Nov 2003 I am a mom of 15 yrs old twin boys and an RN in NICU. After trying to get in to see Dr. Magnuson since Nov 2003, I have an appointment August 2004. I have researched the gastric bypass surgery to the point I feel I could perform the surgery myself : ) I am trying to get my body in shape for surgery-vitamins-exercise. I am 43 yrs old, weigh 326 (5'"6) and now have diabetes and hypertension due to excess weight. I am tired of asking for an extra seatbelt extension on airplanes. I am tired of shopping in the less that attractive plus size department. I am sick of trying to sit in those tiny movie seats. I am worn out at the end of a work day. I want to recapture my health before time is up. My husband is apprehensive about me have the surgery because of the mortality risk. I told him I have a greater risk of stroke or heart attack. My quality of life is good but I want more...
AUGUST 2004
Aug 18,2004 - Saw Dr. Magnuson for the 1st time. I have made the right choice. He seemed very patient friendly and relaxed. I now have to see the nutritionist and the psychologist.
Sept 14, 2004 - Saw Ashi the nutritionist at Bayview. I found her a great resource of information. I have also seen a Dr. John Driscoll (psychologist) for presurgical evaluation. It only took 45 minutes and I was done! Very nice and he had other gastric bypass patients. Now I have to wait for insurance approval. I have put some of my big cloths in a consignment store- I will build a piggy (no pun intended) bank for my new cloths...Getting excited!!!!
12/30/04- I have now been turned down twice by insurance due to the lack of paperwork. After much digging thru many people at the surgeon's office(3 secretaries in 3 months:sounds like Murphy Brown) and the insurance companies disorganization, I have found that only I can fax things in and they are received. I am again waiting but now in touch directly with a nice lady at the insurance medical review. I think the buck stops with her. The diabetes is out of control with sugars in the 200s and the high blood presures. I have lost 14 pounds on my own but that is a drop in the bucket. I have been saving birthday and Christmas money for a new wardrobe. I will continue to remain optimistic. Also had a colonscopy that I now have to have surgery on Jan 13 2005 for a reoccuring polyp. I am faithful that God will get me thru. How come things you really want,have a way of being so difficult to achieve. Is it to make them even more sweeter when you get them?
01-13-05- Just heard I was approved and waiting for a date. This approval business is long and drawn out. Started in September. My insurance is Alliance and it took 2 letters from my primary care doctor to get final approval. With diabetes and hypertension as co-morbities it should have been a no brainer... I just kept bugging them...
January 18,2005 I finally have a date of Febuary 24,2005. It has been a long drawn out process. I am a patient person by nature but I have been pushed to the edge more than once. The best advice to anyone starting this process is keep notes of whom and when you talked to folks at the insurance company and the surgeon's office. Call and bug them every couple of days if they have not followed up on needed things. I have to see the anesthesia doc and have preop lab and ekg done. I am saving my pennies still for my new wardrobe. Thank you God...<
January 29,2005- I can not seem to eat enough sugar right now...I am nervous about the surgery. I will miss sweets and that is hard to face. I am gathering from others that the trade off is so worth it. Got a letter from the surgeon's office that I will be out 6 weeks. Yikes! I thought at the most would be 4. I am getting really excited about the prospects of buying normal size clothes. I ordered a ruby red jacket in large from Chico's. It came and I can't even get it on. Friends and family have donated some really pretty things for my new wardrobe. I wear a 22/24 top and 28 pant. This is a weird thing to comprehend that I will not be this big forever. And I feel guilty it takes surgery to return to normal. Am I that undisciplined that I have to have but stomach cut on to be healthy? I guess I am feeling the "poor me's"... I will be glad when this is all over.
Febuary19,2005 - My surgery is now 3 days away...I found out my employer will not pay for any preconsult or post-op care. I was going to appeal it but was told that the decision is to not redo the insurance contracts anytime soon. I really am disappointed in them especially the fact it is a hospital. I guess gastric bypass does not qualify as a serious surgery... I have packed my suitcase for Tuesday morning surgery. I appreciate all the advice from OH and my gastric bypass buddies. Judy, Alecia and Donna. I picked there brains and learned alot. Thank you. I just had my last Corina Light and it is hard to believe life as I know it is going to change. Mom and Dad are coming from NC on Monday.(day before the surgery). They said they would stay about 2 weeks or when they think I can handle the house and kids. Heck-stay forever!!! My parents are the kind of people that come on in and do what needs to be done-cleaning,cooking,taxi driving. My husband is sweet and took me out to my favorite eatery-Olive Garden. I am eating like I am going to the chair! Monday, I will do my before measurements. Well enough for now...
Feb 21,2005-Just worked night shift and the nurses gave me a huge pig out party. I was sad when I left b/c it would be awhile til I see them again. I am afraid but I know I will have to do this. I will be very relieved one week from now...
Febuary 26(Sat), 2005 I had my surgery on Tues the 22nd at Johns Hopkins Bayview. I stayed in ICU for 24 hours post op. I was gotten up in a chair that next morning and wanted to vomit with any movement. My pain was a 9/10. I stayed in the chair till they pulled my foley cather out at 1100 am. I had to then get up to the bathroom. I found out later that for almost 48 hours I had been given Dilaudid 0.1 mg instead of the normal 1-2mg.. Now I know why I felt so sick with any movement. My incision is about 5 1/2 inches long and had 2 Jackson Pratt drains hanging out of me. I had problems passing rectal gas. In fact,it took 4 days to pass. This only happened after a Ducolax suppository. I walked the halls all the time and tried to be a good patient. The nurses and techs were lovely. I was concerned that many of them did not wipe off my IV ports with alcohol prior to hooking me up with meds. I even told one of them that they should do this. This lack of cleaning can kill a patient. It is called Septis. I am home now and my parents and husband are bending over backwards to help me. I am taking 60 cc every hour of high protein drinks and mashed eggs. I started my period 10 days earlier but the doctors said that is normal. I am on Tylox for pain. Only one is needed. I had a support group buddy in the hospital. Theresa was in 36 and we walked together and really leaned on each other for support. Also another support group buddy (post-op) came to visit me. Judy you are so sweet and it brightend my day. Thank you God for seeing me thru this one...
. Post Op day-5. I am a little more tired today but probably b/c I am not resting as much. My family is here visiting and I want to go downstairs so I don't miss out on anything! : ) I weigh 278.5 that is down from 295 five days ago. I am having problems with missing a ham and swiss cheese sandwich,chips and a diet coke. I saw(no watched) my family eat these today...I sat there with baby food lasagna and cottage cheese. I hurt when I laugh or cough. I had my binder off and thought I would die coughing. Taking Tylenol during the day and one Tylox at night. I still sleep in the recliner. I scheduled my staple removal March 10. I hope to run with Judy to March 8 support meeeting.
March 4,2005-10 days post-op-- Feeling alot stronger and more energy. I took Tylenol x1 yesterday and tolerated this well. My staple line is red where the staples enter. The two drain holes are looking good. I miss my bathtub... I am still struggling with the candy thing. I made sugar free/fat free pudding yesterday and ate the whole thing. I really have difficulties with the lack of sweets...Mom and Dad are here and leave this Sunday. They have been great with helping around the house. My husband is busy with work and the finishing of the basement. I am picking up more household chores now that I am feeling better. Today we are going to the Columbia Mall and hopefully walk and stretch out abit.
March 15,2005(3 weeks post-op)I lived thru staple removal last week. I wish I had taken a Tylox prior b/c of the tearing sensation. My surgeon was too booked to do it and I requested his NNP. Pat is wonderful and very gentle. She assured me that things looked great. I asked about when can I get in my bathtub and she said at week 3. Tonight I had my bath(jet tub) and I am one happy camper... I have lost 20 pounds now. 285/265. I saw my internal medicine doctor today and she is decreasing my hypertension med. I am burping alot and I guess that is part of the fun. I am to be on puree another week. I have found oddly enough that cold liquids (water,ice tea) cause my pouch to spasm (painful). I drink alot of hot decaff tea and I do fine with a 1/2 banana,1 cup nonnfat milk, ice and butter rum flavor milkshake. I have alot of cottage cheese flavored with SF apricot jam. The weather here in Maryland is crummy right now with the highs in the 40s but I know blue skies and warm breezes are right around the corner. YIPPEE!!!!
Future Update
March 22,2005- 4 weeks post-op and 24 pounds down. 285/261. I am feeling pretty good but blown away on how much the surgical bills are after insurance. It will be about $1600. To remove the gallbladder during the rny-open is $2200. How hard can it be if your in there all ready! Seriously, I wish we had better insurance at my job. I miss when we had BC/BS. They were great. On the brighter side, I put a pair of jeans on that I have had for 10 years and could not get my fat bum in. It is weird to lose 1 pound overnight. I decide to pray a thank you prayer everytime I weigh and I lose. I am not overly religious but this is clearly a blessing and I am thankful. Mike and the boys are still being good about not letting me lift heavy items. I did wash the dog this am but she is only 5 pounds. : ) We are going away to Mass. for Easter. Mike's folks live there.
April 7, 2005-6 weeks post-op. I am down 38 pounds and feeling good. I finally had my period after 6 weeks. I have always been regular as clockwork. Glad it came. April 5th I had to see Pat the NNP in Dr. Magnuson's office. My incision had an abscess that erupted and was still draining. I needed to find out if I could go back to work. She passed me and I ran over to CMNC to get clearance from employee health. I passed! I went up to my unit and saw my buddies. It is a difficult job but I do love alot of the nurses I work with. I am apprehensive about tonight since I have not stayed up all night in a long time. 12 hour shifts are hard and I hope I can get thru it. My friend,Pam is driving and will be a great back up for me if things get rough.
May 2,2005- 9 weeks- How exciting to be able to say I am down 50 pounds. I went on vacation for 2 week and dragged my protein drinks with me. I have had 2 abcesses from my incision. I am still having drainage from those. : ( I have gone from a 3x to a 1x. My shopping days consist of Goodwill/Thrift shops. It is amazing what you can get for little money. I have a bag full of too big clothes in my closet. What a great problem! I still am having difficulty with drinking plain water. I have nausea and sometimes throw it up...Looking foreward to more good days ahead...
June 7,2005 - Now I am down 88 pounds and feel great. My energy is thru the roof. Eating is still a little tough especially with meats. I really make an effort to drink a protein drink a day. Working night shift is a challenge with the vitamins and food intake. My panties fell off my fanny while walking up the stairs at home. Glad I wasn't at a party! Incision is still draining a small amount but getting better. I will call to get in and see someone. June 22,2005- Walked downtown Annapolis this morning and really was albe to walk fast for 45 minutes. What a huge difference this surgery has made for me. I am down to 231 from 326 in under 4 months. I am transitioning my closet by removing 2/3x and adding XL.. I am so happy that I thank God for such a wonderful life experience. Mom and Dad came up and visited for a week. Dad looked like he was going to cry when he saw me. It had been 2 months and alot of weight had come off. July 25,2005- 5 months post op and down 102 pounds...Still, I am so amazed by the whole process. I feel great but having a little hair loss issue. Thank goodness I have a bush for hair...Looking foreward to getting in the teens of the 200's. Bought a bathing suit on sale and actually stood in the dressing room and just stared...I can not believe that was me and I did not look terrible. I still have a way to go but what a true miracle this is and I thank God. August 31,2005 6 months post-op and the weight is not coming off as fast....I am thrilled with the results(111) but have 60 more to go. I enjoy the Crofton support group I go to once a month. It really helps keep me motivated. We went on a cruise and I did not gain any weight. I was able to find things I could eat and still be happy. I do need to do more exericising for sure. Thank God for all the many blessings... October 18,2005 Almost 8 months out and 116 pounds gone forever. I am amazed how good I feel and how much more fun dressing is. My hair has become unbelievably curly. My leader at my support group said the same thing happened to her. I am striving to get the 60 grams/day protein. I like my shakes. I am grateful and feel very blessed. Need to get out there and walk... Febuary 1, 2006 - Joined Jazzercise today and glad I went. There was all sizes of people there so I did not feel out of place. I did discover that I am a bit out of shape. I now weigh 194 and fitting in a 16 skirt and jean. I am not as good about the carbs as I need to. I do get in 60 grams of protein a day. This excess skin on my abdomen is really a pain. It sort of swings when I exercised this morning. My arms look like loose chicken skin. I know it is bad looking but it is better than having it full of FAT!!! I ran into a friend last night that could hardly recognize me. It is so fun to just watch the reaction. I am really blessed. Thank you God... - July 26,2006 = Down 140 pounds and in a 14 jean- I am so happy and feeling healthy. I really go for the protein when eating and only ocassionally feel that gut pain when too full. I miss our Crofton meetings and will look for another support group b/c it really keeps me focused. I need to lose another 20 pounds or so. The loose skin in a nuisance but it beats being fat. Thank you God for this blessing. October 26,2006- Some time has elapsed since last checking in. I am in the 180 range and size 14 jean- I am still in awe that this has happend to me. i still think I am 326....I guess if you are big for so long it is hard to think otherwise...Tonight was the Crofton support group and we have a wonderful group. I can tell they are going to be long time buddies. Life here at the Nolet house is busy and the twins are shopping for a colleges for next fall. Mike and I are very busy with work. I am feeling great and look foreward to tomorrow....
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