- Username: Raquelline
- Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
- Member Since: 1/7/2004
- BMI: 27.8
- Post Op
- Surgery Type: RNY (01/24/07)
- Surgeon: Ihor Fedorak, M.D.
Photos
I'm Not In Any Photos Yet.
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Goals
No Public Goals Yet.
Surgeon TestimonialIhor Fedorak, M.D.Today I met Dr. Fedorak for my initial consult - and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I arrived about 20 minutes early, yet I was immediately greeted in the office, and all the preliminaries were completed prior to being told to take a seat. Then, I waited less than 2 minutes before being called. Jody finished up the paperwork, explained the insurance and program process, weighed me, and took me to a patient room. Dr. Fedorak was prompt and my appointment began on time - which was a pleasant surprise.
I was immediately put at ease by Dr. Fedorak's matter of fact discussion about obesity. I felt as if I were being treated for a valid medical issue throughout my appointment. I especially appreciated his willingness to discuss his own record of surgeries with me. One of Dr. Fedorak's last statements to me was that I should only choose to have surgery if it is spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically appropriate to me.
Just me. Not what someone else thinks or feels. I walked away knowing that I do want surgery - and I want Dr. Fedorak to be the one conducting it. Member Interests
- Christianity - I praise my Lord and Savior for breathing life into me!
Latest Surgery Support Comments
 Comment by cheide on 1/24/07 7:45 pm
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Raquelline, best of
luck with your
surgery. You will be
in my thoughts. May
you have an
uneventful surgery
and a speedy
recovery.
Dan
 Comment by Cira S. on 1/21/07 9:37 pm
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Welcome to my quest!
I am a single mother with two awesome sons and I want to have the best quality of life possible. I am 39 years old, about 5'6" tall, and ready to do something about my 255 pounds. I want to be healthy - physically, mentally, relationally, educationally, and spiritually. With God guiding me, I am excited about my day to day journey!
Oops! on June 13, 2007 1:33 pm
Wow! So much has happened! I can't possibly update everything right now, but I will type out the important stuff:
My surgery went ahead with few complications on Jan 24, 2007. I guess I had some internal bleeding, but it was actually inside the lower half of my intestine, so my body naturally passed all the blood. I did have two units of blood transfused the day after my surgery - but I was so active, they even let me walk the halls DURING the transfusion.
I immediately began losing weight. I lost 22 pounds the first week - almost unheard of for a "lightweight." I had weighed in at 256 the morning of my surgery (and I am about 5'6" tall) so my BMI was a bit over 41.
I rarely, if ever, feel hungry. I try diligently to get in at least 64 oz of water daily. I don't count protein grams, but am very conscious about balancing each meal. I completely follow my surgeon's and nutritionist's directions. I am currently eating somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 cup at each of my three meals. I do have snacks sometimes of sugar free jello, pudding, or popsicles/fudgesicles. I also religiously take my multivitamins, B12, B Complex, and calcium daily.
As of today I have lost 84 pounds. Wow! Tomorrow will be my 20 week mark. I started this journey wearing size 20's and some 22's - usually a 2 or 3X. Now I am wearing size 12's, and some 10's - usually a large, but maybe a medium.
I have been sooooo very blessed by the support around me. My children have been phenomenal. My friends have continued to attend support group meetings with me, even when it may seem I don't need to go.
I prayed about this decision, and I continue to pray to the Lord daily for direction and guidance. I also give Him praise for all the positive changes in my life. He sustains me, and I continue to work on getting my worth from Him, and not from those around me.
May you be blessed today! May you find encouragement when things appear bleak. May you hold onto hope when it is unseen. May you experience peace in the midst of the storm.
God bless!
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Looking forward to cleaning on January 16, 2007 12:54 pm
Jan 16, 2007
Where do I start?
I have been reluctant to post because I don't want this to fall into a "woe is me" blog.
You see, my surgery was scheduled for Jan 10th, and of course I was quite excited. Then, I ran into a series of maladies. Dec 20th (the same day the first of 4 snow storms in as many weeks hit town) I just crashed. It was probably from the "school is out" adrenaline fade that I seem to get at the close of every term. I ended up sleeping most of the next three days. Then, on Christmas Eve, I developed conjunctivitis (translation: pink-eye). I finally got through that, and came down with a cold on Dec 27th. And I still have it!
Yes, alas, I am whining. My surgery was delayed until Jan 24th due to the increased risk of pneumonia. I have been to see the doctor twice - the first time I was given antibiotics, and the second I was given allergy/asthma meds.
I just want to be well. Certainly it is driving me crazy that I have completely lost my voice. My children love it, though. I have been writing them notes for over a week. Somehow it is difficult for them to take an exclamation mark on a piece of paper seriously - and I don't blame them.
Anyway, I am doing my utmost to just rest and relax. I really want to be well. Hopefully, this time next week, I will be anxiously awaiting surgery - doing my last minute shopping and cleaning.
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Getting ever closer.... on December 6, 2006 2:55 pm
Dec 6, 2006
Woooohooooooo! Yesterday my counselor said she would give approval for surgery, and plans on getting the letter to my surgeon's office this week. I am SOOOO excited!
I have enjoyed these sessions with her, and will continue to see her after the surgery. Some folks might say this was a waste of time - I don't. I want to do whatever I need to do to give myself the best opportunity for complete success. Facing my emotional eating habits now, will only benefit later. I am not under any illusions - this is going to be a lifelong battle for me. However, in my quest for health, I will overcome!
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Still waiting on November 8, 2006 12:57 pm
November 8, 2006
I am finding the waiting the most difficult part of this process so far! Yesterday, I met with my WLS counselor, and asked if it was possible to get an appointment with the surgeon in January, or June, or whatever - anything as long as I know what day! She, thankfully, completely understands how I feel. The good news is that she will write the referral letter in December (which is the absolute soonest the surgeon's office will accept it). The bad news is that I won't hear anything from the surgeon until after they get that letter.
I know, I know. I need to be patient. And most days I am.
I'm in this "try to improve myself" phase - and it isn't without its own problems. I wear this splint which is supposed to correct my bite, but tends to create headaches as mu jaw muscles shift and complain. In addition, I just got new glasses and I am having trouble adjusting. I thought that having a current prescription rather than wearing the glasses that were probably 10 years old might help. So far.....I just seem to have some fuzzy vision.
Whoa.....lots of complaining today. I need to sit up straight, remember that I am a daughter of the King, and have been blessed beyond measure. He will continue to provide for me, just as He always has.
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Ahhh, the waiting on October 27, 2006 12:26 pm
October 27, 2006
You would think that as we age (some gracefully, some not so much), we would get accustomed to waiting. I find that I still have to preach patience to myself.
I don't have a surgery date - but it won't be any sooner than Jan 07 due to the psych eval I received. So, I wait. And wait. And wait.
I think I need to make a list of things I can do to pass the time while waiting. I certainly don't want to gain more weight, or live in limbo, or the other options which do not reflect a healthy attitude.
So, any ideas?
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Archive
My Story
9/19/09 I meet with a surgeon for the first time today! I am VERY
excited, and I just can't wait for the rest of my new life!
9/19/09 Oh my goodness!!!! I thought I couldn't get any more excited,
but I was wrong. If everything continues to go smoothly, I will have a
surgery date within 8 - 10 weeks. I completely trust the surgeon I
met, and couldn't feel better about this process. I am making a positive
change for the rest of my life!
10/5/06 I can't believe how anxious I am! I really want the days to
fly by. I don't have a date yet, but yesterday I met with the dietician
and her evaluation was positive. Tomorrow I have my psych eval, and I
should get to set a surgery date next week! I suspect my suregery
won't be until mid-November. My only problem with that is how will I ever
manage to be patient??? I wish my surgery could be next week!
Wednesday would work .
As I have been going through this, I have tried to be completely honest
with my sons. As a single parent, I constantly tell them they are
allowed input, but I am the one who makes the final decision - and that we
should all be praying. My oldest is 11, and he just made me promise to
follow doctor's orders to the letter. My youngest is 7 (soon to be 8),
and he just prays nightly that God keeps me alive. Bless their hearts!
I also have been extremely blessed with a broad support base here, even
though my extended family all live states away. Many people are
praying for me, and a few select ones have committed to being active in my
pre- and post-op needs. Two girlfriends have been attending a WLS
Support Group with me. One of them is actually going to move in with me for
several months, and strangely enough, she is excited about the
opportunity to help out with the cleaning, the boys, and whatever I might need.
She is even going to begin walking with me....starting today!
Another wonderful friend has taken on the task of keeping it all real
for me. She is the reason I began taking my vitamins regularly, and why
I stopped drinking carbonated drinks, and why I was forced to realize I
need to be disciplined in all areas of my life.
I really have so much going on in my mind right now. I am trying to be
patient. I read as much as I can about how surgery has affected
others. I want to know everything - the good stuff, the bad stuff, the
seemingly insignificant stuff, everything!
One of the things I do have to say is that I am not a miserable person
trapped inside a big body. Rather, I am a princess - a daughter of the
King! As such, I know it is my responsibility to take care of this
temple He gave me for His Holy Spirit to indwell. I am ashamed that I
haven't been a better manager of my Lord's resources. However, my God is
a God of unconditional love - and He is with me at all times, heavy or
not. I believe that He will bless these efforts to be physically
healthy.
The rest of my earthly life doesn't begin on surgery day. It begins
today. And today I choose to live for Jesus.
10/7/06 Well, goodness, how things change! My pysch eval was
yesterday, and I have been through a whirl of emotions. The psychologist has
recommended that I address emotional eating before going ahead with the
surgery. I say, "recommend" but I am fully aware that her approval was
needed to go full steam ahead. On one hand, I was (and am) quite
disappointed. On the other hand, I know that she is completely correct.
I am not on this path in order to weigh less or be a certain size by
some specific date. I am on this path as a means to be a healthy
individual. If I truly want to be healthy, than I need to be willing to look
at all the aspects of my life - not just the physical, but the
emotional, mental, and spiritual sides as well.
I want to make sure that I am giving myself the absolute best course
and opportunity for long-term success. If that means waiting 3 months,
or 6 months, or however long, than I should do so.
In the meantime, I am going to continue to work on those lifestyle
habits I want to develop: continue taking daily vitamins, walking (or some
other form of exercise), only having 3 meals a day (vs grazing all day
long), sipping water, learning to eat more slowly and without drinking,
etc...
I am excited that I was given a referal to another psychologist who has
had WLS. I really believe that not only will I be able to learn
appropriate mechanisms for dealing with my emotional triggers, that I will be
more fully prepared for the drastic changes this surgery brings.
Maybe I was moving along so quickly so that I specifically would come
to this point - a place where I would have to confront my giants in
order to move forward. I can't help but think that the transformation of a
person who has turned to food in good and bad times, to someone who not
only can identify what is going on with my emotions but can express
them appropriately without the need to reach for some type of food, is
probably more important than the physical transformation of losing weight.
I am disappointed about the surgery delay, no doubt about it. Yet, I
still wait in anticipation for each new day, because I know that I am
definitely on that path towards health.
10/10/06 Goodness! Sometimes we just know that we are in God's will.
When I called last Friday to try to make an appointment with the
counselor to whom I had been referred at my psych eval, I ended up catching
her on her cell phone while she was out of state. She asked that I call
her office and my insurance. Well, I ended up leaving a message at the
office, and found out that Kaiser is VERY counseling-friendly.
Since I hadn't heard back from the office, I decided to call again
today, and lo and behold, I was able to speak with a real person (love when
that happens!). And, get this! Instead of the 3 - 4 weeks I was told
to expect to wait, my appointment is TOMORROW! How cool is that?
I am still dealing with my disappointment about not having WLS within
the next few weeks, but to me this is just another confirmation that I
need to go through this healing process. In the meantime, I am proud of
myself for not using food to console myself, and for making the weekend
a productive one. Life is good!
12/6/06 I finally got the green light! I saw my counselor yesterday, and she is sending the approval for surgery to the surgeon's office this week. I now have to figure out a way to wait patiently until I hear from them. (This just might be the most difficult part.) I am not quite sure what happens now - I think I make an appointment with the surgeon, and at that appointment we set the date for the surgery itself. Since I have Kaiser, and am basically pre-approved, my understanding is the insurance final approval part will go quickly. I can hardly wait!
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