Michael Eak

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I'm doing Fantastic, feeling great. Not really hungry at all. I saw my Primary Doctor today and have lost 8 pounds since receiving my Banding. She also approved my wishes to return to swimming, that my Incisions were healed shut. So I'll resume my walking to the YMCA, Do an hour of Laps Plus another hour of Water Aerobics. Then walk home. So all together 2 miles walking Plus 2 hours swimming. My intent is to do this every day.

My friend Fatima picked me up and we headed to the Palms to start my WLS
Adventure. Upon signing in at Admissions. They got rid of all of the wide seats
and only had the armed chairs there. Very weird as the now have the gold sign of
Bariatric Center of Excellence, since the last time I was in there helping
another friend. But the Security Officer saw my plight and went and found me
one.

Well just as the Admission Lady was coming out to get me, Fatima received a
phone call from her sister-in-law telling her her Father had just died at his
semi-hospital in the Azores. So as she wanted to stay for me, I told her she
needed to go get her daughter out of school and make arrangement to get to
Portugal via Boston where her brother will join her. As once they get things
settle over there they'll need to convince her mother to come back to the U.S.
to live here with Fatima. Her dad was 82 years old.

So on continued my adventure alone. But the hospital was very supportive as word
of what had happened reached each department before I got there and was wheeled
around. As I was still very positive and motivated. But as I was delayed other
were pushed ahead of me instead of everyone waiting as I WAS Suppose to be the
first bariatric patient of the day.

So I made it through Pre-op with no troubles. And they had this really
comfortable air fill spongy bed for me. At first I thought it was a water bed.
The wheeled to the Surgery department where now I had to wait. But it still
seemed to move very quickly. Next into the Operating room where I scooted over
to the surgery table and the placed a mask over my face and I was gone.

The next thing I knew was waking up in Recovery with all over the tubes already
taken out that I knew they were going to place in me like down the throat. I was
in recovery what seemed like maybe 30 minutes and moved up to the second floor
to room 265. All the way down the hall so I couldn't make a get-away.LOL. I did
get two shots of something for pain and my throat was very dry.

As they rolled me into my room, my sister showed up. Apparently someone from the
hospital called her to tell her what was going on when Fatima, my support had to
leave. And thus they wanted someone there that could make decisions while I was
out of it. And to be there to support me.

I was all set up with a pitcher of ice water (which we added a couple of To Go
crystal light sticks to) and a cup of ice chips. The only thing that the TV
controller didn't work on the call device and the phone wouldn't ring for
incoming calls. Which I had my cell phone to which then I could call out on the
hospital phone. I wanted to get up right away to walk but they made me wait a
few hours. And so I sucked on ice chips to finally start sip, sip, sipping away.
Which I finished off two pitcher before going to sleep about midnight as I was
not really tired at all.

So as Soon as the Biggest Loser was over and I guest things finally settled down
they let me get up to walk. There was just a little unsettlement getting up but
suprisingly I still had no pain. They were also suprised on how good and upright
I was walking at a very steady pace. As I cover the entire floor up and back. So
I rest a little more and after the TV news they aloud me to walk again. But this
time alone. I make two rounds and stopped to use the computer they have there
for the patients but I couldn't get online as a Pass Word is needed. But no one
there knew what that was either. So everyone would have to wait till I got home
and rest more.

I slept very well using my Bi-Pap pump. Waking up very calmly without
interruption throughout the night of any nurses. The sign in front of the
hospital on Pasadena Ave. kept changing colors which lit up my room sort of like
mood lighting this was comforting also.

The nurse did appear for vital and they were very happy as my stats were all up.
And said my breakfast would be there shortly but nothing ever came. I thought
some sort of brothe was coming.

Heather came in to check on me (Dr.Rehnke's assistant) telling there were
several Bariatric patients but I was the only Bander for yesterday. I had hoped
to see Dr.Rehnke and/or Dr.Grossbard. But for all I knew anybody did my surgery.
Heather brought in some instruction to the next month and a bag of sample with a
water bottle too.

I called Fatima as I knew she be at TIA as she preparing to board her plane as
which she told me that our friend Tina was coming to get me as Heather told me I
was ready to go home. So I dressed finishing as Tina walked in the room.
Suprising her as she thought I'd be laid out still in bed. And even though I
wanted to walk out they made me ride in the wheel chair to leave the Palms of
Pasadena. It was 11:00 AM. 24 hours from when I walked in the day before.

WOW what a Rush and still I was Highly Positive and Motivated.

I've taken in 4 cups of different broths and just about a gallon of crystal
light.

Thank you for your support and prayers, Mike

Back in August I asked my Care Plus Insurance what was required for me to get the Adjustable Gastric Banding. They replied first to do the 6 month required Doctor Supervise Diet. I went to Seminares and decided on the Realize Banding. With the Surgeon Dr.Enerst Rehnke, who did my Gastric Bypass. And thus with my Primary Doctor, Dr.Pamela Grover in August  We started my 6 month program seeing her monthly as she documented my progress.

In the end of Jaruary I completed this Program and Dr.Grover has me complete a few other Medical Test such as my yearly Colonoscopy, Prostate and eye exam. Thuis took the month of February. But then we submitted to my InsuranceCompany asking for Approval to receive the Adjustable Gastric Banding. They sent a letter back saying NO as it wasn't a Surgery Paid for by Medicare. Which I've been on since 2004. And it paid for my Gastric Bypass. Which I received because in 2006 it wasn't paying for the Banding. But I had PROOF from three reliable sources that NOW Medicare does pay for it. Plus they were naming the WRONG Hospital. Since I have Medicare it now has to be performed at a "Center of Excellence" which is awarded to Surgery cewnters who qualify under the ASBS - American Society of Bariatric Surgery and the Surgical Reveiw Corporation. Which the Palms of Pasadena Hospital has had since the begining of 2007.

So I as well as Dr.Grover sent in APPAELs with this Documentation of it being paid for. They re-sent a letter stating they received our appeals and they's have 30 days to Review them. Well 28 days went by slowly, so I started calling. Finally get to the person handling my case. He stating they were about to make a decission just be patient.
He finally called at 11 AM on the last day of the Appeal and a week later I got another letter. Stating that I was APPROVED!! 
With the Surgeon and Hospital I had chosen. Assisting Dr.Rehnke will be Dr.Grossbard (who has a Band himself).

So now my surgeon requires ALL of his patients to complete a OPTIFAST Liquid program leading up to the Surgery date. Which was then set for Tuesday April 21st. I'll get a call the day before to tell me what time to be at the Palms Of Pasadena Hospital. It is now Saturday 3 days to go. 11 Days into the Optifast and I've lost 33 pounds. I'm hoping to lose another 17 but we'll see, as that alone would be 10% of my starting weight already.

Dr.Rehnke's office staff has all of the required documents and test results (EKG, Blood Works and Chest X-Rays) they need EXCEPT my Medical Clearance Letter from my Primary Dr.Grover. But she insists it will be in Dr.Rehnke's hands by 8 AM Monday. My final Pre-op Consultation with Dr.Rehnke is Monday at 10:45 AM.

I've attended sevewral Prayer Groups and feel very positive and motivated to reciving this Realize Banding and will chart on here of my future progress. Bye for now. Mike

Well I hit the end of my Journey so to speak of. I got to down to 422 lbs. and start to get back into the main stream of Life. But I let my guard down also and it seems every meeting and social gatherings are filled with tempting foods. As I've become a Slider food addict.  

I got active by becoming a volunteer associate Youth Minister, got my CDL-B drivers license and started driving Buses mainly for my church and it's school. Then I went back to school and got my Class-D Security Officer license. But in the mean time grew further away from exercising which I was swimming everyday. Plus stop seeing my surgeon and attending Support Group meetings regularly.

And final got weighed after realizing I couldn't handle doing security work as I was having trouble walking long distances. Plus having to go up a size in my pants & shirt. And realize now that I've gained back 90 lbs. Yes I'm eating as though I've never received the gastric bypass. But I do still dump if I eat sugars or breads, the next day. Plus I get these feelings late at night if I eat late right before bed that feel like I'm having heart attack which goes away as soon as I burp. I now weigh in at 510 lbs.

So Now I am pursuing receiving a laproscopic banding. And from the research I've done, hopefully my insurance will approve receiving the Realize Band as a Revisional Surgery. As from the first day I met Dr.Rehnke, we had discussed receiving the RNY as heavy as I was to lose a bit of weight to then receive a Band to continue the Weight Loss Surgery Journey to become healthier than I've ever been in my life.

Well I'm still Improving. Mrs.Claus (Fatima, my Girlfriend) and I with hundreds of others Completed the 1 Mile Gobbler Walk of the St.Pete Times Turkey Trot within Thirty minutes. Actually by the Pedometer we walked about 2 1/2 miles today plus a mile Wednesday evening at the Opening Show of the Trots at Clearwater HS. And the 3XL T-Shirt actually fit this year too!

"Happy Thanksgiving" to ALL who reads this Posting & Good Luck to all you shopping on Black Friday that you may find what your searching for! I stayed within my limits on eating today too!

I Lost another 11 pounds this past month bringing the Total to 153 since last Christmas and as I'm typing this I'm realizing that with losing the next 7 pounds I will have rid myself of 300 pounds since October 2002. And am setting my next Goal on losing the next 47 pounds to break 400 by my Birthday in March 2007.

We're still Walking every morning as soon as I get out of bed before breakfast. The a good Protein breakfast and chores before walking to the Clearwater YMCA or going to work as needed. At the Y I swim for 2 hours and then walk back home for a healthy Protein Lunch. And then off to meeting and such around town. After dinner I make another round of my new neighborhood park before resting and posting on the net. And retire for a goodnights sleep.

So I AM Thankful for all of you who Support my Efforts to continue to become healthier. Thank You Very Much

'Twas the night before bypass, when all through my gut
not a morsel was stirring, not even a nut.
The suitcase was packed by the back door with care,
in hopes that a new me would soon return there.
I lay nestled, snug in my bed
while visions of calories danced in my head;
and me in my plus size pajamas and wrap,
had just settled in for a long, restless nap.
When deep in my mind there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my dreams to see what was the matter.
Away to my fridge I flew like a flash,
ripped open the door and drooled at the stash.
The moonlight reflecting off the beautiful snacks
gave a luster of radiance to all on the racks.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but an array of the comfort foods I hold so dear.
With a familiar feeling of all those I'd pick,
I thought in a moment I just might be sick.
More lovely than angels their voices they came,
and they whistled and shouted and called me by name;
"Now pizza, now French fries, now chocolate galore
on cheesecake, on ice cream, on donuts and more!"
From the tip of my tongue, to the bottom of my toe,
I will miss you all more than ever you'll know.
As an addict that shakes and stirs as he sits,
I'll mourn the loss of my delectable hits.
So back to my bed I went with great haste,
and settled back down with nary a taste.
And then in an instant, in pre-op I sat,
nervously waiting to no longer be fat.
As I sat deep in thought and adjusted my gown,
In came my surgeon in one single bound.
He was dressed all in scrubs, from his head to his feet
and he seemed very calm as he eyed me like meat.
He looked at my chart, with his scope gave a listen,
I don't think he noticed my eyes starting to glisten.
He was chubby and plump -- he could lose some himself,
and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke barely a word as he prepped for his work,
he paused for a moment, then turned with a jerk.
And laying a finger aside of his face,
and giving a nod, out of the room he did race.
He checked in the next day, to his students gave a whistle,
and away they all flew like a down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim as he walked out of sight,
"speedy thinness to you and a healthier life!"