KMMango
I am only in the beginning stages of looking into gastric bypass surgery. I am extremely anxious to have this done. This website has been extremely helpful in answering all of my questions and concerns. I have no doubt that this will be the best decision of my life.
So far I've had 2 appointments at the Weight Center and am now patiently waiting for my call with an appointment to meet with the surgeon and get a surgery date. They can't call soon enough.
2/24/06
The Weight Center called me last night with my appointment with the surgeon (March 22nd) and my surgery date (June 19th). I'm so excited looking forward to this journey.
This is the email I sent to my friends in work about my surgery:
"This is a very delicate subject for me, one I have been struggling with for a very long time and am very sensitive to: my weight. After lots of research and careful consideration, I have decided to have weight loss surgery. I am scheduled for surgery on June 19th and am expected to be out of work for 4 – 6 weeks. I’m sorry for being so impersonal in sending you this email to tell you this, but if I had to repeat myself over and over again, it would be just to much. I hope you understand. This isn’t a secret, I don’t care who knows, I have nothing to hide. Some may think this is the “easy” way out but that isn’t the case at all. This will be a long difficult journey, but one which I am very committed to making.
I appreciate your support."
3/22/06
I had my first appointment today with the surgeon. I have no doubt in my mind that this will be the best decision of my life.
January, 2006
I called my insurance company to see if weight loss surgery was covered. They said it was 100% covered but needed pre-determination first. “Non-surgical weight loss procedures for morbid obesity are not covered under the plan.” I then decided to pursue this journey to have the surgery and loose the weight forever. I got a referral from my primary care doctor, Dr. Stratton, to the Weight Center at Mass General Hospital. I have had a weight problem pretty much my entire life. I am committed to making this journey a success for the rest of my life. I want to change my life. This surgery will help me to do that. My knees hurt all the time. I can’t sit for long periods of time and get up right away and walk. I have to stand there for a little bit and move slowly before I start to walk. I get out of breathe if I walk a long distance. I don’t sleep well at all. I’m not doing this to become a swimsuit model or anything. I just want to feel comfortable in clothes and not have to shop in plus size stores anymore. I have lost lots of weight over the years but have always gained it back. I know this surgery is just a tool and I will always have to work at it for the rest of my life but that is something I am definitely committed to doing. I look forward to this journey.
February, 2006
I called my insurance company again to reconfirm the surgery is covered. They told me the same as last month. “100% covered but needed pre-determination first. Non-surgical weight loss procedures for morbid obesity are not covered under the plan.”
My Mom and I attended a seminar on weight loss surgery at Mass General Hospital with Dr. Matthew Hutter. After this seminar, I had absolutely no doubt in my mind that Dr. Hutter was the surgeon I wanted to perform my surgery. I received my first visit at the Weight Center on February 17, 2006 with Dr. Stein, the physician. She was wonderful and of course, I had to do lots of testing and blood work, etc. She also ordered a sleep study which I did on February 19th. This was the most uncomfortable night. How can they possibly expect someone to sleep in an uncomfortable bed with wires all over their head hooked up to a machine? I felt like Frankenstein. Needless to say, I thought I got no sleep at all. However, it was determined that I did not have sleep apnea.
Funny story: My Mom is petrified of mice. We are sitting in the seminar in the conference room in the basement of MGH, along the baseboard I notice mouse traps all over the floor along the walls. I said to myself “gee, I hope my Mom doesn’t notice them because she’ll start to panic.” Well, I thought to soon because she did notice them and her heart started racing and her face turned red and she wanted out of there but knew she couldn’t make a scene because of all the other people in the room. I was laughing so hard. My Mom was a trooper and stuck it out just for me. She stands behind me all the way on this journey. I’m so lucky to have her. I know it kills my Mom to see me this way. It kills me for her to see me this way. I know she is worried about me with my weight and being unhealthy because of it. I also know that she worries about me having surgery as well but I know she understands that this is the best thing in the world for me. My Mom is all I have in this world. She is my best friend and my support system.
March, 2006
My appointments continue. I met with the center’s psychologist, Dr. Harrington. These visits with the psychologist are all procedural. Also this month, I had my first visit with Dr. Hutter, the surgeon. He explained the surgery in complete detail to me. I am a candidate for a laparoscopic procedure. I was very thankful to God because I didn’t want to have an open procedure. My expected hospital stay is 3-4 days. Dr. Hutter also ordered an ultrasound to check for gallstones. If I have them, he’ll remove my gallbladder at the time of surgery.
I found a wonderful website. ObesityHelp.com. You would never believe it, but through this site, I met the girl that is having surgery the same day I am with the same doctor I am. What a coincidence. We have been chatting online and she seems very nice. I am thrilled to be sharing this journey with her. I’ll be meeting her in a couple of months at our nutrition group.
April, 2006
I had an ultrasound on April 12, 2006. It was determined that I do not have gallstones. My gallbladder stays! Another appointment with the psychologist. I’m very anxious about this surgery. I think about it every single day. I live, breathe, and eat for this surgery. Unfortunately, all I have been doing is eating. I feel like I need to have my last hurrah with food before surgery. I know this is not the case and that eventually I will be able to eat whatever I want just in much smaller portions. I’ve learned that everyone goes through this though before surgery. As long as I don’t gain more weight before surgery I’ll be fine. I wanted to loose some weight before surgery but that just isn’t happening for me right now.
May, 2006
Another appointment with the psychologist. We usually just sit there and smile at each other. These appointments are very uncomfortable for me. I wish I didn’t have to have them. However, I will do whatever I have to do to make this surgery happen. If I had to sit in a room with her for 3 hours straight and just stare at each other and smile, I would.
I had my Nutrition Support Group this month. I met the girl having the surgery the same day as I am with Dr. Hutter as well. She’s very nice. This group was wonderful and a source of lots of information. It was a bit overwhelming but the nutritionist (Sue) only did Stage I and II for us. She didn’t want to overwhelm us with all the stages at once. I have my notebook and am looking forward to going shopping for some clear liquids and solid liquids for my return home from the hospital. I’ll be on that diet until my first visit with Dr. Hutter on July 5th.
Paperwork was submitted to my insurance company for pre-determination before surgery. The Human Resources woman in my office scared the living hell out of me. She told me that the weight loss surgery was not covered under my plan. I begged to differ with her because I’ve called several times and was told exactly this each time: “Non-surgical weight loss procedures for morbid obesity are not covered under the plan”. I would then say to them “so, surgical procedures are covered?” They said “yes, 100% with a hospital stay and per-determination”. I relayed this information to her and she said this couldn’t be right. My temper flared because this surgery is the most important thing in my life. She called Ed McGee, Strategic Account Executive at United Healthcare and he told her the insurance was not covered. I did not accept this as an answer. She called him back and read to him exactly what was read to me and what was read on the protocol of the insurance from my company. He then said I would have no problem and that the surgery would be covered. Apparently there was an error in the writing up of the policy from my company. It should have said “all ‘surgical’ and ‘non-surgical’. Lucky for me because I know my surgery will be covered. I am still awaiting the “official” approval from the insurance company however. Once I hear the “official” approval, I will be totally and completely at ease.
May 26, 2006 – Mom’s Birthday and 3 weeks to go before surgery.
May 31, 2006 - I heard the "OFFICIAL" approval from my insurance company. My surgery will be covered. Yippeeeee! Now I can maybe get some sleep. I haven't slept much thinking about this. Thank you God.
June 5, 2006 - today I had all my preop testing. I am so eager and excited to have this surgery. Everything went well. 14 DAYS TO GO!
June 7, 2006 - today I met with my surgeon for the last time before my surgery. He said everything is all set to go but I must not gain any more weight before surgery. All I have been doing is eating anything I want. I must stop this. 12 DAYS TO GO!!!!
June 13, 2006 - today is my last appointment with the physician before surgery. 6 MORE DAYS TO GO!!!!
June 18, 2006 -- Tomorrow is my surgery. I'm so excited and anxious. I'll be glad when it's over and I wake up and they say it's all done. I wonder if I'll wake up thin. Hee hee hee. This weekend was only clear liquids and today I'm doing the bowel cleansing. Soon I will be on the losing side.
June 24, 2006 - my surgery was June 19th. I came home today with no complications. Thank God. I was running a temperature so I couldnt' come home yesterday. I'm just glad to be home in my own home now. I'M A LOSER NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! YIPPEEEE!!!!!!!
June 27, 2006 -- ONE WEEK OUT!!! I am still unable to lie in bed at night. I have to still sleep in a recliner. That's the only problem I'm having. Thank God. I do wish I could just lie in my own bed and sleep. I'm sure it will happen soon. Thank God for My Mom. She has been so wonderful to me. I don't know what I would do without her. I haven't been walking as much as I should because it is so hot and muggy out. It actually makes me miserable to be so hot. I'm walking around my apartment as much as I can. Today I'm going to buy a treadmill to put in my spare room so I can at least walk on it in my apartment if it is to hot outside.
July 5, 2006 -- Today I had my first appointment after surgery. I'm 2 1/2 weeks out. I lost 26 lbs. I was psyched. I got the ok from Dr. Hutter to do exercise such as my elliptical machine and a treadmill. I also got moved to the next phase of my diet which is soft foods. I had a scrambled egg with cheese and I was in my glory. It was delicious. I also had some soft chicken salad which was very good but could only eat 1 oz. I've also started my protein drinks which have been going well so far.
July 11, 2006 -- I joined a gym. I started my first exercise routine today. I can't feel my legs but I know this is going to pay off and be totally worth it. I'll go back again tomorrow.
July 19, 2006 -- one month out and down 37 lbs so far and 20 inches. I'm continuing to go to the gym and it is definitely getting better. I know how important this is so I know I must continue to do this.
July 31, 2006 -- today was my first day back to work after being out for 6 weeks. Everyone was absolutely wonderful. I felt like a celebrity. I'm not sure how much I've lost because I haven't had an appointment in at least 2 weeks. I go for a weight center appointment on Friday and will definitely be sure to update my loss.
September 25, 2006 - I purchased 48 sessions with a personal trainer which will take me through to January, 2007. This is exactly what I need right now. Even though I've been exercising on my own, I have no idea what I was doing and if it was correct or not. I've had 3 sessions so far and I love it. I can't believe I'm actually keeping up with the trainer and doing the things I'm doing. Before surgery, I couldn't even walk up the stairs without gasping for air. I'm so thankful every single day.
October, 2006 -- I'm down 90 lbs since June 19, 2006. I am feeling good and everyone is starting to tell me how good I look. I can see and feel my body chaning and its such a wonderful feeling. I had to buy a few pairs of pants because the ones I was wearing were just falling off. For the first time ever I didn't have to go into a plus size store.
November, 2006 - I am no longer in the "plus" department. I can wear a regular size now. I'm down 105 lbs since my surgery in June and am so elated with joy that I was crying in the store when everything I tried on actually fit and looked good. I thank God and Dr. Hutter ever day for this wonderful journey.
February, 2011 -- As you can see, it has been a while since I've written. I am almost 5 yrs. out now and am starting to struggle. Every day is a challenge. I am not exercising as I used to but have still been able to maintain my weight. I am down about 160 lbs at a healthy 145 lbs. now from 309 at surgery. Looking forward to joining a support group in my area.
Unfortunately things start to get comfortable and it is so easy to slack off. I must remember, this is a lifestyle change and I've struggled and worked to hard to let this slip away. One day at a time.
Day of Surgery (June 19, 2006): 309 lbs.
July 19, 2006: 269.9 (down 36 lbs.)
September 7, 2006 -- DOWN 67 LBS -- NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS OUT.
October 19, 2006 - 221 lbs. - DOWN 89 LBS.
Feb. 2011 - 145 Down 164 lbs.
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Matthew Hutter M.D., F.A.C.S
Insurer Info:
United Healthcare
