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I got a call yesterday, and it was from My Doctor’s office.  I had called primarily to make sure they had everything they needed prior to surgery.  Of course I left a message and also asked about the wait list.  Well, my returned call was very promising.  Everything is done except the final set of tests that cannot be completed until a month or less before my surgery.  So I am good to go!  However, I also found out that I am likely to have a summer surgery after all.  They could not make any promises, but I was told things looked good for an earlier appointment.  Great news for me, except that now I am back in a waiting game, once again.  Oh well… 

 

Continue to pray for the health of my wife and child… 

Well, I’ve had an interesting week.  Last Thursday I found out my May 3rd appointment was being bumped to Aug 29th.  Since then my wife and I have moved it to October 3rd, to give us some breathing room.  Our first child should be born before that date, so that don’t have to risk missing the birth.  I was (and still am a little) upset about the large delay.  Eventually I came to my senses, and realized that Dr. Blackstone had something bad happen and I needed to be sensitive to her as a human being.  I have contacted her office several times since getting the news and got some piece of mind.  I understand that two new Doctors are coming on board in June, and the office staff is working closely with Dr. Blackstone to try to tweak out a few more surgery dates…  In short, Dr. Blackstone and her staff are doing all they can to get me (and everyone else) in ASAP.  They truly are a center of excellence!  I also got a call from my insurance company and found out that I can switch surgeons, but they would refer me to someone.  They said it would be Dr. James Swain, at the Mayo clinic Scottsdale .  I have tried to do research on the Dr. but have had little success. OH has little information on him, because he is not registered with them.  I even went to the Mayo Clinic website and got some information, but there is no mention on how many surgeries this doctor has performed or anything.  He will accept all the tests I have had done for Dr. Blackstone, but I would have to see an internist or endocrinologist prior to my consult with the surgeon.  I am happy to have options, as it makes me feel like I am apart of the process instead of its victim.  For now, Marcie and I are going to wait until March to decide what to do, because Dr. Blackstone’s office said that any changes that would see me with an earlier appointment would happen by then.  We want Dr. Blackstone, because she has experience with High BMI’s like mine (one might call her a Specialist with high BMI).  I really feel she is the best option for me, and so for now we are going to wait and see what happens.  Besides, my insurance has already got a signed contract with her office and that means one less headache for me. 

Ohh Yeah, I got my results from my visit with the cardiologist.  I have been given clearance for surgery.  My echo showed a healthy Left ventricle, with mild enlarging of the rest of my heart.  My blood volume was normal, I have some thickening of muscle tissue in one chamber, and I have sclerosis of one of my valves.  Of course I thought I was dieing when I heard this, but they assured me it is mild and not a concern… YET!!!  My Stress test showed the same issues, but I had a normal response to the stress.  I have a green light for surgery, and for exercise (except for heavy weightlifting).  Hooray for our team!!!! 

Keep Dr. Blackstone, My wife and unborn child and me, in your prayers. 

Richard I.

 

 

That’s right everyone I GIVE UP…  I doubt that I am going to have WLS, and am ready to throw in the towel.  I got a call today telling me that my Dr. (Dr. Robin Blackstone) has had some issues come up in her personal life that has had a dramatic impact on her schedule.  As they put it, they are on a “limited OR schedule, effective immediately”.  Basically what it means is that my already long wait was extended to an extremely long and unfair wait.  I have been bumped from May 3^rd to August 29^th, a difference of 4 months.  Even if I was OK with this, the fun does not end there.  I am probably going to have to cancel and re-schedule (meaning a later date), because my wife is due September 14^th with our first child.  I am not going to miss that, and she does not want to miss my surgery.  I considered moving to a different physician, but my insurance does not want to pay twice for things, (which I totally understand).  The long and the short of it…  I am either waiting a full year to have this done, or not having it done at all…  I cannot believe the complete disregard for my health and medical considerations.  I have been fighting for so long… almost 5 years (it will be over 6 by the time I am done), and I have nothing to show for my effort… nothing…  Insurance companies and doctor offices continue to disappoint me.  I am at my wits end!!!

 

Richard I

 

PS  Please excuse me, as I am still emotionally charged, but I had to vent someway, and this is all I got at the moment.

I am still disappointed with myself, and my pre-op weight loss…  I guess if I was good at loosing weight on my own, I would not need the surgery, but it still makes me feel pretty down.  I went ahead and scheduled an appointment with a psychologist here in town.  I saw him before, back when I was having issues with my social phobia.  It actually kept me from going to college for a year.  With his help and a really excellent friend, I made it to UNM.  Anyway, when I was in Scottsdale AZ for my consult, the Psychologist there suggested I talk with a psychologist here, prior to surgery.  He felt it was a good move to better understand why I eat and when.  Recently I have had mood swings and depression, so I am finally taking his advice.  I just hope that the Dr. can help me a little.  I know there are many factors to deal with after surgery, many are psychological.  So although it is not required by my Surgeon to see the Psychologist, I think I am making a wise move.  I am really tired of this short fuse I have had lately.

Well here it is 2007!!!  I hope that it is a year of great change.  I am still on track for my surgery in May.  I have to get cardiology clearance and have some tests run.  I go on Monday to get that started.  I also am supposed to work on my behavior changes (leading to weight loss). Some of the changes have been easier than others.  Giving up caffeine, carbonation and increasing water intake was easy.  My eating is still a bit out of control.  I will need to work harder because I really want to be successful this time.  With luck, I will be 8 months post op by this time next year, and feeling much healthier, which will be more important than ever, because my Wife is pregnant.  A lot can change over the next 9 months, but for now...  I am going to be a FATHER!!!  This should be an exciting year!

Pray for a healthy pregnancy and a even healthier baby.

Well, I continue to be amazed with the staff at Scottsdale Bariatric Center .  I was approved by the insurance on Tuesday, and had a surgery date on Thursday.  Although that is great news, I also received some disheartening news too.  Apparently Dr. Blackstone stretched a bit thin, since the other two doctors left the practice.  My date is 05/03/2006.  I knew it would be a couple of months, but I didn't expect 4 and half months.  I am frustrated because I have been trying to get this done for so long...  God is truly testing my patience and commitment to this course of action.  It is truely difficult, but I want to see this through.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Today I finally heard the words I have been waiting so long to hear.  "You are approved".  Hoorah for my insurance company.  It took them all of two days to approve it.  Talk about fast!!!  Now it is just waiting for Dr, Blackstone's office to call and set up a date.  Wow,  Just like that it is real...

Happy Hollidays

 

I have lost my patience, if I do not get a call from Scottsdale today; I am contacting the Vice President of Operations.  I have her direct number and e-mail.  All I want to know is if they have everything they need.  Is that such a hard thing to do?  No all they have to do is look in my chart and see what if anything is missing.  I called my insurance company and they have not heard anything.  I am a little frustrated, especially considering how smoothly things seemed to be falling into place.  Add to that the scheduling timeframe.  The longer they take to verify my insurance, the further out they will be scheduling.  I have a lot of confidence in Dr. Blackstone, I have heard nothing but great things about her, but maybe I should have pursued a different clinic!

Happy note though, I helped my 4 year old Nephew decorate christmas cookies, and helped my Mom decorate her house for the holidays,  I love Chirstmas!!!!  It was a wonderful weekend, except my Wife had to work and miss it :(

I was contacted by Scottsdale early in the week, talking to me about my prior auth. stuff.  The lady I was talking to, told me that she would get back to me that day, once she talked to my insurance company.  I have called everyday since then, and have yet to hear a thing.  I just want to be sure Scottsdale has all the information they need.  If they do not I can start riding the clinics here, asking them why the stuff was not sent.  I hate not knowing and worse waiting without knowing ...

I had my consult in Scottsdale.  I feel it went very well, and I am hopeful that the rest of the process will move quickly.  I seem to finally be on my way...  'Bout Time...