ObesityHelp

I am a 50 year old married woman who has been heavy my whole life. I have jumped trough all the hoops that my insurance has requested and been approved by all the doctors I have seen. I seem to keep running into walls. Need a little courage boost from anyone who cares.

July 7, 2004
I am essentially starting over. I have a first consult with a new surgeon next Thursday. I am excited about this consult as this time I am going thru NeWeigh in Houston. I hope this time works better for me. Keep your fingers crossed that I can get approval this time.
I just read about the loss of Momma Angel. I didn't know until now that she had sent a note to me in the beginning. I feel a great loss not to have know this wonderful lady.
Back again soon with positive updates, I hope.

July 15, 2004
I had my surgeon consultation and first visit to NeWeigh to day. It was awesome. I really like Dr. Jay and the NeWeigh Staff. They are very helpful and supportive. They are not at all condescending or discriminatory as in other places. I really feel that this is going to happen for me now. I am so excited.
I weighed in at 334 pounds and was told I am 217 pounds overweight. I couldn't believe it. But help is on the way.

July 17, 2004,
I had my Aetna required meeting at NeWeigh today. Left there very optomistic and encourage. I can't wait to be approved for my surgery. I really hope it is soon. I sent photos to be posted today. I am starting a journal as well as a photo journal to keep a record of my progress. I just know I will make it this time. What a great feeling I have about this.

August 11, 2004
Well, I completed my Aetna pre-cert. tests today with an EGD and a Colonoscopy for good measure. NeWeigh also called and said that my first denial came in today under Dr. Jay. But we expected that to happen. NeWeigh is already preparing my appeal. I am very hopeful that they can help me. Robyn told me today that she got 8 approvals last week after Aetna's pre-cert. criteria was completed. So Wish Me Luck.

October 25, 2004
My third appeal letter went into Aetna last Friday. I am getting anxious and worried that I will be denied again. But still hoping that this will work for me. I turned 51 yesterday and keep thinking I could be running out of time here. I need this surgery. I am up to 333-336 pounds now. I can't seem to stop it. It just creeps up on me. I'm not sure what my next turn will be, but I have to make this happen somehow.
If anyone has any suggestions, I am definetely open to them. Aetna is suppose to have 15 days to answer my appeal. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me and say lots of prayers.

October 27, 2004
I can't believe it. NeWeigh called me at 5:30 this afternoon and told me I was approved by Aetna. I was driving home and had to pull over because I was crying so hard. I am so excited. And better yet, my pre-ops are tomorrow and my surgery the day after tomorrow. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO! excited. What a thrill this is. I can't wait.

October 28, 2004
Well, there's a glitch. I went to Vista Hospital in Pasadena for pre-ops today. My white blood count is elevated and I have some kind of infection. So they postponed the surgery until I can get it taken care of. But at least the BIGGGGGGGGG hurdle is finally done and Aetna approved me. Thank you Lord!
I still hope to have the surgery in November.

November 8, 2004
OMG - I got a call from NeWeigh today and my surgery has been rescheduled for Nov. 22. I am so excited. My white blood count is still elevated, but no infection. The misterious cause is PREDNISONE. It is a bad culprit of many of my problems. I have been on this steroid for years because of my asthma. It causes all kinds of problems including this, blood sugar elevation, weight gain, bone weakening. But I am hoping that with the surgery I can get off of it someday. What a wonderful feeling to be back on track and so quickly. I have prayed for this for a long, long time and it is finally going to happen, Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.
Wish me luck.

November 19, 2004
Well, went to pre-op again today to do it all over again. But that's ok, cause they set me up for surgery on Monday at Vista. All was well, I thought. I got a call on my cell phone at at dept. store about 6 p.m. in Pasadena. Dr. Jay's office said the hospital called and my WBC was higher than before. Since Dr. Jay is out of the country until tomorrow, they called in Dr. Alaniz who cancelled the surgery. AGAIN!!!! Dr. Jay will have the final say tomorrow nite after he get back to the U.S.

November 20, 2004
I couldn't stand being in Pasadena any longer. I wanted to come home to wait for the call from Dr. Jay tonite. Sure enough at 10:40 p.m. he called and officially cancelled my surgery. At least by Now I had pretty much accepted the fact of another postponement. But it is still heartbreaking and frustrating.
I have to see a hemotologist and get a clearance now before I can reschedule the surgery.
Wish me luck as I start over one more time.

November 23, 2004
Went to Sugarland to see Dr. Caesar Tin-U, hemotologist at Texas Oncology.
He tested me and all looked well. He will finish getting the results by noon tomorrow and will notify Dr. Jay's office.
So I called NeWeigh and Danna has given me a tenative date of Tuesday, Nov. 30. YEAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
Maybe third time is a charm.

November 24, 2004
OMG!!! I think it is finally going to happen. Dr. Tin-U gave the ok today and I am officially scheduled for Tueday, Nov. 30th. No more postponments. I only go in early for type and cross match for the blood bank. I can't wait to be on the losing side.
Wish me luck!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!

November 28, 2004
Well tomorrow we leave again for Pasadena to get the type and cross match for my surgery. I am scheduled for Tuesday morning. I can't wait to be on the losing side. I need this to better my life and have a healthier and happier existence. I have needed this for a long time and it is finally coming to pass. I HOPE! I'm not sure I could take getting down there and being sent home again. But I am thinking positive that all will be well and I will have a fast and speedy recovery and my new life will go smoothly. WIsh me luck.

Nov. 30, 2004
Well, had my surgery, RNY, at Vista Medical Hospital in Pasadena, TX today. Went without a hitch and am doing well.

Dec. 2, 2004
Went home from the hospital. Long ride but went well. No problems so far. I do seem to be able to walk better and breathe better now that I am home and have the elastic band off. Dr. Jay says I must be a stomach breather and do better without it. All is going well.

Dec. 6, 2004
Went to see my PCP today to check in. Have a rash on arms from the adhesive in some of the surgical tape. He gave me some samples to take for it and also changed my blood pressure meds so I could dissolve them. I have a red place on my tummy near a lap wound site, but he's not bothered. No fever or anything, so all is well.

Dec. 8, 2004
SCARED!!!!!!!!!!!! My stomach litterally blew out onto the kitchen floor today. The red spot on my tummy was an infection. I was taken by ambulance to Austin to St. David's hospital. I was draining some awful smelly gagging stuff from the would.

Dec. 10, 2004
Was released from St. David's today. One of my suture areas on my stomach had to be opened by a surgeon to let drain. Luckily the infection is on the outer layers of the incision. Home Health care will have to come to my home for at least 2 weeks for wound care and redressing everyday.

Dec. 12, 2004
Back on the mend again. Hope this is the last of my complications. I can count myself lucky that this was no worse than it was. The wound is really not all that big and doesn't hurt only stings occassionally. Home healthcare is doing a good job of packing and dressing it. Hope it doesn't take too long to heal.

Dec. 16, 2004
Went to my first Post-Op today with Dr. Jay. I'd lost 24 pounds. I was amazed and relieved. Things are going great. I think I am really gonna succeed this time. Was given the go ahead for soft solids. Yea!!!!

Dec. 19, 2004
Had Christmas dinner with my family today. NO problem with eating. Tried small portions of different foods. So far no problem with any of the foods I have tried. Thank You Lord! I am still recovering but doing well.

Jan. 6, 2005
Had my 6 weeks check-up with Dr. Jay. I have lost 37 pounds. I'm still not sure where, but it's gone. I am excited. I don't go back until April now.

Jan. 30, 2005
Today is my 2 month anniversary of WLS. I have lost 46 pounds. I feel blessed. Thanks again, Dr. Jay.

April 4, 2005
Has been awhile since I posted. At 261 pounds, as of this morning I have lost 74 pounds in 4 months and 5 days. It is AWESOME!!!!! I feel good and am beginning to see many changes. Lots of people tell me how much they see the weight loss. I am proud of how I am doing and so is my husband. We are both grateful for the WLS and Dr. Jay.

June 13, 2005
Has been awhile since my last update. Am feeling great. It's been 6 1/2 months and have lost 96 1/2 pounds. Struggling to get to the century mark, but know I will make it. I weigh 239 1/2 pounds now and am so gratful for the procedure that saved my life. What a blessing it has been. I am really loving it. Thanks again Dr. J and Neweigh.

June 26, 2005
Have lost 104 pounds so far. I have no more diabetes. What a blessing this surgery has been. I am so grateful for this WLS and especially Neweigh. I am really loving being on the losing side.