Rhonda-C.
June 24, 2004 I am 35 years old and I hope to have RNY this year. I just went to Dr.
Duncan's seminar on June 22, 2004 and turned in my patient worksheets and my
profile at that time. I still have a psyc. eval. to pass and to meet with the nutritionist/
exercise physiologist. After that, I will have everything ready to submit to insurance.
My pre-op BMI is 51.6!!!!!! Oh my I am soooo fat! July 2, 2004 Today my husband
called Dr. Duncan's office, because he nor I had heard anything from them about our
packet we submitted the night of the seminar. We were both just getting anxious to
know about our consultation and when it would be and we wanted to know before the
long weekend. We didn't get to talk to Jenifer B. because she was at lunch so we went
to run errands. When we returned home, we had a message from her. We called
back and we got appointments on July 29th at 8:30 am. They said the appointment
would last about 2 hours. PCP called yesterday. They said "oh, you don't need a referral,
just call Dr. Duncan and make an appointment." Well I explained to the call back nurse,
that YES I do need a referral and I do need it in writing and I need it to say specific
things. I left the list of specifics with my PCP and I explained to him that I needed a letter,
so I don't know where my list went or what the letter is going to say... I will call them
Tuesday after the long holiday weekend to see if they have a letter yet.... Hoping they will.
July 8, 2004 Yesterday I called to get an appointment for the dietician and exercise
physiologist. I got a voice mail and left a message. A few hours later, Keva called me
back and I and my husband are scheduled for that visit on July 28th, 2004 at 10 am.
So far, that week, I have three appointments... Phyc. doc., dietician, and my consultation.
I also called my PCP back to ask about the letter of medical clearance... I left a message
and have not gotten a call back. I guess I will have to go to their office tomorrow. That
is my plan. At least I can't be put on hold, and I won't leave until I speak to SOMEONE!!!
All in all, I am just getting anxious to get this ball rolling. So excited... will update soon.
July 30, 2004 It has been a busy week for me. I went to the Phycologist on Monday.
It was a routine question & answer test that I personally thought was silly and redundant.
The questions seemed like they were meant to confuse people. I did the best I could to
answer everything truthfully. I don't drink but a few times a year and have never used
drugs so those parts of the test seemed unnecessary. To put it politly , I think the test
was unnecessary and silly, but maybe thats just me... maybe I am crazy... just kidding.
The interview part was just about 15 or 20 minutes of the doc asking the same questions
I had just answered on the test and he seemed like a pleasant person, I was just nervous.
I don't know what of... I guess because the biggest decision of my life seemed to rest in his
hands. I think I did okay... I felt under a lot of pressure though. Wednesday, I went to see the
diet and nutritionist and the exercise psysiologist. I saw Karen and Keva at the wellness center
beside Atlanta Medical Center. All the information we got from Karen was good. We learned
a few new things, but most of it is just a repeat of what I had already researched. The information
I got from Keva was good too. I learned a lot of reasons to begin my exercise routine now, before
surgery. I also found out that my body is 52% pure fat... which scared the heck out of me. I also
found out a lot about muscle and its role in my body... I found out that once muscle is lost...
it can never be reproduced. I just have to build up what muscle I have left and hope I haven't
damageed my body too much by all the abuse I have done to it with my bad eating and
not-exercise habits. Thursday was my consultation at Dr. Duncan's office. We filled out more
paperwork, were weighed and measured and put in a meeting room. Once we had about 10
people in the room, Joyce came in and reviewed insurance info with us... after that, Dr. Speights
came in and talked to us about the surgery and answered our questions. She was so upbeat and
positive about what to expect and I was so happy to hear something positive. She was short
and to the point and I really liked that she didn't over-do the talk, knowing most of us had already
researced this surgery for months. But she was informative enough to know you didn't have to
worry about her knowing what she was talking about. After the group talk, we were taken into
rooms to talk in private about what we wanted to with her. I had a few questions, and they
were answered and that was it. While checking out, Yakima told us that once everything was i
n from all the doctors, our info would be sent to dictation and then be sent to insurance for
approval. Now... I start the waiting game... wait on the psyc. doc to submit his
reccomendation... wait on all info to be sent to dictation... wait on dictation to get my
packet ready... and then wait on the insurance company... I am going to give the psyc.
doc 2 weeks, then call, the dictation 1 week then call, and the insurance co. 1 week and
then call. I will update as I know more.... I am just so ready to get this surgery done!!!!!
August 19, 2004 Well, I have been waiting and calling the Dr. office to check on my file.
Joyce told me on 8/10 that she expected my file back from dictation any day. I called
back on 8/13 and was told it had been sent to insurance on 8/11. I called insurance on
Monday 8/16 to see if they had it... no they did not. Called back to P'tree Bariatrics, was
told again that it had been sent. Waited a few days, called insurance again... they still
didn't have file. Worried, I called P'tree Bariatrics again... Joyce said it was gone.
Yesterday, 8/18, Jenifer S. called from P'tree Bar. and said that they had been trying
and trying and couldn't get my file through to the insurance cos. fax machine.... that
explains a lot!!! I called UHC and got another # and then called and gave it to Jennifer S.
I called today and UHC still does not have my file. I confirmed fax # with UHC and
guess what? Wrong !@#%*ing number again!!! I got the right # (I think?) again and
called Jenifer S. again to give it to her...She said she will re-fax today or tomorrow....
What is it with the fax and the file stuff? It seems everyone has a problem at this stage.
It is making me crazy... I could stand the wait if I at least knew UHC had the file. I can
not stand the wait thinking my freaking file is stuck somewhere in a revolving door or in
a holding bin.... guess I am stuck in the big black hole.... will update when I get an honest
answer from SOMEONE! Tonight I have support group, yeah! I need it!
August 25, 2004 Well I finally got a straight answer! My file is in review at UHC. I am
just waiting for approval! I talked to 6 different people in 4 different calls to UHC this
morning and finally found out that they do have my file and now it just a waiting game.
I have been on the phone for 3 hours. I am so impatient! I know everyone I talked to
was like... hey give us a break, but when it comes to this point... every day counts! I a
m praying now that I am approved and very soon! I want this surgery so bad. I just hope
I get it before I chicken out... Seems like I have been doing this process for years but it has
only been 2 months! Time goes so slow when you are waiting for something you really
want! At least I am happy to know my file is not lost!... I really do have a case number!!! YEAH!
August 26, 2004 I am APPROVED!!!!!! I just got a call from Jennifer S. at P'tree Surgical
and she informed me that she had gotten a call that me and my husband both have been a
pproved! All the problems with the insurance co. were due to not having the file sent to the
right department. Once I got the right department fax no.... which was yesterday, and
Jennifer sent the file, we were both approved within 24 hours... Sooooo Awesome! I am
on cloud 9! I weighed myself to see if I have lost anymore weight and I lost 3 lbs.
I told my husband it was because I was floating! Still trying to drop more weight before
surgery! I can't wait! I am soooo excited! September 3rd, 2004 Yakima called me this
morning and made me smile... My surgery has been scheduled for September 15th!
I am also scheduled on September 10th for Pre-op. I am in shock! I thought late October,
or maybe even November, but SEPTEMBER 15th... all I can say is WOW! I have to
get a few tests run though early next week. I need an upper endoscopy and an H-Pylori
test and an note from PCP saying I am still cleared for surgery! Better get on the phone
with those appointments. I am so happy ... Oh yeah! I talked to my Juice Plus Rep above
me (she is really smart about this stuff) and she told me to start doubling up on my Juice
Plus for surgery. I just took my second helping of capsuls for today. I keep telling everyone
I meet about how great the product is for you and I intend to be an example! I plan
to double up on it before surgery so I will recover quickly! I am thrilled and am looking
forward to a great long weekend on my Adkins shakes and Low carb dinners. I still need
to lose 7 lbs. by pre-op/Surgery! I'm getting on my treadmill in just a few minutes...
till later, I'm out!
Sept. 4, 2004 I started calling around yesterday to get an encoscopy done...no luck!
I talked to everyone on my list from UHC and not a single one of them would give
me an appointment within a week for an upper endo. They all said it takes an
office visit with the GI doc first, then they would schedule the endo. I am beside
myself with grief! I don't know what to do... Pre-op is next Friday, with Monday
being a holiday, I have 3 days left. Well, make that one day. Tuesday morning I
have to go to my PCP to get bloodwork done to check for H-Pylori. And Wednesday
I go for the medical clearance from PCP. That leaves Thursday to get an endoscopy.
I hope I don't have to re-schedule the surgery. I think that is why I am most upset.
If I had known I would only have 3 days to get it done, I would have had it done weeks
ago! I was told by Dr. Speights not to get it done until I got a date... I don't guess anyone
knew it would be so close! I sure didn't. Just praying it all works out for me!!!!
September 8th, 2004 Well, today I finally had a load lifted off me. I went yesterday
to get my H-pylori blood test done and then today I had a final medical clearance
from PCP office. This included an EKG and chest x-ray, urine sample and blood
test for lots of stuff... (they had a lot of stuff circled on the codes list) Anyway I
finally got an appointment with a GI doctor to get a consultation. And they told me
that they could fit me in tomorrow for the upper endoscopy. I was so happy and
really shocked. I had already prepared myself for having to re-schedule the surgery
for a few weeks from now to get the endoscopy done. I have to say that all this
would not have been possible without the staff at Dr. Duncan's office. They faxed
over an order to have the test expedited and it worked!!! Dr. Burse's office respected
that they needed the test done soon and they responded with a date of tomorrow!!!
I keep saying it to myself because I can't believe it is really going to happen and my
surgery is still on!!! I am so thrilled. Thanks to Dr. Duncan's office for going the extra
mile for me! Also thank you to all who have read my profile and signed my surgery
page. I thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and am so happy to be a part of
this on-line family! I feel like this website had really helped me to prepare and be
secure in my decision to have surgery! I am so excited and can't wait to be on the
losing side! Oh yeah! I have lost a total of 10 lbs. since deciding to have surgery..
not much, but at least it is a start! It has been so hard! Hugs to you all... Rhonda
September 10th, 2004 Okay... yesterday was the endoscopy and I was told it would
not hurt and that I wouldn't remember any of it. Well, I never went "out" and I do
remember every single moment of it and it did hurt just a little. I think what hurt the
most is the biopsy they took of the hiatal hernia that I have. That hernia was also news
to me. Doc said I had an ulcer at the end of the esophogas. I paniced and thought to
myself.... oh no, I won't get my surgery and the nurse asked if I was okay because she
saw tears coming out of my eyes.... mind you I was supposed to be sleeping through a
ll this. What was really happening was that I was trying so hard not to fall asleep, that
I kept my eyes wide open and they started watering. After I spent a little while in the
recovery getting over the meds, I asked the doc about the surgery and the hernia and
he said that the surgery would be great for me because they usually repair the hernia
during surgery. I felt relieved! Today, I went to Dr. Duncan's office at 11:00 am
and checked in. I was happy to see both Jennifers and told them both thank you for
all the help they have given me during this process. I took my written test and got 100%
and got weighed and lost 8 lbs. (10 lbs. according to my scales at home) Anyway, I
was just sooooo glad I had lost enough that my surgery is still on! I had a personal visit
from Michelle the Physician's assistant and she went over all the details of the consent form
with me including all the risks. I was then given a folder and told to go downstairs to the
pre-op check in counter. They pre-registered me for my surgery and then sent me for pre-op
testing. I told the nurse at pre-op testing that I had just had an EKG and a chest x-ray on Wednesday.
She called my PCP to get them forwarded and then I didn't have to get those two tests
done again. They took some blood, took a urine sample, took my temp. and took my blood pressure.
The anesthesiologist came in to explain the details of his part of the surgery, the nurse asked
me about 50 questions and I was out of there! One hour and a half at Dr. Duncan's office and
one hour at pre-op and I was done! I was so happy! We got done in time to pick up the kids
from school together. Now I just have 4 days and a wake up and I am ready! Bowel prep
will be Monday and Tuesday and Wed. is surgery. Can't wait to gat to the losers side!!!!!
September 14, 2004 The bowel prep yesterday and today has been awful! I do reccomend
anyone who does the Phoso-soda bowel cleanse to stay home! I had to go get my kids
from school and I almost didn't make it back to the toilet in time! The "clear liquids
only" thing is awful too. I know in the end it will all be worth it though so I have to keep
reminding myself of that! My last meal was Sunday night at Outback steakhouse.
It was so delicious but... I just keep trying to remind myself how misrible I felt when
I was soooooo full that night. It does feel a little better being hungry than stuffed!
Just trying to make this all a little better with positive thinking. I had my few days
of "thinking too much" about the what-ifs. I cried a lot and hugged my kids so much
they thought something was wrong with me. I have told them all that I love them so
much that I would die to protect them. I know that God has put me here on this planet
for a purpose and I trust Him that he has given me this answer to the problem of obesiety
that I have had for sooooo long. I have prayed for an answer and for God's help and this
is His answer. I will not let the Devil make me afraid of what God has in store for me!
As you can tell, I have prayed a lot in the past few days and I know that this is God's will for
my life. I trust that he will take me to the losing side without a problem! I have chosen
not to write letters to my family declaring last wishes or in case of the "what-if" stuff.
I have faith that I don't need to do that. I know that God has a plan for each life and
if it is his will, so be it. I know my family knows my feelings for them. I love them
all so much and I know they will all be happy for me when I am finally at a healthy
weight. It will help my family not to have to worry anymore about my health! In
only a few more hours, it will be time to go to bed and when I wake up, I will be
on my way to the hospital. I can't wait for my new life. I can already picture myself in
my new body. I am excited, I am ready, I am confident, and I know I am blessed! I
am so happy it is finally my day! Thank you to all who have wished me well and
prayed for me! I will see you on the losing side!!! I can't wait! I am a week and a
half out and I am going back to fill in on my surgery experience....
September 15th, 2004 I got up at 4:00 am and took my shower. I was so excited
I couldn't sleep anyway. I got ready and then told my husband it was time to get
up. He got ready and then we were off. I wrote a quick note to my girls while he
was getting ready. I just told them how much I love them and I would be home
tomorrow. I got to the hospital at 6:30 exactly and I was given an armband and
put in a holding room. A nurse came in and gave me a gown and a plastic bag for
my clothes. She then came in and took my blood pressure, my temp, and gave me
a shot to thin my blood a little before surgery and then put in my IV. I was a little
upset because I wanted to see my mom before surgery and she was running late.
I also got word from mother-in-law that one of the girls was throwing up sick.
This all made me a little upset, but I guess the whole thing had me upset to start
with this all just made me start to cry. at 8:30 I was wheeled to the OR prep room.
I was really upset when my husband had to leave me, but I held it together as best
I could. In this room, they asked me if I had any questions and asked me a few more.
The anesthesiologist could tell I was stressed and gave me a little shot of something
in my IV that made me feel a little drunk. I felt more calm after that. Then I was taken
in to the OR I switched to another table somehow... hardly remember this part and then
the staff wished me luck and I was put to sleep. I do not remember the moment when
I started to go to sleep and do not remember anything at all from surgery. I woke up
in the recovery room and felt for my belly. I could feel pain in it. I was groggy and
didn't remember I had had surgery. I remembr a nurse asking if I was hurting and
I said yes and she gave me more pain medication. I woke up a little and felt like I
had just went to sleep. I was wheeled to my room and my family was already there.
I was so happy to see my mom and dad and my husband. I wasted no time looking
at my belly at my incisions. I couldn't see anything because of the bandages, but I
was pleased it had gone well and was done laproscopically. I remember my mouth
being extremely dry. It was like I had no saliva at all. Nurses were coming in and
out checking all the things they check and told me how to use the morphine pump.
I asked for water and they said in a few hours I could have some ice chips. I
spent time with my mom, my aunt, my grandmother, my dad and husband and
I was a little tired. I walked around the hospital floor sevral times before the night
time and I was thrilled I felt so good. The pain in my belly was well managed with
the morphine, and other meds they gave me in the iv. That night, I hit the morphine
pump 3 times in order to get some sleep. I also asked if there was something other
than morphine, as I didn't like the dizzy feeling. I was given a shot of an anti-inflamitory
described to me to be much like ibuprofen only it was liquid and came through my iv.
I felt like a new person after a shot of this. I didn't feel out of it, yet the pain was minimal.
I also got my catheter out this afternoon and that was a relief! I prayed prayers of thanks
as I went to sleep. September 16th, 2004 I was awoke at 6 am to a medicine cup of ice
chips and I was in heaven. I got my IV unhooked in order to take a shower and I felt so
much better after that. I got my IV hooked back up and got ready to go down for my
leak test. I was picked up and taken by wheelchair to radiology. The liquid I had to
swallow to have the x-ray was the worst part of the whole ordeal. I was about to
gag and gagging hurt my belly. I prayed I could get through it and somehow I made
it. I really hated that liquid. First it was a thick bright yellow clearish medicine type
liquid and after that it was a white barium thick liquid. The white had no taste, so it
was tolerable, but the yellow about killed me. I was wheeled back to my room -
leak free and happy that I would be going home later that day. While I was having
my leak test, my husband loaded up the truck with our stuff. I had a medicine cup
of ice chips and an hour later, I had 3 oz of grape juice and water mixed 50-50.
That grape juice tasted like the best champagne money could buy! It was delicious!
An hour later, I was given discharge papers and I was out of the hospital at 12:20 pm!
What a whirlwind 24 hours. I felt a little sore, but I knew I would feel better at home!
At home, I did nothing and just rested. I had my grape juice mix every hour and just
laid in the bed. I knew I had to get some rest before the kids came home. Mom
brought the kids home around 7:30 pm and by then, I was up to visiting with them.
They are high spirited and very hyper-active so I had to remind them not to jump on
me. I loved seeing them though and hugged and kissed them a lot! I was sooooo
happy to see them! This night, I didn't sleep too well. I was awake every hour and
took my loritab elixer 2 times.... about 4-5 hours apart. I felt dizzy though when I
took it and I hoped I wouldn't have to take it for long.
September 17th, 2004 I felt dizzy when I woke up from the pain medication. I am a
lightweight when it comes to medication. The surgeon's office called to check
on me and I felt great when they did. Most of the dizziness had passed.
I mentioned this to her and she said not to take it during the day if possible and
only when needed at night. I didn't have much pain today. Only half as much as
yesterday. I feel like I am handling this surgery well and I can't believe I feel so
good. I gained a few pounds in the hospital but I am starting to lose those lbs.
of water. I know it is from the IV and all the medication. I am not worried.
September 18th, 2004 Today is Saturday and I am feeling so much better.
Last night I slept an hour on each side and one on my back then on each side
again and on my back. I felt like a chicken being turned every hour, but it sure
made my insides feel better not to be flat on my back all night. Today I got out
and went shopping with my husband at Wal-mart. I was good for about 2 hours
and then I felt like it was time to go back home. I went home and rested and I
was so happy that I was getting back to normal! September 19th, 2004 Today I
was rested enough from yesterday that we went to B.J.s shopping for a while.
We had fun looking at evrything and getting some groceries and treats for the kids.
I knew it was good for me to be walking and I felt so good to be up and out of
the house. I rested for a while when I got home. It is getting so much easier to
do everything. I am surprised that I have only had to use pain medication the
first night home. I feel so good! September 27th, 2004 My husband went back
to work today and we are missing him. He helped out so much around the house!
He did all the laundry and did lots of yard work. Yesterday I felt terrible. I started
and that made for a misrible day. I knew not to take advil for cramps, so I cut a
tylenol in half and took both halves. They gave me a tummy ache. I think it would
be better if the inside of the pill had not been exposed. That gel coating really helps.
I want to shop for some other pain reliever that is a liquigel. I hope tylenol makes
one. I just hate that "asprin" feeling in my pouch, even though I know it doesn't have
asprin in it. Anyway, I had cramps and back pain and I was in bed by 9 PM. I feel a
little better today. We are just missing "Daddy" though and Let me tell you what, my
kids really got used to him being around cause all I've heard all day is
"Where's Daddy?" and "but Daddy said I could....." I have had to be the
mean mommy today and say no playing out in the rain and no drinks in the living
room. It makes me feel bad. Anyway, total weight lost so far is 16 lbs.
That makes me happy!
September 29, 2004 I had my 2 week follow up appt. today and everything went
well. I have lost 19 lbs. and I feel great. My energy level is up and I am doing
great on liquids. My incisions are all but gone! It is amazing what neosporin
will do! It is like vanishing salve! It has been a great day!
October 5th, 2004 Well this time last week, I was so excited about my weight loss...
this week, well I haven't lost anything. I know my body is adjusting to the 22 lbs.
in 2 weeks ordeal and is probably thinking I am starving it, but it is discouraging to
not lose anything in a week. All I can do is keep up the orders of my doctor and
I know it will come off sooner or later. All three kids have the croop and are sick
so here we go... the first big sickness of the season. I am getting a flu shot for
sure this year!
October 21, 2004 Well, I have not updated lately, because there is not much to
update on... I am stuck. I lost 22 lbs. right out of the gate and then another
4 lbs. in the last 3 wks. I am so frustrated. I thought the weight would come
off faster than this and I am worried that something is wrong with my pouch or
my intestines or something else. I feel great. I eat only about a tenth of what
I used to eat.... only about 4 oz. about 3 times a day. I never snack at all.
I have no desire to. I drink about 60 oz. of water a day and I am no longer
sedentary. I have been doing all kinds of stuff. I just don't make time for exercise
like I should. I am starting this today... At least 1/2 hour each day to walk, do
yoga, strengh train or some other type of exercise. I was walking more than I
am now, but the lack of calories consumed, seems to be so low that I don't know
how I am not losing! Anyway, thats where I am... 26 lbs. lost in 5 weeks and
when I say it like that, it doesn't seem so bad. I have not lost an average of
5 lbs. a week since I was on those darn fen-fen pills. I will take it though...
some weight is better than gaining weight! Here I go to walk my butt off....till later, toodles!
October 25th, 2004 Well I lost some more weight. I guess I was holding on to water
for "that time of the month" After it was over, I lost 4 lbs. for a grand total since
surgery of 30 lbs. and a total of 40 lbs. since Sept. 1st. I feel a lot better and started
back walking last week. I had stopped for a week or two... just being lazy and
way too busy with kids and housework to take time for myself. But I am back on
track and losing and walking again. Thursday night was support group and I felt
good after talking to everyone there. Oh, I found out I don't do well with beef or
with egg salad. I think the mayo makes me sick. I had a tummy ache and lots of
gas from the eggs and the serloin burger at Roadhouse (only ate a few small bites)
made me feel weak and nauseated. Yuck. I guess I will stick to Tuna (it is getting
old too!) I hope to find some great new recipies with chicken... it goes down well
and is high in protien!
November 2, 2004 Today has been a somber day for me. It started out great... I lost
another pound, and I went to vote... then I checked my e-mail and got a message
that a fellow OH member had passed away. His name was Bryant Jackson and we
had surgery 5 days apart at the same hospital with the same surgeon. I had e-mailed
him a couple of times about his progress and we just exchanged how we were doing.
I am so sad to hear of this news! The last time we exchanged e-mail, he was doing
great. He was progressing to soft foods and feeling fine. It is just so sad. He was
only 29 years old and just starting to get healthy... I have been sad all afternoon ab
out it. Anyway.... on to other news. I survived Halloween without even an ounce of
candy and I even worked out with weights. I lost 2 lbs. over the weekend and another
today. My current weight is 275 for a total loss of 45 lbs. from my highest weight of
320 lbs. YEAH! I feel good and think I am doing great with my protein and water
as well as excercise. I feel good and am losing that is the most important thing
to me... to be healthy! I need to count my blessings that I have made it this far
and pray for Bryant's family that they find peace in this time of sadness!
Till next time...Bless all who read this!
November 27th, 2004 Well, I survived my first Thanksgiving as a post-op. I ate a
few bites of food and was full.... It is kind of a let-down when you cook a bunch
of great food and then can't eat but a few bites of it! But... on a happier note,
I am now down a total of 57 lbs.! I feel great and am so thankful this holiday
season that I am finally starting to enjoy my life again!
December 12, 2004 Holiday shopping is great with no backaches and no joint or
foot pain! I didn't realize how great shopping could be! Not to mention, I am
down 65 lbs. and now I am down from a size 26 to a size 20. So guess who I
am shopping for? I am supposed to be shopping for others.......but a few things
for myself makes me feel great! Can't believe how good I am feeling. Eating
whatever I want... no sweets and very little fat.... lots of protein and a few veggies...
broccolie is my favorite! Lots of energy and soooo busy this holiday season!
Merry Christmas everyone! This was my old profile... They changed things up
around here so I continued the entries in my blog and back-dated them.
About Me
Newnan, GA
Location
25.2
BMI
Surgery
09/15/2004
Surgery Date
May 23, 2004
Member Since
