Jean Ann T.

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I'm APPROVED for RNY surgery through my insurance, Blue Cross/Blue Shield!!

I got the call about mid morning today! I saw the number of Dr G's office pop up and RAN into our server room.. not the quietest place I could have gone, but it was the closest with a little privacy!

Anquisa told me I was approved and my hands immediately started sweating and I got really excited! Probably more excited than I ever have with ANYTHING else. Seriously! (sad, huh? LOL) ANYWAY!

I was flyin' high all day! I finally got to call my dad about noon and he was happy for me, too. It's amazing how supportive all my friends and family are being. I was really worried about that at first, for some odd reason, but I know this is what I need at THIS time in my life and I'm READY!

WHEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

I finished today with my LAST appointment with my family doctor for the 3 months of physician approved dieting!!! YEAH! I have all the paperwork filled out for my bariatric doc and I'm sending it off to them today!

Next step... who knows? I'm guessing the lung doc, then an EKG or something.

The more I think about it, the more I think I should wait until spring. That way, I'll have vacation time again and more sick time to recover. We have short term disability, but we only get like 60% of what we make... I'm going to re-check that, too!

YEAH! So glad to have that done! I lost a few pounds on Weight Watchers at first, but ended up just -0.4 pounds! UGH! I don't feel like I cheated or anything like that. I did have a birthday party, vacation and the 4th of July in there, though. (And this week I'm premenstrual) fun times, I tell ya!

Well I'm off to clean out my dad's truck to sell.. maybe I'll sweat out about 15 pounds doing that! LOL or not...

Been through all the tests but one... but haven't heard from Dr Gorospe's office in a while. Kind of worrying me. I paid like $200 for my initial appointment, went everywhere they asked me to when they asked... now, I guess I'm just waiting to hear where to go next?

I know I have at least one more trip to my family doctor to check on my weight progress for insurance purposes, then I have an appointment left to make with the pulmonologist. I'm guessing they will call me... I have no idea who to call about this.

I'm going to email my nurse and see what, if anything, I need to do next.

Feeling a bit lost in the shuffle...

I have, however, lost 7 pounds in 6 weeks on Weight Watchers. Not too shabby.

Well, just got back from weighing in at Weight Watchers! I'm down to 306.2, when I started, I was 331 I guess. Didn't feel like I really even watched what I ate this past week. I really thought I would have gone up again.

I've started taking a gelcap vitamin. I got my hair cut this morning, Robin, my stylist told me it had grown out quite a bit since I'd seen her. Can't remember if I posted this, but my fingernails had been getting so long, I've had to trim them almost nightly! LOL

Last night was the first night I've had with my new CPAP machine. It's made by vigor8. I think it's going to be a good thing. My setting is on a 6. I don't think that's really all that high.

I had NO idea I wasn't breathing at night until my sleep studies. I never even thought I was big enough for my weight to cause apnea.

A friend at work and several other friends who have them and say they make a HUGE difference in your sleep quality. My back is a little sore from trying not to get caught up in the hose, but it's working itself out.

Haven't heard anything back from Dr Gorospe's office. Don't really know what the next step is right now, just riding the Weight Watchers wave... occasionally 'treating' myself, but never overdoing it.

WHEW! Ok, so Tuesday was a DAY of appointments. I know how important it is to get to all my appointments, so I kind of stretched myself a little thin. 

10:30am, dietician appointment. I got there, had a really good chat with her. Rene Norman was her name. As it turns out, she told me I have a really good start. I'm trying to research higher protein foods and sneak them in on myself. We had a really good talk. I got out of this appointment RIGHT when my second one, 4 miles away, was supposed to start...(at 12:15p)

1pm (oops) I get to the intersection and the 2nd doctor calls me with the "are you lost?" question. LOL Told her I was just around the corner. I got there just as I was hanging up from the call. Her name is Dr Rebecca Nicholas, she's here in Tulsa. I took a modified MMPI test, about 90something questions. We talked a little bit and she also agreed that I had a good support system and range of friends who've had good/bad experiences with RNY surgery. The appointment went really well. I pretty much just took the test and left it there for her to look over, then I'll have another appointment later.

3pm, Dr. Cindy Ting, my family doctor. She was impressed that I was feeling better about myself and looking better. She asked me to keep a string to measure my belly and one for my hips. It's working! I might not be losing pounds as much as I'd like to, but I'm losing inches! I've lost 3 pounds since I started eating healthier. Can't ask for much more!

I have one more sleep study coming up next Monday night. My readings were borderline the last time I slept there without a CPAP, so I guess they're wanting to see what good one will do me.

I also go back to my psychologist at 1pm the same day. I guess we'll probably talk about my results. I've never been to a psychologist, I think it's a good idea, though, for anyone to talk about their problems and things. I know she's here for my weight loss journey, but I might just bounce a little more off her. Can't hurt, right?

I've made some good friends both here and on LiveJournal in the WLS community. Friends are VERY important during this! I can't stress that enough!

Well, I made it through one sleep study. I didn't feel like I slept at all!

I got there at 9:30pm and sat around watching TV until close to midnight, not really sure, but Chelsea Lately was going off... lol (no clock in the room)

They were having computer problems from a storm the night before, they said. I just sat there, occasionally nodding off, but I didn't go to sleep until they had me all hooked up. (should have gotten a haircut before the appointment) haha

The results were very border line, so I'm scheduled for another sleep study with a CPAP on June 16th. I think I'll be able to at least get more comfortable so I can sleep better.. don't know about the CPAP though. People at work rave about theirs, I just don't know.

As for the Weight Watchers update, I'm down 3.2 pounds. I have a feeling this week will be more. Leesa's been away on a vacation with her family, so I haven't really been eating... at all. I eat at work, I just come home and can't really find anything here, so I usually just go to bed. I'm getting in a lot more water, I believe this really helps a lot!

We'll find out just how much I've lost this week on Tuesday when I weigh again.

I'm still using strings instead of a measuring tape to measure my belly and hips for weight loss at home. I'd rather not hop on my scales here because they're different than the ones at WW. I tied a loop in one end of two rope-type strings and pull one end through and mark it with a sharpie when I measure.

I'd never thought about doing this, but I wish I had one for every body part... LOL

Anyway... it's thundering here, so I'm going to turn off my 'puter. Breakfast time!!

Ok, I forgot to mention this, but I started Weight Watchers yesterday... Another prerequisite of my insurance, a 90 day physician approved diet. Dr Ting mentioned I should get some kind of string and measure inches lost instead of pounds lost, since she only wants me using her scales. Makes sense, and I think I'd see more results.

Dr G's staffer, Lisa, just called, we got my psych and sleep study set up. I asked her if it was going to be like sleeping in a hospital. lol She said it was more like a hotel room, so that'll be nice. If anything, an evening away from the barking dogs. I can sometimes ignore them, but a night totally without will be nice.

Leesa's got some cold/allergy thing. She's miserable. I've let her start taking my Allegra and Nasonex since she has no insurance yet. I know, bad me, but I just don't want her to be miserable.

I'm really excited, to say the least. One of my coworkers said I'd have to eat all my points on WW... I had like 17 left over the other day. I really don't think overeating is my problem, my metabolism just stinks! Wonder if I should mention that to Dr G... hmm

Anyway, I'm off to do some shopping for the house. I think this whole experience has given me more energy (if that makes sense). I feel like cleaning the whole house! (could be the multivitamin) LOL!

Have a good one!
Jat

Ok, so my D.O. is Dr Cindy Ting, associated with St John's here in Tulsa. I just went by the office to drop off my forms for the 90 day physician approval for the diet and they can fit me in TODAY! So here starts my 90 days!

I'm going to Weight Watchers later, after the appointment, to get all enrolled and see what it's all about. My sister says it works for her. We'll see, at least it will be a head start. Maybe I can loose some and not yo-yo before surgery... lol

I'm excited! It's easier than I thought it would be! Just wish I'd done this last year!

Well, the first appointment went well. Dr Gorospe and another doctor, Lisa, answered all the questions I had. I really didn't have many because I've been researching this for 3-4 years now. I just can't wait to get the calls back for test scheduling.

I'm going to do RNY. I think I'd feel a lot more comfortable going with the procedure I know most about. He did tell me gastric sleeve probably wouldn't get past my insurance, which is ok, I was only mildly curious about that procedure.

Some people have messaged me about different procedures, (ie. band, DS) and I still believe RNY will be best for me.

I can safely say I'm NOT looking forward to hanging skin. I don't know if I'd have much... and might only need a tummy tuck, but still. Might have to save up and get something done about that on down the road.

My family is VERY supportive of this now and I'm really grateful for that. I sent out an email to them telling them I appreciated them educating themselves and realizing this wasn't the magic bullet they thought it was.

I've been very busy this past week, really watching the quality of food I'm eating, as well as the portion size. We've been going to my nephew's baseball games and getting outside more. Feels like I'm on the right track!

... and thanks to everyone I've met on OH.com! You guys are great!

Well, I'm on my way! I made my first appointment with Dr. Luis Gorospe and it's this Friday! I'm missing a whole morning of work, I might just take the whole day off.

The appointment is supposed to take 2-3 hours. I'm not sure what's going to happen, so I guess I'll just dress comfortably.

I'm very excited about this! It's finally covered under my insurance, so I figured I might as well jump in!

I think I have to be on a diet for 6-9 months under a physicians care... unless he can find a comorbidity. I might have sleep apnea, but I haven't been tested.


Jat