shellyb1203

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Dr. French at Des Peres Hospital's bariatric program was fantastic.

On April 1st, I had my appt. with the surgeon and on April 3rd my appt. with the psychologist.  All is well so far.  April 10th is the blood work(thyroid and blood clotting) and the endoscopy of the GI tract.  

Things are finally starting to fall into place.  I am definitely getting excited now.  The fear is almost all gone (surely it will be back the closer I get to surgery). 

 

AHHHHH!!!!   It is happening.  It is really happening.   It all seems to be falling into place now.  I am nervous, excited, scared, and relieved all at the same time.   Talk about a billion feelings at once.   I have been thinking about documenting this for myself.   To show me where I have been and where I am going.   I think I am going to write a letter from my Pre-op self to my Post-op self.   Something to turn to when I need it.

Wish me luck.   I think things are going to start happening fast now.   Hope I can keep up the pace.

 

I have mailed the paperwork but haven't heard anything back yet.  Today I emailed the office to make sure they received all the information from me and my records from DePaul.   Hoping everything will begin to line up soon.   

Trying to do some research on things that I will be needing post-op to make everything go smoothly.   Hopefully I will hear back from them soon.

 

The long wait is almost over.  Confirmed today with doctor's off.  Medicare is going to cover the VSG.   SOOOOOOOOOOO  very happy.   My surgeon did move to a new practice, so I am not entirely sure what all I will have to go through.   Hopefully records will just transfer over to new office.   

Seems like things are finally going to fall into place.   A long wait, but well worth it (I hope).

YEA! Medicare covers the Sleeve, in a way (link to decison below).   Apparently, Medicare says that the sleeve is covered, but it is up to the regions to decide whether they will or not.   Not completely sure how this works.  I hope that my region is all for it, but we shall see.  The "qualifications" that have to be met according to Medicare, I am alright.  If the regions can put additional limits or requirements,  I am not sure.  Luckily, at least I hope it will be a lucky thing, I live on the border of two regions.   So if one doesn't cover maybe the other will???    Guess I will have to contact my surgeons office and find out what is going on.   Hopefully they will be able to tell me something.

Wish me LUCK!!

Medicare Decison on Sleeve
 http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-decision-memo.aspx?&fromdb=true&NCAId=258&

 I am so glad that Medicare has finally approved the VSG, well in a way they have (link to statement below). Seems there is a lot of wiggle room still to overcome.  I will need to find out if "my state" is going to do it.  Let's hope they do.  Then, make sure I "qualify".   Given the basic qualifications I am good.  I don't know if the regional center can put any other "limits" on coverage.   Luckily, I live close to two different regions.  So if one doesn't.....maybe another???   
Guess I will call my surgeon's office and see what is up.   Wish me luck!


Medicare Statement 
http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-decision-memo.aspx?&fromdb=true&NCAId=258&

Well with Medicare himhawing  over the VSG approval, I started thinking about the LapBand possiblity again.  I guess the fear of having something "attached" to me scared me, but after re-reading the info I am not sure.   I guess there are complications with both and I really just need to sit down and see what I feel comfortable with.    /sigh 

Well after a very, VERY long search.  We have finally found a house and will be moving in the next couple of months.  GOOD-BYE APARTMENTS!!!   Other things have finally started to fall into place in my life that are definitely helping with the stress relief.   Weight-loss?  None to report :(    I began tryingt to lose using the BMR info and such, but after the last house contract fell through, depression set in and so did my ambition for weight loss.   SO back to the starting line, which is okay.  This wouldn't be the first time I have tried to lose weight and had to start over.  

Have had a few more medical issues pop up recently.   HORRIBLE (went to E.R.) ovarian cyst issue that I thought I was losing my mind because it hurt so bad.   Talked to my doc about possiblity of P.C.O.S (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome), and he said unless there is some other symptoms ovairian cycts alone are not a definite indicator.   So had some blood work done checking for "Metabolic Syndrome" and cholestrol.   My cholesterol was a little high on the "bad" and a little "low" on the good, but nothing severe enough to warrant medication.   I do have, however, significant insulin resistance.   WELL, wonder how long I have had that???    So treating wth Metformin.   After researching Metformin, it appears that many with the insulin resistance have lost weight after being treated with Metformin.   MAYBE????   Who knows maybe this is a blessing in disguise.   Only time will tell.    

Hopefully, new house, new energy, new life, new body.   One can dream right??  :)   

Ok so It has been over a month since my last post.   After realizing that the sleeve was what I wanted, but that it was still "just" out of reach (ins. not covering it yet), I went through some pretty intense depression about my weight.   I guess you could say I "gave up".  I stopped caring and started eating bad foods again, sugary soda, and snacking at all hours of the day.  I wasn't sleeping right and that didn't help either.  

FINALLY, I got myself out of it.  Still not sure what brought me out of it, but I started doing my "research" again.  Not only on surgery but all the other stuff out there.   The medications for weight loss, new diet trends....all of it!    I began to realize that all of this "info." was part of the problem.   While it looks legitimate and may even have "case study" results, much of it is still all glitzed and glamoured to make you want to buy into the idea. 

So I stripped it all down.  Got down the the facts.   I wasn't sleeping well during this time anyway so why not put my "wake time" to use.   I felt like I was researching information for a thesis!!   I was checking and double checking facts left and right.   And while some of it out there looked "great on paper" the results where not as promising.

One thing I have started to give a little more thought to is the BMR (basal metabolic rate).  

All my life I have heard, "cut the calories and you will lose weight".   True statement but missing out on a VERY VERY important link.

Who would have thought that all these years of me "cutting calories" only to gain it back and more, might have been avoided if someone would have explained this to me!!!

Your basal metabolic rate is the amt. of calories you need to take in for your body to function.  If you go too far below this number your body will actually start turning muscle into glucose for energy and your metabolism will get slower!!!  This is the "starvation mode" we have all heard about.  So while a "crash' diet of extrememly low caloric intake will work for a short time and you will lose some weight.  The long term weight loss will never be accomplished.  Now the rule of thumb from what I have found is that a 3500 calories approximately equals 1 lbs. of fat.   So by eating 500 cal. less a day would result in a pound a week weight loss, and 1000 a day less would result in 2 lbs a week ( the recommended amt. for long term benefits.) 
But then there is that BMR thing.   Now for example, for me my BMR (for a 5'11", 355lbs, 34 year old female) is approximately 2500 calories a day.   HUH????WHAT???   Well ok.  I guess I see that?

NOW again.  This doesn't mean you can go out and have fast food everyday or eat an entire pizza for a meal.   We are talking about eating healthy foods that give us the the "good stuff" and calories that we need to survive.   

So here it goes.   I am going to see how well this will work. Granted, I have health conditions that may be altering my BMR from what the calculators are giving me so this might be trial and error for a bit.  But this is what I am going to do.   Because it is saying I only need the 2500 cal a day to survive.  That is what I am going to strive for.  Within 2 weeks or so, I should either see some weight loss or gain (barring any sickness or anything ouf of the ordinary).   I will also be making sure I am still getting my vitamins and minerals in for the day and pushing to try to get the 8 glasses of water a day.  Wish me luck on that one!!

So because the sleeve is the only surgery I will have but cannot.  I am becoming a home scientist!!! hmmm I wonder if a lab coat would help???