Kathy S.
Posts from June - September 2006
June 2, 2006 -- I started my exploration of WLS in November 2005. I had reached an all-time high weight of 245 (I'm 5'4" and was beginning to suffer from the effects of my obesity. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in September 05 and with asthma shortly thereafter. I also began to experience more severe back and joint pain. It was time to get serious about losing weight.
About the same time, 2 friends at work began talking about WLS. One had had RNY 5 years before and had lost spectacularly! I hadn't known her before her weight loss and had assumed she had always been slim. It encouraged me that someone so normal and healthy might have had WLS! A few weeks later, another friend shared at lunchtime that she had just gotten insurance approval and would be having WLS the next month. I had thought I was the only person considering such a drastic course, so it encouraged me that I had a built-in support system.
I had my initial appointment with the Center for Weightloss Surgery in Georgetown in January and got the process started. My insurance required a 6-month doctor-supervised diet, so I started that in January and will finish in July. I've dropped a few pounds and gained a few pounds over the months, but my final weigh-in should show me a couple of pounds down. I've also completed several required tests (stress test and echocardiogram) and have gotten copies of all of the tests (including the sleep test) for the Center to submit to my insurance once my 6 months are completed. I hope I can get approved this summer and have my surgery before school starts back in August.
June 9, 2006 -- I went to an informational seminar today at the Georgetown Bariatric Center today, and it was great. Of course, much of what was covered was information I've already learned from ObesityHelp and from 2 discussion boards associated with Georgetown, but it was good to hear it again and to realize I really DO know what I'm getting into!
I turned in the last of my paperwork today except for the final form from my 6-month doctor-supervised diet. I saw my PCP yesterday and told her to expect to see me for my final weigh-in on July 5. I'm getting a little nervous about the actual surgery, but I also know it's something I want. Maybe I'll have a surgery day in another few weeks!
I just ordered some samples of single-serving protein packets from BariatricEating.com so I'll have some protein to get me through the first days after surgery while I'm on liquids. I hope the flavors will be appealing. I want to try them all in the next few weeks. Maybe I can lose some weight and shrink my liver before my surgery date.
June 20, 2006 -- I'm beginning to get nervous about getting insurance approval. I saw my PCP this week for my annual physical, and we discussed my plan to get my final weigh-in of my 6-month doctor-supervised diet (required by Humana insurance). I had intended to schedule that weigh-in for Wednesday, July 5, which is 24 weeks after I started the diet. I hoped Humana wouldn't be picky enough to require a full 26 weeks! Well, my PCP is going to be on vacation that week, so she has asked me to come in the week before. That will be only 23 weeks, and I'm really concerned that it might cost me my initial approval. I know if it does I can just go back to my PCP later in July and have her complete another form, but I was hoping to have the surgery in July. I guess it doesn't help any to worry or wonder about this; I just need to wait and see how things go. Maybe I'll get my approval and all of this questioning will have been for nothing!
But another concern is that I wanted to complete my 6-month diet and get my appointment with the surgeon within 6 months of my initial appointment with the Bariatric Center. If I don't manage to do that, I'll have to repeat the initial tests I completed at that first appointment in January. Again, I need to not worry about any of this. It will be what it will be. But it's hard not to think about the possibilities--both what might go right and what might go wrong!
June 24, 2006--I got my set of protein powder samples from www.BariatricEating.com last week and have begun to try them. They all mix with only 6 ounces of water, which will make it much easier to drink during those first few days of all liquids. The chocolate flavors I've tried so far didn't mix well and were a bit lumpy, so I'll use the blender or a different shaker next time. They have all tasted good so far, so I'm encouraged by that.
I see my PCP next Thursday, June 29, for my end-of-6-month-diet weigh-in. As soon as I leave her office, I'll take that final form and the new H&P form directly to the Bariatric Center for all of the paperwork to be faxed to Humana. Maybe I'll hear right after the holiday if everything suits them for approval or if I need to submit anything else. I'd really LOVE to be able to be able to have surgery the week of July 17!
I've been having physical therapy twice a week for the past month for a torn meniscus in my left knee--hoping to strengthen the muscles and, therefore, avoid surgery. I've also developed more pain in my right knee as I work on the left knee. One of my doctors commented that my 5'4" frame isn't designed to carry this much weight. It's time to get this show on the road!
July 7, 2006 -- I took the last of my paperwork to the Bariatric Center immediately after my PCP appointment on June 29, hoping it would be faxed to Humana that afternoon. However, I heard from the insurance coordinator later that day, asking me to get a letter documenting my weight's negative effect on my knees and back. Since I was leaving on vacation the next day, I wasn't able to do anything about it until I got back Wednesday. I asked the orthopedic surgeon who is treating me for my torn meniscus, and he obliged. I got the letter today, so I'll take it to the Bariatric Center first thing Monday morning. Tuesday, July 11, will be 6 months since my first consultation with the Bariatric Center. If I miss the 6-month deadline, I'll have to repeat all of the tests from that day (the psych evaluation, initial bloodwork, appointment with nurse practitioner and dietician, etc.). I really want to get approved so I can have surgery in July!!
July 10, 2006 -- Well, it's out of my hands now. I took the last of my paperwork (a letter from my orthopedist) to the Bariatric Center this morning. They'll fax the material to Humana, and I'll wait for some kind of answer. I have no idea when to expect to hear. Some people have gotten their answer within 24 hours; others have said it might take 30 days (which is apparently the longest Humana can take to reply). And if I get denied, then the appeal process will start. I don't even want to think about that though. I'm trying to stay positive and EXPECT APPROVAL!! I'm also trying to stay positive about having my surgery this summer. I teach college and have to be back the middle of August (with a few individual required days earlier in the month). I had hoped to have surgery in July, but I'm beginning to look at possible days in August. The last day I'm comfortable with is August 14. That would allow me a week to work at home and in the office before classes start.
I really want this to work out!
July 13, 2006 -- I'M APPROVED!!!!
The Georgetown insurance coordinator called me this morning with the news. She asked if I was sitting down, so I thought the news must be good. Then she said she had heard from Humana this morning, and I'm approved for surgery.
I'm so excited and relieved. Now I'm waiting to hear from the pre-op scheduling coordinator to set up my all-day appointment with the bariatric center. I'll see the dietician, the nurse practitioner, the surgeon, a local doctor (just to have someone there in case I need one), and the anesthesiologist, and I'll tour the hospital to see the bariatric surgery unit and pre- and post-op areas. They schedule those all-day appointments only on Tuesdays, so if I'm lucky, I might get to go 5 days from now. Surgery should follow pretty quickly. They schedule surgeries on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Maybe I can be done within the next 2 weeks!
July 21, 2006--I have a couple of dates to look forward to, and I might have a surgery date set!
Next Tuesday, 7/25, I go for my pulmonary function test and a chest x-ray. The next Tuesday, 8/1, I go to the Bariatric Center for my all-day appointment at which I'll meet Dr. Weiss or Dr. Oldham, whichever one will be my primary surgeon. (They do all of the Center's surgeries together.) I'll also get all of my pre-op information and will set a definite date for surgery. I already am penciled in for Thursday, August 31, but I hope to get an earlier date when I see the surgeon. Normally, the surgery date is within 7-10 days of the all-day appointment. I'd love to be able to have my surgery on August 14. I'll keep hoping for that date and see what happens.
July 25, 2006--Well, I had the final tests done today, so I'm all set for my all-day appointment next Tuesday, 8/1. I had blood work done, and I had a chest x-ray, an EKG, and pulmonary function test. Everything went well, so it looks like I've jumped through all of the hoops! Next is the final appointment before the actual surgery. I'm ready!
One of the pieces of information I got today concerns a high-protein diet. The doctors suggest that to help shrink the liver in preparation for surgery. Since every surgery performed so far at the Center has been laparoscopic, the doctors want the liver as small as possible, so they ask for a 2-week high-protein, low-carb diet. I'll start back on my protein drinks tomorrow.
I talked to my husband today about whether we wanted to tell the rest of my family about the surgery, and we agreed we want to keep it quiet until after I've had surgery. Then we can tell people as it comes up naturally at family gatherings. I know some of my family will be supportive, but others will be critical and unsupportive. One person I know will support me is my niece Erin. In fact, she stopped by tonight, and I went ahead and told her my plans. She was very excited and wants to be at the hospital when I have surgery. She's named after me and has always been my biggest fan, so I appreciate her support and encouragement. She even said my weight loss will encourage her to work on her weight. She's only 25 and isn't obese, but she tends to carry more weight than is healthy for her. I'd love to be a role model for her in her weight loss!
July 27, 2006--I was reading Weight Loss for Dummies last night (actually this morning--I couldn't sleep!). One of the things it recommends is that a person journal to record the weight loss journey; it might be hard to remember down the road what we feel before our surgery. So I decided to spend some time writing down some of my hopes about this surgery--what changes I anticipate and what improvements I want.
First, I'm tired of being fat. Over the past year or so, I feel as if I'm falling apart. I fell in December and hurt my knee; then in March, I had bronchitis and coughed and broke a rib; in May, I had a muscle spasm in my back and had to spend a week in bed. I attribute these problems to my weight. I haven't been able to exercise as I used to, and I get fatigued even by walking! I'm tired of all of this!
I'm also tired of the way I look. No matter what I wear, I feel as if I look horrible. I'm short, and my sections are short, so this weight makes me look like the Pillsbury Doughboy! I have lots of nice clothes, but I can't get into most of them. I look forward to being able to wear the things I have in my closet. I also look forward to being able to wear different shoes from what I'm wearing now. I used to wear heels a lot, and I enjoyed that and was comfortable in them. But now I wear only flats because I'm so heavy. It will be nice to see what's buried on the floor of my closet!
I look forward to being able to fit in chairs at movies and on airplanes. I look forward to being able to leave my car seat where it is; now I have to move the seat back to get out and in. Otherwise I have to squeeze in, and still my belly rubs on the steering wheel. I look forward to being able to clean my house without being winded. I look forward to being able to get down on the floor to clean my floors--and be able to get back up without help! I look forward to sleeping without feeling as if my chest is pressing into my throat and choking me. I look forward to being able to be intimate with my husband again without thinking I'm going to die!
I'm ready to make the changes the band will help me make. I'm ready to eat and drink differently, and I'm ready to get this weight off!
August 1, 2006--I got my surgery date today! I have to be at Georgetown Hospital Wednesday, August 16, at 9:45 for an 11:00 surgery!
Today's appointment was REALLY long (I got there at 7:15 and left at 4:45), but I accomplished so much. I met with a local internist (who will be on call in case I need him while I'm in the hospital); my primary surgeon, Dr. Weiss (although both he and Dr. Oldham do every surgery together); the pre-op nurse to discuss medications, allergies, and previous surgeries; and a physical therapist to discuss an exercise plan. In addition, I got pre-registered for surgery and attended a pre-op education class and a surgery review/consent session.
I feel very prepared for the surgery. Georgetown does a great job of educating its patients. I just need to stay focused now. I have to be on a high-protein diet for the next 2 weeks in an effort to shrink my liver as much as possible to reduce the risk of injury to it during surgery. I'm also testing several different kinds of protein powders to try to find the most agreeable ones for the first week after surgery. I ordered the unjury unflavored powder last night to see how it works for me.
The only disadvantage to my surgery date is that my husband won't be able to be with me. That is his first day of school, and he can't miss. I knew that when I selected the date though. My school starts on August 21, so I'll have 5 days for recovery. My niece had already promised to go with me, even if Jason also went. So I'll still have her with me for encouragement and transportation.
I'm pretty excited!!!
August 3, 2006--Well, I'm less than 2 weeks from my surgery date, and I'm doing all of things I've been educated to do.
At my pre-op appointment on the 1st, I got a spirometer to take with me. I am using it 4 times a day, 10 repetitions each time, until the day of surgery. I'll take it with me to the hospital to use once an hour (when I'm awake) after surgery and once an hour the next day. Then I'll go back to the 4 times a day while I'm recovering. That will help me deep breathe and will aid in my recovery.
I also have begun my exercises as directed by the physical therapist I saw Tuesday. I'm combining them with the exercises I've been doing all summer to strengthen my knees and back. This morning I lifted light weights, and this afternoon I'm going to spend 10-15 minutes on my stationary bike.
I also went to www.emmi.com to watch an interactive video about the lapband. My husband watched it with me, and it was helpful for him to hear some of the things I've learned but haven't remembered to share with him. He feels better educated now, and that's a good thing!
So I'm eating a high-protein diet, doing my workouts, and practicing my breathing. The next important date for me is next Wednesday, August 9, when I have to start taking Foltx, which I'll take up to the day before surgery and then continue the next day. I also have a prescription for Actigall, which I'll start taking a week after my surgery and continue for 6 months as protection against gall stones. The day before my surgery, I have to run by the hospital to have blood drawn to assure they have the right type available in case I need transfusion.
I just need to hold steady and take each day as it comes. Thirteen days and counting!
August 17, 2006--Well, it's official: I'm banded!
My surgery went well yesterday, and I feel great. So far I've had to take liquid Tylenol only once, and that was last night at 9:00. I have the On-Q ball that automatically releases pain medication to the largest incision, so I'm sure that's helping keep my pain down. My incisions are a little sore and itchy, and I have a little gas pain in my left shoulder, but it's nothing like I've read some people have experienced.
I'm drinking my protein shakes and have gotten in 40 grams of protein so far today. I've also had grape juice, hot tea, chicken broth, and lots of water. I've also been walking regularly and using my deep-breathing gadget (spirometer).
I took my 3 pills last night with sips of water, followed by sips of hot tea (in case they didn't want to go down). I haven't had problems with anything except liquid Lortab, which they tried to give me in post-op. I don't know if it was the taste of the Lortab or the combination of Lortab and apple juice, but it gagged me! I followed my sips of liquid Tylenol last night with sips of water, and that worked well.
I had hoped I would feel good in time to start classes Monday (I teach college), but I think I'll even go in to the office for awhile tomorrow!
I feel very fortunate to have had everything go so smoothly for me. I asked my husband last night if this was a dream or if I had really had my surgery! It really is a dream come true!
September 27, 2006
Today is my 6-week anniversary as a bandster, and so far the trip has gone well. I had my first official check up today with the Bariatric Center, have officially lost 12.5 pounds (although at home the figure is 14.5), and got my first fill (1.6 in 4-cc band).
I have felt good except for the initial gas pains (WOW!) and incision soreness. But after the first 5-7 days, even those concerns were almost nonexistent. I took EZ-swallow Tylenol tablets after the first few days because the liquid Tylenol became too unpleasant to try to get down. I also took occasional Gas-X to help with the gas. For the first few weeks, I slept with a pillow over my belly--as protection from the cats who INSISTED on sleeping on me. And after a week I began walking on the treadmill and lifting light weights. I moved slowly through adding new foods into my diet, but I took tiny bites and chewed everything to mush. I didn't have problems with any food until last week, almost 5 weeks after surgery, when I had to cough up chicken chow mein. I must have taken too large bites or not chewed well enough. Whatever the cause, it was an experience I will never forget. I had pain in my chest--like horrible heartburn--and then the food just started coming up. It was different from throwing up, since there's no acid in the food in the pouch, but it sure was a violent expulsion! It'll be a LONG time before I try chicken chow mein again.
So now I start a new part of the journey, seeing how I do as I begin to experience restriction. I don't expect much from this first fill, so I scheduled the next one for 2 weeks from tomorrow, on October 12. I hope I can continue losing at least 2 pounds each week.
It feels good to be losing, knowing too that I'll never weigh this much again!
