ObesityHelp

Weight Loss Surgery Directory

By Location By Map

Judy C.
Elberton, GA, USA
Post Op - BMI: 49.4
Surgery Type: RNY
Member ID: C1061693687
Surgeon: Michael Williams

Click here for Judy's surgery support page
Click here for the 12/2003 Reunion Page
Click here to print Judy's cards
(You can print your own cards, and if you're good at it,
you can help print cards for your friends as well!)

1/18/04 FINALLY seem to have broken the plateau!! Only 5 weeks out and already a plateau!! Been fighting the pseudomembraneous colitis and weakness, now not so weak, so can get out and walk better--and I guess my body's not holding on to EVERYTHING because of the tremendous fluid loss with the diarrhea -- whatever, I sure am feeling better and glad to be losing again!!

10/31/03 Received a copy of the letter Dr. Williams sent to my insurance company today -- can't quit reading it over and over!! It's surreal that this one has MY name on it--not one I'm reading of someone else! SO COOL!! It's starting to really feel like it's gonna happen!! "Goosebumps!!"

11/7/03 Swore I wouldn't get too impatient, BUT, I called my insurance company today to see where my approval stood and was told they had just sent a letter to my doc to have me get a dietician's consult . . . .their only requirement has been a psych eval which was done and fine . . . FRUSTRATION!! I'm SO anxious just for the obvious reasons, AND I need to have it done ASAP because of work. . . . GRRR! I keep telling myself it's just another hoop to jump through . . . that's how I made it through Grad school with all the "busy work" but I made it
through that and I'll make it through this . . . . . maybe it'll make me appreciate it even more once I get there !!???!!

11/12/03 Went today for my nutrition counseling--one more hoop jumped through!! COME ON APPROVAL AND DATE SCHEDULING!!!

11/21/03 Called my insurance com. today and found out I AM APPROVED!!! Can't make appt or schedule until the doctor's office receives the written approval, but a minor delay! Made several calls back and forth to ins co and doc's office to try and get the approval faxed to the doc, but due to "technical difficulties" was unable to. . . oh well!! I have to keep reminding myself that patience is a virtue and waiting from Fri to Mon to get scheduled, is not REALLY a big deal! But . . .one more hoop jumped through and one step closer...This is REALLY going to happen!!!! Now I'm starting to get nervous, but SO excited!!

11/26/03 I HAVE A DATE!! Dec. 12!! I am SOOOOOO excited -- it is SUCH a relief just knowing I have a date -- funny what the mind does FOR us (and sometimes TO us)!! This is COOL!!

12/10/03 Well I'm leaving to stay in Atlanta tonite so I don't h ave to drive in early morning traffic and worry about being late for my pre-op visit tomorrow morning with my surgeon and at the hospital Friday morning!! This is SO EXCITING!! Had a couple of emotional days, but they're gone and I'm GREAT!! Thank you for all the prayers and great thoughts from my AMOS friends. As I've read so m any times in the other journals (and I thought I'd never get to say.....) SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE!! WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!

12/15/03 Hi guys!! I made it to the other side!! YEA! I was SO terrified of not waking up, I figured everything else was downhill from there -- turned out to be not quite accurate, but........I feel stronger and better every day. The surgery sites were the least of it all -- the shoulder pain from the CO2 put in to see my innerds was HORRENDOUS! But with walking and walking . . . it is hardly there. Am I glad I went through with it?????? Hell yes!!!!!!!! I'd do it again in a minute!!

12/20/03 WOW!! This is unbelieveable! I can't believe how great I feel! I THINK I have all this energy and I sit and plan all I'm going to do as soon as I get up, but then---I'm like a weak kitten and wobble-kneed--I've quit letting it get me down, I just do some small walking, sit down, drink some protein, sip on my water and thank God for leading me to this wonderful tool. Have lost 14 pounds in 9 days, so guess I have reason to be weak -- but have absolutely NO PAIN! -not even my arthritis that had me on a cane before surgery--finally figured out it was the tomatoes I ate EVERY day== (DUH!) I'm a happy old lady!!

12/27/03 WOO HOO!! First major goal--under 300 this a.m.--299!!! Yesterday was first day of chewing since the surgery 2 weeks ago--HEAVEN!! Really created some strange twinges and funny feelings, but all in all was GREAT!! the all liquids was REALLY getting old quick!! But it's worth it!!

2004

January 2004
6/24/04 What at totally WASTED day yesterday!! Went for my 6 month check up with Dr. Williams.. .Went in excited and proud I had lost 72 pounds since surgery and 85 since 2 weeks prior to surgery. . .I'm 1/2 way to my goal!! Well, after taking a day off work, driving almost 3 hours each way, waiting for an hour and half.. . it was their lunch time by then. . .he obviously didn't share my enthusiasm about my success. . began immediately which was PERFECT except my triglycerides was 159 (normal is up to 149)..had been over 250 before and that was with medication!! I was ecstatic. . for a few minutes!! then I said I was a little disappointed because I was really wanting to be down 100# by 6 months, and expecting (and hoping) for a little encouragement and the usual blah blah about how we can't compare ourselves with others. . that since I had made so many lifestyle changes, I was doing fine. . . . but, NO!! He said HE was ALSO disappointed, and that I SHOULD have lost over 100....I was SO blown away. . .and he must have been able to tell by the look on my face . . .so he quickly added that since I was over 50 (55), my metabolism was slower . . . I was so devastated that I forgot to ask the few questions that I had been dying to ask......First the 3 month meeting with the nutritionist was such a waste . . . just wanted to be sure I was eating slowly, chewing well, etc . . . DUH!! at three months, I guess I was!! Didn't know the answer to any of the questions I had about not being able to eat chicken. . .another 6 hours on the road, day off work for NOTHING!! since the surgery I have done so well to not use food as I had before to soothe hurt feelings, stress, etc., when I left the office all I wanted to do was go to one of the many Dairy Queens I passed on the long way up there, but I DIDN'T!! Sure makes me not care if I go up there for my one year exam!! I thought 50% of total to lose at 6 months was pretty good . . .Some of my patients don't even recognize me !! Whatever!! I'm proud of the progress I've made and even tho I'm somewhat disappointed, I'm proud of my progresses!! Will not let that get me down ...will just keep on keeping on!!

February 2004

March 2004

April 2004

May 2004

June 2004

July 2004

Page Created by 01-07-04
If you'd like your profile spruced up
write to one of the HTML Volunteer’s
here:

Photos

Hospital Reviews

(Johns Creek, GA) - Emory Johns Creek Hospital

Product Reviews

Atkins - Atkins Ready-to-drink Protein Shakes

Isopure - Strawberries & Cream Protein Shake

Member Interests:

Cats

Dogs

Needlework, Knitting & Crocheting

Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.

Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Michael Williams
He is so kind and quiet mannered, I instantly took a real liking to him. I've worked in the OR as a Surg. nurse inyears gone by and wasn't real impressed with most surgeons, but he certainly made me feel quite different!! The staff in his office is very supportive. He emphasizes after care and has a structured aftercare program. Actually much better than the hospital did. On a scale of 1 - 10 I would definitely rate him a 10!! I feel like his competence and compassion were both superb and would change a thing about him. The thing that really impressed me was when I met him the first time the day before surgery, he told me he had read my progress notes here on the AMOS site. I thought that showed true caring and empathy for his patient--You would think a surgeon would be too busy to do such a menial thing -- he's cool!! would recommend him (and have already) to anyone. . .
Insurer Info:
BC/BS, PPO
Very helpful and cooperative whenever I called to check on status--only requirement was a Psych Eval -- did that before submitting the first try -- then they required a "Dietary consult" -- total waste of time -- $50 -- 3 hours each way drive time to learn I wasn't eating correctly -- DUH!!!! She didn't have any info about post op diet changes!! abut as soon as the insurance company received her report, they approved -- but wouldn't send the letter to the doctor's office till many many phone calls!! People in Customer Service were great -- the bureaucracy was typical!