Janet Y.
February 19,2005
Wow, what a journey to get to this place that I have found to be a great comfort ! I could start out like others and tell about a life long struggle with my weight , that has ultimately dictated my life . Or , I could simply say that for the first time in my life I have decided to live a fun filled healthy life .
I began my WLS journey when I developed hypertension. I would go to my PCP wanting diet pills and finding out that I couldn't take them due to my Blood Pressure . I knew I was overweight ..i.e. wanting "diet pills" however I never thought I was large enough to be considered for WLS.Go figure ?? LOL
My PCP would keep suggesting looking into WLS so .. I finally did ! Thus the games begin !
All is complete.. Physcological consult... I passed !! LOL Went for the endoscopy and the gallbladder ultra sound and all other organs that they decided to sneak a peek at while they had the wand and the lube !Nutrional consult complete. I received the medical clearance a long time ago from my PCP ; after all he was insturmental in leading me down this path :)
February 25,2005
Now I am at the mercey of the insurance company. I spoke with Theresa at Dr. Odom's office. She sent in the paper work !!
I should share with you the surgeon who I have chosen. His name is Stephen Odom M. D. I have seen his work for many years as a general surgeon and always admired him. When I started the journey he was just starting doing the Open RNY . I am a nurse and have followed many patients who have had WLS. The one thing that I knew I didn't want was to be just a number . I liked the small town feeling so to speak of Dr. Odom.
March 8, 2005
Well , talked with Blue Cross /Blue Shield today .. and they have no record of my file being sent. Go figure ? Sigh :( I will obtain a fax number tomorrow and have Dr. Odom's office fax them the information. I guess the US Post Office is too old fashion now a days ! LOL I have a date to meet with the bariatric nurse Sue Woods R. N. on Thursday. I am excited really . She was the first though to clue me in on the fact that Dr. Odon only does open RNY . All along I thought I was having a lap ! Wheww ... that was a new one ! The ironic thing is my BMI is 39 ! I think I will ask lots of questions !
March 11, 2005
Blue Cross / Blue Shield finally say they have all my paper work.. or they are just tired of hearing from me every day ! Wow..I will keep my fingers crossed and say a few prayers :)
March 23, 2005
YEAH .... during my usual 1:15 phone call to Blue Cross / Blue Shiled..I was shocked when the lady came back and told me "Dr. Odom has been approved " I got this big knot in my stomach and returned back to the office for an afternoon of my own patient's to care for . I called Theresa at Dr. Odom's office to tell her and she was such a sweetie as usual . I got my surgical date.... April 27 2005 !! I am still in shock ! It is a strange feeling. Something I have worked so hard at accomplishing..to realize the dream is coming true .
I have called BCBS everyday this week ! The one piece of advice I could offer anybody going down the insurance road... call, call, call ! Everytime I called I got a diffrent answear. Always get the names and times of who you spoke to and document it all. For me , I think it made a big differnce.
April 6, 2005
I got my actual approval letter from BCBS today ! It makes it all so real now . I am getting a tad nervous.It seems that there are so many who just can't undersand why I am doing this. In fact it is hard when you hear so many people say " you aren't big enough to have the surgery " or why would you do this.. we love you for who you are , we aren't sure if you will be fun anymore after having the surgery . Hmmmmmm makes me wonder?
I would be less then honset to say that I am not scared. I would think that this is normal . I feel a bit of a outsider of sorts.
I just want this to be all behind me and to live a happy ,healthy life !
April 24, 2005
The day's are fast approaching to the new me ! It is hard to believe that it is almost here . Two more days .. tomorrow will be filled with a trip to the dentist ( have to have a healthy mouth for the new tummy )and a visit to the Priest ! Yeah I must admitt the old Catholic guilt thing is shinning it's cast upon me. Almost like a neon sign !! LOL Today is technically the last day to splurge....however in reality .. why ?? After all that's what I am trying to correct :) You have to love life .
April, 27 2005
Today is the day ! YEAH ! I am so ready. Off to the hospital at 5 AM ..good thing when I get there I will be able to get some sleep :)Until the lossing side...wishes to all :)
May 1, 2005
So many thanks to all who wrote me notes on my support page; they meant so very much to me. I am happy to say that I am now on the loosing side ! I came home yesterday. I'm blessed to have had the love and support of my family and friends. I still feel a bit alone though..is this normal ? What to eat, don't eat too much , don't overfill the new tummy. So many uncertainties at this point.The morphine pump at the hospital was wonderful .. it almost made me think this was a walk in the park :)Time to get in some fluids . Until later , I wish everybody a wonderful day:)
Cheers ,
Janet
May 3,2005
A trip to Dr. Odom's office . I was weighed when I first got there...8 lb loss in 6 days ! WOW ! Not too shabby :) I got my drain out which I was very thankful for.. and some of my staples removed. I need to return on the 6th to get the rest out. I must say I feel great ! The only issues I seem to have is getting in all the fluids . No problem with milk going down but for some reason the water seems to cause me discomfort.I called the barriatric nurse and she said she thinks it's due to water lacking sodium....hey sounds good to me !
Ahh every new day is an adventure on the loosing side :)
May 6, 2005
Back to Dr. Odom's , he took out the remaining staples . The good news is I was down 6 more pounds ! WooooHooooo :) 14 lbs gone forever .
May 16,2005
Today I returned back to the world of healing the ill. It was hard I must admitt. I had all I could do to make it through the day. Nite nite :)
May 24, 2005
I just got back from my one month appointment with Dr. Odom. I must say I was discouraged at my weight loss thus far. I was only down 18 lbs :( The good news is that I can start working out and swimming. Maybe that will boost the weight loss. Plus get more water in . I am beating myself up. What did I reach for..some refried beans and cheese ! OK so it was time for lunch :)
May 27, 2005
Wow.. it is offically one month since surgery . I have not one regret. I feel fantastic ! I thank God for having the opportunity to live a healthy life :)
June 10, 2005
Today I have felt a bit sad. Perhaps that has been why I have been eating alot today . Managed to eat an entire quesidilla at Moe's . Mind you a child's portion but nontheless ! I even managed three chips with cheese . WOW sounds like old habits returning... I best STOP right now . I am now realizing that for so many years food was my comfeter . What does one do when they have nothing to comfort them anymore ?
August 25, 2005
Today I went for my 4 month post op check up......drum roll please...............60 lbs lost ! Wow..I couldn't believe it. This is me ???? 40 lbs to my ultimate goal ! I feel physically great. I saw people today that affirmed my weight loss . It so strange .. even though you know you have lost weight it just doesn't seem that I have. Strange :) I am so blessed to have had this chance. The scarry thing now is the new job.... Hmmm can I truly do it ? Managment seems to think so . Life is looking good and healthy too !
November 1, 2007
Well , I am back ! It took a few years to figure out how to get back into my profile ! Catching up whewww where do I start ? Well OK lests start with a weight loss of 130 lbs total to my lowest weight. The last ten pounds where from being a tad sick so they don't really count .. do they ? I am playng with the last 10 lbs. I am at goal weight and have been for two years. I am amazed at the journey. It is awsome ! My life has changed in so many ways . I am fortunate to have a fantastic family, wonderful group of friends and a boss who is an amazing Bariatric Surgeon and to be able to help those who are battling the disease that I too have that of morbid obesity.
