Dec 20 Pulmonary Function Test (DX: obesity-related asthma)
Jan7, 2014 First dietician visit, weight recorded, Group Dietician Meeting-must lose 5% of body weight (19 lbs by surgery by eating 2,200 calories per day)
Jan 10 sleep study
Jan 16 Sleep study results are in (DX: Sleep Apnea)
Jan 27-received new CPAP machine and supplies and began using it
Feb 6-follow up with respiratory dr. (DX: Asthma due to weight. Given the all clear for surgery!)
Feb 17 (2nd of 6 required) Individual Appt with Dietician
Feb 20 Support Group w/plastic surgeon as speaker
March 13-Cardiology testing (DX: Heart abnormality due to obesity.Given the all clear for surgery)
March 19 (3rd of 6 required)Support group with psychiatrist
March 19 Personal therapist for note of medication compliance required
March 20 Support Group (Health Fair)
April 3 Physical Fitness training by trainer required for surgery (Must send exercise report to trainer every week by email)
April 3 Dietician (4thof 6)
April 14, 2014-Dietician group meeting for (5th of 6)
April 30 Met my surgeon for the first time. Finally, I was given the surgery date!!)
May 1 Dietician (6 of 6)
May 14 (123 days on dietician guided eating and exercise plan) Met surgeon for2nd time and met anesthesiologist for the 1st time* Lab work was drawn and came back perfect.
May 15-Begin 8-day liquid diet began (This liquid diet helps to shrink the liver so the surgeon can work around it better)
May 23, 2015 One year has passed. All levels are perfect. I've lost over 200 lbs
May 23, 2016 Living in Florida now since July 1, 2015. (RNY was performed in PA) Cannot get one bariatric doctor to take me on as a patient because I was operated on by another surgeon. I've traveled as far as 100 miles only to be told no every time. Beware if you plan to relocate when your life changes. I never imagined this would happen. I have no medical support. No dietician. No bariatric doctor. No advice from medical personnel because family physicians are ill-equipped in knowledge on bariatrics here. It is very unnerving to say the least.
June 1, 2017-Moved back to PA. I went straight to my bariatric surgeon, dietician, and sought a check-up and dietary guidance. My mind was completely put at ease by this wonderful facility. I no longer carry a constant worry or feeling of dread about having gained weight after I hit my lowest weight. I was reminded that I am considered a success for where my weight has landed. I was told it was completely normal to hit a bottom number, bounce up 20-30 lbs, and maintain. As long as I am maintaining, WHICH I AM DOING VERY WELL, I am a continued success and I am completely happy. I was reminded that when a body begins at 383 lbs, it is unrealistic to believe I will match the perfect BMI for my height. It happens but it is rare and with that knowledge in hand I was reminded and relieved all at the same time. How freeing I felt at that moment! I remind myself that I am no where the prisoner in my body that was I was before my surgeon blessed my body with his gifted hands. My surgeon Dr. Haluck has no idea of the impact his skills had on my life. I need to send him another thank you note, although I feel as if a thank you note written every day since 05/23/2014 is never thanks enough for how much this surgery changed my life inside and out. I am me and living for me. I could not help anyone until I helped myself. I feel positive every day of my new life that I made the correct decision walking into that bariatric office after so much suffering and wavering. I easily followed six months of advice, counseling, and guidance, and made the changes I needed to make to escape the lead weight, which was 383 lbs. I am blessed. Truly blessed.
