Monica M.

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Checking in after a few years of being MIA. Life has been grand and I don't regret making the decision that has forever changed my life.  I'll post pictures soon but I wanted to post a little something.

Has it been a month already?!  I can't believe how fast the days have come and gone but trust me I am NOT complaining. (LOL)   I can still remember my surgery day as if it was yesterday.  Ohhhh the terrible GAS!! The first week was thee hardest but then to add to the pain I cought the stinkin flu!!  I wanted to die but I'm so blessed to have so much family that helped me pull through.  It was hard learning how to eat, especially not drinking while eating...boy did I learn that one fast!  And another lesson learned was to SLOW DOWN, I never paid any attention to how fast I ate but that was another lesson I learned quickly.  I never thought I would say this but lately eating has become more of a chore, I'm running out of ideas of what to eat.  I'm so sick of eggs, the smell and even the very thought of eating an egg makes me queezy. 

Well as of today I'm down 29 lbs, not sure if this is normal or not but I have another follow-up with Dr. Rabkin on the 27th of this month so I'm sure they'll let me know if I'm on the wright track as far as my weight loss.  As for my energy level, well it's slowly getting better.  I've recently had my iron checked again, in the hospital I had to have 2 iron infusions because I'm anemic and my iron was really really low pre-op.  There's not to much for me to complain about, the only thing I miss it being able to drink while I eat.  But I'm sure eventually I'll get use to it. 

I don't know what I would've done without this website, it has been just as vital as my "Red Book"!  When ever I was experiencing something I wasn't sure was normal I'd have my hubby jump online and check, it's been a real lifesaver!  I think he really enjoys OH just as much as I do. 

Starting to get a little nervous...but nothing major.  I only get nervous every time I talk about it or if someone ask's me if I'm starting to get nervous! (hahaha)  I still can't believe how fast my surgery day is coming up, it felt like an eternity to get approved and now I am only 7 days away from being "switched"!  I just hope I don't forget anything...all pre-op clearances are complete, just afraid I'm going to forget something at home!  I'm already packing everything I need to take to the hospital and this weekend I'll be buying the food I need when I get home.  So much to do...

This past friday I had my psych evaluation at Kaiser (Stockton).  My first impression I thought she was going to be a real sweet lady....WRONG! She was clearly against the Duodenal Switch but it's ok, she's intitled to her opinion/feelings...I too have clearly made up my mind to have the DS.  I was so mad but I managed to put on my poker face and keep it on for the remainder of the evaluation (if that's what you want to call it).  This lady didn't even get a crack of a smile out of me after her snippy comments/opinions.  Honestly, I think she was more upset that I would be able to eat normally with the DS and not absorb the calories more than anything.  She also kept saying "there is no literature that says the DS is better than the RNY"...she's nuts!   I never said it was better, just that it was a better choice for me!  She asked why I wanted the DS and I told her, plain and simple as that...sheesh!  Thank you Jesus...I'm finally done with all my pre-op stuff, I shouldn't be walking into Kaiser for anything, not anytime soon anyways.  Ok, I'm done.  I just needed to vent. LOL

Still counting down, I can't believe how fast the days are flying by...this week should be short because of Thanksgiving.  Then after that I have 2 weeks until I'll be in San Francisco! YAY  It still has't quite sunken in yet that I'm actually going to have surgery...FINALLY!  I don't think it'll hit until December.  We shall see. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Moni

Tomorrow marks the 30 day count down for my surgery! These days are just flyin by...so much to do. Ok well not really, just finishing up my pre-op stuff.  Last thing on my list is my appointment with the shrink on Tuesday.  I'm a little excited and nervous about the appointment, but I think it's only because I don't kow what to expect. 

So now I just gotta find a place to stay to San Francisco...I love the City in the winter and especially around Christmas time!!  I'm thinking my "last meal" will be clam chowder in a bread bowl, my fave!  Well actually, it'll have to be 2 days before my surgery since my last meal is litteraly only going to be fluids. (hahaha) 

Part of me still can't believe that this is really happening, really really happening this time.  I'm going to be a mess when December comes!  I keep thinking that I'm forgetting something...I completed all my blood work, chest xray, echo, ekg, clearance...and now the shrink on Tuesday. I think that's all I needed.  I better double check again! LOL 

Yup, you are reading that correctly. I AM APPROVED and have a surgery date...December 16, 2009!  Thank you Jesus ...I thought this day would never come!  It's been over a year since I was going through the motions to have RNY with Kaiser.  But one day I was on OH and I had read that Kaiser does this procedure called "Duodenal Switch", they just don't tell us about it. So I researched this procedure and decided that I definately wanted the DS, which basically meant that I would be starting from square one all over.  I have to be honest, the appeal process was a little intimidating to me at first. I don't know what I would have done without OH and all the AMAZING people that helped be along the way.  Thank you Rose for taking the time to walk me through step-by-step, Larra for always checking up on me and all the wonderful advice, Diana Cox for posting something that would change my life forever...to the DSers that sent me their appeal letters and info. I could not have done it without everyone "paying it forward"!  This is such a huge blessing for me, it still hasn't sunk in all the way but I'm sure as the days fly by it'll start to kick in! (hahaha) I'll keep ya posted, so stay tuned...

Gracias!
Monica 

Becasue I was so screwed up on my days I actually thought yesterday was Thursday. So, this means my letter was FedEx on Friday and will not arrive to DMHC until Tuesday because of Monday being a holiday.  I could seriously kick myself for that one. HAHAHA  Oh well, I've waited this long...a few more days is not going to kill me.  My Mom is the one who actually sent my letter off for me.  She later told me that she and my abuela (gramma) prayed over my letter.  I don't know what I'd do without them in my life.  I was nervous and my head was filled with doubt. I keep thinking "what if"...I could be that ONE person that the DMHC does not approve! LOL  Hey, you never know.  But after she told me that I had to remember about this little thing called FAITH.  So now, I wait...30 days.  But in the meantime and inbetween time I'll be occupied working on all my pre-op stuff. 

I've heard on several occasions that after surgery relationships change...I think I may know why.  I was at a family gathering recently and I turned to my sister and I said "now I see why relationships change after WLS".  Over the years I have been gaining more and more weight, recently I've noticed the people I was once close to... I can hardly even carry on a conversation with now.  I'm not the one to right away think "they're talking about me, I know it".  I've been big my entire life and the neighborhood I grew up in I had no choice but to be tough and soon used my size to my advantage...so with that being said, when ever I hear somebody say something I think to myself "haters"!  And I'll call them out on it, I don't play that mess.  Strangers mostly but FAMILY?!  These are people who have known me my whole life!  They've litterally been with me through the thick and thin!  Thank God I'm really close to my sisters and brothers...total there is 8 of us, 5 girls and 3 brothers.  They are my rock and if it wasn't for them I would be a mess right about now.  (LOL) As my sister and I were leaving our family gathering we talked on the way home and I explained everything to her and she says "you have every wright to have a big ego after WLS, you'll have a new found confidence".  I love my sister!  So again I ask, do relationships really change after surgery...for the good or bad??

Ok, so here's an update.  I have my consult with Dr. Rabkin scheduled on 08/19/09.  I'm sooo excited!  I'm still waiting for my second denial which should be coming any day now, my case was to be reviewed on 08/05/09.  Once I get my 2nd denial and receive my letter from Dr. Rabkin I'll submit my appeal to DMHC!  This where I'm getting a little nervous...I keep thinking "what if". Hahahaha

And now, I must give credit where credit is due... Rose, I don't know what I'd do without you!  I wouldn't have even gotten this far if it wasn't for you.  Though we have never met, you are awesome!!  I've gotten a lot of helpful info from DS'ers but you took the time to walk me through step-by-step and I am forever greatful. 

Stay tuned....

Ok, so I know it's been quite a few months since I've updated my blog. So here's the latest going on with me and this long journey of mine.  I finally got my denial from my Doctor on 06/02/09, it only took 3 months! LOL  Anyway, I'm over it.  I just submitted my grievance on 07/06/09.  I was so nervous, don't know why but I was.  So, here I am... again... waiting to receive my 1st denail from Kaiser.  I love the DS forum, I'm blessed to have found a few caring people to guide me through step-by-step.