My name is Sue Rodgers and I live in Augusta, Ga. I started thinking about weight loss surgery about 5 years ago. I even had an appointment with a wls surgeon, but I chickened out.
March of 06 I had to have a hysterectomy. My ob/gyn doctor had to call in a general surgeon to assit with a biospy. The surgeon that my dr called in specializes in wls.  Is this a sign or what?
Apr 06 I made an appointment with Dr. Blaney's office to discuss the possibilty of having wls. Dr. Blaney said I would be a good canidate for surgery and would benefit from wls.
May 06  I am in the process of getting all the tests that Dr. Blaney requires before surgery.
The nutrionist that I went to was at the hospital. She spoke broken english and was very mis-informed about wls. I knew more about the procedure and the after-effects than she did.
May 25 I have the dreaded appointment with the shrink. I took off a half of day just so I could relax before I went to the appointment.  When I got to the appointment I was informed  that they needed to reschedule my appointment because they did not have time to evaluate my papers (the 200 questions). (No one informed me that they needed to evaluate my paper-work). Anyway the next appointment is not until June 8.
May 31 Have to be at the hospital at 8 o'clock to have endoscopy done. I home from the test, it was a breeze.   I'm gonna lay down and take a nap and then get up and cook dinner.
June 8 The Shrink visit was not as bad as I thought. Some of the questions that he asked was way off in left field. In the end he did say that he felt like I might have some eating issues but was well informed of the surgery. Wanted to say "NO JOKE", SHERLOCK! "I could have told ya I have eating issues and saved myself some money. Anyway he said he would send Dr. Blaney a letter in a day or so.
June 13 Call the shrink's office to see if letter has been faxed to Dr. Blaney. The office clerks said that they had just faxed it to Dr. Blaney's office. I also have a family visit with Dr. Blaney today. Dr. Blaney likes to sit down with the whole family and discuss what is gonna happen during and after surgery. He is very good to answer all questions. Even the ones from a thirteen year old. One thing I really liked about this visit is Dr. Blaney actually demorstrated what he would be doing with sponge type models. Even let my son play with the instruments.
Beth one of the nurse's with  Dr. Blaney said that everything had been faxed to the insurance company. From what I understand BCBS/fed is one of the easiet to get approval from. Keeping my fingers crossed that everything is approved.
June 15 Call BCBS/fed to see if they have recieved fax. They have not.... Customer Service gives me the federal BCBS fax number. Dr.'s office had faxed it to another number.
June 16 BCBS has everything info has been sent to the medical review board. (was told that it would take about 3 weeks before I would get a letter).
June 27 Decided to call BCBS just to see if I had been approved or if I was still in medical review limbo..... The customer service clerk said you were approved yesterday and gave me the authrozation number. I was so excited..... made sure I told the clerk Thanks that she had made my day.... I can't begin to explain all the emotions that I am going through right now......
June 27 Called to set up a pre-op appointment to schedule surgery.  Oh well, just so I get to have it before summber break is over.....
First appointment is not for another 2 weeks.
July 3 Recieve call from Dr. office asking me if I wanted to come in on Thursday the 6th of July for surgery. "I said of course"  thinking that this would be the final doctor visit before they could schedule surgery.  After talking to the surgery coordinator I actually learn that no this is actually for the surgery. Wow..... when the wonderful people on this board said it moves fast once approve wasn't joking.
Nov 5  Okay its been a while since I have updated.  Amy got on to me and said I needed to update.   I have lost about 62 pounds since my surgery.  Tuesday will be 4 months.  The only problem I am experiencing (if you want to say its a problem is I do not get hungry).  I try and make myself eat 3-4 oz every couple of hours. 

Jan2007  Been walking everyday this year so far.  Also started keeping a food/fluid journal.  I also went today and joined a gym.  They have all the equipment and a personal trainer plus my son can go and they will work with him.  I am still at a stand still with the weight loss still almost 200 pounds.   I'm hoping by joining the gym and walking every day the rest of my weight will come off.   When I started this journey 6 months ago I never dreamed I would enjoy exercising.  

May 2007  Wow!  If someone had told me last year that I would be wearing a size 10-12 I would have said, "maybe in your dreams."  I still weigh alot more than I want to, but tryinf not to let the scales upset me or discourage me.  I can't think all the wonderful friends I have found with OH.  There are so many that are there to pick you up when you fall or your just feeling down..... Thanks to all my friends that give me a kick in the butt every now and then.

June 07 

It has been 11 months since I had my surgery.  I am finally begining to see a smaller person.  It's still hard to buy clothes in the regular size department.  I still find myself wondering into the plus size department.  I go through stages to where I am able to get my protein in and some days I don't get much in at all.  

June 16
Went shopping with best friend Judy.  I tried on a size 12 pants and they were too big!  It is so much fun shopping with a wls friend.  Thanks Judy!

OCT 07
What week this has been.... Last week I had been having headaces and stiff back so I finally went to the ER.  They did all kinds of test and admitted me to the isolation unit for a few days.  They said I had menningitis and paroable MRSA.  Not much fun but at least I was able to jump start my lossing back.


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