Anna E.
Cardio & Pulmo clearances
Nov 19, 2008
Yesterday I went to the cardiologist for a clearance and she said I had to go through a stress test and have an echocardiogram done before she would give her clearance. We scheduled the stress test in two parts, one on 11/24 and one on 12/1. I went in today and got the echo done. I am then scheduled to see her on 12/2 to go over the test and hopefully get my clearance.
I went to the pulmonologist today as well and got his clearance no problem. He just wants me to make sure to take my c-pap machine to the hospital with me and use it in recovery and every night. I said no problem.
Not what I was hoping for with the cardiologist but if I get her clearance on 12/2 then I can get my pcp clearance on 12/3 and I am scheduled to see the surgeon again on 12/4, maybe they will schedule me at least. Still hoping for surgery before the end of December, guess we'll see!
More later...
I went to the pulmonologist today as well and got his clearance no problem. He just wants me to make sure to take my c-pap machine to the hospital with me and use it in recovery and every night. I said no problem.
Not what I was hoping for with the cardiologist but if I get her clearance on 12/2 then I can get my pcp clearance on 12/3 and I am scheduled to see the surgeon again on 12/4, maybe they will schedule me at least. Still hoping for surgery before the end of December, guess we'll see!
More later...
Nutritionist
Nov 13, 2008
I went in to see the nutritionist today to get that clearance out of the way and it went good. Real basic stuff like what my eating habits are (or were), how I exercise and some goals to set for after surgery. We agreed that I would try to increase my walking to 20-30 min a day and continue my weight lifting. I also agreed to aim for doing more housework and even getting back into softball someday!
So, anyway, it went well and that's one more clearance out of the way! I am going to watch the Emmi video tomorrow and gear up for next week. More later...
PCP Visit update
Nov 12, 2008
Well, I went in to see my PCP and was so worried all the way there. Things went well, so far I have lost 17lbs! The nurse and doctor were very happy. I asked him to send in my 6 mos of weight management and he said no problem, whew! I turned in my two clearances so far and am scheduled to see him again on the 20Th for my final clearance.
I am scheduled for my cardiologist and pulmonologist next week as well. I moved my nutritionist consult up to tomorrow so I can get that out of the way. I called my surgeon's office today and verified that they have received all of my clearances so far and they have, so that's good.
More later...
I am scheduled for my cardiologist and pulmonologist next week as well. I moved my nutritionist consult up to tomorrow so I can get that out of the way. I called my surgeon's office today and verified that they have received all of my clearances so far and they have, so that's good.
More later...
Clearances and Liquid Diet
Nov 11, 2008
Oops, it's been a while since I posted. So here's the latest...
I've gotten two of my clearances so far, the psych consult and the neurologist. Tomorrow I go to see my PCP for my weigh-in and I'm going to give him a list of things I have done so far and how long I have seen him so he has something to work with when writing the 6mos weight management evaluation. This was a thought my therapist had and I thought it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot, so we'll see what he says tomorrow.
I started the liquid diet last week. I bought Body Fortress super protein powder from Wal-Mart. It was only $14 for a two pound jug and it has 26grams of protein with only 3 carbs per scoop. I mix one for breakfast and lunch and then have 4oz of chicken breast with steamed broccoli for dinner. On occasion I'll have a third shake in the afternoon if I'm really hungry.
The first few days I thought I was going to die I was so hungry, guess I had to get all of the sugar out of my system. Wow, that was hard! I could have eaten a cardboard box if I was allowed to! But I am through the worst part I think and tomorrow I'll see if the scale shows any difference, I hope I hope I hope. I'll let you know then, more later...
I've gotten two of my clearances so far, the psych consult and the neurologist. Tomorrow I go to see my PCP for my weigh-in and I'm going to give him a list of things I have done so far and how long I have seen him so he has something to work with when writing the 6mos weight management evaluation. This was a thought my therapist had and I thought it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot, so we'll see what he says tomorrow.
I started the liquid diet last week. I bought Body Fortress super protein powder from Wal-Mart. It was only $14 for a two pound jug and it has 26grams of protein with only 3 carbs per scoop. I mix one for breakfast and lunch and then have 4oz of chicken breast with steamed broccoli for dinner. On occasion I'll have a third shake in the afternoon if I'm really hungry.
The first few days I thought I was going to die I was so hungry, guess I had to get all of the sugar out of my system. Wow, that was hard! I could have eaten a cardboard box if I was allowed to! But I am through the worst part I think and tomorrow I'll see if the scale shows any difference, I hope I hope I hope. I'll let you know then, more later...
I've got the money!
Oct 25, 2008
Yesterday I sent my grandmother an e-mail asking for her help in coming up with the $2500 I need to have the surgery. She reponded today and is giving me $2300 (because I have come up with $200 already)!
She has sent a check to my mom who will hold it until I get a surgery date. Wow, what an answer to prayer! Now I just have to finish all of my consultations and get a surgery date. Work, work, work - I can do this!
More later...
She has sent a check to my mom who will hold it until I get a surgery date. Wow, what an answer to prayer! Now I just have to finish all of my consultations and get a surgery date. Work, work, work - I can do this!
More later...
step 1...
Oct 22, 2008
Today I went to my PCP and asked for a clearance for the surgery. He wants to wait until I get the other clearances before he signs off which is understandable so I rescheduled for the end of November.
I have to have 6mos of weight management and found out today from the nurse that I missed Sept so she created a nurse-check in for Sept so I can have the 6mos in Nov - very cool!
I went by my psych office to request the letter from him and found out it was going to cost $125 - ouch! Oh well, gotta have it, at least they're gonna let me make payments.
Then after I got home I scheduled all of the appointments for clearances and tests so I have a busy November looking at me.
I also called Kit at Dr Krahn's and talked with her about the payment arrangements and she said she would check with the doctor and let me know. Guess I'll find out. More later...
I have to have 6mos of weight management and found out today from the nurse that I missed Sept so she created a nurse-check in for Sept so I can have the 6mos in Nov - very cool!
I went by my psych office to request the letter from him and found out it was going to cost $125 - ouch! Oh well, gotta have it, at least they're gonna let me make payments.
Then after I got home I scheduled all of the appointments for clearances and tests so I have a busy November looking at me.
I also called Kit at Dr Krahn's and talked with her about the payment arrangements and she said she would check with the doctor and let me know. Guess I'll find out. More later...
1st Consult
Oct 21, 2008
Today I went in to see Dr. Krahn for my initial consult, and they were very thorough! First I got weighed and height measured, 5'4 1/2 & 327lbs. Then I was met by Brian, the physician's assistant who went through all of the ins and outs of both types of surgeries and I decided to go with the lap RNY.
Then I met with Dr. Krahn who was very nice and accommodating. He did a basic physical and I discussed my concerns with the $2500 deposit and that I was thinking of switching to an HMO instead of my PPO to alleviate that fee. He advised against switching in the middle and said that HMO's are very difficult to get to send you to surgery. He said that I could make a payment plan with his office and when I had reached about 2/3 then we could go ahead with surgery and sign a waiver that I would pay the rest. Then I met with a final lady who gave me a list of all the consults and tests I need to have done and scheduled me back with the doctor on Dec. 4th along with my nutritionist consult that same day.
I have to have clearances from my cardiologist, psychiatrist, neurologist and PCP. Then I have to have 6mos of weight management (consecutive), GI clearance with a UGI and Gallbladder u/s and watch a video on-line about the surgery.
He wants me to get started on the liquid protein shakes diet and a multivitamin right away but I have to wait until I get paid on the 3rd to get the shakes. That will give me a little time to eat what I have in the house as well so it doesn't all go to waste.
So that's it, I'm on my way, wish me luck and pray for money...I'm gonna need it!
Then I met with Dr. Krahn who was very nice and accommodating. He did a basic physical and I discussed my concerns with the $2500 deposit and that I was thinking of switching to an HMO instead of my PPO to alleviate that fee. He advised against switching in the middle and said that HMO's are very difficult to get to send you to surgery. He said that I could make a payment plan with his office and when I had reached about 2/3 then we could go ahead with surgery and sign a waiver that I would pay the rest. Then I met with a final lady who gave me a list of all the consults and tests I need to have done and scheduled me back with the doctor on Dec. 4th along with my nutritionist consult that same day.
I have to have clearances from my cardiologist, psychiatrist, neurologist and PCP. Then I have to have 6mos of weight management (consecutive), GI clearance with a UGI and Gallbladder u/s and watch a video on-line about the surgery.
He wants me to get started on the liquid protein shakes diet and a multivitamin right away but I have to wait until I get paid on the 3rd to get the shakes. That will give me a little time to eat what I have in the house as well so it doesn't all go to waste.
So that's it, I'm on my way, wish me luck and pray for money...I'm gonna need it!
$2500??!!??
Oct 13, 2008
I heard from my doctor's office and they told me that they have looked into my insurance and that yes I am covered for either surgery. They said my insurance requires the surgery to be at St. Bernardine's hospital and that I have had all of my out of pocket expenses, including my deductible, met so far for the year. Then she told me a strange thing - I would have to give them a $2500 refundable deposit to cover any expenses the insurance doesn't cover and they need it a week before surgery!
I don't know about you, but I don't have that kind of money laying around. I have no credit cards and applied for credit but was denied immediately (no surprise to me as I have bad credit). I went ahead and set up my consultation for the 21st of Oct. to at least meet with the doctor and go over the pre-lims. I have to meet the criteria for BMI and co-morbidities, no prob. Then I have to have a psych eval, a nutritionist eval, and have 6mos of weight loss efforts which I should have with my primary care doctor.
I'm going to call my insurance company and see what they have to say about the deposit and may post it on the boards to see if anyone else has dealt with this before. I'll post more later...
I just got off the phone with my insurance company and they said I am covered 100%, then I spoke with Kristen at my Dr's office and she said the $2500 was a deposit for the dr's assistant who is out-of-network. She said if the ins co pays 100% that money would be refunded. More later...
I don't know about you, but I don't have that kind of money laying around. I have no credit cards and applied for credit but was denied immediately (no surprise to me as I have bad credit). I went ahead and set up my consultation for the 21st of Oct. to at least meet with the doctor and go over the pre-lims. I have to meet the criteria for BMI and co-morbidities, no prob. Then I have to have a psych eval, a nutritionist eval, and have 6mos of weight loss efforts which I should have with my primary care doctor.
I'm going to call my insurance company and see what they have to say about the deposit and may post it on the boards to see if anyone else has dealt with this before. I'll post more later...
I just got off the phone with my insurance company and they said I am covered 100%, then I spoke with Kristen at my Dr's office and she said the $2500 was a deposit for the dr's assistant who is out-of-network. She said if the ins co pays 100% that money would be refunded. More later...
A new start
Sep 27, 2008
Well, it's been a while but I am now in the process of trying to get WLS again. I attended my seminar with Dr. Krahn on Tuesday Sept. 23rd and sent in my giant packet of info on Friday the 26th. Now I have to wait for them to check my insurance and call me for my initial consultation which could take three weeks or so. I'll update more when I find out.
The journey has ended
May 17, 2007
Well, my journey towards weight-loss surgery has officially come to an end. I just got out of the hospital for blood clots in my lungs and my doctor has put me on coumadin. I spoke with the coordinator for the surgeon to postpone my nutritionist visit and cancel my appt with the surgeon. She told me to contact her long after I stop the coumadin and she will see if am even a candidate anymore. I am devastated. I have been working toward this goal for over a year only to have it put off indefinately. This sucks. I will probably not be posting for a while since there won't be much to add, we'll see. I hope that the rest of you find yourselves in much sunnier waters on your journeys. Take care.
