Kim C.

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I am still losing very slowly, but the scale does keep going down.  It is nice to see the consistency, which never existed in the past.  I have finally found an exercise I love, and have been exercising consistently for six weeks.  I updated my profile picture, because I feel like on of these Russian dolls, I keep finding a smaller version of myself inside.  I'm not anywhere near where I expected to be by this point, but I do feel wonderful - and people are beginning to notice the loss.

I cannot believe that the time is getting so close.  This last week has just flown by.  I had all my preop appointments on Friday - getting up at 5:30 so that I could be at the hospital by 7:20 for blood work, then EKG, then business office, then nurse, and finally doctor.  I thought I was pretty well informed before, but feel even better now.  I'm doing okay on my liquids.  I had a hiccup over the weekend.  I didn't drink anything on Friday before my lab work, and the stuff I took was very nasty by the time I could drink it.  I was very cranky and hungry by the time I got home at 2:00.  Had my son's birthday party planned for 2:30, so I told my husband - don't get mad, but I'm ditching the liquid diet until Sunday.  So, I did.  Got back on it full strength yesterday and will not have any slip ups before surgery.  I want my liver to be small!  This also showed me how important it is to have a backup plan for nutrition.  I think my husband and I are both going to need to work on how we socialize and celebrate and commiserate - we are going to find alternatives to food!  He has been awesome; fixing my shakes for me and checking to see what I will need from the store.  I think he still has some gaps in his understanding, but...

I start my pre-op liquids tomorrow.  Not really worried about it.  I know that it will be tough, but I am just looking forward to the surgery.  I only have 2 days worth of samples at home but am hoping to do some shopping on Friday after my pre-op doctor appointments.  Gonna be a little difficult - my son's birthday party is Friday afternoon, family Easter gathering on Saturday and then friends over for Easter on Sunday.  I'm just going to have to stay out of the kitchen.  I didn't really have too much of a "last meal" feeling this week.  Just wanted meatloaf for the last time! :)

Remember why I am doing this:
Sit on the floor and be able to play with my kids and get back up again.  I want to be able to do this without thinking twice about it!
Go to a hockey game without getting my butt stuck in the seat and planning every bathroom break ahead of time.
Be able to climb a ladder and decorate my classroom myself without getting others to do it.
Not worry about my kids being teased by their friends by my size.
Be treated with respect in stores.
Use regular "soccer mom" chairs instead of the king size.
Enjoy exercise.
Have energy.
Wear clothes that I actually try on before buying instead of just buying the biggest size available.
Stop being so damned lazy and get up to get things myself instead of sending my kids to do it.
Be interested in sex again! :)
Stop thinking so much about what I am going to eat next.
ENERGY!
See onederland!
Walk without hurting.
Want to have my picture taken.
I can do this!

Got the call today!  Surgery is scheduled for 3 weeks from tomorrow!  Pre-op will all be taken care of next week.  Whew!  But then...discovered that my husband's medical bills have pretty much drained our flexible spending account.  I though we had about 80% of the copay amount left in the account but found out that we are down to about 10% of the copay.  I hope to speak with the business office at the hospital in the next day or two to see if they are willing to set up payments.  I am a bit tired of this emotional roller coaster!

History:

Approved for surgery at the beginning of December at a hospital an hour away.  I live in the Austin area, but none of the hospitals in Austin had the BCBS Blue Distinction certification.  Totally excited about the surgery.  Found out a couple of days later that the hospital had just been notified that they no longer had the certification.  Really wanted to get moving on the surgery, so I looked for the closest hospital, which would be Houston.  Thought about that for a couple of days and realized that there was no way I could drive 2-2 1/2 hours for appointments and fills on a regular basis.  Spoke to a hospital in Austin who informed me that they had applied for the needed certification.  Decided to make an appointment with a local surgical group who uses that hospital.  Met the surgeon and nutritionist over the Christmas break.  Loved the surgeon, not  so enthused about the nut.  Had to speak to the original hospital about some paperwork and they told me they had reapplied for certification and were hoping to have it by the beginning of March.  Started hoping for spring break surgery.  Kept up with both facilities all of January and February.  Local hospital okay, original hospital apologetic and anxious to help.  Got very discouraged as spring break came around.  Spoke with a friend who had RNY right before spring break and decided to call insurance company on Wed. to see if they could share any info on when certifications would be coming to central Texas.  Was told by rep that he thought they only certified once a year - in December.  Now, really bummed out.  Called Austin hospital to see if they had heard anything.  Certified 2 days earlier!  Yippee!  A little down though, I really felt more comfortable at the original hospital.  Decided to check in with them.  They had also just received notification of certification.   They were able to get me the following day (Thur.)  to visit with the nurse.  Clerk called me early on Thursday about a time change; I was able to tell her that the certification had posted on the BCBS website the evening before.  She shared it with her office and I could hear the celebration!  Great to visit with the nurse and discuss RNY/band.  Decided to stick with my original decision of band.  Was called on Saturday afternoon by the hospital to tell me they had received my approval from the insurance company late on Friday.  Wow!  Now I am just waiting to get a call from the scheduler to get this thing set up.  I only have 2 1/2 sick days left, so I am hoping for a Thursday morning surgery time and plan on getting back to work on the following Monday. 

Now, I really need to start exercising.  Old catch-22, I'm so tire, but if I exercised I would not feel so tire.  I am ready to move forward!

My surgical center has now received its Blue Distinction certification from BCBS and I received approval again. I am now waiting for a surgery date.  I hope to get it scheduled within the next month.  Yay!

I now have a new doctor and facility.  Just waiting on approval from insurance for the new group and for one of the local hospitals to receive BCBS Blue Distinction certification.  Want to start exercising, tired though.  Wondering if how hard it will be to get back into the routine after surgery.

I had a surgery date scheduled for 12/31/09.  Found out the second week of December that my surgical center had lost the designation that my insurance requires.  I am scheduled to see a new doctor tomorrow and am waiting for a hospital in my area to become a Blue Distinction Center.  Frustrating!  I have gained 5 lbs. since the notification of the cancellation.  Do not know how soon surgery will be possible now.  I was hoping to be below 250 before summer - don't want to embarrass my kids in a swimsuit again!

I have my first appointment on Tuesday.  I am hoping that the only thing still required is my psychological.  If so, that will be taken care of on Friday.  Once all the preauthorization documentation is taken care of, how long usually for insurance approval?