optimistic. I know that a positive attitude about anything sends positive energy and really helps. Plus I know that God is always with me and knows what is best for me. So it's in his hands. What ever happens does happen for the best. I have learned that over the course of my life while looking back.
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April 11, 2007 on April 11, 2007 10:56 am
Got my cardiac clearance this week and was very happy to hear that they can use my cardiac tests that were done at Saratoga Hospital last summer so I don't need to have them again. A few hours after my cardiology office faxed my clearance to Ivy, the coordinator of bariatric surgery at Community Hospital) she called to give me a an appointment to meet with Dr. Dy!!! WOW! I'm meeting with my surgeon! This is huge! I have been VERY VERY busy... I could even say totally consumed with getting everything done so that I can meet with Dr. Dy before we head North for 3 months. The plan is for Ivy and Dr. Dy's office to work on getting insurance approval while I'm gone. I've seen my gastroenterologist, got my psych clearance, did the sleep study in November, have been seeing my primary care doctor King monthly for the required 6 month doctor supervised weight loss counseling. I have also been working very hard on getting my records from my docs up North to send to Ivy here. That has been a nightmare of phone calls trying to get people to do what you need them to do. Now that Ivy has everything she needs, I am most nervous about what I read on the groups that BCBS is tough. I am doing everything they require and dotting all my i's and crossing all of my t's so it will soon be out of my hands. BUT if I get a denial.. I'll appeal and appeal until they are tired of me and will approve. I just HOPE I don't have to go through that too. This has been tiring enough! But I am very ready now. No more thoughts or doubts. Will update more as I know.
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February 21, 07 on February 21, 2007 10:15 pm
Monday night John and I attended the monthly support group meeting at Community Hospital in New Port Richey led by Ivy Landell and Barbara Corell. Again I was very impressed with the program and got a lot out of the meeting. I also had yet another chat with Ivy and this time Barbara was included about my concerns about having the surgery in Albany and then having to come back down to Florida only being a few months out of surgery. I also needed to consider that I have to be back to work by October 1st at the latest. My husband understood the dilema but was not happy about the idea of not going back up North at all so that I could have the surgery. After all his reenactments are very important to him too. SO Ivy suggested the possibility of us going North as planned in May and coming back home here early and perhaps having the surgery in early August. That way... first of all I'd have a good month or even 6 weeks to heal and be ready to return to work Oct first AND I would have 9 months to heal and be near my surgeon before having to head back up North in May of '08. I strongly feel that it is much safer for me to be near my surgeons and the program that I working with for 9 months out of surgery than only 3 or 4 months. So John and I left the meeting and discussed it and I was SO RELIEVED that he was willing to compromise and agreed to come back down in August. I am a very lucky woman to have such a loving, supportive and understanding husband. I'm am filling out the paper work for Ivy and working on getting my records sent to her. This is going to be a lot more work for me... more paper work and getting all of my records transferred from up North. I think though, it is a much safer plan.
There are some downsides to this new plan. I won't be able to have my weight loss surgery angel, Mary J. with me. She was very disappointed too. I won't be near family... especially my Sister Cuffy, who being a nurse is a real help and comfort. Not to mention we are very close. My Mother will not be happy either but I'm sure she will agree this is best. Even with these negative aspects I am still very happy with my decison. After all I live here now and am here for 8 or 9 months of the year.
It's not like I will be alone. I will have John with me and we have several wonderful, dear friends who live here in our neighbhorhood who I know we can count on to help me if I need it and support John. I think he will need more of the latter than I will help. He really is very nervous about his whole thing.
That's why I am trying to get him to come to support group meetings. He has been to a few and I think the more he attends, the more he understands and the better he feels.
January 30 '07 on January 29, 2007 9:18 pm
Still staying the course. Reading, reasearching, regularly attending support group meetings here in Florida at Community Hospital in New Port Richey. Seeing my primary doctor, Dr. Feliz King every month. Doing well with the 10 percent requirement for weight loss. Last month lost 4 pounds this month lost 3 pounds. Down from top weight of when I was in the hospital in late June at 250 pounds to 230 for a total of 20 pounds lost. According to Albany Clinical Nutrition I need to get down to 224. So only 6 more pounds to go. The tricky part is that I should not lose MORE than that prior to insurance approval or I risk them denying me. So I play the game. I can do that. Since I posted last I had my sleep study done here at the Florida Sleep Institute. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. They are putting me on CPAP therapy with a machine pressure of 17. I understand that is very high. I HATE the machine and unlike other people, I am not feeling better using it. In fact I feel MORE tired. A LOT more tired.
My next step, I need to make an appointment with a psychologist for my required psych eval. I think I will do that this week.
Other than the fact that I keep having these CRAZY thoughts go rushing through my brain that MAYBE I can lose it on my own and THIS time will be different. THIS TIME I will be able to keep it off on my own. Then I wake up and continue working on the requirements for surgery. I talk to people online and in the groups, and of course my angel, Mary J and all say their heads did the same to them. I guess it's all part of the process and why it is so important to really research and go to support group meetings and take your time. I guess I won't have to worry that I'd regret not doing my homework!
Ok it's after midnite and here I am up late again. I have to go to work tomorrow too! My sleep habits are terrible. But that's another story for another day.
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11/10/06 on November 10, 2006 2:44 pm
I know it has been a while since I updated here and since I did, OH has changed their format so I had to copy and paste my entries from before into one entry. See earlier posts for November '06 for those early entries into my blog.
Anyway.. here's what has been going on. I am still staying the course with regards to my endeavor to have the weight loss surgery. We are back down in Florida now (YAH!!).. and it took me a while to find a primary care doctor who is taking new patients. I found one but couldnt get an appointment until November 30th. I went for a consultation today at the Florida Sleep Institute in Spring Hill and will do the sleep study next Wednesday night. Dr. Kohler, the sleep doc does think I have sleep apnea. Not good because I will have to do that darn cpap machine.. and wear a mask to bed. NOT happy about that at all BUT if I am diagnosed with sleep apnea it is considered one of the comorbidities so along with high blood pressure, I will have 2 comorbidities which will put me in better shape to get insurance approval. AND... once I have the surgery and lose weight, chances are very good I won't have sleep apnea any longer since it is most likely caused by the excess weight.
I have also been in touch with Dr. Santoro up in NY at the Albany Clinical Nutrition group and let her know I have my doctors appointment scheduled AND that I am dieting and excercising AND that I have lost 15 pounds toward my 10 percent pre surgery weight loss requirement. She was very pleased and told me to keep in touch and have Dr. King... my primary care doc here send her my records and weight procress. I need to be monitored monthly by Dr. King to show my attempted weight loss.
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Austust '06 - Sept '06
08/14/06 Got the paperwork in the mail today from Albany Medical College Bariatric Center. I filled it out immediatly and faxed it from Staples at 8PM tonite. I will call them tomorrow to verify that they received it. Once they have received it they will set up my appointment for my "Informational Session". It is the first of 3 sessions. This one takes all morning.
Also... today was reading through the forum messages here on OH and came across a post with a subject line: Vaginal Vault Prolapse. It caught my eye because lately I have been experiencing something that sounds like that. I did a search in Google and found a website that explains what I have to a T. I have an appointment with my PCP on Thursday to talk to her about referring me to a sleep center for possible sleep apnea and my blood pressure. I guess now I have something else to talk to her about. BTW... the website says that one of the possible causes of this vaginal prolapse is obesity. :-(
It's looking more and more like this surgery is something I really need.
8/15/06 I didn't even get to call them this morning when I got a call from Stephanie at 9AM from Albany Med to set up my appointment for my first session. I will be attending the session on 8/29. I spoke with Stephanie about my living in NY for 5 months and 7 months during the winter in Florida. She was a little discouraging saying that I would have to do 6 months with THEIR nutrition program just prior to surgery. Then she transferred me to the nurse practitioner who said the same thing. I asked her if I could do a program with a bariatric nutritionist in Florida who would work with them directly. She did not think that would be possible. She advised me to go to the information session anyway. I will see what happens then. Hey if worse comes to worse, I'll have the surgery in Florida. Not my first choice but if that's what I have to do, I will.
8/16/06 After talking to Stephanie at Albany Med yesterday I am wondering after that conversation that I may have to think more seriously about the possibility of having surgery in Florida. I sent an email on July 19 to a woman named Ivy Landell who is the coordinator of the bariatric program at Community Hospital in New Port Richey, Florida. I told her about my snowbird status and asked her when the next seminar would be held since I wanted to make plans to attend as soon as I return to Florida. She replied to that question and also told me to let her know if I would like her to send me information on things I could be doing here until I return to Florida in October. I replied that YES... I would very much appreciate her sending me that info. The following week when I did not hear back from her I emailed her again reminding her. I never heard back from her. So last week I sent another email. Again no reply. Yesterday I left a phone message on her voice mail. Still no reply. Hmmm.... I guess this is the part where determination comes in? All part of the test to see if we are motivated? Perhaps.
8/17/06 Just some thoughts for today. You know, unlike many obese people I really don't have a bad self image. I do feel pretty even when I'm heavy and my size doesn't make me feel self conscious. Of course I'd love to look thinner... don't get me wrong but looks are not my motivation. I have always been a very active person. I can't stand feeling so restricted and it's taking a toll on my physical health which is effecting my emotional health. So many things are popping up health wise because of this. To name a few:
High Blood pressure
Possible sleep apnea (going to talk to doc today about referral to a sleep center)
Heal pain (Plaster Fastitis)
Anxiety and Depression
Vaginal Rectal Prolapse (talking to doc about this too)
Low blood sugar
Cervical degenerative disk
Excema in areas of excess fat
And of course low energy.
I am too young and want to have many years ahead of me. I can't keep dieting and gaining weight back. It is very dangerous and I've done the yo yo thing way too many times in my life.
8/17/06 My "Angel/Friend" Mary and I were talking tonite around the campfire. We talked about how some people don't understand the reasoning behind the requirement to lose 10% of your weight before being approved for surgery. I told her that I totally understand. I was just laying in bed and thought of an analogy and had to get up to write it down lest I'd forget in the morning. My analogy is this. If I were a farmer and needed to plow 126 rows of field. (I have 126 pounds to lose) and I was told I needed to use this very difficult tool to do it. (The very difficult tool represents dieting without the tool of weight loss surgery) Someone has the tool that would make it much easier to plow all 126 rows but they don't want to give me that easier tool just yet. They want to see how I do using the more difficult tool. The reason is that using the easier tool alone, without the other things necessary, then I will not be successful. Along with the easier tool, I still need to have determination, motivation and knowlege of how to properly plow the field. If they just handed me the easier tool, without knowing that I already have the determination, motivation and knowlege, that easier tool all by itself wouldn't be enough to successfuly get the job done. Until they see I have the other things it takes then and only then will they give me the tool to make the job easier and more successful.
9/13/06 Had TERRIFIC news today. Went to Albany Clinical Nutrition for the 4 hour initial visit. I am assigned to Dr. Santoro and she has agreed to work with me to do my 6 month nutrition and weight loss program in Florida but will monitor me up here! This means I can have the surgery in Albany with Dr. Singh! I am trhilled. It means a lot to me because all of my friends and family are here. Also Mary had her surgery with Dr. Singh and he was amazing with her during her crisis so I feel very confident in him.
This week I am also doing the required 1/2 day sessions for educational classes at Albany Med. I did part one yesterday and will finish part 2 tomorrow. They were excellent and very informative. I also enjoyed the commeraderie of those going through the process at about the same stage I am. Most there will have the surgery long before I will since I will wait until we get back from Florida next May. Then I will do the preliminary things I need to do here before surgery. Still a long road ahead and many hurdles but I'm on the road and pshyed.
Here is a picture of me taken recently at the Coldbrook Picnic. I am at my highest weight ever of 250 pounds. I hate how I feel and I hate how I look. I can NOT continue on this path or I will be facing many debilitating health problems:
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My Story 7/7/06 I am 52 yrs old, 14 years happily married to a wonderful and supportive man. I have 2 terrific and beautiful daughters ages 21 and 24 by a previous marriage. We are now retired but until retirement I ran a very successful pet sitting business in upstate NY. I continue to run the business but do very little of the pet sitting myself. I have 2 helpers now that do the visits and I am now the owner/manager. 0
We are "Snowbirds" and live in Saratoga County NY for 5 months of the year and during the winter we live in Hudson, Florida. My good friend Mary had RNY lap. surgery in Albany NY in January of '05. She has been an inspiration to me and during the summer of 05 she sent me information via email including the link to ObesityHelp.com. I logged on and began reading sporatically over the course of the next year. The following summer of 2006 I had a health related scare after a couple days in the hospital, began to be more serious about it and did a lot more reading, actually registered with ObesityHelp.com and joined a Yahoo Group called GastricBypass-InfoCentral. On August 7th '06 I attended my first WLS support group meeting in Saratoga NY led by Jaime Ellis. The following night I attended another WLS support group meeting at Albany Clinical Nutrition with Kathleen Callihan in Albany NY. My friend Mary who had the surgery 18 months ago met me there. I have to say that attending both of those meetings put wind in my sails to go forward with this and find out just what I need to do next.
I was not overweight as a child but while in high school began to gain weight slowly. High School was when I went on my first diet and lost 10 pounds. Of course I put it back on and then some. This is what started my series of yo yo diets for the next 35 years. Each time I'd lose some weight. Sometimes I'd lose a little weight and sometimes a lot. Each time I'd regain it all and then more. I was only able to stick to a diet for a period of time because hunger always got the best of me and I'd give up. Thirty five years later, I have dieted myself now up to 250 pounds. (My ideal weight according to the charts is 126) I can not afford to keep doing this as I know it will take it's toll on my heart. I am desperate to be healthy and active again and have decided that together with determination and WLS I WILL achieve my goal. Here is a picture taken at the start of my WLS journey when I was 250 pounds. It was taken just one year before my surgery.
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Here is a pictures of John and I at the party....
....About an hour ago I called the insurance company like I have every single day for the last 3 weeks. I asked if they had record that they received the photo that I overnighted to them. They always ask if they can put me on hold and this time was no different. But this time they kept me on hold for a very long time and I got a little nervous. BUT then the woman came back on the line and told me that I WAS APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Can you believe it! My heart is pounding right out of my chest. I called Dr. Gonzalvo's office to tell them so we can get my date of August 13th set on their schedule and take it OFF "tentative". Kelly, the woman who does the scheduling won't be in until Monday so I will call her then. I am flying high as you ALL well know! 
