Ulises Robles

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I am not sure where to start, but I will start with giving you the website for Dr. Ferzli....

http://www.drferzli.com/


You may find this helpful.




I have been researching Bariatric Surgery for about a year. And once I decided to start the process I have become more and more excited about it.

I just did not know how many steps I had to take and all the specialist I had to see before I even get my paperwork ready to submit to my insurance company.

At this time I guess I will just start posting what I have done so far and then update as I go.

I first contacted my insurance company Aetna and asked if they convered the surgery. Once they said they do I began to make appointments.

I went to my PCP Dr. Skolower and I mentioned that I was thinking about the surgery. He asked me to please consider it seriously and then make a decision.

At this point I considered all my options, remembered all the diets, weight loos and weight gain. And after a couple days I made my appointment for a consultation with Dr. Ferzli.

I met Dr. Ferli and his assistant Victoria and she explained all the steps and exams I most do before the insurance company will approve the surgery.

Here is where all the fun stuff begins (of course I am being sarcastic).

I met the with the Psychologist Dr. Blank. He deals mostly with Bariatric patients and he knows what questions to ask. He was very good and he knows exactly what the patients go trough and he told me what to expect emotionally. He told me that not only I will change, but friends, family and coworkers will also change, and he prepared me for what was to come and he advised me on how to cope with all the emotional ups and downs, that will begin as soon as I teld them of my decission. We had a very good meeting. He was very helpful.

A week later I met with the Nutricionist for the program Laura. She was amazing. Told me what I need to do before the surgery and of course the weeks after the surgery. Plus the single most important thing I can start doing now that will help me after the surgery for success. What is that you might ask. Learn to eat slowly. Chew your your bite of food at least 15 - 20 times (I hear my mother on the background).

A few weeks later I got my Gallblater and Lower extremities sonogram done. That wasn't too bad, It was actually one of the easiest things to do.

On the same day I went to see the Cardiologist. Dr. Desai. He was great, I had my heart ultrasound done. It was pretty cool to see my hard beating and hearing it was cool. Now came the part I did not know I had to do, the Stress Test.

The Stress test was not as bad as I thought. Several co-workers told me horror stories, which to me were just bull. This is by far one of the test that could be deal breaker if you have a heart condition, because the heart condition would have to be treated first before you could have the surgery.

A week after I had the stress test, I met with the Dr. and he told me that everything was fine with my heart and I did not have any problems. He was more that happy to sign the release form.

Yeah!! only 3 more signatures to go....

*****11/11/05***** Today I had my first appointment with the Gastroenterologist. Dr. Stoopack. I liked him, very nice and very helpful. Since I had already done my sonograms, that was one less step. He gave me a date for the EGD test.

If you do not know what that is I will let you know.

The EGD is where the take a tube with a camera and they put this tube down your throat to see if you do not have any problem internally.

I have to do on November 25th the day after Thanksgiving (am I in hurry to get this done? lol). The good thing is that I do get to have Thanksgiving dinner. I just cannot eat anything after 10pm that night and no breakfast the next day. He did say they will have to knock me out will they do this procedure.

I am a little nervous since I have never had anestesia done on me, so this will be a good test drive, plus i guess this will let everyone know if I will have problems with anestesia or not.

I will keep you posted on this.


*****11/22/05***** I met today with the pulmonologist and he did a few test in his office and he gave me the ok, just pending the sleep test.

I also went to my PCP and he orders a new blod test to check my Iron and other things. Once he gets the results back he shoudl be signing off on the procedure. I was a good thing that I just had a physical in September, plus he has been getting copies of all the test.

Things seem to be progressing very well.

I also just watched on Discovery Health how the Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass is performed. The program was very informative and helpful about what I should expect.

I also went to my first suppost group and that was very helpful. I will be going to another support group soon.

It is good to know that there are other people like me that are going through this process.



*****11/25/05*****

Today I had my EGD, it went very well, Dr. Stoopack perfomed the procedure, and when he was done he told me that everything was ok, and that he will be glad to sign the consent for me.

Today I also met with my PCP that reviwed all my info and then signed off on the surgery.

Only one signature left. Once I do the sleep test I will be on my way to submit the paperwork to my insurance provider.

I'll keep you posted.


*****12/12/05*****

Today the Gastroenterologist signed off on the surgery so I'm happy I have all the signatures that I need before the surgery, but he wants me to get a HIDA test. It seems I may have gallstones.

Not really happy about having to take another exam, but I have to.

*****12/16/05*****

Today I took the HIDA test. The test itself took a whole hour. It was the longest hour of my life.

The tech placed me on the machine, and it took the machine a whole hour to process the image.

I body was numb by the time the test was over.

Once I get the results I will find out if they will have to take out the gallblader or not.

*****12/22/05*****

I am a little frustrated today.

I was told by one of the assistants at my surgeons office that I need to get a letter from my PCP where he states that my weight loss / gain history and that he believes that the surgery is the best alternative for me.

I am frustrated because my doctor is so busy I am not sure when he will be able to prepare the letter for me.

I found a sample letter on this website so I was able to modify it to fit my needs and I faxed it over to him as a guide.

I hope since he already signed off on the procedure he will just type up the letter and sign it for me.

We'll see how long it takes to get this letter.


*****12/18/05*****

Got the letter from the PCP, on my way.


*****1/11/06*****

I had my sleep study last night. I went to the sleep center at Christ Hospital in Jersey City. I was a nice set up, but I have to say I was the worst night sleep I ever had (if you can call that sleep).

First the glue electrodes to your head to record your brain waves, then they wire your chest to take your heat beat, they also wire your face, and your legs and then place tow extra straps around your chest.

Once that is done they tape sensors under your nose to check your breathing and to po it all off they tape a microphone on your jaw.

Then they tell to have a good night sleep. Ha... easier said than done.

You have to sleep on your back which of course I never do, so I could not get confortable, It was not my bed so i was not feeling cozy so to speak.

I was awake most of the night, and I thought it was the worst experience ever.

The techs told me that I did sleep for most of the night.

I had to take their word for it.

They showed me the video of me sleeping and the waved they captured of me and to make it even better they let me hear the sounds I made.

Of course I snore, which by the way is not a good thing, and then they told me that when I did stop snoring that meant that I stopped breathing and my chest stopped moving for about 5 sec or so.

So it seems I sleep apnea, they told me that the full results will be ready in about 2 weeks and my doctor will go over the results.

I not trilled about the fact that I have sleep apnea, but it is another reason to go ahead with the surgery.


*****1/27/06*****

So it's been 4 months of Dr. appointments and test and I am in the home strech.

I saw my Pulmonologist today to get the results of the sleep study and of course the paperwork confirms that I have sleep apnea, yadi yadi, yakidi smakidi... lol

At this point I have to go for the 2nd part of the sleep study which involves a mask that will test how much pressure is necessary while on surgery.

I hated the first sleep test and I know I will hate this one also, but I got to do what I got to do. the good thing is that this 2nd test is an extra and not part of the pre-required test for the surgery.

My next appointment is on Monday 1/30/06 where I will find out from my Gastroenterologist if I have Gallstones or not, again another test that was extra and not really necessary for the surgery, but good to know either way. The Gallblatter will most likely have to come out anyway, because after Bariatric Surgery you have a higher chance of getting gallstones.

The great news for today is that I spoke to Debbie at Dr. Ferzli's office and we now have all the paperwork we need to begin the insurance process. And then the waiting game for approval. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

My appointment to sign the consent forms is on February 9th. I can only count the days, because once the paperwork is signed i am one step closer to become America's Next Top Model ... lol ... I had to throw that in. i will be one step closer to the surgery... lol... much better.

Let's see what happens on Monday.

*****1/30/06*****

I went to the Gastroenterologist today to get the results of the HIDA scan and it came back negative, which means I do not have gallstones.

Good news...

Now I just have one week to go to sign the paperwork to submit to the insurance company.

On my way...


*****2/16/06*****

Today I had my consult with the surgeon. The first meating i had was with Dr. Ferzli, this meeting was with his associate Dr. Castro, he made me feel at ease. I signed all the paperwork for the insurance company, and the Dr. went through all the final details and told me that as soon as they get the approval from the insurance company I will get a call from his office to set a date, I can't wait.


*****3/14/06*****

So I'm still waiting for Aetna to make a determination on the procedure, it's been a wait becasue there was some last minute paperwork missing.

Aetna wanted the actual hand written notes from the Dr. detailing weight info.

I have to relax and wait to see what happens, If they deny I may have to start a new diet all over again if Aetna does not thing the Dr.'s notes are clear enough. Oh well...

I did find a cool link

http://liteandhope.or-live.com/


Carnie Wilson hosted a live webcast of a Gastric Bypass procedure and for anyone that missed it click on the link.


http://liteandhope.or-live.com/



*****3/27/06*****


Still no approval or denial from Aetna. I hate to wait. I found this little story I hope you enjoy it.

________________________________________________________


Subject: Genesis >


In the beginning God populated the earth with broccoli and > cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all > kinds, so Man ajd Woman would live long and healthy lives. > >

Then using God's bountiful gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's and > Krispy Creme. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And > man said "Yes!" and woman said, "I'll have another with sprinkles." > And so they gained 10 pounds. > >

And God created the healthful yogurt that woman might keep the > figure that man found so fair.

And Satan brought forth white flour > from the wheat, and sugar from the cane, and combined them. And > woman went from size 2 to size 6. > >

So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented > Thousand-Island Dressing and garlic toast on the side. And man and > woman unfastened their belts following the repast. > >

God then said, "I have sent you hearty healthy vegetables and olive > oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried > shrimp and catfish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own > platter. And man gained more weight and his cholesterol went > through the roof. > >

God then brought forth running shoes so that his children might > lose those extra pounds. And Satan came forth with a cable TV with > remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. > And man and woman laughed and cried before the flickering light and > piled on the pounds. > >

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and > brimming with potassium and good nutrition. Then Satan peeled off > the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and > deep-fried them and added copious quantities of salt. And man put > on more pounds. > >

God then gave lean beef so that man might consume fewer calories > and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and > the 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then Lucifer said, "You want fries > with that?" and man replied, "Yes! And super size 'em!" And Satan > said "It is good." And man went into cardiac arrest. > >

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery. > >

And Satan created HMOs



*****3/28/06*****

I'm a little pissed today... I called my insurance company today and they stated that they had not received all the paperwork from the Dr.'s office... I called the dr.'s office that Debbie told me that she did send all the paperwork and she had a confirmation. She did mention that the particular rep at Aetna that she normally deals with has a habit of loosing paperwork.

Debbie told me she will call her supervisor tomorrow, it seems that the supervisor has had to speak to this rep several times.

I hope this does not affect me.


*****3/29/06*****

I received a call today from Debbie she stated that she spoke the supervisor in Aetna and they will review the file today and give her an answer tomorrow.

Debbie asked me to please give her a call on Friday and she will give me a full update.

i hope everything goes well.



*****3/30/06*****


After a lot of waiting and drama I got approved woohoo... I can't wait my surgery is on 4/12/06.




*****4/12/06*****

On my way to have surgery.


*****4/18/06*****

I got back from the hospital yesterday adn i'm adjusting, everything seems to me going well. I was supposed to be back home last friday but the Dr. wanted me to have a a second Upper GI test on Saturday but I had to wait until Monday to get it done because the techs are only in monday through friday. I had the test done early monday morning and I had my first liquids around 10 am and I went home by 2 pm yesterday, so far so good.




*****5/18/06*****

I had a follow p with the Dr today everythign is going good, I'm sticking to the diet, there have been no complications, My Dr. said that after the 6 weeks is up I can go on the roller coaster, yeah baby!!!!




*****7/27/06*****

I had a follow up today with my surgeon and my nutricionist.

The surgeon was happy about my progress and he told me that he is happy to see that I am following the program.

The nutricionist was also happy, all my labs where good, she did want me to inccrease my omega 3 intake. The was also suprised to see that my protein levels are on the high end, usually that is not the case with bariatric patients. I did tell her that I am using Pro-Stat to get my protein, since the protein is a concentrated liquid you body absorbs it faster.

Everyone in the office was very nice and gave me compliments on the my progress and that maked me feel good because I am working hard on changing my habits and trying to get into a regimen of working out. I am not perfect, there are times when I make mistakes or don't feel motivated to work out. For some reason in the spring I was able to go to the gym every day but now it's summer and hot and I can't even get my butt to the gym, it must be the heat.

I just have to take it on day at a time.

I have also found that I am getting angry a lot faster, my surgeon and nutricionist told me that this is normal and that it should level off soon.

Testosterone and Hormons get stored in fat cells, and when you begin to burn fat they get releases. In normal circumstances it is not noticeable but because after surgery you loose fat faster you feel the effects faster and stronger, that is why women cry a lot after surgery because of theri hormones and men are more agressive or feel more hot headed that usual, also you get hornier :).

They told me after a while and you get closer to goal wait it will all get back to normal, good thing too I am ready to smack some people outside the head... lol


*****08/11/06*****

I am very happy today, I weighed myself and I weight 198. I have not been under 200 pounds since I was 19 years old and I will be 32 next week.


*****9/14/06*****

Another happy day, I weighed myself today and I weigh 189. I never thought I would see this in my life. I am no longer Obese, I'm Overweight. Who knew that would be a good thing? ... lol

*****10/14/06*****

 

Today is my 6 month anyversary and I am very happy, y weight loss has sowed down, but I feel good and I am happy I hd this surgery, today I weigh 182 pounds size 34 weist and wearing medium in shirts, I never thought I would ever say that.

 

 

One Year Anniversary Today

So now I'm a model...