DebbieL22685

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Well its almost here.  I had a surgery date of 11-3-06 and it was cancelled 1 week before because of dental problems.  I was doing pretty good, getting things ready and eating right, then I got the cancellation call and I went all to hell.  I told my doctor that I was planning on having alot of dental work done after surgery and wanted to know how soon after surgery I could have it . He made me get clearance from the dentist and the dentist did not clear me.  Had all my necessary dental work done that Monday and re-scheduled tmy surgery for the 15th.

I was told to  lose weight before surgery and doctor told me to drink slimfast for breakfast and lunch, then a reasonable dinner.  This was not working real good for me.  All I could do is think what food I would be missing and eating, eating.  I had do lose some weight because the doc said that do do the surgery lap then he would need to move the liver out of the way and I had a fatty liver and even a small amount of weight lose would shrink the liver.  If he has trouble moving the liver, the it increases the risks of having to open me up.

I found a journal that had a three day pre surgery diet, suppose to lose 10 lbs,  this is day two and at lease it is keeping me from eating everything in sight.

Well I am still waiting and waiting. Everyone is sick of me because all I keep saying is, "after surgery this and after surgery that", almost sick of myself. Have been trying to make some changes but feel as if I am going around in circles. I have been trying to lose some weight before surgery, sometimes I feel like I am on ten different diets a day because I can not make up my mind about which one I should be on. Trying to take some vitamins and herbs but that is also confusing. Trying some protein drinks and that is also confusing. Nothing confusing about exercising, just can not seen to have the energy and desire at the same time. I am just ready and having to wait. The ADD does not help.

I received a letter from BCBS right after Kim sent my stuff in and said I was approved for surgery. Was so excited, then Kim called and said BCBS called her and I have a pre-existing condition clause and I had to wait till after 10/31/06 to have surgery. I was so upset, what a rollercoster ride. BCBS has paid for everything so far, even Dr Bauman's bills, they may would even pay for the surgery but it would be a gamble. So I have a surgery date scheduled of November 3, 2006 at Noon.

 

I called BCBS yesterday to see if they could tell if I was approved and they said it showed I was with a tentative date of 9/11/06. When I call the Dr.'s Office it says leave a message and we will call you back within three to four days. I have not heard anything from them, but hope to on Monday. I went to a support meeting Tuesday and that was really interesting, almost everyone had already had surgery and one had really had a lot of complications and that was pretty scary. Wish I would have had time to talk to them more. Will go back next month.

 

I feel like things are starting to roll along, could be wrong, but I hope not. Yesterday Dr. Bauman's office called about some additional info they needed and I had just received this from the liver doctor, so I faxed this to them. They called back and said my Vitamin D was low and called in a RX. Then they called needing more info from PCP. This all sort of sent me in a spin because I thought they had everything and we were ready to go for insurance approval. So, later go they called back and now have everything and have submitted for approval from insurance. Also, told me that Dr. Bauman was out of town and could not schedule till next week when he came back even if I was approved.

 

I was so frustrated yesterday because Angie said that it could take Dr Bauman two or three weeks to look over my file and approve me for surgery, then at that point Kim could send in to see if BCBS would approve the surgery and that they were already scheduling surgery in September. When I started this process again in March I though I would be able to have surgery sometime in July or August, now it may even be October. I had a lapse in insurance last year so I have a pre-existing clause, should not matter because all I went to the doctor for in the 6-month time was a sinus infection. I am trying to use this time to prepare for surgery, doing things that I know I need to do anyway. I am currently trying to stop eating while watching TV, may have to give up the TV to change this one. Have walked once for exercise and trying hard to not have any sugar.

 

Well I was able to get everything (at lease I hope everything) I needed to Angie today. First started looking into this surgery well over five years ago. In 2004, I had an appointment with Dr Bauman (viewed video), meet with Diane Stout, had stress test, blood work, upper GI and sleep study. Had United Healthcare and they would not pay. Switched to BCBSNC and started over again this year (I spend 2005 building a house) around March. It has taken this long to get appointments and results. I am amazed at the people who are able to get this done in a month or two and have surgery, must have better luck than me.

I have stopped smoking after 26 years and that has made me crazy. Have tried to realize what changes I have to make and this is just the tip of the iceberg. I get so frustrated and emotional. I am 41, gave up drinking and drugging at age 19, stopped smoking and now I will give up my oldest best friend food, at least the food that has put me here to start with. From what I gather from reading is that the people who lose the most and who are more satisfied with their surgery are people who follow directions. That there is a window of opportunity to lose the weight and it will narrow as time goes on. Also, that people will gain the weight back if a change in habits and lifestyle is not made. So I joined weight watchers last week (like the CORE Plan), tried to follow exactly but did not get started good until today. Had loss 4 lbs today, probably because I missed a meal (ha! Ha!). I read somewhere that a good way to keep off the weight after you loss it with wls was Weight Watchers so I thought I would use it to try to lose some weight before surgery. Doc says this will make surgery. easier.