J.Bug
I can't remember a time that I was not over weight!!!
At a family reunion, one year, I had a family member come up to me and says..."What a beautiful girl...oh, but I see you got the fat gene in the family." I spent the rest of the reunion down stairs in the basement hiding from everyone!!!
I'm tired of the "Ugg" feeling all the time...I want my life back!!!
I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister and student...not the fat girl!!!
I have decided to change my life and made my first appointment with my PCP.
6/20/05
Wow...the first step will forever be behind me. Only progress from this point on!
Today was my first appointment with my PCP asking for her support in getting a referral for WLS. She seemed real understanding of my request. My PCP is going to run some test before she sends the referral request to my insurance. My next appointment with her is in 10 days...bring it on!
6/30/05
Okay...two more test completed. Today at my PCP appointment, it was confirmed that I am a diabetic and I have urinary incontinence. I go in tomorrow for my sleep apnea study. I should, by the end of July, have all my tests completed. My PCP said as soon as the pulmonary test is complete, she will send in the referral for Dr. Weber�s office. My PCP is being very supportive of my request and has been a pleasure to have on my side. I'm out! I'll let you know how the sleep study goes...Bye for now.
7/1/05
Sleep test over and waiting for my follow-up with the doctor to go over the results...6/13/05. Okay...good news! No Sleep Apnea, but I do have a sleeping disorder. More test are required.
7/8/05
Abdominal Urtra Sound done today. Test will be read at the clinic and sent to my PCP. I have an appointment with her on July 15th and I should get the resuts then and I should hear something about a date for the pulmonary test.
7/15/05
I just got back from a visit with my PCP and she told me that she is going to send in my referral to be seen by the surgeon. WISH ME LUCK...I'm one step closer. Pulmonary test not approved by the insurance, so my PCP is going to appeal it with a detailed letter. I'm hoping for the best. More later.
8/01/05
I got a call late last night from my PCP letting me know that today she will be sending in the referrral for me to see the surgeon. This has been the longest part so far. I hope it doesn't take long for the insurance to do their part.
8/5/05
Approval came through today for consult visit w/surgeon and pulmonary test. Pulmonary test appointment 8/10/05 and consult appointment for 8/12/05.
8/12/05
My consult visit with Dr. Weber was a great experience. He was very informative about what tests I have left to complete in order for his staff to submit for the surgery. He also put me on a low-cal diet to shrink my liver and an extensive exercise plan that I will continue for the rest of my life. We determined that my surgery date will be around the third or forth week of September. It just depends on the speed of completing my tests and getting the results into his office so they can do their magic. Wish me luck!
8/15/05
EKG was done today.
8/18/05
Last of the pre-surgery blood work is being done today.
8/25/05
Psychological Eval began today. I have one more appointment next week.
9/02/05
Psychological evaluation was completed today and the report will be faxed to Dr. Weber's office next week. I would like to point out that this is the only thing that has cost me any out of the pocket money, so far. My insurance covered the first assessment with the psychologist and one hour of testing. I ended up paying around $500.00 of my own money to complete the required tests from my surgeon's office. I would also like to point out that you should start this evaluation as soon as possible because sometimes it takes a long time to get an appointment and appointments there after to complete all the tests. Just be aware of how long the report is good for.
9/08/05
Today Dr. Weber's office sent the insurance request for approval for the surgery. I'M SO EXCITED!!!
9/14/05
I GOT A DATE!!!
September 29th.
My insurance called this morning to let me know that I was approved for the WLS. I then called Dr. Weber's office to let Pam know I was approved and had an approval number. Pam called me back about mid day to let me know she got the paper work from the insurance and that I was to call back to the office and make a surgery date with them.
09/26/05
Well everyone I would like to extend my gratitude towards your messages that I have been receiving since I have found out my date. It really makes the surgery real and gives me hope of success when I get a message from all of you who have been down this road already and have met such great successes with your own journeys. This will be the last time I journal before my surgery. I leave tomorrow after I get out of school heading for Seattle and I won't be home until Monday night, but I can promise you this...I will journal on Tuesday to let you know how everything went. Thanks again for the support. See you all on the losing side. Dang that sounds GREAT!
10/24/05
Hello everyone...
I would like to apologize to everyone at Obesityhelp.com for not checking in for what looks like about a month. I now know what everyone means when they say..."Wow time sure has passed fast!"
I'm now 24 days post op and feeling GREAT!!!
I was in the hospital for 4 days. I went in Thursday morning and I was out Sunday night. The hospital stay was fine and everyone helped out immensely. My husband was given a hide-a-bed and stayed with me in my room for my entire hospital stay, which was a blessing to both the nursing staff and me. I would suggest that everyone insist on having someone with you day and night during your entire hospital stay. I was up and walking the afternoon of my surgery and four more times by the end of that night. I was walking up to 8 times the next day and increased with distance and the amount of walks everyday until I left. At home I have been walking 45 minutes a day and started back to school full time 1 week after surgery. Don't get me wrong I was very tired. I would come home from school everyday and take 2-3 hour nap. Little tasks tired me out to the point that I would have to rest even if all I did was get up to make my meal. My body needed the rest to heal and so I rested�and rested�and rested. I'm now able to get through the day with no naps and I'm sleeping my usual 5-7 hours a night. I can do everything I used to, but it takes me a while to complete the task. I do not do any heavy house cleaning or carry anything over 20 pounds. My next appointment with my WLS surgeon is on the 28th of this month and I can't wait. This month has been hard. Pureed food has been horrible and only eating or drinking 1 ounce every ten minutes has been a difficult task. I have figured out a routine to take all my vitamins including my liquid iron...YUK...but I still have problems taking in my protein. I'm sure with time I will find the trick for that too. I'm hoping to be put on soft food diet when I see the doctor. I would love to eat something other than the few items I have found that taste the same when pureed as they do when straight from the can. (Soups...chili, split pea and ham, bean with bacon and tomato) I love pop cycles. They are my saving grace.
Okay...I have bored you for long enough for now. I will write more after my appointment with the doctor and let you know my weight loss and what my next step is going to be.
I would like to extend my Thanks to everyone who was thinking of me during my surgery.
Good luck to anyone who is going to have this surgery and please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns that I might be able to help you with.
Judy
11/07/05
I'm now just over 5-weeks post op and I'm down 36 pounds. I�m feeling so good that I joined a gym yesterday. Also, I'm really seeing the results of rapid weight loss and figured that it was time to start toning.
Judy
1/14/06
Hey everyone...just wanted to pop on and give a quick update. I'm currently at -63lbs. (Submitted a photo...just waiting for it to come up.) I'm feeling great!!! I'm currently working out 6-7 days a week at the gym and eating (or drinking) all my protein. I can get all my vitamins in now and eat about 4 times a day. My hair has finally started to slow down, as far as falling out that is. My skin is sagging in places that I never knew could be possible. But I tell you...I love everything about me. I will take all of this any day over my old life. I told my girlfriend the other day (she is scheduled for WLS on January 31st) that I love my scar. I look at it everyday in the mirror as I rub vitamin E oil on it and think how lucky I am. I look at it like my I look at my c-section scars...I don't hate them...they gave life and so did my WLS scar. I have a second chance at life. I remember about my third week out from surgery and all I could say was that I can not wait until I'm 3-months out...and now that I'm here...well, all I can say is...I can't wait until I'm 6-months post op. LOL
I'm out for now...
Hope all is good for everyone in OH world.
Judy
1/25/06
I just came from the gym and had to share...when I came through the door and gave my ID#, to the gal behind the counter, it came up with a picture...and she said "Oh, that�s not you...give me your number again." So I did. I repeated my ID# to her and she said again "Oh...that still is not you, but go ahead through anyways." Curious that I am...I had to stop and look at the picture, because I was sure I had given her the right ID#. Sure enough...the picture was of me. BIG GRIN!!! That picture, that was only 4-months old, was me...the old me. I just had to share my GREAT story...thanks for listening. Everything else is falling into place. I'm really trying to make it to the gym 5 times a week and would like to get in there 7, but as long as I'm making progress every week...I'm feeling okay with my workouts. Eating seems to go okay, too. (As long as I can tolerate the food.) I don't really miss anything. I'm determined to make this work and if I can't have something...oh well. That is how it is going to have to be. I drink my protein everyday...and I'm actually getting addicted to it. LOL Go figure. Take care...I'll write more on Friday. That is my weigh in day...I will up-date how much I�ve lost.
Judy
1/30/06
Oooppsss...I forgot to log in on Friday and up-date my weight loss, but never fear...I'm doing so now. LOL -68lbs.
Judy
5/12/06
Hi everyone...as usual, it has been some time since I have last posted. Life has been both busy and wonderful for me. My husband and I bought and moved into a house and love, love, love it. I'm hoping this means we will be here for some time. (Spouse of an Army service member) I'm feeling better than I have... umm well, I guess ever that I can remember. I have hit a dry spell with losing weight and I know it is common but sheesh...I only need 19 more pounds to my goal. I do remember reading and hearing from other people the last 20 is hard to get off, so I guess I better get up and push myself a little harder to get those last few pounds off. I would love to submit a new photo of myself but want to wait until I reach the 100-pound mark. (Only 9-pounds to go!) I do get on-line often and read everyone�s up-dates and I'm so proud of everyone who is on this site. I need the reassurance of other people�s words�that you too are going through the same struggles since the wls. I need to read that I�m normal and things will get better. I have, counting my blessings, had no medical issues so far�just mind issues and I�m sure with time these will dissipate too.
Thanks for listening; I need you now more than ever.
Judy
About Me
Before & After
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