Joanne P.

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I realized that I haven't updated this blog in a while -- since two days prior to surgery, to be exact!
 
My surgery was uneventful and I am now over two months out.  I have lost a total of 65 lbs. (including the 20 lbs. lost just prior to surgery) and, more importantly, the debilitating pain and weakness in my lower-back is gone!  I can go grocery shopping without using an electric cart, and my neighbors can now breathe easy and shop without fear of being mowed down in the cereal aisle.  Also, loosing the bra strap extender was a big WOW moment for me.  It's the little things...

I am fortunate that all has been going as well as it has, and I'm hoping that things continue to progress without complications.  So far I have not experienced hunger nor cravings, and I sometimes need to remind myself to eat.  This won't last indefinitely, however, and I'm hoping the new relationship I am forming with food (my former enemy) will be life-long.

It's hard to believe that my surgery is in two days!  Time has flown by so quickly since I made my decision to have WLS in June, and attended my first information seminar in July.  All of the doctors' visits, scans, tests, blood draws, info. seminars, psych & nutritional evaluations, and saturating myself in all the information I could find, has finally led to this point.

The WLS program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital is very comprehensive and the entire staff has been patient, informative, and caring.  I feel very prepared for Monday's surgery, and at peace with my decision.  Of course, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but I think that would be the case for any surgery I was facing.  I keep reminding myself that I am in excellent and experienced hands and, for the entire time I will be under anesthesia, I will be the primary concern of a team of highly trained and dedicated professionals.

I don't believe we are ever led to a place in our lives, only to be left on the side of the road at a critical juncture.  I am surrounded by the loving support of my family, friends, and "invisibles," and I know I will be brought safely to the next phase of this journey.  Until then, I will make sure I have everything I'll need for the hospital and my first weeks at home.

Tonight I will enjoy a quiet dinner with Cynthia at our favorite restaurant, and talk in future tense...

I found out today that my surgery date will be Monday, November 10th!

It still seems unreal, and I'm waiting for it to sink in.  I feel grateful, scared, and very excited.

Mostly grateful...

Surgical evaluation went well, but it was an exhausting day!  Newton-Wellesley is over two hours away -- then an hour with the shrink, another hour with the dietition, down to the lab to have bloods drawn, and finally my consult with Dr. Gazmuri.  He is the most unpretentious, warm, respectful, and compassionate doctor I have ever met.  We spoke for an hour, and he patiently explained the procedure, answering whatever questions Cynthia and I had.  He wouldn't leave until he was sure we totally understood what life after surgery would be like.

As we were leaving, I was given "THE BINDER" -- which is the passport to the OR, and the official acceptance to the NW bariatric program!  The binder is full of information and instructions regarding the surgery as well as pre and post-op preparations and care.

I have a sleep study scheduled for 10/13, a follow-up on 10/21 for upper g.i. series, gall bladder ultra-sound, MORE bloods, meeting with the nurse, an anesthesiologist, and a resident (check-up and medical history).  Shortly afterwards, I will be notified of my surgical date.  If all continues to go well...

Recently, I've begun to feel as though my life is on hold until I have my surgery.  This is not a particularly good thing, since I haven't even had my surgical consult yet!

Originally I wanted to have the operation at some point after the Holidays, but now I will be happy with any date I'm scheduled for.  I just want to be done with it so that I can get on with my life.  There's so much lost time to make up for, and I can't wait to start.  I wonder what it will be like to not have my obesity be a factor in any given day.  What can it possibly be like to not wonder if the chair will hold me, whether I can buckle the seat belt, or find a parking space close enough.  To not have my "third ear" continually tuned in for the inevitable rude comments...

I've made a vow that once the surgery is over and I've healed, that I will try and find a way to help and support others who are suffering from obesity.  Everything I have endured over my entire adult life will have been for nothing if I can't find a way to "give back."

After a lot of soul-searching, research, and talking to post-ops of both procedures, I've decided that having an RNY is the best path for me.

Dr. Gazmuri of Newton Wellesley Hospital comes very highly recommended by people I know who had the surgery over six years ago (as well as by so many people from OH):

    (http://www.newtonwellesleywls.com/content/16.htm).

My appointment is on 9/23 for psych eval, nutritionist meeting, and surgical consult.  If all goes well, my surgery will be after the Holidays.  Also, it seems that my current health coverage, Neigborhood Health Plan, will not be the problem I thought it would be, and I DO NOT need a referral from my PCP after all!.

To be continued...

Adrift in my indecision, I spoke to a person out here (Wellfleet) who underwent RNY six years ago.  She is a therapist who now runs a WLS support group.  In picking her brains, I found that she was not too keen on the lap band procedure, citing it's lack of long-term effectiveness -- among other things.  We spoke at length about the two different surgical options and I left feeling a little more open to the idea of RNY.

I know the ultimate decision is mine and neither surgery comes with a set of guarantees, but I shudder at the thought of setting myself up for yet another bright and shining start to an eating plan , only to have it crash and burn as I begin to "eat around" the lap band.  I know my history, and I have no reason to believe this will not happen.  Also, with my comorbidities, do I really want to wait two years to possibly lose only 30% of what I need to?

Stay tuned...

My 7-page application was mailed to Beth Israel Hosp. this afternoon.  If I pass their screening process, a bariatric nurse will call me, and we'll take it from there.  Like many "pre-ops," I keep swinging from lap band to RNY, not sure what I should do, frightened to have one, terrified to have the other.  

I will learn more at the info. session on 6/26, then be able to make an informed decision after meeting with Dr. Jones -- whenever that happens.  Now that I've made up my mind to have WLS, I feel as though this excess weight is a cement overcoat that I am impatient to remove.  I need to learn patience, though.  This journey demands it...

I saw my PCP this morning for a physical and to discuss my decision to have WLS.  It was a pleasant surprise to find her very enthusiastic about this big step, and to know she will be supportive every step of the way.  From many of the posts here, I was expecting some resistance and went prepared.  All that anxiety for nothing!  

Anyway, since she practices from a medical facility affiliated with Beth Israel Hosp., she cannot refer me to Dr. Lautz (Brigham & Woman's).  I was initially disappointed until I visited BI's WLS site (www.bidmc.harvard.edu.wls) and
actually felt more comfortable with their program.   Sooooo....I'm attending their info. session on 6/26, and I've downloaded the required "Health History Questionaire" (7 pages!) to fax over prior to my consultation.

Let's hope this entire journey is filled with positive experiences, and things "magically" falling into place...

... I learned that my insurance carrier (Neighbor Health Plan) requires six-months of doctor supervised work with a dietition, and even then may not approve my surgery.

The earliest available appointment for a consultaion with Dr. Lautz is not until sometime in October.  There is a slight chance the date could be moved up.

I've registered for the June 24th info sesson at Brigham & Women's Hosp.  

I'm researching other insurance providers to see what their requirements are, but I'm concerne that my obesity may be considered a "pre-existing condition" -- effectively excluding WLS for coverage.

Meanwhile...

I live on the very tip of Cape Cod, 2.5 hours from the nearest hospital performing bariatric surgery.

The results of my MRI came in today -- "herniated disk L5-S1" -- the cause of my inability to stand for more than 15 minutes or walk more than 1/2 block at a time.

I run a small business in a popular summer tourist town -- my job requires that I stand for long hours, six days a week.

I learned last week that my landlady wishes to move her elderly mother into the downstairs apartment -- which also happens to be MY apartment of 10 years.  We need to move by Sept. 30.

I could use a prayer or two...