amandamercedes22

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These were some crazy two weeks. First, I went to St. Thomas/Puerto Rico for my sister's wedding. It was amazing. It was also my birthday. Woohoo 23!

Monday I had both my primary physician's and my surgeon's pre-op appointments and they both went great. All I have left to do is go to get my type & cross done at the hospital and next thursday is surgery day!

I started my liquid diet this Thursday and all in all it hasnt been that bad. I started it while I was still in Puerto Rico so, it was a challenge to go out to restaurants with all this amazing Puerto Rican food and not be able to taste any of it... Well, if I could survive that, I can survive anything! 

I noticed that I feel like I need to chew something or eat when I am sitting in front of the computer or watching tv, a lot. I've used popsticle sticks to hold back those cravings and so far its working :) 

Yesterday was such a HUGE day for me. Let me start off by saying that everything has been happening SO fast, I can barely keep up! Really, I didn't think my WLS process was going to be so quick.

Ok, so back to yesterday. Yesterday, my surgeon's office called and we scheduled my surgery!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!

                             


May 5th, 2011

So, It took 2 weeks from my first appointment to get my surgery date.

Now, I have to go to so many appointments for the pre-op stuff. I am really worried that my job will have a problem with my days off from work. They haven't said anything to me personally but, I would hate it if they were just hiding their contempt.

Anyways, I am exhausted... so much going on and so much stress but, I am really excited and nervous... 29 more days! :)

I am so excited!!!! So, on Wednesday, my surgeon's office called to tell me that they are submitting my paperwork to my insurance company  on Thursday. On Friday, I called Anthem BCBS to make sure that they received my paperwork. (I am a very hands on person and like to be involved each step of the way) The very nice woman in the Bariatric Approval department, told me that my surgery was approved!!! It was less than 24 hours and I already got the approval. I swear, I almost cried... well, I did cry... but not a lot.

Now, I am just waiting to hear back from my surgeon's office.

At least now I can go on my vacation and can relax knowing that I already got the approval..

Today is just one of those days... I guess I should start with the positives. I received a call today from my Surgeon's office and they asked me what surgery I decided on having and told me that they would be submitting my paperwork for approval by the insurance company. Woot Woot! Step 1 - done!  

I decided that my first choice for surgery is going to be the Laproscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. My second choice is the Gastric Bypass. When I first started my journey of researching WLS, I was all about getting the LapBand. Now, I feel that for my weight and body, LSG is the best way to go. The complication rate is lower than all of the other methods but it is still not as extreme as the Gastric Bypass in terms of side effects.

Other than all of that, I have been feeling very stressed lately. There are so many things going on at once that I feel like my brain is going on overload. I am trying to get my WLS in order, I am going to Puerto Rico for a week and a half for my sister's wedding and my birthday in two weeks, I am moving to another city in the beginning of May, and I am beginning to plan for my "real wedding" for 2013. (I know, it's still early but it's on my mind...)  All of these things have been clouding my mind and I don't really have a second to just breathe. Can I just hide?

So, for the longest time I have been wanting WLS. I have never been able to proceed with it because I didn't have health insurance coverage or the funds to get it done. At my current job, I was finally able to get health insurance and it is covered! I have Anthem Blue Cross of CA. I had gone to two consultations previously and have researched WLS for about two years now.

On March 23rd, I had my first consultation with Dr. Philippe Quilici. He is by far, the best surgeon that I have researched and his office staff is great! When I first arrived, I met with the Nutritionist who did a presentation on WLS, the office, and the different options. This was done in a group. Then, I met with the patient liaison, who is a WLS patient/success story, she gave us all the information on how everything was going to proceed from that moment on and scheduled our Psychosocial Evaluations with the psychologists. I got lucky because there was an appointment that opened up that day and I was able to do both apts in one day!

I then got weighed and saw the surgeon briefly. He seems like a very busy man but the few moments that I did have with him I felt completely comfortable. I am excited that he will be my surgeon if all goes well.

My psych appointment was right across the street which was extremely convenient. I met with the psychologist and everything went so well! She said that she was going to recommend me for the surgery and that it takes about a week for her to send the report to the Surgeon's office.

All I have to do now is wait for the office to contact me and to also attend a mandatory support group meeting which I will be doing next Wednesday. My husband is coming with me for support and to also get a better understanding of what I will be going through and how he can help me.

I am really anxious and excited. I hope to God that everything turns out well.