Paula Macomber
Lady Luck was shining on me on November 1, 2005. Dr. Regan's office
had a last-minute cancellation, and I was able to meet with Dr. Regan for
my consultation. Sue and Mauri took good care of me on that day -- I
didn't feel like I was another fat person coming in the door. After
talking with the dietician, I left there with such a positive outlook
about the whole process. I knew I had chosen the right bariatric center
for my surgery.
On 11/10, I had the upper endoscopy and it went very well. On Friday,
11/18, I visited with the psychiatrist. Dr. Russo was very easy to
talk with and the time went very quickly. Yesterday, I visited with the
psychiatrist. After we talked, she told me she would recommend me to
have the surgery. One small step closer. I try not to get so excited
about the possibility of having the surgery -- I'm afraid I will wake up
and it will all have been a dream. I hope to receive my insurance
approval by 12/1.
Today, 11/23, I talked with Dawn in Dr. Regan's office. She told me
they had received my testing results and would call my primary and get
the results of an MRI and x-rays I had on my knee last week. The films
show that I have a good amount of arthritis in my left knee and there is
no cartilage left -- bone on bone. To top it off, I have a cyst there
that is fluid-filled. Much pain, little range of motion. One more
item to add to the reasons why I want to have the surgery. Dawn will
check with Sue to see if they need anything else from me before preparing
the submission to Blue Cross. One small step closer. I try to curb my
excitement at the possibility of having the surgery, but it's tough.
It's Wednesday, November 30th and Carol in Dr. Regan's office told me
she had faxed my submission to BCBS yesterday. I am so excited that I
have taken another step towards a healthier me. Now we wait.
Praise God!!! One week ago, Dr. Regan's office submitted my request to
BCBS. Today I received the authorization. Pinch me!!
12/7/05 -- it's official. I have a date. February 20, 2006, if not a
few weeks earlier. I am delighted. What a wonderful early Christmas
present.
Sue from Dr. Regan's office called me on Monday, December 19th and we
moved my surgery up to January 2nd. Happy New Year to me!!! There are
a gazillion things running through my head. My pre-surgery class is
this Friday. OMG. My head is spinning!
Yesterday (12/23), my husband and I went to Dr. Regan's office and
Mauri spent over an hour going over the before and after trip to the OR.
Sue took my photo and we did a weigh-in. I then went to my primary dr.
and had my pre-op physical. While I was there, I began talking with
the lab tech who was taking my blood. She had the same surgery 10 months
ago with Dr. Regan. She has lost about 150 pounds. She looks
fabulous. I must have asked her 20 questions -- about everything I could think
of. There is just so much to learn. 10 more days.
4 days away from my surgery. Last night, I got a call from Mary (the
mentor who Dr. Regan's office paired me with). We had a wonderful
conversation and I tossed her every question I could think of. Since she is
a graduate of the same bariatric program I am attending, she was able
to provide me with so many little bits of info that I might not have
otherwise received. What a wonderful gift.
Tomorrow is my day. So much to do today.
Wow, it is so nice to be able to change it to "post op" for my status.
This is still a bit surreal to me, but I'm 3 days out and going in the
right direction. What an experience I have had this week. Yesterday I
kept thinking, OMG, what have I done! Why didn't I try to lose with all
the other dieters this new year. After I made it through yesterday and
slept in my own bed, I feel better. I'm sipping my protein shake as I
write this, but i think the tummy has maxed out. So hard to believe
that such a small amount of anything could make me feel full. Don't know
how I have done weight wise as I haven't crawled on the scale. Will
save that for another day. I do know that I made the right decision to
have the surgery.
Week 1 -- 1/9/06. It's so hard to believe that the first week has come
and gone. I'm still very sore, but the eating has not been a problem
-- let's hope that continues. I never thought there would be a day in
my life when I wasn't hungry. I'm really glad to have this time at home
when I can experiment with my meal combos. This morning I had oatmeal
and applesauce and I think that one is a winner. Tomorrow, I'll have a
scrambled egg with applesauce -- that one also works for now. Mac has
been so good to prepare dinners -- tonight we are having fish, mashed
potatoes and carrots. I'm having trouble getting 3 meals in while I'm
home. I have my shake when I get up and then have breakfast around 9:30
- 10:00. I wait until around 2 for lunch and today I actually forgot!
Dinner will be welcomed. I'm so anxious to be 3 weeks out so that I
can hear what Dr. Regan has to say.
Week 2 - 1/16/06.
Week 3 - 1/23/06. Went to my first support group meeting. It is a
nice large group and Sue did a great job keeping everyone zoned in.
I went for my check-up with Dr. Regan on Tuesday, January 24th. Down
25 pounds. Dr. Regan said I was doing well and the dietician added new
foods. Don't have to go back now until July unless there is a problem.
Of course, they are always there to answer questions.
1/29/06. It's so hard to believe that tomorrow will be 4 weeks out for
me. This month has absolutely flown by. The pain at my large incision
disappeared a couple of days ago and I certainly was relieved for that
to go. However, I have had a cold or bronchitis all week and it's been
very difficult to get my milk in. I hope that tomorrow will be better.
Tried rotisserie chicken today. Wonderful. That's a keeper, for now
at least. Feeling wonderful.
3/13/06. It's been forever since I updated but I can't believe how the
time has flown. I'm 10 weeks out today and as of this morning weigh
198. I could not be more pleased with my surgery or my results. This is
definitely hard work and I will need to stay at it for many months to
come but I'm ready for the challenge. I'm so greatful to Blue Cross
Blue Shield for covering my surgery.
6/26/06. It is so hard to believe that I'm almost 6 months out from my
surgery. What an unbelievable 6 months. This morning, I weighed 163
pounds. I have gone from a 2X to a size 12. If I never lose another
pound, I would be satisifed to forever be a 12. However, I want to keep
going and see where I can go with my weight loss. I had a total knee
replacement on June 6th and hopefully will be able to begin exercising
very soon. Weight loss is great but you need the exercising to complete
the process. Life is good.
3/27/07. It has been way too long since I have updated my profile. But, life is soooo good that I forget. I never dreamed that I could feel so good physically and am so thankful that I had my gastric bypass. Yesterday, I walked about 1.5 miles and felt wonderful doing it. This morning, I weighed 138 -- such an improvement from 259.
4/10/07. My before and after photos appeared on the website yesterday. How exciting! Before I had my surgery, I would spend a lot of time looking at the before and after photos and found so much encouragement in them. I never dreamed that one day my photo would be there. I am so pleased with my progress; I now am wearing a size 6-8, quite a change from the 2x-3x that I started with. However, each day is a new fight and I will give it my best.
