ohiomomx2

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I have lost 188 pounds since 3/08 and I feel awesome.  I started out at 378 and I weight 198 now (I flux a few pounds) and I've maintained since a year after my surgery.

I'm now looking into PS....I'm hoping to gather information about TT and LBL - please send me any information you have!!

It's been 9 1/2 months (almost 10 actually) since surgery.  I've lost 165 pounds and I'm just a few pounds from goal.  I can't believe it!  I feel and look better than I have in YEARS!!!

Well I am only 7 days from surgery.  This time next week I'll be in the OR.  I can't believe it. 

I hope I am prepared for all of this!!!!!

11/15/07   Went to informational meeting regarding gastric bypass surgery.  I feel very confident that this is what I need to do!  Scott (my husband) and Sheila (my best friend) went with me as support.  Scott is also looking into having the surgery for himself.  I've been thining about this for a long time but just didn't move forward!  I'm excited about getting started.  I really liked the surgeon and his staff!

 

11/26/07  Had an appointment with my PCP and he is supportive and feels that I am making a good decision.  He will write my referral letter.  I have also scheduled my appointment with the surgeon for February 11, 2008!  OMGosh, I can’t believe I have to wait that long.  My PCP is friends with my surgeon so he’s going to see if he can get me in sooner……….fingers crossed.  Today I weigh 376 pounds (sad, just so sad). 

 

11/28/07  I called to find out if Dr. Mathis’ referral letter had been electronically sent to the surgeon and it was!!  So I copied my packet of information and sent it FedEx to the Center for Surgical Weight Loss!  My information will arrive tomorrow.  I called Priscilla (the medical secretary) and asked if I could make my appointment with Dr. Lisa Martin-Hawver (a new doc) instead of Dr. Fischer.  She said of course….my appointment is now scheduled for DECEMBER 7!!  That is next week.  I am thrilled to be moving forward instead of waiting 3 months to even begin the process of getting approved.  I do feel like I still want Dr. Fischer to do my surgery so I asked if that was possible and was told it is.  So I’ll just have to wait and see how things work out. 

 
11/29/07  I just confirmed that my packet was received by the Center so I am ready to rock and roll!!! 

 
12/7/07  I met with the surgeon, PA, and nutritionist.  I received a lot of information about WLS and they feel like I am a good candidate.  They are concerned about my blood clotting tendency so I have to have a hematologist and vascular surgeon’s clearance for surgery.  Both of those appointments are scheduled before January 5.  I will schedule an appointment to have my psch eval.  I didn’t care for the surgeon I met with, she isn’t the one I wanted to do my surgery but the other doc (David Fischer) couldn’t get my in until February.  The office is going to “work something out” so I can get in to see him.  He will definitely be doing my surgery.

 

12/11/07  I have my psch eval scheduled for December 18. 

 

12/18/07 I have my first psychological evaluation appointment this afternoon.  I’m a little nervous but I know that it will be okay.  ALSO, I heard from Priscilla at the WL Center and I am scheduled to meet with Dr. Fischer on December 31!!!  I am SO thrilled!  I know this is the best thing to do for me!!

 

12/19/07  My appointment with the psychologist was very disappointing.  He seemed to be more interested in talking about himself than listening to me.  He really feels he needs 2 more hours with me (sure he does – we didn’t talk about anything important).  So I have another appointment tomorrow.

 

I also saw my hematologist today and I am so thrilled that he is supportive!  I was really nervous that he would give me a hard time.  He explained what precautions we’ll take because of the clotting disorder and talked about post-op plans – I am so excited!  He did want me to have a Doppler of both of my legs (just to have a “baseline” before surgery).  With my history he said it’s a normal thing to do.  He has worked with my surgeon many times in the past so I feel great about his knowledge of WLS.

 
12/20/07 So I finished my psych eval this morning.  I feel like it was a waste of time…but I understand why they want you to do it.  As soon as he writes the report and gets it to my surgeon they will submit for my approval.  I hope he doesn’t drag his feet – I won’t let him!!  So now I just wait.  My next appointments are leg Doppler on 12/27 and vascular surgeon on 1/4.  I think I’m moving things along nicely!  As long as my insurance doesn’t balk at me for some reason, I think I’ll be good to go by the end of March or April……I’m hoping anyway.

 
12/31/07  I got to meet with Dr. Fischer, finally!!  I met with his partner on 12/7 but I didn’t like her.  So now I feel confident about my decision.  We got all our information lined up about blood thinners and the plan of action.  I think I’ll do well.  Sheila, my best friend, went with me too!  I’m so happy that I have such a great friend.  She will help me ALOT through all of this!!! 

 
1/2/08  I called the psychologist, again, to beg him to send in the referral.  He hasn’t done it yet.  Hopefully by the end of the week.  I also called Priscilla and got a tentative surgery date of March 5.  They will bump me if something urgent comes up, but otherwise I am scheduled!  My insurance approval won’t be a big deal – Dr. Carroll just needs to write the psch eval!!  Ggggrrrrr

 
1/9/08  FINALLY I have my psych eval….what a joke!  There was nothing in it that is going to help anyone decide if I’m prepared to have surgery or not.  I guess they do it to really weed out truly CRAZY people…what ever.  So my packet of info is now being sent to the credentialing specialist at the surgeon’s office.  They said it will be sent to my insurance company either tomorrow or Monday!! 

 
1/10/08  This is going to be a long week or two!  I’m anxious for them to send the info to the insurance company RIGHT NOW!!!  LOL  I’ll be calling in a week to ask if I’ve been approved.  Supposedly my insurance is “good” about WLS.  We’ll see.  Tonight I’m going to a support group meeting.  I’m a little nervous because I’m going by myself and because I’m afraid of what I will hear or see.  I know I get on Obesity Help all the time online but to see people right in front of you may be overwhelming.  I hope there are a few post-ops and not all pre-ops there.  We’ll see…….

 
1/11/08  The support group was just fine.  I did meet a few nice ladies who have been there done that…I’m hoping to learn a lot from.

 
1/14/08  Okay, so the paperwork still hasn’t been sent to the insurance company….supposedly it’s going today.  Ggggrrrrrr.  

1/17/08  I did find out the my paperwork did get sent off last week (via fax).  I have been calling the insurance company every day to see if it had gotten scanned into the system.  FINALLY today they said it was there and ready to be reviewed.  THANK GOODNESS.

I am so ready to know the answer!  I will have to call every day to find out if it’s been approved or not….I know it’s a little “stalker like” but I can’t help it!!!

1/22/08  I AM APPROVED!!!!!  Wow, this is really going to happen!  I have several appointments that I will have to go to later in February (H&P with my PCP, pre-op with surgeon, nutrition class, fitness class, hematologist visit, pre-admission testing at the hospital) but it's worth it.  MARCH 5, 2008 - beginning of the rest of my life!