ObesityHelp

"INSTEAD OF GIVING MYSELF REASONS WHY I CAN'T.
I GIVE MYSELF WAYS HOW I CAN."
I am a 55 yr. old married woman, with 4 grown children and we're expecting our 9th grandchild in February. I have the gambit of all the weight related diseases -- Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, Gerd, with a Hx of Diverticulosis and Kidney Stones. I had my Psych consult on Nov.18h and I have a Consultant at Hurley Hospital on Nov. 26th with Dr. Dabideen. I have already gathered 3 years of medical records and a letter from my PCP. I'm hoping that there will be no snags along the way. But I've been told that their surgery dates are running about 6 months away. I may look into Warren's Bi-County Hospital with Dr. Wood.
11/22/02 Spoke on the phone with Dr. Wood's Rep- they are sending me all the information that I need to get into their program. They have openings in Jan. 2003 --- I just may do that.
Will keep you posted. Have to look into their Micro-pouch.
12-2-02 Well I just had a little set back - My Psych eval won't be picked up by Blue Cross and the Psycholgist won't release it till I paid for it. So I had no choice but to send them the check. All this time I thought she typed up the report and would have mailed it by now. Fiddle sticks!! A little down today after hearing that a couple of people have died recently - kind of scarey. I am not a big eater but I snack alot of the wrong foods - I wonder what will happen post-op - will I lose that desire or have to fight it? I'll just have to check it out with my AMOS friends. I sure hope this waiting part goes fast.

11-24-02 Found an absolutely wonderful website to give you inspiration--
http://www.llangley.com/yoga/wisdom/rightnow%5B2%5D.htm

11-28-02 Thanksgiving day- I've decided to stay with Hurley Hosp. in Flint, MI. Dr. Dabideen is very qualified and the hospital is a Trauma I hospital - so I know I'll be safe there.
This site has great reveiws of him - so I trust you all to guide me. BUT I'll be trying to hurry the process up if I can. Right now the information I've gathered is being reveiwed and sent to my Insurance Co.. I'm sure by/before Christmas I'll know my tentative date. I get all excited looking at before and after photos here. One thing I've noticed is everyone looks old in their before pictures - Their after pictures show them decades younger. I CAN"T WAIT!!
12-11-02Called Pyschologist to see if my eval was sent to my Bariatric Surgeon to send to the Insurance Co.. FINALLY today it was faxed over to the Hospital. Now officially it will go soon for approval. By time I get my surgery I'll be so excited I probably will faint. HURRY HURRY HURRY. LIKE YESTERDAY!!
12-12-03Received a call from the Hospital - they received my Pysch EVal - GOOD ?? -- NO NO!! The Psycholgist said I had some issues that needed to be resolved with some sessions - now my paperwork can not go on to the insurance company until this is solved. I know I have some issues with my son - but what mother doesn't some time? What does that have to do with my ability to have surgery or understand what to do post-op. I am in tears!!
12-17-02 The Pyschologist was asked if she recommends me for surgery and she sent back a letter that she does NOT. So the Hospital says I have 2 choices - talk to her and seek some sessions before surgery or get a second opinion - I'm going to call her and ask you what I need to get her approval - in the mean time I'm going to look into that second opinion. POO - DOUBLE POO. i'M NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT THIS UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS - THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!! 12/20 Sent a letter to plead my case with the Psychologist but in the meantime I have a new appt. with another Dr. on Jan.6th - this one from my Surgeon's office. Doesn't pay to go out of the surgeon's group.
1-2-03 Starting a new year - hope that I can be a loser soon- going for my second Psych Eval on the 6th- praying that all goes well. So happy for others on this site- esp. Sally S.
1-6-03 WOW WOW what a differnce in Psych Consults! Dr. Williams of Swartz Creek, MI--- He treated me like someone with intelligence - explained the do's and don't's of surgery - and made me feel that this surgery was meant for me. The tests was more modern and he said that I'll hear from him in 2 weeks. I feel so much more confident in him. The first one did not know what she was doing at all. Time goes so slow when you want it to hurry.
1-26-03 I GOT MY PSYCH EVAL BACK!!!!!! He recommended me for surgery - YEAH! Now on to the insurance company. It's been a long time since Nov. 18th when I had my first eval - boy that put me behind 2 months. I just got to be optimistic!
2-5-03 I CAN'T BELIEVE IT - I HAVE A DATE!!!!!!!!! MARCH 26,2003. I'M SO EXCITED!!! I'VE GOT TO TELL THE WORLD!!!
2-6-03 Well I'm more calm today - sending out well wishes to others having their surgery and receiving some back. such caring people belong to this site. Hearing from people who are post-op - WOW Steve lost 80 lbs since Dec. 24th. It's just great to know I've made this decision and it will work for me as well. I know my family is nervous for me but they know it will help me. I made a count down calendar - only 6 weeks and 6 days to go. God will give me the strength to get thru this!!
2/28/03 Well that countdown calendar is looking pretty X'd out, Found out my pre-surgery physical date is March 12th - lots of testing down. Then on March 24th I have to attend a Nutrional class - then............. Surgery on the 26th - it's getting close and I'm starting to get excited! WOW WOW Found out I'm scheduled for 7:30 am - have to be there at 5AM!!
3/7/03 This has been an emotional day - for some reason I've had alot of tears today. My thoughts wander to what if... I was thinking of sending my 4 children cars to be delivered on the day of my surgery - to tell them how much I love them. JUST IN CASE Then how fantastic my husband is - that man is SO Good to me. I know I'm not scared - so where is this coming from?? By the grace of God I will be alright - I WILL - I WILL!!
3/14/03 Well we're at 12 days - praying that it really happens. Had my PAT on the 12th- Dr. said he heard a Brurrie in my Carotid Arterie - Had to have a Doppler Sacan. He said My EKG had sime irregularies on it , so now I need a Cardiac Clearance which they squeezed me in on the 19th. My breating wasn't as good as it should be - so I need to restart my Inhalar. Such a busy time now. Bought some supplies for post ops Alt more to g0 - house clesaning etc. God will see me thru.
3/22 Cleaning house - getting groceries- buying presents and cards for family who have birthdays soon. I'm ready - I just want it over and I'm on the mend. Only 3 days and a early wake-up. Talking to others - we're all excited! God will care for me.
4/8/03 It has been a long journey back. Went for my Surgery March 26th - didn't return for 12 days -- due to complications. I had to have a Bowel Rescection on top of my Bariatric one -- due to adhesions. I'm home and that's all the matters.
4/24/03 I guess I should update - Got home on Apr. 7th but I was put back in the Hosp. on Apr. 10th due to Pulmonary Embolis. I had a Greenfield put it immediately but I still had clots and a Deep Vein Thromosis in my left leg. While there my Heart decided to go into fast speed - very scary night. I'm home after 8 more days -- Out of 22 days I was in for 20. I still require a nap - I'm sooo tired. But I think I'm gaining strength. I guess God didn't want me yet- I praise him!!
5-14-03 It's been a while since I've updated - alot has happened. I've been home now almost a month - On Coumadin therapy - it's been a real trial. The level is suppose to be under 3.0 and I've had 12.1, 8.8, 2.1, then back to 8.5 - it's been so confusing. Then I developed pitting edema in my lower legs - have to take Lasix every day. My Cariologist said I couldn't join Curves for a few months yet and I'm not allowed to fly for a few months either - Bad because my son is getting married in 7-8 weeks in Las Vegas- so I probably will miss it. This surgery has been very hard on me - I hope it gets better soon. I'm at a loss of 40 now.
7-11-03 I have gone for my 3 1/2 month check-up on 7/10 - My loss is 56 lbs which the Dr. says is more than 1/3 of my needed weight to lose - but oh well I think it's great. Fiqured out my current BMI and it's 34 - I started over 43. My scale today says I weigh 198 which is a loss of almost 60 on my scale. I'm goofing off - eating chips etc- salty carbs. Need to get back to small bites, more chewing and follow the rules. Trying!!
8-26-03 Well it's been 5 WHOLE months since my surgery - time really goes by fast! At this point I've lost 73 lbs and I can see it in some of my clothes and in pictures that have been taken of me. Still have a a abdominal hanging apron - maybe I'll have to have that taken care of someday when I'm finished. I've lost alot of hair - Routine?? Or because of a lack of protein?? Debating on a shorter haircut or what.... I don't know if a perm would help. Have to see my Cardiologist in a couple of weeks - hoping to get discharged from him but I'm having more palpitations lately. I do try to keep active- we'll see. Should look into getting more protein ??? Shakes again???
9-26-03 Well today is my 6 month Anniversary - it's gone by fast! Today I weigh 175.5, which is 82 lbs lost and hopefully gone forever. I fiqure I have at least 30 more to go - which would bring me to 145 lbs- this seems like a good weigh for someone 56 yrs old. I try to walk but isnot always able or motivated. I do want to join Curves but the cost is a problem right now. I find salty foods call me - chips, prezels etc. - I also like nuts-- sunflower right now. I've started to experience right upper pain - possible gallstones?? My next appt. with my surgeon is in 2 weeks- so I'll update then.
10-22-03 My 56th Birthday is coming on the 26th - I am now 88-90 lbs less than I was last Birthday and a whole lot healthier. This site puts my BMI at 28.8 now and says I'm not a candidate for surgery! Almost 7 months ago I had high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. - What a lifesaver this surgery has been. Thank the dear Lord for everything that has gone on - life is better. And I'm more energetic- excercise 6 times a week at Curves - I'm going to get that girlish fiqure yet! 4-10-05 Well here I am 2 years post-op. New adventures happening. I lost 112 lbs and have managed to regain about 5 of those. Need to regroup and go back to the basics. I am a support group leader and reccommend this sight to everyone. I have contacted a Plastic Surgeon - Dr. Alganhem from Flint, I will be having a abdinoplasty (Tummy Tuck) in May of 2005. Not looking forward to the pain but these rolls of fat and extra skin have to go. I pray things go better then my Bypass - I should be healthier going into this but I still have health issues left from my surgery - still on Coumadin for the resolving PE. Praise to God for all I've accomplished so far.