fudgefree
I'm posting my story in the middle of my journey. So first I'm will try to recap my history.
My battle of the Buldge so to speak has been as far back as I can remember.
I've engaged in just about every tatic to "solve" my problem.
I've been watching the WLS medical industry for near 3 decades.
I've used a variety of excuses to avoid, deny & resist what I've come to realize is now my best hope for Life.
I don't mean just surviving, but really living.
As I've recently categoried this to my co-worker...It's like I'm getting a chance to push "reset" button.
I've been watching many people I know over the years undergo WLS and how wonderful it's been for them.
I finally took the plunge & requested to be referred for WLS consultation when I couldn't over 5 months get MRI of my Breast, because I didn't fit the machine to breathe while performing the diagnostic.
Then it hit me, if I had cancer, they'd be unable to detect it until it was too far gone like my Mom who died @ age 53 (I'm age 47 and while not as obese as she was, I'm still medically considered morbid obese).
Then I got it...the approval of the consultation. Me, still in denial/resisted and waited before going to the orientation. Finally, I did it...at the end of August I went. Ok, so now I'm back to freaked out. But still aware this is my last best chance to "reset" my life. Yet, I still sabatoged myself by waiting until the holiday season before starting the required medical tests...wow so many. I was very lucky that all the labs were able to get it done by the required deadline. Whew, I'm set now I figure. All that's left now is the f/u appt and I'm home free.
Still, I dragged my feet & just started to do my food log just before end of Year 2008...Exactly 14 days before my F/u appt....Ok now we're caught up here's the chronological events that followed:
The endoscopy identified condition that required Rx priolosec in Nov 2008 to take.
My message board posting Jan 12th shares my thoughts @ how office/coordination could issue penicillin like Rx item that they're aware I'm allergic too...it was missing instructions to Pharmacist..and to rely on the store to ask is a back stop that failed since no consult was done by store. Good thing my Spouse noticed before I started consuming that Rx.
This Rx was required to get rid of the "H plori" bacteria in my stomache. Bacteria I thought? Then the nurse explained it to me. Then I did some research...imagaine a bacteria that's linked to peptic ulcers.
No wonder I was having gastic troubles.
1-13-2009 Update:
Well my revised Rx has been resolved. The new antibiotic cocktail is for only 14 weeks but it's really nasty feeling...so nausea & metalic like tasting. It's been hard just eating enough to meet my min protein requirement.
But now, my nurse coordinator has told me Dr. Ali has made it clear he'll entertain doing the WLS only if I start taking an antidepressant Rx as per the UCD psyche review had suggested. Now I have to go to PTP for Rx or see whom ever does that. Also, I was told to show I can follow the food regime...my food logs done just 14 days prior to the 1-09-2009 meeting failed to show my committment. I was having my last hurrah despite their warnings to stop that.
Now I have to wait 8 weeks before surgery...
1-16-2009 My PTP Rx for psyche =Wellbutrin...and I'm taking the antibiotics to irradicate the the "H plori bacteria" in my stomache that was also detected from review by Dr. Ali/Fuller in the 1-15-2009 case review of my file.
1-30-2009 Can't take the Wellbutrin anymore...crapy RX...felt like I was given 'speed'...couldn't sleep, was sluring my speech & felt like my heart was racy
The antibiotics are so yucky that the constant naseau helps me from overeating...it's a struggle just to get down the minimum protein & calories. The antibiotic treatment goes for 2 weeks so I should be done by 1-27-2009.
2-04-2009...I've started Lexapro...
Can't excape the positive value of that Rx I've been experiencing. Even my family has commented about my improved mood.
2-10-2009...I was so suprised. My nurse coordinator called to check in with me @ my status...that is whether I was taking an Rx as Dr. Ali required. I confirmed I was fortunate my PTP immediately met with me & prescribed Rx...but that the first Rx (wellbutrin - see above blog) wasn't acceptable ...I told her about it. Then I confirmed I met with my PTP again, and this time I was given Rx for Lexapro.
Then I told my UCD Coordinator how grateful I was that Dr. Ali insisted I take an antidepressant....My anxiety & anger is so much less volitile (don't want to strangle my insulant/insubortant Teenager any more ..LOL)
It's been amazing. Now it's not that I don't have feelings anymore. It's just that the feelings don't control my actions. Better said, I can maintain my composure & control when I'm feeling something (anger, sadness, anxiety, etc.). I even intervene now & stop the fighting between my Spouse & the Kids when they get into it. In fact, I feel uncomfortable when others are "getting out of hand" and can faciliate/arbitrate solutions rather than feed the fight. WOW...it's so awesome.
Then our discussion turned, not to just how I'm doing, but my nurse asked whether I could proceed with scheduling the WLS in March. MARCH I said, I thought I had to wait 8 solid weeks on the Rx. I guess I mis-understood. She explained, no that I just had to be on any antidepressant medication & that that the first Rx would start the 8 week Clock so to speak.
Another WOW moment...I'm actually this close...she gave me two possible dates 3/12 or 3/17.
For a split second I got nervous...I was finally prepared for an April date (8 weeks from Lexapro) and had given up on Feb & March. And now I'm offered March...Then I foolish question came out of my mouth..isn't there something in April I asked. Can you believe it?
Fortunately, she said no...that it was March or May and that April was fully booked for now. Thank goodness...I snapped back into reality & remembered the sooner the better...so I confirmed 3-12-2009. WOW
My Pre-op is 3/04/2009...I wonder if I finnaly meet Dr. Ali.
3-04-2009 Pre-Op was long...5.5 hours...
had another EKG and more blood tests.
Met with nurse & saw the video
STILL haven't met Dr. Ali and now that UC Davis confirmed my procedure will be done by Dr. Fuller,
I guess it doesn't matter.
I met Dr. Fuller @ the orientation / initial consultation and he's good too from all the research I've done/testimonials I've read.
3-10-2009 starting my "clear liquids only" diet for today & tomorrow 3-11-2009.
Also on 3-11-2009 I have the bowel prep drink/jug plus antibiotic Rx then wait for call to confirm the time I'm scheduled to have the WLS RNY procedure done on 3-12-2009
