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4-17-06
I had my EGD today.  I didn't even know when they did it (drugs are good).  I was more anxious about that than I am about the surgery.

4-18-06
Spoke with the surgeons office today.  They have submitted my information to my insurance.  My insurance has an exclusion, but my husband's insurance covers the surgery.  Now we wait.

4-24-06
I found out today that my husbands insurance is going to require a 6 month physician monitored weight loss/dietary plan.  I am SO upset.  It's crazy when you have an insurance that covers the surgery and you meet all of the NIH requirements & the insurance does the stall.  I am so discouraged.  I am ready NOW to have the surgery, not 6 months down the road as my health continues to suffer. 

5-2-06
I had my appointment with my Internist today.  Had to get my 6-month supervised diet, weights started which is absolutely CRAZY.

5-11-06
I finally received all of the documentation that the insurance requested.  I have left it for the Doctor's office to fax.  I'm sure that I will get the dreaded denial letter soon since the insurance wants me to do the STUPID 6-month Physician supervised diet/weights.  I enrolled in Weight Watchers again this week so that I can jump through their hoops again.  It's a shame when you meet the requirements of the surgery, have an insurance that covers it, and they continually jerk you around.  We pay far too much money for insurance for that to happen!  I don't understand why they can't realize that they would be saving money in the long run.  Go figure!

5-26-06
I still haven't heard anything from the insurance.  It is so disheartening to need & want something so bad & the insurance has total control.  There are days that I just feel like giving up on the whole thing.

5-30-06
I finally called the insurance today.  I have been putting it off for fear of the dreaded "denial".  I spoke to my caseworker.  She seems to have a "chip" on her shoulder (I'm sure that it must be a skinny shoulder).  She seemed irritated that I even called.  She told me that she spoke with the surgeons office last week & was told that the paperwork I had submitted had been mailed.  I told her that the office had received that stuff over 2 weeks ago & that it should have been there already.  She said that if she doesn't receive it by June 7 that my case will be closed, due to not receiving the requested documentation.  I was ready to cry!!  This process is certainly a emotional rollercoaster.  I went to my 3rd week of Weight Watchers today.  I have lost 10 pounds.  I am feeling physically worse day by day.  This weekend, I stayed in bed and slept for 2 days in a row.  I didn't even get up to go to church (which never happens).  Hope the rest of the week is better. 

6-2-06
I received my official denial from the RN Case Manager.  She denied it because I did not have the 6 month physician monitored diet. Needless to say, I was devastated!  The Surgeons office requested for my case to be sent further for a medical review.  I'm basically ready to give up. 

6-5-06
God is good, all the time!  The 2nd level medical reviewer approved my surgery!!!  Because I had provided a previous year long Weight Watchers info, they decided to approve me.  The RN Care Manager made a point to tell Dr. Steely's office person that it was very rare that a case was approved at the next level after being denied by the RN Case Manager.  I'm so blessed and thrilled.  I call to get my date tomorrow.  I'm hoping for the 1st part of July. 

6-6-06
I have a date............... July 13.  I'm so excited.  It doesn't seem real yet...... almost afraid they'll call & say, "we made a mistake".  I go for my pre-ops on July 10.

6-13-06
It's been a GREAT week.  We just returned from 5 days in Gatlinburg.  It was so relaxing.  The chalet was great & the time with the kids was fun.  I have started re-reading my surgery stuff to make sure that I am ready.  It is 1 month from today.  If you are reading this, please pray that the surgery & recovery will go well with no complications.  I'm going to be really busy at work before my surgery with some big projects.  I'm sure that will make the time go even faster.

7-3-06
The day is getting closer now.  I've been very busy at work trying to get some last minute things done since I will be off for at least 3 weeks.  I've stocked the refrigerator & shelf with things that I will be able to have right after surgery. I will start my liquid diet the day after the 4th.  My husband is going to do it with me to reboost his Lap Band progress.  That should help.  I need to weigh before & get my pre-op measurements done.  That'll sure be scary!!  Hope that tape is long enough!!  : )

7-6-06
Had a great 4th.  Got a lot of rest before and after the pool party.  Started on liquids yesterday, but I think that my blood sugar was getting low.  So, I ate some supper last night.  I am eating lighter with liquids part of the day.  My surgery is a week from today.  I'm trying to get everything done at work and home that I need to have done.  I have my preop stuff on Monday, July 10.

7-24-06
Well, this is my 1st day on the computer since my surgery.  I'll have to say, as prepared as I thought I was, I was not prepared for the way I have felt since surgery.  The recovery has been horrible, but is getting better day by day (as you would expect).  I'm still on full liquids & tired of everything.  What I wouldn't give for a taste of a red, sweet watermelon in my mouth (even if I spit it out).  The pain is getting better.  I can't take the liquid Demerol or Phenergan because the taste is so NASTY.  I still have a Duragesic Patch & am taking a dose of extra strength, cherry flavored Tylenol before bed.  I really tired of sleeping on my back.  I am a side sleeper & am looking SO forward to getting back there on my own bed, not the couch! 

I finally lost the 17+ pounds of fluid that I gained in the hospital.  I am also down 13 pounds above that.  I managed to sit through class tonight for 3 hours & that was very tiring.

7-31-06
I had my follow-up with the surgeon today.  I'm 18 days post-op & have lost 23 pounds officially.  My starting weight with the doctor is listed as 295.  I have a little more energy today, but still tire very easily.  I'll feel so much better when I get some energy back.  I am now on pureed/blended food.  That seems to help to get some "real" food down.

8-7-06
I'm dehydrated today with decreased urinary output, fatigue and headache.  We called the surgeon's office & he would like to see me for fluids.  After we got there, he had many orders written.  I had to have fluids, IV thiamine, Zofran, B12 injection & a scope.  He wanted to make sure that I didn't have any strictures.  Luckily, all that went well.  I was feeling better when I finally got to leave.

8-9-06
I'm feeling like I might have a little more energy today.  The kids started back to school today & I rested most of the day.  I am scheduled to go back to work on Monday, August 14.  I just pray for energy to get through the day!!  So far, I have lost 29 pounds.

8-24-06
I'm back into the work/school routine now.  I think that has helped me get more fluids in.  I still am not getting in all of my protein.  I really have no desire to eat, just make myself since I know I have to.  I have lost 37 pounds now.  I am able to wear clothes that I had "outgrown".  They are even starting to bag on me.  I go back to the doctor next week.

8-28-06
I had my doctor's visit today.  According to their scales, I have now lost 42 pounds.  I think my scales weighs about 2 pounds heavier than theirs.  I still need to get in more protein & get more exercise.  I can now start adding 1 regular food at a time.  Right now I'm eating chicken, fish, green beans, eggs & cheese pretty much all the time.

9-9-06
Today I'm finally below 250............... 249.8.  I have been anxious to break that 250 pound mark. I have now lost 45.2 pounds.  I'm feeling much better now.  I still struggle to get in enough protein, but I am doing better.  I have been eating a small bag of peanuts every morning at work for breakfast & it has 15 grams of protein.  I'm going to San Antonio in 3 days for a nursing conference.  I'm really looking forward to it.  When I went in February, I was so exhausted & felt so bad that I couldn't enjoy myself.  The picture that I have posted is from that conference.  I plan to post the new, improved picture after I return.  I still have a long way to go, but have made so much progress.

9-17-06
Just returned from San Antonio.  Had a great time.  It was a really neat town to visit.  Just wished that my hubby could have gone.  We would have had a great time together.  Eating went ok there.  I'm really tired from walking, walking & walking!!

9-30-06
Things are going well.  I have now lost 57 pounds in 2 1/2 months.  I feel so much better & have so much more energy than I did before.  I'm looking forward to the holidays & life in general.

10-8-06
I have now lost 60 pounds & now weigh 235.  I haven't been there in quite some time.  People are really starting to notice & comment on the weight loss.  I went shopping for some new pants a couple of days ago.......... bought a size 22.  I was wearing a 26/28.  It felt so good to be able to get into a 22.  I can now wear 22/24 tops.  I know that I need to start exercising, that would help my progress so much.  We are just so busy that I don't take the time to fit it in.  I've got a head cold that has gone down into my chest.  I just took some Nyquil.......... worried that I'll get sick from it, but I've got to have some relief of the cough, etc.  Had a GREAT day at church.  My youngest nephew was baptized tonight.  That was awesome.  The kids are off for Fall Break this coming week, so I have taken off from work on Monday & Tuesday to spend with them.  I'll head back to work on Wednesday.

10-14-06
I have now lost 64 pounds.  I still can't believe that I don't feel hungry.... I just eat because I know I have to.  I hope this trend continues.  I just need to get in a routine of exercising or walking.  That is my biggest struggle right now.......... finding (making) the time to do it.

10-21-06
I have now lost 69 pounds.  It is still so amazing to me how it just "falls" off.  I'm feeling great & staying busy.  I just feel so much better.

 10-28-06
I have now lost 72 pounds.  I am enjoying life.  It is beautiful fall weather here with the leaves an awesome, colorful show.  God is good, all the time!!