Kathy K.
Profile put together by Sherri Garrett on 4/3/04
03/22/04
called Dr. Aranow's office and I will be attend seminar about gastric byrass from Dr. Aranow on May 12th. After I attend this seminar then I will call to make an appointment to see Dr. Aranow. The Staff ,Wendy, is friendly and helpful over the phone with me through relay service. Of course, they never had deaf patient before.
03/30/04
I made an appointment to see my PCP and will get referral letter this friday, April 2nd. I hope she will support me for this surgery
03/31/04
Let me tell you little about myself... I was born deaf since birth. I also have deaf brother. I married to deaf husband and have two wonderful kids. They are hearing. I am well edcated college degree in Computer Science and work as IT Specialist. I started to notice my weight creeping up after my second child and can not keep it down from my weight. I am uncomfortable with heavy weight and it hurts my lower back. I hate to walk up the flight of stairs at work with huffing and puffing. My most fear is I do not want to be blind like my Grandmother was because of her diabetes. I do not want end up to have heart attack and drop dead like my grandfather and my uncle because of my size of an apple from my stomach. I hope and pray Dr. aranow can help me and save my life by doing this surgery because I want to be more healthier and want to live longer on the earth to see my kids grow up and maybe my future grandchildren. Thank you for listening this
04/02/04
I went to see my PCP doctor today. We talked about this issue and she said she will supporting me and will get referral letter for me. Also She metioned that one of her patients go to Dr. Aranow and said he is very good doctor. What a relief to know my PCP doctor supports me. Now I am waiting until May 12 to attend Dr. Aranow's seminar.
04//03/04
I would like express MANY MANY thanks to Sherri Garrett for my update profile :O) For people who do not know sign langauge, in the beggining it said from finger spelling "WELCOME TO KATHY S JOURNEY" and that picture of ocean views because I love beaches and look at pretty oceans. 
05/11/04
The waiting part is almost over!! Finally I will go to Dr. Aranow's Seminar class this WEdnesday. I am looking forward to listen his lecture. I will keep update after I went to his seminar class.
05/13/04
I finally met Dr. Aranow last night and listened his seminar lecture about this surgery. he is a honest, confident and seems concerned for his obese patients. I feel more confident in him after I talked with him private after seminar class. My first consult with Dr. Aranow is June 8th, 2004. Also I made an appointment to see my PCP doctor on May 17th to help me arrange to make an appointments for testings per Dr. Aranow recommended for me. It looks like I might have mild sleep apnea but will go for testing for that. I was impressed from his lecture and all informations were there which I am planning to ask him some questions. I asked him if he have had hearimg impaired patient before and he said no and asked me some questions to relate his communicate to me one to one with interpreter when I am staying at hospital in the future. It touched my heart that he cares and is willing to communicate with me.
05/17/04
I went to see my PCP Dr. She made an appointment for Stress test/Pulmonary on June 17th. She will call make an apt for Sleep apnea today and will let me know later this afternoon today. she is concerning about my high blood pressure. It is still mild little high but want to monitor my blood pressure. I will go for bloodworks this saturday. My full check up with ekg with my PCP dr. is on August 5th. Also I faxed my paper which I signed for getting my medical records from my previous surgery to show Dr. Aranow. I will update after my appointment with Dr. Aranow one to one on June 8th.
KATHY'S LIST OF GOALS AFTER SURGERY
1. WAKE UP AND FEEL GOOD WITHOUT FEELING LOW BACK HURTS AND MY HEART FELTS PRESSURE. 11/04
2. LOSE 100 POUNDS IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS lost 100 at 4 1/2months!!
3. WEAR A SEXY BATHING SUIT WITHOUT A T SHIRT OVER THE TOP OF IT ON DEAF CRUISE IN APRIL 2005 04/05
4. BEING JOGGING AGAIN 02/05
5. ENJOY MYSELF TO GO SHOPPING FOR CLOTHING 03/05
6. GET UP FROM THE FLOOR WITHOUT HOLDING ONTO THE COUCH 11/04
7. CAN RUN AFTER MY KIDS AND PLAY 11/04
8. TO FIT INTO SIZE 9/10 PANT
9. CAN EAT FOODS WITHOUT DROPPING FOODS ON TOP OF MY SHIRT 11/04
10. FEEL GOOD SELF ESTEEM ABOUT MY BODY AND CAN LOOK AT MIRROR 05/05
11. DRESSED UP NICE CLOTHES WITHOUT COVER HID MY STOMACH. 05/05
12. TO BE ABLE TO GO UP 4 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS FROM WORK WITHOUT BLUFFING AND SHORT OF BREATH. 11/04
13. BE ABLE TO CROSS MY LEGS AND SIT LIKE A WOMAN. 02/05
14. TO BE ABLE TO CUT OR PAINT MY TOENAILS WITHOUT STRUGGLING FOR A BREATH OR STRAINING TO REACH DOWN THERE 01/05
15. NOT HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO TIE MY SHOE. 01/05
16. BE THINNER THAN MY HUSBAND. FINALLY!!!! 06/05
17. BUY REGULAR SIZE CLOTHING NOT PLUS SIZES. 03/05
18. NOT BE THE BIGGEST IN THE ROOM 05/05
19. AFTER I REACHED MY GOAL, I WILL TAKE MY HUSBAND , MY KIDS AND MY MOM TO GO ON VACATION TO ENJOY AND SWIM ALOT IN CACUAN, MEXICO.
I WILL FILL IT OUT WHEN I REACHED ONE OF MY GOALS AFTER MY SURGERY.
05/25/04
I found out that I have an appointment for sleep apnea consultion on July 7th at 200 pm with Dr. Licata in New London. .I had my blood work this morning. 13 MORE DAYS TO GO TO SEE DR ARANOW
It will be busy Summer to do all my doctor appointments and other appointments too.
06/7/04
I am going to see Dr. Aranow for first consult about this surgery. I am nervous and excited about it.
06/8/04
went to see Dr Aranow for first consulation.....It went very well. Dr. A. would like to see me to lose more than 20 pounds to make easier to operate on my stomach. I am on SouthBeach diet and will excerise more. Dr. Aranow told me what kind of excerise I need to reduce my stomach...
Primary Care Physician Examination and Clearance 08/5/04
Psychology Evaluation with Dr Kim Daniels 06/21/04
Heart stress/Pulmonary Test 06/17/04
Sleep Anpea consulation 07/7/04
will go sleep study after that apt. 07/13/04
attended Dietary/Psychological Pre-Operative information session 08/2/04
Ultrasound for Gallbadder 06/16/04
Dietary Evaluation 07/16/04
Barium Swallow 06/30/04
Dr. A. said it looks like it will be October for surgery. Also He said my goal reach for weight is 142 after surgery but the most important is being feel more heathlier. Oh my gosh, I have not weight that since I was teenager.
06/10/04
Yesterday, I went to see my Gynecology doctor for my yearly checkup. I told him about this surgery . I was surprised he is very supporting for this surgery and will write a letter to Dr. Aranow about my problems with my menstruation and my struggle with weight problems.
06/19/04
It was busy week for me... Last Monday... Went for ultra sounds for gallstones and it turned out that I do not have no gallstones. Last Thursday, it was long day for me.. took heart stress test and no result from this test until next week. Yesterday I took Pulmonary test and the person said that I have very heathly lung. I will go for Psychology evaluation. will update about this soon
06/22/04
I MADE IT!!! MY PSYCHOLOGY EVALUATION WENT VERY WELL. I WAS NERVOUS AT THE BEGGINING AND WE TALKED ABOUT SURGERY, FOODS, HOW I WILL COPE STRESS AFTER SURGERY ETC.. FOR THREE HOURS. I LIKE DR. KIM DANIELS. SHE IS NICE AND GOOD LISTEN. I MIGHT NEED HER AFTER SURGERY TO TALK . NOW MY NEXT APPOITNMENT IS MEETING DR FOR SLEEP ANPEA ON JULY 7TH. WILL UPDATE AFTER THAT.
06/30/04
I went to Middlesex Hosptial to have Barium Swallow. I only took clothes off from top and leave my pant on. The doctor gave me an injection of gucagon first then I drink both chalky stuff and then something fizzy made me feel like burp. I have to roll from side to side and over on my stomach then my back. It made me feel little naseated from my stomach. I am glad it is over!
07/08/04
I went to see doctor for sleep anpea consulation. we talked about my sleeping pattern and sleep study. L M Hosptial is full until late October but Doctor have his own sleep study in Westerly, R.I. so I made an appointment July 13 at 800 pm to go there instead of waiting for the bed at L M Hosptial in late October. I will go back to see Doctor to discuss about my result of my sleep study on July 29th. After we talked, it sounds like I might have sleep anpea. Doctor said once I lost my weight and I might not using CPAP treatment.
Good News! I got another angels... Lisa C. and Deb M. We have same doctor.. Dr. Aranow and she inspires me and gave me good advices. She is the first person who showed me her scar from her stomach last March at Gathering party. Ha! She will come to visit me at hosptial after my surgery and will give me advices. It is nice to have Lisa C., Deb M. and Lauren M. to keep eyes on me. I will learn from them and can help other people in the future if they want me to be their angel.
07/15/04
I went to sleep study . First of all, The office from my doctor for sleep anpea do not know how to call to get an interpreter after I told a lady in the office where to contact. Good thing, I called that place where I went there for overnight to sleep and asked if the interpreter will be there. The person said no so I called the dr office and found out they did not arrange an interpreter because they do not know how to do it but lucky I am using my good friend who is an interpreter. There are alot of infortmation to discuss before I go to sleep. I appreciate my friend who showed up and being there for me for an hour. It means alot to me. It was uncomfortable to sleep with alot of wires. In the beginning, my breathing decreased and caused me move alot and wake then go to the bathroom. When I am in deep sleep,my breathing sounds so heavy and my breathing stopped ( the technican cannot tell me how long) then made me choke, woke me up like jump and went back to sleep. ( I do not feel that). Also I do snoze loudly.They told me I do have sleep apnea. The follow update with my dr to discuss about my result is July 29th.
07/29/04
I went to see my doctor to discuss about my result from sleep study. My breath stopped 66 times per night and lasted 50 seconds. The doctor said I have moderate sleep apnea, not mild or severe. The nurse tried different kind of masks and finally I found the mask I feel comfortable and air go through my nose BUT Wait and see how I am doing when I will sleep on my bed with that mask. The nurse explained me to make sure it is no leaking around the mask. The Cpap machine should arrive next Wednesday. I made an appointment for follow up on Sept 2nd. If everything is great then The doctor will fax to let Dr Aranow knows I am ready for surgery. Let s wait see if I can sleep better or not. Nicky (my husband) said I look like star war with that mask and said he loves me no matter I wear this mask. I saw picture of my cousin's wedding . Oh my gosh I look fat!!
08/06/04
I got CPAP Machine but still have not used to this machine while I am sleeping. Last night I used it for 5 hours so far than first time (1 hour). It will build up to get use it. I am not used to sleep with mask on my face.
Yesterday I went to see my appointment with PCP Dr. and had an examination and clearance. She will write alot of paper works and will fax everything to Dr Aranow.
The Last appointment is Sept 2 for follow update with my pulmonary doctor to see how I am doing with CPAP machine then The waiting part is just begun after Sept 2 to get SURGERY DATE.
08/17/04
I went to Dr Aranow's office and I weighted on scale. I lost 12.5 pounds per Dr Aranow wants me to lose 10 pounds. I will keep stick with this until my surgery date. I do not have my surgery date until my pulmonary dr will write a note to clearance for this surgery on Sept 2nd.It is getting closer and closer until my big day! You know I am only first deaf person in Ct. to have this open rny and it will be great for me to help other deaf patients in the future.
08/26/04
Being waiting for surgery date is the hardest part!!!! Lois (Nurse from Dr Aranow's office) emailed me and said she is waiting for Dr Aranow to give her everything to submit to the insurance company. Once she get that then we will get surgery date.
09/13/04
I called Dr Aranow's office and spoke with Lois. My papers went through to my insurance company now. I called my angel, Lisa because I was worried and panic about not having tentative date but my angel made a good point. She said it is better to wait until insurance approved then I will get a Firm date for this surgery. Her advices are teeling me to find hobbies ti keep my mind busy and keep busy myself so I won't thinking about this surgery date. I am going to shopping to buy favor bags for my daugther's birthday this Sunday and will start working on scapebook.
FINALLY WAITING PART IS OVER!!!!!!! I think waiting part is the hardest from processing for this surgery. My surgery date is Oct 18th. I am excited and nervous same time. I have to go shopping to buy things to stock up before I go to the hospital. It have been 7 months processing for this surgery for me. Please pray for me on that date. Thank you for your prayers.
10/6/04
12 more days to go!!! Got all mixed feelings inside me.... On Oct 11, 2004... the reporter from Middletown Press want to interview with me about being first deaf patient in Ct to have this surgery. All of my angels will be there to support me and hope this article will educate readers to understand about obesity and surgery. Please pray for me on Oct 18th at 1245 pm ( my surgery time) and hope my recovery will be speedy and smoothly
10/22/04
I am home! It felt good to be home!! Let's say I got my period the day before surgery and They put Iv on me . My doctor came to explain about processing about this surgery. Suddenly I started to cry. My husband was worried and asked me if I want this surgery. I said yes. I cried because of all emotion feelings ( hormance from my period, nervous, worried and hope I will be okay after surgery) My doctor gave me very good pretalk before I go on operation table. He made me feel better. I woke up in recovery room. Of course, It is painful ( I am not lying you) worse than C-Sec surgery. They gave me pain and i went to sleepfor 2 hours then woke up. I was wide wake. My doctor came to check on me and was surprised that I look great! So He said I do not need to go ICU and will go to normal floor. I have been in recovery room for 5 hours because of waiting for the room. Finally I got my room. It was so nice private room with love seat, private shower and private bathroom like hotel. I was so happy. I got up three times on same day to walk. The next day I walked 20 laps around the floor. My dr was very pleased about it. I am not sorry that I did this surgery! I have so many company everyday which made my day great!!!
11/2/04
I went to see my doctor for 2 weeks follow update. I lost 20 pounds for two weeks. My doctor was very happy for this result. He said my scar looked great heal. He told me to go more excerise than walking and excerise bike. I called my personal trainer and we will work together every tuesdays and wednesdays starts on Nov 15th. I finally ate boiled egg and chew slowly for 25 min to complete this egg. It went down good. The next day, I ate 1 oz of haddock fish with mixed cottege cheese. It is so good. I love my life!
one month check up update:
I went to see my doctor and I lost 30 pounds a month since surgery and the total all is 52 pounds. he was very happy with result and told me keep excerise alot and would expect me to weight 200 pounds for three months check up. I got my FIRST DUMPING from Crabcakes. I bought this crabcake from fish flander market but I forget to ask if it is fried or baked.I think it must cooked from oil which made me sick. What an experience to feel hurt in my chest and throw up. After I throw up, I feel fine. Never touch Crabcakes again! I wear two sizes smaller than before and cnanot believe it!
12/13/04 ( 9 weeks since surgery)
I cannot tell you how happy I am ! I went to shopping and tried on new clothes. I couldn't believe that I wear size 14/16 pants now! I felt so happy and said to myself this surgery saved my life! But I did excerise everyday, eat right foods and using tools to help me reach my goal. Being excerise with my personal trainer ( three times a week) taught me how to be patience with all sore from my muscles. I got alot of sores from my muscles because I never excerise in the past and now my muscles woke up and is processing to become tone in the future. It is hard working processing and it is not easy way to get losing weight.
I weighted 242 pounds and 100 more pounds to go!!!!
01/1/2005
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I am looking forward for more healthier, keep my excercise everyday, and feel good about my health in 2005. I now weighted 233 pounds. I cannot eat steaks but can eat any kind of seafoods, and chicken so far... Everybody who have not see me for a while noticed I look so good and said I look more happier after I had this surgery. Dr Aranow gave me second chance by doing this surgery. I am still support pre-op people and post-op people and want to share from my experience like my angels taught me.
05/26/05
Sorry I did not update my profile but thank you to all people to keep tell me to put update. Tomorrow is my birthday! I will be 40 years old. I know it will be great years after 40 which I am looking forward for it! It have been 7 months since I had this surgery.
Today I weight 173 and three more pounds to go I will be weight less than my hubby!!!! My Bmi was 48.7 before I had this surgery and now my BMI is 27.9!!! I do excercise everyday and still using tools to help me to stick my goals. I am so exciting to go White Water Rafting with my son for his birthday because I can try new things now and enjoy my new life. This surgery gave me second chance !!! 31 more pounds to go to reach Dr A's goal weight but I think I will be under Dr A's goal weight SMILE!
Future Update
Future Update
Date - Weight - Total Lost - BMI
03/04/04 - 303 - 0 - 48.1 (MORBIDY OBESE)
10/22/04 - 283 - 20 - 45.7
12/13/04 - 242 - 61 - 39.1 (SEVERLY OBESE)
01/1/05 - 233 - 70 - 37.6
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Photos
 303 That is heaviest weight ! 03/04 .......... Dr Aranow and me.. go home from hosptial 10/22/04 |  |  250 Six weeks later!!!!! |
Member Interests:
Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Jonathan Aranow, M.D.
Dr Aranow is a wonderful surgeon and knows what he is doing with his job. I can trust him 100 percent to do open RNY on mine. The office staffs are very helpful and be patience with me through relay service since I am deaf.
Insurer Info:
Federal Bluecross Blue Shield, PPO
It got approved after 1 week since Lois summited it to my insurance company. I received a letter from my insurance to state they approved for this surgery.
