Ms J.

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10-02-03 (BMI 51.2 AT 289 LBS)(no co-morbids)
Started this process with Kaiser back in October 2002. I had been sent to all the orientations and my primary care doctor was ready to submit for authorization for gastric bypass surgery when I was informed that Kaiser had changed the criteria and I would definitely need the written proof of 6 months of diet history. That they were not going to take the patients say so that I had failed over the last 10 years and that I needed physical proof.

This was a set back for me because I had mentally prepared myself with my doctor and family I thought that by the year 2003 I would be on the other side. After getting this blow I continued to pray signed up for Weight Watchers and went through the diet up and down hell. All this did was confirm that I had made the correct decision to have surgery. I continued to the research and waited for time to pass so my doctor could re submit my paperwork. I could not have made the sound decision to have the surgery if it weren't for the great people on ObesityHelp.com with there frankness about any and all information related to this journey. That is why I have decided to write about my experience.

9-4-03 (ALMOST A YEAR LATER)
Went to my primary care doctor for her to submit my request for gastric bypass surgery to the Kaiser Bariatric department who needs to give Pacific Bariatric authorization for surgery.

9-18-03
Went to Pacific Bariatrics required seminar in Riverside

9-25-03
Received a call from my primary care doctor that my paperwork had finally been submitted to Kaisers Bariatric department since all new labs had been received.

10-8-03
Received a call from Pacific Bariatric that my authorization from Kaiser had been received and I was approved. And they needed my paperwork from seminar and labs from my doctor. Can't really believe it since I haven’t heard a word from my Kaiser doctor or received anything in correspondence either.

10-15-03
Contacted Kaiser to let them know I had received a call from Pacific Bariatrics and they were waiting for my labs. My doctor didn’t have anything on my record. So I called Pacific Bariatric for my authorization number. Left the info with my doctor and I’ll wait a couple of weeks before I call my doctor about the status. I won’t get too excited until I hear from Kaiser again saying that I have authorization for surgery.

10-17-03
Received authorization for surgery in the mail from Kaiser. YIPPPEEEE!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR GRACE AND MERCY. KEEP ME SAFE IN THIS JOURNEY!!!

I will give my doctor and Pacific Bariatrics a couple of weeks to see what status my paperwork is in. I’m so excited.

10-18-03
Now that the dream is becoming a reality I finally went to the WLS mememorial page. I think this is a must when considering this surgery. Because even though the percentage is low I could still die when getting this surger. After reading the mememorial page it left me a bit shaky it has scared me.

10-19-03
Today is Sunday and I went to church. Feeling a bit better not as shaky and scared church helped me confirm that God has been with me all the way and will continue to be with me and that no day is promised regardless of surgery or not. He has made this possible.

Hallelujah!!! Anyhow!!

12-02-03
It’s been awhile since I’ve updated. I been jumping through the hoops of Kaiser and Pacific Bariatrics. For all labs, blood work, x-rays etc.. You guys know the drill the hospital says there waiting for them from Kaiser. Kaiser says them sent. I wait 2 weeks and call Kaiser. Then another 2 weeks and call Pacific Bariatrics.

Yeah!!!!!! Everyone has everything my file has been given to the Pacific Bariatrics patient coordinator. I should receive a call in 1-2 weeks for a consult with the hospital to schedule a date.

12-22-03
I received my call from Pacific Bariatrics on 12-18 and now I have a drs appointment scheduled today to get a copy of all my test and to make sure everything is in order.

1-15-04
I have my all consult with Pacific Bariatrics in San Diego with the psychiatrist, internist, and my surgical evaluation with Dr. Tanaka regarding my pre-op test. Finished up with Dr. Tanaka he says I am a candidate for LAP YYeeahhh!!!. But I need to lose 10 pounds YYeeahh!!! It could have been more since I am morbidly obese. Someone from the office will call me 3-7 weeks. AARRRGGGG!!!!

Got back from pre surgery consultation. It felt like just another appointment since I’ve had so many lately. And still no date. I requested LAP because I’m freakin out about being cut open from there to there in the hospital. Hoping that since I carry most of my weight up top with the twins Charlene and Darlene (boobs) and down below with my Turkey drumsticks (thighs) that it just might be possible. I’ve never been in the hospital, never had surgery, nothing, nada, zilch.

2-13-04
Still no call. I contact Pacific Bariatrics to see what up and one day I’m going to get a person instead of a answering machine. Although when they do call me back I get a person who is always very nice and pleasant. She took my information and will call me back told me that since I was down for LAP my date would probably be awhile away.

2-28-04
Got my date 8-17-04. WhooHooo!! It sure is a long way away. The price I pay for not wanting to be sliced open. HAAHHAA!! No problem it will give me more time to get it together spiritually, mentally, and physically.

5-09-04
Well it’s taken me awhile to post but 3 months away seems pretty close considering the 6 months I used to have. Time for me to get my body together I need to lose those 10 pounds. Will start Monday (again).


8-15-04
It been awhile since I’ve been to my profile. But I haven’t had much to add just waiting for my surgery date. Well surgery is Tuesday 8-17 I will be traveling to San Diego for my pre-op hospital visit Monday then I will be there at 5:00 am tomorrow. I can already tell the changes that WLS will be taking in my life and I’m so jazzed. I just did the housework and laundry and just doing the laundry was life changing. I posted on them OH board that for the first time in 15 years I was able to put all my clothes in the dryer. I couldn’t do it before because if my clothes shrank just a little they would be to small, ooohh lawdy the things I would have to do to my T-shirts, capris, etc. so that they wouldn’t shrink. It’s those kinds of things that I will look forward to. This was definitely not a move for vanity reasons. I want to get back the part of my life that so many take for granted. And once I get these small steps back I won’t ever take them for granted again.

Made my Peace with the Lord and “His will be done”.

8-16-04
Had my Pre Op class and had my final weigh in 257 I have lost a total of 25 lbs from consultation Yeah for me I was only required to lose 10 lbs. (Atkins Diet on ediets.com)

8-17-04 to 8-20-04
Hospital stay. Pretty smooth. Of course I just had major surgery so everything isn’t perfect. I do remember when first coming out of surgery the nausea was awful. Don’t know if it was from surgery or anesthesia or both. Anyway just bring on the happy juice knock me back out and everything was fine. When I woke up the next day. I felt pretty darn good.

8-25-04
One week post op Dr appointment I feel wonderful if it wasn’t for the holes and this drainage bulb I wouldn’t know I had surgery. And Lortab is my new friend. No vomiting, nausea nothing. I have a hard time drinking water, but bring on the Crystal Light and Sugar Free Kool-Aid. And that keeps me hydrated. The drainage bulb is awful and today it came out. Felt so much better. And don’t freak if you do have the drainage bulb when they take it out it’s like a butterfly sensation that flutters in your belly. Not to bad. Oh yeah down 12 lbs WWHHOOOO!!!!

9-17-04
One month post op everything seems to be in working order. I have no idea how much I’ve lost. I made a decision not to buy a scale until my 6 month anniversary and will only go with my Dr checkups. I don’t want to start a behavior that would make me crazy by stressing about the scale on a weekly basis. I don’t see my surgeon until my 3 month checkup. Just making sure that I get in that protein. Sip, Sip, Sip. Thank God for shakes otherwise I would never make it. As it is I’m only at about 40 oz of protein that’s ½ of what the Dr. ordered. But the great members of OH say this is normal. So I seem to be right on track.

10-17-04
Two months pre op. Not much different from last months able to eat some soft foods now. My favorite is around 2 TBL of ricotta cheese , 1 TBL of spaghetti sauce, and a few pepperonis chopped up and very well chewed of course YUMMY!. And cottage cheese sprinkled with cinnamon and sweet n low is one of my favorites to. I started writing down everything I put in my mouth and I log it on fitday.com. I don’t have that full sensation so I measure my food at ¼ cup I hear this is normal and this was a suggestion from Caroline Martin. Who is a wonderful OH member who is open and caring about her journey and she usually talks at the OH Orange County support group. Definitely check out her page.

11-17-04
Three months post op down 42 lbs…I can tell already I’m going to be one of those slow losers. But you know that’s all right with me. Even though I see people who had surgery the same day as me and they are already in the 50 and 60 pound weight loss. I been told I am a lightweight (someone who’s short and under 300 lbs) we don’t have as much to loose so I comes off slower. Dr checked me out told me I’m doing a wonderful job and I’m right on target. Blood work is great so no complaining here. I will take this blessing that I asked God for. I wouldn’t go back for nothin. I know this is 42 lbs that will not be coming back. If anybody’s interested. My exercise activity is 5x’s a week on the treadmill for 1 hour. Sheez who knows what the number of pounds would be if I wasn’t exercising. I know some people who don’t exercise at all. I might not be eating enough but hey I’m trying to get that protein in. FOUND THE BLACK AMERICAN FORUM AND I LOVE IT. SOME WONDERFUL SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE OVER THERE...THANKS PEEPS!!!!

12-17-04
Four months post op…Not much to report because I will not be buying a scale until 6 months. But if I go by my inches I’m off the charts my clothes are falling off. Make sure you take your inches before surgery. This will help you if you get down because the pounds are not falling off. I guarantee that the inches will be smaller. If anybody’s interested activity level is 30 minutes of cross trainer machine and 30 minutes treadmill 5x’s a week. My food menu is
BREAKFAST=PROTEIN SHAKE
LUNCH=PROTEIN SHAKE
SNACK=2-3 OZ OF DELI MEAT OR CHEESE
DINNER=2-3 OZ OF BAKED FISH OR CHICKEN 2 TBL OF VEGETABLES

1-17-05
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE….Just want to give HUGS AND KISSES TO ALL THE BAF PEEPS…CALIFORNIA BOARD…AND MAIN BOARD….ESPECIALLY COOKIE LUCIOUS, PRETTY KITTY, DOLPHIN DEEDEE, CHRISTMAS BABY, DIMPLE DONNA, AND ANG….THANKS FOR THE PROTEIN CHALLENGES, FITNESS TIPS, & CRAZY INSIGHTS TO LIFE AS A WLS SURVIVOR….LUV YAH GUYS

2-17-05

Six months post op…WHOOHOO…YEAH…GO JACKIE, GO JACKIE..YEAH
Had my checkup with surgeon and I’m down 75 lbs I’m so happy. My blood work is great. My Dr. said I’m doing wonderfully and to keep up the good work he says he is really proud of me. Dr. Tanaka and his staff at Pacific Bariatrics San Diego ROCK. I think I will be able to make one of my goals of 100 lbs by my 1 year anniversary. I’m going on vacation for 2 weeks so I went shopping for my clothes. WHOHOOO CAN A SISTER SAY SIZE 12... Of course the twins Charlene and Darlene haven’t moved much so the girls are still holding on to their FF status…So my tops range from 1X-2X depending on the cut. But hey I used to be a 30/32 top and a 22/24 tight and 26 loose bottom. I’ll take these new numbers in a heartbeat.

3-17-05
Seven months post op…Okay so my head swelled and I started putting anything and everything in my mouth. Well not everything I was afraid of getting deathly ill. See I’ve only thrown up once on this journey PRAISE GOD. And that was enough. But you name the carb I ate it. I know ice cream is not on the menu ever again oh the pain. Unfortunately or fortunately (I’m not sure yet) sugars don’t effect me. Its those sugar alcohols that are low carb that get me lethargic and make my stomach upset. Good thing I was still exercising 5x’s a week or who knows what the results could be. I can’t find a scale that reads good. So I don’t know how much I’ve lost.

4-17-05
Eight months post op…Okay so I’m struggling to get back on track….Trying to get out the carb addiction. Went to the boards for support found a group that actually meets in my area in Anaheim. I will be attending….But of course BAF had a protein train starting the week I decided to get back to the basics….Protein first, then vegetables, then fruit…I haven’t had fruit in a year can never make it….If anybody’s interested my exercise is cross trainer 45 minutes, stair stepper 15 min, and some treadmill work 5x’s a week. My menu is
BREAKFAST=PROTEIN SHAKE
LUNCH=PROTEIN SHAKE
SNACK=DELI MEAT & CHEESE, OR JUST PORK RINDS
DINNER=3 OZ PROTEIN, ¼ CUP VEGGIES

8-17-05

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