jessicakk
HUGE UPDATE SINCE LAST POST :)
Feb 05, 2010
Hello Everyone!....
Okay, so a lot has happened since I last posted. A LOT !!!!!! Okay, well I went to meet with Dr. Robinson back in November and it went well. He and his staff were very very courteous and helpful. When I met with Dr. Robinson, I felt really confident that this would be a good path for me. He made me feel confident that it could be achieved with a little work on my end. Being that I have a prior history with a DVT blood clot, he said I would have to be seen by a cardiologist for a checkup. Make sure I am in no immediate risk to have any new blood clots arrive. I am comfortable with that. I have to go through the mandatory 6 months weight loss program that is set by my insurance carrier. So, I met with my dietician in December and started the WL groups that month. What a tough month to start the program! I had my upper gi scheduled and abdominal ultrasound set for the same day. Then during the entire month of December and part of January, I got bronchitis and a flu on top of it that just didnt seem to go away! I was in and out of the ER left and right... as well as doctors appointments. Ugh!
Finally, In the mid part of January I finally started feeling better. Here is the hard part of all this. I went in for the Abdominal Ultrasound and it seemed real easy, ya know... standard ..real routine procedure. Until, 3 radiologists came in after it was done and asked me to get back on the table. I was feeling fine until one of them asked me if I had been injured in my abdomen ever or if I had been stabbed. OMG... No. She asked if I had ever been in a major car accident, I have but it was over a decade ago. At this point I was a little nervous and confused. Dont get me wrong, they were completely nice and kind to me. You could tell they were trying not to alarm me, but at the same time they had to be forthright and honest with me. So, finally the lead radiologist explained to me that I had what was called a "Splenic Artery Aneurysm." I was told they would call Dr. Robinson immediately and to just stay calm and let him explain what the next step was. So, within 30 mins from leaving Radiology, my cell phone was ringing. It was Dr. Robinson. He was very kind. He explained I needed to see my PCP and I also had to make an appointment to see a Vascular Surgeon before I could continue on with the WLS. I asked him if this would disqualify me from surgery and he assured me that it didnt, but he said it needed to be addressed immediately. The spleen sits so close to the stomach and the working area in which the WLS took place. If the aneurysm were to break it could potentially be life threatening. So, I told him I would make the appropriate calls and I would go to the appointments so that I could have this addressed.
That afternoon, I was was seen by my PCP and then Dr. Gravereaux from vascular surgery spoke to my PCP and set up a CTA ( Cat Scan Angiography ) so that a better look could be taken at the Aneurysm. I did the test 5 days later and then met with Dr. Gravereaux on the following monday. My dad went with me and Im glad I didnt go alone.
When I met with him, he told me that it was in a position so close to the Spleen itself, that it couldnt be repaired. Attempting to repair it would possibly open the door for more problems in the future. So, he said that I needed to have a Splenectomy (100% removal of my spleen.) He is referring me to one of his collegues who will perform the surgery laproscopically. His name is Ali Tavakkolizadeh, he is also a weight loss surgeon, but he will be removing my spleen. I am going to meet with him in 2 days on Monday, Feb 8th. I am looking forward to getting this taken care of. So I can move on and keep going with my WLS process.
Now, I want to talk about my WLS mandatory meetings. I was sick the first couple of weeks in January, so I went to the group the last week in January. At my first weigh in I weighed 262 lbs, and when I went in to my second weigh in I gained ! I weighed in at 270...OMG I PANICKED ! I was very nervous about this because I would be having surgery this month and the recovery may hinder my weight loss. I spoke to my dietician who was so very understanding and very helpful. She assured me that losing this weight was important. I had to lose it, but it would still not disqualify me. So, between now and the end of february I am going to be eating better and working out. Even if Im not supposed to be working out. I dont care, this weight has to come off ! I do not want Dr. Robinson to see that I am not capable of doing this. I am !!!!
So I will keep everyone up to date on my Weight Loss and how the surgery with my spleen goes. Im sure that part will go fine.
**Jess**
0 comments
Okay, so a lot has happened since I last posted. A LOT !!!!!! Okay, well I went to meet with Dr. Robinson back in November and it went well. He and his staff were very very courteous and helpful. When I met with Dr. Robinson, I felt really confident that this would be a good path for me. He made me feel confident that it could be achieved with a little work on my end. Being that I have a prior history with a DVT blood clot, he said I would have to be seen by a cardiologist for a checkup. Make sure I am in no immediate risk to have any new blood clots arrive. I am comfortable with that. I have to go through the mandatory 6 months weight loss program that is set by my insurance carrier. So, I met with my dietician in December and started the WL groups that month. What a tough month to start the program! I had my upper gi scheduled and abdominal ultrasound set for the same day. Then during the entire month of December and part of January, I got bronchitis and a flu on top of it that just didnt seem to go away! I was in and out of the ER left and right... as well as doctors appointments. Ugh!
Finally, In the mid part of January I finally started feeling better. Here is the hard part of all this. I went in for the Abdominal Ultrasound and it seemed real easy, ya know... standard ..real routine procedure. Until, 3 radiologists came in after it was done and asked me to get back on the table. I was feeling fine until one of them asked me if I had been injured in my abdomen ever or if I had been stabbed. OMG... No. She asked if I had ever been in a major car accident, I have but it was over a decade ago. At this point I was a little nervous and confused. Dont get me wrong, they were completely nice and kind to me. You could tell they were trying not to alarm me, but at the same time they had to be forthright and honest with me. So, finally the lead radiologist explained to me that I had what was called a "Splenic Artery Aneurysm." I was told they would call Dr. Robinson immediately and to just stay calm and let him explain what the next step was. So, within 30 mins from leaving Radiology, my cell phone was ringing. It was Dr. Robinson. He was very kind. He explained I needed to see my PCP and I also had to make an appointment to see a Vascular Surgeon before I could continue on with the WLS. I asked him if this would disqualify me from surgery and he assured me that it didnt, but he said it needed to be addressed immediately. The spleen sits so close to the stomach and the working area in which the WLS took place. If the aneurysm were to break it could potentially be life threatening. So, I told him I would make the appropriate calls and I would go to the appointments so that I could have this addressed.
That afternoon, I was was seen by my PCP and then Dr. Gravereaux from vascular surgery spoke to my PCP and set up a CTA ( Cat Scan Angiography ) so that a better look could be taken at the Aneurysm. I did the test 5 days later and then met with Dr. Gravereaux on the following monday. My dad went with me and Im glad I didnt go alone.
When I met with him, he told me that it was in a position so close to the Spleen itself, that it couldnt be repaired. Attempting to repair it would possibly open the door for more problems in the future. So, he said that I needed to have a Splenectomy (100% removal of my spleen.) He is referring me to one of his collegues who will perform the surgery laproscopically. His name is Ali Tavakkolizadeh, he is also a weight loss surgeon, but he will be removing my spleen. I am going to meet with him in 2 days on Monday, Feb 8th. I am looking forward to getting this taken care of. So I can move on and keep going with my WLS process.
Now, I want to talk about my WLS mandatory meetings. I was sick the first couple of weeks in January, so I went to the group the last week in January. At my first weigh in I weighed 262 lbs, and when I went in to my second weigh in I gained ! I weighed in at 270...OMG I PANICKED ! I was very nervous about this because I would be having surgery this month and the recovery may hinder my weight loss. I spoke to my dietician who was so very understanding and very helpful. She assured me that losing this weight was important. I had to lose it, but it would still not disqualify me. So, between now and the end of february I am going to be eating better and working out. Even if Im not supposed to be working out. I dont care, this weight has to come off ! I do not want Dr. Robinson to see that I am not capable of doing this. I am !!!!
So I will keep everyone up to date on my Weight Loss and how the surgery with my spleen goes. Im sure that part will go fine.
**Jess**
COUNTDOWN TO CONSULT WITH SURGEON!!!!!! 7 DAYS !
Nov 10, 2009
IM GETTING ALL EXCITED NOW THINKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT I HAVE 7 DAYS BEFORE I HAVE THE APPOINTMENT WITH THE SURGEON !!! I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS AND IM GETTING EVERYTHING IN ORDER! THATS IT... AFTER THAT...IM ON MY WAY !
7 DAYS TO GO!
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7 DAYS TO GO!
My New Journey !
Oct 17, 2009
A new life, A new beginning. This is my goal. Im not going to "try".. no I am going to succeed! I want to be the best I can for my life. I used to be so healthy when I was in my teens into my early 20's. I was in the Air Force for 4 years and when I was in, I was in shape and very healthy. I miss my body from that period in my life. When I exited the military and became a civilian again, I didnt have the enforced structure and standards that were put on me to maintain a healthy happy body. What happened, I let my body get obese and sick. Now I am a borderline diabetic and suffering inside this body. I feel like a stranger in my skin. I do not want to be unhealthy and unhappy because of that. I want to live a long life and I need a little help. I have looked into the bariatric surgery for two years now. I am ready to embark on my journey.
So this is my journal of my path through this long process. I have already attended my first seminar. The introductory seminar for people who are considering this sugery. Now, before the seminar, I was considering the Lap Band procedure, but now that I have attended this informative educational seminar... well, lets just say Im not afraid anymore and I am going to do the Roux En-Y procedure laproscopically.
My first appointment with the surgeon is coming up on Nov 17th 2009 and I CANT WAIT !!!! I feel very fortunate that my insurance covers this procedure, now I just need to make sure they accept me for it. Im am feeling very positive that I will have no problems with the insurance end of this. I know how that can be the most stressful part of the journey for so many who suffer from obesity. Wondering whether or not they will be accepted from their insurance. Luckily there is so much support and most all hospitals that perform this surgery have departments that deal only with the financial support of bariatric surgery. That is what they are there for is to be the liason between you and the insurance company. Its not that hard, so for anyone reading this, please dont let the insurance part hold you back from persuing what could be a "life saving" procedure. Both physically and emotionally.... not to mention, socially.
2 comments
So this is my journal of my path through this long process. I have already attended my first seminar. The introductory seminar for people who are considering this sugery. Now, before the seminar, I was considering the Lap Band procedure, but now that I have attended this informative educational seminar... well, lets just say Im not afraid anymore and I am going to do the Roux En-Y procedure laproscopically.
My first appointment with the surgeon is coming up on Nov 17th 2009 and I CANT WAIT !!!! I feel very fortunate that my insurance covers this procedure, now I just need to make sure they accept me for it. Im am feeling very positive that I will have no problems with the insurance end of this. I know how that can be the most stressful part of the journey for so many who suffer from obesity. Wondering whether or not they will be accepted from their insurance. Luckily there is so much support and most all hospitals that perform this surgery have departments that deal only with the financial support of bariatric surgery. That is what they are there for is to be the liason between you and the insurance company. Its not that hard, so for anyone reading this, please dont let the insurance part hold you back from persuing what could be a "life saving" procedure. Both physically and emotionally.... not to mention, socially.
About Me
Salem, NH
Location
26.6
BMI
Surgery
09/16/2010
Surgery Date
Sep 23, 2009
Member Since
