My name is Patti, I have been overweight most of my life. Even as a teenager I struggled with my weight. I have gone on just about every diet you can think of. I have been looking into Bariatric Surgery for over a year now! After having the procedure rejected by my HealthPlus insurance. My husband changed jobs and was able to pick up Blue Cross and they cover Bariatric procedures. On Aug. 9th I had my Psyciatric evaluation, wow that was fun!! The 600 questions on the writen portion was a hoot! So as long as Im not crazy  I will be having surgery!! On Sept. 4th, 2007 I had surgical consult at Hurley Bariatric Center in Flint, Michigan. At my consult my weight was 305 lbs. and BMI was 53. wow!! Dr.Kurt Kralovich will be doing my Laproscopic Roux-en-y. Now I just wait for a surgery date.(Philippians 4:13)

9/9/2007 - I got the news that my insurance approved my surgery today!! I will still have to wait about 7 to 10 days for a surgery date. The waiting is so hard.....I have 12 buldging disc in my T-spine, one herniated disc in my L-spine, very high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, restless leg syndrome, joint pain, and I just hurt all the time form carring all of this extra weight aroud. But Im on my way to feeling better and being healthy. (Philippians 4:13)

9/14/2007  WOW, I got the call today!!! My surgery is scheduled for October 17th, 2007 @ 7:30 am.   I can't believe it is finally happening!! I will be going to Hurley Hospital for My pre-op testing on Wed. Sept.19th @9:30 am. I will be having a pulminary function test, chest x-ray, blood work, and counseling with Dr. Manasion.  Im so excited!!(Philippians 4:13)

09/19/2007   Today I had my pre-op Testing with Dr.Manasion. I had labs drawn, chest xray, pulminary funtion(wow that was hard) EKG. And when I was done I was exhausted! I even fell asleep in the exam room when I was waiting for an hour and a half with my gown on! It was a really long day! I was there for five and a half hours. I did enjoy talking with others that are scheduled for surgery. I met alot of really nice people. All of us on the same path to having a healthier life! People of all ages and all shapes and sizes. But we all really bonded, It was really neat! Two of the women I met today will be having surgery on the same day that I am, so Im sure we will talk again. But for now im off to bed , I am whipped out!! (Philippians 4:13)

9/24/2007   Well it's been a few days since my last entry, but I did have my nutrion class on Sept. 20th.  I thought I was doing really good until another patient told me she got to the hospital for her surgery and it was cancelled due to a high white count level. My white count was elevated on the day of my pre-op appointment but Dr.Manasion said it was nothing to worry about. Now Im worried!!! What if it goes up more and I go through all of the 15day licquid diet for nothing. Im freaking out now!!! Im not sure if anyone else has had this happen but please reply and let me know what you think!! 

9-30-2007  So today is going good, Im excited and ready to get this over with... I will start my 15 Liquid diet on Tuesday of this week. I am a little worried because My Manager and my Son both have head colds and I dont want to get sick before surgery and have it cancelled. I'm a worry wort if you havent noticed!! But Most exciting is that I am down a few pounds just by not drinking soda! And I do feel better not drinking all that carbination! Also my white count has come down and I'm feeling better about that! Only 18 more days!!! and counting!

10-5-2007  Well it is day 4 of my liquid diet and all is going well. It has been fine, Im not hungry, the shakes and drinks really do fill you up. I have had to attend a couple of dinner for work and I really didnt have any problem with just drinking my shake and some crystal light while everyone else eat. I really didnt bother me at all.  Only 11 more days until surgery Im getting really excited!!!!!!!! I just want to be done! I am having a little trouble sleeping and keeping focused on things, All I can think about is the surgery! But It will all be done before I know it... so ta ta for now!

10/08/07  Well it is day 6 on my liquid diet and im having a horrible time!! I want to eat everything I see!! And I cant have anything. My family is driving me crazy with eating around me but I guess I have to get used to it dont I! Im hoping this will pass but I just want this to be done and get on with my surgery already! I just really need to stay focused on my surgery and becoming a healthier me! If I keep my focus on the positive and not the food, I can get through this. (philippians 4:13)

10/13/2007  Well it's down to the wire now!  I'm not feeling to great today! I have a lot of trouble with inner ear fluid. It makes me very dizzy and nauseated. So I don't feel like doing much of anything right now.  And I have so much I wanted to get done before surgery. I think I will just take it easy this morning and hope I feel better this afternoon. I really wanted to just keep busy and not have too much time to think about the surgery.

10/15/2007 Well Im down to two days before surgery....Tomorrow I will be on all clear liquids only. No more protien drinks. For the most part Im doing pretty good. My family could be a little more supportive. My 16 year old really doesnt want me to do this. My Husband and her are not getting along very well. She is having all kinds of stomach problems because of stress over my surgery. My son doesnt say too much about it. I just wish I would have had a little calmer couple of weeks. So Im going into this pretty stressed out.  I could really use some peace. Im trying to keep my chin up, but sometimes its hard. I feel like for the FIRST time in my life Im doing something just for me and everyone is setting up road blocks along the way. I dont want you to think they dont care, but they could try a little harder to understand how Im feeling right now!

10/16/2007  Primed, cleaned out and ready to go. I have to be up tomorrow at 3:30 am and on the road at 4:30am. I will get to the Hospital at 5:30am and surgery at 7:30 By this time tomorrow night I will be on my way to the lighter side of life! I am so excited and cant wait to be back home and on the road to a healthier me! So good night and I will continue this in about a week!!! Off to Bed for now.

10-24-2007  Well Surgery Is over and it was pretty rough! The First 48hrs after I was so sick. My blood sugar levels were sky high and I had to be started on Insulin.  My fluid "out-put" was almost nothing so there was some concern of Kidney failure, and when I had my Barium swallow study the morning after surgery, my new "pouch" would not empty!!!  I have never been so scared in my life! I was so afraid that they would have to go back into surgery to correct something. But I guess my body was just too seepy after the anesthesia! Because after that 48hr mark, EVERYTHING just seem to fall into place and started working again.  And I felt really good!  I was up walking the halls all the time and ready to get out of there!!  Now its smooth sailing most days,  some minor ups and downs with tummy aches but I'm so Happy to have it all behind me and be on the loser's side of it all now.  Its My one week post-op I went to see my family doctor today. According to her scale I'm down 30LBS!!From my last visit! Now that is with the 15day liquid diet.  But thank GOD!  I feel great and I'm a little boared but Im trying not to over do it right now. I'm trying to get plenty of REST!But sometimes thats hard, I wake up most nights at about 2:30 am. I have to get up and start drinking so that I keep up my fluid intake! That is my biggest challenge keeping my fluid intake high enough. I try to sip all day long. I am so happy it is all over now I just have to get stronger and start my exercise program. I can't wait!!  (philippians 4:13) 

10/31/2007 Well it has been a few days........I have had some complications and have not felt very well! I developed a seroma on my abdomen and had to have it drained. I thought I was just having normal pain from the surgery. But was I wrong!! This thing was the size of a grapefruit and was full of bloody fluid. The doctor had to re-open one of my incision sites and let the fluid drain... Wow did it really feel good to get rid of all of that pressure and pain. So once again Im on the right track and feeling great today!! I went to the store and did some walking and cant wait to keep going and get back on track. 

11/01/2007  So today I was feeling pretty good! I went into work to visit with the girls from my office and on the way home I  totaled my car!! I was not hurt but Im very sore! Every muscle in my body hurts. I guess I could have been worse! So now its on to finding a new car. This has been a crazy week!!