PkSteph

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Feb 01, 2012

It took me weeks of calling and faxing and freating, but, I finally have all 5 years of records.  My insurance cordinator e-mailed me last night.  She said she thinks she has all of them in her office.  She was looking them over.  I'm kinda on pins and needles. 

I have NO IDEA what these records are going to say.  Did I gain enough in 2008 after my try with WW?  What about 2009?  It's odd that I have to worry about not gaining enough.  Isn't that just backwards?   Are we not supposed to show we have TRIED and FAILED to lose weight over the years?  Ugh.. I'm just worried I'll be punished for trying too hard.  Guess it all depends on who looks at my files. Uh hum... can't do anything about it, but, wait.

Jan 28, 2012

A couple of weeks ago I called UHC asking for old records of visits from 2007 to 2009.  I wanted to see what providers I went to. I can't remember anything from 2009 and I wanted to see who I saw in 2007 and 2008.  

I opened my mailbox this afternoon to find 45 letters from UHC.  LMAO

Yeah, I got doctors alright... along with every perscription I filled in 3 years.



Edited to add:

Hey, I think I might have found something! It took me opening 40 envelopes, but, I saw a doctor 2/24/2009!  I DON'T remember this doctor's name.  lol  It's under my name, though! Time to fire up the printer for my release form!
 
I sure hope she was at the same office since then! Just wish it was later in the year!

Oh, another thing.  I think I'm going with the Nicholson Clinic.  Dr. Nick is a great doc and I've heard lots of great reviews. Also, Plano is A LOT easier to get to... all I have to do is fly down the Dallas North and George Bush Tollroads!  I would have a heck of a time going to Colleyville for appointments with Doc. Kim.  The highways are WAY too messed up over there!  

Jan 15, 2012

I've been worrying myself into a fit this past week. My consultation with Dr. Kim was only last Wednesday and I've been running around all over the place trying to track down my doctor's notes. haha

Note to self: from this time on make sure to keep one doctor while living here! Sheesh

OMG For a 5-year history I think I'll need to find at least 7 doctors because I am not exactly sure what doctor I saw when.   I have a feeling the year 2009 has no dates.  I thought I did, but, I the doctors I thought I might have seen say I didn't see them that year.  Great... All I remember is being extremely irritated at myself for failing Weight Watchers after hanging on and fighting for SO very LONG.  I didn't want to face my doctor at the time.  Maybe I didn't?  I DON'T have a clue. Ugh.

Who expects to have to remember this stuff years later?  I even went as far as to call UHC and ask them for a list of claims for a few years so I can have something other than memory to go by. The rep. said that would take two weeks.  (I think I'll drive myself crazy before then!)  

On a different and more sane note.... lol... I've had an epiphany.  Reading websites like ObesityHelp and going to a seminar,a consultation and speaking with another lady at the office after it (she was giving me lots of "tips" in the parking lot) I am very aware that WLS is not a "magic weight loss solution".  Yeah, I knew that already...It's a "tool".... BUT, then it came to me... I need to eat like I've already had the surgery done a long time ago (with modifications... normal size stomach).   I've decided that no matter what happens with my insurance approval (I won't be able to get it without insurance)  I WILL change my eating habits to reflect a more post-surgery type diet NOW... not a weight loss "diet" but the general term diet..  

I quit sodas with caffeine in them two weeks ago (It'll take longer to quit all soda). I've started to write down everything I eat with a running calorie count total.  I'm trying my best to get enough water, eat protein first, stop snacking and not to drink with meals.  I'm reading as much as I can on how people KEEP weight off - whether by WLS or the 5% who diet their weight off.  

There is A LOT of stuff to read and absorb.  My biggest problem with WW was not the way of eating or tracking or whatever. Heck that became second nature after a year.   A very LONG stall derailed me.  I believe I hit a set point at 189 lbs..  Instead of getting pissed at myself I should have kept on going.  I need to learn this as I believe this is the KEY for me to KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF no matter how I do it.  I bet if I had kept on eating right I would have eventually RESET this set point.  It might have taken a while, though.  Surgery patients DO have stalls (I never really thought of that until I started reading forums).  This will help me in the future.  
 

Jan 03, 2012

One thing I love about my doctors office is that I can get an appoinment with them the same day if I call in the morning.  That's what I did today.  The bad thing is it's a "clinic"... so, I don't know which doc I'm going to get.  I haven't figured out their schedule.

I printed out the one of the surgeons I'm consulting with list of things I need for insurance.  I also wrote out a letter of Medical Necessity (with the doctor's name blank lol).  I'm hoping the doc will like it and will use it.  Save them time!  I don't know why I am in a hurry. 

I just want to get all this paperwork hunting overwith.  Finding all 5 years of doctor's notes is going to be fun fun fun.  I have been to SEVERAL doctors in that time because of moving and/or being dissatified.   I even went to carenow and am asking them to send me my records/notes.  I know they weighed me when I went there.  


EDIT:

Well, I just came back.  The doctor said she'd write the letter for me with all the information needed.  She was going to do it for me while I sat there, but, her computer locked up on her (of course! ).   While I was there I got medication for the blood pressure and the irritating rash I have on my upper thigh/lower stomach area (It just won't go away! ugh).  She said both of those are good to document if you want surgery.

Jan 02, 2012

Jan 01, 2012

Dec 30, 2011

Well, I had my "treatment portion" of my sleep study last night.  I just got home an hour ago and, OMG , am tired right now.  With all the glued in probes, waist strap and chest strap along with the CPAP mask I have a VERY hard time getting to sleep.  I think I could handle the mask and having air blown in my nose.  What was really annoying was the chest strap.  The tech had to put it on so tight it dug into my armpits. It felt like going to sleep with a very tight bra that had crept up past my boobs and decided to rest on my breast bone. lol  I'm not quite sure why it bothered me so much.  My original test went without a hitch.  Maybe it was the combination of wires, straps and foreign thing on my face?    I kept on getting an itch on the tip of my nose that I couldn't scratch. That didn't help either.

Hopefully, the tech was right.  He told me when the test was over that I had gotten enough rest to show the CPAP treatment will help me. (He, also, said it was common for people to struggle with all that's going on and that's attached to them if it's their first time with all of it.)  I guess when I finally did get to sleep I slept well.  I'm so glad to hear that!  

Now I have to wait 23 days for my consultation with a sleep doc..  How strange that it takes so long to actually get treatment at home! 

Oh, that reminds me.  I have to remember to tell my surgeon that I had been DX'ed with Sleep Apnea and use a CPAP.  I guess they'll have me on it during surgery. 

Listen to me.  I don't even have a surgeon yet.  My consultation isn't for a few weeks and I'm talking like I'm positive I'm having the surgery.  Gotta stay positive!    My first sleep test was the reason I am starting this process in the first place!  When I got the results back saying I have moderate sleep apnea - and, like my family always tells me, I snore like a train going off the tracks and crashing into another train - I took a month looking over the different WLS's before I gathered the courage to fill out the online forms at two surgeons.  I see both of them in the same week on Jan. 9th and 11. I would have loved to have done this sooner, but, it's probably a really busy time for them. lol New Year Resolutions and all.  All I know is that I AM READY! 

Dec 29, 2011

So, here I am again.  Sitting at the computer past midnight.  I was looking at before and after pictures when it popped into my head. "If I get WLS in the next few months I'll look pretty damned good by Halloween!"  LOL   I must be getting slaphappy. Maybe it's time to turn this computer off and go to bed. You think? 

Halloween is one of my favorite days. I love watching the kids run around the neighbor in all sorts of strange outfits.  I love decking my house with ghosts, lights and creapy displays that jump out at you. haha!

Other than the sleep apnea, blood pressure and other health issues, not being able to find cute clothing that looks good on me is really annoying to me at my current size.  I really do hope by Halloween 2012 I can fit into a cute costume (pirate wench maybe? ha!) and walk down the street with my daughter or hand out candy at my door. 

I guess I really am looking foward to the little things in life!

Dec 28, 2011