John K
http://www.freecountercode.com/
Currently setting up an appointment with my gp to get the letter written to send to my insurance company. I called yesterday and they said they cover wls. I am concerned in doing research I have seen that after 5 yrs that a majority of wls patients gain back 50% of their weight. In the last 1 1/2 years I lost and gained 110 lbs. It sure as hell came back faster than it came off.
10-20-04
Had my appointment with my GP today, all went well. He put me on more bp meds. Now I am taking 2. He wrote me the letter to send to the ins company. Hope it works. Up from 304 in Jan to 384 as of yesterday. Unreal how that weight piles back on. SIGH Will keep you updated on ins company.
10-23-04
Ok, I got the letter from my Dr. I have sent it off to Humana hoping for approval. I wasnt too impressed with the letter, was short and not real thorough. We shall see, ins didnt request a letter from me, but I have one in case of the need for an appeal. Hopefully it wont come to that. CROSSING MY FINGERS
11-20-04
Still waiting for approval from the ins company. I called and they said they had forwarded my information to the "proper department." Whatever that means. Anyway, I havent been denied so that good news.
11-24-04
Well, I got a call from my pcp office today. She said that they had received instruction from Humana HMO to refer me to a psycologist for a psyc eval. HOLY COW, I think I am approved. I am a bit concerned though, although they didnt come out and say it, I think I need to get it done by the first of the year. They told the pcp office that time was crucial. So, I may call the ins tomorrow and just check and see whats going on. I started off by getting the pscy eval, its for Next Wednesday. I will contact Dr. Wilson's office on Monday and see if they can squeeze me in sooner than 12-14.
12-14-04
Had my consult today with Dr. Wilson. Man, that is a very professional and nice setup they have there. Before I saw Dr. Wilson though I met with a Dr. Leichman who is heading up a program that will test the heart before and after the wls. The purpose of this study is to determine the affects that wls has on the heart. I went ahead and signed up for the program. A few fringe benefits, I dont have to pay for my diet consult and the cardiogram. Also, although it is somewhat time consuming, I will get the assistance of meeting with a dietician once a month. Negatives are that they will take 3 biopsies from my thigh muscle. One prior, one 3 mo's after and one 9 mo's after. Anyway, I also heard from the pcp office and Erika told me the only thing the insurance company was needing was the letter from my pscy eval to give me approval for the surgery. Bad news was that I have now gone up to 402 lbs. Unreal, from 304 in January to 402 today.
12-27-04
GREAT NEWS!!
I am approved. I just got off the phone with Humana and everything is a go. I will let everyone know as soon as I get a date.
1-14-05
Just got off the phone with Connie from Dr. Wilsons office. I have all my tests completed except the nutritional screen and I will do that on the 18th. My surgery date is February 16th, and I am scared as hell, lol.
1-20-05
Well, I would like to thank Samantha W for voluteering to be my angel. We are getting together this weekend with our families and finally getting to meet in person for the first time.
2-17-05
I came down with a nasty cold/flu last week. I was still congested so Connie told me to come in and let Dr. Wilson check me out on the 15th. I went in and he said he wasnt going to take a chance with the gongestion and didnt want an infection of some sort to set in so he has rescheduled my surgery for February 28th. He also gave me a Z pack which has already just about knocked the congestion, cough and sore throat out of the window, wickedly good stuff.
2-27-05
Its 3 AM in the morning. Cant sleep, chilling, wondering, worrying. I guess all thats part of it. I got all my stuff together. I will pack it tomorrow. My parents are coming in today and will spend the night and go with us to the hospital. I guess this is my last update till I get home from the hospital. See all you folks on the loosing side.
3-4-05
Well, I am on the loosing side. Surgery came off without a hitch. The doctor did say that my stomach was attached to the abdominal wall instead of free floating like they are supposed to be. I dont know if that caused any problems or not, I dont remember the conversation that well when I heard it, lol. Anyway, just chilling at home right now, trying to get in all the liquids. I could do it with not problem if I could drink more than an ounce at a time, lol. Anyway, I will post again after my 1 week postop visit on the 8th.
3-7-05
Ok, Went to the Dr. today for my 1 week checkup and I weighed in at 382. I started this journey at 404 so I have lost 22 lbs so far. Just wanted to share that information with yall. I was pumped. Although, I was dissapointed, I was hoping I could start pureed. I am so sick of drinking those protein drinks only and not being able eat something. I did eat some cream of wheat today which was probably the best tasting cream of wheat that I have ever ate, lol.
3-29-05
I had my 1 month visit to the research clinic today at Herman Hospital. Official weight (with clothes on) was 362.6, so I have "officially" lost 41.4 lbs but I know standing in the raw it would be well over 45 lbs. I was exited, had problems getting the blood out of my arm so they wound up taking it from my hand. I have horrible veins.
It was also nice to see Wanda today. Wanda is the Bariatric Coordinator at Herman Hospital and made my stay there as pleasant as possible and took care of everything for me.
4-5-05
Ok, I went in for my 5 week checkup. According to the Dr.'s scales, I am down 47 lbs. Of course, thats with all my clothes and shoes on. So, I say 50 lbs, lol. He is taking me off one of my bp meds seeing as it was 140/70 when I went in today. So I guess the bp is starting to stabalize as well. Alls going well as can be expected. Almost too good.
These pictures were taken on 3-24-05 at my parents house in Teague,Texas.
Me down from 404.
Me, my brother Vince and my brother Joe.
5-1-05
I am 2 months and 3 days out now. I am feeling a lot better. I got on the scales this morning and was down to about 338. I now have so much energy I am getting to that stage where I just have to be on the go all the time. It feels good too. Alright, off to get ready for church, more news later.
5-20-05
The picture below was taken today after my 3 month postop visit. Although it was actually 2 months and 3 weeks not a full 3 months. I am down to 330 lbs officialy for a total loss of 74 lbs. All my labs were good so I am pleased. It was a rather weird experience getting the biopsy on my thigh muscle done. It was really strange to feel a big ole tube being inserted into your thigh muscle, then they use suction and remove a piece of the muscle tissue. The reason this is being done is due to the research study that I volunteered for that measures the affect of wls on the patients heart. They claim the thigh muscle is a mirror image of the heart muscle as far as being able to tell how healthy or un-healthy it is.
More updates later on.
5-25-05
These are some pictures taken today at the Pasadena Police Officers fishing tournament. I am holding the 2 small ones and my brother is holding the big one. He won first prize for his fish. We had a good time and it was fun.
Me and 2 Fish.
My brother Joe and a 5.56 lb trout. (spotted sea trout)
5-30-05
I am stuck on about 310 right now. I guess I am at that mother of all plateaus. At 310 that is 94 lbs weight loss. I hope it breaks soon and starts to go down. I will update again later. Also, here are some pictures taken this week of our camping trip.
Mom & Dad
My son Weldon, wore out
Deer in camp with us
My Dad, Mom, Myself and my Brother
Raccoons in camp with us.
8-11-05
I thought I would give a little update, I havent done so in a while. As far as my health goes, I am doing well. I am completely off of my bp meds at this point, down 101 lbs and I feel a lot better. I am somewhat dissapointed in the amount of lbs lost but I am partialy to blame for that. Also,I am working out and excercising so maybe the fat is getting replaced by muscle. I am loosing inches though so thats all that counts. Here is a recent photo taken tonight, excuse the sweat, I had just got through walking.
October 31, 2005
Update on me. It has been a long time. Weight loss is extremely slow but its coming. Here is a picture of the new addition to the family. Sable Miranda Kimble, full blooded excellent blood lines German Shepherd. She is 8 weeks old as of this past Friday and is a hand ful. But, we are enjoying.
Here is a most recent picture of myself also. Down about 115 lbs. Everything is good with me except I have to have surgery on my right knee on the 28th of this month.
11-13-05
Well, I have some bad news. I am currently unemployed. Due to a lack of communication I no longer have a job. I wont go any deeper than that but just to say I have a grievance filed and will let yall know what happens. I guess it was a blessing in disguise, I have started loosing again. Down to 283. I have lost about 12 lbs in 1 1/2 weeks. I have also started walking again, I have to cancel my 24hr Fitness due to finances. Its all good, although I may be going either to Louisiana or Doha, Qatar if I can get them lined up. Good money for security details at both places.
1-06
Not sure what day this was but its a picture of my son and I at the range.
2-27-06
Well, I havent updated in a while so I thought I would take a little time to do so. I have went back to work as of 1-17-06. I am working for a small agency west of Houston. I am excited about the prospects and the potential that this department has. Hopefully, since it is a small department, I can reach some goals that I have set for myself as far as moving up the chain to be a supervisor. I think the possibilities are endless and I am hoping to move on up the ladder here.
3-30-06
Just a little up date. Here is an updated picture of my 6 mo old Shepherd Sable on the left and my Shepherd mix, Schotzy. These were taken this morning. Scroll up to see how much Sable has grown.
4-6-06
I Just wanted to say thanks to Samantha W for driving to Dr. Wilson's support meeting last night. And also it was a pleasure meeting you ladies that rode with us.
10-8-06
WOW! Has it really been 6 mo's since I updated? I put a new picture on my profile, the latest one I have. I have been promoted to Detective and got a raise so all is good for me right now. I am currently checking out the prospects of having plastics to remove the excess baggage. Will follow up with more news later.
11-16-06
I have an appointment set up with Dr. Lomonaco on the 21st for a consultation for plastic surgery. My insurance company will cover 50% of my procedure. I will update after the consult.
8-1-07
I know its been a while since I updated. This gonna be short n sweet. The wife and I have decided to go our separate ways. My sons is staying with me in Katy so he can finish school at Katy HS. The house is selling on the 21st, crossing my fingers it doesnt fall through. Anyway, enough for now I will update later.
2-24-08
Been six months since I updated. Figured it was time.
I have met a wonderfual woman that I am currently dating. She lives in my apartment complex and we have been the best of friends for six months and one thing lead to another and here we are. Its also a very postive thing that my son has actually been trying to play match make between us for about a month. He likes her a lot and they have a good relationship. Funny story on how we met. I had signed a contract on my house on a Thursday. I leased an apartment on that day. On Friday my realtor called me back to tell me that the deal had fallen through. I contacted the apartment complex and let them know that I needed to back out of my lease. On Monday I was contacted by my realtor and she told me the sale of the house was back on. I called the apartment complex had signed a lease for the only available apartment, the one that I had leased and had to back out of. Well, I signed a 2 week lease on a unit just for temporary housing. Make a long story short, Michelle is the one that leased the apartment that I had to back out of. Funny how things work. If I hadnt had to back out of that lease we may have never met.
I have lost another 30+ lbs since separating from my wife. I think its because the stress is gone in my life! I am currently down to a weight, 260ish, that I havent been down to since 1987. Feel great, except I need to start walking and working out again.
Enough for now, hopefully it wont be 6 mo's before I post again.
4-5-08
Time for another update. I thought I would give you some ramblings from a bored man!
The weight is currently stayingoff. I know if I dont start exercising again and making better food choices that is going to change. I also have not quit smoking. I am starting to walk again on Tuesday. I have to do this, I need to keep myself in better shape.
Michelle and I have made an offer on a house. We are looking forward to moving in and getting out of the apartments. Michelle and I are now engaged and she makes me extremely happy. I dont know what I did until she came into my life. We talk about everything and not a day goes by that she doesnt tell me that she loves me. She is also thoughtful and mindful of me and Weldon. She has been great with Weldon, even helps me keep his butt in line.
I would also like to say that I am extremely grateful to her for getting onto OH and learning the ins and outs of what makes me tick and also mindful of the people on OH. I think she is more into things going on than me at times. She reads the board daily. She made mention of someone the other day on the board and I had no idea who she was talking about. What I am getting at is that she is genuinely supportive of me and the changes in my life that have been brought on by WLS. She is even supportive of having PS and thats something we will start saving for as soon as we get settled into the new house. I hope everyone understands that she isnt here to "keep an eye" on me, she isnt here to cause drama, she is here for support and to learn about the OH community. Just wanted to say I love you Michelle!
Ok, enough for now, I will update more if and when we get the house.
11-11-08
Wow how time flies. Here it is November, I have gotten remarried, bought a house and got a baby due December 18th. I found the most incredible woman ever who loves me for who I am.
I know it was short and sweet but thats all I got for now.
