Kenneth Shirley
10/09/04
After being denied for the fifth time I wrote the Attorney General and stated what BCBS HMO of IL was doing. I stated the changed the "criteria" of the Bariatric surgery after I started their "Plan". This was back in March of 2004. In Aug of 2004 I received a letter from BCBS stating they do not deny or approve they go by what my Dr. recommends. After I read this I thought I had new hope. A few months passed and I still no surgery date. In October, I called my group and asked what was going on. They stated that they did not have any information on me and that I would need to call my Dr. I contacted the BCBS HMO representative that wrote me the letter and by the end of the day I had a surgery date. 11/23/04
11/10/04
I had my upper GI today and blood work. It is finally sinking in that this is going to happen. Only 13 days left. The barium that they had me take was not very good, but I would do it ten times over if I had to. I can hardly keep a smile off my face. I hear the fleece stuff is the highlight of pre op! (LOL) I can’t wait to do that!
11/17/04
I got a call about my blood work. I have bacteria in my stomach. They say it’s ok and I have to take 4 pills twice a day until my surgery date. What they didn’t say is that I would have a bad taste in my mouth and stomach craps! (Not nice) But ohhhh so worth it! ONLY 7 DAYS LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11/18/04
Tonight I went to celebrate being approved with some girls that shall be nameless.(You know who you are) I had a blast and come to find out that I am the underdog of your support group. (That is what I was told) Truth be known that I am just an average guy that had a lot of supporters telling me not to give up. My hats off to all of you and I love everyone that has touched my life in this journey. God bless you all and thank you for being there for me.
11/22/04
Well I thought my big day was tomorrow. I WAS WRONG! My STUPID DR. did not tell me I needed a stress test for this WSL. Needless to say, I am VERY PISSED OFF. I went to my PCP today to get a physical to give me the go ahead. I had taken an EKG and it came back abnormal. They had this information for over a week and they could not tell me until the eve of the surgery? It makes me think that it’s time to find a new PCP. By the time he was done I was in very upset. In fact I cried in the car all the way home. I guess it is just par for the course. I am not sure when they are going to re schedule the surgery. I hope it is not to far off.
11/23/04
I went to the hospital today to get information about my stress test. I had a chance to talk to Dr. Heydari and he was very compassionate about my situation. He knows everything that I have been through and I am very confident in his ability to do my surgery. He said, "It is better to be safe then sorry." After receiving the heart breaking news yesterday, I tend to agree with him and his staff.
11/24/04
Well, my stress test came back good. (Just another obstacle) I will let you all know when I have my surgery.
11/30/04
I am having surgery today!
12/06/04
I feel a little sore form the hernia surgey but ok about the RNY.
12/07/04
Well I went to have the drain taken out! That was not so nice! I still feel a little sore but things are looking better. Oh by the way, I lost 10 pounds in one week!
12/17/04
I am down 23 pounds as of Monday. (just 13 days post opp!) I am feeling much much better.
12/21/04
Three weeks out and holy crap! 31 pounds!
1/14/05
Wow! What fun this is! I can't do American Cheese! DUMP! I have lost 51 pounds... YEAAAAAAA I hope I can reach my goal weight by June. Lots of fun stuff to do in the summer.
2/10/05
Yep Still loosing!
5/30/05
Hi guys,
Sorry for not up-dating until now but Holly cow! I am down 115 lbs size 34 jeans! Wooooooo Hoooooo! I have lots more energy and I feel great. I will up-date a pic soon.
1/30/06
Hi Everyone,
OMG I can't believe what a big diffrence being thin is. I have lost 140 something pounds. I feel great and guys are looking my way. hahaha I am around 180 - 184 in my goal range. the next step is to take care of the extra skin. It's not all that bad, just in the tummy area.
10/15/06
I am past my goal weight. I flex around 174-178. The lowest I have reached was 169. I was working my butt off at work. I know if I tried harder to work out I can get even lower. Everyone says I look great and that if I loose to much I would not look healthy. Next step is a Tummy Tuck! I hope I hope!
