Julie with a Y
Hi everyone! After reading profiles and posting to Message Boards daily for months - I am finally getting time to start my own profile! I have been trying to remember how I used to relax before starting this quest ! I am a 35 yr. old from Katy, Tx. . I am married to a very supportive husband and have an 8 yr. Old daughter. I have a home day care center (11 yrs.) and do before and after school, summer, and ,school break care. I volunteer a couple of times a week at my daughters school. I have been overweight for as long as I remember. At least I remember people commenting (mostly kids ) through my child hood about me being fat. I look back at pictures and only “wish” I could be THAT fat again. Probably a size 12 or 14 and considered fat--what a shame. I have had a very dramatic past few yrs. dealing with life’s challenges. After three miscarriages in just a few years my body has changed so much. I can’t keep weight off- it always comes back. I have dieted for the past 20 or more years. I thought I was a fairly healthy overweight person until recently when worsening weight related problems began to make most of my day painful. I am so happy that I have found a way to aid my dieting efforts with WLS. I made the decision to have the surgery after my neighbor went through it. (9/03-89lbs) I was amazed when she began losing so much weight. I began seriously thinking about it then. Right before Christmas , a new friend came over and told me she had surgery the previous year. She had lost 92 lbs in 13 months but had been at goal for awhile. (she was a lightweight at 207 w/ major comorbity) She unfortunately is one who has had to fight strictures a lot. (she will admit that most of her problems are because she didn’t follow the dr. orders) THAT is how I found out about you guys!! She sent me to OH to her Dr.s site. (Dr Wongsa) And low and behold I found the wonderful people here. I can’t even begin to tell anyone of the enormous gratefulness I feel to have this support group in my life. I feel so informed about the realities of WLS and learn more everyday. I have over 100 messages from people with OH in my email showing the support. Even my husband told me tonight that he is glad that I have found the Texas message board to support me in the biggest decision of my life. I feel more able to handle it. I have been on a roller coaster since Dec. dealing with insurance games. I will cut and paste some of my posts onto my profile so that I can see the progression of my roller coaster ride! Then I can continue updating daily. Surgery date is March 24-at Methodist Hospital in Houston- with Dr. Davis. Personal stats: 5’1”--240--BMI-45 Health problems that I am hoping to improve with weight loss: Arthritis in my back Severe carpal tunnel syndrome Asthma Infertility Shoulder and neck pain (very top heavy) Borderline hypertension Bursitis in hip Pain in feet Risk of diabetes (having had Gestational Diabetes while pregnant) Varicose veins Low energy Hygiene issues Things I would like to do again: Have the energy to exercise- pain free Be active with my daughter Have more energy for my day care kids Shop in a normal store Ride amusement rides without the bar cutting into my fat Wear a bathing suit without looking huge Fit in a seat at the movies without having to raise the arms a little I can go on and on and on and on….. I will add more later! My progression so far: Posted at 5:36 PM CST on 01/13/2004 psych eval done!! Went to my psych. Eval. today- Looks like things are going smooth as can be. Should know by tommorrow if approval to see surgeon gets done. Nurse said that if I get that approval I should get approved for the surgery. Hope to go to consult on Jan 26. It will be amazing if this continues to go this easy for me. Will know more tomorrow after 3. Will post then! July  Original Post by Momma July at 5:59 PM CST on 01/14/2004 Katy, TX I got a call from my pcp nurse today that said I could go on with the surgeon appt. and the surgery just not with the surgeon I wanted (sweeney). They want me to go see Dr Harberg, and of course he only does VGB not RNY. He thinks its safer. Now I don't know what to do. I have heard different things about vbg- you feel hungry more, risk gaining back is higher ,vitamin deficiencies happen more, etc. Please enlighten me on the positives and negatives of both. I know this is a lot to ask. I can appeal the decision- however I THINK I can change networks at the beginning of the month and see Sweeney. I won't know until tomorrow if I can do that. I knew it Would not be easy. Thanks for helping! July  Posted at 11:29 AM CST on 01/15/2004 EXCLUSION!!!:-@ I need advice from others in my situation. I just found out that my husbands company has an exclusion for wls. Any info I can get will help. I am switching networks and PCP's to enable me to see Dr fisher(sweeney) because the ins. company told me that I could still see the surgeon and if he could get a pre determination for med. necessity(??) that there was a chance it will still be paid. I can't see a new PCP until Feb. 1. Thanks July Posted at 5:52 PM CST on 01/15/2004 RE: EXCLUSION!!!:-@ the exclusion states- any services or supplies provided for reduction of obesity or weight including surgical procedures and prescription drugs . That is what the ins. co. said it was. But she also told me to proceed as planned because after Feb. 1 I can get a referral from my new pcp to see fisher/sweeney. then they can try to get it approved. we are strapped as tight as can be and I don't think we could ever afford to self pay- the hospital needs a 20,000 deposit for self pays-surgeons fee... Posted at 9:57 AM CST on 01/16/2004 LETTER TO PRES. BUSH ---Please look!! I was researching today and found a site that was called www.obesitylaw.com . They had a form letter to Bush regarding making changes to the law. Please take the time to print it out to send in. Now is the time to make changes in the law. Thanks! July The address to the letter is--www.obesitylaw.com/bush.htm Posted at 5:40 PM CST on 01/20/2004 Venting... :-@ Now the ins. says they won't even pay for me to see a surgeon. It never ceases to amaze me that they just don't get it. What they'd rather do is pay for the consequences of obesity. I am beginning to think I will never get to have the surgery. I am so sad. But not done fighting. Thanks, July P.S. Just to show you- an office manager from a dr. office told me that she has to fight with the ins. to approve a WALKER for an older patient. They said it wasn‘t med. nec. Original Post by Momma July at 8:18 AM CST on 01/22/2004 Katy, TX Does anyone have the number for the ins. board in Texas?? As if the ins. wasn't bad enough- my dr. from 5 yrs. ago won't release my records to me. They have everything from 98 back . I don't know if I will need all of it, but its mine and I want it. I thought I had transferred it all but apparently didn't. Husbands HR dept said to call ins. board. Husbands worried about job security I think if I pursue legal action on the exclusion. Sorry to ramble. July P.S. I am beginning to wonder if I will ever get the surgery. holding pattern making me nuts! Original Post by Momma July at 11:31 AM CST on 01/26/2004 Katy, TX Well I am in a holding pattern waiting for people to call me back. Dr's, lawyers, etc. I can't see new dr. until after Feb. 1 so of course I can't get a referral to surgeon until then. The ins. told surgeons office that they wouldn't even pay for the consult. So I am waiting for a call from 2 obesity attorneys and waiting and calling and waiting some more. Guess they are busy! Thanks to OH! Also waiting for med. records to arrive here and new PCP's office. It's so frustrating knowing that I am going to have to fight to feel better. The carpal tunnel (weight aggravated) is flared up so bad now it's hard to do much w/ hands w/out hurting. Maybe I should get a loan and hot tail it to Ensenada! Sorry to vent! Thanks for the support! July RE: :-l insurance Response from Momma July at 10:49 PM CST on 01/27/2004 Katy, TX I have HMO blue Texas also and am ready to spit nails. My husbands employer has the exclusion and ins. doesn't even want to pay for a surgeon. Had to change PCP's (and networks) to see almost any of the surgeons in HMO blue. So I have to wait until Feb.1 to get the process started again. My policy doesn't say anything about Med. Nec. on the exclusion for wls. However on the exclusion for breast reduction it states even if med. nec. Now in my opinion, the exclusion writers would have added that in for wls if there was no way they would cover it . I have already decided to not seek legal help- partly because a week later I have heard from neither attorney I left messages with and partly because I don't want to spend $ I might need for self paying. OH has so many resources for finding appeal letters- if you search the library for appeal letters. I am ready ahead of time for a fight. The other option I am considering is going south of the border to Ensenada. The dr. there has a good rep and is only $8000. It is steep and will take a lot of financial strain to do it, but I am convinced surgery is right for me. Good Luck! July Sorry so long! Posted at 2:27 PM CST on 01/28/2004 If you had to self pay... I f you had to self pay- would you consider going to Ensenada?? Have you heard good things about it? Have you heard bad?? I have done lots of research on OH about it but would like other opinions. I am a little concerned about after care and about my insurance canceling me. The S of the B message board doesn't have many posts so I have been reading profiles on that forum. Thanks everyone! July Original Post by Momma July at 7:39 AM CST on 01/30/2004 Katy, TX Well I was up all night just for a different reason. In fact I haven't slept well lately. It seems that I have become crazy about the surgery. Now that I know there is another way, it's all I can think about a lot of the time. I dreamed about it all night last night. Problem is I am still fighting insurance. Got a call from Dr. Aguirre (Ensenada) the other night and he was just as nice as I have heard. This option is really seeming to be a good one for self pays. I have read hours of profiles. I almost don't even want to fight this exclusion. I just don't think I am up for it. I would have to beg, borrow and steal (lol!) to get the $$ but not as bad as self paying in the states. Anyway, Y’all have a good day, ya hear! (Texan) Original Post by Momma July at 10:29 PM CST on 02/02/2004 Katy, TX I HAVE A DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MARCH 30!!! Okay- that said--- I decided to schedule w/ Dr. Aguirre in Ensenada. I know that not everyone will think that is a good idea, but I have also had a lot of support from OH readers as well. When you have to self pay, you know (in my case, anyway) that even to pay back the 10,000 (total-med. airfare, hotel,etc.) will probably take forever. DH is concerned and so am I (about the $) ,but I can't help to think that this is the best thing. I want to be here and healthy for my daughter and husband. I have read all 60 profiles of the post op patients for Dr. A. and all but 2 were happy with the care they received -with no more complaints than here in the states. Even less really. One was there by herself and the other was very vague. There is still a (very) small chance that ins. will pay- I see the surgeon here (Dr. Davis in Houston) on Feb. 11 and will send in my info to ins. But with the exclusion that I have I am sure they won't pay. I may appeal once but probably won't again. I have already spoken directly to Dr Aguirre 3 times and have my questions answered. I really need support now- my stomach is in knots!! Thanks everyone- I have said it before-it's been awesome to get replies like I have and I am happy to have so much info in one place-I couldn't head to Mexico without it! July Sorry so long!! Original Post by Momma July at 2:40 PM CST on 02/03/2004 Katy, TX Well, I told my one of my sisters that I was going to Mexico for surgery- odf course I got a big WHAT??? I think I will tell everyone else in a letter because I want them to read how much research I have done, his credentials, etc. before they freak out. I have had to be defensive with my family for so long that if they aren't happy with my decision then they will just have to deal with it!! The thing is that I want my mom to come because she is only 6 hrs. or so from where I will be. So I want her support but she's going to freak. She is worried enough about me having it in the first place. Well I got to read 60 profiles from my surgeons patients and only 6 were there for my Houston surgeon. That should say something! Have a great evening! And beware I am full of pre op questions!! Thanks! July Posted at 12:08 PM CST on 02/05/2004 I wrote my mom... Well, I did it. With butterflies in my stomach I wrote my mom a letter to tell her of the decision to go to Mexico. I am so nervous right now. I gave her every bit of info that I could regarding how to research the surgeon and his patients. (I names dropped Kat and Latrisha! ) they both have excellent info in their profiles. Of cour5se as soon as I pushed send- there was an error in outlook express. I will have to send it later. I have been thinking of what to write for days!! And the words c... Original Post by Momma July at 7:53 PM CST on 02/08/2004 Katy, TX I got a call from my mom this morning after sending her an email (Thursday) about going to Mexico for surgery. I wasn't sure how she would react. They were out of town and just got my email last night. She told me that she was glad for the research that I had been doing and would support me whatever I decided. Her only concern was that if some bad complication occur that there wouldn't be a hospital there that would be able to care for me. but still she would be there. Well I went off to the clear lake meeting today and she called at the end of the meeting. I called her back and she told me that her and my step dad will pay for the surgery ( except for the 10 000 we were going to spend) in a gift not a loan if I have surgery in the states. YEA! The reason I was going to Mexico is because of having to self pay. I will say that after hearing that, I was a little upset that I wasn't going to Aguirre after all of the good things I found about him. But I really would like to stay in town to have it. So I need to find a cheap self pay Dr. with a short waiting list!! (yeah right) Any suggestions? I have an appt with the Dr. Davis' for Feb 17 nut don't know about his self pay. Sorry so long everyone! Clear lake group-thanks for the great meeting! July Original Post by Momma July at 10:52 PM CST on 02/09/2004 Katy, TX Well I have decided to keep my appt. next Tues. with the Davis doctors in Houston ( Robert and Garth) . I have had it scheduled for awhile and now that I won't be going out of town I can use them. Did anyone here use them ? how were they? I have a dietician appt on Thurs. w/ Christina at Memorial City (Houston). I have most of my things together that my surgeon will need. Maybe ins. will end up paying- won't hold my breath, though. Still think I can get a March date. I need enough good recovery time before summer as I have a summer camp w/ 12 kids and lots of energy needed!! Thanks for everyone’s responses and support-they have helped me make some hard decisions!! July Posted at 10:31 PM CST on 02/12/2004 This is a reply to a post by Adasha Knight RE: I'm hoping this summer to...... i'd like to.... ride the water slides w/ my summer camp kids wear a bathing suit w/out shorts. (we'll see about that) not be the fat lady at the pool (yes, I was called that -by an adult!!) go to Astroworld to ride the coasters w/my family (it was getting tight!) wear tank tops (we'll see what the arms look like!) Now I will only be a couple of months out-but we shall see!!!!! July Original Post by Momma July at 10:04 PM CST on 02/16/2004 Katy, TX Hey everyone- I am working on my 15th (over the weekend) hour of preparing medical and diet history-- looked through , charted info and tagged all relevant info in my medical files (all 255 pages). My chart has 95 listings of obesity or diet related events. I have typed up 8 yrs of diet history-(I figured it was in my records-I might as well claim it) I was editing my work and couldn't get word pad to cooperate and just started crying. My husband was wondering what was wrong. I said-I can't get this stupid word pad to work! He pushed one button and it worked! I told him he could not know how hard it is to sit down and chart all your efforts in the biggest failure of your life. I think he understood. I got to read about three miscarriages in detail also. I went to take a bath! My mom is helping pay for the surgery if the ins. doesn't but I could never live with myself if I didn't give every effort that I can to get ins. to pay. Now at 10 p.m. I am about to write a personal letter to ins. detailing comorbities, etc. Because I have a new PCP, I have to convince him I need the surgery based on what I have told him. You know , I need the dreaded LOMN (letter of Med. Nec.) I will give him everything I have compiled from my records. (he has them and probably hasn't read them!) Sorry so long- I needed to vent to people that understand! Two things- It is worth it, right??? and tomorrow is my visit with the surgeon! Hope to schedule in March still! Thanks everyone! I wouldn't be near as far as I am with this if it wasn't for ya'll! July Original Post by Momma July at 9:09 PM CST on 02/17/2004 Katy, TX No just kidding. The surgeon actually told me that I was his most organized patient ever! I guess all of the hard work I put into my diet history and medical history was worth it! I can say today that doing the diet history using my medical records to guide me was a very therapeutic thing. (now read my email titled STRESSED from last night and you will see that I didn't feel that way last night.) It really helped me to realize and recognize that I have made so many efforts to lose the weight on my own. I told everyone at the meeting about OH. I was so passionate about this site that I actually teared up talking about it! Thanks for support! By the way, the appointment went great- the ins. probably still won't pay for it though! July Response from Momma July at 4:47 PM CST on 02/18/2004 Katy, TX that post about Jade kinda freaked me out a little too. I am pre-op ,too -- I have been a hundred lbs or more overweight for at least 10 yrs. and have documented many attempts at weight loss and regained it every time. It is only a matter of time before I develop even more severe health problems. Like diabetes or heart problems. My blood pressure gets higher every year and I will need to have carpal tunnel surgery soon if I can't lose weight quickly. I have posted this question a couple of times and always find people with very little if any regret. I have read many times that the risk of death is about one in 350-- I will take that risk in March. In the end you have to make the decision for yorself...Good luck ! July Posted at 10:09 PM CST on 02/20/2004 This is a reply to a post by Adasha Knight RE: WLS Moment... Well, I have an 8 yr. old story, too. I was going through daughters backpack and found a paper about a science class in her bag. I asked her if she wanted to do it and she really did. I then saw it was $55 and I said so. She said no mommy never mind , you need that $ for surgery. Isn't that sweet?? July Out of the mouths of babes!! Original Post by Momma July at 9:23 PM CST on 02/22/2004 Katy, TX My surgeons office is faxing everything to the insurance tomorrow. I am still expecting a denial due to the exclusion but I gave them all of the info they could possibly need. I am looking forward to knowing something. I am not appealing more than once and maybe not even once depending on what they say. I am ready to concentrate on getting ready for the surgery. Still expect to have a date in March (either week of the 22nd or 29th) The surgeons office said that isn't a problem. Wish me luck! Hopefully you will all be able to "see" me this week- I am working on profile with picture!! July FRUSTRATION..... Original Post by Momma July at 5:03 PM CST on 02/24/2004 Katy, TX Okay- just need to vent. I thought the PCP was going to have my letter written for Monday. But of course he didn't. Called three times in the day and promised a call back. Called this morn and was told the dr. wasn't in yet and she would call me back after she talked to him. Of course spoke to the office again at 3:30 and he was "just typing the letter now" how convenient. "I will call you when he's done". Yeah right-no word yet at 5. Last week (Tues. I was in there and he promised the letter on Monday. Does any of this sound familiar??? Why do they promise if they aren't going to follow thru?? This is a new PCP for me but soon he will be the old one!! After ins. denies-(I know I don't sound optimistic) I am switching back!! Just had to vent-- I am cleaning like crazy (closets, drawers, etc.) and can't help but think it is in prep. for the surgery. Any others had the urge to clean?? It reminds me of when I was pregnant and was "nesting". And no I am NOT available for hire !!! LOL Okay-mad and happy in the same post-the roller coaster of the surgery!! Have a good one!! July before pictures --yuk! Original Post by Momma July at 2:55 PM CST on 02/25/2004 Katy, TX Okay- I just got a bunch of before pictures back from Walmart. I posed for a few but I am surprised that I was in a lot of others. 4 rolls! I will be waiting to put these on my profile (that I don't have anything on yet) AFTER the surgery! Needless to say they aren't very flattering! I am still waiting for my PCP to fax my letter of medical necessity. Three days past when it was promised to me. This seems to happen alot. Waiting for others to hurry up so you can get on with things!! . I could handle it better if the office staff would be nicer to me. Have a Good Day! July RE: Most Embarrassing! Response from Momma July at 3:13 PM CST on 02/25/2004 Katy, TX mine was when I was riding a ride at Astroworld-which I love to do--just the spinny ones-not the coasters-- and I realized how tight the bar was going to be. The guy also noticed I think. Well- I told my daughter that I would be getting a season pass along with her and her dad this summer! She wanted to know if losing weight was going to make me less chicken of the big coasters. No- her words were-your still gonna be a big chicken! Awfully harsh words for an 8 yr. old! She'll ride anything!! July MARCH 24!!!! Original Post by Momma July at 9:33 PM CST on 02/26/2004 Katy, TX Whether insurance decides to pay or if I self pay-- This is my surgery date!!! Yea! My pcp wrote a good letter-brief but efficient. Of course now -after waiting 4 days past when promised - I have to wait again- he put the wrong insurance name on the letter AND spelled my first and last name wrong 5 times in the letter. Please--- It is like he didn't even look at my file when writing it or whoever transcribed it did it wrong. I am trying to lay off of them because I still need dr. medical release from him. I won't call until Monday. My PCP wants me to have an upper GI but the surgeon said it isn't necessary. I will try to send him a fax asking my PCP to reconsider. It will cost me 400 just for co pay. I probably will self pay and need the 400 for that. Thanks for all of ya’lls support. July Now maybe I can sleep! RE: MARCH 24!!!! Response from Momma July at 10:26 PM CST on 02/26/2004 Katy, TX Hey-- I am dumping the PCP right away if I get a denial. If the ins. decides to pay then I have to stay with him until after the surgery and at least until the first post op or two appt. (due to ins. crap! ) I am having surgery with Dr. Davis- at METHODIST HOSPITAL! Sound familiar?? Isn't that where you were Adasha?? Now which nurses am I to look out for?? I will put a stay away sign on my door! LOL! Who's going to Galveston? Everything in the world is that weekend but I want to come up for a few hours on Saturday. I haven't seen any info lately. Thanks for everything! July Posted at 9:04 PM CST on 02/27/2004 I have an angel! Thanks Adasha! You were one of the first to reply to me when I first found this board and you have no idea how much it means to me to have someone from the board to make sure I am okay. It's great! July 3/4/04-- Just wanted to update. The paperwork has been sent to my insurance company on Monday. I will call tommorrow to see if they recieved it. I might not sound very optimistic but I am ready for the denial. I am not fighting it. If we have time to appeal once before my surgery then I will. If not I am self paying. I am able to deduct the cost of the surgery from taxes for 2004. This must be the pres. way of "making it up" to us for not buckling down on ins. companies! Just my opinion. I am 19 days and a wake up for me-- a little nervous but ready for my health and pain issues to end! Response from Momma July at 12:20 PM CST on 03/04/2004 Katy, TX - RNY (03/24/2004) Well-- after working in a day care setting for 15 yrs. and then running a home care center for 11- I want to play on the playground with them-slide on the water slides again and again, be comfortable on the amusement rides again (daughter is an avid ride lover!) wear a bathing suit without my top being so big (hopefully I will lose some-even if saggy!)etc..... I want to be healthy for my daughters childhood--not too tired or sick. I don't want to worry about diabetes(I had gestational kind) EGD tommorrow--- Original Post by Momma July at 9:06 PM CST on 03/09/2004 Katy, TX - RNY (03/24/2004) Well I have an EGD scheduled tommorrow morning at 7. Have to be at the hospital at 6. Glad I don't have to drive downtown for this one!(Katy to Houston can take 45min-2hrs!!!LOL!) Having it here in Katy. This is starting to really become real! Ins. isn't paying-I have decided to be their little puppy and roll over. Self pay. I don't know how I will ever pay for plastics. Maybe since the cost of the surgery is tax deductrible now-I will be able to use the $ I get back from 2004 taxes to pay for it! I know-get through one thing at a time. July Posted at 10:18 AM CST on 03/10/2004 EGD-results-Barretts esophagus Any one with this? I am to tired to post the details although I don't think it should effect my surgery. Surgery should help. Also had polyps(2) in my stomach and they are doing pathology on them. Any info on these things anyone?? Thanks July RE: EGD-results-Barretts esophagus Response from Momma July at 6:52 PM CST on 03/10/2004 Katy, TX - RNY (03/24/2004) There aren't any ulcers thank goodness. Barretts esophagus is where cells and tissues that line the stomach to protect it from the acids also begin to form and grow up into the opening to the esophagus(at the bottom.) It is thought that they form to protect the esophagus from the acid from the stomach. I have had acid reflux for years but have been treated with prilosec for at least 2 yrs. before that I ate a bottle of tums a week for years. The dr. upped the dose of prilosec so hopefully that will not keep me from having the surgery. Thanks for your replies! And thanks to those who replied about the EGD. It wasn't that bad at all. July Posted at 8:00 AM CST on 03/13/2004 Saving my own life... I was at my daughters school on Friday volunteering when a friend came in. She hadn't heard about the surgery yet. I started to tell her I was having surgery- she asked what kind- right then another friend came in and said-she's just saving her own life-that's all! I was floored because that is just what I needed to hear and it came from someone I didn't realize was so supportive. It is so true though and I am glad she said it. Have a good weekend! July Posted at 10:35 PM CST on 03/14/2004 Pre-op tomorrow!! Hey everyone- I go in for my preop appt. tomorrow. Surgeon visit-anest. visit--cardiologist(I think)--blood work--won't need an ultrasound-no gall bladder--back to surgeon. My surgery is in 9 days- just thinking that makes my nerves jump. I hope my BP isn't up tomorrow. Hope everyone is well! July PS. Shannon S. have you had your preop w/our doc yet??- I am sure since its WED. Good luck! Posted at 10:01 PM CST on 03/15/2004 DONE W/ PREOP!!! Long! Okay- now I am done with my preop tests. Spent the day down at Methodist in Houston for it. My edg was fine- the pathology showed the polyps to be benign. Funny thing - I called the gastro doc this morning (at 9:30) to see if the results were in. The girl said that they were in but the dr wouldn't be in until 11 so he could read them then. I told her I had my preop appt at 11-she told me he wouldn't have read them yet. I told her I would be down there all day if she could ask him to please re... Posted at 2:37 PM CST on 03/20/2004 I AM SICK! Surgery in 4 days! Help- I don't know what to take. I never get sick- I have a headache , low fever sore throat( think it is sinus related) and I feel terrible! You would figure it would happen right before surgery(WED>) My paperwork said no tylenol, ibup. etc. What do I take? Would you call the surgeon on the weekend for this? Is it really an emergency? I can't call my PCP since I CAN"T STAND HIM! He treated me like crap the other day ( I'll explain more later) Help! July Original Post by Momma July at 7:52 AM CST on 03/23/2004 Katy, TX - RNY (03/24/2004) Well- surgery is still a go at this point. I feel better- still not 100%. My cough is still there a little but doc said my lungs are clear. So hopefully tomorrow morning will be the day! Its hard to believe that this time tomorrow I will be on my way to the other side of this surgery. --I had a funny dream last night-funny because its very apparent what it was relating to. I was going on a long trip but I was walking (get it ,walking!) . Well I came to a point in this long walk where I realized exactly how long this walk I was on was going to take to get to my destination. I knocked on someones door and told them I was tired and not sure if I could make it to the end of my walk. They encouraged me to keep walking because it was to late to turn back now. (I wonder if those people were ya'll??) The dream kinda fizzled and I don't really remember much else. Anyway- it didn't cause me to change my mind! Ya'll are great! I was looking around the members roster and couldn't believe some of the #'s of posts from people- Ex. Adasha- you have posted over 800 posts! Way to support girl! July Posted at 6:32 AM CST on 03/24/2004 Leaving for the hospital--- O kay- I am out of here! Can't believe its here! I have to be there at 8 and surgery at 10:30 or 11. Rinda Burnett-(don't know how to post her support page info ) is before me. Please take time to go to the member roster to access her page- she doesn't have an angel and she has been reading on the site for a long time. I am sure she could use the support! Thanks everyone- I will miss everyone in the next few days! July I'm home!!! Original Post by Momma July at 3:23 PM CST on 03/27/2004 Katy, TX - RNY (03/24/2004) Just wanted to let all of you know that I am home. Had to stay an extra night because I had a lot of throwing up and nausea in recovery and after. I am extremely sore and just took a shower-- that was the best shower of my life!!!! Thanks for all of your support- and thanks Rinda, Adasha, Linda(both Linda's)and Shannon for visiting--- not that rinda and linda(Coleman-or something like that) had much choice because they were recovering too! Hey- I made it to the other side!!! Love you guys--July Back in hospital Original Post by Momma July at 5:42 PM CST on 03/28/2004 Katy, TX - RNY (03/24/2004) Hi, I am July's sister in law. She was readmitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon due to fever. Doctor wants to keep her a couple of days to make sure her lungs are clear form the pneumonia. As some of you know, she had congestion a few days before surgery, and it seems this may have added to the pneumonia. She is feeling great and excited the surgery is over; looking forward to coming home again. Keep your prayers with her as she keeps you in hers. I'd like to thank all of you for your continued support of one another. You are a wonderful group of people that are really there to help out. Thanks again for being there for her. Love, Mary Louise Original Post by Momma July at 1:02 PM CST on 03/30/2004 Katy, TX - RNY (03/24/2004) Anyway- thats what my mom used to sing. After a very long 7 days--- I am home again-- hopefully for good this time! My stay is a long story and I will post the story on my profile later- I am extremely wiped out now. Even though it seems like it - my complications weren't serious and I am fine now. I lost blood after surgery and had an upper resp. inf. so after lots of antibiotics and 2 units of blood I am on the road to recovery. so bye for now and thanks for all of the enail! Love you guys!! July My Hospital Stay- Wed. March 24- Tues. March 30-2004 Well It’s about time I updated my profile to include details of my hospital stay and surgery. I was scheduled to be Dr. Davis 2nd patient of the day. Rinda was first. I got there in time to see her and talk to her in person for the first time. If you’re reading this Rinda, it really helped to pass the time in the days leading up to the surgery to have you to visit with. I recommend to anyone to try to be lucky enough to find someone that can be your surgery partner. My family took great comfort from Rinda’s family. They kept us updated on her progress through the whole surgery. Well, after what seemed like forever, they came and told me she was done and they were cleaning up after her surgery and then would start mine. Over an hour later… at least I know they cleaned up well!! After surgery I was taken into recovery. I woke up and was feeling really sick with nausea. ( I don’t always handle anesthesia well. ) I started to throw up. But it was blood. I was freaking out because I didn’t expect to be throwing up blood. I don’t know how much I threw up but at least 6 or 7 times. No wonder I was nauseated! I remember them telling me not to worry about it. Yeah right! After moving to my room- I don’t really remember times or anything. I just remember I was nauseated for 24-36 hours. Severe nausea! And I had a terrible headache. I remember the nurse and my husband trying to make me get up and walk- they kept telling me I needed to open my eyes! I told them I couldn’t believe they wouldn’t let me sleep and walk at the same time! LOL! I was even making jokes when feeling so bad. I wasn’t on Morphine because it had caused vomiting after a previous surgery. But I was on a Demerol pump. Eventually when the nausea wouldn’t let up they took me off the pump hoping that was causing it. All I know is that at 4am on Friday morning and I wasn’t nauseated! I woke my husband up to go walk. I am sure he was happy. It was like a veil was lifted. I told the nurses – shhh I am not nauseated- fearing I would jinx myself if I said it too loud. I have never experienced nausea that bad- I think it took some of the attention off of the pain- because I don’t even remember the pain the first couple of days. I do remember the nasty drink for the leak test though. It wasn’t as bad as I expected . They decided to keep me in the hospital an extra day because I had such a rough start. Well I began to run a fever on Friday. I had been coughing up a lot of crud since surgery. FYI to preops- if you are sick before surgery- reschedule! I had an upper resp. infection on Sat. before surgery and had lots of antibiotics. I was fever free but apparently still should have waited. They kept saying that some fever after surgery was normal . On Saturday I was ready to go home. Since I was self paying for the surgery I was afraid that any extra days wouldn’t be covered by the insurance. So I think I encouraged them to let me go. They didn’t even take my temp for 6 hours before I left. I told them I would come back if my fever came back. We got home at about 2:30 and I was wiped out. I visited with a couple of friends that had come by- spent time w/ my daughter and mom. Then I took my temperature( I was feeling really bad). Low and behold- I had fever. I took Tylenol and it never went down below 101. So at 6:30 or so I called the surgeon. He never called me back but apparently left instructions w/ the ER on what tests he wanted ordered. I called him again about 9pm and he told me to go in. When I got to the ER, my sister met us there. My husband ran to work to call his big boss to tell him he needed to leave. He got back there at around midnight. The surgeon wanted a cat scan of my abdomen (rule out leak again). Of course that meant drinking 2 coffee cups full of dye mixed with SODA! (a no no!) I had the nurse call the surgeon to clear with him. They at least gave me diet soda-otherwise it would have been dump city! It took me an hour to drink it and then had to wait 2 hours for the test (so the dye would be in where it needed to be) I tried to sleep on the hard bed but it was hard and my butt kept falling asleep. My husband slept sitting up in a chair with his head resting on a metal stand. COMFY!! At 3 or so they took me down and the lady was really nice. She made me comfortable for the test. They took me for a chest xray next. The surgeon on call came in and told me they were admitting me (which they had known since midnight- they had already called the floor and told them) . The abd. Xray came out fine, thank goodness! My blood count was off- and they wanted to treat me w/ IV antibiotics. At least I could file this w/ insurance. They took me to the same floor that I was on before and put me in a semi private room.(I had been in a private) The same nurses I had earlier were my nurses still and welcomed me back with great care. The lady in my room complained that she wanted a private room because we had turned the air up. IT WAS 50 DEGREES IN THERE! Well- my nurse promptly moved ME back to my old room where I stayed a happy camper! I slept most of the morning. The doc said I had an upper resp. inf. No collapsed lung , but almost pneumonia. On Monday- the surgeon came in and told me that I had lost a lot of blood after surgery (well-DUH!). My red blood count was low and he told me I needed 2 pints of blood. So that’s what they did. Antibiotics and then blood. Why was I bleeding? He told me (to the best of my memory) that normally the blood vessels clamp off when they staple across the two stomachs. Apparently one of mine didn’t and kept bleeding for a little while after surgery- that’s where the blood was from! He told me that it wasn’t bleeding for long. It is freaky getting someone elses blood pumped into your body! I had to have Toredol for pain and thank goodness it relaxed me and I handled the transfusion fine. I was able to go home again on Tuesday morning- Home sweet home!! This is too long! Just a word to say- the nurses and techs at Methodist in Houston were wonderful. Lost a week---this is long-sorry! Original Post by Momma July at 7:05 PM CST on 03/31/2004 Katy, TX - RNY (03/24/2004) O kay- I am still in a great amount of pain most of the time. I feel like I would think I would feel after 2 days not a week. I can only assume that I need to have more patience with myself due to the extended hospital stay and complications. I am ready to move move move but spent most of today sleeping on the recliner. I did make it on a walk around a big long block. Yesterday after getting home I had done WAY to much. Just trying to get comfy in my bed exhausted me and I had to take pain meds just to move to recliner to sleep. I am still coughing alot from the upper resp. crap. So as always its lots of fun to cough! I am trying to eat my full liquid diet-- cream of wheat , cream soup, sf pudding, jello, popsicles. I can say I am really happy to be eating those things because doc made me stay on broth until out of hospital yesterday. I am writing down what I am eating and there sure isn't much protien. Have had about 40 oz. of water though plus about 10 oz of apple juice. Its hard to eat when you are not hungry. I guess I am fortunate that I am not. The red lobster commercial looks wonderful but I know the desire there is in my head. I WILL go there again asap. I am proud of myself- that I have been a twice a day weigher and I promised Rinda I would weigh every three days - I hid the scale in sis in laws room so it wouldn't be accessible. I hope I don't sound whiny- I am just venting to you guys- I know you have been there. I expected all of this so I am not surprised-- just wishing I felt better faster. I missed the board while gone but I am to tired to sit here and type much more. Thanks for all of your support. July O kay- I am still in a great amount of pain most of the time. I feel like I would think I would feel after 2 days not a week. I can only assume that I need to have more patience with myself due to the extended hospital stay and complications. I am ready to move move move but spent most of today sleeping on the recliner. I did make it on a walk around a big long block. Yesterday after getting home I had done WAY to much. Just trying to get comfy in my bed exhausted me and I had to take pain meds just to move to recliner to sleep. I am still coughing alot from the upper resp. crap. So as always its lots of fun to cough! I am trying to eat my full liquid diet-- cream of wheat , cream soup, sf pudding, jello, popsicles. I can say I am really happy to be eating those things because doc made me stay on broth until out of hospital yesterday. I am writing down what I am eating and there sure isn't much protien. Have had about 40 oz. of water though plus about 10 oz of apple juice. Its hard to eat when you are not hungry. I guess I am fortunate that I am not. The red lobster commercial looks wonderful but I know the desire there is in my head. I WILL go there again asap. I am proud of myself- that I have been a twicw a day weigher and I promised Rinda I would weigh every three days - I hid the scale in sis in laws room so it wouldn't be accessible. I hope I don't sound whiny- I am just venting to you guys- I know you have been there. I expected all of this so I am not surprised-- just wishing I felt better faster. I missed the board while gone but I am to tired to sit here and type much more. Thanks for all of your support. July Still in Pain-depressed...:-( Original Post by Momma July at 7:30 PM CST on 04/03/2004 Katy, TX - RNY (03/24/2004) Why would I be the one that would have all of the problems??? I can't even get up and walk around the house without stabbing pain in my left incision area. I am running the risk of sounding whiny but I am having a hard time accepting this pain. I called the nurse yesterday and her comment was that I had major surgery pain is to be expected. Just to relax and take my pain meds. Keep in mind that I am 10 days out. I didnt think the pain would linger. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain generally but this is too much. I called the surgeon this morning and he said he felt like it was just from the muscle they went through. I don't have any other symptoms. I have been in bed more hours than up since noon yesterday. It hurts too bad to get up and walk around. I am not even getting in my 2 oz every hour. I have only lost 11 lbs.-I know I should be happy with that but I would have thought that with what I have been going through I would have lost more. I promised myself I wouldn't gripe about the weight loss but there I go. The hormones certainly don't help me tolerate the pain. I have cried so much in the last 2 days. My husband doesn't know what to do for me so he only does what I ask-and nothing else. I don't like to have to ask for every little thing. I just want to crawl in bed until the pain is gone. Okay- this is a pitiful post - sorry everyone- I just want to feel better and it helps to get support from you. Thanks for listening. July First post op appt. today! Original Post by Momma July at 4:31 PM CST on 04/06/2004 Katy, TX - RNY (03/24/2004) Wow- 14 lbs in 13 days! I was moaning about that earlier in the week but I am okay with that! I am actually eating tuna fish right now- yum! very pureed- I am just freaking out a little because I don't want to eat too much! To make me sick! I didn't know how much I missed real food! Thanks everyone for your support! Doc still says the pain is normal-maybe if i ignore it-it will just go away!!! Funny- doc kept saying how great I looked- I told him I hope so after I spent 7 days in the hospital I wasn't looking good at all! July Dumping or what? Long post... Original Post by Momma July at 5:55 PM CST on 04/07/2004 Katy, TX - RNY (03/24/2004) Well- in my adventure with food I had fun today. This morning I pureed some eggs and sausage for breakfast. I ate about 2 ounces and everything seemed to go down into my pouch fine. Well after breakfast(about 15 minutes) I decided to have my first dose of B-12(sublingual) and my chewables. Well right after swallowing my B-12 I got to feeling really tight in my chest. Not sweaty or like I would think dumping would feel. Well I was really tired and felt like crap so I layed down. (I know I shouldn't have layed down right after eating. I slept about three hours and woke up and tried to eat a SF fudgesicle. (I was feeling better) Well immediately I could tell that it wasn't going anywhere-The food was obviously still in my pouch. I could feel the fudgesicle staying in my esophagus. So I threw it up- along with the vitamin I had 3 hrs before. A couple of hours later I nibbled on a cracker to see if that would go down. It was fine so I ate some tuna salad and it stayed down fine- no other problems. I understand Dumping to be more related to too much sugar. What do you think it was?--the eggs or the B-12??? Or the combo of the two? January 17,2005 First of all, I want to apologize for not updating my profile sooner. I am really embarrassed and I think that is why I haven’t done it. Also when I sit down to do it, a thousand things come to mind to write about and I get overwhelmed and stop. Well, today is the day! I am trying to send my 8 month pics to OH but am having trouble with them. As some of you know, I have remained active on the Texas Message Board. I have been a member for 1 year and 2 months. I need to say thank you to every one there for providing support to me ALL of the time! You guys are wonderful- there is nothing anyone can’t ask! I don’t think my journey would have been so successful had I not had ya’ll! Okay- enough mushy stuff! Now for my journey--- It has been wonderful! Since my minor complications very early out, I have had NO problems at all! I have lost 96 lbs and am 20 lbs from goal! (in almost 10 months) The weight loss has slowed dramatically. Of course, you start to realize that you DO have to work much harder at eating the right things the further out you get! I struggle with the CARB DEMON every day! I struggle to get my protein every day—the water is pretty easy for me still. I forget my vitamins so often. I am trying to get better about that too. So, you might ask—how has your life changed since WLS??? ~I go to the gym 3-4 times per week ~I ride my bike more often. ~I can now jump rope again (without worrying about black eyes! LOL!). ~I skate for hours at a time with my day care kids. ~I run and play with the kids. ~I can cross my legs in the movie theater seats! (I was struggling just to get comfortable before!) ~I weigh 144- down from 240! Come on Century Club! ~I wear size 6 jeans. I was wearing a 22-24! ~I am wearing a medium top-some smalls. I was wearing 3X-some 26 tops. ~I wear a bra size 38D-(yes-ladies-they DO go away!) I was wearing a 44 F!!! ~ My shoe size has even changed from an 8 to a 7 or 71/2! ~I am smaller than I have been since probably eighth grade! ~I get compliments daily! ~My self-esteem has improved dramatically and I am much more outgoing! ~My daughter loves the new me! ~I can shop at ANY store at the mall- except those for plus sizes! —Speaking of- at Katy Mills there are 3 casual corner stores together in a row- plus-regular and petite. I was talking on the phone and I walked right in the plus size side-didn’t realize it until I looked down at a shirt and saw the X! I did an about face and went next door! LOL! ~ My co-morbs are all but gone! I laugh now at the docs when they tell me my blood pressure! I always ask- isn’t that too low???!!! Blood sugars are fine- feet don’t hurt anymore- no more hip pain (except from the sharp bones!). The damage to my back was done years ago- so it still hurts sometimes -although it is better because I am exercising. ~ I have all of these hard things sticking out everywhere! On my shoulders, back, hips, butt!! I think they are called bones! I don’t know- I have never felt them before!! LOL! ~My husband is dealing with having a skinny wife just fine! I was afraid he would be super jealous! I am sure that I will come up with some others later- but I have 10 kids here for Martin Luther King day so I need to go! If you are Pre-op- and reading this—the most important thing is to do your research!! Make sure you know what you are getting into! These surgeries WILL NOT change the emotional things in your life! It helps with some of it- but new insecurities rear their ugly heads sometimes! Make sure you have lots of support! If anyone wants to email me- feel free to do so! Have a great day everyone! And I promise it won’t be almost a year before I update again!!!
About Me
Before & After
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