MARKfromOKC
HOOSIERDADDY
BEFORE
AFTER
**Scroll Down For More Before and After Pics**
My Weight Loss Progress
DATE...........WEIGHT......TOTAL LOST
03/09/2004.......344
03/18/2004.......326..................18
03/24/2004.......316..................28
04/02/2004.......302..................42
04/09/2004.......297..................47
04/16/2004.......292..................52
04/23/2004.......289..................55
05/01/2004.......283..................61
05/07/2004.......279..................65
05/14/2004.......276..................68
05/21/2004.......274..................70
05/28/2004.......272..................72
06/04/2004.......269..................75
06/11/2004.......265..................79
06/18/2004.......260..................84
06/25/2004.......255..................89
07/02/2004.......252..................92
07/09/2004.......250..................94
07/16/2004.......247..................97
07/23/2004.......244..................100
07/30/2004.......238..................106
08/06/2004.......232..................112
08/13/2004.......230..................114
08/20/2004.......227..................117
08/27/2004.......224..................120
09/03/2004.......224..................120
09/10/2004.......224..................120
09/17/2004.......218..................126
09/24/2004.......212..................132
10/01/2004.......210..................134
10/08/2004.......210..................134
10/15/2004.......203..................141
10/22/2004.......200..................144
10/29/2004.......199..................145
11/05/2004.......195..................149
11/12/2004.......190..................154
12/03/2004.......184..................160
12/17/2004.......180..................164
01/12/2005.......180..................164
01/21/2005.......174..................170
02/14/2005.......170..................174
03/16/2005.......170..................174
04/21/2005.......174..................170
05/21/2005.......174..................170
06/09/2005.......172..................172
07/16/2005.......175..................169
08/12/2005.......170..................174
09/06/2005.......170..................174
10/22/2005.......170..................174
11/20/2005.......170..................174
12/20/2005.......170..................174
01/20/2006.......170..................174
02/14/2006.......170..................174
03/09/2006.......170..................174...2 year RNY Anniversary !
03/09/2007.......190..................154...3 year RNY Anniversary
Can I Get a
!!!!!
Mark's WLS Journal
10-24-2003Went to my PCP and we talked about trying to get approved for the surgery. Said I had to be on a DR. Supervised Diet for 3 months. Gave me an appointment for 1 month for a check up and weigh in. They also did a thyroid and blood sugar test.
10-25-2003Called Dr. Floyds office and talked to Fauke and she is going to try and help me get approved. Faxed her a release so they can get my medical records. Told me to make an appoinment with Dr Hyde for a psyche exam, go for that on the 31st of Oct.
10-30-2003Test results are back, blood sugar is fine , but the thyroid was a little low. Need to go back in for another blood test.UPDATE- went for another blood test and all was fine.
10-31-2003Went for the psych exam today and Dr. Hyde said I passed with flying colors. Dr. Hyde is a very personable and caring psychiatrist. Some of the Questions were:
1.What do these sayings mean to you?
"People in glass houses should'nt throw stones"
"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"
2.Count backwards from 100 by sevens.
3.Who is the President of the USA? and before him? and before him? and before him?
4.I am going to give you three words and later on in the evaluation I will ask you what the three words are. The words he gave me were "blue" "tennis" and heck I cant remember the last one...LOL
5.Do you understand the scope of the surgery and the changes that will have to be made afterwards?
6. What are your expectations from the surgery?
Well thats just a few of the ones I remember.
11-05-2003Called Dr.Floyd's office for a status report and they will call me back
11-07-2003Faxed my "Letter" to Dr. Floyds Office today. Went to my PCP today for problems with my hip, he refered me to an orthopedic specialist.Maybe I can get the Orthopedist to reccommend the Gastric Bypass, to see if the weight loss relieves the pain in my hip therefore negating the need for hip replacement.
11-18-2003Went to the Orthopedic Surgeon- Dr. Davenport, Xrays looked really bad. I was convinced by the xrays and Dr. Davenport that I was a prime candidate for total hip replacement, I will get my right hip replaced on Dec 1, 2003.He said I should be back to work in a month or so.
11-20-2003Shannon from Dr.Floyds called and said that Pacificare needed a more detailed letter of my weight losses and gains and the dates. I wrote the letter and did the best I could from memory.Faxed it off and also sent one copy by regular mail.
11-24-2003Went to Baptist Hospital for my Pre-Op class for the Hip Replacement Surgery, was there about 3 hours. We were told what to expect from the surgery, recovery, do's and don't, and exercises.
11-25-2003Kenny from Dr. Floyd's called and told me I have been Approved. I hung up and got all choked up, I am so happy. Called all my friends and family and gave them the news. Dr. Floyd called me and said we could shoot for the end of December to get it done if all goes well with my Hip Surgery, will have to wait and see. And oh yeah If I didnt already tell you---- I AM SO HAPPY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12-5-2003Hi y'all, just a quick update: I have a new hip and am doing very well with it. Carol is doing a fantastic job as caretaker,physical therapist,cook and chief bottle washer. I dont know what I would do without her.I went in the hospital monday Dec 1 and got to come home thurs Dec 4 (My Birthday) nice present huh? We had a nurse come in and teach Carol how to give me the lovenox shots.I overdid it Friday , 1 day out of hospital, and that night my foot and leg swelled up. We elevated it and the swelling went down, I need to slow down and take it easy I guess.
Got a call from Dr. Floyd's and they have scheduled my surgery for 12/31/2003 --------HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!
12-13-2003The hip is doing really good I am ready to graduate to a cane and get rid of this walker.
I go in Monday the 15th for a chest xray, a test for blood clots in my legs and a consultation with Dr. Floyd.
12-17-2003Just a short update. Had my consult with Dr.Floyd on the 15th, this was the first time we had met as I had done all of my preparations through the internet and faxes.I am very happy with his expertise.He answered all of our questions. He said that he will probably go ahead and remove my gall bladder while he is in there because of gall stones associated with the weight loss.
Had the tests run also. Havent heard anything about the test yet ---hope all is OK as I am really looking forward to getting this wls done so I can begin my new life.
I am 16 days out of my hip replacement surgery and I have graduated to a cane ,which is really,really good according to my physical therapist. I am also almost off all pain medications at this time.
12-22-2003 Well bad news!!!! My surgery has been canceled. It seems that Dr. Floyd is having a disagreement with my insurance company Pacificare.Kenny says this always seems to happen at the end of the year. I may have to get another surgeon ! This really bums me out ! This is whole process has been emotional enough without having to deal with this kind of stuff !
They may reschedule tomorrow or next week , if they can stop bickering ! I am in limbo at the moment.
1-3-2004The problem is that Dr. Floyd wants to do the surgery at Edmond Hospital instead of Baptist. He initially had my surgery scheduled at Baptist on Dec 31,2003. He then cancelled it.
Dr. Floyd told me that he prefers to do the surgery at Edmond because they have a Bariatric Center there and that they are set up to give better aftercare to Bariatric Patients.
To do the surgery at Edmond requires that we go "out of network" with Pacificare. Dr. Floyd is trying to get Pacificare to approve going "out of network".
I dont know what I will do if they dont approve it---guess I will have to get another surgeon that works within the network
1-10-2004Well just an update of what has been going on for the last week and a half.
I have been calling Dr. Floyd's office everyday, and getting absolutly no where. I call and they say they are going to meet with him and then call me back in the afternoon, they NEVER call me back in the afternoon.I call back to them in the morning and the same thing, they will meet with him and call me back in the afternoon, and they DO NOT call me back.
Finally I got the hint, after a week and a half of beating around the bush THEY DONT WANT ME AS A PATIENT. So I am getting another surgeon.
Contacted Dr. R. Cullen Thomas' , went to his seminar, was very impressed- I found a new surgeon !
2-13-2004Just a short update. Went to Pulmonologist Monday 2-9-2004 and all was fine. Saw Marilyn Minter on Wednesday 2-11-2004 and had to fax her some records from my hip replacement surgery. I go in today for an ekg and bloodwork so that will be up to date. My consultation with Dr. Thomas is scheduled for this Monday 2-16-2004. I am scheduled to see the dietician on Wednesday 2-18-2004.I am hoping to get a surgery date this monday 2-16-2004.
2-16-2004Had my consult with Dr. Thomas today, we will try and get the surgery scheduled for March 9th. I go on a liquid diet tomorrow, I need to lose some weight before the surgery. Dr. Thomas is going to try and do r n y laprscopic, if there is enough room. If there isnt he will just do r n y open. Losing weight before the surgery will increase my chances of having it done laproscopic. I also have a hernia that he will repair no matter which way he decides to go. So good news all around I think.
2-19-2004I have a definite date March 9th 2004.Have to be at Mercy Hospital at 5:00am. I am on a clear liquid diet and that is really hard, but I am doing OK with it .
3-3-2004Short Update:
Well been doing ok on the liquid diet, not perfect, just ok......
About a week before I am on the other side as they say, still having doubts, but this is normal I am told.
It is thundering and lightning here in Oklahoma, its 1 pm, supposed to rain all day today and tomorrow.
3-13-2004I am now on the otherside, and I am doing very good. I am sticking to the diet I was given, it is very easy to do as I am not really hungery at all.I am quite tired and I am still pretty sore from the operation. I am also fighting a cold at the time and have to hold a pillow against my tummy when I cough.Carol has been a godsend, dont know what I would do without her.I have noticed that I have become more emotional since the surgery.I will write more about my hospital experience later when I feel better.
3-18-2004Just got back from the doctor and I have lost 18 lbs in 10 days Yippppppppppeeeeeeee. Took out the stiches and refilled the lortabs. All is well.
4-2-2004I am currently on the liquid plus pureed portion of my diet. I have lost 42 lbs since surgery.
I have become lactose intolerant.I am taking Lactaid before any dairy product, if I dont I get diahhrea.
I am walking a little more each day. Yesterday I walked for 17 mins, trying to gradually increase it each day.
All in all I am doing very good.
5-14-2004Down to 276 today. I have been dumping off and on for the last 2 days. I ate a small bit of birthday cake and it really sent me off the deep end. This proves that the pouch rules for sure. All is good though, today will be better I am sure.
7-23-2004Havent updated profile in a while. I am down 100lbs. Doing really good. I am back to work on light duty, thanks for that or regular work would be killing me right now. I will start out light and gradually work myself up to heavy again. Nice to get a full paycheck --- sick pay is good but it is about $300 less than a regular 40 hour work week check! The SUV's we are building are not selling right now so there may be more layoffs ahead.Well all else is good from here. Later........
8-20-2004Well I had quite a scare the other day. I have been getting dizzy and lightheaded for awhile. Everyone said it was because I was not eating right, duh I am not eating like others cuz I just had this surgery. Well I about passed out at work last monday, went home early and to the doc the next day. My BP was 90/60 way to low for me. I was over medicated on my BP meds so the doc cut them way down and I am back to normal now.
So heres a tip for all of you post ops check your BP regularly and reduce your BP meds if needed, as always consult with your physician first.
9-19-2004 Just a little update. I am down to 212 today, but I also got sick today and lost my dinner. Went to the Great State Fair of Oklahoma yesterday walked alot, went in all the buildings. Split a corndog with my better half. We had a great time.Blood Pressure is back to normal now and I am feeling great.
12-24-2004 Been awhile since my last update. I am doing great. I am down to 180 lbs. I have another umbilical hernia and will have Dr Thomas repair it in March 12 months after surgery. He is also going to do a tummy tuck at the same time and only charge me $1000 for it! Isnt that GREAT ! I have noticed that I can tolerate more food now so have to be very careful and watch what I eat. Got thru Thanksgiving just fine and just about done with Christmas too. We got a new addition to the family, a yorkshire terrier, we named her Sophie, she is just precious.Her full name on her papers is" Carol's LiL SophieTucker" Our cat "Lizzie" got sick and died in October and MaMa(thats Carol my wife) needed a new companion. I am off work for the next three weeks so there will be plenty of "honey do's" for me to catch up on.
02-04-2005Saw Dr. Thomas yesterday and we are going to have the incisional hernia and tummy tuck done on 02-21-2005. He showed me some before and after pictures of some of his patients and they looked great. He said he did 6 of these operations in December, it was a very busy month for him.
02-12-2005Well I need to update and tell you all I just had a really big scare! I just got out of the hospital !
Heres what happened: On wednesday 02-09-2005 I got up about 8am and was feeling really crappy. I had to go to the bathroom so I went and sat down on the stool and proceded to pass about a quart of blood rectally. I then passed out. I woke up and yelled for Carol to call 911. She saw that my eyes were rolled back in my head so she called 911. The firemen arrived in about 5 minutes, put me on oxygen, took my vitals and then the EMT's arrived and hooked me up to all this stuff.
They asked me which hospital I prefered I said "Mercy" and one of the fireman said that would have been his first choice also ? They picked me up and as they were carrying me to the stretcher I said they should be glad it wasnt a year earlier and I weighed 350 instead of the 175 I now weigh. They said it was no problem, they had just picked up a guy that weighed 400.
They got me on the stretcher and into the ambulance and man was it cold in there. They started an IV and off we went to the hospital, got to the hospital where I was seen by a Dr David Smith. He ordered all these tests and called Dr. Thomas.
The tests showed I had indeed lost alot of blood and I need a transfusion. They sent me to ICU.
In ICU I got 2 units of blood, and Dr Thomas came in to see me. He said a Dr Neumann ( a gastrointeroligist ) would see me in a awhile. Dr4. Neumann ran the scope down me and found a small bleeding ulcer at the end of my pouch. He sprayed it and cauterized it and said they needed to observe me for about 72 hours. Dr. Thomas said he thinks the ulcer was caused by the Bextra I was taking for arthritis. I was in ICU and they kept doing blood tests and my hemo count was improving every time.
Thursday they said I could go to a regular room, but there were no rooms available at the time so I was stuck in ICU until friday, when I finally got a regular room. It was nice to be in a regular room, I was finally able to get some sleep, although not much.
Saturday I saw Dr. Neumanns associate and he released me to go home that afternoon. I am now home and feeling pretty good. They gave me a couple of prescriptions, one for Carafate and another for Protonix, both ulcer medications. I havent taken any of my other prescriptions that I normally take so I will wait on them until I see my PSP Dr Parkison.
Thanks to all that called me or Carol while I was in the hospital, your thoughts and prayers were really appreciated.Well all is well for now, I am feeling pretty good.
03-16-2005 Just an update on my latest surgery. I had an incisional hernia repair and scar revision (Tummy Tuck)done on monday 03-14-2005. All went really good.Got to go home on tuesday afternoon. The incision goes from my sterum to my pubic area, then from hip to hip. I have 2 drains on each side, The drains are sewn in and have bulbs at the end that need to be emptied about every 12 hours and the liquid measured. The liquid looks like cherry koolaid.My belly button is very dark looking, Dr.Thomas said it will blister over, then peel, and then should return to normal. I am wearing 2 abdominal wraps (1 lower and 1 upper) and will have to wear them 24/7(24hours a day 7 days a week) for 6 weeks.If I sit or lay in one position for any length of time I get stiff and sore and have to work it out slowly to get it working right again.I am taking cipro to prevent infection and percocet for pain, I take 1 percocet with 2 tylenol and that seems to work for about 6 hours. I am feeling pretty good all in all.
03-20-2005 Went to the Dr Friday the 18th and they took the two drains out and half of the staples. I had a grand total of 50 staples from hip to hip. I dont have any from the pubic area to the sterum, the stiches there are all internal and disolvable. Glad to be rid of the drains, they were a pain in the ass. I am using those neoprene weight loss wraps as binders. I have to use 3 of them to cover from my nipples to my pubic area. I have to keep wrapped for 6 weeks 24 hours a day. My belly button is looking better every day. It was really gross lookin the day after surgery, the doc thought it might have died, but it looks like it is gonna pull thru. Got all this time off and want to get out and do all kinds of work outside, but the NO LIFTING BAN prevents me from doing much at all.
03-28-2005 Two weeks since my tummy tuck and all is going good. My belly button is almost completly healed up . I am not taking any pain medications. The binders are a pain in the butt. Sometimes I have to take them off and give myself a break from them, as they are so restrictive.Just 4 more weeks and I will be done with them. I am still off work, gonna try to go back to work on light duty after I see Dr Thomas on 4-11-2005. We have a thing at work called the Transitional Work Center that lets you come back to work and start getting accustomed to working again and gradually transition back into the regular workforce.I find myself just standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom and staring at my stomach or lack of stomach I should say ......LOL
04-21-2005 Well went back to work on the 12th with no restrictions and did really good. Worked 4 days and then we are laid off for 2 weeks. GM is going to lay off the entire second shift June 10th and I will be one of the lucky ones to get laid off.I say "lucky" cuz I will retire in 2 years and I will get paid 95% of my regular pay while on lay off.Tummy tuck is doing real good, still really tight, and still numb in areas. I am maintaining my weight at 175-180!
11-20-2005 Been awhile since my last update, but we never did get laid off because GM had that employee prices for the public promo going all summer. We even worked overtime and some saturdays. Now things are not looking so good for our plant. There are rumors they are going to shut it down ! We should know something around Dec 5th.
Health wise I have never felt better. I am maintaining my weight and it is not very hard to do. As a matter of fact I have to still eat very small portions and I am never really hungry. Still got to get in the protein and water daily. I got a recipe off of this site for protein peanutbutter balls and they are delicious, I have some every day.
The family is doing good, so are the dogs. Sophie should be going into heat pretty soon and maybe we will have some puppies !
Been along time since I ahve updated my profile. So here goes I have been sitting around all winter and not being very active and I have gained 20 lbs. Everyonhe says I look alot better with the extra weight, but it kinda bothers me, cause I dont want to start gaining again. I started walking last thursday and I over did it--- went 5 miles. Man did I pay for that, I got up friday morning and was sooooo SORE ! but I still was able to get in 3 miles.
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PHOTOS
08 March 2004-- 337 lbs
08 March 2004
08 March 2004
24 June 2004--260 lbs
24 June 2004
24 June 2004
24 December 2004
24 December 2004
Some other Pics
Me in the PC room . Thats my "Drive In" and
"RootBeer" Collection behind me
Check Out the RNY Post Op Diet HERE
Our New Dog Sophie the Yorkie January 2005
Our Newest Dog Toby the Yorkie February 2005
Our Dogs Sophie and Toby the Yorkies February 2005
Click here for TUMMY TUCK PHOTOS
| M | Misunderstood |
| A | Awesome |
| R | Raw |
| K | Kinky |
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Photos
 180 24 December 2004 |  |  344 4 December 2003 |
Hospital Reviews
Member Interests:
Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: R. Cullen Thomas, M.D.
I was very impressed with Dr. Thomas. We went to his seminar and he really laid out all the pros and cons. I am glad I switched surgeons.
Insurer Info:
PACIFICARE, HMO
I used all the resources available on this site. I used the example letter and that was a big help. The insurer did not seem to stall at all, I had all my records sent to them along with the psyche eval, my letter, then a follow up lettter with dates,weight losses and gains, for there info. I just wrote it the best of my recollection. I do feel they respond to persistence and the more info you can give them the better your chances will be. I would reccomend that anyone dealing with Pacificare cross all their t's and dot all their i's. And, use this site as a blueprint for success, I did and I worked for me !
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About Me
Oklahoma City, OK
Location
25.8
BMI
Surgery
03/09/2004
Surgery Date
Oct 23, 2003
Member Since