DEKat
I first saw Dr. Anez on September 9, and am going crazy waiting to hear if my insurance will approve me. I've had a weight problem for about 30 years, and it's been bad for the last 15. Had a few successes with losses in between, but each time I lose I end up heavier than when I started. Now that it's begun to affect my health, I'm really hoping to get the WLS to have a new start, and my daughter is also trying to get it, but has been turned down by her insurance! I'm hoping she can have it done BEFORE her health worsens. I've been really impressed with the support I've felt from everyone I've spoken to about this surgery. If I get insurance approval, I'll get a "Before" photo posted here as soon as I can.
10/6/05 Almost a month now since I met w/ the surgeon. I last checked w/ his office 2 days ago, and they hadn't even contacted my insurance company yet. I know they had a staff turnover, but this amount of time seems excessive, and is SOOOO hard on me, emotionally and physically! My neck and back are killing me, and I'm not sleeping. In addition to feeling this surgery is my last chance for a healthy life, I'm also waiting for a date so I can give my new boss a start date--trying to change jobs w/ all this going on, too! I'm feeling worse about my appearance, the longer I wait, too. The waiting reminds me of when I've had to wait for biopsy results--tough and depressing.
10/13/05 Another week now, and still no news. I'm getting so discouraged! I'm trying to be understanding of the office staff, but feel so much pressure to at LEAST find out if I'll be approved! Tomorrow will be my 46th birthday, and the thing I'm wishing for most is to hear from the surgeon's office. Tomorrow will be 5 weeks since I saw the surgeon. The waiting is SOOOOO hard!
10/18/05 STILL waiting to hear SOMETHING! Meanwhile, I feel like my breathing is getting more difficult, and I'm definitely getting more depressed. I finally called a 2nd surgeon yesterday, and made an appointment for a consult on 11/5, which I'll go to if I haven't heard from Dr. Anez's office by then. I really appreciate the support I've received from other OH members, and I know the entire process is lengthy for most people; it's just hard for me to keep my new boss waiting and to hear/read stories of people who've breezed through the process quickly.
11/8/05 Well, I transferred my records from Dr. Anez's office to that of his partner, Dr. Halmi. In less than a week I heard back that my insurance company is requiring proof of a year's supervised weight loss attempt in the last 2 years. I don't have that, and think it's a ridiculous requirement. The National Institute of Health has published a paper stating that there is no significant difference in the post-surgery outcome whether doctor-supervised attemps have been made before or not. I've decided to try to get an attorney to help me with this, and am still trying to get it done before the end of the year, as I am changing jobs and insurance coverage.
1/20/06 New year, new attempt, right? The attorney I contacted didn't think he'd really be able to help w/ my particular problem. Meanwhile, I've switched to a more supportive PCP, who has encouraged me to try one more time for insurance approval, and is referring me to surgeons here in DE. My appointment isn't until March 17, but am hoping someone else cancels and I can be moved up.
3/13/06 OK, I'm in the middle of trying this again, and have decided if my insurance denies me this time, I'm going to try to get a loan and self-pay. Saw a different surgeon (Dr. Peters) here in DE. I liked him a lot. I went today to try to get surgical clearance from a cardiologist, but he's making me do a stress test (Yuck!) tomorrow and go back to him next week before he'll give me the OK. I also see my pulmonologist next week. Wish I could find out faster whether or not they'll be able to get my insurance to approve me.
Meanwhile, I've also stopped eating during weekdays, and am drinking a protein shake instead. I do get hungry somedays, but have a bit of fruit or veggies to supplement. It helps that several of my co-workers are doing the supp w/ me. I'm also going to check out a gym tomorrow, and am pretty sure I'll at least sign up for the 3-wk program they have.
3/30/06 I got approval letters from the cardiologist and pulmonologist. Now I have to go to Wilmington to get an endoscopy. My scheduling problem w/ this is needing a driver. Right now my appointment is set for 4/21/06, and I'm hoping my daughter can get the day off to take me. I'm so impatient.
4/26/06 Well, I had my endoscopy done Friday. Now I'm waiting to hear if I have H Pylori bacteria in my stomach. I had an asthma attack when I was coming out of the anesthesia, and am now on a daily asthma med in addition to my inhaler. I like to think that I'll be getting the surgery soon, and will be able to go OFF some of my meds.
5/19/06 Despite a few emails and a voicemail, I still don't have the results of the biopsy. I'm wondering if because my insurance won't be covering the surgery (STILL angry, frustrated, confused about that!), the surgeon's office doesn't take me seriously when I say I'm still going through with it. It will put a huge financial strain on me, but I think I'm going to refinance my house and get the $ for the surgery that way. Luckily, I should also be able to pick up a few extra hours at work, at least through the summer. My boyfriend has been incredibly supportive of me in general, and also of my pursuit of WLS; but now that my insurance won't pay, and he knows how much it costs and that I'm probably going to borrow the $, he's sort of discouraging me. He doesn't want to see me get in debt over my head, which I appreciate; but I don't see how it will be any more affordable if I wait, and meanwhile my health and self-esteem will keep getting worse. I'm going to talk to him more about the refi idea, and also get my parents input; but right now I think I'm going to call Monday and apply. I'm SO anxious to get the surgery, and I've been trying for almost a year now. I'm going for my psych evaluation next week, and assuming I "pass" (my daughter says she thinks I can fake my way through), I'm moving on to the next step (nutritionist?) as soon as possible. I really hope to get the surgery before the end of the summer.
6/7/06 Well, it seems that every time I think I'm one step away from the knife, I find out about another step. I called to get an appt. w/ the dietician, and they asked if I'd had my blood tests done yet--didn't know I needed them. Anyway, I got them done last week, so I called again yesterday to get an appt. w/ the dietician, and was told I needed to attend a class before meeting w/ her privately. They were having one last night, then not again for another 3 wks, so I ran up to Wilmington (getting lost again) after work, sat through the class, and got home late and tired. The class really made me think, and gave me a touch of cold feet (not enough to change my mind). There is SO much to learn and remember. Anyway, I have a lot of info to go over, homework to do before meeting the dietician again, etc. They told me my next step should be to get the surgery date, then I'll have 5 (I think) appts set on the same day the next time I go to the hospital. My refi is scheduled for 6/15, and I think the mortgage guy told me I should have my $$ 3 days later, so I'm FINALLY almost there! I can't wait. I was also pleased to see I weighed a couple lbs less last night then the last time I was officially weighed. Every little bit helps, right?
6/8/06 I have a date!!! I'm so excited. July 24th still seems far away, and at the same time, right around the corner. I never expected to do this, even though I've read a lot of people do; but I'm getting a little panicky, and wondering if it is the right decision. Wondering if I should look further at lap band instead...I KNOW I need to do something, and this was not a quick decision--just nerves. Waiting is really hard, too, and I'm thinking about all the things I love to eat and drink that I won't be able to again, or at least not for a LOOONG time.
8/14/06 Wow! Big changes. I had my gastric bypass on July 31, 2006. Two weeks and 15 lbs ago. The pain was less than I expected, but the eating and drinking are still more difficult than I expected. People tell me it gets a little easier each week, so I hope that's true. I'm going back to work this week (assuming the surgeon clears me), and am nervous about getting my eating and drinking in there. It's been difficult at home, and I'm sure will be more so once I'm back at the office. I haven't had a single day yet where I got in all the protein OR water I'm supposed to, and I know I'm still eating too fast. I have been walking twice a day, though, and gradually increasing my distance. I'm also doing a little bit w/ hand weights, to try to reduce the amount of sagginess from rapid weight loss in my already flabby upper arms.
I knew this would be tough on my daughter, because she so badly wants the surgery, and can't afford it; but I didn't realize it would be so hard on her right away--I thought when I'd lost 20 lbs or more, it would get to her. I sure wish her insurance would cover the surgery. It would help our relationship, her health, her self-esteem, and it would be nice to have someone living w/ me that's on the same eating program (even if I'd be a little ahead of her). I have had VERY little physical hunger, but have been getting a few cravings--mostly for pizza--and seeing and smelling some of the things she eats is a little difficult now, and I know will get more so as my body returns to normal and I have to rely on myself more than my pouch.
My coworkers have been great. They gave me a luncheon and gift card before my surgery, sent me flowers right after I got home, and a nice card a few days later. I'm mostly ready to go back to work, but am not sure I have the stamina to make it through a whole day.
My boyfriend's been great, driving me around, helping me find things I can eat when we've been away from the house longer than planned, helping me navigate my 1st meal in a restaurant, etc.
This has been such an adventure. I feel strange. Reading and talking to people about getting full after a few bites can't begin to compare to feeling that way yourself. It's almost like I'm a different person, or like I've switched bodies (which, in a way, I have). And it's equally unbelievable to look in the mirror and already be able to see some improvement. I've been living in lounge pants, so don't know if I've gone down a size or not, but I know I look better already--I can't wait to get all that energy everyone talks about!
9/12/06 I'm down about 29 lbs now, and am getting a lot of feedback from everyone noticing. It's SO nice to be under 200 again! I picked up some photos yesterday, including my pre-op and 1 month post-op pics. I think my face is the most dramatic difference (I look like ME again!), but my daughter thinks it's my midriff. I've been able to wear some clothes I haven't been able to for a couple years (thank goodness I saved them), and just feel better in everything I wear.
The past week or week and a half have been a little rough, though. I went through my 1st month w/ only fatigue as a side effect. Now I've been battling some nausea off and on for most of the last 9-10 days. I know it's better when I stick really strictly to my eating/drinking schedule, but the more I get back into "normal" life, the more difficult it seems to be. I've been gradually trying to add back some foods, and not having a great deal of success. I've also been slacking a little in my exercise, but trying to get back on track. One of my coworkers (Betsy) and I went to a circuit weight gym after work yesterday, and other than sweating profusely, I held up pretty well. We're planning to go again tomorrow, and I think Georgia (another coworker) will be going w/ us too, which will make it more fun (misery loves company?). Today I'm going to try to make myself walk again--the weather is gorgeous for it.
Getting this surgery was a big financial difficulty for me, and I'm still struggling w/ some of that, but I'm so glad I had it done, and am glad I did so before my birthday. For quite a while I've tried to avoid having my picture taken. Next month, when I turn 47, I want to be smiling for the camera.
10/11/06 43 lbs now! That's more than halfway to my goal (which isn't QUITE the same as the charts say, but where I, personally, want to be). Very exciting for me, and I'm at a point now where, although I'd like to lose more, I'm content, and do feel human and feminine again.
I think I'm through w/ the nausea I was having, but do still get it if I eat too fast or eat beef. I'm hoping that's temporary, because I hate to think of never having filet mignon again!
Still struggling a bit w/ getting my exercising in. I seem to be running around doing errands and things almost every night, so it's really hard to try to squeeze it in. I'm still hoping my boyfriend will get me a gym membership for my birthday, which he hinted he might; otherwise, I'm going to have to make myself work at home w/ my videos and DVDs when the weather's not nice enough for me to walk during my breaks at work.
I do think I may be on my 1st real plateau, but I'm fairly content where I am, so I'm OK w/ it for now. I WILL be smiling in my birthday pics, and I got a cute, sexy Halloween costume I'm looking forward to wearing in a couple weeks! It's so good to feel like a woman again instead of just a blob.
10/24/06 Still stuckat the 43 lb level, so good thing I'm not too unhappy w/ it. A little gym close to my office is running a 3-wk promotion, so I signed up for 3 wks and agreed to go at least 3 times ea of those weeks. Maybe that'll help boost me past the plateau.
Charlie (my bf) took me for a mineral wrap for my birthday, which was a great idea, but I'm skeptical about whether it really works. Supposed to help tighten skin, lessen cellulite, and take off inches. I really can't figure out whether I think it did anything for me or not.
10/31/06 Happy Halloween! Yesterday when I got on the scale, I'd finally broken through my 1st plateau! 48 lbs lost now! Don't know if it's just because I've been trying to follow the rules, or because I picked up the activity level a bit, or why, but it's nice.
