Michelle Nagy
Lakewood, OH, USA
Post Op - BMI: 29.1
Member ID: N1017773248
Contact: Click here to send a Personal Message
Surgeon: Peter Hallowell, M.D.


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I am a 28 year old single mom of one girl.We live alone.I love music,film, and art,I grew up with many different musical influences, and love all of it.I have always been obese,but now I have hope to change that.I want to see the world through different eyes,and I feel I am truly deserving of this change.Anyways,I am just starting my battle for WLS.Today is 5/1/02.I have gotten insurance which starts on 6/1/02.(I have a prior approval from a different PCP and Nutritionist.)At that time I will tell my PCP that I am ready to do this.I have an appt. scheduled with a surgeon for July,so the ball is rollin.I will update my profile when more info.is available.


5/10/02 Today I went to see a PCP.I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and Gastric reflux.I had x-rays done of my knees,doc says,it is most likely osteoarthritis.Will go back in a few weeks to be sure.I got put on Nexium for the gastric problems,and I will be seeing a ENT specialist about the Apnea.I also recieved a Referral for surgery.I am glad I had no negative feedback on the issue,the doctor was concerned with a permanent solution,and believed this was a good choice on my part.I feel good about the response,but know there is still a long road ahead.I will be switching over to a new PCP on 6/1/02 because of insurance change,but I got the referral to help in the approval process.It never hurts to get as much support as possible.


5/15/02 I met with a nutrionist today and things went well. She basically explained what my diet requirements would be after surgery.She gave me a letter of approval for surgery,I hope it helps.I still have 6 weeks until my consult,but time is moving fairly quick.I told my family,they just want me to be sure,but are as supportive as they know how to be.My friend's are very excited for me,they know I am ready and that I deserve to do this.



5/29/02 Things will shortly be on the move.I am so stoked.It has been rough financially,and I have freaked out alot because I cannot work as much as I used to.I just wish this part was over.I can handle the pain of surgery,this I know.It's the waiting I hate.I have researched every possible thing I could find about WLS and I am happy to admit,there is nothing that has even slightly deterred me from pursuing this.
6/4/02 Last Nite was my first support group meeting at University Hospital.It was so packed!!!!The surgery team was all there,so I got to see my doctor.I did not speak with him because he was so busy answering questions that I already had answers to,so I just figured I would see him next month.Today was my appointment with my new PCP.She was great.Her name was Dr. Roxanne Sukol.I had no problems whatsoever.She even made copies of information I received from this website on writing my referral letter.She also had me get all the necessary bloodwork needed for my sugery consult,which my former PCP was not willing to do.I feel truly blessed to have things running so smoothly.I have more appts. scheduled throughout this month to prepare for my surgery consult.I am really getting excited.Someone is watching over me and I know that this is working so well because this is meant to happen.I am so greatful to this website for filling me with the tools to speed up this process.



6/11/02 No Doctors this week,next week things start rollin' again.I had some issues with the message board recently,and have decided to let it go.However I want to post here about Meridia.I have never taken Meridia,but it is under alot of investigation for causing heart problems.Lawsuits are popping up all across the US.Italy has pulled the drug from the market.Please if you look here,and you know anyone who has used this drug,have them see a doctor.Life is too short to be unaware.Peace.

6/20/02 I went to see a pulmonologist yesterday.He ordered up my Pulmonary Function Testing(the blood gas).I go for that 7/17/02.My personal life is taking it's toll on me.Maybe in time,it will get easier.
6/26/02 Saw PCP yesterday,I lost 12 lbs. on my own which was cool.I also am now taking Wellbutrin for smoking cessation and Celebrex for arthritis.I start counseling tomorrow,and one more week til surgery consult.

6/30/02 Well,three days from now I will see my surgeon for the first time.I am so excited to be where I am today.I pray for strength and guidance through this process.I am sure a year from now,I will look back on these words and laugh to myself.I know I will do great.I am still preparing emotionally for my new life.I feel I need to detach from my old way of life.I feel like this is an awakening of my soul,a rebirth.Something so profound cannot be described in words.I feel like I am waiting to see a long lost friend,and am saying goodbye to a bad relationship.I will be joining the YMCA so I have somewhere to swim and workout.I will continue to try to lose some weight before surgery,every little bit helps.I have made significant changes in my life to prove I am ready for this step,losing 12 lbs. in the process.I am so emotional,and I cry sometimes because I know this will be a test for me.A test to prove to myself that these great things everyone talks of here,will happen if I stick to my program.Finding out I have Gout was rough,considering I am only 28,but I will fight it.I am not letting anything hold me back from my new life.Well,I will be back Wednesday after consult.
7/3/02 Consult complete.I started to have jitters afterwards because I felt the initial consult was a bit informal.I guess it is in general,but I just feel like this is such a life altering decision,it should be graced with more emotion.Anyways,I am sure it will be more personal as we go along.My surgeon says my procedure will be open RNY,fine with me.It is safer for me because of my high weight and the fact I have sleep apnea.I also have to quit smoking for atleast 3 months prior to my surgery date,so I am working on it.I want to quit by the end of the weekend,it will be very hard.
7/11/02 AAHHH,the Psychological Testing.To make sure you can deal with the effects of Weight Loss Surgery.Well,this went better than expected.The doctor was very to the point.First we did the personal interview where she asked me what I knew about the surgery,weight loss attempts,family history,etc. And I got lucky because I was permitted to do the next part today instead of coming back for another visit,the looonnnnngg questionnare.There were 567 questions to answer,it took about 90 minutes or so.Then I was done.The doctor wished me luck and said she would have the results sent to my doctor in about 10 days,so we will see,and I will be checking.The only thing that led me to believe she was giving her approval,was that she said to continue seeing my counselor before and after surgery,so hopefully all is well in my brain.

8/9/02 I could not find the heart to write in here for a while,but this is what is up.I got denied because of the psyc. eval. That stupid questionnare is what did me in.The real pisser is that the psychologist would not even return my calls personally.In ten days,I go to another psyc. eval. for SSI.Would you like to know that I believe that one will say I am totally fine,so they don't have to pay me.If that happens,I will really be pissed off,but not surprised.I mailed my appeal letter today,and will fax it on Monday.The waiting game continues

1/12/03 WOW.It really has been a long time.I have so much to update on.I have been doing well.I emotionally feel very stable and being on psyc. meds(effexor)since August,has helped with that.Truth is I was in denial.I wanted to handle it all on my own,but I was an emotional explosive.Angry one minute,happy and boisterous the next,crying the next.I cannot believe I felt that way for so long.The meds help alot.I don't cry on a daily basis anymore.Heck,I hardly cry at all.I feel very normal on a psychological level.As far as physically,I feel like shit.My knees have never hurt like this before.I have so much trouble some days,and for being 29,that is not good.I was always in good health,so I never let it get to me.In the past year,that has definately changed.
So you would like to know about the surgery issues.Well,I had an appeal on my insurance denial in September.After agreeing to have a psychological assesment by a different doctor,I was cleared and approved in early November.When I recieved the letter from my insurance,I was afaid to open it.As I opened the letter,I read "we have approved your request", I felt like Miss America when they call her name as the winner.My heart was so full of happiness,I burst into tears,grabbed my daughter's hand,and said,"Mommy got a yes for surgery!" Asia is scared,but she saw how happy I was and knew this was very important to me.I called some friends and gave them the news.Everyone was happy for me,and was proud that I did not give up.
SSI denied me.They agreed I was in pain and depressed,but not enough to keep me from working.No big loss.I wanted the insurance approval.It was temporary coverage anyways.I am doing alright,and have planned things a little differently.I will live off of Income tax funds while recouperating.

OK.We got this far.So now,2nd appointment with surgeon to get surgery date.I waited until 1/9/03 for this.And guess what? I gained 25 lbs. since I saw him in July.That means NO surgery date and I have to lose the weight I put on in a month.Then I will see him again,and they will proceed if I am ready.THIS SUCKS.I blew it over this.I have been on a very low carb diet since Friday.I am determined to knock this weight off.I will attempt all liquids the week before I see him in February.So that is my update.I am counting on surgery in March.
FINALLY A SURGERY DATE !!!!! 3/11/02!!!!!!!
BUT, I am having severe mixed emotions about this.Will I be able to deal with the outcome? Will it be successful? Can I handle losing my only emotional rescue? Is there enough evidence that this is the best way to live? I have a hundred concerns and I am unsure.I guess that is normal.My Doc seems so rushed.I understand how busy he is,but this is my life,I cherish it.I pray my grandmother is watching over me from heaven as I go through this procedure.I will not fear what I have dreamed.

3/18/03 Well, I DID IT !!! It has been seven days and I am in alot of pain,to be expected.I did good,am recovering well.Yesterday I think I did too much, like cleaning and went for a long walk because today I hurt pretty bad.So I am definately not screwing around again.Cleaning will have to wait.Being alone sucks for this very reason.Everyday does get better.


3/25/03 I went for my two week check up yesterday.I am down 35 pounds since surgery.That is incredible.Soon I will be under 400.It has been a long time,and I am so excited.My incision did not heal all the way,so now I get to have it packed with gauze til it heals.I really freaked about it,how gross!!!!! But I must do what I need to.I pray that it heals quickly and I can get back to work ASAP.

4/3/03 Saw doc Monday,lost another 12 lbs. So that makes 42 since surgery plus the few before.I have dropped 50 lbs. in 3 weeks.I think that is amazing.I am back to work,feeling better daily,but suffering from lots of gas/belching.It is torture!

5/8/03 After another doctor visit,I have lost a total of 80 Pounds.I find it absolutely amazing to have so much off me so quickly.I am noticing my face and body changing now.I have a vague fear of how life will be once I have lost all my weight.I am glad now that I did this,but I am about to embark on a journey in life I know very little about,and I find that a little scary.I have alot of support from my friends and co-workers,which helps make up for the lack of family support.I feel better everyday and I pray that it only gets better from here.My mother is on her deathbed,and it looks like she won't make it thru the week.It has been a very emotional time for me.My mother and I had a very strained relationship,and I wish we had more time to repair it.She has been ill from diabetes for a very long time,and her kidneys just gave up on her.I know that she will be in a better place now,where she can be at peace with herself.I think of having this surgery as saving me from the chance of having the disease that is killing my mother,and I pray that my daughter never has to go through something so difficult, as I or my mother have.
My incision has almost completely healed up,THANK GOD.I was beginning to think that I would have a hole in my belly forever.

5/28/03 I hit the 100 lb.loss. WOW !!!!! I weighed myself on a normal hospital scale.I am down to 345.I know it has been a good six or seven years since I weighed that.It feels good and I know it is only down from here.I have mixed emotions,as I am sure alot of people do.It has been a very rough road to recovery.I don't even enjoy food anymore.I literally eat to sustain life.I never thought I would hate to eat,it feels like a chore.
I did lose my mom two days before Mother's day.It was sad,but I am happy she is at peace now.I will keep her memory close to my heart.I see my doctor next week on Monday.I will post more info. then.
7/8/03 Damn,time flies I guess.Well,I am currently down to 308 lbs. from 445 lbs,since March 11,03.I sometimes cannot believe it and I feel like a miracle was bestowed upon me.I will write more another time.Gotta go work out,lol.
8/28/03 Feeling pretty good.I actually went to Six Flags the other day with my daughter,and I had the best time ever.I went on almost every coaster they had.What a feeling it was to fly again.Happy to fit on the rides again.Cedar Point is next.This has truly been an overwhelming experience.So many things are better in my life,and I know I have so much to look forward to.I think the hardest part is making sure I get in enough water and have the right amount of nutrients,other than that,things are good overall.I feel bones in my body now,I am more flexible,and have better endurance.I couldnt be happier unless I fell in love,which may occur someday soon in the future.I never wanted to look like a model,I just wanted to be free again,and now it has become a reality.




9/9/03 I should probably have a new site cuz this one will be full soon.Lots of changes going on everyday.It is so amazing how life changes when you are smaller.The attention from others is overwhelming at times,especially those of the opposite sex.It is strange and uncommon to me.I don't always know how to handle it.I still want love and security above all else,and I hope to find it someday.Dating sucks.I have not loved a man for a long time.Other than that,I am rolling with it.Go to see doc next week,and I will be 30 years old on the 13th,what a great way to celebrate with losing 160.

10/28/03 What a Wonderful Feeling to be me.I am doing great and feeling on top of the world.My birthday was so great,had a party and saw lots of old friends.They were all amazed at how different I looked.I continue to work out and try to stay on track with my eating habits.The weight isn't coming off as fast,but that is fine.I am working on toning up, and boy do I need it.Life is everything I had hoped it would be,and I know it is only going to get better.

1/31/04 It's been so long since I have written,let's see.... I am down approximately 225 pounds.I feel wonderful.Life has had it's twists and turns as usual,but it's alot easier to face these days.I feel truly blessed,haven't always made the wiser decisions as far as my changes go, it's hard to stay away from sugar all the time.I don't abuse it,but I do get the sugar jones alot.The interpersonal changes are very dramatic.When you are forced to realize you are no longer who you used to be,you have issues becoming a new person.Some would say,your personality stays the same,but that is not true.I have changed in ways and struggle to change in the ways I should.Dealing with people I know I should avoid is hard.I am stuck in the frame of mind that I need to hold onto whatever person I can for fear of lonliness.I know I don't need to be afraid anymore,it's just that old habits are hard to break,especially when they are life long.

5/16/04 Time just flies by.I remember when I could not make it a day without visiting this site, now I have to really push myself to visit.I want to keep up with this journal to help other people.My pre op weight was 457.Today, I am a glorious 210. I wear a size 16, and I feel healthier than I ever have.I have changed so much for the better.I still work out, am a slacker in the vitamin department.The physical changes are very overwhelming, I often find myself disillusioned at the face staring back at me, it is strange yet welcomed.For years, I dreamed and dreamed that I would be free of the weight that held me back from life.I dreamed of a man looking at me and finding me attractive(which I found, WOO HOO !!!) and I dreamed of holding my head up high and being proud of my body.I could not find more confidence than I have today, I thank the stars at nite and the sun in the day for what I was blessed with by having this operation.If you are in doubt, keep your head up and press on. The emotional scars will heal and you will fall in love with the person you have always deserved to be.


3/4/05 Next weekend I will be celebrating my 2 year anniversary since my surgery.I am down to 180 from 457 pounds.Life has had its ups and downs,but overall I am well.I have found my first true love and he is wondeful.my daughter is well, adjusting to the new me and our new eating habits.I have taken a management position in a salon,which is stressful, yet deserved.Please feel free to contact me.Thanks.

8/10/05 I could never begin to express how happy I am these days.My life is so wonderful, and I feel truly blessed to know what real love feels like.Life is never perfect, but being with someone who genuinely cares for you makes it a whole lot more wonderful.My weight is stable, I feel great, and I hope to stay healthy mentally and physically.
2/15/6 My joy is still immeasureable.My life is great,I have been given a life that was only dreamed of until a year and a half ago.Pretty soon it will be my three year anniversary since my surgery.I have changed more in these three years than any other time in my life, and all for the better.I met and fell in love with the greatest man on earth, and it has been such a beautiful thing.It is amazing when you are sick, you think of love so differently.When you get to experience it for real, and realize how precious it is, it is truly amazing.I am anxious to marry him,simply because I know my search is over, but will wait patiently for that day to come.I will be going to Las Vegas with him in March, and how great it will feel to not need a seatbelt extender.He has given me so many "firsts".We also plan on going white water rafting this summer, which will be awesome.
2/21/06 I had to go to a Workers Compensation hearing today concerning a knee injury I obtained in November of last year.I was just standing at my chair cutting hair and it popped out of place.I had not really had any serious knee pain since surgery til this occured, and let me tell you it really hurt.My employer has denied my claim stating it was pre existing.I was diagnosed with gout and degenerative arthritis prior to surgery, and I never held back that info. so it is being fought out in the hearing process.My lawyer says I did really good and it was very wise of me to not try to conceal any of my prior problems.I only want what I should get from the injury that occured at work.But, it was a bit painful to hear the other attorney stroking the fact that my obesity was the ultimate culprit.The magistrate asked me if I had my surgery voluntarily, and i said it was a personal decision to improve my quality of life for me and my child, and because of that decision I have excelled in my field and take great pride in my accomplishments.So the other attorney can dig and poke at me all he wants because I will not let it take me down.As much as I sometimes wish I could just put my old life behind me, it does had a tendency to come up and bite me in the ass from time to time.I can live with that, and hold my head up high knowing I utilized the tools set before me to give me the life I always deserved to have.



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    Surgeon Info:
    Surgeon: Peter Hallowell, M.D.
    First impression: He was nice.He also said I had one of the best diet histories he has ever seen.I explained I was well educated about the procedure,and asked a couple of questions,which he answered well.This first meeting was a bit informal,but I will update as we move along. 3/18/03 Dr. Hallowell did my surgery on 3/11.One thing I can say is that he means business,and he knows his job well.
    Insurer Info:
    QualChoice, HMO Select(medicaid)
    This insurance is provided thru Medicaid.I had no other means of insurance.I have to admit that they have been great to this point.I was approved for surgery consult in a week,and had the psyc.consult approved the same day.I only hope surgery is approved that quickly. 7/17/02 The following info. comes straight from QualChoice concerning what they want for approval consideration: 1.Referral from PCP 2.Degree of Obesity/BMI/Measurements 3.Summary of Medical History 4.Documented Severe Obesity for atleast FIVE YEARS. 5.MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION of supervised weight loss program evidenced by primary care physician or medical records of prior failed non-surgical weight loss attempts including diet and/or medications within the last two years. 6.Documentation of co-morbid conditions 7.Behavioral Health Evaluation by a Qual Choice Provider * do not attempt to talk to a specific individual concerning your approval in the Medical Review Dept.They will not do that for anyone. * GET NAMES OF EVERYONE YOU TALK TO ON THE PHONE !!!!!!!! * Do what they ask and it should be fine.

    About Me
    Olmsted Falls, OH
    Location
    45.2
    BMI
    Apr 02, 2002
    Member Since

    Friends 8

    Latest Blog 2
    Learning forgiveness

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