Leslie L.

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May 12, 2010

Just ordered my Unjury protein supplements.  Liquid diet starts Friday.

Since seeing the dietitian, and learning that for the rest of my life I would be eating only 1 cup of food at each meal, something happened to me!!  I have been eating everything in sight.  I have gained back 8 of the 11 pounds that it took me 6 months to lose.  I talked with Dr. McKay (my psychotherapist) about this.  He wasn't too alarmed.  I attended a support group meeting yesterday.  That helped.  My eating is returning back to normal.  Boy, that was scary!!  I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to do this, but then . . . I had a couple of victories!!  One day I was really frustrated and wanted to eat  so I took to journaling; the head hunger left me.  Another, I was standing, staring into the fridge and thought "what am I doing?  I ate a healthy breakfast an hour and a half ago."  I did good by my body.  I don't need anything to eat."  I closed the fridge, got back to work, and forgot about it.  YEAH,  ME!!! 

I have only 1 psychotherapist appointment left, April 5 and I will have met all my requirements for surgery.  I am getting close. 

I have one more visit with my PCP in preparation for WLS on Feb 22 and two visits with the psychotherapist.  One on March 1 and one on April 5.  I saw my surgeon, Christopher J. Hart, M.D., for the first time on Thursday, February 11.   I also did my pre-op blood work , had my EKG, my upper GI series and met with the dietitian.  I will have surgery at Emory Jones Creek Hospital sometime in late April it looks like.  I was very impressed with the hospital.  They were very efficient and thought of everything!!   They had large gowns, large chairs, lockers for my personal belongings (purse, clothing) while I was getting my x-rays done.  Same way for Dr. Hart's office.  Staff was knowledgeable, kind, and efficient.  Can't wait for surgery.

I attended Dr. Christopher Hart's mandatory informational meeting for WLS 01/06/2009.  Dr. Hart's office staff (Susie and Cindy) were very nice.  The information given was in an easy to understand format.  I was planning on having a Lap-Band procedure, but after hearing about the LSG (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy), I think I have changed my mind. My mom attended the meeting with me and she agrees that the sleeve gastrectomy is the better choice for me.  They have made so many advances in these procedures.  I am awaiting a call from Dr. Hart's office staff to set up an appointment with him.  Sooo excited!!!!  The Neurontin I am taking for my sciatic pain is helping.  I have had very little pain for the last 3 days.  However, one of the side effects of the Neurontin is an increased appetite and boy have I had one!!!   Gotta keep a close eye on this.

Spoke with my case manager, Susan Phillips, RN and Dorothy, my behavioral care associate, at my insurance company  (UHC) today.  I am right on track regarding all my documentation thus far.  I have 2 more monthly visits with Dr. Blackeney, my PCP, for my 6-month physician supervised weight loss program.  I saw Dr. Blackeney recently.  I lost 5 more pounds in a month.  We were both thrilled with my  numbers, especially since I have experienced some challenges, to say the least.  I am experiencing sciatic pain like I have never experienced before which has limited by ability to exercise.  Also, my depression has been worse over the last few months due to some situational stressors.  Finally, .... the holidays.  Despite it all, I have managed to lose a total of 14 pounds.  I am very pleased with myself.   My cholesterol still remains elevated at 206.  My PCP, as do I, still believes I can get this down with diet and exercise.  Sooo glad she decided not to put me on anymore medication.  One of my goals, after all, is to decrease the amount of medication I am taking.  In lieu of a support group, I am seeing a psychologist every 2 weeks.  This has been very helpful in regards to my situational stressors and I am learning healthier ways of dealing with them as opposed to "stuffing them with food."  I am beginning to feel mentally and emotionally much healthier.  I am attending the mandatory informational seminar this week (01/06/2009) at Dr. Christopher Hart's office.  While at the seminar, his staff is going to give me an appointment to see him for the first time.  It's getting close!!!!  So, I am looking at having WLS in the spring.  Can't wait!! 

I LOST 6 POUNDS this month!!!!  I was especially excited because during the month I went on vacation and I struggled to stay on task.  Even when I got back home it was hard to get back on track, but my efforts paid off.  I am encouraged. I  want to do even better next month.  I have another trip planned.  Will be leaving for Dallas on Wednesday and won't be back until Monday.  I am going to try and plan ahead some this time so it won't be so difficult for me to stay on track. 
 

I received mail as thick as a phone book from Sean McKay's office.  There were forms for me to fill out and to take to my psychiatrist assessment on the 17th.  There were three psychological tests to fill out.  One of them had 334 questions!!! 

09/09/2009

I had my first of six monthly visits with my PCP(Rashawn Blakeney, MD)  today.  I had gained another 4 pounds.  So embaressing, but no more!!  I am going to do my best these next 6 months.  For the first time, in a long time, I have some renewed hope that I can do this.   It doesn't hurt that knowing at the end of the 6 months I am going to be having a procedure that will provide me with a tool that will help me lose weight and keep it off. 

Approximately 1-1/2 weeks after speaking with Susan Phillips for the first time (08/13/2009), I spoke with Dorothy who will be my Behavioral Health Care Advocate.  She went over with me the behavioral health requirements for bariatric surgery.  Along with seeing my primary physician once a month for six months, I will also have to see a psychiatrist once a month for six months or attend a support group monthly for 6 months prior to surgery; the psychiatrist will make the decision as to which one is best for me.  I called Sean McKay's office to make an appointment. 

Two weeks later, still no appointment despite speaking to the receptionist 3-4 times.   I have never had so much trouble getting a doctors appointment!!!!

Finally received a call from Tina Nix at Sean McKay's office and I have an appointment for my psychiatrist assessment for bariatric surgery, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. 

08/13/2009

I received a call from Susan Phillips RN with OptumHealth who will be my Case Manager.  She went over with me the things my insurance company requires of me for approval for bariatric surgery.  She gave very detailed and clear instructions and had me repeat them back to her so that she knew I understood them.  She was very compassionate.  I believe she's going to be an asset to me in my weight loss journey.