I am a 45 yo single mother with 2 grown children, 24yo daughter and 21yo son. They each have a son, 15mos and 1mo. I have been obese for 14+ years. I have tried multiple yoyo diets including Jenny Craig, WW, physician supervised B-12 shots, Adipex with Xanical, Nutrisystem, then diets on my own, including Slim Fast, Cabbage, Atkins, Dexatrim, Carb busters off TV, Body Make-over and so many others. When I started ordering off TV many times, I said that I'll just live with this extra weight. I have always said that when I have grandchildren, I'll just be "Big Mama" (LOL). A year ago, I started having difficulty walking and climbing stairs. I have had multiple injections and have been on a daily pain med that have all been unsuccessful with relieving pain and the only alternative is to lose weight and keep it off. This process has been unsuccessful on my own and with physician help. I didn't mention that most of the diets were attempted more than once. If I had the money That I spent, I'm sure that I could vacation for a long time. WLS is my last hope as I am too young to have knee and hip replacements. I was always an active person going camping, traveling, amusement parks, etc, but now I can't even play on the floor with my grandson. I hope to have this surgery before he can remember that Grandma always says that she can't because her knees or hip hurts. I try to not let my co-workers know that I'm in pain because I don't want to lose my job, so I stay to myself. Sometimes, someone will say "why are you walking like that, are you in pain?" I want to be able to enjoy the rest of my life pain free and without limitations.
10/17/05.... I made my cardiac clearance appointment for 11/3... I have my PCP appointment tomorrow... The orthopedic surgeon has dictated a LOMN... I'm on my way :-)
10/20/05... I made my GI clearance appontment for 10/27.. I'm still waiing for a psych appointment, if I don't get a callback tomorrow then I'll try another provider. I'm excited :-)
10/24/05.. My psych eval is scheduled for 10/28.. I hope I can get approved and have surgery by mid November.. I know, wishful thinking.
11/2/05.. OK, all has been sent to the surgeon's office, but I can't confirm if they've received it as Teresa does not return my calls. I'll stop by the office tomorrow.
11/4/05.. I went to the cardiologist yesterday and had an EKG and echo done. I have to go back 11/11 for a nuclear stress test. I found it amazing how the doc openly spoke about not agreeing with WLS, After a few comments including "just zip your mouth closed," he started with the exam. It's a good thing he doesn't work for the insurance company. I was at the cardiologist office so long that I couldn't get to the surgeon before he closed.
I spoke with Teresa at the surgeon's office earlier and was once again blown off with "I'll call you back this afternoon," but of course, it didn't happen. I read a post on the message board that said this process will teach you patience and it is sooo true.
11/7/05.. Teresa called me back today and said she has everything to submit to the insurace company tomorrow. Thank God that it's finally being done, then it'll be the waiting game for the insurance company to respond.
It took 5 days for the surgeon's office to respond, it shouldn't take more than 10 days for the insurance company to respond. I'll give them 2 weeks before I become a squeaky wheel. Pray for me.
11/14/05.. I decided to call the insurance company and was told that nothing had been received from the surgeon's office. The nurse at the ins co was told that Teresa is gone for the day and a message was left for Teresa to fax info to her attention tomorrow. I know I am supposed to be patient, but can I be mad?
11/15/05.. Called insurance company again today and still no paperwork, asked the nurse to call the surgeon's office. This time I left a message for the office manager to call me. I guess between me and the nurse from the insurance company something was finally faxed for authorization. When the office manager called me back, she said that she faxed the paperwork and confirmed that it was received,. She also told me that I will have an answer by Thursday. I hope it's a positive answer.
11/17/05.. EGD done today without a problem.. Actually it was quite pleasant from admitting to discharge.
11/18/05.. Approved with a date!!! 12/7/05. All tests and clearances are done. PATs scheduled for 11/22/05.
11/24/05.. It's Thankgiving and I'm home alone, unable to get around. How sad :-(
12/1/05.. Just an update on what's been going on.. On 11/28, I left a message about my casted foot situation for the surgeon saying that if it's a problem to call me back and as of this date, no call back.. so it's ok. Yesterday, I had my medical clearance done with my PCP and today, I am doing up all my paperwork for my son in case things don't go smoothly (gotta have plan B).
12/5/05.. I'll update today as tomorrow I'll be on clears with an all day prep and I'm not sure if I'll be online. Just wanted to say that OH has been such a help with so many knowlegeable and helpful people. I look forward to joining those of you on the other side. I am starting at 245# at 5'6"
12/11/05.. I'm an official loser.. Had surgery 12/7 and it was uneventful. I was on a PCA morphine the day of surgery, the next day it was dc'd and I only required something for insicional pain once after. The only pain I had after that was from the GAS! I walked, took Mylicon, but no relief. I sipped and sipped and eventually I vomitted 12/9 at 12:20am because there was no outlet for the gas. Finally later that afternoon, I expelled lots of gas with liquid BM and felt good enough to go home. Now that I'm home, I am getting to know my pouch. I can only tolerate 1/2 SF Jello otherwise I get such a stuffed feeling (like I ate Chinese food). I'm learning and will update after my 12/15 appt with my surgeon.
12/15/05... It's official... I am a loser, down 18#
12/29/05... I started a regular diet yesterday. I had a piece of chicken for lunch, ff cheese for snack, curried turkey (Val's recipe) for dinner and a protein drink for snack. I am finally getting my water in. I don't know what to eat for breakfast, I used to have a bagel and coffee for breakfast. I am so sick of egg beaters and cream of wheat. I'll roam the boards for ideas. I'll update 1/5/06 after I see the surgeon. Happy New Year to all!
1/5/06... I went to the surgeon today and I am down another 8#.. I'm back to work and now have to work on getting my fluids in again. It's so busy that I forget to drink and without drinking, you don't pee (LOL). I have to get serious about my protein and water before it's too late. I'll probably do protein shake for the drive to work, eat lunch, protein shake for dinner and I'll take string cheese in case there's time for a snack. Discovery health is having their yearly weight loss challenge starting 1/14/06. If you register on their website, you'll get 8 weeks free at Bally's. I'll go 5am every morning before work. I'll let you know how it goes. Take it easy until next time.
1/21/06... I said that I wouldn't look at the scale, but I did yesterday and it showed a weight of 210#. My next MD appointment is in April. I am down 2 clothing sizes and that hurts the pocketbook, but on the upside, I feel better. I just need my foot to heal, so I can do some serious money making. I haven't gone to the gym because my foot is so swollen that it hurts to walk. I'm doing everything that the doc and therapist tell me to do, but the pain is still there. Pray for me. Take it easy until next time.
1/31/06... I saw my metabolic physician today and I am down 40#.. He also told me that my Vitamin A & D levels are down 50%. Even if I double my multivitamin, my vitamin D still needs to be more, so I'm off to the store to get a vit D supplement.
3/12/06... I noticed that I haven't updated in awhile. I saw my podiatrist yesterday and he prescribed Lidocaine patches for my foot. I feel alot better when the patch is on (on for 12hrs). I am down 52# and 3 clothes sizes. I hope to be back to normal by October when I go on the cruise. I bought shoes for the cruise and want to be able to wear them. I am free of pain in my right hip although stairs still get to my knees. The only foods that cause me problems are chicken and milk products (not cheese). Chicken seems to swell after I eat it and my pouch gets too full, so I only have it once a week. Milk shakes (fat free milk) and yogurt are off the list for now. I used to be able to tolerate them, but now I get full of gas and loose frequent stools. People say that I am skinny, but I don't see myself as skinny. Skinny people at 5'6" don't wear a size 16. I have my appointment with 2 docs on 4/6, so I'll update then.
4/4/06... I just stopped by to say that I'm an Angel to BiGChyck K of East Orange, NJ.. Her surgery is scheduled for 4/27/06.. I feel excited like when my daughter was pregnant. Later.
4/8/06... I saw my docs on 4/6 and I am down 55#.. Everything has been ok and my next appointment for blood work is 6/12... I'll update later....
6/24/06... It's been a little while since I updated.. I'm down 70# and wearing size 12 from size 24. My grandson is visiting from St. Thomas.. I'm so happy that I've lost weight because he's almost 2yrs old and he is too busy to keep up with if I had all that weight still. I got terminated from the hospital because of my non healing foot, so I am now working a temporary job in an office and walking gets better each week. Once my foot gets better, I can go back to hospital work. I need a permanent job, so I can have insurance coverage. My surgeon stopped accepting my insurance and my next appointment is in July, so I'll have to pay cash if I don't have a permanent job. I haven't had any eating problems and have been feeling good arthritis wise. I'll update in August. Take care.
8/14/06... Hi all.. I'm doing good.. down to 170# and wearing a loose size 12. This week, I'm moving to my own apartment. My son has moved to Tennessee and I don't need 3 bedrooms. I haven't had my own place for 28 years (wow)..gotta finish packing... Take care.
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pre-op 245... BMI 39.5
12/15 227... BMI 36.6
1/5/06 219... BMI 35.3
1/20 210... BMI 33.9
1/31 205... BMI 33.1
3/1/06 195... BMI 31.5
3/12 193... BMI 31.2
4/6 190... BMI 30.7
4/24 183... BMI 29.5
6/24 175... BMI 28.2
8/14 170... BMI 27.4
This was
on 12-31-2005
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