Aimee J.

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I am undergoing a breast augmentation with lift on April 9th! I was initially going to undergo the tummy tuck and lower body lift first, but that's not really feasible with having a 3 and 1 year old. They require too much lifting and the recovery is more intense with the TT/LBL.

And I'm not sure if I blogged about it or not, but I got pregnant 9.5 months after my RNY. I had a beautiful pregnancy (gained 31 pounds) and after my c-section, I lost 41 pounds within 14 days and was in pre-pregnancy jeans. You CAN have a healthy pregnancy after weight-loss...just don't use the excuse you are pregnant (to eat everything in sight). I've been battling a low hemoglobin and iron/ferritin. Last summer I had 8 weeks of IV iron and this past February I had an endometrial ablation (to hopefully stop my heavy menstrual cycles). I'm feeling quite good right now!

Since losing 102 pounds (from highest recorded weight), I have noticed the following changes:

a) I don't get short of breath when walking up stairs
b) I can cross my legs without being uncomfortable
c) I can shop in the 'normal' sizes
d) I actually enjoy physically exerting myself
e) My blood pressure is within a normal range (no longer on medication)
f) I'm ovulating monthly (rarely did before surgery)
g) I don't have a fear of going out in public
h) I'm venturing out into the world and trying things I normally wouldn't have
i) My professional and personal relationships have improved
j) My thighs don't touch the sides of any given seat

What I'm looking forward to:

a) Hitting my second goal: To be less than 200 pounds (not too far away)!
b) To reach my surgeon's goal: 12 pounds less than my goal listed above
c) To be within a normal BMI range
d) To test the plane seats in February
e) To test the stadium seats in the summer (baseball games)
f) To hit my "size" goal: a 10 or 12

I am down 73 pounds so far! To date, I am down 5 pant sizes (ready to go down another) and 3 sizes in tops. As for exercise, I am walking 2-4 miles a day, using the elliptical and total gym. Life is good!

I am feeling fantastic! I am down 35 pounds (as of yesterday) and I will be 6 weeks out as of tomorrow. I have been working out almost daily and really trying to meet my protein goals. So far, I am tolerating most foods but early on I did have some issues because I swallowed too much or didn't chew very well. LESSON learned!

If any of you have any good suggestions for meals, please let me know!

I found out on Wednesday, that my surgery date is May 4th! Dr. Schram was booking out 8-10 weeks in advance, so I was thinking mid June as the earliest date! I go for pre-admission testing on April 22nd and I'm so excited yet deathly scared. I've been an emotional basketcase for the past 24 hours.

That would be me! I had my psych eval on 3/12 and had my 2nd surgery consult yesterday. I found out this afternoon that BCBS approved me for surgery! After wanting to have this surgery for 8 years, my wish has finally come true! I'm still shocked. I will find out my date by next week!

Wow! I've been away for quite awhile now! I gave up on having the surgery because my financing fell through. I ended up moving to Texas in November of 2007 and lost 40 pounds over 3.5 months doing Weight Watchers and a daily gym routine. I stalled and found out I was expecting my first baby! After a rough delivery (including pre-eclampsia and borderline gestational diabetes), I delivered Keaton Paul on November 17th, 2008. Now, approximately 4 months later, I am pursuing WLS again.

This must be the right time for me. I say this because I just found out my insurance does cover WLS (it didn't before I moved back home to Michigan). I called the Barix Clinic, where I initially met with Dr. Schram in 2007, and they advised me to see my PCP for a letter and get my psych eval taken care of.

Today I saw my PCP and had the sample letter (fit to my criteria) typed for my doctor. I know my doctor because I work in the ICU and she occasionally admits patients and rounds on them. She took one look at the letter and is waiving the supervised diet. She considers WW a structured program so she claimed that met criteria for her! On a sad note, I was officially diagnosed with hypertension today. My blood pressure was 156/96. She believes it has a bit to do with my pre-eclampsia and the fact that my OB/GYN allowed my BPs to get as high as 200s/100s and never put me on medications. She said it may take 6-12 months to subside, but this will increase my chances for approval. I am now on Lisinopril for my blood pressure.

BCBS PPO requires these for WLS to be "medically necessary":

BMI >35 with comorbidities or >40 without. My BMI is roughly 43 and I have several comorbidities.

Structured or medically supervised diet for 6 consecutive months: DONE!

Psych eval

Knowledge of bariatric surgery and noted/verbalized understanding of requirements.

I have my psych evaluation next Thursday and I see Dr. Schram on 3/19. Cindi from his office said they will submit my paperwork and I may have an approval the same day! Please keep me in your prayers!

I spoke with the BCBS rep again today and I have even better news. I'll be enrolling in a plan called "Flex 1500" and I will only have to pay my deductible of $1500 before I can have the surgery....much better than paying $25,550 and then having to worry about potential complications! My 180 day period may also be waivered because I have had insurance for over 62 days straight and under special circumstances, they waiver the pre-existing clause. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping God answers my prayers! I will get to the losing side eventually!

After a lot of work and stress, I have decided to research different avenues to pay for my WLS. The other night I couldn't sleep so I was googling to find an independent insurance (like BCBS) that would cover WLS and I found one. I was contacted by the representative today and have all the requirements in writing (the typical): BMI >40, over 18, comorbidities, physical necessity per PCP and surgeon, etc. I will have to wait 180 days before I can have the surgery, but good things come to those who wait. The insurance is 70/30, but hmmmm...it's cheaper than paying completely out of pocket and I think it sounds pretty good!

More bad news. I was under the impression that the lap bad was $13,000...I was wrong. My surgeon charges $17,500 which includes all fills for 1 year. I had my financing completed (based on the $13,000 figure) but now I'm $4,500 short. Surgery may not be an option at this time and I'm very upset. Happy Birthday to me.