ObesityHelp

I am trying to get approved. Have hit some bumps in the road though. But, I am not giving up. The choices I have had to make to even get me this far have taken too much out of me to turn back now. I am going to fight! For myself and for the ones who love me!

2-21-04:
Well, last tuesday I had my surgeons office send out my info to insurance. So now the waiting game begins. My husbands insurance doesn't carry this surgery, unless clinically, morbidly obese. So patience is going to have to become one of my strong points. GOOD LUCK THERE!!! LOL

I guess I should tell you all a little about myself. I am married and have a 7 year old boy. My husband is very supportive and is one of the wonderful men in this world that says," I love you no matter how heavy you are or become." But, come on we all know that they may really mean that but, look me in the eyes and tell me that they wouldn't love us more if there was less to love!!! I have been heavy all my life. I lost weight in high school but put on the freshman 30lbs. instead of the freshman 15lbs. I never was one to follow the rules. I have great friends, and some of them are now themselves on the loosing side of life and I can't wait to join them. I have so much support from them and they are going to be priceless when I have all these questions after surgery. I am about 268-270lbs. I fluctuate between the two. I know I have a good life, but, I know it will be so much better when I can love myself to the maximum. I will keep you all updated on how the insurance is coming along. I also want everyone to know that I am so amazed at the support and love one recieves from this web site. And this site really has changed my life already. God Bless you all!

3-8-04:
Well, I have a couple new things to cheer about! I GOT APPROVED TODAY FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY! HALLELUHIA! MAN I THOUGHT THIS DAY WOULD NEVER COME! I still feel like someone is gonna call and say there was a mistake and I am not approve. I guess the one reason I am so amazed is that I tried a different insurance comp. first and was denied right off the bat. But, this is the first try with Humana, and they approved. And to top it off, my husband's policy doesn't cover this. I guess they looked at all the information and thought they better help me or something! I don't know and really don't care. WOW! What an awesome feeling. It only took 3 weeks, but man it felt a hell of lot longer than that. I am sure you all can relate to me on that one! I don't have a date yet, the surgeons office wanted to know that I was approved first and then the other stuff and start happening. But, this is enough for today anyway! I can wait a little now, can't take time off from work right away anyway, so no problem.

My other wonderful news is........ I HAVE A WONDERFUL ANGEL! HER NAME IS KIMBERLY AND SHE LIVES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY FROM ME. BUT, THAT IS FINE. SHE IS HAVING HER WLS IN 9 DAYS AND I AM SO HAPPY FOR HER. SHE WILL BE RECOVERED HOPEFULLY ENOUGH BY THE TIME I GO IN FOR MY SURGERY THAT IT WILL WORK OUT JUST RIGHT FOR THE BOTH OF US! THANK YOU KIMMIE, FOR BEING MY ANGEL AND FRIEND. I WISH ALL THE BEST FOR YOU, NOW AND ALWAYS!

When I found out I was approved today I had to go straight to the hospital and tell my best-friend. She is so sick right now. She is on here to. Her name is Kelley Lorenzen and she had the wls 4 months ago! She has something wrong with her colon, and even though she is in alot of pain, she still was so happy for me and then we called our other dearest friend, Janet, and she was so happy for me to. With them both in my life and my other loved ones, my life is so full and I am so happy and thankful for everyone of them. That includes my Angel! LOL

I am so proud and happy to have such good friends in my life and to have them to share this news with is awesome. Both, my friends have had the surgery and both are doing as well with it as possible I guess. As you all know that are post-op, there are the good days, the bad days, and then the I want the world to go away for awhile, days! Well, my 2 girls are the same as you all.

Well, better let myself sit back and think this all through again. It is sinking in slowly and wonderfully. I am so stoked. Like ya all didn't already pick that up by now! LOL LOL
X's and O's to all.

3-14-04:
Well, I am having a great week on one hand and a terrible week on the other hand. I got approved on monday, by friday I was setting up a meeting with my surgeon for the following monday to talk about surgery which is penciled in as April 7th but nothing is for sure yet until I meet with him again. Hopefully, like I said I will get in to see him on monday. Will post more on that when there is something to post.
I also, found out from my boss on friday that I may have a job for a long time to come, which I have been hoping for dearly. I have been a fill in at work, for the last, oh, 3 months, here soon. And the lady I was working for has quit so that means I will get to stay. I really like my job, I am a cook at the elementary school in my home town, and it is where my son goes to school. So he goes to work with me, and if he doesn't have school then I don't have to work, so it really works out good for my life. So both of these things are real big in my life. But, to find out both positive things in one week is amazing.

On the other hand. I have quit smoking as of friday the 12th of March. I have most likely less than a month till surgery and I needed to stop for that. But, have wanted to find the will power and drive to stop my filthy habit. Well, now I have a major reason to stop smoking, and as the Lord is my witness, I hope I never pick another cigarette up again for as long as I live.It sure is not easy by any means though. I am having a hard time of it. But, the end results will all be worth it. I have gotten alot of advice on how to help with the craving, by posting on the main message board, I got alot of responses. And every single one helps in a certain way. And to know that people care enough to give you a "Way to go, or I will be praying for you," is so wonderful. Makes me feel so good.

I also have another angel. It is my best friend kelley. I figured she would want someone who was farther post-op then even she was, you know for advice and all that. But, she asked if she could be mine and if I would be her's. I was so proud to have her ask me. Wow, like I said what a week. Approval, job security, 2 angels to look over me, and starting to make my life healthier by every minute that ticks away that I haven't started smoking again! Still they haven't kicked my butt, yet. So far I am still winning the battle with the smokes and I 100% plan on winning. I will update again soon when I find out more. And when my surgery date is wrote on my surgeon's calendar in pen instead of pencil, then I will know it is all really gonna happen and will let all you out there know. Thanks to everyone who has thought of me and the smoking habit. I am a lucky lady.

3-17-04:
HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY EVERYONE! I have so much to write about, but, it is so late and I have to work tomorrow, so I am gonna write just a little and will add tomorrow. My angel, KIMMIE, is having surgery tomorrow. I am also her angel, so I called her tonite, to let her know I was thinking about her and would pray for her. She is nervous of course,but,I can tell she is ready and willing! She has the best family. I have only heard them on the phone, but, you can tell they love that girl. She is so lucky! I post more on her when I know more from her hubby!
I did meet with my surgeon on monday for 2 hours. I was the last appointment so he took alot of time with me going over my questions and answers. He really knows his stuff. I felt even better about the surgery after leaving his office. I went into his office choicing to have the open rny, by the time I left, I was planning for Lap. I am happy with my finale dicision. My wonderful husband works on the road. And he most likely will not be able to come home for my surgery. As you read above, I have a 7 year old boy. So being that I am Mom and Dad, when dad is gone, I need to bounce back as soon as possible. And for other reasons, my fears of having my intestine nicked really had me scared of the Lap at first, until I talked to Dr. Shinneril more. He is so personable. I am so lucky to be able to have such a neat and reliable surgeon. For the small area I live in, that is a really fortunate thing to have.

Well, guess I need to go to bed. Morning comes soon. I could stay on here all night. It is such a wonderful place. I also, want to give a shout out to Janet, my friend who is on the beach in San Fransico. We, here in Iowa, are dealing with a real sizable snow storm and she is tanning on vacation with her wonderful husband. I give her a hard time, but, I am so happy for them both. She had a Lap done with the same surgeon that I am going to have. She was his first Lap, patient ever. He is very exsperinced with the open but, is still new to the Lap, he is being supporvized by a Lap Doctor that is very well known and has a very good name for himself in the buisness. So, I am his 3rd Lap patient ever. Wow, at first I thought there was no way I was doing this Lap. But, Janet, being his first, has done wonderfully. So she is my example of how good he is. I really do feel better knowing that one of my close friends had this done with him just a short time ago and she is doing so good. Well, I have been on here way too long as usual. 6 days of no smoking so far. It is hard. But, I am not looking back! Will return soon and add more to here. Loves to all, Laura

3-18-04:
WELL, TODAY WAS KIMMIE'S HUGE DAY OF TRANSFORMATION. SHE IS DOING GOOD, A LITTLE QUEAZEY AT TIMES AND THE PAIN MEDICINE NEEDS SOME IMPROVEMENT AND NOTHING TO DRINK SUCKS FOR HER BUT, OVER ALL SHE IS DOING GREAT. SHE HAS HER LOVING FAMILY BY HER SIDE AND HELPING OUT AT HOME WITH HER KIDS. I HAVE TO PAY MY RESPECTS TO HER HUBBY, WALT, HE IS SUCH A SWEET GUY. PEOPLE, HE TOOK 2 WEEKS VACATION OFF WORK JUST TO BE THERE FOR HIS WOMAN. IS THAT A GOOD MAN OR WHAT. ALSO, AS SOON AS HE KNEW KIMMIE WAS OUT OF SURGERY AND DOING GOOD, HE CALLED AND LEFT A MESSAGE ON MY MACHINE AT HOME. THEN I MUST HAVE TALKED TO HIM ABOUT 4-5 MORE TIMES AS THE DAY WENT ON. HE IS SO SWEET AND CARING. LUCKY WOMAN! I WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW TOMORROW IF I FIND ANYMORE OUT ABOUT HOW SHE IS DOING.

I HAVE BEEN SMOKE FREE FOR 7 COUNT THEM 7 DAYS NOW. I AM DOING THIS. BUT, I STILL HAVE THE CRAVING AND I FIND MYSELF GOING TO PICK UP SMOKES OUT OF HABIT AND NO THERE ISN'T ANY SMOKES THERE TO PICK UP. BUT, LIKE I WAS LEAVING THE OTHER NIGHT TO GO TO BINGO WITH MY FRIEND KELLEY, WELL SHE WALKED OUT MY BACK DOOR AND I RAN BACK IN BECAUSE I HAD FORGOTTEN MY SMOKES! HELLO, I DON'T HAVE ANY IN THE ENTIRE HOUSE. NO NEED FOR TEMPTATION AND WHY HAVE ANY HERE WHEN I AM NOT GOING TO SMOKE EVER, EVER, EVER, AGAIN. I THINK I WAS JUST TELLING MYSELF THERE MORE THAN ANY OF YOU! LOL I AM CALLING MY SURGEON TOMORROW, HE STILL HAS NOT GOTTEN BACK TO ME ON SOME INFO HE WAS GONNA GET FOR ME. IF I GET THE INFO I NEED AND WANT I WILL POST IT HERE. IF NOT I WILL PROBABLY BE BACK TO CRAB ABOUT IT. NO I WILL BE PATIENT AND WAIT UNTIL HE CALLS ME! NO I WON'T I AM CALLING HIM. AM I TYPING THIS ALL OUT LOUD? LOL ANYWAY, I HAD BETTER GET TO BED! WILL TALK TO YOU ALL AGIAN REAL SOON. AND KIMMIE, YOU ARE SUCH A WOMAN. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU AND SO HAPPY EVERYTHING WENT SO WELL. I HOPE YOUR RECOVERY IS JUST AS SMOOTH AS THE SURGERY WAS. LOVES TO ALL,LAURA XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXX

3-25-04:
WELL, WHAT A WEEK THIS HAS BEEN! I WAS TOLD THAT MY DATE, SET FOR APRIL 7TH, WASN'T LIKELY TO HAPPEN, AND THAT IT MIGHT BE A COUPLE MONTHS IN FACT! WELL, I AM EXCITED TO REPORT THAT, I HAVE A FINALE DATE, THAT I AM PROMISED IS SET IN STONE! APRIL 14TH! I AM SO HAPPY. WHO WOULDN'T BE? MY JOB IS WILLING TO GIVE ME AS MUCH TIME OFF AS I WANT, SO I WAS THINKING ABOUT 3-4 WEEKS SHOULD DO FINE! AS MY HUSBAND WORKS ON THE ROAD, I DOUBT HE WILL BE HERE, ALTHOUGH IF HE IS THAT WILL BE WONDERFUL AS WELL! I HAVE ALOT OF GOOD FRIENDS IN MY LIFE THAT ARE THERE TO SUPPORT ME. THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE JUST UNSUPPORTIVE AND IMMATURE AND THINK THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE PROBLEMS IN THEIR LIVES. WELL, I AM NOT GOING TO INVOLVE THOSE KIND OF PEOPLE INTO MY LIFE ANY MORE. IF THEY AREN'T ABLE TO SUPPORT ME AND BE HAPPY FOR ME TO GET ANOTHER CHANCE AT LIFE, A HEALTHY LIFE THAT IS, THEN I DON'T NEED THEM IN MY LIFE. DON'T GET ME WRONG, I WILL THINK OF THEM FROM TIME TO TIME AND WONDER HOW THEY BECAME SO UNCARING AND JUDGING, AND I REALLY JUST FEEL PITY FOR THEM. FOR YOU SEE, THE THINGS THEY ARE TREATING ME SO RUDELY ABOUT ARE THE SAME THINGS THEY WANT TO DO AND JUST HAVEN'T FOUND A WAY TO DO THEMSELVES, SO THEY HAVE FOR SOME DEMENTED REASON, PICKED ME TO TAKE SOME OF THEIR ANGER OUT ON. WELL,SO BE IT. I GUESS IF THEY ARE DOING IT AT ME THEN THEY AREN'T BEING MEAN TO SOMEBODY ELSE. IT JUST REALLY MAKES ME SAD. BUT, ANYWAY, THAT PART OF MY LIFE IS OVER AND NEGATIVE PEOPLE AND THINGS ARE NOT WELCOME IN MY LIFE ANY MORE. I AM OLD ENOUGH TO REALIZE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND I AM JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE NEXT PERSON AND NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO JUDGE ME EXCEPT THE LORD, HIMSELF!

SO, ONWARD AND UPWARD! MY SON WHO IS 7, AND I WERE OUT SIDE THE OTHER DAY AND HE KNOWS I AM HAVING THIS SURGERY AND HE SAW OUR NEIGHBOR, AND AS INNOCENTLY AS ANY 7 YEAR OLD, HE SAYS IN A SEMI-LOUD VOICE, "MOM, I THINK YOU NEED TO TELL OUR NEIGHBOR ABOUT THE SURGERY TO TAKE AWAY ALL HER FAT, I BET SHE WOULD BE HAPPY YOU TOLD HER, WANT ME TO GO TELL HER?" NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS SHOCKED AND JUST KINDA LOOKED AT HIM BEFORE I COULD RESPOND THAT, THAT IS NOT FOR ME TO DO AND HE SHOULD NEVER DO THAT EITHER, BECAUSE OF HURTING PEOPLES FEELINGS. WELL, HE SAYS,"BUT, MOM, IT IS A GOOD THING, AND BY THE WAY, MOM, CAN WE GIVE OUR CAT THE OPERATION TOO, HER TUMMY HANGS DOWN ALOT?" SO, OBVIOUSLY MY CHILD DOES NOT UNDERSTAND ALL THIS FULLY, WELL, HOW COULD HE. BOY, DOES HE MAKE ME LAUGH, THOUGH. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO WITHOUT HIM IN MY LIFE. HE IS WHAT KEEPS ME GOING, AND 1 OF THE TOP REASONS I AM HAVING THE SURGERY. I DESERVE IT, AND SO DOES HE! WELL, I WILL UPDATE MORE LATER! LOVES 2 ALL!

UPDATE HERE (MARCH)
3-29-04 Well, 16 more days until surgery. I still can't believe this is going to happen for me. I went to my insurance companys web site to see what it had to say. I have been PENDING for so long that I just about cryed today. It said APPROVED! Now, I knew I was APPROVED, but, the insurance company hadn't sent me anything, this was just word of mouth from my surgeons insurance lady. So this for real then. WOW!!!
Everybody see my wonderful profile decorations! I am so happy! The wonderful and amazing lady who did this is MARICHA. She is such a sweet person. And I have no words to let her know just how beautiful and happy I am for what she has done for me. What talent she has. THANK YOU, MARICHA!!!!!!!!! XOXCOXOXOX

I AM STILL NOT SMOKING AND IT REALLY IS GETTING BETTER EVERYDAY. I CAN DO THIS, I WILL DO THIS, I AM DOING THIS! OH, SORRY, JUST A LITTLE PEP TALK WITH MYSELF. LOL I TALKED TO MY WONDERFUL BOSS AGAIN TODAY AND SHE WAS SO UNDERSTANDING. TELLING ME TO TAKE OFF HOW EVER MANY DAYS I NEED AND TO NOT RUSH BACK UNTIL I AM 100% READY. THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE ANYONE TO COVER FOR ME WHILE I AM GONE. BUT, THEY STILL ARE NOT WORRIED, JUST SUPPORTIVE. I AM REALLY LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH GREAT LADIES TO WORK WITH. THEY ARE MAKING THIS ALL THE MORE SIMPLE, BY BEING SO HELPFUL.
I have decided that I am glad I am waiting until after Easter, to have the surgery, yea like I was given a choice.lol but, really this way I can do more with my son on that day and Easter is one of my favorite holidays anyway. My birthday is coming up! WOW, I am going to be 32 years old. that isn't so old. I will still have time to make my new life as full as possible! LIFE IS GOING REALLY GOOD RIGHT NOW! I CAN'T COMPLAIN AT ALL. WELL, MAYBE ONE THING. I WISH MY HUSBAND COULD BE HERE FOR MY OPERATION. I DOUBT HE WILL BE ABLE TO. WE KINDA THOUGHT HE WOULD BE WORKING CLOSER TO HOME BY THE TIME THE SURGERY DATE CAME AROUND, BUT, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. OTHERS ARE MOVING ON BUT, HE IS BEING LEFT BEHIND TO FINISH UP THE JOB. WELL, YOU CAN ONLY DO WHAT OTHERS WILL LET YOU SOMETIMES HUH? IT WILL ALL WORK OUT SOME HOW. IF HE IS MEANT TO BE HERE WITH ME IT WILL HAPPEN. IF GOD DECIDES HE NEEDS TO BE THERE MORE THAN HERE, THAT WILL BE OKAY TOO. GOD KNOWS WHAT I NEED. WELL, WILL COME ON HERE AGAIN SOON. BUT, FOR NOW, LOVES TO ALL AND KEEP FIGHTING!!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!!! XOXOXZOXOXOX

UPDATE HERE (APRIL)
4-6-04 Hey guys! Well, I had my finale consultation with Dr. Shinneril last night. As always he gave me all his attention and made me feel so confident about all this. I am so ready for all this to begin. On 4/8/04 I will be 1 month without smoking. So by the time I have surgery in, wow, 8 days, I will be almost 5 weeks without the filthy things. I never thought I could ever stop. But, the surgery and a chance at a new life sure makes some things, like smoking, not as important. Well, my birthday was on Sunday, the 4th of April. I had a really nice weekend. I went away with my son and we shopped, swam, ate chinnese, and alot of other things. It was real nice to get away for even a short time. Then on sunday, my brother and his wife had us over for lunch. Had a really nice time and hated to leave. See, my brother and I have never really been close. So I think we are making head way these days. He is even coming to my surgery. Which just blows me away. I am so appreciative to have him there for me. It will really mean alot to me. Thanks, John!

I have went shopping for the after surgery items, like a heating pad, really fluffy pillows, some soft foods, spenda, those kind of things, I have got myself, a Collagan, water cooler. Man does the water taste so much better coming out of there instead of my tap water. I also, took care of a very important thing this week. I had my Will and Living Will written up and signed this week. WOW, does that put things in perspective. Especially when it is all wrapped up for only $40. Just seems wierd. Any way I am glad it is done. I had been stalling in getting it done, and I am not sure why. But, one less thing to worry about these days!

Well, 8 more days and life as I know it will not be anymore. And I am happy for that. I am starting to feel aches and pains that I haven't felt before. I do think it is from the wieght. The scale says I haven't gained any but, I feel like I have, and since I am not smoking I have been munching even more than normal. Any way I will be back to report some more before surgery. Good Luck to you all and keep on keeping on! xoxox

4-13-04 Well this is my last night before surgery. I am going through every emotion you can think of. Too many to list here. My house is in order in more ways than one and everything is taken care of, so now it is just waiting till the hours pass by and it is 11am. What a day. Trying to get all those last minute things done. Well, really don't have much patience right now so I am going to go find something more active to bide my time with. I will update on here from the other side as soon as I feel good enough to do so. Loves To All! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

4-29-04 Well, I have been home from the hospital about a week and a half now. I am getting along really good now. At first, it was a hairy situation to say the least. I was in surgery longer than originally planned, so the anesthisha really took me for a loop for about 20 hours. Never woke up till the following day after surgery. My lungs were killing me when I did finally wake up. The bottom of my lungs were deflated and my doc, had to scrap the bottom of my abdoman. Not sure why. But, for a good week and a half after surgery I didnt like life very much, and would just have rather stayed asleep all that time. But, that isnt the way it went. But, 2 weeks later here I am down 20 pounds and starting to eat some what normally again. Depending on the food and the day. lol I have found that my energy level is through the roof. I went out the first 2 days I felt even half way decent and bought me a new car. Talk about needing to go shopping badly. lol Any way nothing much else has been going on here, just trying to keep busy and not let the head hunger get to me to badly. Oh, and yes, I still am not smoking. Having to have oxygen come home with me from the hospital, was a scare enough for me to know that I don't want to ruin my lungs to the point that someday that oxygen would be a permanet thing in my life. no thanks!!!! Thank you to my angels, and my dear friend Janet. You have all helped me in your own ways so very much. I love you all!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

5-14-04 I guess it has been awhile since I have updated on here so here goes. As of yesterday I am 4 weeks out. Two weeks ago I was throwing up for almost a week. So I went to see my surgeon and found out that the opening from my pouch to my intestines was at 4cm. This would be no big deal if it wasn't suppose to be more the size of 12cm. So he took a balloon and stretched the opening. I was kept overnight for the pain control. My surgeon thought I really shouldn't be in too much pain, but, I beg to differ with him. He did say later that night though that he had never had anyone have this problem out of his 40 some patients. Well, it is fixed now and it was ok that they kept me overnight because I was so dehydrated, I was starting to pass keytones in my urine. Not sure what they are exactly, but, from what I gather, it is not a good thing. So now it is a week later and life is getting on. I am for the most part not in any pain any more. But, find myself real tender at times. I was getting a little discouraged this past week. I am the same weight now at 1 month that I was at 2 weeks out. But, I am told the dehydration and the surgery are all reasons for this. And the body is trying to catch up I guess. I have lost a total of 23 pounds as of my 1 month out point. I have been losing some inches here and there though too so that helps the mental part of all this. If only a little, I guess that is something. You know when you get sick like I have been this last month, it is true, you really do find out who your true friends are. And I am finding out just how rich I am with friends. I am blessed. I hope all you out there are doing good and are healthy. Oh, also, I went last week with some of my girlfiends to a town about an hour from my home to a speaking event. Barbra Thompson, was speaking. Her book is for sell on here and in the O.H. magazine too. All my friends and I bought her book and had her autograph it and took pictures with her. She is a really neat lady and has come so far with her journey and life. I am so glad I went to see her. She is worth going to see if any of you get the chance. And get her book, it is good reading. TALK TO YA ALL SOON!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

JUNE'S UPDATE----ON VACATION!!!!!!

JULY'S UPDATE------ON VACATION!!!!!!

AUGUST UPDATE----ON VACATION AND STARTING BACK TO WORK!!!

SEPTEMBER UPDATE-----TOO BUSY TO TALK RIGHT NOW BUT, EVERYTHING IS PRETTY MUCH UNEVENTFULL!!!!!!!

10-22-04 Well, it has been so long again since I have been on here. I left my home in Iowa for the summer to spend it with my husband and son in Columbus, Ohio. My husband works on the road and he was suppose to have a year job working there, so he rented a apartment. We had a wonderful summer. One of the best. We went to Hocking Hills and we went to a baseball game. We also got to go to a National Drag Racing competition. It was so neat.
Things I will probably never do again in my life.

The 2nd week of August, I was planning on leaving to come back home the following week, when we recieved a phone call from my husband's family that his mother had been killed in a car accident. She was an amazing lady and she was deaf. What they call an accident, is more like homicide. But, we are not allowed to say anything about it, as per our lawyer. So we will leave it at that. So after spending 2 weeks in Utah, I came back to Iowa, and returned to my job at the school I work at and my son got back to school himself. Sometimes schedules are the best things to keep people going in horrible times like those.

Since then my husband was layed off his job until the 1st of the year. Wonderful!!!!!! So I hope Christmas will be okay. We will just make sure it is. Now, his father is not doing good. He is deaf also and fell and broke his hip. He also has had ephaseama for 10 or more years. So that is where my husband is, Utah. While he is there though he can take care of some of the things needed to be taking care of for his mother's estate. So I guess it is a good thing he is there. Would be nice to have him come home though too. All in good time I suppose.

I am going on my 6 months and 1 week today. I am down to 177 pounds. So the way I figure it I am only 7 pounds away from my 100 pound loss. I am noticing that my hair is slowly starting to fall out. I have went to my hair dresser and she has given me some special shampoo and conditioner to use and a scalp rub. I really hope it helps. I am really needing to step up my calcium and my vitamins. I need more protien and more water. I get so dang lazy. I wanted this so much and now I am slacking. Why am I doing this. Am I not appreciative of the second chance at life I am being given? I am not sure, but, I do know I need to snap out of it right away.

Well, told ya all about as much as there is to tell as of today, so hope everyone is doing good and will try to update on here alot sooner than I did the last time. Loves to all!!!!!!!!XOXOXO

UPDATE HERE (NOVEMBER)

UPDATE HERE (DECEMBER)

UPDATE HERE (JANUARY)

UPDATE HERE (FEBUARY)

UPDATE HERE (MARCH)

UPDATE HERE (APRIL)

UPDATE HERE (MAY)

UPDATE HERE (JUNE)

Profile created by MARICHA
3/25/04
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Photos

240 lbs. My Husband and I

Member Interests:

Travel - Love to travel, I am always up for a trip somewhere!

Pets - I have a dog named Dixie and a cat named Scratches

Meeting People - I love meeting people, there is always room in ones life for more friends!

Bingo - Living in a small town you have to find fun where you can, right?

Movies - Love all kinds of movies.

Collectibles - I collect apple things for my kitchen and angels for my living room .

Antique Shopping - I always have an eye out for that one thing that no-one else sees!

Comedy - I feel people in general, just don't laugh enough in their lives!

Country - Love country music!

Computer and Internet Surfing - This has become a hobbie, especially since I have found OH!

Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.

Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Roger Shinnerl
Dr. Shinnerl, wow what do I say about this guy that would do him justice. Ok, how about this! With my insurance company, I had a choice, to go to someone in the network to do the surgery for me and they would pay 90%of the bill, or I could pick someone not in the network, and they would only pay for 70% of the surgery. Well, Dr. Shinnerl, is not in my network and neither is the hospital he will do my surgery at. But, after really looking around for some time I came to the conclusion that he was the surgeon that I felt cared about me and was very good at what he does. He has such a great personality. I really believe he is one of very few doctors in this world that, really care about what they are doing for their patients more than the money they use to line their already thick pockets. He will be the first to tell you that, love helping people have the wls. And you wanna know something I found quite funny? He is married to a dietician who at first didn't believe, surgery was the way to help anyone to lose weight. They needed a good excersize plan and a healthy diet and they could overcome this,overweightness. But, as he has told myself and others, she has finally seen the light and realizes alot of obese people have the weight as more of a illness than just being lazy or eating all the time. Anyway, I still have not had surgery, it is however real soon, but, I just can't say enough about him. He is a wonderful man and doctor. Joe, his nurse and all around right hand, is just as great as he is. She makes you feel like there isn't anyone else in the office but you. You can really tell she cares. And as great as I have talked about these 2 it is no wonder that they are always booked and so full that is just would make your head spin to know how many patients he sees just in one month. They are very professional people. And we can not forget the wonderful and caring Sherry, from up at Dr. Shinnerl's office. She is so helpful and patient. You talk to her alot when you are being impatient for the response from the insurance company and you call the poor woman a few hundred times a week. And every time she talks to you she is just as nice as the time before. One thing you should know about the doc though is, he will not do surgery on someone who is a smoker and will not stop for surgery. Him and his staff beleive very strongly in this and I doubt they would ever budge on this matter. I would rate him as a 10 out of 10 doctor. Overall, I am sure it will be the same, but, we will just have to wait,huh?
Insurer Info:
Humana, Choice Care
I was very stressed going into all this with Humana. The gastric by-pass surgery was not covered, I was told, under my husbands insurance plan. But, here it is 3 weeks later and I have been approved. I have recently found out that the surgeon I originally wished to do the surgery is not in my insurance network. This is a difference of 20% in coverage. Which in the overall scheme of things is alot of money. So now I am trying to find a hospital and surgeon in my immediate area that is in the network. I am not having an easy time of it either. So far the only area I have found both the hospital and surgeon in my network, are located in Omaha, Nebraska. Which is about 2 to 2 1/2 hours from where I live. And of course I have been told even by the approval nurse at Humana, that that is too far to ride home after the surgery and she wouldn't recomend that. But, I also found out something I didn't know. When an insurance company pays for this surgery you will have to go back to that exact surgeon for follow-ups for the first 90 days. It is called a Global payment, I guess. After which time I could come back and stay in my home town and see the surgeon I originally wanted for the rest of my after care appointments. And hopefully by then, he will be in my network. He is going to join here soon from what I gather. But, none of the hospitals that he has rights to operate in are in the network. Oh the confussion. But, Humana was nice to deal with, although, the first time I called I was sent from customer service to an answer machine to leave a message for a Humana approval nurse to call me back and answer some questions for me. The machine was full so I was disconnected from the call completely. Calling back the second time, I had a wonderful man in customer service listen to my frustration of the first call and he put me on hold and then connected me directly to the nurse and not a machine. That made me feel like I counted for something. So as of today, I am very happy with Humana. Do wish more hospitals and doctors/specialists were with Humana here in my area, but, can't change that right now so have to deal with it.