ObesityHelp

8/17/99 Today i saw my PCP for the first time to discuss this surgery. He thinks it is a great idea and so do I! He gave me a referral to Pacific Bariatrics in San Diego for a consultation. After that point they will have to submit the surgery request for approval but my doc thinks it will be NO problem. I feel so grateful to have found this life saving option. I am so excited to begin my journey to the other side.
10/8/99 Yesterday I had a bunch of pre-op appointments. I saw the internist and got an EKG. He cleared me for surgery. Then I had my psych evaluation. Much easier than I thought. She said that she was going to approve me for surgery. Then I met my surgeon. He was HILARIOUS! He told me that they would be calling within a week to schedule a date for surgery if all reports were favorable. It's really happening I guess. Oh goodness, I don't know how to be thin!!! Guess I will have to figure it out!
6/24/00 I haven't updated this in a long time and I am sorry! I had an open RNY on 12/7/99. My doctor was Dr. Tanaka with Pacific Bariatrics. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this organization. I have Tricare military insurance and had zero problems getting approval for surgery. The recovery time was not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. The hardest thing I have dealt with so far is my "head hunger". I still crave things I know I shouldn't eat and attempts to eat them have made me sick. Every day I get better at this. I weighed 290 on the day of my surgery and am down to 180 today. I am a whole new person and I must say that this surgery was the best thing I have ever done for myself. Weight is no longer an issue in my life. I try to make the best food choices I can and every morning as I am swallowing my tons of vitamins I sit and remember what is felt like to be almost 300 pounds. I can hardly remember now. I feel wonderful about myself for the first time in my life. I would still like to lose about 30 more pounds but if I never lost another pound I would be content with what I look like and most importantly how I feel. I have never been able to say that before. I am now walking about 4 miles just about every day and it feels wonderful. I never could have walked a half mile without feeling like dying before and now I look forward to my walks every night. I am willing to answer any question that anyone has about WLS. Do your research and find a good doctor, that is my first and best advice. Good luck to all of you who are still waiting....don't give up!
8/6/00 Just a quick update on my weight loss. I was on a plateau for about a month and a half where the scale did not move at all. I was stuck at 180. I stepped up my exercise and thew scale started moving again. I am now at 164. I have not been this size since I was in the 7th grade and I am thrilled. I still hope to lose about 15 more pounds. I am totally amazed that I am only 15 pounds from my goal just 8 months after surgery. This has surpassed my wildest dreams. Good luck to all that are still waiting and those that are recent post ops. You can do it!