kmcrispi

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Recently found out that the $250 dollar class I was told I had to take was actually wrong.  NOw, I have to take a different 3-month class, but it costs $450!!!  That is a LOT of money to me, we don't have a lot of extra money these days...  I could take the $250 class, but then I'd have to go 6 months instead of 3.  So sad.  Anyway, I have to make this decision soon.  I guess I'll take the $450 class, but I'll have to start saving up for it now!

So, the surgeon's office *should* have everything they need now, and I am going to the review board next Wednesday!  That's where the surgeon's office will officially make a recommendation regarding my surgical readiness and any preop recommendations.  

I have to sign up for a 12-week class called the LEARN program.  Only problem is that it's from 4-5 pm on thursdays for the class starting in March.  Right when I'm working- not very convenient!  I'll see if I can swing it, otherwise I'll have to wait until the April class. 

Got some good news today...I called the surgeon's office to see if they had received the labs and things that my PCP faxed over.  They did!  There are a few followup things, like there was no weight for 2004 listed.  I can tell you why...I was pregnant all of 2004 and i only saw my OB-GYN, not my PCP.  So i have to call my OB and try to get 2004 weights from them (which is kind of goofy, because I was PREGNANT, but whatever...)

Anyway, the coordinator at the surgeon's office said that my BMI was 40.3, and that I had a few comorbidities like osteoarthritis and high cholesterol.  Not that I wanted any comordibities, but I was actually relieved by that fact that I had them, and the fact that my BMI was over 40.  

So anyway, the point is, that some things are happening and stuff is moving.  I'm so excited!!!  I will still have to take a 3-month class before i can have surgery (if insurance even approves me), but as long as I know there's an end in sight, I'm so happy!  

So, I had my first somewhat heated message interaction last night.  I'm a really non-confrontational person, so this whole thing was nuts!  Basically, someone posted a message about how much he loved the DS, and a bunch of people jumped down his throat for making comments about the negative aspects of other WLS types in the process.  I was astounded by what he posted, but in a more global way.   So I sent a message explaining why I was astounded.  Everything that I posted was absolutely true and also my opinion.  I thought I handled myself pretty well!  

Anyway, I thought I would post the pertinent parts of the thread here.  

Original Post:
Well at the stroke of midnight tonight, it will be my 2 year surgiversary.   2 years of being "cured" of obesity, though the miracle of the duodenal switch.    I've currently lost 300 lbs, and have maintained just under my goal weight for the last 6 months or so.    There is a saying in personal fitness that says I lb is equal to 3500 calories, so if you want to lose 1 lb you need to not eat 3500 calories...well after losing 300 lbs I figure that I have either not eaten or malabsorbed over a million calories!!!!!!! (trust me it is more likely malabsorbed....lol). 

I can't tell you how grateful I am to have had the DS.  You know 2 years seems to be the "turning point" for most surgeries......it's at 2 years that RNYers realize that they will have to "work their tool" for the rest of their lives, it's at 2 years that banders finally realize that band either will or  won't work for them...but at 2 years post DS, I can tell you my DS is allive an kicking!!!!!!   Trust me there is no working a tool....5 day pouch test or any other crazy post op diet thing  like trying to live on 1200 calories a day...hello...I eat that before lunch most days....lol.  Actually on average I eat about 4000 to 6000 calories a day.....I can eat whatever I want...and at this point post op...as much as I want....when I want to drop a few lbs, all I have to do is restrict my carbs a bit, and the weight comes off.......there is no counting of fat grams or calories.....it's been the easiest weight loss of my entire life......   I LOVE MY DS!!!!!! 

If you are a preop and considering a WLS...consider the DS.

My Initial Response: 
The DS sounds like a great way to "Cure" obesity, and I'm glad you've lost so much weight!  

I have to say I was totally amazed by what you wrote, regarding the amounts of food you can consume on any given day.  I guess the only thing that bugs me about the DS, illstrated by the fact that you say you still eat 4000-6000 calories a day is that it doesn't address any behavior problems.  I mean,  can understand DS as a highly effective "cure," but it doesn't set a good example for others or future generations. 

A major reason that I'm considering WLS is that I want to be able to lead by example to my kids.  I don't  want  them to see me eating 3 times the amount most average people eat.  Curing the obesity epidemic in this country has to start with prevention, and it's not going to happen if kids see  a bunch of skinny people running around eating fat people portions.

Just thinking about the big picture beyond you or I, or an individual's weight loss success.

At this point, another person jumped in and responded to my post...
Everybody has different nutritional needs.  Every child has different needs of ALL sorts.  I demanded more from my child who was able to do more.  I pushed veggies on the meat eater daughter (who ended up with a weight problem anyway), and forced meat on the Carboboy (who ended up with a perfect body, fueled by pizza).  How hard is it to explain to kids that different people have different needs?  Jeez, do you want your kids to not understand reality?  Maybe hobble them in a footrace if they are fast runners, to make things "fair" to the slow clumsy kids?  If mommy needs to eat more than they do, how hard is that to understand?  I suppose in your view, people who have cystic fibrosis and who therefore malabsorb as well should not be allowed to eat around kids.

How is eating 6000 calories a day a behavior problem if you only absorb 2500?  And remember, these are high density calories, not high volume.

You want to be an example to your kids when you're puking up chicken and steak, and lying shaking on the floor if you eat 4 oreos?  That should be just as much a concern to you as the amounts of food you GET to eat with the DS.

My response to her message:
I DO want my kids to understand reality.  The reality is, if you are an average human and you eat 6000 calories/day, you'll gain weight, plain and simple.  If my kids end up being bodybuilders, then sure, they can eat as many calories as it takes to maintain.  However, I don't think anyone can deny that for the average person, 4-6000 calories is enough to start packing on the pounds.  

In regards to your question:  You want to be an example to your kids when you're puking up chicken and steak, and lying shaking on the floor if you eat 4 oreos?    The answer is absolutely not.  However, I would rather them see me eating small bites, chewing food thoroughly, not eating sugar in the first place, and eating smaller portion sizes than eating over twice the amount of food that an average person eats, regardless of whether it's ultimately absorbed or not.  

So anyway, I'm happy for Scott, I'm glad that he's lost the weight and I'm sure he's much healthier as a result over losing 300 lbs.  I'm not saying that people shouldn't go for the DS if it's available.  I just think that this type of fix in general (where you would see a skinny person--not a bodybuilder--eating more than you would expect) isn't the best example of how to eat in a healthy way.  

Her response: 
Whatever.  If you know about the benefits, including the long term superiority of the weight loss maintenance of the DS and chose to do something else anyway, my job is done.

I understand the lure of what you describe.  But please understand that that is NOT how many if not most people end up experiencing their RNY or Lapbands -- chewing thoroughly, not eating sugar, living on small portions, etc., ultimately ends up being an enforced diet more than a new lifestyle to many.  Make sure you read the grad and revision boards before you make your final decision.

Anyway...I just felt like posting the thread here because I was actually really proud of myself for holding my own.  However, I do realize now that this thread was not the appropriate place to make my comments.  I should have started a new thread for that and not totally rained on the parade.   I don't like flaming and probably should have brought it up as a bigger subject than just one person's comments.   Will keep that in mind for next time! 

 

So, I definitely had been approved by OSU for the surgery.  They require a consultation with a nutritionist as well as a psychological evaluation.  The nutritionist visit was fine...she kept telling me that she wasn't judging, just trying to get an idea of a starting point so they would know what I have to work on.  

The psych evaluation was less interesting than I was hoping.. Basically the doctor just had a handout of papers and asked me the questions that were listed on the paper.  Then he had me take a test...the MNNI, or something like that.  Basically, it was a test to make sure I loved my parents and am no psychotic.  I think I passed.  In general, i thought the fact that I had to pay 2 1/2 mental health copays and charges for this visit was a total crock.  Maybe he was able to make an educated recommendation based on his professional impression of the few things we "discussed,"  but considering he was just asking questions and marking down my answers, I don't think I needed a PhD. to do that....

So now on Monday I have to make another appt. at my PCP, get all the baseline tests completed, and have them sent to OSU.  Once they get the baselines, plus the nutritionist and psych eval, they will send away to insurance and I'll find out if Aetna approves me.  That is the next big hurdle.  

I am still working through my husband's fears regarding this surgery...he said he'd be behind me if I decided to go forward, but I'm sensing that he still has major reservations.  I'll just keep telling him about the wonderful benefits! 

Good afternoon to anyone reading...and happy 2008!  

I received a confirmation for my nutritional counseling visit in the mail a few days ago.  I never got anything from the hospital that specifically said "you are approved" but I figure if they scheduled the next step then it's a good sign!  The visit is on the morning of January 24th.  I have to record 3 full days of eating.  I think I'll do a Sunday, Monday & Tuesday.  That way  they'll see both weekend and weekdays in there.  

I'm feeling very hopeful about this year!  At first I was completely nervous about doing this, but now when I think about getting a lap-band, all I feel is excited.  

Have a great day! 

It's my birthday today!  I'm 28 years old.  I hope that this year will prove to be exciting from the weight-loss perspective.  

I turned in my application about a week ago, and I'm really hoping to hear something soon!  Today I was talking to my hubby about my knee...it's been hurting a lot when I do things I never had trouble doing before.  Like if I sit on the floor with my legs bent underneath me, it hurts my knee.  Or if I walk across the room on my knees ( i used to do this ALL the time).  I don't know if i hurt it or what, but I always hear people talking about the excess strain that obesity puts on the knees and it worries me that it bothers me so much.  Probably the least of most people's worries, but since I'm  mostly healthy overall, it is a big deal to me!  

I stayed home from work today and cleaned the house.  Yes, I know it's a little weird to clean the house on your own birthday, but I know if I want it to get done, I have to do it when the kids are out of the house (I have a 2 and 3-year old)- they are like a whilwind of messiness.  I got pretty much the whole downstairs done and the energy felt wonderful!  I don't normally have that much energy, and I can't wait until it's a daily thing.  My daughter (3) walked in the house tonight and stopped and said "mommy, the house got cleaned!"  Like she was amazed...it was hilarious but also sad becuase I know it my lack of energy that contributes to the house's normal messy state.

Anyway....back to writing a paper.  I'm taking a Master's course on Ethics right now and I have to write 3 papers by Tuesday evening.  What fun! 

I've been reading information on others' profiles from the same town...the good news is that I read a very good post about Aetna, which is the insurance we have.  Hopefully I'll be able to tell others of a great experience as well! 

I also was looking through the list of people who had their WLS through OSU.  I found a woman that I work with listed in there!  How funny is that...?  I don't know her well at all, but I never knew she had WLS. 

I turned in my application to the surgeon's office today!  I knew if i didn't do it right when i was motivated, I would get distracted and forget for another 6 months and then I'd question my decision.  Now it's there and there's no going back! 

Good evening to anyone reading my blog...This is the first time I've done this for a reason not related to school, so please bear with me!  

I am a young mother of 2 toddlers, and I am way overweight right now.  The biggest hurdle seems to be finding the energy to do anything.  I look at these people with perfect houses and 10 kids who work full-time and go to school in the evenings, work out at the gym and still look fresh in the morning and I want to be them.  People are constantly like "I don't know how you do it!"  As if 2 kids a year apart means that's all I do.  It's not, and there is no reason why I can't have enough energy to wash clothes in the evening so I don't have to re-wear the same pair of socks from yesterday.  Or wear the ugly shirt that makes my feel about 90 and look like a frunpy, uncomfortable old lady.  So I guess that this WLS is all about getting some control and energy back in my life. 

I started this letter about 2 months ago when I started to seriously research WLS as a valid possibility.  I just now finished it.  I think I may actually drive to the surgeon's to drop off the application tomorrow at lunch, or I may lose my nerve!  Anyway, the letter is the "how has obesity affected your life" letter, and I've posted mine below.  Keep your fingers crossed that it gets approved!   :) 

Recently, I attended a training workshop called “the Antidote to Despair.”  In this workshop, we discussed what causes us despair in our lives.  The thought that came to my mind is the fact that I don’t give things (my husband, my children, my work, my social life, etc.) the energy they deserves due to my obesity.  Health problems and a pervasive sense of fatigue have often interfered in these relationships.  According to the class, the antidote to despair is action.  It is with action in mind that I’m asking the advisory board to approve my application for weight-loss surgery.

            The personal statement asks applicants to tell the board how excess weight affects one’s life in terms of health, employment, social life, etc.  I don’t know that there is a category that excess weight doesn’t truly affect.  The mental baggage that one carries from having been overweight certainly affects every aspect of one’s life.  I could write a book about how obesity affects one’s self-esteem, or the humiliation that goes along with seatbelt extenders, shopping at specialty stores and being unable to fit in seats.  However, for this personal statement, I will try to stick to more concrete effects. 

            My obesity has led to negative health consequences over the years.  I now experience joint problems that were not an issue a few years ago.  I have knee and hip pain on the right side of my body.  The knee pain makes it hard to play on the floor with my kids, which, with a 2 and 3-year old, is hard to avoid!  I haven’t seen the results of the baseline tests ordered by my primary care physician yet, but I have been told in the past that I have borderline high cholesterol and blood sugar (at the OSU Student Medical Center in 2000 and at an employee health fair in 2006).  My father suffers from high cholesterol.  My mother, after attempting to control type II diabetes with diet and exercise, my mother now relies on insulin injections to manage the disease.  My risk of developing these conditions is higher based on family history and compounded due to obesity.  I also have a mild case of ulcerative colitis.  The condition doesn’t typically cause me any trouble, but it puts me in a higher risk category for developing colon cancer.  Obesity also increases the odds of developing  cancer.  My grandfather died of colon cancer in 2004, so this risk is never far from my mind. 

            In addition to health risk factors, I find one of the most significant negative impacts to obesity is my overall lack of energy.  When I get home from work, I  am completely wiped out—all I want to do it sit on the couch.  This affects playtime with my kids, the types of meals we eat, the state of housekeeping and my general sense of well-being.  This persistent fatigue is intertwined into all aspects of my life.  I feel it is one of the areas weight loss surgery could have the most impact. 

            When I think about these factors above that cause me despair, I realize that the way to start eliminating them is to take action, and I feel motivated and invigorated by the advantage weight loss surgery may afford me.  I understand that surgery won’t be a magic bullet fix; I’ll have to work hard at retraining my mind in order to make it work.  I view weight loss surgery as a preventative tool.  It will help keep what are currently borderline conditions from becoming major medical problems that affect every aspect of my life.  I am still young and it is early enough to turn things around.  However, if I wait until my weight gets further out of control, it may be too late.  I ask that this tool be made available to me, and thank you for your consideration.