jenzstory
Well, I am 28 5'2" and @ 265.......I am in the middle of the things I have to do to get approval from my insurance company......I have had my sleep study, psych eval, nutritionist appt......My insurance requires that I see my PCP for 6 months before surgery....I have 2 left.....I get my referral in Dec for the surgeon. I am hoping to have my surgery in Jan.....Ill keep everyone posted.
oct 25, 2005 Today I had to call the Psychologists office bc they still havent scheduled my 2nd appt for depression testing......This is my 4th attempt on scheduling this.....today she told me that she couldnt even find record of me coming the first time, as if i were crazy.... well then an hour later i got good news and she found my eval from the first visit, and scheduled me for Mon Oct 31.....so i will get that done with......I am going tomorrow for this months visit with my PCP, just Nov and Dec left!!! I am still shooting for Jan for the surgery date, even more so now bc I think my husband will be deploying earlier than scheduled and wont be here for it otherwise. Keep your fingers crossed!! < oct 29,2005 Well I went to my PCP appt on fri, and she is so wonderful!! She really is a great Dr. she said everything is moving along the right way and she sees no reason for Tricare to deny me, and she has never had them deny anyone that has followed the program, and i am doing that exactly. I did get some not so good news, i asked her about having my surgery in Jan like we talked about in the begining..... she told me that they have 3 different surgeons they refer to in our area....2 being in the tampa bay area and the last one is in ocala?!?! Hope not to get that one.....that is an hour and a half drive one way. that will stink..... she also said depending on their schedule, i could be waiting until about march, MARCH?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? my husband will for sure be gone if i have to wait that long..... she cant even refer me now so i can get on the schedule, they will deny the referral......so thats out too.....she is so nice, she feels badly that i am having to go thru all this, but i understand they have their rules, and if i wnat this i have to comply..... oct 31, 2005 okay......i went to the psychologist today.....took that 600 question test.....OMG!!! it was forever long and the questions?!?!? whatever, im just glad that i dont have to go back to that psychologist, i didnt care for him at all. so now i am back in the waiting game.......my next appt with my PCP is Nov 18, and i have all my pre op stuff done....... today has been one of those days......where it seems to take an eternity to go by, but tonight will lift my spirits.Taking my kids to trick-or-treat......i have tinkerbell, batman, and a bumble bee......wish us luck :)
Nov 21, 2005
I went to my 5th appt with my PCP on Fri, and it went well as usual, nothing really to report from that, had all my blood work redone and my EKG. Thats about it. Just having to wait to schedule my last appt with her, she would like to see me on Dec 13 but I cant make the appt yet bc the Dec schedule has not dropped in the computer system, so that is all i am waiting for. More of my extended family is finding out about the surgery, and I am getting mixed opinions. I knew this would happen and that is why i didnt want to tell anyone. I am getting the "DONT DO THIS YOU ARE GOING TO DIE!!!!!" this is something i really do not need right now. Like I havent thought of all the bad things that could happen......this decision was so hard to make but it is made and I cant go back......All of you understand I am sure. I just keep telling the negative opinions that this is the best chance that I have to be healthy and see my kids grow old.
Dec 28, 2005
Welllllll so much has happened!!!!! I went for my last appt with my PCP and she gave me my letter of approval from her, and faxed Tricare all my other info.....my appt was on Dec 16 and 4, yes I said 4 (OMG) days later I had gotten a call from the surgeon's office saying they had my referral from Tricare and for me to call to set up my appt......I am so excited!
I called them and have my initial eval with them Jan 9th, they said to just go over how how they do things and set my surgery date. This is going so quickly at this point bc of how Tricare does their process. I had to do everything up front with them; like my sleep study ect.
Well, christmas was good despite the fact that I told my family about the bypass......some were surprisingly supportive, the rest...not so much.....but its ok! We had a wonderful holiday, and my youngest son turned 1 yesterday so I think I am blessed.
Jan 9,2006
Today is my first consult with Dr.Murr.....my surgeon. Is it odd for me to be nervous? I am !!!! I have all the paperwork I am supposed to bring with me....all my medical records pertaining to weight loss, my psych. eval, and sleep study. My PCP also gave me a letter of release from her so that I could cut out a step in the process. My wonderful husband is going with me today, I am so lucky to have a man like him!!!! He is so paitent and kind......and so supportive. SOOOOO I will be back on later to update on how this appt goes. I am hoping to get my date today.
Later that day.......well I went to my appt, well tried to go anyway. The surgeons secretary called my husband at work, and told him that there was a mix up with my appt and I needed to call her. I didnt find this out until I met up with my husband as we are walking in to the office. To make a very long story shorter, most insurance companies do things the oppisite way of mine. I have to go thru the hospitals orentation before I am supposed to have a consultation with the surgeon. Well someone scheduled my consultation without me having gone thru the orentation. So I just "met" Dr.Murr, and am going to the orentation on Thurs.......I got lucky as they have this only once a month, and I didnt miss this months thank god. I was upset about the mix up but not as upset as I would have been if I had lost time......
on a good note I realy liked the staff that works with Dr Murr. He is really nice also, they were all so apologetic for the mistake. I did find out that in about 4 weeks I will be having surgery.
Jan 12, 2006
Went to the hospitals orentation for surgery, and for me it was SO repetetive.......They have this Dr. that you have to go thru for all the appts that I have already done....sleep study, psych eval...all that.....well it is MANDATORY that you go to this Dr and thru Spectra Healthcare....and it is a cash program only....they dont accept any insurance. and the cost?!?!?! 750, oh ya I said 750 dollars........well after the program i went up to set and appt with them bc i have to go if i want surgery and i cant change hospitals or surgeons........i put down my $50 deposit and asked about my situation, that i have already done all this, bc that is what my insurance requires......so they say i only have to pay for an office visit with the dr for her to review my records ( which is what the surgeons program manager does before sending in for insurance approval) so for me to have my records reviewed i have to pay $350......still sucks but better that $750......so i am fustrated.
My appt for that is Jan 24......God I hope it goes well.......
Feb 2,2006
I went to the appt with Spectra Healthcare......it went fine other than i was there waiting for 3 hours......i had the first appt of the day and i still waited. The dr was nice enough i guess.....aside from the fact that she told me that if i didnt get a cpap machine that i would die in recovery. the dr that reviewed my sleep study ( specialist) said that i didnt have enough episodes to need a machine. i dont know but i am now a nervous wreck.
My appt for consult for the surgeon and to schedule a date for surgery is Feb 24.......even tho they were supposed to get me in within a week of seeing Spectra ......i dont know....i am very fustrated at this point......i should be grateful i know......i know that there are hundreds of you out there who would love to be this far, i know. i just feel like nothing is working out how it was supposed to.......
Feb 7, 2006
So I am on here just looking around and decided that i should write down some "goal" or things i am looking fwd to happening after surgery.....
-to walk without my thighs rubbing together
-run on the playground with my kids
-take the stairs and not run out of breath
-not be the fattest person in the room
-play at a water park with my husband
-weigh less than my husband
-know i look on the outside how i feel on the inside
-not worry about getting diabetes from being so overweight......
There is so much.......you all know this......the list could just go on and on......i guess i will add to it as i think of things.....i am just at the point where i want it to be done....i want to be on the losing side......i am getting impatient i know, itll get here........
take care
jen
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Feb 24, 2006
K so i went for my consultation today. Saw Dr.Gallagher........he was nice. His NP and secratary were really nice too......his schedule isnt as full as Dr. Murr so i think that i am going to go with him to do my surgery. They are partners so i am thinking that he should be just as good.
All of my file is in order, they are putting my package together for insurance approval.....it went out today or first thing Mon. So as soon as we get the approval from Tricare i get my date.....they said in all itll be 3-4 weeks.....till i am in surgery. They also said that Tricare is good to work with so that it should be on the lesser side of all that time........I CANT WAIT!!!!!!! I am excited and nervous and terrified all at the same time....if that is possible.
My wonderful husband went with me, even tho he had to fly last night......he didnt land till 330 this am and then got home at 430 .... slept till 630 and we have been going non stop since.
Let me just say that i think that i am the LUCKIEST woman on earth......he is so supportive....so loving ..... just so .....HIM. and i love him more than words can say. Thank you baby.....for being you.....
take care~
jen
March 14, 2006
HHHHmmmmmmm where to begin.......i have been nothing but fustrated since i went for my consultation. To make a very long story short.....the Dr office kept telling me that they had sent my request for surgery over to Tricare, and Tricare kept saying that they had not received it at all......they were great, trying to be helpful and all.....the Dr office not so much. But then to my surprise Tricare finally received it Fri afternoon (the 10th) and told me that i should have an answer today, which is perfect last min timing......my husband is slotted to be on a jet this Sun unless i get a surgery date. Wish me luck, I will post as soon as I know anything!!!
Mar 17, 2006
I AM APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I found out last night on Tricares automated phone line. So all i have left is to call the Dr. Mon morning and get a date.
Mar 20, 2006
I have a date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 18......that is unless something gets moved up!! But at least the end is in sight.....i was hoping for sooner but its ok.......its almost over, well this part anyway, the rest is just begining......
Mar 27, 2006
22 days to go!!! OMG, that sounds so crazy after all this time. My emotions are like a roller coaster. One min excited and the next scared as hell. But i know this is the right thing for me to do, i know i have done all that i can to lose this weight. I dont know if anyone is reading this but i hope that if me writing this all down helps just one person get thru this is is worth it.
Mar 29, 2006
I just had lunch with a great group of ladies.......they are all in various stages of this process, and were so helpful. Thank you Vicki for inviting me.
Things are just moving along in my story....just waiting for my pre-op appt......and then itll be MY DAY!!! Lunch today helped me put my nerves at ease, at least for today.....i am at an excited point and want it to get here so that i can be on the other side....
I am also about to start job hunting, something that i have not done in over 3 years is work outside the house. It is time for our boys to be socialized with other kids and the extra money wont hurt either......
Anyhoo i hope that reading this will help someone at some point..... i know me being on this site and reading what other people have been through, helps me.
Take care all~
Jen
April 4, 2006
13 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG, I am so excited/nervous/happy/scared......everything at once. I got my pre-op appt....that is on April 11. Things are getting there...and my nerves are coming along. I have good days and then I have days where I am nervous as hell. But I know that i need to do this that it is my last resort.
The worst thing going on right now is that my whole house has been sick.....and i keep getting it. We thought that it was gone but then my 2 yr old started puking last night, and then i got sick this morning.....so just hoping that this is gone or they wont clear me in preop on tues.......keeping my fingers crossed.
April 10, 2006
K.....I have preop tomorrow.......wow.......my date got moved back to the 19th tho....one day oh well......i am so excited to have it in sight that i dont think anything can bring me down....
The roller coaster of emotions is fierce though. one min i am on cloud 9 then then the next im crying.....i hear this is normal. i hope so.
April 11, 2006
Went to pre-op today.....it went fine...took from 830 till 1230 so that wasnt fun but the whole thing went ok. The only thing i didnt like was when they had to take my blood gases.....that was not fun. But all in all it was fine.
When i first got there my nerves were on edge but then as the time passed and i was answering a million questions, i got more relaxed about the whole surgery. it sank in i guess that all i have been working twords has come to a end. that i am at the finish line!!!! wow. all of you out there who are at the begining of this, and think itll never get here, it will! have faith. for everyone who has read this or is now reading this ..... for those of you who keep me in your prayers.....who even think of me at all .... i THANK U all of you......
April 19, 2006
The day is here......we are leaving for the hospital in 30 min. Next time that I write i will be on the other side. Keep me in your prayers. Good luck to everyone else that is here, at any point in this journey.
All i can really say that i am feeling right now is wow........
April 26, 2006
Well it has been one week today.......it has been a hard week. I am still in alot of pain. The surgery itself went well, but everything after was not great.
I got out of recovery and, due to some mix up that i still dont understand, it took me literally HOURS to get pain meds. I was in so much pain that i was out of it. They got that under control by the evening, and then i was ok, until the next morning. They came to get me to take me to get my upper gi. well it was time for my morophine pump to be changed, and the nurse asked me if i wanted to wait to go have the upper gi or just get my new meds when i got back. they told me that it would only take 5 mins so i said i would wait. well the upper gi did only take 5 mins but then i got left in a hallway, waiting for someone to take me back to my room for an hour. i was so HOT i was dripping with sweat, i was puking, and nothing for pain. it was horrible. the hospital stay was just insane. even though my upper gi was fine, i couldnt start my liquids bc my heart rate was so high (167). they figured out it got that way from the hallway incident and me getting sick and upset.
Right now i just want to feel better. i dont want food. i dont want anything but water right now and am having a hard time getting everything in that i am supposed to but i am doing my best.
i just want to not be in pain and not be sick to my stomach. the nausea meds make me puke. just friggen great right?
but i am not upset that i did this. i am still at peace with my decision.......i KNOW that things will get better. they will.
i have faith.
May 2, 2006
Well its like 13 days out.....i am doing better. Just having healing pain. Have been up moving around alot, trying to get back to normal.....so am sore from all that. Got on the scale this morning... drum roll please......205......i was 228 at preop......so that makes 23 pounds.....wow.
its all the liquids i know but it still sounds good as hell to hear it. haha.
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May 13, 2006
30lbs gone.....thats good......i am still in alot of pain. went back into the hospital wed for the pain. they said that i am good as far as blood work goes. and after every test under the sun i am ok. the pain is just my muscles having a hard time healing. well that isnt nice.....bc it friggen hurts. had a horrible time again with the nurses......i think one was hell bent on killing me....i would never recommend the hospital ever.....i know everyone who has my surgeon has to go to this hospital but wow does it suck. the surgical team and the fellows are wonderful but the actual hospital staff sucks.
May 18, 2006
Down 2 more lbs........still not going beyond soft food even tho i had my 4 week follow up with the NP yesterday and she said i could start introducing food slowly. so i am still doing my protien shakes mostly and some mashed potatos......water....crytsal light...
vitamins and all that. nothing interesting in my mouth....haha..... i have been reading the msg board for April surgeries....and am amazed at what some ppl are eating ...some had surgery after me and are like really eating! i am kinda in shock over it but if it works for them i guess its ok.....i threw up for the first time today....i took some liquid day qill OMG!!! it was horrible.....dont do it no matter how bad your head cold is......
May 20, 2006
Today I am down to 195.....go me!!!!! I am getting along pretty well. Still having some of the pain in my abdomen, but getting better. I am going to the YMCA today to go swim with my kids.....I have a pool in my backyard but they like they kid water land thing at the Y......so that is what is going on today. I am missing my husband today alot.....he has been gone a week now and wont be home till mon, he is somewhere is Greece i think. So i am lonely.
May 30, 2006
Down 44lbs!!! WOW. Things are slowly getting better......got new nausea meds in pill form and they help alot. Started working out, and that is going well.....still have the pain that i went to the hospital for, but am learning to live with it. Starting to eat normal food slowly, a couple of bites at a time. The hardest thing for me at this point with food is not drinking while i am eating. I just am SO thirsty while eating anything.
June 2,2006
Well for the first time since surgery i actually regretted having it done. Last night i was so sick i wanted to die.....for the last few days i am having a hard time keeping anything down. well last night it was HORRIBLE!!!! i thought i was going to throw up my pouch. i wanted to die. i am having a hard time i really am..... my husband is trying so hard to help, he is at a loss of what he can do for me. i dont know what to tell him bc it is all new for me too....i dont know if we should be calling the dr or if this is normal......
so today is not such a good post....sorry for the downer....
June 8,2006
Well I went back in the hospital on this past Sun.....called in for a refill on my meds and they asked what was going on.....and then said get to the hospital now.....thought i had a stricture. well after yet another upper GI and a scope going down my throat....i have an ulcer. this is why i have been feeling so nasty. so am on new meds for that. one good thing tho.....everyone was saying how good i look.....that was nice to hear. Dr.Gallagher is such a nice man, so glad i picked him to do my surgery.
June 14, 2006
Ok, well the first few days after the ulcer meds i felt WONDERFUL!! but am back to feeling icky. i dont know what i am to do......went to the support group meeting last week and felt good to help some ppl who are begining their journey. and the women that i go with are just great! down to 185....thats 50lbs......some days i can feel it some days not. going to the gym has been hit and miss bc of how i have been feeling. i guess i just need to relax about it and let the meds work. still having a hard time getting in all my protien and water. hope you all are having a good summer so far.....take care all of you~
jen
June 22, 2006
Down to 183....i think i am starting to slow up in the loosing.....thats ok i know itll all come off......i think part of my problem is that i am not taking in enough calories. so in turn my body is holding on to everything. maybe? i dunno......
im worried about my water and protein intake still.....i can not even swallow one sip of any protein drink....trust me i have tried them all at this point have 15 jugs of it under my sink......
i guess all in all i am starting to feel a bit better......
take care~
Jen
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July 7, 2006
OMG!!!! Had a WOW moment yesterday....got a new job, serving at a new Irish pub here just to get out of the house, anyhoo......i had to go get some new black pants and as any of you who are on the loosing side know i grabbed the wrong size (an 18) and my husband says this is not ur size.....duh jen well i ended up with a 13 JUNIORS!!!!!!!!!! can u even imagine? i still cant get me head around the fact that they fit and arent even too tight.......
July 25, 2006
Ok so I am down to 170 and tried on the dress that i bought for after surgery ..... you know the "goal" outfit. well it is a 9/10 and it fits.....its a little tight but it fits.......i am amazed.......i have the loose skin already, but that is what plastic surgery is for. Seriously tho, i have been working out 6 days a week and i am now up to jogging on the treadmill, JOGGING!!!!! i havent done that in like 7-8 yrs. so that is good....i am also weight training everyday to help out with the skin problem. my personal weight goal was 150, so we will see how long it takes to get there......btw i go in to see Dr. Gallagher Fri am......hope my blood work was good!!
Aug 17,2006
Well my blood work was good.....forgot to come back and post about that! Dr.Gallagher was very impressed about my weight loss.
I went to Vegas last week and let me just tell you all it was AWSOME!!!!! i had a blast......i would never have been able to walk around like i did 4 months ago.....77lbs gone. i lost weight in vegas laying by the pool haha......no really i used the gym at the hotel. we went all over and it was great just spending time with my husband, we havent done that in so long. i start school next week and am nervous about that but i think all will be ok...... hope that everythin is goin well for you all!
Take care~
Jen
Sept 8,2006
Well today is both a good day and ick day.....i am down to 148 (holy crap) i cant even believe it. my personal goal was 150....so from here on out it is all great great great! honestly i dont want to get too much smaller, i want to get rid of this skin, but that is about it....i am in a 9/10 jean, and i think that is friggen great.
on another note i have been so busy with school i havent been able to go to any meetings. they are on the nights the i am in class so next semester i am going to have to watch my schedule so i can make a meeting......
the ick part of my day is that we are all sick as dogs.....was up all night with a puking 3 yr old......no fun....
well i know that i need to post a pic on here.....for before and after.....i just need to find a before bc i never had my pic taken... but we are having a family pic taken in the next week so that will be my after.
hope everyone out there (whereever u are in your journey) is doing well.....
take care~
jen
Oct 27, 2006
Well it has been a while since i posted im sorry!!!! i have just been too busy with school and the kids. i am down to 130. and trying to stay here. i dont want to lose anymore. Dr.Gallagher told me i could start looking into plastics, so i have been. i go for another consultation with the one at USF physicians group on the 1st of Nov. i will write how it goes. supposedly they said they can get Tricare to pay for it....im not so sure about that but if they could that would be incredible. i could be so lucky!!!
i am trying to figure out how to post a profile before and after pic but am not having any luck....lol...i will figure it out or have my husband do it for me.....
Nov 6, 2006
Well i went to the appt at usf with david smith. he was really straight forward.said he is going to cut me all the way around, and lift the butt as well as pull the tummy down. the first thing he said when he looked was that he was 90% sure that insurance would pay bc i have SO much extra skin. my breasts are going to hav to wait for another time, but that is ok. i want the tummy gone forever. all in all i liked him alot. have been to several consultations and liked him the best, and he is the only one who is even going to try the insurance.
Dec 7, 2006
Well I got the news yesterday......I AM APPROVED FOR MY TUMMY TUCK!!!!!!!!!!!My insurance is going to pay......i have no idea how or why and i am not asking any questions, i am just going to take it and run! my surgery is already scheduled for Jan 4th. omg...i am so excited and nervous all at the same time. it is just unreal to me just like when i was approved for bypass......
Jan 21, 2007
Well my circumfrential Tummy tuck got moved to Dec 22, and I was supposed to be in the hospital for Christmas, but I got out Christmas Eve morning. The surgery was AWSOME!!! I have yet to have any horrible pain. I have had moments of hurting, but that was @ 3weeks out from surgery and after I had gone back to school with going up and down stairs......other than that this was easier on me than my bypass.
I have been truly blessed in this journey. My husband and family are incredible. This is one of the hardes decisions that I have ever made, this is so serious having all these surgeries. But I am free. of all the sh*# that comes with being fat. All the looks, the not being able to find any clothes that fit right, not being able to play with my kids. all of it. it is done, and i will NEVER go back. i know the chance is there in the long term to gain, and there is no way i will get there. all i know is that my life is changed, i am changed and i am happy. i only hope that in reading this someone will be touched, that i might help the way some of these profiles helped me.
Oh, btw.....i have a wedding to plan.....my husband and i are renewing our vows next spring! we are doing it all over, like its a brand new start! i am so excited!!!! i have never even hung the first wedding pics, i hated how i looked and i now get the chance to show who i really was that day. life is good......
April,2009
Well here I am 3 years out, and still doing well.....I have maitained my weight this whole time within 5lbs. It has not always been easy, and not a day goes by that I don't think about what I am doing. I am still aware of what I should or should not do, yes, there are days that are better than others......but in all I am super proud to be where I am at.
I had breast augmentation, with silicone implants, and am happy with how I look now. All of this was worth it, and I would have revision every month if that is what I had to do to stay here.....I mean thank god I don't have to, I am just saying that I am happy as I have never been before.
