carolyngoebel
My story...well, it's typical. I've been "fluffy" most of my life. I've feverishly dieted since my high school days. I would be successful for a while, then gain it back plus a little more. When I look back now...I only wish I still looked like I did in high school. I've contacted my surgeon and am hopeful that everything will happen easily (haha). I do know that my insurance does approve WLS. I just don't know how long it will take. Judging from the MANY success stories on this site, I can look forward to being a hottie one day!!
2/13/07 - I did have my first appointment with my surgeon on Thursday. I just got off the phone with them...they needed to cancel because my surgeon had an emergency and had to leave town. I'm not mad though, I figure that during this process, i'm going to go with the flow. I'm not going to try and RUSH things. I think it will only make things worse for me. It took me 30+ years to gain this weight, I can't expect to get it off in 3 months! I'll keep in touch :)
2/27/07 - I had the appointment with Dr. Naaman. He really is a nice man...kind of quiet, yet informative and willing to answer any questions. They are dictating the letter for the insurance company. I'm MUCH like others, waiting for approval and scheduling the surgery date. I'm trying not to be too anxious because it would drive me nuts. BUT...I'm still very excited to ge the ball rolling. I'll update as soon as I have more to report!
2/28/07 - Quick update...I have my nutrition appointment as well as my psych appointment on 3/8/07. I was told it will take ~6 weeks before they will send to the insurance company. They have to get records from doc's and "prepare" the package that they will send. It's ok...good things come to those who wait!!!
3/9/07 - Well, I completed my psych and nutrition visits yesterday. Now all I have to do is wait. I haven't been told that the ppw has been submitted. I think they are still waiting on records from my doctors. I'm trying not to think about it. I just hope they can plan the surgery early in May. I absolutely need to be back to work by the last week in May. There are not many here at work who are comfortable doing my job. What will really happen is that it will get screwed up and I'll come back to a MESS! It's just REALLY busy the first week in June! Anyway, I'm still maintaining my weight...but the nutritionist wants me to try and stay around 1800 calories a day. Problem is...i'll be fighting the "last supper" syndrome and trying to eat whatever I'll be missing after WLS. I'm not going to let myself think that I'll get denied. I'M HAVING WLS!
4/2/07 - Still waiting, so I won't go there with ya'll. You've heard it all before, if you've read more than 3 profiles, as have I. But today, while I was sitting in a chair before coming back to my office from a meeting at the main hospital which is a little far, but at my frame...I get tired...(and we won't go there either), I was contemplating how utterly yuckie I felt about myself. I call that having Fat Days. AND BOY am I having a fat day today! I may not have explained this before???but I'm an eye contact person. I'm having this fat day and I'm watching peoples faces as I'm taking this, what seems like 900 mile, trek from the hospital. I watch people looking at me, well, the ones who aren't fat phobic and won't even give me the slightest look. And me in my warped sense of logic came up with the following ideas of what they were thinking...keep in mind of the fat day I'm having when you read these::::she did that to herself, why doesn't she diet:::at least all her FAT is proportionate:::DANG,her boobs are as big as her butt:::such a pretty face, if only...:::you know, you'd probably move faster and get out of my way if you weren't so big::: And those are just the ones that stuck in my memory when I got back to here to tell you about it. Hopefully tomorrow is a better day.
4/9/07 - I continue to wait. I was having a moment today...then someone sweet told me I was beautiful. So in my warped sense of thinking...I started wondering whether or not I would still be attractive (ok..from the neck up), after WLS. OK...I know...I know...I KNOW that I'm doing this to feel better...but I've also been accused of being vain! Well...to a point, I am. I get up every morning..I shower...I go to great lengths to make sure my hair looks good...and I worry about how I dress and whether or not I am presentable for work or even play time...OK, ESPECIALLY play time. One of my best friends tells me I worry too much about my hair...But when that is the ONE thing that you think of as your crown and glory...you worry about it, RIGHT? And then I read on here about losing your hair. I want to know what I can do to avoid that, but that will be something I question my surgeon about. Can't let that get out of control. So I'm rambling on today...but just thinking of stuff and I wanted to share it. I'll post again soon.
8/20/07 - Well, I think I ignored this site to keep from losing my mind from the wait. I have now completed my 6 month weight tracking, which by the way...I lost nothing! But isn't that why I'm trying to do this...because I NEED HELP! Anyway, they are supposed to be submitting my "package" to the insurance company (BCBS) this week. I hope they don't sit on it for too long. I'm not sure I can stand waiting too much longer. I told my 14 yr old son over the weekend, that they were submitting the ppw and he said "Mom, you cant have the surgery before Christmas...you won't be able to eat dinner" Bless his heart. I'm not sure if I haven't taught him bad habbits with that reply. But I told him that was the point of this surgery...to stop the bad habbits i've gotten used to. My son is in no way overweight (YET). I don't want him to go through the same heartache that I have gone through. He says once I am able to eat food again (past the liquid and soft foods rule), he will eat what I eat and go along with me. He's put on a little summertime pounds. Ok...i'm gonna skidattle. Hopefully I will be back on here soon with some good news!
9/26/07 - Finally...I'm APPROVED! It seems like such a long time I waited. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. They are supposed to contact me about what I need to get done and the sugery date. It's like I still can't believe that it's going to happen. One of the really good parts is I can start digging through those boxed up clothes in my clauset on day soon! Yeehaw...I'm on my way!!!!
9/27/07 - YEAH YEAH YEAH...the surgeon's office called me this morning. My surgeon is retiring this November and they are getting me in right away. My Lap RNY is scheduled for Oct. 15th, w/pre-op on Oct 9th. WOW...I sure wasn't expecting it to be that quick. I barely have time to shop and get all of the things I will need to have on hand for after surgery life. I should have been preparing sooner. It's ok though, I'll be ready. Geez, I've been waiting for so long that I just can't believe the time is here.
10/29/07 - Well, I am done! My surgery went well. I had no complications and no complaints. My surgeon was a very nice man during my process. I went for my one week check-up on 10/23/07 and was already down 19 pounds!! I'm well on my way. The liquid diet that he has put me on kinda sux. I'm on full liquids, which is better than clear ones, but I have to do this for 3 more weeks. YUCK! I guess I'll live though. I'll keep you posted!
11/16/07 - I went for my one month visit to the surgeons office and am now down 30 pounds. Not so bad I guess. I still haven't bought a scale at home because I don't want to become a slave to it. So i'll just wait until my next visit tot he doc's to see how good i'm doing. I'm on soft foods now...THANK GOODNESS!!! I'm not sure I will ever eat another bowl (haha or cup) of soup again in my life. I don't like eating the same thing day in and day out. I haven't posted any new pictures yet...I will try soon. I can't reallly see alot of change but others tell me there are differences already. Will write more later!
1/17/08 - Well, my surgeon retired so they referred me back to Neweigh to follow up and I am having a hard time getting them to call me back for another appointment. Dr. Naaman said I didn't need to be seen again until January, but the month is now more than half over. I haven't weighed myself in a little over a month, but the last time I did (on 12/15/07), I had lost 50 pounds. I hope it's more by now, so we'll see. I am going to my grandmothers house this weekend and that is where I weighed myself before. If I use the same scale, at least I will know it's right. It's been three months now since the surgery and I do feel ALOT better. I don't think I am exercising enough but hey...at least I can notice that and hopefully will change it!. I haven't really eaten much that doesn't agree with me. The portion size is very small and I try to shop wisely and not have things in the house that are bad. My son doesn't like not having the usual junk food, but I don't want him to eat it either. Anyway...I figured I should update since I haven't in a while. I'll add something next week with the current weight loss. Good luck to all who are research this and thinking about doing it. I LOVE the new me so far!
1/29/08 - WOW...I've lost 78 pounds in about 3.5 months. That is amazing to me. I don't have a lot of time to write today because I have to get ready for a meeting this morning but I wanted to leave progress. YIPEE!!!
5/28/08 - Well, like most or at least, ALOT on here, I am guilty of not updating well. I need to post my latest photos too. As of today, I have lost 118 pounds. I think that's pretty good. The weight is coming off slower now, but it's still steadily coming off and that is what counts. I am now the size I was in high school and lord I never thought I'd get back here AT ALL. I can shop so much easier now...it's actually FUN. OK, gotta go cuz i'm at work but wanted to five an update.
10/08/08 - Geez...I haven't written something in a while. BUT...I've tried to keep pictures posted of my progress. I will hit my one year anniversary for surgery next week (10/15) and when I checked my weight two weeks ago, I have lost 145 pounds. That is SO amazing to me. I am the size I was in Jr. High school. I never thought I would see a size 14 again. My ultimate goal when i started this journey was to be a size 12. I don't have far to go. I finally cut my hair a couple of weeks ago. Personally, they could have taken a couple more inches. I only have a head shot and i'll post it in a second. Anyway, if the truth be known...I do this again in a heartbeat. I've had virtually no problems. Never tossed my cookies....I have been close a few times, but for the most part, i've followed the rules to a T. I haven't gotten enough excersize probably, but I think I've done well. Anyway, I will update more later. I'll probably have my son take some more full body shots next week, to mark my one year. Kudo's too all who are in the beginning of their journeys, awaiting surgery. Stick with it...it will be worth it!!!
11/17/08 - So now I am a little over 13 months since surgery and I stood on the scale this morning. I've now lost a total of 161 pounds. I am wearing 12/14's. My goal for myself has always been a 12, but now I think I still want to go more. I'm proud of myself and am still losing. Maybe a 10 is where I really want to be. WHO KNOWS??? Anyway, I wanted to post my latest progress. This has been a journey well worth the work. I don't even fear the holidays with all of the food. I am ready to face it head on and still lose weight!
3/31/09 - Wow...haven't updated in a while. I am past my goal. I wanted to be a size 12 from the get go...I am now a 10 and still losing...but much slower. I now weigh 165 so it's really a great progress. I am so happy with my decision to do this. I have re-learned how to eat...even when I'm out. My dating life has really picked up and i've met a really nice man of late. You never know where it could go. I never did this to pick up the pace in that area, but the perks are really GREAT! I will try to post some more photos soon.
