Sheryl in So Cali

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2/2/04 Well I contacted my PCP and requested a referral to Dr LePort even tho he is not contracted with my PCP he is with my provider. I also contacted my insurer and filled them in on everything that has transpired over the past year.

I also contacted the new patient coordinator at Dr LePort's office and passed the info on to her.

Just waiting to see what happens next.

I am glad I am a patient person and paperwork does not scare me. I have soooo much documentation.

2/4/04 Well I got the call from Bristol Park and they do not have any one else to refer me to....my new crusade begins. It is a shame because I really like my PCP but I want what I want and will not settle for less.

2/6/04 I am desperately trying to find a way to get to Dr LePort for surgery. My PCP does not contract with them and I have called Dr LePort's office, but they would not give me any information about physicians who have referred to them. I am at a standstill.

Has anyone been referred to Dr Leport and be willing to share who their primary care physician is?

Anyone in the Southern California area who has had the surgery done locally, have a recommendation for a surgeon other than Dr LePort?

Please help me. The two referrals I received from my PCP were not acceptable to me.

I am getting tired of fighting.........

2/18/04

I did it
Well it is official, I cancelled my surgery scheduled for March 2, with the surgeon I was not satisfied with.....next step, PCP change and get a referral to new surgeon...oh boy here I go again! The way I look at it is I didn't get obese overnight, so I shouldn't think things will happen overnight and waiting will allow me to gather more information on WLS.

If it is God's will, it will happen!

3/17/04 I am still on my journey but am in a holding pattern. I have an eye condition that I need to get a referral from my current PCP before I switch to a new PCP. My eye condition is medical and covered under my insurance but it is really a hassle for the eye doc's office to collect. My current eye doc knows the hurdles and for the past 5 years we have not had any trouble so I want one last uneventful RX filled before switching. As soon as that is done, I already have a new PCP I want to switch to.(thanks Rachel) With all the documentation I have and the same provider (Blue Shield) already approved me once, I do not see this taking any more U turns. It is now just a waiting game and I can wait. I started this journey in January 2003, a few more months is not going to kill me (I hope). Also I learn more and more every day, especially from my friends at the Cali AMOS board.

I cannot thank DianneJasmine enough for making my profile page a work of art. It is exactly what I invisioned (sp?)

3/19/04 AM I CRAZY?

I just got off the telephone with Blue Shield. I called to check if their requirements for WLS had changed. I was pleasantly surprised to talk to the same person that helped me with my original appeal over a year ago. Daneen was such a help getting my appeal paperwork through the first time. I probably would have quit but she kept me going.

We talked several minutes and went over the criteria. I told her about my ordeal with the referrals I received from Bristol Park and my choice to change PCP's. Lo and behold, bless her heart, she says "why don't you appeal it?" After picking myself up off the floor I asked how? Bristol Park had only given me two choices and neither sat comfortably with me. She explained that even tho Dr LePort was not a network provider (Bristol Park being the network) and I should appeal for a referral directly from Blue Shield for an out of network provider. Well blow me down! (Why didn't the witch at Bristol Park appeals department tell me this?) Dr LePort is a Blue Shield provider and armed with all the documentation I have, and my concerns for not wanting to use Bristol Parks referrals, I have a very good chance of having my appeal approved. The whole process will take 30 days after Blue Shield receives my appeal package.

AM I CRAZY? I am going to do it!!! I love my PCP at Bristol Park and if I do not have to change to another PCP......PRAY WITH ME AMOS FAMILY!

3/23/04 I sent the appeal package today so now all there is to do is wait.

4/7/04 I am still fighting for Dr LePort. I filed my appeal and was notified that I needed a denial letter from Bristol Park specifically stating they denied me for him. I just got that today and it will be out of here to the grievance board tomorrow. Hopefully, that with my original appeal, which consisted of a 4 page letter and 20 attachments will be enough to convince them. If this doesn't work, I just change PCP's. I have had the major appointments with my opthomologist and nothing is holding me to Bristol Park anymore. I just hate giving up my PCP. I really like him and he has been my PCP for over 10 years.

Quick update: Blue Shield has received all the information they need and now it is in the hands of the medical review board. I will have an answer by May 12, 2004.

For some reason, I do not have good feelings about this, and I am usually very positive. Maybe it's all the rejection I have had so far. I will pray hard, real hard.

5/6/04 I received a call today from a nurse at BS asking the same questions that I had made sure were covered in my letter to the Medical Appeals board. I came out and asked her point blank, what are my chances of getting approved for the out of network? Her answer, SLIM. Since this surgery is not considered a medical emergency (by their skinny minds) and I was offered 2 choices for surgery, my chances were slim. She also suggested changing PCP'c...well DUH. The only reason I am in this situation is that I want to keep my PCP because I like him. Looks like I will probably be changing end of the month. Any recommendations for doctors affiliated with Monarch? I received 2 recommendations already but anyone breeze through the process without any problems using a Monarch doc?

5/12/04 Well, I felt it would happen and it did. Blue Shield denied my out of network appeal today.

I have changed PCP (thanks Rachel for the info). Have an appointment June 4, 2004 @ noon. I will have all my co-morbs, etc ready for her and ask for a referral that day.

I hate changing PCP's but I fought a good fight and lost.

Please remember if you hear of anyone wanting to try to go out of network, it will not work. Change PCP's, forget an appeal. Maybe we can help someone down the road and save them a year or so of time.

I am still on my journey, I have just changed lanes!

Thanks everyone for the continued support you have given me.

Cali board ROCKS

June 4, 2004....I was going to wait, don't want to jinx myself but.......

I saw my new PCP today and I feel great. Thanks so much to Rachel Q for the recommendation.

Armed with my medical history and everything else I could think of that might be of help, I saw Dr Hinchliffe at noon today. What a wonderful doctor. She looked over all my paperwork. I had my history, meds, surgeries, etc all typed out. When I explained my long battle for WLS, she said she could not see any reason why I shouldn't have the surgery and wrote out the referral right in front of me. I held my breath and was afraid to ask who the surgeon might be. She excused herself and a minute later her receptionist came in and handed me a piece of paper and said call them next Friday and your referral will be there, I am faxing it today. The name in the paper.... DR. LEPORT!!!!!! YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

I am so glad I finally made the change. Because I am not one to back down, I cost myself a year of fighting a lost cause. When in less than one hour I got what I had fought a year for. If I had only known. My advise to everyone now is if you are having trouble with your PCP, CHANGE PCP's. Do not waste your time fighting against the odds.

I am still a little nervous, having been rejected sooo many times before, but by next Friday I should have it offically. Say a little prayer for me please? Oh I just cannot wait to happy dance.

I also want to thank everyone who has been supportive of my battles. Without your support and friendship, I probably would have thrown in the towel.

6/10/04 - Ok, so I just couldn't wait until Friday so I called today to see if my referral had been received. Surprise, I have hit yet another hurdle. My new PCP's office did not send the necessary information so I am on hold, or deferred, as they called it, until they receive the info. Imagine, they did not send my weight, height or BMI? Have I made another major blunder choosing this doctor. They also want the 6 month dr supervised diet, that I do not have. I do have a very long letter explaining my 30+ years of Yo-Yo'ing. It worked for my first approval and hope it works for this one. When I had my 1st appointment with the new PCP, I gave her everything she needed to send with the referral. Dammit all.

I love the OH message board but think I will take a break until something positive happens. I am realy happy for everyone who has had the surgery and those who have been approved, but I feel myself going into a mild depression. Maybe time away is what I need. I don't know, but I am having a major PITY party and think I deserve it. I have been through so much s$!t....SO my friends, I will be back when and if I ever get approved. Actually, I do not think anyone will notice I am gone.

6/15/04 Yep, denied again. Gotta appeal again. LIFE SUCKS. I do not know if I have any fight left in me. I was approved once but now they want more clinical evidence of my attempts to lose weight. When haven't I been on a diet or weight loss gig, just not doctor supervised. The towel is swinging and I am ready to throw it in!

6/30/04 After being denied 6/16, I still have not received the denial letter from Monarch. Boy this group is a piece of work!!! One excuse after another, wrong address, which I have given them 3 times and Blue Shield has the right address!! Morons!!!!!!

I finally called my PCP's office and Christy was nice enough to send me a copy of the denial letter, which they had, but not me. Well there goes 2 additional weeks wasted!! I mailed my appeal off yesterday to Blue Shield so I should hear something within 30 days. AT least Blue Shield is together, but Monarch SUCKS.

7/13/04...with too much time on my hands, I have started a list of goals.....
Walk the 5 flights of stairs to my office and live to tell about it! DONE
Learn to roller blade without fear of extreme bodily harm
Parasail without the fear of sinking before take off.
Bust-a-move on the dance floor without hurting anyone else. DONE
Horse back ride without fear of harming the animal.
Tie my shoes without passing out from lack of air. DONE
Take a bubble bath without the fear of never being able to crawl out. DONE
Being able to drive and reach the pedals without stretching - DONE
Packing for vacation in one suitcase. (that may be impossible!)
Flying without the need of a seat belt extension. DONE
Fitting into a booth at a restaurant and being able to exhale.- DONE
Lose 25 lbs in 3 months - DONE (74 in 3 months)
Lose 50 lbs in 6 months - DONE
Ride a bicycle DONE
Learn to Salsa dance.
Go to a Nor Cal gathering

7/27/04 - After almost two years of blood, sweat & tears, repeated appeals, repeated denials, changing PCP's, Blue Shield has overturned Monarch's(IPA) denial for my surgery consultation. I should be hearing something from Monarch within the next week. Am i ready....HELL YES!!!

Persistance pays off!!! Now I will be on Monarch's butt for my referral and I will start this afternoon. Watch out Monarch, here I come.

It is turning out to be a good day after all.

Insert pic here

7/28/04 I have a consultation at Dr LePort's office on August 5th...whooty hoo...and I have a wonderful angel named Rachel Q, and a very good friend Jeannie who will be there as an angel also....who could ask for more than that. I am truly blessed!!

8/6/04 I had my initial consultation at Smart Dimensions yesterday. Three (3) hours of paperwork, weigh in, medical history gathering, and a lecture, the wait begins to see if I get approval for the surgery. I feel pretty good about this but really need to chat with my angel Rachel about our PCP and the required testing prior to surgery. My fingers are crossed and I hope to have a speedy response from Monarch. Becky from Smart Dimensions said she will call on Monday to keep me posted on the progress but she has lots of people to do that for. I have vowed not to be a pest to her and I am really going to try not to be. I have just had such a long hard fight that it is going to be difficult to just sit back and wait without becoming involved. Hopefully my next post will be my approval. Gosh I hope I didn't jinx myself. Becky at Smart Dimensions is a gem. She never acted like I was bothering her with my "Am I approved yet?" She took care of all the paperwork for the request for surgery approval.

8/16/04 I HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR SURGERY. All I need now is a date but FINALLY the light at the end of the tunnel is within reach!!!!! Lori call me on 8/17/04 and worked with me for a date I wanted. Due to work I wanted to wait until after Oct 1 and be the 1st surgery of the day.

8/18/04 I HAVE A DATE October 11, 2004!!! Oh whooty whoo. Now I have mega appointments and I will post them all for anyone just starting and wondering what to expect.


Initial consult @ Smart Dimensions: 8/5/04 Cost: $10.00
This is a 3 hour appointment. There are about 25 - 30 people there for the same reason you are. Be sure you have filled out all your paperwork that was sent to you. Be prepared to pay your co-pay. You will fill out more paperwork including more medical history and a psych questionaire. Don't freak when you see the 200+ questions. There are a lot of questions that are asked over and over in different sentence structure. You will be seen by a Physicians assistant to weigh, measure, and take a picture of you. She/he will ask you more questions about your medical history and you will be sent back to the waiting room. Then you will get a lecture from an RN about the surgery. Then you are done. Smart Dimensions will send the paperwork to your insurance/IPA for surgery approval.

Approved for surgery: 8/16/04

Doc Talk: 8/23/04. Cost: $0
This was 2 hours and I knew most everything that was discussed. The time could have been put to better use and the Doc was not even my surgeon. He did not want to get into real specifics saying that the one on one was a better time for these type of questions. Guess when I asked about the cathater and my IUD put him over the top....LOL Oh well. I was amazed at the lack of knowledge by these people getting ready to have surgery. Most of their questions were so basic that I wonder if they did any research before deciding to proceed with this life altering change? Out of the 12 people there, maybe 1 other gal had any indepth knowledge and her was minimal at best.

Nutrition Class 8/24/04 (2 hours) Cost $0
This class was more interesting than I thought it would be. The dietician was very patient explaining the food stages and how to calculate the carbs, calories, etc. There were some questions that she referred us to ask or Dr., but overall it was good. She also said we could take the class as many times as we wanted, pre and post.

Psych eval with Dr LaMont: 8/27/04 (1 hour) Cost: $10
I really liked Dr LaMont. She put you at ease right away. There are no trick questions. She just wants to be sure you are psychologically ready for the surgery and that you are prepared for the major changes that will affect you and the ones around you. I admitted to her that I was an OH board regular and she was pleased. She praised the support we give each other. Oh yeah, CALI ROCKS!!

Cardio Consult: 8/31/04 Cost: $10
Had an EKG, talked to cardiologist and have to schedule a nuclear stress test for next week. This has me trippin' for sure! I am not looking forward to this test.

Pre-Op Testing: 9/10/04 Cost: $0
Arrived at Orange Coast Memorial at 6:30AM.
Checked in and went for an Ultrasound of my organs. (1 hr)
Next X-Rays and Upper GI (30 min)
Then met with admissions to complete all the paperwork for admission and surgery.
Then type & cross match blood test, EKG, and attempted ABG (Arterial Blood Gas)After 2 attempts I called it quits. The woman was not going to find an artery and I was already looking like a drug addict with tracks in my arms. They will have to draw it the day of surgery. I will be drugged and the pain will not be as intense.

In between the Pre-op tests and the Stress test I had to go to Smart Dimensions to sign my paperwork for surgery. Ann is as nice in person as she is on the phone.

Adenosine Stress Test: 9/10/04 Cost $0
Arrived at 12:30. Taken in @ 1:00. The Nuclear Med folks are wonderful. Viet, the technician, found the vein in my hand in a matter of seconds and the needle was in. I was still anxious. I had also found out that the cardiologist that I had originally seen was also administering the test. I was hooked up by electrodes and away we went. They injected adnosine and monitered my heart for 3 minutes then added something else and monitered for another 3 minutes. It was the most unusual feeling. The main thing I noticed was a tightening of my chest, but I have had worse hearburn than that! It wasn't pleasant but it was not all that bad. Once is enough tho!! From there I went back to the Nuclear Med folks and was told to go eat (which I hadn't done since midnight) and come back at 3:00. The XRay machine, or whatever that contraption was called, was uncomfortable and I felt like we should be orbiting or something. The panels moved around and reminded me of pictures I had seen of the space station. Uncomfortable, oh you bet, and told to lie completely still for 15 minutes on my back, on a surface no more than 2 feet wide. As luck would have it, they did not get a good enough picture of my heart and now I had to wait and do it in the prone position, on my stomach!! Now picture a 326 pound person balancing on a 2 foot bench motionless for 15 minutes. Yeah, you get the picture. I did not leave the hospital until 4:30 PM, 10 hours worth of pre-op!!! and I have to go back Monday for the second part of the test. Oh yea.

Pre-Op Labs: 9/13/04 Cost:$0
5 tubes of blood.....

follow up on Adenosine Stress Test:9/13/04 Cost: $0
Not bad. They injected the adenosine, had me go and eat, walk, and drink water for 1 hour. During the hour, I ran into Michelle from Smart Dimensions..what a sweetie she is. Then back to the Nuclear Med Dept for another round with the space xray machine. 15 minutes, done.

Cardio clearance received 9/20/04

Surgery clearance appointment with PCP: 9/24/04 Cost: $10
Met with Dr Dinish Patel in Fountain Valley. I have a good feeling about him. I am glad I changed PCP's. Oh, and I was cleared for surgery...Whooty-Whoo

1 on 1 with Dr Chin: 9/27/04

Surgery: 10/11/04

Oct 10, 2004
Here it is, the day before surgery. I am waiting for the nerves to kick in but it is not happening. I feel at peace. I know I have made the right decision.

Last night I went to a local Chinese buffet with hubby and 3 close friends. We stayed there almost 3 hours talking and grazing LOL. It is great to have supportive friends and loved ones.

I am getting prep'd. I just took my "MOM" and I am only able to have clear liquids today and I am alright with that. Crystal Lite citrus popsicles are the best! I guess jello will grow on me.....(update...jello did not grow on me. I still hate it)

Rachel Q is picking me up in the morning. I have to be at the hospital at 5 AM. Seems kinda early since surgery isn't until 7:30 but hey I am only the patient.

Say a little prayer for me tonight....my next post I will be post!!!

10/18/04

Surgery was performed on October 11, 2004. From what I was told it went ok except my blood pressure was running high and continued high throughout my hospital stay. My glucose was normal in the hospital but is running low since I have been home. It is slowly going up to the normal range and I am monitoring it every four hours. I do not take Glucophage, Prevacid, Celebrex, or Hydrochlolothyzide any more.

I am on a liquid phase for 3 weeks. There is some variety to this menu but it is going to get real old very soon. The height of my day is breakfast, which is runny cream of wheat.

Charley, my DH, has been wonderful. He visited me every day in the hospital and I have not had to raise a hand to do anything since I have been home. We have taken several excursions to Costco, Wal-Mart, Ralph’s, etc. I get tired after about 30 minutes of walking but that is normal. I also think 5 days with the cats were good for him. He has never been mean to either cat but his culture does not have cats and dogs for pets so they co-exist. I have not heard him shoo them out of the bathroom yet LOL. He has a loud booming voice that send Abby scurrying and that has not happened. She doesn’t run when he enters the room so there has been progress there.

Since the surgery was laparoscopic, I have what look like 6 stab wounds on my tummy. I have very little pain. One of the incisions (the one furthest left) gives me the most pain but it is the largest one that was used for the camera.

I still have urges to get up and put something in my mouth. We do not have a lot of sweets in the house but the urge is still there. I do not want to dump so I am not going to even try.

11/4/04
It has been a little over three weeks since surgery. For the most part I have not had any complications. I have had very bad gas pains and indigestion. I stopped taking my Prevacid after surgery but called the doc and was told to start taking them again. The indigestion is gone and I have gas-X (doc approved) in case the gas returns.

I had the pleasure of attending the OH convention in LA last weekend. What a great time! It is wonderful to see and meet so many people who have taken the journey and those waiting to take the journey. As my friend Leonard would say "PARTAY!"

The three week liquid diet sucked. Plain and simple. One can only enjoy so much strained soup, sf jello, sf pudding, but I was determined to stick to it. My little pouchie is so new that I do not dare to put anything into it that might upset it. The only food I cannot tolerate is tofu. It gave me such bad gas that the paint started peeling off the walls. Even my cats left the room!! This is when I coined the phrase "grouchie pouchie". Other than that, I have been tolerating everything. I am on the puree stage but after pureeing chicken, I think I will pass trying any other meat. It is just not the same and the consistancy is kinda sandy. It wasn't that bad but I much prefer my cottage cheese and apple sauce or scrambled egg.

I return to work Monday. I have enjoyed my 4 weeks off and wish I could take more but since I am not able to get disability, I am taking leave so back to work I go.

11/19/04
Today I had my 6 week checkup and I have lost 45#'s. I am stoked!! I do have feelings that I should be losing more because I am barely eating enough to keep a bird alive! After talking with Ashley (PA) I am right on track. Most people lose a lot the first 2 weeks due to being without food for 3 days in the hospital then a full liquid diet. The average is 10 - 12#'s a month the first 6 months. I can live with that. I do need a kick in the pants to start exercising. I got the go ahead to begin an exercise program so that is what I should do. I bought a treadmill a month before surgery and was using it regularly. Since surgery I have only used it 3 or 4 times. I have been on the go so much and when I get home from work the last thing I want to do is walk on a treadmill! I will start now! SO I am done updating and putting on my walking shoes. Later folks.

11/20/04
I just got my explaination of benefits from Blue Shield and it was a whopping $60,982.66 AND it says that the charges exceeded the subscriber's coverage for a hospital room and my share is $2,327.00. I do not understand this at all. I have an HMO and all was suppose to be covered. How can they say I am responsible for exceeding my room allowance when I never knew I had one and what good would it have done? THEY kept me for 5 days and 1 was in ICU. More to come on this.

1/15/05
I have been so bad about updating my profile. I am now 14 weeks post op and 74#'s lighter. I am one of the lucky ones. I have not had any complications or problems associated with the surgery. I am still sticking very close to the Food Plan and try to keep my portions to 4 oz per meal. For breakfast I have a protein shake, lunch and dinner are usually fish (cooked in my George Foremen grill) and a small amount of cooked, mashed vegetable. For treats I have sugar free pudding, sugar free popsicles or Carb Solutions chocolate covered vanilla bars. I feel like I am having real sweets and it satisifies my cravings.

I have not dumped nor am I losing my hair yet. My stylist and I decided to use a protein based shampoo and conditioner and I started that 4 weeks before surgery. I also started on protein shakes 4 weeks before surgery. I cannot say if that is why I am not losing my hair, but time will tell.

My taste has not changed. Everything I used prior to surgery I use now. I find that Worldwide (canned) protein shakes (35 g protein each) that I get at Trader Joe's gets my protein kick started every morning. I am not as good about my water intake. A person can only drink so much in one day! I usually get close to 64 oz and try to supplement it with crystal light or Propel.

I take Flintstone chewables and Viactive (calcium) every morning and evening. I take more than the amount recommended by Smart Dimensions, but that is my choice. I have so much more energy now than I ever did.

I am not taking Glucophage for high blood sugar anymore. My blood pressure is coming down but not enough to stop my meds yet. I still sleep with my CPAP until I can get another sleep study. My husband is too nervous about me not using it and I can sleep underneath the covers and breath in this cold weather with the machine on.

I have stopped taking Celebrex due to the latest warnings and I have a little arthritis pain but it is bearable.

I plan on joining a local gym next week to try to lessen my ever increasing "jiggle" factor. I am going to have enormous bat wings (under arm skin) and I do not think any amount of exercise is going to help that. I have a treadmill at home that I use but I think it is time to get more exercise and see if I can keep my weight loss going as good as it has been.

74#'s in 14 weeks!! I started in 26/28 pants and 4 or 5X tops. I am now into 20 pants and 2X tops. It is so strange not to go to the rack and look for the largest size the store carries. I look at the clothes and say "I will NEVER fit into that" try them on and be just dazed when I can.

I am still active with the Cali message board and attend as many gatherings as I can. Just today I spent the day in Ontario. We started at Red Lobster then went to the mall for hours. It still is strange to me that I can walk an entire mall and not have to stop and rest. I am a shop-a-holic! and love it. I have recently discovered outlet malls and am in heaven.

I promise to update here more often!!! Here is a pic of my "Angel" Rachel Q and I taken on 1/15/05...ain't she pretty?

1/19/05
I had a WOW moment today. My clothes are really hanging off me now. I am just about out of all the clothes I have gotten at the clothing exchanges. I decided to go to Catherine's and try to pick up something for work that at least fits. Mind you, when I had surgery I was wearing 26/28 pants and 5X tops. I picked up a few things to try on. A couple 2X blouses, a 2X dress, and size 20 skirt. They were all too big. I just stood there looking at my reflection. Why can't I see it? I have heard people say that before but now I understand. I came out of the dressing room and the sales gal said, oh those are way too big on you. I picked up another skirt size 18 and a 1X dress. The skirt fit but the dress was still too big. All I got was a skirt. All the way home I kept thinking that the clothes must be mis marked. When I got home and tried the skirt on it fit just fine. This surgery is truly amazing.

While I was looking through the racks I heard the 2 sales ladies talking about a coworker who had just had surgery and would be off for several weeks. One mentioned that the girl had already lost 10#. Of course, I had to mention that I had WLS surgery and they were blown away by my 74# loss. Hell, I am blown away about it. I asked them to pass along to their coworker that we had talked and to tell her to stick to the program because it works. I am living proof.
Here is my latest picture

2/11/05
It has been 4 months (18 weeks) since my surgery. I am now at 248 lbs, which is 86 lbs gone from my surgery day weight of 334. Am I stoked? You bet I am!!

I had my PCP run the blood work on me just to see if all my levels are normal. All tests came back good and there is nothing for me to worry about and was told to keep doing what I am doing because it works. I am taking more than the recommended vitamins but that is my personal choice and it worked.

I finally made it to a support group meeting and I am very glad I did. I am going to attempt to go to the 1st Thursday meeting every month.

In the last month there have been several get togethers that I have been to.

I met with Stacy and the Long Beach gals at Starbucks and Denise from Nor Cal was down visiting. It was great to see her again. She is one of the first people I met at the Anaheim Convention in May of 2003.

I also took a drive to San Diego to have breakfast with the S.D.A.R.T. and to visit Ronda at Scripps for after surgery. She looked great and boy it really brought back memories of my surgery. Nadine, Lee and I went to Tijuana afterwards and had a blast. Lee was so sick but hung with us. I love to shop and was in heaven. Nadine and Lee are a wonderful couple and they are just so very nice.

Tomorrow is Kelly and Stagedoor Debbie's "Cupid on Steroids" karaoke party in Lancaster. I cannot wait to go and meet many folks I have only conversed with on the OH message boards. Nadine and Lee will be doing their exceptional Karaoke. Even tho I cannot sing a note, I enjoy watching all the good and not so good people having the time of their lives.

I am having a terrible time keeping in clothes. I have gone from a 26/28 pants and 5 - 6X blouse, to an 18 - 20 pants and 1X blouse. I have given so many clothes away and cannot seem to stay in a size longer than 3 weeks. Thank goodness for clearance racks and clothing exchanges.

I am still very careful about what I eat. I am lucky that I love fish and can cook most any kind on my Geroge Foreman grill. Fish is pretty much my main staple. I have salmon almost every night. My DH is also benefiting from my new eating lifestyle. He has discovered that he too likes fish and eats everything I prepare. Either that or he doesn't want to cook for himself. Whatever I have for dinner, I make a little plate for lunch the next day. If I don't, he will eat every bit of fish.

I also eat at least one fruit and one vegetable every day. Once in a while I will get a small salad, by the ounce. I have not had anything make me dump. I still weight and measure my food and do not consume more than 4 oz in one sitting. I keep track of my calories, protein, etc on fitday.com. I have not had any processed sugar and find that I don't miss it. I have found so many things that can satisfy my sweet tooth. I was a horrible chocoholic before surgery. Power Crunch Bars are the best thing every invented. I have one a day as a treat and I really feel like I am cheating. I still eat sugar free pudding and Carb Smart ice cream bars for treats too. Of course, not all in one day!! I do not keep sweets in the house so the temptation is not there. Luckily DH is not a sweet eater.

That's all for now. "I LOVE MY NEW SELF"

2/24/05

IT STARTED TODAY! Almost 20 weeks out. I am losing hair like crazy. I really thought I would beat it. I started on protein drinks 6 weeks before surgery. I got in a minimmum of 60 grams of protein every day. I have been using a shampoo, conditioner and leave in conditioner fortified with protein and I am still losing it. I know, it sound shallow but I like my hair, I really do! I have always had a full head of hair. My stylist says I have enough hair for two people...now I am losing it. I am going off to my very own pity party right now!

But before I go to my pity party, I forgot to add that I joined 24 Hour Fitness 2 weeks ago and have a personal trainer 2 days a week. I am still getting the hang of it but I am amazed by the energy I have. Some of the things he has me do, I think, "Oh he has got to be out of his mind" Like the dreaded stairs. First one at a time, no holding on to the rail. Then 2 at a time using the rail. AND doing it 3 times quickly. After the first set I thought I would just die but I was amazed that I could continue and was not really that out of breath. I am going 3 times a week and hope to be able to go 4 but I have a treadmill at home and will use it if I don't.

I know I have said it before, but this surgery is truly amazing. The tool I have been given is a life saver. Would I do it again??.....YOU BET I WOULD.

3/1/05

Surgery: Oct 11
Weight then: 334
Weight now: 240
Loss: 94#'s (dang I want that 100!)

It has been 21 weeks since my surgery

I think that I have been successful because I have followed my surgeons instructions to a "T". I still weigh and measure my food, never taking in more than 4 oz in a meal. I do not eat red meat or chicken, by choice. I love fruits and vegis and they love me! I have not conciously eaten processed sugar.

I also joined a gym and have a personal trainer. I feel like a big ole bowl of jello, jiggle, jiggle, jiggle.....and I can tell my skin is not going to bounce back. I finally broke down and bought a support garment.(Lipoinabox.com, effective and low cost) It is light weight and goes from above the knees to below the breasts, and it works! I wore it under a new dress today and got compliments all day. The clothing thing is driving me crazy. I have become obsessed with the clearance racks at Wallie World and K-May. I buy something and in a month it is hanging off me. I have given away hundreds of dollars worth of clothes and for the first time in years, my closets are 1/2 empty. I make it a habit of going through my closets every 2 weeks and get rid of everything that is too big. That is traumatic. I guess I am so used to the old Sheryl who always gained all the weight back! Even my feet have gotten smaller. I used to have to buy my shoes at a wide shoe store because of my big, fat feet. I can now buy regular shoes and they are comfortable!

I feel truly blessed to have had this surgery.

Another 2 year comparison!!

3/14/05 TODAY I HIT 101# LOST. I am so stoked. 5 months ago today was my surgery. It is amazing to me. Although I still see a fat person in the mirror, I have gone from a 26 pant to a 20, and a 5X-6X blouse to a 0X or 1X. I know my mind will eventually catch up to the drastic change.

4/11/05 Today is my 6 month anniversary of my WLS rebirth.

I was so ready for surgery. Unlike a lot of people, I fought to have my surgery with Smart Dimensions. I wasted close to a year trying to get my IPA, Bristol Park, to get me an out of network referral. I appealed all the way to Blue Shield, twice, and lost. My advice to anyone having problems with their primary care physician is if your doc is giving you the run around or not taking an interest in your quest for WLS, change your primary care physician. Most insurers will allow you to change your primary care Dr as long as you within the network. Asking this board for recommendations for WLS friendly Dr’s will be beneficial. Most of us have BTDT (been there, done that) and are only too happy to help. My dear, sweet Angel, Rachel Q turned me on to a WLS friendly PCP within Blue Shield and within a few months I was having surgery. Take your health into your own hands and make it happen.

Was I ready for all the changes? Yes, in a way I was. I had a lot of time to prepare myself for what I knew was ahead. I was and am very active within the OH/WLS community. I gathered as much knowledge as I could all the way to my surgery date. I have more files about WLS than some doctors do! Was I ready to give up my best and oldest friend “food”? Yes, I think I was. I was so tired of being severely morbidly obese. Being the fattest person wherever I went. Unable to enjoy walking any distance, unable to climb a flight of stairs, ride any ride at an amusement park, have chairs either stick to my butt when I got up or breaking it when I sat on it, having to use the handicap gate because I could not fit through a turnstile. Those who have BTDT understand.

I still battle the food demons but I REFUSE to let them win. I do not have anything in the house to eat except things that are allowed. No candy, cookies, or sugar filled anything. I am so lucky that my hubby is not a sweet eater and will pretty much eat what I cook, which is whatever I can eat. I have gotten him away from frying everything to a balanced dinner of salmon (and the Geo Forman grill is the best invention since white bread) 2 fresh vegi’s, and rice. I cannot get him away from rice but it is a staple food in his culture so he has his rice every night. He is not overweight and can eat most anything.

Even at 6 months I have limited myself on what I eat. I still weight and measure my food. The only red meat I have eaten is ground beef and it sits well. I have not tried chicken and will wait a while longer for that. I have not dumped or thrown up and would like to keep it that way. I know I will eventually add some of these foods back into my lifestyle but I have done so good so far that I want to keep losing until I hit the big plateau that everyone talks about. I want to be as close as I can to my goal weight when it happens. I also found myself watching what others were eating and with the help of another dear friend, I am breaking myself of that habit immediately. I do not want to become one of those people that comment on everything that goes into someone else’s mouth. I will not let that happen. NO, NO. NO. (Thanks Lisa) And if anyone catches me even looking like I am, stop me and remind me, NO that is not good!

Skin issues? Oh yeah, I am going to have them big time. I can take my bat wings and wrap them half way around my arm. No sleeveless for me this summer but I will survive. My tummy is not as bad as I thought, at least yet anyway. My boobs have sagged a little but there is not much there to sag. Now the upper inner thighs are another story. They already look like elephant ears, flapping when I walk. Thank goodness for compression garments. I found some very reasonable ones at Lipoinabox.com. I have not had any rashes or breakouts that I didn’t have before surgery. I had planned on documenting everything for PS but so far I have nothing to document.

Exercise. I joined 24 Hour Fitness 2 months ago and have a personal trainer 2 – 3 times a week. It is an expense that I hadn’t planned on but made concessions to be able to afford it. Having a trainer helps keep me on track. I know what days I have to go to the gym because I am paying for my trainer hour. I also have a treadmill at home and a mini gym at work. I am hoping that I can gradually go on my own, but at this point I feel I still need the motivation to keep at it. Pre WLS I would be good for a couple of months than I would be right back to the couch potato syndrome. I am trying to get past that and have self motivation but I still need that extra coaching.

Starbucks is quite a place. One Sunday while waiting for my coffee, a very nice looking guy struck up a conversation and was flirting with me. When I looked down I realized I did not have my wedding rings on, it was just a quick trip to Starbucks! Within 10 minutes I knew his life history….whoo-hoo I still got it or got it back LOL

Shopping. Before surgery I was 26/28/30, depending on where I shopped. My pants are now size 18. The 20's were too big, all the ones I brought in….definite WOW moment. I also got a swimsuit size XL from the regular gals side and a wrap that fit around my a$$. Speaking of my a$$, when I looked at it in the dressing room mirror with the suit on, I realized the suit did not have a skirt in back, freaked, then noticed that my butt has shrunk......I stood there like an idiot, gawking at my a$$. The people in surrounding dressing rooms must have thought I was crazy. Out loud, I kept saying, “where’s my butt” “my butt is smaller” “OMG”, etc. The saleslady did give me an odd look when I left! And I bought the suit.
I can now buy hosiery at Wal-Mart instead of Catherine's or LB. When I walk I don’t hear the swishing sound of my legs rubbing together. I can wear regular shoes; no more WW and I can wear heels and not feel/look like a dork. I can tie my shoes and not feel light headed. I can paint my toe nails without having to contort my body into unnatural angles.
Compliments. At the beginning of my weight loss I was embarrassed when someone complimented me on my weight loss. I felt very uneasy and did not know what to say. Having been so big for so long, compliments were few and far between, except for my DH, who complimented me from the day we met. Now I am not embarrassed at all and usually answer, thank you for noticing.

Sex. OFF THE HOOK. WOW. OMG. No more to say.
Friends. I have the most wonderful friends in the world. Most have been long time (20+ years) friends who are genuinely happy to see me lose weight, gain confidence and mobility. I have not lost any friends due to my surgery. A few acquaintances have gone to the wayside but they were not true friends to begin with and were expendable.

OH. I thank God every day for finding the ObesityHelp website. I started posting on January 12, 2004. I was a lurker for a couple of months before I gained the nerve to post. Without the support and love I felt from so many people, I probably would have quit trying to get WLS. I have gained friends that I hold very close to my heart. Rachel Q, my angel, by my side every step of the way. There is no way I will ever be able to repay her for her friendship and kindness. I won’t name names because the list is way too long, but everybody knows who they are, my friends I love you all dearly!:kiss: I get so excited when there is a function and I will get to see everyone together for fun, laughs, and friendship. I get such a kick out of watching everyones progress. I sometimes wonder if I will ever lose enough to look like some of the “hotties”, and y’all know who you are! Again, too many to name here.

Would I do it all over again? In half a heartbeat, YES.

If you are still reading, thanks for allowing me to share my first 6 months with you.

4/19/05
Gotta write the bad as well as the good....for the last couple of days I have been constipated. No pain, no nausea, no barfing, just sh$t that feel like bricks trying to come out. I am good eating fruits & vegis. Every day I take E, Fish Oil, and Flax seed capsules. I get in more than 64 oz of water and exercise regularly. Today, after a 45 minute visit to the john, I called the PA at Smart Dimensions for advise. Whew, this is something that happens to a lot of people. Boy I am gonna be able to sympathize with others who have this happen to them. She told me to eat prunes, or drink prune juice or apple juice, take MOM, try Slow Fe iron pills that have a stool softner, get a stool softner, or an enema. Well, since I have a new bottle of iron pills, I picked up some stool softner capsules at Costco tonight and will try them. I have never had this problem before. Geesh, I was so regular it was scary. Ok, this may be TMI for some, but someone who reads this might be in the same boat as me.

Now for the good. On the Cali OH message board, I was named POTW (person of the week). It is something our board does and it is a real spirit lifter. I was so surprised when Donna Mansell, passed the POTW tiara to me. I didn't know until half way through the day. I was so busy at work, I barely had time to do anything but work. Imagine, work interfering with my playtime! Anyhoo, Donna is a great, fun person, and Tina her SO is just as nice. I was truly blessed to have met them and I thoroughly enjoy any time spent in their company.

That's all for now.

5/27/05 - Well it has been an interesting month. For over 7 months I have been cruising along without any WLS related problems excpet the occassional constipation. Well, 2 weeks ago I was munching on a piece of cheese, talking to DH, when out of nowhere I went into severe abdominal cramping. The kind that take your breath away, doubled over, wanting to die. At first I thought I had swallowed it without chewing it enough. After 2 cups of warm tea I figured it would melt and I would be fine. WRONG! I have never been in so much pain as that night. First thing the next morning I called my surgeon's office and within hours I was having an upper GI. The radiologist didn't see anything but I took my films to my surgeon for his opinion. I was still having pain but not unbearable. Dr Chin did not see anything out of the ordinary in my films so next week I will have a CT scan of my pelvis and stomach. It appears that my small bowels don't move things along as fast as they should, although they do move things, so I will know more next week. The only good thing that came out of it was that I lost 15 lbs in less than a week.....busted that plateau!!! Since I could only do liquids and mushy for a week I hope I lost! Anyhoo....I will update after the CT scan.

Toodles for now

6/10/05
All results are back from my tests and all is normal. Guess Dr Chin was right. My body was adjusting to my weight loss. I am glad it wasn't anything that required more surgery!

I have not dropped a lb since being sick. 15 lbs in a week is a lot and my body is once again catching up. I am sure I will lose more but I am not stressing. If I do not lose another lb I will be satisfied. I am into 14/16 pants and large tops. I am happy with that.

TaTa for now.....

7/24/05
I have had a wonderful 9 month journey. The pic above shows my progress and it is kinda sinking in...I have lost weight. Could my head finally be catching up with my body? I still feel Super Morbid Obese but the pics don't show it. I do a double take when I pass my reflection. Some days I see it, some I don't.

I have had occassional "grouchie pouchie" episodes, but they seem to be diminishing. I have not been able to figure out what is triggering them. I do not eat crazy food. When I feel them coming on, I switch to soft mushy bland food for a couple of days and it passes.

I have been to several gatherings and will post pics in my WWW. Be sure to check them out. I have made some wonderful friends and acquaintences. Vegas was a blast! What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...but we have the pics!!

Stay healthy and do something nice for yourself because you deserve it.

August 11, 2005

Today marks my 10-month anniversary. I have lost an astounding 138 lbs!!

For the most part, it has been a good journey. I did not expect the journey to be perfect. I consider myself very lucky. I have my health, which has never been better. I documented my problems in an earlier entry so I won’t go into it again.

The surgery did not take away all my co-morbidities, but some. I no longer need my diabetes meds, and I no longer need my CPAP. I do still take my high blood pressure meds, Prevacid, and Celebrex. I knew surgery would not cure my arthritis, but I am more mobile. The Celebrex helps and the Prevacid keeps my pouchie from reacting to the Celebrex.

I am happy about my weight loss, but less than thrilled about my body. I have horrible bat wings (under arm skin), elephant ears (inner thigh abundance of skin), saggy tummy, and rolls of skin on my lower back, and my butt is mushy. I am getting very good at tucking the excess skin, well most of it, into my clothing. What boobs I have left get rolled and tucked in a Wonder Bra.

I am still going to the gym regularly and hate to think how much worse my sagging might be without it. I highly recommend exercise early on after surgery. It gets fun after a few sessions and investing in a trainer (short term) to show you the proper way to exercise is extremely important. I know a lot of people do their own form of exercise, but I need to be motivated to keep going. Having to pay monthly gym dues motivates me!!

Shopping has become fun again. I can go into any store and buy any piece of clothing off the rack. Lane Giant is losing big $$$. It is great to be able to buy a nice blouse for under $10.00, Lane Giant = $40.00+. I was into 5X-6X blouses, dresses and 26-28 pants, skirts. I can now easily fit in size 14 pants and large blouses. LOVING IT!

Food is still an issue and a demon I face every day. I am not very adventurous in my food. I am perfectly happy eating fish every day, sometimes twice a day. Salmon, halibut, albacore (tuna and steaks), and shrimp are my favorite. I do not eat pasta or bread. I do not eat candy, cakes, or sweets at all. I know if I start, I will not stop. I have not had any dumping from sugar or carbs, which is why I avoid sugar completely.

I still weigh and measure most of my food and eat off a small 6” plate, both at home and work.

Every day, I try to get at least 5 servings of fruit and veggie’s, in small amounts, but always protein first. For breakfast I have a Starbuck’s decaf, sf vanilla, non-fat latte with a scoop of Designer Whey protein (18 grams), and then I drink a Worldwide Protein Shake (35 grams). Dinner is usually fish and 2 veggies and leftovers are the next days lunch. I try to eat 2 fruits a day. Melons and strawberries are my favorite. On days I go to the gym, I have a small banana after my workout, my trainer’s orders. Daily I have ¼ cup of dried soy nuts or dried eadame nuts for a snack. A spoon of peanut butter sometimes breaks the monotony of the dried nuts but I believe it is important to eat some kind of nut every day, I don’t know why, just do,

There has been a lot of discussion on the amount of protein absorbed at one time. I have been told by 2 different nutritionists at OH conventions, who are familiar with WLS, that that theory is bull$hit. IMHO it is the companies that sell supplements who want us to believe it so we buy more products from them. That to me makes more sense than we cannot absorb more than X grams at a time. HOGWASH. While we are on the subject, I want to mention vitamins. You can spend way too much money buying fancy designer vitamins. I am still taking Flintstone chewables, and my labs are good. Sublingual B-12 I get at Trader Joe’s, their brand. It is inexpensive and completely dissolves in a matter of minutes. I take whatever Iron pills I can find that is 65 mg of elemental iron and Viactive Calcium chews. Once again my labs are good and I do not spend half my paycheck on supplements.

I enjoy the OH Cali message board but dislike the drama. I am here to “Pay It Forward”, not to mend a broken heart, take sides in a feud, or hold the hand of someone being outright stupid in their choices of food and wondering what they are doing wrong. I do not have time for that. You should have been given a food plan by your surgeon’s office and follow it to a “T”. If you did not get one, then shame on you for choosing a surgeon who obviously does not care about you post op. I will give my .02 cents worth on any viable subject but will ignore the obviously inflammatory, derogative, or just plain stupid posts. I love to get email from Newbie’s asking the same questions I asked when I was a Newbie. I will go out of my way to help someone who is being genuine, not just looking for attention or drama.

I have made some wonderful life long friends from the OH board and enjoy going to as many gatherings as I can. I am not able to attend many things that happen during the week and hope people do not think I am just blowing them off. I get up for work at 4 am and usually work a 6-day workweek, sometimes 7 days. If your gathering is on a Saturday or Sunday, I will probably be there, if you are somewhat local.

All of what you just read are my personal feelings and thoughts. This is my profile and I feel I can say what I want to here. I will not post some of my comments on the OH message board. As I stated before, I do not get involved with drama and controversy and some of my ramblings would totally inflame some people. If you feel inclined to comment on my profile, please email me personally at [email protected].

What a wonderful journey this is……would I do it again, most definitely!!

XOXOXOXOX
Sheryl

September 12, 2005
After 11 months of a relative easy journey, I now find myself getting hungry and the old food demons are returning. I am fighting them but seem to be in a funk for the last week. All food looks good and there is nothing that has made me sick. I don't get full from my usual portions and find myself looking in the refrigerator an hour after eating. Luckily I don't have bad stuff around but the temptations are there. I am so afraid of getting back to my bad habits. I am scared to death.

I had a great vacation in Vegas but have been distracted from my usual routine. I finally kicked myself in the butt and got back to the gym today. Hopefully that will help. I need a routine to settle into, a good routine.

We have lost a loved family member, John Ott. He was a kind and gentle man who loved life, is family, and extended OH family. Rest in Peace, my Friend.