Lelandmm

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May 3, 2004
Well I am officially on Anthem KeyCare PPO. I was going through my mail over the weekend, and I had already gotten a letter and package from Anthem that congratulated me on renewing HealthKeepers! Yeah right. I was the only person in my office to switch. My payroll manager told me on Thurs 4/29 that she had lunch with our Anthem rep and gave her my form directly. She told the Anthem rep that I was switching to get gastric bypass, so the Anthem rep told her about the change effective July 1. Since we renewed our Policy on April 1, I am covered until April 30, 2005. Which means, if my husband is remotely thinking about this, he needs to get his butt in gear and get it done before the insurance wont pay.

I have an information session scheduled on May 24th at 7pm. I'm taking my husband. After that session, I can schedule an appt for the first consultation in June, then with the program I am doing, surgery will be scheduled 8 wks after the consultations are done. Which should take about a month. It still seems like an awful lot of hoops to jump through, but I can understand. I am working on a sort of year by year listing of my weights as a child. I am going to get some school pictures and since I scrapbook I am going to put together a little booklet with pictures of me at different ages, what I looked like, what was physically wrong with me, what I weighed, what diets, etc I was on at that time.

I'm trying to be more concious of what my life will be like post surgery. I really WANT to be able to exercise. I physically can't do much right now. I think the work out program "The FIRM" looks like it works, and it looks fun so I've been bidding on those tapes on E-Bay. I've also tried to quit drinking soda (its hard) and drink plenty of water during the day. I'm taking 2 multi-vitamins everyday. Right now, I'm taking the vitamins in the morning and at dinner. I'm drinking water all day at work, I am only drinking soda or tea with meals. I'm eating 3 meals a day and really really trying not to snack. (its hard). I'm going to eventually stop drinking soda and tea and only drink water, but its going to be hard. I really want to capitalize on the nice weather and get out and walk, but my feet and legs hurt so bad, I can barely make it to the corner and back. I am trying though. I got my weekend workout on Saturday by cutting the grass and doing some weeding in the flower bed. (Man, was I POOPED!)But I drank my water, and didn't snack!

I'm hoping I can stay on the right track and show the Doctors I am really ready for surgery!!!!

WISH ME LUCK!!!! 
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May 13, 2004

I just had a minute so I figured I would update. I just got the first Pre-Op package of paperwork a couple nights ago. I have been working on it filing it out little by little. The hardest part for me, is remembering all of the crazy diets I have been on and for how long.

I still haven't gotten my new insurance card. Which is annoying. I need to go get some bloodwork done for my eye DR prior to having surgery to fix this muscle in my eye, but I can't go get the blood work done without an insurance card. My PCP is too strict.

I tried to see if there was some way I could get on the books for the initial consultation, but I have to attend the information session, then one support group meeting before I can even get on the books for the first appointment. Damn I wish I knew. I would have gone to April's info session and support group meeting to get an appt in May.

Oh well, I'm on the right path now. 
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May 20, 2004

Well I am officially heading down the right road now. I was under the impression that I had to attend a particular seminar BEFORE I could get an appt for a consultation, but I found out that the seminar is not required. I will probably go to it anyways.

So I am officially scheduled for my consultation Thurs June 3 at 10am. The week after next. I am excited to really get the ball rolling. The only thing that I am worried about is them wanting me to be under a medically supervised diet and exercise program for six months. My PPO insurance is changing things and as of next year, the only way to get the surgery is for my company to pay extra for each person for an Obesity riter. And of course they are not going to do that. So If I don't have it this year, I won't have it until our insurance changes to another company that does have it, or my husband actually gets insurance that will cover it where he works.

I'm trying to get into "Post Op" mode. I've done really good about eliminating soda and tea. I'm drinking only water (and lots of it) 90-95% of the time. I need to completely eliminate soda and other things like tea and lemonaide from my diet. I love tuna, so I have been adding more tuna to my diet to increase my protein. I'm just having one of those 6oz cans as part of my lunch. The exercise part is going to be hard. I received the workout tapes "The Firm" in the mail from my E-Bay Purchase. I will start the beginner tape this weekend. If I can just stand it to be on my feet and move a little for 30 mins, I am doing much better than before.

I am hoping that during my consultation they can give me some time frame as to when to have the surgery so I can get things prepared at work. Everyone loves August for vacations so if I can have it in August, I need to get my vacation time on the books ASAP. 
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May 25, 2004

Well I officially took step one last night. My husband isn't too thrilled about me having this. And he definitely isn't too thrilled about me bugging him to have it. But, oh well. The WLS Seminar last night did point out a couple facts that my husband did not want to hear. They pointed out that obsese women typically marry down the social status ladder. Which is true for us, I earn almost double what he does. And they pointed out that the divorce rate for women having the procedure is fairly high. Me loosing weight, and meeting someone else is my husband's biggest fear. But, he will just have to deal with that fear because I am not turning back now.

I just wish my consultation was here already. I am SO ready to get a date scheduled and get things going. I feel like I have been waiting forever, and its only been 15 months. Since I have my new insurance cards, finally, I am going to go by my PCP's office After my OBGYN appt tomorrow and go ahead and get the blood work she wants and my eye Dr wants done. I can't seem to find the slip for the blood work for my eye Doc, but, maybe I have it at home.

Bad News:  I found out yesterday that my PCP has finished her residentcy and is leaving the practice. I have an appt on the books to see her June 8th, I am hoping she will make sure that I get passed along to another Dr who is as concerned about my weight as she was. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be down this road. No other Dr but her mentioned gastric bypass and with my BMI, it should have at least been mentioned. I'm going to find out if maybe she's going into a local private practice, because if she is, I can just switch. Pretty much everyone takes the PPO I am on.

Well tomorrow is my annual with my OBGYN (YUCK). I havent' had one since Sep 2002. (Long Drama). I am getting a pap and getting back on Depo so I don't get preg before I'm ready.

Well I'm signing off for today, I will update when there is more news!

Leland
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June 3, 2004

I HAVE A DATE!!!

I am officially Pre-Op!!! My surgery is tentatively scheduled for August 4 at 7:30am at Maryview Hospital.

I met with Dr. Moore today and he went over my information. I was a little nervous for some reason. Dr's don't normally bother me. I scheduled surgery with Donna and then scheduled some Pre-Op appointments. I have 3 Pre-Op things on the books and at least 4 more to get scheduled. I weighed 285.4 today at Dr. Moore's office. I weighed 286 at my OB/GYN on 5/26. Dr. Moore said that I should expect to drop 128-130 lbs. That means that I should expect to reach 155-157 within 12-14 months. HOLY COW! I haven't weighed that much since like the 6th grade. If I can get down to 155, I will be about 20lbs less than my "skinny" sister! I'm so freaking excited, I want to jump for joy, but my back and legs are freaking killing me so I can't! I honestly figured there was going to be an enormous amount of hoops presented in front of me. Everything seems pretty cut and dry, nothing out of the ordinary. Donna was going to contact Anthem today for my Approval, She said they normally pre-approve a 3 day hospital stay. She said it normally takes less than 5 minutes for the approval process. I am SO thankful I switched to my company's PPO plan!
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June 9, 2004

I went to meet the Program Coordinator for the WLS Program and I now have all my Pre-Op stuff scheduled.

I am attending a patient seminar on 6/24 and then I am taking the whole day off 7/7 and having my Ultrasound, Lab work, Chest X Ray, EKG, nutrician consult and pysch consult done.

I am so happy with the program that I chose. If there is anyone in Suffolk, Portsmouth, Western Branch or somewhere else close or you dont mind driving, this coordinated program with Bon Secours is amazing. Just think from first consult to surgery, 8 wks, everything scheduled in between. They are SO nice, so accomodating. I did "shop" around for other programs before making my choice and everyone I talked to at other programs came across mean, and drill sargent like. Esp this one in Va Beach. They said it was six months from 1st consult to surgery. I'm very happy with the surgical team and program I have chosen.

Now, if I could just gt my back pain in check, my life would be wonderful!!!

I can't wait to drop the first 50lbs and be able to wake up and say "hey my back doesn't hurt today!"

4 Steps down, 8 more to go!

LMR
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06/10/04

GETTING CLOSER !!!

I met with my PCP today. She had to reschedule from Tues. Which is fine, it worked out better this way. She went ahead and did an EKG on me in her office, so I wont have to have that done on 7/7. I've made a list of the steps to surgery with Step One being the first Information Seminar and Step Twelve being the actual surgery. Today, getting medical clearance from my PCP was step 5. Tonight is support group, Step 6. (I'm half way there!)My husband asked me last night if I was nervous. I'm not nervous now, I know I will be shaking like a leaf and probably crying the day of. I've never been under full anesthiesia. So just that part alone will freak me out. But I will just keep focusing on the fact that my surgeon said I will loose 80lbs in the first 90 days.
My PCP is SO supportive. She's a great, CARING Doctor. She really went into medicine for the right reasons. I'm so sad she's leaving. But she's finished with her residentcy and she's going to work at Chesapeake General. So its not like she's a million miles away.
Well thats all the updating for today!
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06/16/04

Well it has been a few days since I updated. Not really much has changed as far as the surgery goes. Physically, I'm doing worse. My back has been KILLING me now all week. Hurting as bad as in 2000 when I injured my back! For some reason, My fingers are a little swollen too and I cant wear my wedding band or engagement ring. I'm scared that I have gained weight. Here recently, nothing that I have done has helped me loose weight. I am SO thankful I scheduled this surgery because I dont know how I could function weighing much more than I do now.
I've been sipping water from a mug all day for three weeks and I've tried to increase my protein and cut back on what I eat, but its very hard to turn down foods I love. Today at lunch thought I feel like I had a breakthrough. I ate most of my lunch without a drink and I didn't finish my food. When I started to feel full and not hungry, I stopped. I just need to get over this back injury and be able to do something physical other than housework!
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JUNE 29, 2004

Well Step 7 of 12 steps has been completed. Last week I attended the 2 hr patient seminar at HarborView. The seminar went well. Dr. Newman was our speaker. He is so darn funny, he kept us laughing the whole time. I got my pre-surgery shopping list. A thermometer isn't on the list, but I dont have one, so I need to pick one up. I'm going to have my mom bring her BP cuff and check my BP too because when I get stressed, it gets high.

I honestly feel like I am ready. The way my back hurts right now, I would have the surgery tomorrow. I am SO ready to start getting rid of the fat. My life just isn't anything anymore. All I do is work and come home so exhausted I cant do anything. And then go back to work. With the back pain I am in, everything hurts, sitting, standing, I'm just miserbale.

August won't get here soon enough! 36 more days to go!

LMR
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07/09/04

I'm almost there!!!
I had all of my Pre-Op testing done on 7/7. Everything went just fine. Then I had my dieitcian and psych consults. Those went well too. Suprisingly, I've felt fairly good all of this week, not much back pain. Until today, today I woke up feeling horrible. My stomach is hurting, I'm not having diarhea, but I'm having to "go" way too much. I have a headache, menstrual cramps, I'm running a slight fever, and I just feel overall yucky. I've been having a period since the 2nd week in June. I'm OVER it now. I called my Dr's office and they cant see me until July 15. They aren't concerned with the fact that I've been going for 35 days now.

I have one more Pre-Op thing to do which is meet with Dr. Moore on July 23 for my 2 wk appt. I have to say, this has been the easiest thing I have ever done. My insurance company was a breeze, all of the pre-op stuff was easy. I just honestly don't understand patients who pick some surgeon they have to wait 6 months to get a consult for. I've heard so many ridiculous stories of waiting to get a consult, and then having to do all pre-op stuff prior to approval then surgery is scheduled.

So far, all of this has cost me $60. $30 for the consult, $30 for the psych consult. I have to pay the hospital $250. Which is standard, I would pay the same regardless of what procedure I was having. So $310 out of pocket for $20,000 worth of surgery is not bad!

24 more days to go!

LMR
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07/14/04

I am pre-registered with the hospital! Maryview called me yesterday and went ahead and pre-registered me for my hospital stay. They basically just confirmed my insurance, that my required tests were done, and that I had been pre-approved by insurance. Maryview said I didn't even need to bring my approval letter.

I was a little mistaken when I listed my cost. I didn't include 2 visits to my obgyn and 1 visit to my PCP. I would have had to do those anyways though. I checked my hospitalization and the insurance I have now has a $300 hospital co-pay, my HMO had the $250 hospital co-pay. So here is the breakdown of what I have spent and what I antipate to spend for office visits.

5/26  OBGYN - Annual Exam $15
6/03  SURGEON - First Consult $30
6/10  PCP - Medical Clearance for Surgery $15
7/07  PSYCH Consult - Psych Clearance $30
7/23  SURGEON - Final Consult $30
8/04  HOSPITAL - Hospital Stay Co-Pay $300
8/12  SURGEON - One Week Follow Up  $30
Sept 2004 TBD - One Month Follow Up $30

TOTAL Expenses 05/26/04 through 09/15/04   $480

Not bad for $20,000 worth of surgery!!!

Each time I have to go back for followups with my surgeon (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 yr, 18 months, 2yrs etc) I will have to fork out $30.

One thing I need to check into is if Anthem Keycare PPO will continue to pay for my followups even though next year they no longer pay for WLS without a riter. If they won't pay for the followups, I should just switch back to the HMO. No sense in paying $250 more a month!

TWENTY ONE DAYS TO GO !!!
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07/19/04

Anyone want to hear something complete and totally ridiculous??? I just got off the phone with my insurance company and the DO NOT COVER Contraception. WTF??? They will cover $25,000 worth of surgery, but not a $65 shot? What kind of crap is that? When I was on my super cheapskate HMO they even paid for the pill or the shot no problem. WTF is wrong with Anthem PPO??? Do they want all their customers getting knocked up so they have more people on the plan??? Don't they realize having a freaking baby is WAY more expensive insurance wise than getting a $65 shot every 4 months!!!
My OB/GYN faxed in a pre-auth letter to try to get them to approve it, But unless I have a "medical need" they are not going to cover it. Well I do have a medical need, I've been freaking on my period since June 10th. Here's the kicker, once the form has been received, they will send back an approval or denial in 72 hours. 72 hours???? What kind of crap is that??? I'm changing my pad every hour and a half. I can't wait 72 more hours, I'll bleed to death.
The nurse at my Dr's office said she usually hears back the next day. She made sure my form had a medical need listed and not family planning so hopefully they will approve it. But if they don't she said the shot is only $60 through them. Which I will gladly, gladly pay. At this point, I'd pay $160 to stop this nonsense!!!!

And as for more nonsense, My mom calls me this morning and tells me to make sure the surgeon takes my gall bladder out. She's one of those who hasn't really done her own research on RNY but she goes on what she hears from people. And apparently some surgeon down there in NC always takes out the gall bladder. I had to explain to her that my surgical practice did an ultrasound, and my GB was fine, so its staying. I will just have to take Actigal for six months post op to avoid gall stones. Apparently, it tastes pretty bad so most patients aren't thrilled about it. But personally, I would rather keep my organs!!!

Leland
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07/26/04

11 Steps Down, 1 to go!!!!
And, I have lost weight!!!!
I went to see Dr. Moore for my final pre-op consult. I got on the scales totally thinking I would have gained weight from the last time I was there. I weighed 284.5 last time, this time I weighed 276.2! I lost 8.3lbs in 6 wks!
Everything is set for me to have surgery Wed Aug 4 at 9am. They are doing another paitent before me (non WLS) so I need to be at the hospital at 7am instead of 5:30am.
I got my Tupperware order in today as well. I ordered this shaker that is the perfect size for my protein shakes. And I got some very small food containers to hold my new foods.
Tonight I have a family dinner, so tomorrow I will go shopping for my stuff I need.
I need to get:
1.) Unflavored Protein Powder (to put in food and water)
2.) Flavored Protein Powder (to make shakes)
3.) Citracal (crushable, flavorless calcium tablets)
4.) Flinstones / Rugrats chewables kids vitamins
5.) Thermometer
6.) Pill Crusher

I need to get a few food items too, but not much.
8 more days to go!!!

LMR
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08/01/04

Only THREE MORE days to go.
I feel like I have so much to do, and not enough time for it. I honestly should have taken Monday and Tuesday off from work. So here's my advice to other pre-ops, Don't be a fool and work the day before!
I've been suffering from some BAD headaches this week. I'm thinking its pretty much caffeine withdrawl. Last night, My head and my stomach hurt so bad, I went and laid down at like 930pm. Its my fault my stomach hurt. I ate way too much. I was dying for some Chinese, and then we went out to dinner. Why do I torture myself this way?
I still have a headache today, but I've taken migraine meds, I've even drank caffiene and its still kicking my ass. But, I have to forget it and just deal with it. I still have plenty of cleaning to do to get things straight for when my mom stays a few days, and I have tons of laundry to do as well.
I'm running out to the store to get detergant, but I dont have time to shop for everything else, so I'll get that Tuesday when I get off work. I am going to talk to my boss tomorrow and see if I can just skip work Tues, I have toooo much stuff to do.

Well I am going to run, I will update again Tuesday night, and I'll update as soon as I get home from the hospital on Friday.

Leland
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08/07/04

I had my surgery as scheduled 8/4/04 at5:30am. Everything went well. My surgeon and nursing staff said that I am doing well. However, I feel quite bad. Pain med is not doing much. There are only a couple positions that are comfortbale and the gas is ridiculous. It hurts so bad.

I will update more when I feel like being in front of the computer.

Leland
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08/11/04

What a difference a week makes!!!!
I will be honest, the first 2-2 1/2 days home after surgery were incredibly hard. Now its been a full week, and I really feel like I am getting my life back.
The hardest part for me, is getting it all in. There is so much stuff to eat and drink, I feel like I dont stop stuffing my face.
I have found a GREAT calcium supplement. My dietician had reccomended the citracal crushed in a beverage. But it was TOO chalky for me. The kind I have is liquid, its only a tablespoon and it tastes like Pina Colda~!
I've been eating those Adkins Approved yougurts and smoothies. They dont taste all that great, but they have plenty of protein. I'm working as hard as I can to get the supplements and water in, and food kind of falls to the wayside.
I'm NEVER hungry. I always feel "just left a buffet" full.
And here's the really good news:
I've lost 15lbs!!!!!!

Now if I can just get the remaining soreness to go away, I will be set.

Well that is all for now!

Leland
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08/14/04

BRACING FOR HURRICANE CHARLEY!
I have so much stuff for me I need to have refrigerated, I am praying we dont have a power outtage like we did with Isabelle.

Things for me are good, I'm actualy starting to sleep on my side now. My surgeon weighed me at 261 yesterday. Although my scale still shows more. I still feel physically like I weigh 285. But I know that will take time.
My incisions are so small and healing so well, no one will be able to tell what I had done!

Thats about it for today.

LMR
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08/18/04

Two Weeks Post Op
I've lost 25lbs in 2 weeks. I weigh 258 now. I still don't see it when i look in the mirror. But my husband says he can see it.

This has definitely not been an easy two weeks. I still feel like I am being controlled by food because of what I have to eat and the supplements I have to get in. But things are getting better. I am tracking exactly how much fluid I'm getting in by breaking it down to 8oz servings. And I am breaking down protein supplements into 4oz servings.

This first six weeks is going to be the hardest. Then when I can start getting into more normal foods, my life is going to get so much better.

LMR
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08/26/04

THREE WEEKS POST OP
As of yesterday, I have lost 32lbs! I am down from 283 to 251.
Everything this week has been tasting NASTY. My calcium that used to taste so good, is making me gag. None of my protein shakes taste any good. And junk food is CALLING my name. I had a bite of cold pizza and it didn't bother me.
I'm still not brave enough to test my boundaries with sugar.

This week at work, I've been dragging every day. I'm so freaking tired. I thought it was because I wasn't sleeping, but last night I crashed at 10:30pm and slept through the night. Maybe its just because its my first week back and I need to get in the swing of things! I need Caffeiene!!!!! I'm not used to not having a "pick me up" when I'm dragging at work.

My boss and I had this long meeting with our phone system vendor and we are starting to install new phone equipment in all of our city offices. Starting at week seven, I will be traveling to different locations. Luckily, the first one is here in the same city and the second one is only a 3 hour drive away in DC. But then in early Oct I am heading to Chicago. I haven't been on a plane since 2001. I'm excited. I feel like I am getting my life back. I just worry that I will have a hard time getting my supplements in and that I might make bad food choices since I will be on the road and not able to make my food.

LMR
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09/01/04

FOUR WEEKS POST OP
As of this morning, I have lost 36.5lbs in Four Weeks!!!
I'm excited about my weight loss. But I am still struggling BIG TIME with supplements.
I had my one month post op appt with my dietician today. The calcium I have been taking (Viactiv) is WRONG. Apparently it is calcium carbonate and my new body doesn't absorb the calcium from it. DAMN IT DAMN IT! So now I'm back to the drawing board. The Citracal, even crushed doesn't disolve well for me. Its still chalky and it gags me. The Pineapple liquid stuff I was taking is so thick, for some reason, its been gagging me and making me throw up.
Now on to protein. I'm not getting in enough protein. Honestly, I dont think I ever will. I haven't tasted ANY protein supplement I wouldn't label as Nasty. I'm wondering when I am going to get off this 4 week episode of Fear Factor. Everything gags me. When I try to just force something down, My stomach ends up in knots.
My dietician did give me samples of some new protein products for me to try. I'm going to give them a shot and go from there.
She reccomended two new calciums, one is a capsule that supposedly is flavorless. And one is a wafer. I'd have to eat 2 wafers, 4 times a day. Ok, well if I eat that, forget eating anything else, I'm just NOT that hungry.
But I've got to figure out some way to get all this crap in. I don't want to make myself sick.

LMR
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09/08/04

FIVE WEEKS OUT TODAY
I got on the scale today and I weighed 245.5. A weight loss of 37.5lbs in 5 weeks. I've only lost 1.5lbs since last week. VERY DEPRESSING!
I knew my weight loss would slow down, I just had no idea it would slow down this fast. My surgeon said I should lose 40lbs by the 30 day mark, and I am 35 days out and still haven't hit it.
Right now, I'm suffering with a cold. So I am not even going to worry about supplements today. But tomorrow, hopefully I will feel better. I've been choking down the calcium, and drinking the only protein shake I can tolerate. Which its not enough protein, and its too many calories and fat, so I'm sure its contributing to me not loosing. I am going to order some protein drinks from the net today. Hopefully, they get here before I head to Chicago.
I was really hoping to have lost 50lbs by the time I have to start traveling on 9/25, but I doubt that is going to happen now. I am still going to feel crammed into an airline seat!

LMR
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09/17/04

SIX WEEKS AND TWO DAYS!!!
I've lost a total of 42.5 lbs now. I'm actually wearing regular blue jeans! Not those stretch ones!
I feel good, I have started eating pretty much anything and everything. I still have foods that dont agree with me. But I have been eating fast foot and at restaurants.
I still dont get my supplements in. Big Whoop!
I dont think I will seriously focus on the amount of protein I need until I get to a point where I obviously need it. Like I start loosing hair or something.
I have found Carb Countdown Smoothies though, those have 13 grams of protein, and I figure if I can get 2 of those a day in, thats 26 and that is enough!
I'm struggling to remember my multi-vitamin and my calcium. In a few weeks when I can take pills again, I know I wont forget any longer to take my Actigall.
Things have been weird in the fact that the weirdest things make me sick!
I got my final hospital bill. I knew Ihad to pay my copay of $300. But somehow my insurance company avoided $1400 worth of other charges, so now I am stuck with a $1700 bill I wasn't expecting! At least they are letting me make payments on it!

Thats it for now!
Down to 241.5!
LMR
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10/12/04

TEN WEEKS POST OP
Tomorrow I will be 10 weeks post op, and I have lost 60lbs. I am down to 223 from 283.
My life is SO much better. I have been traveling for work, working long hours, having more energy, and just living life.
My size 26's will no longer stay up, they fall right down. My 24's are following suit. I wear now a 22/20. I have very few pants to chose from that dont sag and show the world my underwear!
I have been a bad patient as far as supplements go. I get like one calcium and one multi-vitamin a week (if that) and I haven't gotten protein in I don't know when.
My hair hasn't started falling out, although it isn't growing as fast as it normally does. I feel excellent, although I am sure my dietician would be throwing a fit if she new I wasn't taking all the supplements.
I'm going to see my PCP this month and have some bloodwork done. If the tests reveal I am falling apart, then I will get on the stick and take some supplements. But If I can do without it, I definitely will!
For all of my life, I was completely controlled by food. Now, my life is MINE! And I am not going to be controlled by some stupid little this and that that my naturally 105lb dietician "thinks" I should take!
I'm finally happy now after all these years, and nothing is going to change that!

LMR
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11/04/04

90 DAYS OUT TODAY!

I weigh 218lbs. I've lost 65lbs in 90 days. I feel great. The only thing driving me crazy is the fact that I am loosing my hair. It hasn't grown since I cut it in August, and it is getting thin. Thank goodness I had thick full hair to begin with!

I've been traveling like a mad woman and not had much time to focus on my Post Op life. I've gotten better here recently with the Flintstones and I've starting chewing this Calcium gum. I'm probably getting out 60% of the calcium I'm supposed to.

I'm still searching for a protein supplement that doesn't make me gag. I re-tried one of the ones I have this morning. Still no good. I'm going to go back and re-try them all eventually.

I'm going crazy with this constantly being cold thing. I've never been much of a long sleeve, sweater, sweatshirt wearer now, I'm FREEZING 24/7.

Life is great, I just wish I'd loose more tummy and loose the boobs too!

Leland
295/283/218/150ish
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11/23/04
16 WEEKS TOMORROW!!!

I'm down 78lbs. I weigh 205lbs. And I am thrilled!!!!
My life is so much what I wanted it to be years ago. I am SO in control of everything.  My career is steadily improving. Physically, I feel so much better. I honestly dont think people look at me as an obese person anymore. I can wear a size 18W comfortably. And it wont be much longer before I will be able to drop from the W sizes to the regular misses sizes. Clothing has been crazy. I buy something I like, and two weeks later its too freaking big!

The loose skin is driving me nuts. I am going to have to have plastic surgery. Everyone says how good I look. Of course, they aren't seeing me naked!

I'm only having two weird side affects. One, I've been on my period since 2 weeks post op. And two, my hair is falling out. But the hair thing is pretty much expected. Other than those two, my life is WONDERFUL!

I used to take the elevator to get to the 2nd floor to our office everyday, Now, I not only take the stairs, I RUN up them!

Leland
295/283/205/150ish
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12/2/04
17 WEEKS POST OP
I was officially 17 weeks out yesterday. I now weigh 204lbs!!!
Its coming off slowly now, but I don't care. As long as I can get these last 5lbs off and get under 200 I would be happy if I never lost a another pound.
I got my lab report back from my PCP and everything came out good. I am well in the normal ranges on every test she ran.
I saw my ob/gyn yesterday. I am STILL bleeding. I've been having a period for the past 15 weeks. She put me on the hormone patch until I have my next Depo to get me to stop. I'm slowing, but I dont know if I will stop. Its driving me CRAZY!
I see my surgeon for my followup tomorrow. I was hoping to have lost more weight by now, but I am so comfortable where I am, I feel like I did in High School. My life is what it was!

Leland
295-283-204-150ish
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12/16/04
19 WEEKS POST OP!

This morning my scale read 200lbs exactly! I have lost 83lbs in 19 weeks. I am so freaking happy!  Yes, I am still having period issues. Yes, my hair is still falling out. But my life is ridiculously happy!

If I loose 10 more lbs, I am going to outgrow my size 18 clothes. I already have some loose 18s. I probably wont loose much more this year. But I am hoping to loose one more pound and end this year at 199lbs!

Leland
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12/29/04
TWENTY - ONE WEEKS POST-OP TODAY!!!
I now weigh 197.5lbs! I am down 85.5 lbs!
Life is great! I can do pretty much whatever I want, go wherever I want, and I feel great!
I'm still not getting enough protein and I am not drinking any kind of protein supplement, but I am taking my vitamins and getting about 50% of my reccomended calcium.
I feel great, I just don't like the fact that the lack of protein is making my hair thin out!
Otherwise life is great!
Leland
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01/13/05
23 WEEKS YESTERDAY!!!
I finally hit the 90lb mark!!!
I now weigh 193lbs!!
I'm so excited!
Right now, I am wearing an outfit that is a size 16/18. Not a 16W/18W. I can drop the W!!!!
I am doing very well. I think my period has finally stopped. My hair is still falling out like crazy, but I hope it will get better. I can eat pretty much anything and everything. I still do low fat and low sugar stuff. The only things that bother me are bread products (bread, tortilia, pita) and tomatoes! I can eat rice and potatoes with no problem. What little pasta I have eaten hasn't bothered me. But the Doctors are truly right, your tastes DO change. I used to LOVE pasta, and now, I have no interest in it. I can't eat clams, scallops, oysters or lobster because it is just too chewy and I can't get it down. BUT, I can eat shrimp and fish. So as long as I can have shrimp, I wont cry! We eat alot of chicken and turkey. (I think I cluck at night I eat so much chicken)
I'm going to the gym two nights a week now and working out for an hour. Plus doing some walking and workout tapes at other times. I feel GREAT! I walk fast, hold my head up high and exude confidence!
I am SO GLAD I did this, its been the best decision I've ever made!

Leland
295/283/193/150ish
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Wed Feb 2, 2005
SIX MONTHS POST OP!!!
I am exactly six months today!!!
I feel like a new person. I promise I will get a new picture soon.
Last night at the gym I weighed 190lbs. My heaviest was 295 and I weighed 283 prior to surgery. That is 93lbs in SIX MONTHS!!!
I work out three times a week for 1-2 hours. I can eat pretty much anything. I still have some bread issues, but most stuff I can eat now. I just basically stay away from sugar and fatty foods, take my vitamins and calcium and thats about it. I don't do any protein supplements, per se. I drink a smoothie with extra protein and have a carb well snack bar with extra protein but thats it.
My life is SO AMAZING!!!
I can do whatever, whenever. I'm not dragging at the end of the day. I work 9 hours, go to the gym for 2 hours, then head home and I still have energy to clean house and do laundry before going to bed.
This is TRULY the best decision I ever made. I wish I had the surgery sooner, my life would have been great much longer.
I wish my husband would have the surgery. He's lost a few sympathy pounds, but not much. He cant get his eating in check and he wont excerise.

This is where I was, and where I am now size wise.

              August 2004      -     -  February 2005
Clothing Size:        28W      -    -      16W
Shoe Size:            7WW     -      -      6W
Ring Size:              9    -     -         7
Bra Size:           48DDD   -       -      40D
Underwear Size:    9 breifs    -    -   7 bikinis

Leland
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04/06/05
EIGHT MONTHS TODAY!

I am eight months post op today! I weighed myself this morning and I now am down to 178lbs! At my higgest, I weighed 295lbs, the day before surgery I weighed 283lbs. I have lost a total of 117lbs!

I have increased my work out time at the gym. I've been increasing weights, sets and reps. I am trying to build muscle and help loose more of this fat.

I still have a flabby roll on my stomach and I have some sagging arms, but I feel GREAT!

I actually wore a sleeveless dress to work today. I can wear hose now with out a girdle, because my thighs don't rub together like they used too.

At this point in my life, I actually have a LIFE! I have so much fun, I go and do whatever I want!

Leland
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06/01/05
TEN MONTHS POST OP TODAY!!!

I am still stuck at 175lbs. But I am not complaining. I can wear a size 16 in misses quite comfortably, and in some things I need a 14. When I was in the 8th grade I weighed 170 and I wore a size 14.
I had to buy new sandals for the summer. All of mine from last year were all stretched out with my feet being so fat. I need a size 5 1/2 now, regular width.
I'm doing pretty good as far as my working out, eating right and takingmy vitamins, I'll admit I am no saint, but I do the best I can!

Leland

July 6, 2005
11 MONTHS POST OP TODAY!!!

Nothing exciting to report. I weigh 172. I have lost 11lbs since surgery and 123 overall. My highest was 295. I feel great. I feel like a new person.

I am signing up for Chesapeake's CERT training, and looking into their volunteer Sheriff department auxilliary unit. These are things I could never have done when I was  morbidly obese.

Leland
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08/04/05
MY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!
I weighed 295 at my highest, 283 the day before surgery and today I got on the scale and I weigh 170.5lbs!!!
I am so excited!!!
My life is so great!
I have dinner tonight with Shannon H. who is having the surgery later on this year with the same surgical practice. 
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10/06/05
Another Anniversary!
Today is my 8 year anniversary with Spirit Cruises.

I haven't updated in awhile because my life has been utter chaos.
My husband lost his job, and they lied and he didn't get unemployment.
We struggled for 7 weeks and he finally went to work last week. His former employer is giving him a bad reference, so no one would hire him.

With us having money issues, I had to let my gym membership lapse. I won an award and I will get that at the end of Oct or early Nov, so I will use that to renew my membership and get back going to the gym. For now, I just have to walk at home. I have some workout tapes, but I don't have a working VCR.

When I get stressed out, I eat. With us having money issues, I have been spending every night on Ebay selling off stuff we don't need. Needless to say, stress eating, no gym, sitting on my butt every night and I have gained weight back.

I saw Dr Moore for my one year in Sept. He wants me to have a CAT Scan to try to figure out what the pain in my belly is. He also wants me to go back and get yelled at by the dietician because I have been eating so badly.

On the flip side, I have been religous with my protein, vitamins and calcium. I just need to get back to excercising and cut out all the damn snacking. My husband is working now, so I dont have the I am stressed excuse.

Leland
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November 18, 2005
Things were OK for awhile, hubby was working 5 days a week. Now they have cut him back to 4 hrs a day. He is still applying other places and praying for something better.

I renewed my gym membership and I am going back as much as I can. I've already been twice this week and I am going back tonight.

I've bought some protein supplements that body builders / weight lifters reccomended. I've been drinking a shake before I hit the gym. Hopefully it will help me build some muscle and get this extra weight I gained back off me.

I weighed my husband, and he has gained ALL of the weight back and more. At his heaviest, he was 301. He weighed 302.5 the other night.

I have to get us both back on the right track and quit eating all this junk. I need to quit snacking because it is never going to let me loose anymore weight.

Otherwise, my life is great. Family, friends, work, husband. Everything is is FINE and LOVELY. Just having the same old issues as always, I eat too much and we have money issues.

Hopefully, hubby will get a better paying job soon, and I can stop all this stress eating and get back down to 170. 
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January 27, 2006
I know its been awhile since I've updated. But my life has been hell, so I think I have a good excuse!
I don't know how we made it through Christmas with out me having a nervous breakdown. I got promoted in December, so having a little more income has helped, but I still can't get a grip on my weight.
I've decided I am NOT going back to see my surgeon in Feb/March when I am due for my 18 mo post op visit.
I had a CAT Scan (that I couldn't afford and have no way to pay for) on Nov 11 and I STILL have not had a follow up phone call, letter or anything to tell me what the results are. I honestly think my surgical practice doesn't care.
I'm still hurting, Its still daily / constant pain, but I am SICK of the runaround. My PCP says to see my surgeon, my surgeon says its not him, I need to see my PCP, I go back to her, She says I need to see my surgeon, but If he wont see me, she wants to send me to a GI Doc. I go back and see my surgeon, he says I do not need to see a GI Doc, and basically he will order the $5,300 CAT Scan to shut me up.
That was NOV. I still hurt, my surgeon still hasn't told me the results of my CAT Scan.
I'm not going back. My insurance doesn't pay for WLS anymore. So I do not have the option of seeing another surgeon unless I hit the lottery.
My husband has gained back his sympathy weight he lost and is now regretting not having WLS while my insurance still covered it.

We are in extreme DEBT. My husband has been applying all over the place, had a few interviews, but still NOTHING. The pizza place is like 3 hours a night, 4-5 days a week. Not much of anything. But at least he is working.
I am trying to get some kind of loan to take all the debt off our backs and stop the creditors from calling. I have considered having our phone shut off, but then how would interviewers get a hold of my husband.
I have been on antidepressants since August to help me sleep. I need to up the dose. I am on the verge of crying all the time. I can't focus at work. Things I should have done days ago aren't done. I can't answer my cell phone or my phone at work without looking at caller ID because the creditors have those numbers as well.
I don't really think anyone understands what I am going through right now. The last time I saw my surgeon he said I really needed to see the dietician to "get me back on track" Sorry, but I am an adult. I don't need to be yelled at like a child. I realize that I am stress eating, I realize that I am not at the gym like I need to be. But someone needs to freaking realize, my life is SHIT right now, and until I can get my head above water fiancially, I'm not going to be clear headed enough to think about my weight.
I read all those profiles from these other post ops, and I just want to know if I can borrow that damn magic wand. Because their lvies are great, the weight has come off and everything is roses. I am gaining back weight at 17 mos and I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown. WTF?
Someone PLEASE hire my husband to do something!
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February  8, 2006
Well I am officially 18 months post op.
I'm back up to 190lbs which I don't like for one second, but I will take it over my all time highest of 295.

I still have the pain in my side. I still have NOT received any kind of followup from my surgeon on the $5,000 CAT Scan I had in November.

Probably in 2-3 weeks my surgeon's office will call to schedule an appt for March. Or maybe because I don't have one on the books, they won't call. The only reason they called me in Sept about my blood work was I had an appt. I don't plan to go back. So I am not going to make an appt or get any blood work done. They obivously could care less that I hurt every day of my life. I didn't hurt like this as a pre-op, so I am positive it is related to my surgery, but my surgeon refuses to believe it, so what do I do? Unless my insurance changes their tune, they no longer cover WLS or anything. I don't honestly know if they would continue to cover my followups or not. So I can't go see another surgeon.

I have an appt with my PCP in March. She will run whatever blood work to make sure I am OK, and then I'll probably go see a GI Doc. Who of course is going to tell me to go back to my suregon for the pain. I hate this run around.

In other news, I got a consolidation loan to take care of all the unsecured debt we have been struggling with. Basically, I just re-financed my car for another 3 years. I wanted to pay off my car, but with all this debt swirling around, I had no choice. Our phone would litterally ring off the hook, 15-20 times a day from the bill collectors. So I feel better that now I don't have that hanging over my head.
I have been cutting out as much of the junk food as possible and I am going to the gym as much as I can. I've just gotten involved in too much stuff. (Civic League, Bunco Group, Kearsarge, Life Preservers) I just don't have free nights to hit the gym. So I won't be doing the Kearsarge for awhile. Maybe the rest of the year. Life Preservers just meets once a month and I only go like everything other month. Civic League is twice a month. I am really regretting becoming secretary because now I HAVE to go, and I dont always WANT to go. I would much rather go to the gym!
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04/19/2006
I know it has been awhile since I have updated, but I stay busy!

Our insurance changes in a few weeks. Of course, my new insurance does not cover GB or any follow ups. I was sort of grandfathered in with my old insurance because I had the surgery done when they still covered it.

My surgeon's office has NEVER called to find out why I didn't come in for my 18 mo followup, or to give me the results of my $5,500 cat scan. I filled out paperwork with my PCP to give her persmission to get the cat scan, but I dont know what her seeing the report, not the actual films will do.

Once my new insurance is in place, I am booking an appt with a GI doc. I hurt all the time now, its steadily getting worse. If I have to get another cat scan, then I have to get one. The bad thing is, my new insurance is an HMO, so I have to go through the referals crap again. BUT, the reason I was on PPO before was 1, to get the surgery and 2, because my OBGYN of 10 yrs didn't take the HMO, she takes the new HMO, so I am saving a little.
So I need to see my PCP, and get a referal to a GI Doc. The problem is, he can't mention ANYWHERE on any of the paperwork to the insurance company that I have had a RNY GB or they will deny the claim as a follow up to surgery. Bastards.

The damn HR chic here KNOWS I had it, so WTF did she pick insurance that I can't get medical treatment with???

Anyways, I have gained too much weight and I am back to where I need an 18. I dont have the money to spend on clothes, so I am suffering on the few things that I have that fit. Brian has gained a shitload of weight. He is now up to 320. He's miserable. I was hoping our new insurance covered GB so he could get one.

He's still looking for a regular full time job, but he is working lots of hours with the pizza joint. Hopefully he gets something soon, so we can move. My dad wants to sell the house we are in.

One piece of good news, I have a good vitamin/protein routine.
I was living with an upset stomach 24/7. My PCP said it was all the darn protein. So I have cut it back and I am better.
Here's my routine:

9am while I'm packing my lunch for work, I take my mutlivitamin and calcium (500mg)
9am, while on the drive to work, 20 gram protein shake

11am at work, 500mg of Calcium again and 2 250mg Vitamin C pills

3pm at work, 500mg of Calcium again and 2 500mcg B-12 pills

7pm or 9pm at home, 500mg of Calcium again and 2nd multivitamin

(sometimes, the last dose is before dinner, sometimes after dinner)

The weekends is a little harder. I take the calcium and multivitamin as soon as I go downstairs. But usually the mid day doses of b12 and c get skipped and then I just take calcium and multivitamin at night.
I don't do protein normaly on the weekends. Sometimes I do on Saturdays, but normally not. If I am going somewhere, and I haven't had time to eat, I take the shake with me. But thats it. 
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05/03/2006
Last night in the mail I received a letter from my surgeon's office. Apparently they figured out I missed my 18 month appointment and they just scheduled one for me in June.
I called today and explained they needed to cancel the appointment and remove me from the follow up list. My employer switched to Optima on May 1. I can no longer receive any follow up treatment or any treatment related to Gastric Bypass or WLS. I had our HR chic here call the insurance company. If my PCP even marks on the insurance form that I HAVE HAD a gastric bypass, Optima will deny the claim and refuse to pay for the appointment.
The office girl who I spoke with had someone else call me back. She said she would find out what the results of my CAT scan were back in NOVEMBER and have someone call me with it.
The nurse called. I explained the whole insurance situation. She thinks I can still see the dietician because my old insurance paid for the program. She said that I also need to come to support group. Which I cannot do. Two reasons. One, they have meetings at 530pm and at 7pm. Well I work late. So its very hard for me to make it there. Two, I've had a ridiculous conflict with a patient of Dr Spencer. Its completely not related to surgery. But I know she goes to support group. So I dont want to attend because I dont want to run into her. I didn't tell the nurse this. I just told here I am normally stuck at work so late, I'd never make it there on time.
Of course, the nurse just said I need to try to take off early because its only one day a month. I told her I'd try. But I won't . I may see if I can find another surgeon's support group that will take me on.
I am still very suprised that the surgeon's office is suddenly concerned with me. I am in pain 24-7 in my abdominal area. I have been for almost a year now. The surgeon and his staff have just chalked it up to me being crazy and suddenly they care I am hurting. Yeah Right. They just saw an opportunity to get more money out of my insurance!