Okay - so lesson learned... don't go into the OH chat...Aparently you aren't supposed to ask for advice in there. I didn't want to post a question on the boards because I was just looking to bounce something off of people that have walked this path.... anyhow, they didn't like it, and I don't know anyone, so apparently, Keep it to yourself loser!

: ( 

I had my ICanChange phone call today...here's a how it went

Sarah:  Hi Joni, how are you?
Me: Good thanks
Sarah: How are your goals going?
Me: Good thanks
Sarah:  How is the walking?  have you progressed?
Me: I had a set back because of my medication but I am off it now and walking again
Sarah:That's good.  Can I do anything else for you?
Me: No, but thanks, Can I call you if I need anything?
Sarah: Yes, lets plan to talk again on June 8th.
Me: Great talk to you then


So that took 5 minutes...and what I kept thinking is she has NO IDEA if I am lying or telling the truth about my goals.  But really, why does the insurance company pay for this service that is basically ineffective.  I mean, I appreciate Sarah, and she is sweet, but really, I think that the money they are spending on this program would be better suited paying for a nutritionist (which isn't covered)!  Anyhow, I only have 7 more phone calls and I get to apply for approval! 5 months and 15 days to go!!!

I've been off the omaprazole now for 4 days and I am feeling for the most part better.  I am having residual effects so I've been taking tums to help.  

Today I went for a walk with my daughter, we walked two laps and by the end my feet felt heavy and I was dragging.  But I did it.  I also enjoyed a wonderful day in the sun!  It was great.  Ordinarily, I wouldn't be caught dead outside when my neighbors are out an about.  (we share a common back yard)  I never want anyone to "see" me.  But along with deciding to have GBPS, I also decided that I need to be comfortable in my skin no matter what my size.  It's been liberating and I wonder if I don't care because I know there is an end in sight for me.

Tomorrow at 3 is my first Tufts ICanChange phone call.  I can't wait to talk to my coach.  

I called the doctor yesterday and asked her to send me for labs because I felt there was something VERY wrong with me.  As I was backtracking my symptoms and writing them down, I realized that they began a few days after my appointment with her, when she put me on Omapreazole.  I googled and sure enough, hypoglycemia is a side effect for 3%. LUCKY ME! Anyhow, I am off the O and instructed to go to the ER if I have any more symptoms.  

Last night was really rough.  I got home from work at 4 and collapsed on the couch and started crying (not to be dramatic) my daughter brought me some dinner, which I wolfed down.  I couldn't keep my eyes open after that and went and lay down on my bed for a few minutes.  I woke up at 6:30 this morning - still in my jeans. It was really frightening.

This morning was rough but once I was around the bend at about 10:30, I felt so much better!  I have sipped water all day, had a yogurt, piece of fruit, a lean cuisine for lunch and I feel fabulous today.  I am clear headed and back to my normal level-headedness.

Lesson learned NO MORE OMEPERAZOLE FOR ME!

My hypoglycemia has reared its stupid, ugly head repeatedly this week.  I have had 4 episodes in one week.  I have had them so rarely that I was surprised to have so many clustered together.  I had thought I connected it to the Lean Cuisine meals that I had at work for lunch this week.  But this morning I woke up with one.  I rushed right to the fridge for a yogurt and a whole grain english muffin.  I also took my vitamins right away and drank an "emergency"  It took about an hour before I felt better.  Not sure what's going on with this but I better get it under control fast!  I would hate to pass out at work or something!

Doing good at drinking my water, chewing and walking.  

Things to remember to talk to the doctor about - hypoglycemia, will they be able to do RNY with my gall bladder scar?

I had a good week this week with my goals.  I ate nearly every meal slowly.  30 minutes of pulverising my food with my teeth and not drinking water 30 minutes before or after a meal.  Spaghetti sure is hard to pulverize! I also walked 3 days last week but the pain in my foot was too much to do two laps. But still, that's progress!

I went to the Toby Hospital WLS orientation last night.  They said it's a 4 month program and the Surgeon explained the risks and benefits of each surgery.  

While I have concerns about the procedure, I am heavily leaning to the RNY rather than the Lap Band.  The percentage of extended weight loss with the band is about what I could do with weight watchers.  Realstically for me, losing the weight isn't my problem, it's keeping the weight off!  I have a feeling that I would be more likely to manipulate the Band and therefore, fail.

I have to fill out my forms and send them to the surgeon next week.  He was familiar with the Tufts ICanChange program and said that the Toby program and the Tufts program can run concurrently.

Next hurdle after this, Come up with $550 for the "non reimbursable" educational program fee. 

Oh yeah - forgot to say, I called my insurance company, they said that the most I will have to pay out of pocket for the surgery is $750.  BUT...I might not have to even pay that if I get approval from my employers medical director since the service isn't offered at my work.  I work at a hospital that is a 'self pay through Tufts.  This basically means that if I have medical care at my facility or through any of the MD's that are desgnaited providers through my employer, my out of pocket expenses are 0!  That includes xrays, surgery, labs, etc! 

So that's it for today! Happy day
Me

Tufts ICanChange

Posted 04-30-2010 at 05:18 PM by JoMi Tags

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Well I had a great end to my first week of pre-LAP-BAND® land! I faxed my form off to Tufts ICanChange yesterday and TODAY, my coach Sarah called me! I was so amazed at how fast the turn around was! I had read and researched that the turn around is super slow - not for me! YAY

The awkward part is that because of the time Sarah called, my office mate- (a guy) sat down at his desk when I was on the phone. At first I was mortified. But then I realized, too bad - because we share an office and we have worked closely for 7 years, I should probably not stress too much. So I finished my phone call, hung up and told him that I was talking to a nutritionist. I will have to bring him on board when I get closer to the 6 month mark, I know that. He isn't one of those non-observant guys and he cares about me to boot.

So anyway, I think I will keep my blog updated on the ICanChange, just in case someone else has Tufts and is looking for information! (The program is a big mystery!)

Sarah told me that I will have 8 scheduled calls with her in 6 months. They will be sending me a welcome email that I should read and there are 3 requirements to having insurance approval.
1- I need to achieve 7 of 8 phone calls with my Coach
2 - I need to complete an informed decision booklet that Sarah will help me complete
3 - I need to choose 2 measurable behavior modifications.

My measurable modifications are:
- I will chew my food! I keep reading in all of the blogs that bandsters need to slow down and chew their food and not gulp. I am a big gulper so I think working on this will benefit me pre and post band. My measure will be that I take 30 minutes to eat every meal!!!
- I will increase my walking - I had a bunionectomy and 2nd toe broken and was not allowed to walk for a month. I was in a walking cast for an additional 3 weeks and just was released by my doctor on Monday. Needless to say, because of the pain, I will need to work myself up to my goal of 2 laps around my street (approx 1/4 mile each lap) My goal is to do 2 laps 3 times a week.

Oh yeah, Also - Sarah said not to focus on losing weight. She said that the surgeons at the program I choose will set a pre-op weight goal for me.

My first call is scheduled for May 18 at 3:30!

WOOT WOOT!!! By the way, my mom was tickled for me and my three daughters are totally supportive

Dear Diary,
I am so tired of:
My knees hurting,
My butt hang over both sides of a chair
People staring .

Okay so - MOO people, I get it, I am fat!

That being said, I am not a happy fat person, I hate how I look and I hate how I feel. So what are you going to do about it you say?

I say, I am going to fix it!

The first step, like any addict, Admit it out loud!

Today I made the first and second step in rescuing myself from my life slipping into a parallel universe with Gilbert Grape's mom.

I went to my MD. I started bawling as soon as I tried to speak. I am not a tearful person. I am logical and non-emotive. I guess the pain runs deeper than I think.

My doctor was very understanding and spoke of good outcomes other patients had. She filled out my insurance paperwork and gave me suggestions on food and diet.

Next step- Harass the Insurance company until they let me in the "I CanChange" program

I was a member at the Lap Band blog - but since I haven't decided 100% that LP is the way for me, I am moving over to OH.  Here are my blogs from there just for historical purposes