Suzanne S.
3/23 Well, as of today I've gotten a referral and letter of support from my PCP. I met with the nurse clinician at St. Joseph's in St. Paul. They took my weight and my BMI came out to 41.5 So, I qualified for the surgery. Then they said I needed 6 months of documented weightloss in the last 2 yrs..hmm, don't think I have that. Most of mine was prior to 2 yrs ago :-( So, looks like we'll be starting that almost totally over again. They did come up with 2 months of documentation so we're down to 4 more months of documentation needed. At this rate I'm never going to have surgery. I met with the dietician and she thought I'd be a great canidate for surgery also. Now I am just waiting for my Psych. Eval on April 4th, then I go back for the MMPI...that should be fun...I'll have to update more then.....
4/6 Well I had my Psych eval on the 4th and they said I could do my MMPI and other tests that day also. I chose to do them and boy am I seeing circles. They have since gone away but it was definetly an interesting experience. I go in tomorrow 4/7 to meet with my PCP again for a continuation of my 6th month Physician monitered weightloss stuff. Down to 3 months to go. I'm feeling a bit anxious having to wait and wait like this but I guess right now I'll do whatever I have to do. I have been working on following pouch rules and making sure I get in the protein. I have cut back on all of the fats and am drinking at least 64oz of water a day....and guess what.. I gained weight..HOW?????? I was 241.5 a couple weeks ago and now 244???? I'm getting frustrated. I have to lose 10 lbs for my pre-op weightloss and at this rate I'm not sure what's going to happen. I feel like I'm whining but oh well, what's the journal for anyway...but a place to vent. I go back in 2 weeks to go over my Psych stuff. Hope he doesn't think I'm too crazy..hehehe. I will update more then. For now, be well everyone.
4/12/05 Well, Well.....looks as if I have some updating to do. On April 7th We found out we were going to be the proud parents of a little one in December. So, my WLS journey is being put on hold. I have met so many wonderful people on here and my dearest Christine T. has been a lifesaver to me. She actually gave me the pregnancy test, then I had to call her for directions on how to use the thing since there weren't any in the package so she was technically the first to know.
3/06/06 Well, it's almost a whole year since I posted here. I'm back on the WLS journey again. We had a beautiful baby girl Dec 7th 2005 and she's getting bigger every day. I have chosen to change surgeons as I have decided to have it done Laparoscopically. I am going to my first info meeting at Fairview on March 21st with my dearest friend Christine. She's been such an inspiration through all of this. I'll keep you updated on progress as it happens :D
Future Update
10/11/06 WOW, am I bad at updating this! I went in to the info meeting, had my appt at Benn's office, did all of my psych eval stuff and everything was going wonderfully. Then.......my lab work came back from Benn's office and my Liver enzymes were all out of whack. From there I went to my primary who sent me to a Hematologist. That Hematologist thought I had Porpyria, a rare enzyme deficiency of some sort. My primary didn't buy that so I went off to the University of MN to another Hematologist who also thought that diagnosis might be correct. We did test after test after test. None could actually prove this diagnosos correct. I took a break from pursuing surgery because i didn't feel all that well. They said people with porpyria have to eat a high carb diet...ya like I need that@!@ So, I was doing it... put on another 20lbs and reallized this was insane. I started going the other way and working with a program in cottage grove and began losing some weight. I also cut out all preservatives, sulfites, nitrites and imagine that, i started feeling better and was eating healthier. I have managed to take off almost all of the 20lbs and am still working on more. I decided to go back and pursue surgery once again. My labs are all normal and I can't wait!!!! I met with Dr. Benn yesterday and am so excited. I have preferred one and they have been pretty good about approvals....Hopefully I will know soon and get a date set :D I have had to stop and start this process a couple times due to different reasons and I am sooooo ready to get it done. My baby girl is now 10 months old and family is wonderful. Hubby is scared but I think he'll do alright.
10/13/06 Holy moly....they called today...only 2 days after my appt. I am approved and have set a date of Nov 9th....The first day of the rest of my life. I cried when they told me, my dearest friend and angel Christine was there with me when they told me. What a great day it has been!!
11/6/06
Well, we're down to 3 days and counting. I'm doing a self induced liquid diet for 5 days just to clear myself out I guess. I'm getting pretty nervous. My husband is more nervous than I am. I know this is the best decision I could ever make for myself and my family. I want to be here to watch my children grow up and right now I can't play with them like I want to. I'm ready to not hurt all the time. My family has been very supportive and that makes such a difference. There have been a couple that have said, wow, do you really qualify for surgery. They obviously haven't stepped on my scale lately....ha! I am down a few pounds to 246. I had been back up to 267 in August and have been working my tail off to lose weight before surgery. Well I'm sure I'll update again before I go into surgery......:D
Future Update
