I WILL HIT THE BIG 50 THIS YEAR AND WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PLAY WITH MY 3YR OLD NEPHEW MORE AND BUY REAL CLOTHES. I HAVE BEEN OVERWEIGHT MY ENTIRE LIFE.

November 21, 2003 - Well her I am. I started this journey half-heartedly about this time last year. I had done some internet research and became interested. I have been overweight all my life and obese or morbidly obese most of my adult life.
Soon after I started my research NBC Dateline ran Al Roker's story. I became more interested. I read a little about Carnie Wilson and even bought her first book.

I finally got up the nerve to approach my PCP. Boy was that a mistake. As great as he is and open to new inovations in medicine he was adamatly against this. His memories were from time in med school when a quack was doing a different procedure than now and all the reversals they had to do. (I had to remind myself later that was 30 yrs ago.) I put up carnie's book and never read it.

Anyway I plodded on until March of 2003. I was doing a mortgage refiance for a friend I used to work with. I had forgotten they had told me another gal in the office had RNY. When I saw her I said "Holy S**T! What have you done?? You look terriffic!" Well she was 10 months out and had lost 82 pounds. She was taller than me and had less weight to lose. I called her at home that night and found out who her doctor was. I picked Carnie's book up and read it in 1 night, then ordered 2 more on the subject

The next week I went to my PCP's office manager, who happenes to be his wife, and told her I needed help. I NEEDED to have this surgery and didnt want to change PCP's to get it. She sd they would do whatever I needed.

I stalled around for about a week. I looked into my insurance and found out they will pay for the procedure (once you have jumped thru the hoops.) Than I called Dr John Daly's office. I spoke with Tami and immediately knew I had made a good choice. She set an appointment about 2 weeks out and sent my paperwork.

On April 15, 2003 I met with Dr Daly. (See my comments below about him). Now I have Aetna HMO Open Choice. Aetna had changed their policy Jan 27, 2003 requiring you to have a "6 month physician / nutritionist supervised diet and exercise program with in the previous 2 years." Well we all know that we have all done everything out there to try and lose weight. I most recently had 28 weeks with Jenny Craig that just barely fit into that time frame. To make a long story short, we tried to get this accepted and it didnt work. In addition I lost 2 months of time in the process.

******ADVICE TO ALL THINKING ABOUT HAVING THIS SURGERY!!!!!!
START NOW ON PHYSICIAN-NUTRITIONIST PROGRAM!!! ***********

More and more ins companies are requiring this. Dont wait till you are forced to do this or until you change to a company that pays for the surgery but requires this. DO IT NOW! If it is not required you will still be in better shape before surgery.

ALSO - Join a support group! I am a member of WINGS Around Atlanta. WingsAroundAtlanta@yahoogroups.com) There are over 700 members and usually 100-150 at monthly meetings. You will learn so much. And take you family/support people with you.

So back to my progress - 7/9/03 I had my first Nutritionist appointment. And I started doing water aerobics. (I have several injuries in my left leg that make it difficult to do impact exercises.) Now I know a lot of you are like me. "Aint no way you are gonna catch me in a swim suit!" Well the psychologist I met with suggested it and he made a very good point. Most people in a water aerobic class fit into 2 catagories. Either like me, obese and need low impact, or older and low impact is all they can do. In other works they would look like me or not care what I looked like. So I started 2 times a week.

In September I joined Gold's Gym and started working out and 1 day a week with a trainer. I figure after I have the surgery I can afford the trainer with what I save in groceries. LOL

It is now November 21, 2003. I have had 5 visits with the nutritionist and my last one is 19 days away. This week Tami at Dr Daly's office submitted my paperwork for pre-cert. I know several others who have had Aetna. Their experience has been that once you jump through the hoops, cross the "t's and dot the "i's" the approve you in a matter of days. I am hopeful this will happen and I can have my surgery the first week on Jan, 2004.


November 25, 2003
Well, here we go....
Tami @ Dr Daly's office sent my info for pre-cert last Wednesday.
Thanks to a phone number a fellow WINGS member gave me, I called the Pre-Cert dept today.
Naturally, they did not have any record. He asked if I was sure my doctor's office sent it in. I know Tami - I WAS SURE!
Then he sd they could just call that same number and get the Pre-Cert. I explained to him what it was for and he sd again, just have Tami call that number.
I called Tami and told her Aetna Pre-cert dept has no record. Her reaction: "WHAT?!?!?!" So I related the conversation. She was going to try an call later this afternoon if she got time. Otherwise it will be Monday.
It's not like this stall tactic is a surprise, its just a pain in the backside.

Frustrated, but not giving up.


12/04/03 - In Aetna Hell!
Aetna "claims" they do not have my paperwork. I spoke with Tami at Dr Daly's and she is getting ticked with them also. She faxed it again yesterday, called today it wasnt there so she faxed it again!
Now we all know this is a stall tactic, but it needs to be resolved.


12/10/03 - Well got a letter yesterday from Aetna. They state they received my appeal info and I should hear something within 15 working days.

I completed my requirements today. 6 months of a nutritionist/physician supervised diet and exercise program. I have met all of their requirements. They are crazy if they think I'm going to sit back for 3 weeks while they take their own sweet time. I will be on the phone with them tomorrow and everyday until I get approved.

As a plus. The PEO company we do payroll and have benefits with is adding a new service begining Jan 1. They have hired the services of a company called Health Advocate. They are professional insurance advocates. This PEO offers several different ins. companies and only the clients who have Aetna are the ones getting this extra service. Hmmmm, what does that tell you?? So, if I do not have my approval by 01/01/04 on Friday 01/02/04 I will be on the phone with these people.
Wish me luck.


12/17/03 - Still in Aetna Hell. Called yestreday and was told "they are working on it and give them a couple more weeks."
I told the lady per Aetna's letter they were to reply "within 15 working days of receiving the information", which was 12/4. The rep then sd she was saying give it a couple of weeks, she was not really told that. She was told they were working on it....
Called back today. Put on hold. "Patricia" came back and asked when my appeal was sent in. Told her Aetna received it on 12/4. "Oh, you have to give it 30 days!" Let her know per Aetna's letter they have until next week to reply. I am on hold again......8 min later - I am approved, but they need a corrected CPT code from my doctor. YEA!!!
Called Dr Daly's office Tami is out till Fri. Will call her then. :):):):):)

12/22/03 - Spoke with Tami @ Dr Daly's on Friday.Told her what Aetna had told me. DUMB ME !!! Forgot to ask for the approval #. Tami called twice Friday to the Appeals dept and they never returned her call.
I called Member Servicea this am. Asked for the approval #. The lady I spoke with this am sd she saw the notes from the call last week, but that person did not indicate where she got her information. She was to check it out and call me back. That was an hour and a half ago. AAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!!

12/29/03 - Well it is official!!!! I will have surgery Friday, January 16th at Northside Hospital, Dunwoody, Ga with Dr. John Daly. Tami called me 12/23 with the news - "Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus!"
I had my chemical stress test 12/24 and they called today to say everything is ok. Had last blood draw at my PCP.
Everyone around here has been sick. Now I just have to stay well 18 more days!

01/04/04 - Well I have 12 more days to go. I have made my trips to the Varsity for onion rings and to Church's Fried chicken. I am going to try and be good the next 2 weeks. I am working with my trainer twice next week then the week of surgery we will do a lite workout. Right now I am fighting a sinus infection with everything I've got. Going to stay away from the kids at work this week. I cant get sick now.

01/13/04 - 3 days to go! Wow, I wondered if I would ever be able to say that!. I had my pre-op visit with Dr Daly on Friday, 1/9. We went over everything. He was looking at my records and said "you're on 3 blood pressure medications?!?!?!" I told him I had been on 3 since 1987. Everytime I go to a new doctor they freak out and work for 6 mos trying to get me off 3 meds. But I always end up back on 3. Dr Daly looked at me and said, "I can get you off of them!" Lord, I love this man.
Also met with the anesthesiologist. We discussed problems I've had in the past with nausea and all they would do to prevent this. I feel very comfortable.
Tomorrow I will work out with my trainer. We have decided to make it a lite workout with a lot of stretching so I will be ready for surgery.
Thursday 1/15 I will take my 4 legged child to "camp" for a week. I will go into the office and tie up all the last loose ends. I think I will treat myself to a pedicure to try and relax and stay calm. I will be on clear liquids all day and MEGA doses of antibiotics starting at noon. I will go to my mom's Thursday and my brother will take us Friday to be at Northside at 5:30AM (yawn.) But that's ok I get to go back to sleep.
I will take my laptop with me and hope to post whae I get back to my mom's on Sunday.
Thanks to all who have sent me emails. To quote Tennessee Williams' Streetcar - I have always relied on the kindness of strangers. Thanks to all my friends in Wings Around Atlanta.
I'll see ya later.

01/21/04 - Well I made it!!!!Came thru surgery with flying colors. Dr Daly told my family I was perfect.
Surgery on Friday, came home on Sunday. Monday I went into the office for an hour to do payroll. Went next door to my PCp's office to get my blood pressure checked. 140/80 on 2 not 3 meds. I was not going to weigh. My PCP insisted. Even with all the fluid they pump into you I had lost 6-7 pounds. :)
Tuesday I went in to have my drain tube removed. From my perspective it was no big deal. So far, knock on wood, I have not had any problem with any "foods". SF popscicles, SF jello, Isopure drinks, Myoplex Lite, FF cream soup. Go on real food next Monday.
Thanks to all on this board who sent best wishes.

01/26/04 - Well I am 10 days post op and doing fine. I came into the office every day last week for a few hours. I am in no great discomfort. My back aches and that is truely the worst part. Started on my doctor's phase II diet yesterday. Have had scrambled eggs, steamed grilled chicken, string cheese. All with no problems. Tomorrow will try back on my eggs w/ cheese. Major help has been the Isopure carb free drinks. I am not fond of the milky type drinks. These are cool-aid type, 20 oz of fluid and 40 big grams of protien.
I had planned to only weigh once a month at my pcp. Broke down today and went there to weigh - -13.7lbs in 10 days. Not bad :)But here is the best news. I went in the hospital on # Blood Pressure meds, for the last 17 years. I now only take 1 aday and the diuretic about 2x a week. My standing BP was 125/82!!!!!!!!

Ok I'm getting ready to do something unheard of. I appologize to Aetna for making me do the infamous 6 month
nutritionist/physician diet and exercise. I truley feel doing that and starting to workout and get some exercise prior to surgery has had a huge impact on my recovery. I think I built my stregnth, energy and built up my lungs so I've had no problems.

02/06/04 - I have run into my first "problem". Since Dr Daly uses a circular stapler to connect the lower intestine to the new tummy he makes one lap incision slightly larger than the others. Because this one is larger it is the only one he actually sutures the muscle back. About 10% of his patients "pull" that muscle. Leave it to me to be in this group. I can only describe it as a "burning, stinging, pulling pain" I can be fine one minute and move the wrong way then its seeing stars. The only thing to do is "baby" it, heat and pain meds to relax. I had not taken a "full dose" (3 tsp) of my Hycodene since I left the hospital. Didnt need it. I would take maybe 1 tsp at night to take the edge off the first week. Well guess what. I actually dumped on a full dose. The first time I thought it was from what I had just eaten....so I took ANOTHER dose 4 hrs later. OMG!!! not pleasant. So I am back on Liquid Tylenol and Motrin. The worst part is I had to cancel my trip to Tybee Island this weekend with my girlfriends. I just did not want to be a killjoy.
Other than that I am doing fine. Good news, I have gone from 3 BP meds for over 17 years to 1/2 of 1. Wed @ my pcp my BP was 130/82. This is why I did this surgery!

02/09/04 - Ok still dealing with the pulled muscle at stitches thing. I had to cancel out on my weekend with the girls at Tybee Island/Savannah this past weekend. I sat home with the heating pad. And the only thing I did was 1 load of laundry. I will be glad when this is gone. Not only is it bringing me down physicaly but mentaly also. I was ready to really start back at the gym this week and back with my trainer. Will see what Dr D says Monday when I go for 1 mo check-up.
On a brighter note, We are trying to start a support group in the NW side of Atlanta and the first meeting is tomorrow night. I am sorta heading this up, so wish me luck.

02/16/04 I am 1 month out today.

Had a real rough 30 hours over the weekend. The muscle I had
pulled at the stitch line has been a real nusiciance(sp), but not unbearable. I could pretty well anticipate when it would hurt and try to prevent it. Well about 3pm Sat said muscle and the ones connected decided I had not had enough and started to spasm. OMG stars everywhere. The only position not causing pain was flat of my back. At first the pain was at the stitch site just 20 times more intense and constant than before. Finally I realized the muscle from that area was cramping around my back also. About 4pm Sunday I had what I call "a V-8 moment", but this was literal. Someone at the I-75N group meeting, I think it was Cheryl, sd they drink a V-8 every day for potasium. Muscle cramp - potasium.....So I had a V-8! about 2hours later the pain was gone aling with the pain I've had for the last 3 weeks.

Saw Dr Daly today for my 1 mo checkup. Discussed this with him. He agreed it sounded like muscle spasm and very possibly I was low on potasium. He ordered my 1 mo labs and we will monitor this. Other than that he is very pleased with my progress.

Down from 3 BP meds to 1/2 of 1 - BP 120/76
PCP's scaled day before surgery 262.3 - today 240.5
-21.8 lbs

02/26/04 - I will be 6 weeks out tomorrow. Have lost 25lbs. My lab work came back and everything looks great. My chloresterol has dropped 41 points. My BP is down to 110/76. We are working on weaning me off the last 1/2 bp med.
I will finally get to start back to the gym next week. I look forward to it and to the pounds coming on off.
I finally had to break down this week and get some new slacks. the ones I had looked like a construction crew moved out without finishing the job. I bought the same slacks at Dress Barn cause they come in a short legenth. DOWN 2 SIZES!!!!! Now are they a little snug? yea, when I bend over, but this will pass soon.
So far I have not had any more problems and the ones I have had have really been minor. This journey is beginning to get fun. I want to go clothes shopping and I hated to do that in the past. Only bought what was necessary. Now it is getting exciting.

03/04/04 - Well as of Monday I am down 28lbs. Started back to the gym full time this week and feeling better because of it. Still "lucky" not top have any appetite. I eat because I have to get my protien. Life is great!

03/05/04 - ITS OFFICIAL - I am no longer taking any meds for blood pressure. For the first time in 17 years! At my pcp today and my BP was 110/76. So fantastic. I am also wearing a dress today I couldnt have worn 8 weeks ago and it is loose! I am running out of clothes in my closet. This is fun!

03/17/04 - Happy St Paddys Day! Yesterday was 2 months and I reached my personal goal of -35 lbs. I actually went shopping Saturday for new clothes because I wanted to, not just because I needed something specific. I am down to 18 pants and 18-20 or 1X tops in the better stores.
I had been off both my protien and water intake. I refocused on those two the last week and dropped 5 lbs. I still feel great and I am not having any problems with anything I eat.
OK, so I did cheat this week, but I made a "lesser evil" choice. The chips aisle was calling to me. I have always been a salty, crunchy eater. So I got some of the baked vegetable chips and some salsa. About 5-6 of these totally satisfied that "calling" and I was fine.
I remind myself everyday this is all about choices. All Dr Daly did was give me the tool so that when I make the right choices the weight comes off.

03-23-04 - Well there has been a "minor" setback. I was at my PCP Monday and my BP was up. This was the first time I have had it checked since coming off all my meds. So I have to go back on 1 med, but that is better than the 3 I was on.
In a lighter note I lost anothr pound. Would have been more, but I cheated. Totally my fault! But that is a total of 36 lbs in 9 weeks. I will take that any day of the week!
I am focusing on getting in my protien and fluid. I still cant make myself get to the gym more than 2x a week. I have to refocus that! Buying some new clothes and that is actually becoming fun. Had a great experience last week. I had to give someone my drivers license and as she handed it back to me she sd she wanted to know how I did it. I looked funny and sd did what? She popinted to my picture and sd did this....nice!!!!
Well, fiancee and I have 3 nights in the N. Ga mtns for this weekend, hot tub cabin and all. Ought to burn some calories there.

04/20/04 - Well I was 3 mos out on 4/16. I have lost 47.5 lbs but more importantly 4 sizes. I was wearing 24-26 and I bought 2 new tops that were 18's and a name label in a 16. WOW!
Have not been exercising like I should. I keep losing trainers. I am supposed to start tomorrow with my 8th one in 7 mos. But the manager is going to comp me some extra visits for my inconvience so I am going to work with the trainer 3x a week. That will "force" me to get my lazy butt out of bed. I need to step up the aerobic part as I dont do much of that at all. I may go back and start water aerobics again.
I had a nice experience today. Our local support grouip has a clothing swap, but I still had a lot of clothes left. I contacted one of the "outer" metro counties Battered Womens center. They were delighted to get the clothes. They do not get larger sizes often. So that was a nice feeling.
Also we consolidated our offices from 5600sf to 1900sf and it is all upstairs. I have been able to actively participate in the move. Carrying stuff upstairs 12-15 times a day. Now way I could have done this 3 mos ago.
I go on 5/10 for my 4 mo check up. Will keep ya'll posted.

05/05/04 - As of Monday I am down 57lbs. My support group plays the "area code game". Using your weight to see what area code you are in. From the first of April to today I have gone from IN to IL to Dallas, TX to Fresno, CA and across country to Portland, ME. The last area code @ 201 is Newark, NJ. I am 6lbs away and never thought I couldnt wait to get to Newark! LOL
I went shopping Sat and went Penny's in their regular petite department and bought 3 pair of pleated, flat front dress pants in size 18. Blow me away! It has been 20 years or more since I wore 18's.
As much as I hate to admit it, I bought Dr Phil's Life Strategys on cd to listen to in the car on these trips I getting ready to take. There is a lot of good information for all areas of your life. One thing I heard and then again from the psycologist at my surgeons support group is to accept who you are where you are. Then take the steps to change if that is not where you want to be. I am trying to do this in following my Dr's instructions for what to eat and draging my not as fat butt out of bed 3 motrnings a week @5am to go work with my trainer, who by the way has stuck around for 2 weeks now. I will put my surgeon up against any dr anywhere. But he says what he does is only 20% of the process. Preparation is 20%, surgery is 20% and changing your lifestyle is the other 60%. It is my job to take responsibility for that 60%.
Ok, off the soapbox, life is great> I will be posting pics soon

05/17/04 - Well, I was 4 mos out yesterday. I am down 60 lbs! I am 3lbs away from "one-derland" I havent been there in 25 years. I cant wait.
I saw Dr Daly last Monday for my 4 mo follow up. He is very pleased. Got my labs back and everything looks great. I am feeling good and doing so much more.
Still working out with my trainer 3x a week. I get to do that till the end of June. I am hoping business picks up so I can continue doing that. It forces me to get out of bed and go.
I have sent my pics to be posted. One of my friends said at first she only saw a difference in my face, but upon closed look there was more door showing behind me! lol.

05/24/04 - Well I guess I am officially on my first plateau. Monday I weighed exactly the same as last Monday, 202.2. I know Sunday I found myself "grazing" but tried to make it all protien.
Also at a little over 4 mos out my hair is starting to thin. I am really trying to push the protien and starting back religiously on my Biotin. Oh well they say there is no reported incidence of people going bald from wls. LOL!

06/07/04 - Its Official!!!! Today I am a resident of "ONE-derland"!!!!! I have crossed over from "the dark side". LOL
AND>>>I weigh less than my drivers license! -65 lbs Life is grand!

06/30/04 - Well as of today, 5 1/2 mos out I am down 71lbs. I am no longer carrying around the equivilant of my 4 year old nephew plus a 20lb bag of dog food! WOW what a picture.
Shopped this weekend for new clothes to wear to a bridal shower for a cousin. TJ Max regular 16 pant, X-large shirt...Dress Barn Woman 14 outfit!!!
My cousins were flabergasted. Saw a friend sat who had seen me 6 weeks ago and she had to do a double take to be sure it was me.
The loss rate has slowed a little, but it is still moving in the right direction...DOWN!
I am still working out and painted my home office ceiling and walls, 4 coats of paint on the ceiling. Up and down ladder and had no problems. Now I dont have to JUST watch the home makeover shows, I can do it too.

07/28/04 - Well I ended up getting a great outfit for the shower in a 14W. My cousing were stunned to say the least. Then last week I had the wedding and got a great outfit in a regular extra large. I am down 79.5 lbs since surgery and 89.5 since beginning the journey.
Had a BIG blow-out with the boyfriend. One of the things I have learned on this journey and from all the great people in my support groups is that I have a lot of value and worth. I finally told him I deserved to be treated better than he has been. I will no longer be taken for granted. For right now it seems to have been a wake up call and he says he is willing to make some changes - we will see.
Other than that, things are great. I do have a problem buying clothes. I still tend to gravitate to the plus size departments and have to stop and remind myself there is nothing there for me to wear.
Feel great. still getting to the gym 2-3 times a week. When the alarm goes off at 5AM the mind is willing, but the flesh is weak.
See Dr Daly 8/16, that will be 7 mos to the day. Hope to be down at least 85 lbs by then.

11/01/04 - Sorry it has been a while since I updated. Saw Dr Daly today for my 10 mo checkup. A little early, but I have a cruise scheduled later this month with members of the WINGS support group.
I am teetering between 166-168 for the last 2 months. Which gives me a total loss of 106lbs. Dr D is pleased. We discussed plastic surgery and he sd I can start the process if I am happy where I am. He does not want me to have the surgerty till I am atlease 12 mos out, but the Aetna process will take a bare min of 3 mos. So shooting for Feb/Mar.
We had a HUGE 3 1/2 day event earlier this month. I was on the go
from 5AM to 1AM. ABSOLUTELY could not have done it a year ago. I was tired after it was over, but tired like any "normal" person would be. Ine of my client's wife brought me a "small gift" for having inconviencienced me with the changes in their reservations. It was a hand made gold and copper Indian braclet I could not have worn last year. I almost cried thinking how embarased I woule have been if I could not have worn it in front of them.
New size 12 true button and zip jeans without elastic and mer-small shirts. I am So very happy!
Boyfriend update - He had a reality check and "saw the light" things are MUCH improved. Seems like WLS not only rearranged my guts, but gave me some too!


11/3/004 - Happy Belated Thanksgiving. Returned the Sat befor Thanksgiving from an 8 day cruise with members of my WINGS support group. WOW! What a way to travel. I decided before the cruise I would watch what I ate, but not deprive myself if I wanted something. I had gained 3 lbs the week before due to a bad kidney infection.
Well I went on the cruise, still avoided fried and sugar foods (the dumping fear over rules everything), but ate what I wanted. I had a slice of pizza every day, fruit, s/f dessert every night. Came back to Miami on Sat and weighed in on Tuesday. Not only had I lost the 3 lbs I had gained, I lost 3 more, breaking a plateau I had been on for 2 mos. And today a week later I am down another lb. For a total loss of 111 lbs.
But the best thing was being able to do things. We walked a lot and except for the kidney pain I was great. I even in-line skated on the ship and did not fall on my but once. I made 6 laps and 2 without running into the wall in the far curve. NO WAY I WOULD HAVE CONSIDERED THAT A YEAR AGO! Cant wait to see Dr Daly Monday night and tell him.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!

01/24/05 - Well gang I was 1 year out on the 16th. I feel great!
I am bouncing between 110 - 114 plbs lost. Depends on the day.

I have my first appointment with a plastic surgeon this Thursday the 27th. Got some good rashes going on so that is a plus!
Bought a pair of size 10 dress slacks last week and they sure felt good. Looking forward to solid 8's after PS.
I know Aetna requires 3 mos of documented rashes for the abdominoplasty and I saw my pcp for the first visit on 1/10. I would love to have it before I get married in April, but I know that is not possible. So I am shooting for June as we have a big seminar planned for May. Will post after this visit.

I have another appt with another PS for 2/8, however his staff was so rude to my pcp's office and refused to give them the CPT codes I may cancel it depending on the one this week.

04/27/05 - Havent posted in a while. Still maintaining loss and holding at 160 lbs. Delaying the PS pursuit right now. I got married 3/26/05 and he has taken a job in Raleigh, NC. So I will be going up ther every 3-4 weeks. Waiting to see how this job goes so he can schedule time to be here when I have my plastics done.