Jeana W.

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Okay, so I got to go home that day and the ride home was quite painful. My poor BF was driving so slow so going over the bumps in the road wouldn't hurt so bad and the people in the cars behind us were getting pissed off! LOLZ Too bad!!
Next day I was able to start full liquids + clear liquids. 24 ounces of each. So I had 8 ounces of Simply Smart fat free milk mixed w/CIB for breakfast. Around noon time I had my flintstones vitamins and then around 1pm I ate a Dannon Light 'n Fit yogurt. That was pretty yummy considering I had only been drinking water or Crystal Light for the last couple of days. I also ate my calcium supplement. After every meal, I drank an 8 ounce glass of CL or water.
Dinner was tomato soup mixed with my FF milk - 8 ounces and my second calcium supplement. I hope the caramel tastes better than the chocolate one. It tastes like an Atkins bar or something. HATE IT!!
So, that was pretty much my menu for the next 12 days. I have to say that I did get pretty tired of it but I made it and never cheated once!  
Finally, on the 28th (I thought it would never get here) I had my appt. with Dr. Hutter and the dietician at the Weight Center. I weighed in at - DRUM ROLL PLEASE - **331.0**!! 23 pounds in 2 weeks! GO JEANA - IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!! HAHAHA!!
I'm so thrilled!! I'll be out of these 3's in no time!! 
Anyway, I'm still in pain. Dr. Hutter says that it's because there's a stitch holding something to do with the hernia repair and it will go away once the stich is dissolved. I can't wait!! I don't know how I'm going to work if I still have this pain... I still have 2+ weeks to heal.
So, my new menu is soft foods. I can eat lean meats, fish & poultry (cut small and chewed very thoroughly), low fat cheese,  beans,  soy protein, yogurt or eggs. 
I'm enjoying this. I get to eat some real food! Eggs never tasted so good. 
Next week I get to add fruits and veggies and the week after that cereals and or crackers! YAY!!
I'm going to wait until my next appt. (April 6th) to weigh myself and then I can go home and weigh myself on my scale and find a place in my house that matches what the dr's office scale says. Good Idea? That way I won't have conflicting weights and no disappointments. 
Also, I'm gonna try an experiment. Next time I go to the store (Walmart or the pharmacy) I'm gonna pick up some Jergen's skin tightening lotion. I'm hoping that might help with loose skin. I'm going to apply it every day after my shower and maybe - just maybe - my saggy skin won't be so bad. If you try this, please let me know how it goes for you. 
Well, I'm finally caught up with my journal! Thanks to everyone that sent emails and messages. You all made me feel so special! To all pre-ops out there that are waiting for approval and dates - please don't let any of my experiences change your mind! I'm sure it's all gonna be worth it in the end! I haven't met or talked to anyone that has had this surgery that regrets it!! Till next time...

P.S.
My fitday journal:
http://www.fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJournals.html?Owner=foks1997

Okay, so I woke up in the recovery room w/some kind of mask on my face so I could hardly see. I tried to look around but I was having alot of discomfort.  I finally looked to my right and saw a nurse and I raised my hand to get her attention. (I still had tubes up my nose too) I told her that I was very uncomfortable and she asked if I had a button yet and I shook my head. She said, "Okay, we have to get you one of those. It'll be your best friend for the next couple of days." She wasn't lying! 
That's the last thing I remember there. 
Next, I was wheeled to my room and probed and asked questions by the nurse (which was the sweetest nurse I've ever had - her name was Betty) and then I slept some more. That's pretty much what I did for the first day. Except for when I had to get up and walk. LOL I told the nurse that I kinda was looking forward to getting up and walking because I knew that the more I walked the sooner I would be feeling better. She told me I was gonna do great w/this surgery and she was very proud. 
Boy, getting up outta bed was not like I thought it was gonna be. I thought that I wasn't gonna feel anything. WRONG!!! But the nurse told me to breath out like I was blowing out candles on a birthday cake and that would make it a little easier - she was right, it did. 
So, I took a short walk to the end of the hall and then we came back and it was just as hard getting back into bed as it was getting out. I told the nurse that my breath probably smelled putrid (sp?) LOLZ and she asked me if I wanted to brush my teeth. That sounded SOOO good since I couldn't have anything until the next day after the leak test. She mixed mouthwash w/ice water to use as a rinse and it felt like heaven!! She was a pearl. Next, she showed me a gift that I had gotten and asked me if I wanted her to read the card - it was an adorable panda bear from 4stellamichelle whom I chat with here on OH. That really made my day. Thanx honey :-)
Next day, I went for the leak test and had to get in the bed that they wheeled me in and it was kinda high and so it hurt to get in it  When we got down there, I had to wait for like 10mins and then I had to drink this really awful stuff and they took x-rays. Next, I had to drink some other awful stuff and take more x-rays and it was finally done for the time being. I had to go back into the bed and wait a half hour for the liquid to go down? and then take more x-rays. That was the last round and I got to go back to my room. A couple of hours later Dr. Hutter came to visit and told me that I passed the leak test and I could now have clear liquids.
Well, that was good but it was bad too because I could now take pain killers by mouth. No more button :-( 
They also decided to take out the catheter and I got up EVERY hour to go to the bathroom! I was miserable because I had to call the nurse everytime that I had to go pee because she had to unplug the IV machine and help me outta bed. It really sucked. That was pretty much the worse part of the whole experience. 
Next day, Dr. Hutter came to visit and told me that I could go home that day and they would also remove the JP drain before I left. I was so psyched! I knew that I would feel ten times better without that darn thing hanging out of me!
More next time...

Okay, so I promised detail... I'll try my best, since my memory is never very good. 
I arrived at Day Surgery on the 3rd floor at the Wang Bldg. in MGH at around 8:15 and was asked a bunch of questions by a volunteer and then was asked to have a seat in the waiting area. 
Next, I was called out back to change into my johnny and sock/slippers and then was told to have a seat again, with all kinds of people in the waiting area in my johnny (which was as big as a tent!) and I felt very uncomfortable because everyone had the same design johnny on except me and I felt like everyone was looking at me... They need to work some other kind of system out.
Anyway, next, I was called into an office by another nurse that took my vitals and put my hospital ID bracelet on my wrist and my ankle (the anesthesiologists might need to cut the one off my wrist for whatever reason so they need a back-up). Then back to the waiting area again. 
Finally, another nurse brought me to a surgery prep room where she gave me a shot ( I think it was a blood thinner) and made sure I was very comfortable in the hospital gurney.(sp)  She even turned on "The Ellen Show" for me. That was sweet :-) Made me feel better. This was also where I got my pretty blue hair net thingie.
So, maybe 5 mins. later a woman came and wheeled my gurney (sp) to just outside the operating room (boy was that a long ride! I felt like I would never get there!) So I'm in the bed against the wall where right around the corner there were all kinds of nurses and housekeeping workers cleaning up after a surgery and then they wheeled out Dr. Hutter's first patient of the morning. (I'm not sure what kind of surgery she had) 
Next, the anesthesiologists got a hold of me. After 3 attempts, in 3 different places, to get the IV in they were successful. It actually didn't hurt that bad for some reason. They're lucky cause I could've been a bitch! LOL BTW, They did end up cutting the ID bracelet off of my wrist.
Dr. Hutter came out to see me. He made me feel very comfortable and asked if I had any questions. I couldn't think of any cause I pretty much learned everything on this site! 
Soon, they brought me into the operating room and I had to switch onto the operating table and they put an oxygen mask on me and pressed a button to make the table go vertical so I was standing up and then I saw white clouds and I was gone...
More next time...

3/17/07
Just a quick update. I'm still in a lot of pain because the surgeon found a hernia while doing surgery and repaired it and it's given me a lot of grief. 
Anyway, it hurts for me to sit without holding my right side and that makes it kinda hard to type. If ya know what I mean...
Surgery went very well otherwise and I came home on Thursday night. I'm on all kinds of meds and it's just a whole lotta fun. LOL
Don't get me wrong - I'm certainly not complaining. I asked for all of this. 
Well, just wanted to fill you in a little so you guys didn't worry too much :-) A big, huge thanx to stellamichelle for the adorable bear at the hospital. That brightened my day. 
I will update with more detail when I'm feeling better. Until then, I hope everyone had an uneventful surgery and I hope to chat with you all soon.
Till next time...

I can't believe it came this far before I got approved for surgery by Horizon BC/BS of New Jersey. I was at the point where I really didn't believe it was going to happen before my surgery date and I was trippin'! I was calling the insurance co. everyday and the customer service people that I spoke with could NOT find anything about my pre-determination for gastric bypass surgery. So, I was furious! I called Jesse and she wasn't in so I talked to her supervisor, Jeff and he assured me that he would get right on it and Jesse would get back to me by the morning. Well, this was no different than any other time Jesse was supposed to get back to me but I didn't let it get too far this time! I called Jesse at 11:30am - the morning was pretty much over by then - and I got her voice mail. So, I called the front desk at the WC and asked if she was coming in that day. She said this is Jessica and I'm not working at my desk today. I explained to her what the insurance people were telling me and she told me that she sent the service providers at Horizon an email and she was waiting to hear back from them.
FINE
I decided to wait until the next day (Wednesday the 7th - 5 days before my surgery date) to start calling them all over again. and that's what I did. I called the insurance co. first thing and asked to speak to a manager or supervisor. The girl asked if there was something she could help me with and I explained to her what was going on. She put me on hold and went to check if I had the pre-determination in my file. NOTHING! 
Next, I tried to call Jessica and I got voice mail again. So, I called the front desk at the WC again and asked to speak w/Jeff the Sup again. I explained to him that I'm going on LOA from work and have the disablity thing all set up and my schedule at work is done w/o me on it and I don't know what to do! We're talking 5 days before my surgery date!
Jeff assured me that they were doing everything they can w/o harassing the insurance co. and that he was optimistic about getting approval on time but I could give them a deadline to stop trying by and reschedule the surgery if I wanted to. I decided to put it in GOD's hands and see what happens.
I REALLY DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS GONNA HAPPEN!!  The next day at work, Frankie called me and told me that I was approved for Brain Surgery! LOL
I said "No suh!!" "Did I get approved??????" He said, "YES!" and explained that Jesse called the cell and he missed the call and called back the number and asked if anyone called him and Jesse said "Yes, who's this? and he said, "It's Jeana's boyfriend" and Jesse told him the fantastic news!!!
Frankie also asked her what time we're supposed to be at the hospital  and she said we had to be there by 8:15am for surgery at 10:15am! OMG, the tears started rolling and I couldn't believe it! I'm so excited and relieved and I've got stubs for fingernails! LOLOL
Till next time...

Hey all. I felt like splitting my posts up because it was taking too long for me to make an update and that's why I haven't posted for a little while. Just thought I'd let ya know.
I have been on OH just reading profiles and checking out the before & afters. I LOVE those pics! They're so inspiring!! I can look at them for hours!
Ok, so alot has happened since I last posted. 
I spoke w/Jesse about my insurance approval. She said that she put the claim in over a month ago and hasn't heard from them yet. Doesn't look good :-(
She also said that she was not aware that my insurance was out of state and if she had known she would not have given me a date. 
I don't know what I'll do if they don't approve me. I've taken a LOA from work and applied for Short Term Disabilty pay and I don't know what will happen if I have to postpone my surgery. This is very stressfull for me. I'm really biting my fingernails over here...
I had an appt. w/Dr. R on the 28th of Feb. It went very well. That was basically to check up on me and make sure that I'm on top of things. - Which I am... She said that we've pretty much done everything we can to prepare for the surgery and she thinks I'm ready.
Went to my appt. w/Dr. Southard on the 28th also. That was to check my BP and see if I needed to go on medication for that. - Which I didn't. My BP has lowered so there is no need to go on meds since the surgery will probably take care of whatever is causing it anyway. Dr. Southard said that my Vitamin D levels are kinda low so he gave me a Rx for Vit D - once a week for 8 weeks. Not bad, I guess. He also said that I look great and he thinks I'm ready for this. He's such a doll!
Had an appt. with Dr. Hutter for one last check up before surgery. He asked if anything had changed since our last visit and I brought him up to date w/ a few things. He checked my abdomen, ankles and throat for any swelling. That's when he noticed my tongue ring. hehehe He said, "Do you know you have something in your tongue?" LOL "You're gonna have to take that out for surgery because the anesthesiologist doesn't want anything there that can get in the way. Those meanies!" That was so cute!
He gave me instructions to go to his office in the Wang building of MGH and see his secretary, Dolores. She was to give me instructions for bowel prep and get me in to Radiology to get a Chest X-ray done.
Also, met w/Dr. Sogg yesterday the 2nd. That went very well. The appt. was to check how prepared I was for the surgery and how much I know about what it will be like after surgery. Thanks to OH, I aced that test! Dr. Sogg said that I was more knowledgable about this than most patients! That felt so good to hear!
She also said tht she's very impressed w/how far I've come to get this surgery and better my life. She has alot of confidence that I will be successful! How nice!! That made feel like I was on cloud 9!
I told my boss about my LOA. She was very interested in the surgery and asked all kinds of questions. We had a nice chat and she wished me well. Everyone at work is very supportive. That helps me alot because I don't have any family support besides my son and my boyfriend. I'll get through it with them and OH. That's all I need :-)
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET ME BE APPROVED!! Jesse said that I won't hear from her about it unless I am not approved. I asked if I would get a letter or something and she said that they send a formal approval letter in the mail.
I'm really sweating here. I have 9 days before my surgery date and one of those days is a weekend. What could be taking them so long??? I think I'm gonna die w/anticipation. LOL
I found a pic online of Dr. Rosenblum and Dr. Hutter. I figured I'd post them on here so you can have a face to match the name.



Till next time...

2/23/07
Well, yesterday was pretty eventful for me. I attended the Nut Group meeting at 8am along w/about 6 other pre-op patients at the weight center. We learned exactly what we're going to eat for 10 days after surgery. We also got a shopping list of items we should have at home when we get there from the hospital including chewable vitamins w/iron (at least 60) and calcium supplements. They gave us a binder with all kinds of helpful info that also included a specific list of clear & full liquids and vitamins & calcium that we could chose from. (I chose Flintstone's chewables w/iron and Citracal Creamy Bites) It's not alot of variety, let me tell ya but I'll let you find out what they are when you get there. Waiting is the best part. hehe...
I got a mile-long list of post-op appoinments for the next 3 months that my $925 is paying for.
Next, I walked over to the Jackson building at 9:30am even though my appt. wasn't until 11:00, for admissions and pre-op tests. I figured I'd just wait there but they ended up taking me early. That was cool. 
I started w/having my blood pressure taken which was very high for me:196/95. My blood pressure has never gone over 120/40! I know it was because they used a regular cuff on me. You would think that they'd have some large cuffs on hand knowing that there are so many obese people out there!
Anyway, next was the EKG test. That was normal. After that was done, they took 11 vials of blood from me. The girl that took it was actually a graduate of WLS. She was 5 years out. I asked her if she regretted having it and she said, "Never!"
So that was pretty cool to be able to talk w/her about having this surgery in the MGH. I got a little bit of an idea of what it's going to be like there.
Next, a nurse took a health history and physical. That was pretty self explanitory. She tried to check my blood pressure again because I told her about the regular cuff but she couldn't find a large cuff. So, she told me to see my PCP in the next 2 or 3 days and have it checked and that he'll probably start me on medication for it. Oh, man! Not another pill! I knew it was because of the cuff so I decided to go to see Dr. Southard right after I was done with the tests. (He's only right down the street)
Okay, last was the anesthesiologist. Only I didn't see the anesthesiologist. I saw a nurse that was very sweet. She was a litttle up in age but she didn't miss a beat. She explained everything to me in detail and took the time to praise me for quitting smoking and she thought I was doing the right thing. She made me feel so at ease. If only I could remember her name. I'm terrible with names!
So, now I'm done and I walked over to Dr. Southard's office in Internal Medicine
at the Wang Building. An RN - Shean was his name, took my blood pressure again and it was 160/60 I believe. So, it was still not good. Now I have to see Dr. Southard next week to see what he wants to do. I don't know why my BP is so high. I don't feel stressed or anything. Hmmm... Today's mystery. LOL
So, that was my day. By the time I was done, I was feeling dizzy from having all the blood taken and nothing to eat since 7am. (I got done at 12:30). I grabbed a bag of chips in the cafeteria and took off to Walmart to release some stress. Nothing like shopping to make a woman feel better :-)
Till next time...

2/09/07
Hey all. I got a call at work from my boyfriend on Wednesday. He let me know that Jessica called me at home. (I know, I'm shocked) So, I gave her a call and she told me that my paperwork was filled out by Dr. Hutter and I gave her the fax numbers for her to send them and also requested a copy for myself. Just in case something goes wrong. I told you guys, I'm not playing games anymore. I'm trying to avoid any more problems! I'm gonna give my corp. lady a call on Monday to make sure she received those forms. It won't hurt, right?
That's pretty much it except I went to the store and was looking at clothes to buy but then I was like, "Who knows how long I'll be wearing this stuff. It would be a waste!" 
I've got about 4 weeks to go till surgery and I'm not even close to being ready for the hospital. I haven't bought any protein except for CIB sugar free because I'm not sure what Dr. Hutter is going to recommend. Dr. R did mention CIB (Carnation Instant Breakfast) before at one of our appoinments so I know I'll be using that. I've also stocked up on Crystal Lite, SF Jello and SF Popsicles and Fudgcicles. Still need to get some SF pudding, and all the vitamins that the Weight Center is going to recommend. 
Oh, I also had to switch from Wellbutrin XL to Wellbutrin SR because it was a little pricey if ya know what I mean. Dr. Dunn mentioned to me at our appt. that the SR was cheaper because you have to take it in 2 doses instead of one. But that's no big deal. I know I'll be taking pills all day just after surgery so, what's one more? It saved me $30. Works for me!!
Okay, that's really it! I probably won't post again until my next appt. at the Weight Center on the 22nd of this month. I already got that off from work so I'm all set! Till next time...

2/02/07
Hi all. I went to my intake appt. at the Cambridge Health Alliance today and it went great. I spoke with Dr. Dunn for about an hour and he prescribed the Wellbutrin! I was expecting to have to go through therapy for a while before they determined I need anti-depressants but I didn't. Something actually went smooth for me. WOW! LOL
I also went to my eye doctor appt. yesterday. It was pretty intense and I ended up needing glasses. BUMMER : -( Dr. Hagopian said that my right eye is fine but my left eye needs some help so I got a prescription for right eye -25 and left -125 whatever that means. 
I also went to the weight center to drop off the papers for disablity. I met Jessica for the first time. She was actually there! I was shocked! LOL She told me that Dr. Hutter had to fill the papers out and that he wouldn't be in until next week. UH-OH, the papers for my LOA need to be faxed by Feb. 3rd! I was like, "There's no way anyone else can fill them out before the 3rd?" She said, "No, sorry." 
F*CK!! I was stressin' out - thinking they're not gonna let me have time off of work and I'm gonna lose my job because there's no way I'm gonna back off from surgery now! 
So, I called the person at my corporate office that I was supposed to fax these papers to and told her what happened and she said that was fine and she'll make a note about it right now. So,  I was trippin' for nothing! I guess I was PMS'ing. It's about that time. 
So, somethings actually went OK for me this week. Till next time...

01/31/07
It's getting real now! 
I called Jessica Monday from work. She told me she mailed my schedule for pre-op appoinments on Jan. 23. More than a week ago. I don't know why I didn't receive them but I wasn't playing games! I asked her to fax it to me at work. EXCEPT my fax machine was being serviced as we spoke. Can anything else go wrong? She told me to call her when it was done so I did and she sent it! And I received it! Amazing, huh? It actually went smooth! But I would've still been waiting for it to come in the mail if I never called her!
Anyway, this is how it looked: 
Surgery Orientation - done at the East Garden Room (MGH)

Surgery Evaluation - done at the Weight Center               

Program Fee (first payment, $500) due - this was crossed out for some reason

Physician - Monday 1/22/07 @ 3:30 in the Weight Center

Nutrition Group** - Thursday 2/22/07 @ 8:00 am in the Weight Center

Psychologist - Wednesday 2/28/07 @ 5:00 in the Weight Center

Program Fee (final payment, $425) due - 2/22/07

Pre-Admission Testing - Thursday 2/22/07 @ 11.00am in Jackson 121 (MGH) 3 hours

Surgeon - Wednesday 2/28/07 @ 9:40am in the Weight Center

Physician*** - Wednesday 2/28/07@ 10:00am in the Weight Center

SURGERY - 3/12/07 in the Wang 3 (MGH)

** THIS GROUP IS MANDATORY. You may bring a family member or friend to this group.

Looks good, huh? Time is gonna drag by, I just know it. But, I know I have to use this time to prepare. Gotta start stocking up on protein, snacks and other essentials for post surgery. 
I also called Jessica again today to find out which of my doctors (Dr. Rosenblum or Dr. Southard) is supposed to fill out the paperwork for Short Term Disabilty and LOA (leave of absence) for work. She told me that Dr. Rosenblum needs to fill it out. She also said that I can give the paperwork to her and she could fill out what she can and have Dr. R fill out the rest. So here's the kicker: the paperwork for the LOA needs to be faxed by February 3rd or there can be a delay in my approval for ST Disability pay. One more bump in my road. 
My boyfriend, Frankie, will be taking me tomorrow, probably after my eye doctor appt., to the Weight Center so I can get that taken care of. Hopefully, there won't be any problems.
So far, I'm at peace. I don't think the reality of how my life's gonna change has settled in yet. I was actually thinking about it early this morning before I got out of bed, but didn't feel nervous at all. I know I keep thinking about all of the good things that will come out of this. I've been reading lots of profiles on OH and trying to read people's bad experiences with this surgery. Hopefully, that will help me understand what's going on if something does go bad. I was warned not to read the memorials on this site so I won't. Till next time.