ObesityHelp

I am anxiously awaiting my psych eval so my surgery date can be set. I have been fat for so long; however, I am looking forward to carrying only 1 person. It is finally time to stop hiding and face the world. Meet my battles head on.

I know that I can win with the blessing of my creator and the support of others like myself. I am very interested in learning what the first few days post surgery are like. The plan is to perform the RNY laparoscopically.

5/17/02

I had my psych eval on 5/15/02. Was given the go ahead. Just waiting for a date from Dr. Flowers' office

5/20/02

Still waiting for a date. Boy, this is hard.


5/28/02

I HAVE A DATE!!!!! YIPPEE!!!!! July 11, 2002 is my date. Paperwork is to be submitted to insurance company tomorrow. I am told to do nothing. Dr. Flowers' office will handle everything. I have only had to sign for records release from current and previous physicians. I am not awaiting my pre-op packet for instructions for H&P and bloodwork. I am so grateful to have gotten this far.

Want to thank all of you. I have been reading the message boards at least twice a week. You have helped keep my hopes up.

6/18/02

I am still waiting on the insurance company. I checked with Dr. Flowers' surgical coordinator today and she assured me that she has not had any problems getting approvals in the recent past. She sees no problem for me. Huh! I am on pins and needles. I am sure all of you have been through this.

I expect this surgery to make a BIG difference in the state of my health. It won't hurt if I look good too.

Talk to you later.

6/21/02

I am still waiting to hear about my approval/denial. Today I received the paperwork from Dr. Flowers' office that I need to turn in to my personnel office. It feels like it is really going to happen. I am so giddy I could bust-then I wouldn't need surgery would I?

I feel a bit nervous inside. This is the first time I have had this feeling since I embarked on this journey. It feels like my belly is shaking from the inside. I feel like running around telling everyone except they would not understand as you do. Besides, there really isn't anything to tell-yet.

Thanx for listening.

6/21/02

Forgot to tell you that I also received the paperwork for my pre-surgical H&P and Labs. I have faxed those to my PCP.

6/25/02

My surgeon has lost his privileges at University Hospital for illegally prescribing pain killers. So, my July 11th date with the other side is off. I am going to try to find someone else who does the surgery laparoscopically. I really don't want to do the procedure open unless there are complications preventing the other method.

There is a surgeon in his office who does open. I've heard good things about her - Dr. Bass. I just don't want to go that route.

The plus is that if I stay with the practice, I can probably have my surgery in August instead of July since I won't have to repeat any of the workup. I haven't had my labs done yet anyway. I could and will cry big croc tears. I was so geared up for this.

6/28/02

Wouldn't you just know it? My surgery was approved on the first try. Dr. Flowers' office has recommended a Dr. Singh at St. Agnes. Have any of you had any dealings with him? Dr. Flowers' office has been really good about the situation. They will provide my new surgeon with all my workup and have the approval transferred.

7/17/02

I have an appointment with Dr. Singh from St. Agnes for July 25th. The associate of Dr. Flowers, Dr. Bass, only performs open procedures and she prefers not to do them on patients 50+. That really lets me out. So, I have to start over.

I look at this as a test of my resolve to live a healthier lifestyle. I am also trying to find an apartment in Catonsville, MD which is near my work; so, the delay works out fine in that regard. It gives me time to locate a place. I feel that Dr. Singh won't schedule the surgery before late August or sometime in September. I've waited this long.

Thanx to all of you who e-mailed me thinking I was having my surgery on July 11th. The best to all of you who have had your surgeries as scheduled.

7/26/02

Had a consult yesterday with Dr. Kuldeep Singh, a bariatric surgeon who uses St. Agnes hospital. He was recommended by Dr. Flowers' office. I found Dr. Singh to be very straightforward, caring, sympathetic and frank (even graphic). Although I had seen Dr. Flowers, there were questions that I had not asked.

St. Agnes has a support group that meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month; unlike, University which has no support group at all.

My surgery is scheduled for 1 pm on August 19th at St. Agnes hospital. I just have to schedule an EKG, chest x-ray and ultrasound to check for stones in my gallbladder. Oh, yes, and my labs.

I am very excited at the prospect of living a healthier life. Hang in there with me, I'll get it done yet.

My insurance approved the procedure with a phone call. They only had to issue another approval code for Dr. Singh. Everything else was the same. The nurse who aproved me is Terry Whitney at CareFirst PPO.

She was very helpful when I called her with questions about how this would work since I couldn't use Dr. Flowers. She gave me very simple instructions. I followed them to the letter and Voila!!

8/1/02

My pre-op testing is scheduled for 8/14. I am beginning to get nervous because that indicates that time is really slipping by. I have commandeered my son and daughter-in-law to hold my hand prior to surgery. I think I can do the pre-op testing on my own.

I really appreciate you guys hanging in there with me.

8/15/02

Had my pre-op testing yesterday. Everything looks good. I got a call from the hospital with last minute instructions. I report at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 19th.

I am really nervous now. No one has contacted me since I was supposed to have surgery on July 11th even though I posted why I wasn't having it then.

Am I really going through this without you guys?