Weight Loss Surgery Directory

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Di B.
Miami, FL, USA
Post Op - BMI: 23.5
Surgery Type: RNY
Member ID: B1019137699
Web Site: www.gastricbypassfamily.com
Surgeon: Anthony M. Gonzalez, MD

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I have AOL IM my screen name is DiIsLuvenLife




Today is June 6, 2003 The last few months of loosing weight, size and inches I have decided on having a tummy tuck. I have chosen the most compassionate surgeon. I did some research, spoke with a few of his patients including a lady he did 6 years ago. He spent an hour with me just explaining every single detail. I will tell you that he isn't like a pushy salesman, his ultimate goal is to please you. His name is Dr. Mel Ortega 305-412-9990 and if you are in the Miami location tell him I sent you (Diane Bastian from www.gastricbypassfamily.com) you will speak to Norma (his assistant) the first time around, tell her I sent you. Dr. Ortega has offered to speak at our local support group meeting to answer any and all questions you have about plastic sugery. If you are interested, please email me and I will reserve a spot for you at our next meeting (di@gastricbypassfamily.com). You can view his website too http://www.melortega.com/ Hugs ~Di~


Today is my 1st Anniversary!! June 4, 2003 WOW! A year already! Time flies when you are loosing weight :-) I know I have been horrible at updating my profile :-( I have had such much going on in my personal life. Today I am a size 6!!!!!! I have lost a human being and I am LOVING life! To all the pre op and newby post ops, word of understanding ... it only gets better. I am offically a year out and feel like a normal human again. Hugs!!!!! ~Di~


Today is January 15, 2003 My position at work got cut out of the budget. So I am currently looking for work. Can't tell you how wonderful it feels to dress up for interviews :-) I was telling members on my online support group how wonderful it would be to work with gastric bypass patients one on one as a career. I don't know if god was listening but I ran into Dr. Nestor De La Cruz-Munoz (Miami, FL) yesterday while visiting a member that had surgery on Monday. We talked, and I told him about my site/group. He told me that he had seen my site (a few members told him about Gastric Bypass Family). He asked me to send him my resume. I am so excited. Keep your fingers crossed! ~Di~


Today is January 6, 2003 Happy New Year is not the word! This surgery has been the greatest gift and a new chance at living life! If I told you that I am happy that still could not elaborate the feeling I have inside. The gastric bypass family that I created is doing so great. It is wonderful to see everyone reaching out to one another. Unfortunatly I have not been very active lately. I had to go visit my grandmother whom is very ill and came back home to find that my grandfather-in-law who I love dearly passed away. Work got busy and then I got laid off due to county budget cut backs. So now I am looking for a job. If you get a chance visit my website and check things out, don't forget to sign the guestbook and tell me what you think while you are there. Ok ok ok ... now about my progress :-) I am in a size 8!!!!!!! ME!!!!!!! An 8! LOL! After 6 months! It is truly amazing. And honestly until I take photos and see them (which I have been bad at lately) it doesn't sink in. I went on my first shopping spree in December, had to buy all new clothes! I still reached for a larger size by habit. When I went back home for the funeral, people truly did not recognize me. In junior high I was a size 11! LOL! What a WONDERFUL feeling!!!! Hugs to you all!!!!! ~Di~


Today is November 21, 2002 I have super busy with www.gastricbypassfamily.com and http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/Gastric_Bypass_Family. I can't tell you what a great feeling it is to help others going through WLS surgery. As of November 4th I am -95lbs!! In 5 months! From a size 20/22 to a 10/12!!! Can you believe it? Life is great and I am truly blessed to be given this second chance at life! I am living my life to the fullest. ~Di~


Today is October 28, 2002 Life is good! So much has changed in my life since the surgery! The support group I started on yahoo has blossomed! We started having support group meetings here in Miami and the turn out has been wonderful. We had our first group meeting on the 9th and we already have double RSVP this time around for attendees! I am thrilled!

Today is October 15, 2002, wow I can't believe it has been 2 months since I updated my profile :-( Sorry! I have been working a lot of overtime at work the past 3 months and my spare time has been dedicated to my support group on yahoo. We had our first group meeting, it was so great! Well I went from a size 20 to a 12 in 4 months! I feel great other than my lupus and A Plastic anemia (starting to act up). But I won't complain, because I don't feel no where near as bad as I did before WLS!! Muwahhh to you all! ~Di~



Today is August 15, 2002 ... I think I have hit my first plateau :-( But I have been working lots of over time at work and I know I am not getting in enough water throughout the day. I get so busy and forget. I plan on hitting the gym next week! I am feeling great and am so very happy. ~Di~

Today is August 4,2002 ...Happy 2 Month Anniversary to me!! Wow 2 months already ... the time ZOOOOMED by! I am down 55 lbs. I lost more in my first month than I did this month, but I am still very happy! I haven't been working out, my daughter has been sick and my hubby is getting ready for surgery (a cyst removal in his chest ... ouch!). But I will dedicate this month to working out and drinking more water. I feel like a BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY!! ~Di~

Today is July 30, 2002 ... I have been feeling great, eating just about anything. I found since this surgery that I don't have the desire to eat some things I loved before, such as bread, rice and pasta. I don't have a problem tolerating them, I just don't care for them anymore. I don't consider that to be a bad thing :-) My mind set is so different now. I eat to live instead of living to eat! The group that I started on yahoo a month ago is doing great! Alot of pre and post ops getting help from one another. ~Di~


Today is July 7, 2002 ...Went back to the gym and had one hell of a workout!! Weighed myself ... 45 lbs. gone forever!! I have been more brave with eating now, some chicken, salad, popcorn, wheat crackers, tuna (very small portions, not enough to make me full). But I still mostly stick with my hot soup, popcicles, yogurt and protein shakes, because those satisfy me the most. And I have been able to drink much more water! ~Di~


Today is July 2, 2002 ... Everything is going well. The weight is coming off and getting lots of compliments :-) I am very happy that I did this surgery and am glad my only compliant has been about gas. I hope everyone has a great 4th of July!! ~Di~


Today is June 28, 2002 .... I started a group on yahoo to talk about gastric bypass, would love for you to stop by!! I have lost another 10 pounds!! I went from a 44 to a 37.4 BMI!! In 3 weeks! Doing great. Craving fresh soups. Next week I head back to the gym! ~Diane~


Today is June 21, 2002 ... The pain in my back is gone! ~Diane~


Today is June 20, 2002 ... The pain is back! This gas pain in my back is worse than recovering from the surgery itself! MY GOODNESS! I have tried the gas x and hot broth and today I can't get rid of it! :-( ~Diane~


Today is June 19, 2002 ... Two Weeks and one day Post Op! Went to Dr. Gonzalez for follow up. -25 lbs!! Yippppppy! He said everything looked great and I was right on schedule with my weight loss. I get to return to work tomorrow ... THANK GOD! I got a pain last night in my back on the right side from shoulder to my waist. I was miserable. I talked to Dr. Gonzalez about it and he said it was gas and told me to take gas x. I did and drank some hot chicken broth and the pain is gone. It was the worse pain! I realized that I haven't had anything hot to drink in two days and believe me I won't make that mistake again! It really helps in breaking up the gas. ~Diane~


Today is June 11, 2002 ... One Week Post Op! First week on the other side :-) Thus far everything has been easy sailing. All full liquids I have tried, have been tolerated with no problem. No vomiting or dumping *YET*. Just still swollen and occassional gas. I got home on Friday and was out grocery shopping on Sunday and doing more each day that passes. I would go back to work if my employer would let me. I have to have a medical release first and I can't get that until I see my surgeon on June 19th. Weighed myself on Sunday and I was already -10 lbs!! Woohoo! ~Diane~


Today is June 7, 2002 ... HOME SWEET HOME I am officially on the other side. I have little discomfort, swelling and gas, but otherwise I am doing fine. It is nice to be home. ~Diane~


Today is June 4, 2002 ... 4 hours to go! I truly thought I would be very nervous by now, but I am not. I don't have any doubts or reservations about the surgery. I promise to update once I am out of the hospital.
A special thanks to Susan and Farah! Thank you for your friendship, love and support! ~Diane~


Today is June 3, 2002 ... 12 hours to go! I am so tired, lots of last minute running around to do. I don't think I will have a problem sleeping tonight! Wheeeeew I am beat! Kisses and Hugs to all that have kept me in your prayers! ~Diane~


Today is June 3, 2002 ...30 hours to go I can't believe how time has flown. I had a very busy weekend and lots to do today! I am starting to get a little nervous :-/ ~Diane~


Today is June 1, 2002 ... 3 more days!!
A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THAT HAVE POSTED ENCOURAGMENT ON MY PAGE!!! MUWAHHHHHHH!
I got my medical clearance yesterday. Baptist Hosptial called me to pre-op me for sugery (lots of questions) and then I spoke with the registration office to verify all my information (address, phone, ect.). I have a very busy weekend.
Muwahhhh ~Diane~


Today is May 31, 2002 ... 4 more days!! I was approved on May 28 and having the surgery on June 4th! That doesn't give me much time. Things are happening so fast! At first I think I was in shock and now I think I am getting a little nervous, but I have so much going on this weekend and I will work on Monday to keep my mind occupied. My hunny is getting very nervous and is starting to drive me crazy. ~Diane~




Photos

282
Before
143
After


Hospital Reviews
  • (Miami, FL) - Baptist Hospital of Miami

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    • Surgeon Info:
    Surgeon: Anthony M. Gonzalez, MD
    Today is June 19, 2002 Went for my follow up appointment. I am 2 weeks and one day post op and have lost 25 pounds :-) Waited 3 hours in Dr. Gonzalez's office! Unbelievable but everything is going so well, so I won't complain. ~Diane~
    Today is May 29, 2002 Went into Dr. Gonzalez office with my pre-approval authorization number and all the information he needed. Carmen is the woman who handles all of the insurance side for the doctors office. She was amazed and even hugged me for doing all of the leg work :-) My surgery date is scheduled for June 4, 2002! That is 6 days!! There was a cancellation while I was in there.
    Today is May 8th, 2002 I decided to reschedule my appointment with Gonzalez because BCBS is requesting a Psych Evaluation along with a detailed diet history. I would like to have my pre-approval before our next visit. I also scheduled my appointment with the Pulmonary doctor. Both appointments are on May 29th.
    Today is May 1st, 2002 I went to the group meeting at Dr. Gonzalez's office this morning. It was very informative and direct. You learn the good and bad regarding the surgery and your life change afterwards. He requests a Psych Evaluation and a Pulmonary clearance. He will give you the name of the doctors he wants you to see. The Pulmonary doctor is no problem he is under my insurance. But the Psychiatrist he wants you to see charges $400.00 for the evaluation. I scheduled it with a doctor in my own network and will give her an outline of what he wants. I refuse to pay to wash someone else's hand. If approved he will get $25,000 for the surgery, I think that is enough, don't you? Again, I was there 3 hours! His office tried to charge me the $200.00, but I only paid the co-payment. BCBS insured me that the visit would be covered. My next appointment (one on one) is May 8th.
    Today is April 26, 2002 I met with Dr. Gonzalez on April 10th, 2002 for the first time. I like Dr. Gonzalez's approach but agree with everyone else, the wait is ridiculous (3 hours in the waiting room and 7 minutes in the room)!! Calling his office for an appointment or to ask question is like an act of congress. Be patient and put it on speaker. It is worth the wait thus far. The staff is great, very friendly and attentive to each and everyone. But don't have enough hands and ears for all the patients. I have an appointment with the group on May 1, 2002. He charges $200.00! Because the insurance does not cover the first consultation without pre-approval. So, since I don't have $200.00 to give him I decided to go the pre-approval route and felt it would be best so they would cover it from beginning to end (HOPEFULLY THEY'LL APPROVE IT)!!
    Insurer Info:
    BCBS, Blue Care - Health Options
    Today is May 28, 2002 ... Can we say APPROVED? YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! Persistance does pay off! Whooooooohoooooo
    Today is May 22nd, 2002 I got my evaluation back and she gave BCBS the ok. She said very nice things about me in this report regarding my personality and confidence. If you decide to see her tell her upfront what you need and she'll know what to do. If you mention my name she will only charge you $200.00 if you don't have insurance. Anyway, I will fax everything over to BCBS tomorrow morning and hopefully have an answer by Monday. CROSS YOUR FINGERS!!
    Today is May 15th, 2002 I had my appointment with Annette Massey and took the MMPI-2 and the BDI. Then I had a clinical interview, her basically asking me questions about why I want the surgery, my family history and such. She is a very nice lady. I was her second patient that saw her for an evaluation for gastric bypass surgery. I gave her an outline that Dr. Gonzalez requires. I got it from a patient that went to the doctor he recommends for the evaluation but charges $400.00 for it!.
    Today is May 10th, 2002 I spoke with BCBS, they are requesting a Psych Evaluation. I scheduled an appointment for May 15th, 2002 with Annette Massey.
    Today is May 9th, 2002 I sent off my letter of necessity from both my PCP and Rheumatologist, Surgeon Referral. The letter was very detailed with my BMI, current and past weight, history of diets without long term success, knowledge of procedure and life change, possible future health preventions with current and furture illiness caused by obesity.
    I spoke with my local representative and she called me once she received the fax and told me it look like I had just about everything I needed and to call on Monday or Tuesday and they should have an answer.
    Keep your fingers crossed!! If it is approved, I would have to say it was the detailed letter I wrote (on behalf of my PCP), making sure you have a contact name, phone number and fax of your health provider. In hense don't fax it over just to anyone and let it sit there, make sure you know where it is supposed to be sent.
    I did not wait for my PCP to fax it because it is a very busy office and I know that it will not be sent until late next week. They're two ladies in one office with 5 doctors. I suggest you take it in your own hands and stay on top of it. That is something I learned from talking with other ObesityHelp.com memebers and friends :-)
    Don't be affraid to email people that have the same insurance as you do and ask them what they did, if they have a copy of the approved letter and such. Get as much information as possible. And be DETERMINED and ready to fight!!