ObesityHelp

I have tried every and all diets in this world. I am on thyroid medication, but still cannot lose weight. I am very out-going, well liked and take extra care on how I look daily. But in reality no matter how well you groom, overweight is ugly.
On April 22nd 2003 I went to Seminar at St. Paul and then on 4/23rd I was contacted by David to see Dr. Watson on Friday April 25th. After I had Vital Signs done, David walked in the room to re-schedule me for another appointment on May 10th. I let you know of any changes. This is for my consultation.
May 5th, Just recieved a call from medical assistant from the doctor's office, My PCP, He is now giving me a hard time. Said he does not want to fill out the letter of neccesity without knowing more about the surgery. Strange, My PCP acted so excited on the procedure. Now he is getting so strange like I am requesting something illegal.
I went to see Dr. Mark Watson and was very happy after I lefted the office. Dr. Watson was really caring and thoughtful and very friendly. He made me feel so relaxed. I am glad I picked him, Not that Dr. Provost was indifferent, but the wait is much shorter with Dr. Watson. David said that my papers will be put in a pile and that I will be notified once they are approved by my insurance carrier. Now the long wait (5/12/2003)
I called every single day until 5/21/2003 when I was informed by my UHC to contact Doctor's office to get update, I called David and lefted a message on his voice mail, he called me right back and advised me that I was approved, only after the 1st letter. Letter was submitted 5/12/2003 and approved on 5/21/2003. David explained to me that I would be contacted by Lois in about 2 or 3 days about my surgery date. I am so happy and cannot wait for this to be over, I hate waiting, but it is worth the wait. I love UHC....

JUST WAS GIVEN MY PRE-OP DATE FOR MAY 30TH AND SURGERY SET FOR JUNE 3RD. OH MY GOD, I AM SO EXCITED. NOW I HAVE TO SEAT DOWN AND GO OVER THE LIST OF THINGS I NEED AS FAR AS THE HOSPITAL (AT ST.PAUL) AND THE ITEMS FOR ME TO DRINK ETC, ETC, ETC.....TODAY IS MAY 23RD, 2003
My Pre-Op is at 9:AM on May 30th and my Surgery is June 3rd at 9:AM Wish me luck. I am so glad this is a short week due to Memorial Holiday on Monday. I can barely work. But I am on vacation next week. Today is May 27th.
Had my surgery on June 3rd at 9am and all went well. I am so vain, I went to surgery with make-up on and when I finally woked up-I was all smiles. I even changed into my own PJ's and spoked with my family and friends and my beautiful grandchildren came to see me. It was ok. Sure I was in pain, but not as hard as my C-section when I gave birth. I was up and moving around the room and no problem getting myself to the bathroom. I woked up alot, since the nurses were checking my bag. I was so happy that I only had 4 small incision's and one slightly longer slit. The next morning I semi-washed myself--the wait was too long for the young lady to sponage bath me and I could do it myself anyway. I was really feeling ok considering everything else. I changed into another pair of PJ's and went upstairs to have the X-Ray's done for possible links, and none were found. I must have been grinning from ear to ear, No-one there would believe it that I had surgery. But then I did not like the taste of the liquid they gave me, All I could do was think of other things to keep my mind busy and not get sick of my stomach. This is where I had a problem with the nurse that answered my bell. On the 6th ring and about 20/30 minutes later I finally had a nurse in my room--(I might be lying on the time abit-not much) this is where my arm was enlarged and I knew I was getting sick. But all was corrected/they claim my needle from the bag was feeding into my arm instead of my vain. Who knows--it was painful and I was getting very ill. But do not think my nurse was bad, Just the young lady that answered the bell, she would not send another nurse my nurse was busy. She was new to the hospital and state. Friendly Nurse's in Dallas huh./.....Well I am back at work for only being off 3days (not counting Saturday & Sunday), and Not a problem with my liquid diet. I bought a little tote and dry ice pack. So my liquids are cold. I have an appointment this Friday and I will then let you know how much weight I have lost (and I know I already lost some weight, just by my clothes, atleast 5lbs - I am betting) I just don't want to get on the scale at home, bad idea that I learned at Weight Watcher's. This way I don't get discouraged. (June 9th).....
JUNE 11TH: Last night I went to see a class on water works/land works (excercise in the pool) and I am joining, but as I was taken around on tour, I saw a weight scale, so I got on it, Now bare in mind, this is not offical since it is not My doctor's office scale, but I now weigh 295 (308 was my weight when I signed onto this site), that means I lost a total 13 pounds in one week, but again--that is not official since it was not the scale in my doctor's office. I LOVE LIFE.....
JUNE 16TH--- OFFICAL WEIGHT LOST THE 1ST WEEK IS 13LBS. DR. WATSON SAID ALL IS GOOD, JUST REMEMBER, MY FIRST CONCERN SHOULD BE HOW I EAT NOT THE WEIGHT LOST, EAT/LIQUID AND DRINK AN HOUR LATER. KEEP PRACITICING THAT PROCEDURE SO THAT WHEN I DO GET TO START ON SOLID FOODS, I WILL NOT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE PROCEDURE---BUT STRANGE, I WENT TO MY NEW PCP DOCTOR THAT SAME AFTERNOON AND HE IS SHOWING ME LOSING 17LBS. HOW STRANGE IS THAT. OH WELL. MY CONCERN IS THAT I AM GETTING HUNGARY, BUT DR. WATSON SAID THIS IS NORMAL. MY NEXT APPT IS JULY 1 AT 9:AM
6/18/2003 :
I just had to let you know how bad I feel today, I am getting really hungary and only think of food. Thank God I belong to AA. I really have the tools of the 12 step program that I happen to be using for FOOD right now. I cannot say it is because of pain. I actually have had a good recovery. I just think of food. But as we say in AA. ( This soon shall pass ) and it always does. A few times recently, I have thought, Why have I gone thorough this, but you know, I would not have it any other way. I stop a few minutes and thank God it is nice to see my clothes a little bigger, and I can walk longer walks. And I see in my face the weight loss. And I sleep well. So if I think of all the good I have seen lately, I can get out of myself and be grateful that I am alive. By the way, I want to thank all who have emailed me. You really give me encouragement. I mean, my God, Just today- a Co-Worker who had RNY, about 7 months ago--and is having a baby, came by to see me today, after she lefted I felted so much better. Her comforting words helped me more than anything else. I am blessed to have friends that have gone thorough exactly what I am going thorough. I know that this bad feeling will soon pass, and it always does.
July 21st 2003: The reason I am writing this note, is because I really overate this weekend and I am so ashamed. I know I was taking a risk, but the food went down so good. I have an appointment with Dr. Watson and a radiologist on July 25th and I am concerned of this eating. The problem is that I have had this problem for several weeks. I let you know more by Friday.
July 28th 2003: I went to see Dr. Watson on July 25 and I had a fill. Dr. Watson stated that my pouch was empty and I had air in my pouch, ?'d if I felted any pain, I advised no, just hunger.
He did advise me to see how it went for 2weeks and if hunger is still there, let him know. I am now wearing a size 22 dress size, I was wearing 26/28. So just that is a miracle for me. It has been awhile since I wore that size. I am getting more and more negative remarks on my surgery, but I am gratiful for it. I feel great. I notice now that I have to chew my food completely so I guess the fill is working and I stay full longer.
August 29th 2003: I am now down to 274. Not bad, since I started at 308 and still lost 10 lbs before that. Had a second fill on 8/8/2003, things are better. Still walking, but slowed down alittle since Dallas, Texas had such a heat wave recently and I really do not want to over do it. I feel great. I do not regret this surgery.
October 20th 2003:
This happens to be my 1st day back to work due to a HUGE problem with my lap-band procedure. On 9/30 I was admitted in the hospital with chest pains, come to find out, the pain was my stomach and it was caused by food that was lodged in my opening and causing me trouble breathing and severe pain that caused my Lap Band to be removed and also had a section of my stomach removed (Gastric Surgery).. I wish this for no one. I am now down to 260 lbs. I returned to work against my wish, but I do believe the doctor knows better, I am so tender around the incision, but I will get thorough it. My next office visit is 10/31/2003 and will note more than. I am not a very happy camper at this time.