pinkshrimp
Nutritionist, Sleep Apnea and Psych EVal
Dec 08, 2008
I called Sleep Center of Hawaii and also set up an appt for Jan 2nd to get the sleep apnea testing done. She told me I needed to have Dr. Cirangle send in a form to them but she would call the office to have that done. I'll call to confirm she did that sometime next week. I also didn't get any information about my appt like the time I had to come in or any preporations. It's still several weeks away so I'll confirm as time gets closer.
I think once all of that is done, all I have to do is my labs in early january. They need it done about 2 weeks prior to surgery.
On another note, I told my sister in law about my plans on having WLS. I thought she was going to give me grief about it but instead she was happy for me and envious. She wished she could do it herself. (She's a lightweight) So, with that out of the way since she'll tell my brother, I don't have to worry about that. She was really supportive and was interested in the whole process. It was good talking about it.
With that, I'll update on how my phone consult goes with the nutritionist. I do have a bit of questions like what I need to get for post op as far as protein and vitamins.
Surgeon Consultation
Dec 06, 2008
Oddly enough, I was nervous today to see Dr. Cirangle even
though I've seen him twice in the support groups. I guess doing it on a one on one basis makes me feel like "wow, this is really going to happen"
He was really easy to talk to. He started off by asking me if I had any questions and if I had decided on which surgery I wanted. I told him I wanted the RNY and he thought that was a good choice for me. He then explained in detail what the surgery entails and how they would be rerouting my insides and how my new tummy would work. I asked about complications I can possibly expect and how to avoid them also. I did like that he didn't sugar coat anything. Was very up front and answered my concerns. He then asked when I would like to have it done and when I said January, he said that could work. As long as we submit to HMSA right away. He said we will have no problem getting approval as I meet all the criteria.
I did ask about pre-op dieting and although he doesn't "require" it, he does recommend it. It can only help me during the surgery to shrink my liver and not have it so fatty. He suggested I lose 10-15 pounds. I think that is very doable. If it's going to help the surgery and also make for a quicker recovery, then I'm all for it.
He then wrote out the prescriptions for the pre-op testing. Upper GI(done) EKG(done) pap(done). I do have to still do bloodwork and a sleep apnea test which he said needs to be done 2 weeks within my surgery date. Then make an appt with the nutritionist and psychiatrist. I'll call monday to set those up.
Because I'm trying to rush and get everything done by January, I do feel like I'm a bit scatter brained. Everything seems to be depending on insurance approval and my insurance just being changed over in Jan. I can't do any more testing until then and I'm hoping scheduling won't get delayed. I'm cutting things close. I just need to have it done in Jan or I'll have to wait til mid year next year when my job slows down. I really don't want to wait that long. I'm so impatient when it comes to things I want.
I think that's it for now, until Monday when I call to set up appt's with the Nut and Psych. 
Registration
Dec 01, 2008
December 1, 2008
Got an email from the Dr's office to fill in the registration form which asked alot of questions about my health. There's a section in there that ask's about your prior diet history. I went digging in my files and found my weight watcher logs and LA Weightloss journal's. Wow, I must say, I spent alot of money on these diets and didn't do very well on any of them. I also found a journal I used to log what I eat, supplements, weight, and exercise. It was funny to go through it and see how my weight fluctuated between 200-280 lbs. I only wish I took better notes and was more consistant. I would log for a couple of months, then nothing, and the next post might be a year later. lol I'm going to try and keep this blog going so I have something to look back on.
I am so happy that this time, it's going to be for life. No more yo-yo dieting. I can't wait.
I weighed myself today and it was 314.8. 
My next appointment is with Dr. Cirangle on Saturday the 6th.
Documenting the Process
Nov 29, 2008
I have been thinking about WLS for several years but it was an advertisement on the radio that had me thinking seriously. It was for the Castle Medical Center. In July of 2008 I went to Dr. Fowler's seminar to find out more about the Lap Band. If not for my insurance being through Kaiser, I would have been on board and doind everything possible to get the Lap Band done. But, because I had Kaiser, I couldn't proceed with Dr. Fowler. I then went to Kaiser to see if they provided WLS. To my surprise they did. No one there ever told me about it and every time I saw a doctor they kept trying to recommend me to the nutritionist. If this was the first step, I don't know but I always thought Kaiser considered WLS as not medically necessary and ony elective. Anyway, I called their Bariatric department and found out that they had a waiting list just to get in the program of 6-9 months! Then when you finally get in, you go through another 6-9 months of programs before even getting surgery. OMG! My Pcp said it was because they needed to weed out people who weren't serious about the procedure out. Whatever. When I decided to have this surgery, another year and a half wait is pretty hard. Regardless, I put myself on the waiting list.
While doing some research online, I came across this site. I was hooked. I read everything about all the different surgeries. That's when I decided I wanted the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. I found out about Dr. Cirangle and went to his seminar in October. I met alot of nice people there and realised, if I wanted my surgery covered, I needed to switch from Kaiser to HMSA. Then, at the seminar was told that HMSA has dicontinued covering the VSG unless your BMI is over 60 which mine is not.
So, I had to go back and see what surgery now will be best for me. I've now decided to go with the RNY. I'm a little skeptic about the malabsorption but I am diligent and I know I can keep up on the vitamins and lifestyle it's going to take to maximize the surgery.
I've decided to go with Dr. Cirangle and have done whatever pre-op testing I can with Kaiser before my insurance changes over to HMSA in January. I've done the Upper GI, Pap, EKG, and I'm getting a physical done in the next week. I have a consultation scheduled for this Sat Dec 6th with Dr. Cirangle and hopefully I can get my surgery date in early January as soon as I get an approval from insurance. According to the Dr's office, this is cutting things close but I'm going to stay hopeful that I can get my surgery by the latest Jan 19th. With my job, this would be the best time. Otherwise, it doesn't look like I can have it til May. I really don't want to wait that much longer.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things will work out in my favor.
Living my Life
Sep 01, 2008
I've noticed a trend in some of the video's once people have lost weight. Several people have mentioned about not waiting for WLS before "living your life". hmmmmmm Think about that.
I can only speak for myself, but, at this moment, I live my life the best I can and with the situation I have. It may not be the Life I want, but the life I have right now.
The life I want:
A loving husband and family.
To be an outgoing individual that wants to go out and have fun w/friends
To go out without being ashamed of what I look like
To go dancing and not be the one watching the purses sitting alone
To go hiking and do physical activities without losing my breath
To not embarrass my daughter by being the "fat" mom
I'm sure alot of people out there can relate to any of this. But for those who have lost the weight, now to be on the other side, baffles me how quickly they forget that these simple joys were once something they wanted too. To say, I should be doing these things now is sort of hypicritical. Your self body image and mentality changes when you start to lose weight. At this point, my mentality and physical state doesn't allow me to feel good about myself hence not letting me live my life the way I'd like it to be.
I know that all everyone wants is to be happy. Happy is relative and what you make of it. I am happy, I just want to be happier.
