ashleynicole86

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A lot has changed since my last blog post.  I am now 164 lbs. My highest weight was 278, so that means I've lost over 100 lbs from my highest weight! Woohoo! My BMI is now considered overweight! I am no longer obese and will never allow myself to get there again. The DS has given me the opportunity to be the person I've always wanted to be. I still have a ways to go, but for now, I'm happy where I am. 

I don't feel any different than anyone else really. I know what foods I can eat and what foods just don't work for me. I don't feel deprived at all. I feel like I can eat like a normal person. Vitamins have become easy as 1-2-3 for me. Just pop them in your mouth and swallow. I thought it would be hard, but it really isn't. I do need to work on my protein though. I've been slacking lately, mostly because I can't stand most protein shakes, but I know I need to improve. I've definitely lost some hair as a result of my surgery, but that's ok. It's just hair and I know I just need to up the protein to get it back. Well, at least I hope!

I know I will need some plastic surgery when I finally reach my goal wait, but I'm ok with that. I really need to get my butt to the gym and exercise, but exercise is so aggravating. Especially dealing with a hectic schedule.

Let's see, what else? Oh yeah, I finally graduated college in May! Woohoo! 2010 so far has been a great year for me. I can't wait to see what else is in store for me!

I have never been so miserable in my life. I don't know why I thought I would be able to handle this. I know I can't change anything at this point. There is no going back, only forward. I feel sad, depressed and deprived. Tomorrow, I'm supposed to spend Christmas Eve with my family, but I really don't even want to go. They will be eating all these foods I wish I could have. I don't know why I would put myself in that situation. It's already hard enough as is. When is it going to get better? I feel like I'm losing my sanity!

I'm 10 days away from being switched. It's so close, I can taste it. As excited as I am, I am also scared. Some of the things I worry about:

- Being able to adjust to a new stomach
- Getting in enough fluids
- Getting in enough protein
- Getting my vitamin schedule down
- Adjusting to DS poop
- Hair loss
- People accepting the new me

Don't get me wrong, I am more excited about changing my life than anything. I've seen the success stories here and I can't wait to be one of them. Loser's bench, here I come!

My life has been so crazy lately between working full-time, going to school and making sure I get all these tests done before I can get approved for surgery.  Well, I found out yesterday that my surgery has been approved.  Dr. Smith's office called me with the news.  I was completely shocked because I didn't even know my paperwork had been submitted yet.  There had been some confusion with my pulmonary clearance, so I was stunned when I heard them say "approved."  I called the insurance company and they confirmed it.  Even gave me the approval number.  I am so glad everything has paid off.  I can't express how excited I am.  As far as I still know, it will be happening on December 8.  The last time I talked to the surgery coordinator, she penciled me in for that date.  I'm going to call back on Monday to confirm all the little details.  I was so excited when they called yesterday that I didn't think to ask all of that.  I can't wait until my surgery.  I'm ready for my new life to begin!  I'm so thankful to God, my family and friends!

I hate when patients have to suffer while hospitals and insurance companies argue over money.  I was getting all my ducks in a row to switch to Dr. Smith in Marietta, GA.  I sent in the application for patient approval about a couple of weeks ago and have been patiently waiting to hear something.  I found out earlier this week that WellStar, the hospital Dr. Smith is affiliated with, is in contract negotiations with Aetna.  A final decision isn't set to be made until September 1st.  I'm worried.  What if they don't come to an agreement by then or what if WellStar says "see ya later" to Aetna patients all together.  Should I start looking for a new surgeon? I don't know what I should do at this point.  I'm feeling a little discouraged. 

Part of me wants the DS and part of me wants the VSG.  This is such an important decision for me.  I know both the surgeries work from the testimonials I have read at OH.  Part of me just thinks that I can be successful with the VSG.  I just don't know.  I want to make the right decision, but it's hard.  I'm torn on what to do.  I wish I could look into the future and see what it would be like if I had the DS and what it would be like if I had the VSG.  Too bad I don't have a crystal ball! :)

 

I am unsure of what to do.  I know I want the DS, but it's a matter of where to go to have it done.  Right now, I am trying to decide between 3 options/surgeons.

- Dr. Dennis Smith - positives are that he is close by in GA, he is a very well known/respected here at OH and has lots of positive reviews.  Negatives are that he charges a $500 program fee.  First, I have to fill out a really long application, send it back in and wait to see if he would even accept me as a patient.

- Dr. Donald Maynard - positives are that he is close by in GA.  Negatives are that I don't know much about him.  There are only 8 or so reviews here at OH.  I'm sure he is a great surgeon, but I'd like to get more feedback from other people.

- Dr. William Peters - positives are that he is very well known and respected here at OH, has lots of positive reviews and he spoke to me in person on the phone for 1 hour when I called his office for more information.  He is to the point and very honest about everything.  Negatives are that he is in PA and that's about 11-12 hours from SC.  He doesn't charge a program fee, but it might be cheaper in the end to just to go to GA.

I am so confused on what to do.  I know the easiest thing would be to go somewhere close by.  Plus, I need to think of what would be the financially smart thing for me to do.

 

 

It's so hard trying to be patient during the process to have WLS.  Some days, I feel like I am going to go crazy.  It sucks that insurance companies make you go through so many hoops to be approved.  I want the surgery so bad, I can taste it.  I am getting really stressed, because I feel like so much is happening in my life right now.  First, I'm going through this process to have weight loss surgery.  Second, I will be moving into a new place on July 31st.  Finally, I start school back on August 20th.  It's all happening at the same time.  I wish school wasn't starting until September.  I really want to have the surgery before then, but I don't see that happening.  If not, I probably won't be able to until winter break or so.  That seems so far away.  I just need to keep thinking positive.  It's just really hard when you want something so bad and it seems out of reach.

I have made a decision!  I want the DS and no one is going to stop me!  After exploring all my options, I feel like the DS is the best thing for me.  Yes, it means I will have to travel outside of my state to have the surgery, but I don't want to settle for a surgery that I feel isn't going to give me the best results. 

It seems like ever since I started my WLS journey, time has slowed down.  Previous months flew by, but now, I feel like each week that comes drags along.  I wish the end of July would be here already.  That is when I will finally be done with the insurance requirements and I can send my paperwork in for approval.  I am ready for the new me.  I am ready for my day to come.  I am ready to take my spot on the loser's bench.