Co-morbidities:
Fibromyalgia, High Blood Pressure, Severe Osteoarthritis(walk with a cane), Gastroparesis, GERD, Depression, Shortness of Breath, Back problems, Enlarged Uterus.

I am a 42 year old woman who weights in at an astonishing 339lbs. I have lost 180lbs in the past(natural trim- herbs and vitamins), I got married at 35 and gained all the weight I had lost back plus another 20lbs like so many times before. I now have joint pains, back pains, chest pains, high blood pressure. Just do not ever feel good.
2004
1/13/04
After having done this major juggling act just to get all these required test completed, I get a phone call from my Primary Dr. saying I can only have my ultra sound at a particular hospital so of course this takes forever to get an appointment. I'm not scheduled til
1/20/04. Please tell me this gets easier. Why is it so difficult to get into these places. My visit with the surgeon is on 1/31/04. Hopefully the reports will be back before the visit with Dr. Bonanni. It takes a while to get these appointments I would certainly hate to have cancel it. I HATE REFERRALS! PLEASE TELL ME WHAT WAS I THINKING WHEN I SWITCHED FROM PERSONAL CHOICE TO KEYSTONE.

1/16/04

I have lost 8lbs on this Dr. Atkins diet. Man I forgot how fast you can lose on this diet. I still have 24lbs to lose to get to 10% of my body weight. I've almost weened my self off of diet coke. I now only have 24oz. of diet coke as opposed to the 76 oz. I used to drink and I can now drink a gallon of water in a day without gagging. Still hate water though. I am quite proud of me at the moment. However I do get frustrated though when I go for these required test. I had to go to the gyn doctor and of course now I have to have ANOTHER ultra sound on top of the required one from Dr. Bonanni and I'm now on a sixth medication. All in all it's going to be ok because I'm on the path to freedom from this overweight body.

1/19/04
I have lost 13lbs so far with the Dr. Atkins only another 20lbs to go to get the required 10% weight off. I'm soooo excited. I go for a Mammogram tonight and tomorrow is my ultra sound of the abdomen and chest x-ray. Let's pray they go well. I had a car accident this morning on the ice. Another person slamed my car in the rear. Now my car is broke and I hope I don't have to cancel any of the consults I have this week. It's a very depressing thought as it takes sooo long to get these appointments. I have to keep positive thoughts though as I've been obese for nearly 20 years and it's not going to come off over night. I'm just really ready for this surgery. I hope it works well for me like it has for many others. My friend Dave has his surgery schedule for March 3. I hope nothing bumps his date. He's been doing this since August. Well I went to the mammogram and let me tell you that was the most horrific pain. It was this really tiny lady pulling my breast almost completely off. I end up with 3" cuts under them and boy is that not fun when you take a shower. However I did think the neat jewel pasties that put on me were quite interesting. Glad that is over.

1/20/04
Stepped on the scales and it has not moved. I'm ready to throw them away. I gotta remember not to weigh everyday. I went to get my Ultra sound of the abdomen and the chest x-ray. Of course the technician fussed me out because I drank 32oz of water as the secretary TOLD me to do. No biggie though I just had to go to the bathroom and empty the bladder. I went on to have the chest x-ray and again got the wonderful little pasties that pull when you remove them. All in all everything went fine. I have a pscyhe visit schedule on
1/22/04, a nutrionist consult on 1/26,an exercise consult on 1/27 and the most important appointment my Surgical Consult on 1/31/04. Whoohol!! They schedule the surgery on this date. Even though this month has been so hectic, I know it's all going to be worth it in the end. I'm starting to see the flickering of lights at the end of the tunnel.

1/22/04

I was scheduled for a Psyche visit today but with my normal luck it was canceled because the Dr. had to have emergency surgery. I guess that was a pretty good excuse. I don't have to wait to long for a new appointment though so that part is good. I did want everything before the surgical eval but what can you do. My new appointment is on
2/4/04. I got more bad news that they are cutting my hours as I have not been able to maintain 40 hours per week as I have so many appointments. I don't know how we are going to make it, but for now I'm taking care of Donna for once. I have now lost a total of 17lbs! Whoppee for me! Only 16 more lbs to go to lose the required weight. It's so much easier to lose weight when you have such a wonderful goal in front of you. Can't wait til the SDay.
1/23/04
I dropped another 2lbs overnight. Whoohoo! for me. I'm really moving on this weightloss thing. I have no problems losing weight. My major problem is keeping it off.

1/26/04
It snowed and iced AGAIN!@@!!@@~~! I was so afraid I was going to miss my Nutrition Consult. Thank goodness my husband willingly carried me to the physician. It was an uneasy 1 hours drive. I'm terrified of the snow and ice, especially after the accident last week. I found the nutritionist very helpful and extremely friendly. She gave me a list of things to purchase and said it would be good to go ahead and get started on all of the vitamin supplements. Me and my husband went over to The Vitamin Shoppe to see what kinds of protein drinks they had. I found one I liked ALOT and it's not milk based. They have it in all kinds of flavors like grape, orange, alpine punch and the best part is they have 40GRAMS of Protein per 20 oz. The required protein is between 60-70Grams per day so this is a significant amount. I tried several flavors and found them quite pleasant. There is a little after taste but I don't think they make one that doesn't have some.

1/27/04
Well today I had my Exercise Consultant. Two days in a row with these appointments, but the most important one is this saturday with Dr. Bonnani. I am suppose to get a surgery date at this time. Anyway, I haven't lost much more weight but I am down 20lbs. What a wonderful discovery that my scales at home actually weigh me 2lbs heavier than the Dr.'s office. I have only 13 more lbs to go to get to the required goal. The exercise consultant was quite expensive but he was a nice guy and gave me some very good instructions. I was pleased that my heart rate was only 64 resting. HOWEVER! and there is always a however, my heart rate when doing 5 minutes on the treadmill was 120. Which according to Chris is beyond what it should be. Course that's nothing I didn't know before. I'm severly out of shape. On the way home I blew my diet. I stopped at my very favorite place in the world Chi Chi's (I must be part mexican somewhere in my line) and got a Taco Salad. I ate every little bit and if you have ever been to Chi Chi's & got one of these you will know just how HUGE this thing is. It was well worth it. Hey it was mostly lettuce. I keep telling myself that anyway.

1/28/04
Can you believe it? We got MORE SNOW!!!!!!!! My darn husband didn't dig the car out or shovel the side walk so old fat Donna had to do it. I almost died doing it. Thank goodness the snow was light or I would have expired for sure. I should have burn off that taco salad from this work out. I've never shoveled snow in my life and I hope I never have to again. Word of warning! Don't lean on your car. My butt was soaked and going out in the wind was horrible. I sit here with with my pants soaked and it's 4 hours later. Wet underwear and jeans is just unpleasant. I CAN'T WAIT FOR SATURDAY!!!! HOORAHHHH! IT'S ALMOST HERE. Then there will be the awful wait to the surgery date gets here. I hope I don't get nervous and back out. Right now they could do it immediately but I wonder how scared I'm going to be when the date gets here. This is a big deal.

1/30/04
Tomorrow is my big day with the surgeon. I can't wait. I am suppose to get a date at this time. I'm sure he is going to give me another battery of test that need to be done but I'm ready for whatever he throws at me. I can handle it. I got the scare of my life yesterday when one of the girls in finance said that our company's insurance had been canceled. Of course it was my insurance that was having the problem. For about 4 hours I was scared Sh*tless. Thank goodness they took care of everything. I certainly have come to far for them to cancel my insurance at this point. Today of all days I was severly tempted by fate. I won a cake at the grocery store. A beautiful banana split cake. I've never won even one thing and of course now that I'M ON DIET, I win a cake. I brought it into work so the people around me can gain the weight off of it. I was a very good girl and never touched it. I haven't lost anymore than the 20lbs but at least I'm more than half way to the 10%. I hope he recognizes that fact tomorrow. It's only 3 weeks since my visit with Paula and she told me about the 10%, so I think I'm doing very good. I want a pizza so bad I can't stand it and I'm truly sick of meat. As a meat eater, I cannot believe that I'm saying that. I have a new nephew as of yesterday. A beautiful blonde headed baby boy. Well big baby boy. He weighted 8lbs & 12 ounces. I look forward to meeting him tonight.

1/31/04
Well today I had my consult with Dr. Bonanni. I super nice man. I was a little depressed about the consult today because he told me I might not be able to have the Labroscopy. I really do not want to have the open but if I have to I will just have to do it. After my physical he did say he would try the Laproscopic as I carry most of weight around in my bottom and legs. However, I have to see a cardiologist,
Pulmonary Dr. and a vascular doctor. I also have to have a green field filter put in to my vein to prevent clots. This procedure is an outpatient surgery and people my size are required to have this because of the 33% more likely hood of clots. I don't have a date for surgery. I guess I get my appointments for all of the required testing next week. The office was great but be prepared to wait when you have an appointment with the Dr. I waited 1 1/2 beyond my appointment time. They were very busy.  

2/3/04
I got a call today From Dr. Bonanni's office. They have set me up for Thursday of this week at
Reading Hospital for a doppler on both of my legs and I have an appointment with Berks Berks-Schuylkill Respiratory Specialists on the 17th of this month.
I will be getting a surgery date soon. They are applying for approval on my insurance now and I should hear from them within a week or so. I will be getting the
Greenfield filter in my artery After I have a surgery date. It seems they will not do it without a surgery date or insurance approval. WHOOHOO! IT'S COMING TOGETHER! I'M DOING A HAPPY DANCE FOR NOW. I know it's going to feel like eternity but it's really going to happen.
 
2/5/04
I had my doppler on both of my legs this morning. It was really a nightmare trying to get there. Not that it's really that hard to get to
Reading Hospital if you have proper instructions. Low and behold they did not have my referal again. Should I be suprised? NO! My primary doctor's office really suck at this referal thing. The doppler was interesting. It take quite awhile, I almost fell asleep. I had to run like a mad dog cause I had to get to Dr. Bonanni's office for a Psyche consult. I made it only 2 minutes late. The psychologist told me I have to make a visit with a psychiatrist as I have been diagnosed for depression for over 14 years. It seems the surgery can cause an elevated levels in depression and I might require a heavier dosage of medication. I kinda wish they would quit looking for things cause I'm afraid they are going to find something. Well I have an appointment on the 20th with Berks Cardiologist. Hopefully all will go well there.

2/7/04

I got an appointment for my EGD on the 19th with Dr. Bonanni. That week is going to be a fun filled one. It's kinda of weird having two surgeries before I can have the big one. I'm a little more scared of the
greenfield filter. Dr. Bonanni did say that the surgery could cause problems with clots in itself. I just am putting my faith in GOD because I know I am definitely not the one in control. I STILL DON'T HAVE A SURGERY DATE THOUGH AND IT'S BEEN A WEEK SINCE MY APPOINTMENT WITH BONANNI.

2/10/04

I've finally dropped a few more lbs. I'm down another 4lbs. I thought I was stuck forever. The GYN Doc put me on horomones and I swear I've been stuck for 3 weeks. I have 8 more to go to get to the Dr's required 10%. I am still waiting for a surgery date. I have no clue as to why these people are soooo slow in giving you a tentative surgery date. I'm getting a bit frustrated as I'm doing everything that they ask. I just feel a little consideration would be nice but I do understand they are busy.

2/12/04
I have my appointment with the Psychiatrist for tomorrow. After all this running around they got me doing I can understand just how depressing it can be. I have an appointment on Tuesday the 17th with Berks,
Schuylkill, Respitory Specialist. I have my follow visit with the GYN Dr. the 18th. I know he is going to say I need a hysterectomy but it's just going to have to wait for the bypass. I have my EGD at the Spring Ridge Surgery Center with Dr. Bonanni and on Thursday the 20th I have my Cardiologist visit. I hope this will wrap up the appointments. I think I have to have a sleep study done after that. So it should just be the Sleep study and the greenfield filter procedure. I've heard the surgery dates are now into April. I just wish they would hurry up and give me a darn date. I'm really getting frustrated. I've jumped through every darn hoop and now im tired. I want it over. I'm barely able to work as the appointments are taking over my life. I just don't know how we are going to be able to keep affording it. I need this to be over quickly. My friend Dave has his surgery on the 3rd of March. I'm very happy for him. I'm so envious. I go to the support group tonight. My first one and hopefully not the last one. I'm ready for life to start being as normal as possible. I'm not sure there ever will be a normal again. I've had to drive places I'd never believed I'd be able to drive. To clarify I'm from North Carolina and transplanted to Pennsylvania. I only know 422 and not all of these other interstates. I thought Reading would be the furtherest I'd have to drive. I'm having to go to Blanford & Lansdale and God only knows where else they are going to send me. I guess I just take the appointments as they come and start counting my blessings instead of griping.

2/14/04

I got the very best VALENTINES DAY PRESENT!!!!! Whoooohooo! I got a letter from my insurance approving my surgery. The surgery date is set for believe it or not
APRIL 1, 2004. NO FOOLING! I thought it was ironic I got the approval on Valentine's Day that I'm having surgery on April Fool's Day. It's a hoot. I'm just doing the happy dance! I feel like my seems are gonna burst. It's so funny, my husband was away today on valentine's day to see a stupid hockey game with his parents and go to an outdoor show, so I was feeling terrible. I was in such a self pity mode I ate half a pizza a liter of Diet Coke (which I had given up totally for water). YIKES!!! I gotta lose that 8lbs more than ever now. Well I felt like crap and now I feel great. I just will have to make a huge sprint now to get that darn weight off. I'd like to be less the 300 on the date of surgery. I hate what I have done to myself with this weight. I just wish I had done this 2 years ago when I put it all back on. whoohooo!!!!!! yipee!!!!
Glitter Graphics



2/17/04
Well today I had my appointment with Berks Schuylkill Respitory Specialist. The Dr. was very nice as well as the staff. I must say it was not an unpleasant visit. He told me that I do have some of the symptoms for sleep apnea (not all of them)but because I have such a small mouth (size wise not volume LOL) that it could present a problem so he did recommend that I have a sleep study done. I will find out the dates for the study. Hopefully they will say I'm normal. Whatever normal is these days. Sometimes I feel like I go to one appointment and it leads to another. I have to visit the GYN today. My most favorite of appointments. It's my followup for my mammogram and vaginal ultrasound. I'm sure they are going to tell me I have a fibros uterus for sure. It's just going to have to take a back seat to the bypass. I'm just not ready for another surgery. However, it would be nice to be without the monster beast showing up every month. (well in my case daily)

2/19/04
I had my EGD done this morning at
Spring Ridge Surgical Center. The staff were all great. I can't say I remember a thing. I have one heck of a sore throat though. Turns out I have what might be delayed gastric emptying. In other words another test that needs to be done. It seems my stomach does not empty like it should. Dr. Bonanni said he only has had 2 other people who have had this. I will have to have some sort of tube put into my stomach to empty it for six weeks. I swear I've just got no luck. As I sit here I hear a message on my voice mail that they have canceled my cardiology appointment tomorrow. NOTHING is going right. My surgery is now scheduled for April 12th instead of the 1st. Not that it is much difference but it is another 11 days to wait. Oh well I think I will just go crawl back in the bed and hope the anesthesia wears off at some point.

 


2/22/04
Today is a brand new day and I'm feeling much better about things. Paula called me on friday to set up my appointment for my gastric emptying study. I have to eat eggs and orange juice with a special dye so they can watch it leave my stomach. Let's just hope it leaves and doesn't hang around like an unwanted visitor. I think I finally have the last of my appointments are scheduled. I have the nuclear study on the 26th at
Reading Hospital, I have my cardiology appointment on the 25th, my sleep apnea study on March 8, 9 & 12. Let's hope this is the last test. My surgery pre-op with Britt is schedule on March 23 and my pre-op with Reading Hospital is April 5th. I only have one appointment that I'm not sure when they are going to do. That's for the Greenfield Filter to be implanted in my artery. I guess it will be closer to the date of surgery. Wow I still have a lot left to do. APRIL IS REALLY CLOSE THOUGH! I'm more than ready. I can't wait til I can actually go the movie theater without putting a space between me and the next person. I swear sometimes people believe that fat people are contagious. You can actually see that people avoid sitting near the fat person. The only plus to that is that know one is bugging you to get past you either during the best part of the movie. I wonder if when I manage to get the majority of this weight off, if I will still feel like that fat women sitting alone. It's funny how people worry about prejudice for race and other things but when it comes to an over weight person they have no problem calling you fat or starring at you and laughing. I guess if I were missing a limb it would be easier to accept. The funny thing is I eat less than most of my friends who are wayyyy smaller. OH well no one cares about the OBESE PATIENT. That word pisses me off too. MORBID OBESE. Who the heck thought of that one. Some fat cat sitting behind a desk I'm sure. We are so fat that we are disgusting. Isn't that what Morbid means. I am not only morbid obese I'm super morbid obese which means I can make small children cry just by them looking at me. Of course we are the only group that are to ashamed to stand up and tell people to stick it where the sun don't shine. Well not me. I've learned when people stare I turn around and say to them, I'm sorry, Do you need help with something? They get my meaning. I want them to be aware of how it feels to be humiliated.

2/23/04
I have compiled a list of all the appointments that I have had since beginning this procedure just so you can get an idea of what steps you must go through to get the operation. Keep in mind that I am considered Super Morbidly Obese. So I do have a few more than most.

Date Summary of Appointments
12/4 General Information Session
1/ 2 Initial Consult with Nurse
1/8 Appointment with Primary Physician to get on an approved weightloss plan
1/13 EKG & Arterial Blood Gases
1/14 LAB Work- Lots of blood work OB/GYN – for updated physical (mammogram & pap smear)
1/19 Mammogram
1/20 Ultra Sound & Chest X-Ray
1/26 Nutrition Consult
1/27 Exercise Consult
1/31 Dr. Bonanni-Surgical Consult
2/4 Pelvic Vaginal Ultrasound
2/5 Doppler study of both Legs·
Evaluation with Dr. Hamerich for Psyche Health.–Clinically diagnosed with depression, law requires I see a psychiatrist for clearance
2/6 Pre-Op Nutrition Consult
2/12 Support Group at the Reading Hospital
2/13 Appointment with license Psychiatrist Life Counseling Services
2/17 Berks Schuylkill Respitory Specialist
2/18 OB/GYN – follow up from testing
2/19 Spring Ridge Outpatient Surgery Center- EDG
2/25 Berks Cardiologist, LTD- EKG, Blood work drawn
2/26 Reading Hospital for Gastric Emptying Nuclear Study
3/3 St. Joseph's Hospital Cardiac Catheterization
3/8 Dr. Gallow -Appointment at University Services for Sleep Study- Preappointment
3/9 Pre-op class with Paula at Dr. Bonanni's office
3/9 Sleep Study- University Services
3/18 Support Group Reading Hospital
3/22 Appointment with Reading Hospital for consult to have Greenfield Filter- exam & bloodwork
3/22 Lab work at Labcorp
3/23 PRE-OP Visit with Britt at Dr. Bonanni’s Office
3/24 Follow up visit to Berks Respitory with Dr. Krol
3/31 Reading Hospital Interventional Radiology Outpatient
Placement of Greenfield Filter
4/5 Pre-Op Visit with Anesthesia Department at Reading Hospital
4/8 Liquid Diet to start
4/12 GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY AT READING HOSPITAL


2/25/04
Today yet another office visit and yet another procedure added onto the mountain of stuff I have had to have. It seems that I must have a Cardiac Catherization before I can have the surgery because of my age, weight & the fact that my father has heart disease. I have no chest pains, no high cholesterol but because I'm 42 & my father has heart disease I have yet another mountain to cross. Which if I have any kind of blockage I will have to have stents put in which will delay the surgery for 3 months. I'm really ready to throw my hands up at this point. I don't want anymore doctors looking at me. I swear they are making up stuff for me to have to go through. So again my depression is really eating me up. Oh well, I have tomorrow to get through with the gastric emptying study. I pray there is nothing there cause of this tube I've heard is really nasty. At this point I just really need Tomorrow is a very important day for me.

2/27/04
I had my nuclear study done yesterday. It wasn't so bad. However I must say I am not all that impressed with
Reading Hospital. I hope inpatients are treated a little better. Not to say that I was ill treated but I'd definitely say I was treated with indifference. The hospital is old and looks dirty. Let's hope it's all perception. My study consisted of eating an egg on toast with a cup of orange juice. I did not have anything to eat from 6 the night before until 12:30 at the time of the study and nothing to drink til after the procedure. I was so parched. They actually put me on a table under a machine and took pictures of my stomach for 1 minute every 30 minutes for 2 hours. Let's hope this is one test I passed. I couldn't really tell it all looked like dots to me. The good news is I don't have any test until Wednesday which is my heart catheterization. That one is a biggie. Sometimes I wonder why me but I know it's all for the best. You can't say that Dr. Bonanni is not thorough because he is making sure that there is absolutely no foreseen risk with me. I had no clue that surgery for obese people was as risky as it is. It's obvious to me that this is not a piece of cake by no means. My friend Dave has his surgery on the same days as my cath on 3/3/04. He starts the liquid diet tomorrow. I pray everything goes ok for him. It's so nice having him go first so I can experience a little of what it will be like before hand. I will know what to expect.

3/2/04
I have my Heart Catheterization tomorrow morning. I'm a little nervous. I know it's not all that bad but anything that has to do with the heart kinda scares me. My father's gone through these things so many times he says its nothing. Hmm, it's his fault I have to have this darn thing. He has such bad heart disease. I called to find out the results of my gastric emptying study and Dr. B's office has not called me with the results. The hospital said they would have it read on last thursday that I should have results by the end of the day. I know they are busy but darn it has been several miserable days waiting when I know they have the results. Well you know if it were bad news they would have called me right away. At least that is how I am going to start looking at it. My friend Dave has surgery tomorrow. I know he is excited and scared and all of those things at this point in time. He is a nazarene minister so I know he has the support of his entire congregation.

I went back on my diet as of yesterday. I stopped for two weeks cause I've been pigging out on pizza. I gained back 5lbs. How am I ever going to get this weight off before surgery. It's tougher this time than it was in January when I first started.

Off topic, I went to see the Passion of the Christ last night last night and today I'm just mentally exhausted. We are so blessed to have such a loving and forgiving God.

Well I just got a call from Brett at Dr. Bonanni's office. I DO have Gastroparesis. She said I have a pretty severe case of it actually. It basically means I will have another tube in my stomach. It will have to drain the stomach for 6 weeks. YUCK! It sounds aweful. I can't figure out how I got this as I don't have diabetes and it's for sure I never had annorexia. I can't imagine my stomach being paralyzed. I love to eat. I guess the timing could not have been more perfect to have this surgery.


3/4/03
I had my heart catheterization yesterday.
St. Joseph's hospital was a very pleasant hospital. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. They did the cath in my arm instead of my groin which I was pleased with except it's my right arm. I can't say it wasn't painful because it was. They had difficulty finding my artery which for me is not unusual. I had to stay until around 4:00 that afternoon. It wasn't horrible. Hearts normal and my veins are clear. I'm now clear for surgery. When we got home we got bad news so my husband had to run back to the hospital.

Our good friend Pastor Dave who was to have surgery yesterday, had major complications on the table. Dr. Bonanni repaired 7 hernia's on him and removed his gall bladder. His blood pressure totally bottomed out so they had to stop as they thought he had a heart attack. He is in intensive care on a respirator. He is stable for now. Turns out he had an allergic reaction to something but they have no clue as to what. He did not have a heart attack.
I feel so bad for him cause he went through the surgery but did not get the bypass. We don't know when or if he will be able to have the bypass surgery. To my knowledge he still does not know that this has happened to him. Please pray for Pastor Dave. I know that whatever happens God is with him through every step of the way.

3/6/04
Nothing is ever easy these days. After I had my catheterization I started with a fever. It all started out low grade then spiked at 102 degrees. I spent Thursday night sweating and freezing and sick on my stomach with an incredible headache. I finally got rid of the fever only to be followed by this intense Vertigo that left me throwing up and unable to do anything but lay completely flat. I kept passing out. I ended up going to the hospital emergency room and got IV fluids for dehydration and turns out I had labryinthitis or inner ear infection. Thank goodness it didn't have anything to do with the heart cath. I can't remember ever feeling so bad. My blood pressure kept dropping. Today I feel like a wet noodle. I will be so glad when things go back to normal.

My friend Dave who was suppose to have the bypass but because of an allergic reaction to latex or whatever they had to stop in the middle of the surgery is going to have the bypass done again in 12 weeks. I'm glad to see he has not given up. He came so near to death. It's almost like the body is just giving one last fight not to get rid of the weight.

Even through all these trials I know the end result will be sooo worth it all.

3/08/04
I had my preop class with Paula today. It was basically more of the same. It did help a little though. There were a few others there that were soon to have the surgery.

3/11/04
My sleep study was done on Tuesday Night. Wow is that wierd. I swear I looked like I had a bomb attached to me. I had wires coming out of my head and all down my legs and arms. Things are on your face and up your nose. Believe it or not though I actually slept with all that stuff on. They did give me a call and said I do not have to have a second visit. They would send the results to my Dr. The lady at the desk said that the only reason they would not have to see you for a second visit is if you do not have sleep apnea. It's nice to think I don't have something for a change. I hope she is correct.

My diet has gone to hell these days. I can't lose weight. I ended up gaining back 5lbs. Every since they put me on horomones it's like my body will not let go of one pound. I just feel like screaming.

My husband went out and bought an elliptical for me to exercise on. Maybe it will give me a jump start. My pre-op exam with Britt is on the 23rd so they basically only gives me about 11 days to get 12lbs off. I need to start praying for a miracle.

3/17/04
ONLY 25 more days! I finally got off the weight that I had gained back so at least I'm at the original 25lb. weight loss I had before. I'm not as far off from goal as I was. I've been doing good. Hopefully the liquid diet will take off the rest. I'm getting a little nervous the closer it gets. Still a little worried about that gastrostomy tube. It just sounds so disgusting and six weeks seems like an eternity to have a tube.


3/22/04
What a day! What a day! I got a call from
Reading Hospital that once again my primary care physician's office has not sent my referral. I call and get blasted out by the little receptionist on the phone that SHE indeed is perfect and couldnt have possibly NOT sent the referal. That's it is NOT her problem she has Proof she sent the referal. Yeah right! Like I haven't heard that one on just about ever occasion. I told her that I am not yelling at her and that it is MY problem and that her office is my primary care office so it is indeed her problem to make sure that I get my referals. I only called three weeks ago requesting it. Well I finally get to the Interventional Radiology for my consult on getting on getting the Greenfield Filter and the nimrods from my primary dr's office (little miss perfect) has sent the referal BUTTTT... AND THIS IS A BIG BUT she sent the referal for the Heart Catheterization that I had on the 4th of March. The nice admissions lady calls them up and ask them to send another one and can you believe it???? It takes the nimrod three tries before she actually gets it right. After this surgery Collegeville Family Practice will not be seeing this old gal. They are the most incompetent bunch of boobs I've ever seen. Anyhow, to get back to the consult. The PA comes in and goes over the procedure and does a brief exam and has me sign some consent forms that say there are risk with the procedure including death. My filter will be placed on the 31st of March. I look forward to nimrod giving me yet another referal. Thank God the surgery is soon or I may have to strangle that secretary. I do find out that the blood work that I had at Dr. Minehart's office has been a few days over a month and sooo once again the vampire strikes and I have to have blood drawn again. Labquest has to do it in order for my insurance to pay for it so I have to come back to Pottstown to get that done. Oh and btw, the lady informed me that the Radiology Dept there at Reading Hospital has Radiologist that do not take Keystone Health so I will have to foot some or all of the bill. Makes me just a tad bit nervous to find out how much of this surgery I'm going to have to pay for out of pocket. Tomorrow is my preop with Britt. I certainly hope it goes better than today. I'm getting close to the magical day now. Wednesday is my appointment with the Respiratory Therapist. After the greenfield and the anesthesia preop I WILL BE DONE with the testing. I CANNOT WAIT FOR APRIL THE 12TH....... FREE AT LAST! FREE AT LAST! THANK GOD ALMIGHTY I'M GOING TO BE FREE FROM THIS OVERWEIGHT BODY. I so look forward to NOT worrying about which chair I can fit my big bertha butt in or if I'm going to spill over and make the person next to me uncomfortable. Only 20 more days! Less than 3 weeks.

3/23/04
Today I had my pre op visit with Britt. I signed my paperwork for the surgery and got my prescriptions and the wonderful liquid diet. I had lost the required weight and had all my other test completed so I guess it's just a matter of waiting for the final few test and visits. I'm soooo ready.

3/24/04
My appointment with Berks Respiratory was today. I am cleared for surgery. I do not have sleep apnea and I only have mild snoring according to University Studies. My husband swears it's a lie. LOL! Now I can make fun of him cause HE DOES SNORE.

3/25/04
Well I got some rather not so fun news from Britt today. She said that Dr. B said my surgery has to be open because I was definitely getting the Gastrostomy tube placed so he would need to open me up for that. I really am a little upset on getting the beautiful incision but hey you do what you gotta do. I just hate my recovery time is going to be alot longer. I have to sign new paperwork as my other papers say Laproscopic.

3/29/04
I just wonder does anyone else feel this overwhelming burden of pressures of things that need to be done before surgery. Between my job and my house I feel like I've got this 500 ton weight between my shoulder blades. I'm trying to pack up all my winter clothes (getting them ready to give to goodwill cause I have no intentions of fitting in them next year) and getting all the things I need to get done at work. I work in Human Resources and I have tons of stuff to get done before I leave. I almost dread coming back to the pile of stuff I'm going to face on my return. It's also the end of our physical year in June so that means I have to send out evaluations for the entire hospital. I think I need a stress reliever. My filter procedure is set for wednesday so that kinda sets me back a little. Oh well Donna quit thinking about it. ONLY 14 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!! DOING THE HAPPY DANCE HERE!!!!!!!!

3/31/04
I had my retrievable Vena Cava Filter put in today at
Reading Hospital. The Dr. was awesome. I never felt a thing including the novicaine. I wish my heart cath had been this easy. The staff were all very nice and took good care of me. My groin is a little sore now but I guess thats to be expected. This is finally my last hurdle. I visit the Reading Anesthesiologist on Monday and then it's all smooth sailing from there. I'm not going to know what to do with all the free time. LOL!
4/5/04
It's getting closer. My pre-op visit with Anesthesia was today. Only one week away now. The Anesthesiologist was very nice. He explained to me that there was going to be a small iv started before I went to sleep then I would have a Central Venous Line as well as an arterial line put in after the General had been administered. Before the surgery however they would give me a shot of morphine in my spinal column for pain management after the surgery. He said this is an effective method for pain for the first 18 hours. Got my blood typed and cross matched and now I'm set to go. Me and hubby finally went out and got the vitamins that I am going to need. I have to get my preparations for the liquid diet that I start on Thursday. I'm really going to miss food. I'm NOT GOING TO MISS this big old belly and bad back. I swear walking that mall today was so painful. I look forward to the day I can do it with ease. SOOONNNN!!!!

4/8/04
I can't believe it! I've started running a fever on Wednesday night of 103. Today it's been around 101 degrees. I've been able to get it down to 99.5. I'm hoping it's a virus. I have no clue what the heck is wrong with me and here I am 5 days from surgery. I'm a little worried cause I don't know if I should let the Dr. know because I'm afraid of him canceling the surgery.
I've had two nights with no sleep at all. My parents are coming tomorrow and my house is still not totally cleaned. The stress is killing me. I start my liquids today (4 days out of surgery). It's kinda surreal knowing I won't be eating solid foods for nearly 7 weeks. I have no clue how I'm going to do with no solid food. I'm such a foodaholic.

4/9/04
Second day of liquids and I'm still alive. LOL! There are moments when I get still and my stomach sounds like its going to eat itself. It kinda feels like that too. I did manage to loose 6lbs in the last few days due to illness and liquid diet. GOOD NEWS! is that I no longer have a fever and I finally feel 100% myself. Other than being sore from cleaning my house like a fiend, I'm good to go. I'm still waiting to be nervous about the surgery. I don't feel the least bit of apprehension yet. I'm more stressed out about my mother coming into my house and tell it me what a pig sty it is. Oh well I've cleaned as much as I can humanly do for a women who is over 300lbs and needs to new knees. I was hoping to be under 300lbs before the surgery but I don't believe that will happen but.... you know what that’s a small thing at this point. Just keeping myself healthy before and after the surgery has to be priority number one. I AM SO READY! MONDAY HURRY UP AND GET HERE!!!

4/10/04
My surgery is scheduled for
12:30p.m. on Monday. I have to arrive at the hospital 2 hours early at 10:30. It's not my most ideal time as I would love to have had it done first thing but beggars can't be choosers. Hopefully Dr. Bonanni will be nice and rested. I have learned a few things being on this liquid diet. First off, you won't starve to death without solid foods, second liquids CAN make you bloated and going to the bathroom for a bowel movement is certainly a watery experience. LOL
My mother cooked a wonderful smelling sugar ham for everyone tomorrow. I did get to enjoy the wafting aroma all day. The secret to the fluids is to keep the body busy so the mind doesn't have time to think about it. Only one more day til my new birth.

4/11/04
Tomorrow is my big day. I'm just sitting here thinking that I have less than 24 hours now til a new improved me. I watched as everyone enjoyed there wonderful Easter Lunch and I kept thinking that next year I'm going to look good for Easter. That food is no longer going to rule my life. I was just finishing my last journal entry til after the surgery. I keep myself a book of thoughts as well as this journal. I was packing my stuff up and I realized how very little I really need to carry with me to the hospital. I am going to bed early tonight so I will be nice and rested for my procedure. Best Wishes to all of those having surgery soon as well. I'm still not nervous or scared.

4/17/04
It has been 5 days since surgery and I'm home. I must say I'm pretty uncomfortable most of the time (but not in real pain). There's lots of gas and just in general feeling like crap. I have two tubes, the gastrostomy (which is a 2" diameter hole in my side and oozes the worst looking black green bile you've ever seen) and the Jackson Pratt tube (which is no where near as bad). I woke up in the recovery room with my endotrachial tube still in and pretty much panicked. It was huge pain because I was tensing up and making my stomach contract. Once they took that out I had virtually no pain. The Spinal shot they gave me was absolutely wonderful and kept me pain free for the first few days. Then it went on to the morphine shots. They were great but made you feel like you were in the clouds. I am glad to be home but taking any pain medications are tough because they can't give me liquid codeine because i'm allergic so i have to chop up these really big pills and they are mega hard to get down. I just quit trying on the pain meds it's not worth it. It's really just discomfort anyway not REAL pain. I think my back hurt worse than anything just from lying in the bed (I've always had a bad back). Well I'm exhausted typing this little bit. Will do more as time progresses.

4/19/04
No one warned me you could actually GAIN weight at the hospital. I gained 20lbs from the fluids. I've had nothing to eat going on two weeks. It's kinda disappointing but I DO know it's just fluid retention and I have to walk walk walk.
My bowels are now officially operating correctly so that's a good thing. Dr. Bonanni's crew were fantastic. I'd have to give ALL of them an A+. I saw Dr. Bonanni everyday. The first day I say Dr. Beetle (what a hunk!), Dr. Pegari and Britt. I think I saw Dr. B, Pegari and Britt everyday until I was released. Super nice bunch. I'm trying to figure out the whole water thing though. I swear I sip all day and can get in at best 24ounces of water. I feel like I'm constantly drinking or eating jellow or dole pops. It's really weird only eating like two small bites of jello at the time. I probably only get 2oz. of food in a day. My want for food has not decreased. My mother has been here cooking for my husband and daughter and the aroma is unbearable at times. I get pudding as of today and I'm looking forward to that. Anything but jello. I did have some chicken broth but it tasted sooo strong to me. I've noticed everything taste more intense. Well I'm ready for the losing to begin. I've just begun my transformation. Watch out world cause here comes Donna!

Just got back from seeing Britt at Dr. Bonanni's office and I got that horrible drain out. It was totally painless and actually when it came out along with a load of fluid, I felt soooo much better. I've gotten off 15lbs of that fluid I had gained in the hospital. I hope I drop some more fluid cause I should have lost some weight by now.

4/20/04
Last night was a lovely night. I woke up soaked and the bed was soaked from that Jackson Pratt Drainage hole that was left after they pulled the tube. That thing is soooo nasty. I had to go by a crap load of sponges etc. I ended up spending $50 bucks on drain sponges, alcohol swaps, and antiseptic. Well I will have the darn gastrostomy for 6 weeks so I'm going to need alot of drain sponges. They are very costly. When does that hole heal up? Britt told me 24 hours. It doesn't even look close to closed. I'm ready to drop some weight. I am down to 320 but still not at my pre surgical weight yet. Darn fluid. I must have a gallon of ooz in my tummy, well in my legs and feet too cause they look like two puffy balloons. I must say though I'm doing pretty good. I got out and drove myself to walmart and to the professional pharmacy. I know I'm suppose to wait for 2 weeks but darn there was no one home but me and I'm kinda stubborn. The only problem was getting in and out of the car. I got a nice walk out of the whole adventure. I came home and got my first allowable shower. I mean a real shower. I did however have to cover my tummy in my plastic as I still have the gastrostomy tube. I will have to do that for 6 more weeks. I'm ready for the losing to begin any second now. LOL I think I feel good enough to make it back to work either the middle of next week or the beginning of the next. I think I will try it part time. You know this surgery isn't too bad after all.

4/23/04
Can I say I'M SICK OF THIS GASTROSTOMY TUBE. I have Four more weeks of it. It's worse than the JP Tube. I'm sick of potatoes. I did try some vegetable soup turned to mush. LOL
LOL, I'm still happy I had the surgery. Just venting. Cause 4 more weeks of mush just doesn't sound too appealing. I can't get in enough water. I barely can swig down 20oz. That's sipping all day. Never, never eat eggs. No matter how soft they are. They kill my stomach. I wish 4 weeks would go by real fast. I want something to eat. Darn it.

4/26/04
I just got back from Dr. Bonanni's office. I got my lovely staples removed. I can't say enough how wonderful the staff are at Dr. B's office. They are all super nice. Britt is wonderful. She took out my staples and talked to me the whole time and I didn't feel any pain at all. I had been dreading it cause they really looked quite sore. Turns out it's mostly scabs. Britt said it would be ok to go back to work on monday. I can't tell you how happy that makes me as I don't have any short term disability. I'm only going back half days though. I met the loveliest lady in the office who had lost 170lbs in 9 months. I just pray I can do as well.

4/28/04
Last night I spent a night in total misery. My stomach felt like it was totally spasming. I don't know if thats considered dumping or not as I did not have diarrhea or vomiting but it was sure enough painful.

5/03/04
I'm back to work after only 3 weeks. I'm so glad that the surgery went so well. I was so afraid of having the open gastric bypass. Turns out the power of prayer and a great surgeon help. I have to give Dr. Bonanni props for the best job ever. I've had no complications and I feel fantastic. I've lose a total of 42lbs so far and the world looks so beautiful now. I was totally worried about it all. Turns out the surgery isn't so bad. It feels good to be back into the world again.

About Me
Pottstown, PA
Location
21.0
BMI
RNY
Surgery
04/12/2004
Surgery Date
Feb 05, 2003
Member Since

Before & After
rollover to see after photo
310lbslbs
I now weight 115lbs.
122lbs lbs

Friends 8

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