PhunkyMama

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Well it's been one week since I talked to my surgeon via telephone. I've met with my PCP and another surgeon and they said that under no circumstances should I get that procedure.  They prescribed me Xenical - one of the only medications for weight loss that I haven't tried yet.  So basically I'm back to square one...after a ton of testing...and absolutely nothing to show for it.  At least I know I don't have sleep apnea. 

Well I got a call at work on Wednesday and found out that my esophageal motility study showed that I have an esophageal motility problem and that I don't qualify for lap band OR gastric bypass.  I was so upset.  The doctor informed me that I qualify for a biliopancreatic diversion and I have a consult set up 5/15.  I'm nervous, upset and happy all rolled into one.  This surgery is MAJOR compared to the LapBand I was expecting.  *sigh*

Well I had my PFT's, ABG and upper GI done today.  YAY!  Now all I need is the final consult with the pulmonologist and the mirage of blood work.  Only two more things...then I get to schedule my appt with the dr to get a date! woohooo!  Taking it one day at a time...had a killer migraine from fasting for the upper GI...almost passed out while waiting for my PFTs :( Not cool.  One of the workers gave me some graham crackers so there goes my fasting...couldn't get my blood work done if I wanted to.  Oh well...whats another trip to Providence!?! hahaha!  I am greatful to her for her thoughtfulness though.  I really really really needed a pick me up - from not having my morning coffee and not eating.  My appt with the pulmonologist is 5/8...I gotta work 5/9 so I'll prob get my blood work done on 5/10.  OMG - I just realized that will be my final test...and it will be on the day that I joined OH! WOW! How strange! LOL

OMG! I had my esophageal motility test this AM...the one that goes up your nose...down your throat and into your esophagus!  yep...all that...while you're AWAKE!  That's right...awake...no sedatives...no drugs...nothing! UGH! I thought I was going to vomit all over her...she was really great...nice...and all...encouraging...but I will NEVER ever again do this test! BLAH!  I kept telling myself..mind over matter...mind over matter...breathe, breathe, breathe! It was just pure HELL!  She removed the tube, I sat up, and thought I was going to pass out.  I had the test at 7:30 this morning and here it is 9 PM and my throat and nose still feel messed up!

Then I did my preop EKG...that went without any snags.

Had my chest x-ray today too...that went good without any snags. 

So I have my PFT's, upper GI and then last...the glorious blood work.  I'm scheduled for Tuesday for the PFT's and upper GI...I'll post as soon as I can to update my profile. 

hehehe!  I had my psych eval last night - and - ta da! - I passed! woohoo! I was kinda worried because I had a migraine all day yesterday and took my migraine meds...the pain went away, but the fuzziness was still there (If you experience migraines - you know what I mean).  I told him up front about that and everything went smoothly.  He was very nice and I would def. recommend him.  

Easter is tomorrow and I'm going to be coloring eggs with the kids and having an Egg hunt with them later today (my father is doing it with them - I'm not real big on Easter - LOL) They're all excited! I got baskets that I'm going to make up tonight for them...thats the only part I like...making the baskets...without that annoying green Easter grass that I end up vacuuming up for at least a month.

Well I called yesterday PM around 2:20 to see if the sleep place got my referral yet, because they hadn't returned my calls, and guess what!?! They had a cancellation for last night! I got my sleep study all done!  I don't have sleep apnea! yay!!!  But he said the EEG was kind of weird, just another bump in my journey, but I'm not too worried about it.  One more thing done, and out of the way.  Things are definitely underway.  

Thank goodness  I have short hair!  That crap they use to put in the EEG electrodes is awful!  I used rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and it got it all out pretty easily.

I figure my final date for completion for consults/testing is is the second week in May...so in all reality I will say the third week in May. LOL  

I had my nutrition consult this past week.  She was a real sweetheart I liked her a lot, which is a good thing cuz I take it I'm going to have a lot more to do with her! hahaha  I'm keeping a food diary (THANK YOU FITDAY.COM!) which is very helpful (I've done it in the past and then gave up after a couple of months).   I have my psych consult next week...nutrition consult the next week and then almost ALL my testing the next week - did you notice the ALMOST in there? LOL 

I got the packet in the mail - just as expected - yesterday afternoon! 

All my testing/appointments are scheduled and I start it all NEXT WEEK!  wooohooo!  I should be done with EVERYTHING by the end of April...only about a month away! 

***I'm definitely doing the happy dance right now!***

Well now I have to keep busy so the time will fly by - that way this one month won't feel like an eternity. 

I'll update once I have more info!

I called my doctor's office on Monday to find out if they'd heard back from my insurance company....they put me on hold for about 20 minutes...and came back and said the surgery is approved!  What a great way to start the week!  I'm so excited.  

I started calling yesterday to get my sleep study done...I don't think the doctor's office is too happy about me not having it done at Rhode Island Hospital.  But I'm a mom of 4 little kids...and I have never spent the night away from them...let alone across the state (a whole 44 miles away! hahaha).  I definitely have Rhode Islander's (mostly Westerly syndrome) syndrome!  Can't leave Westerly! hahaha

The doctors office said they mailed my packet out on Monday so I should be getting it any day now.  Wouldn't you know it...I'm waiting for mail...(I never wait for mail - its usually just bills!)...and someone crashed into my mailbox demolishing it! I found it on the side of the road this morning!  Ugh!!  

I'd have to say that I started my weight loss journey last April/May (2006) when I started researching WLS.  I was 28-years-old, 5'2" and weighed 210 so my BMI actually fell in the 38 range and I BARELY qualified.  I figured seeing that I barely qualified I would attempt...yet again...dieting, exercise, etc.  I did really well and got down to 172...then BAM out of no where I started gaining weight again and gave up on the diet thing. I gained that back and then some! (typical story, right?) Now I'm 29-years-old up to 230 - my highest weight yet!  I have a BMI of 40.something.  I know I cannot do this alone and being a mother of four daughters, and if I want to see my grandchildren grow up, I better do something for myself - NOW! 

I took the first step and saw my PCP where I explained I'd been looking into WLS.  He thought it would be an excellent idea to get a consult going and see what the surgeon thought.  So they made me the appointment...a month later (02.22.07)...I saw my surgeon.  She was GREAT! Very compassionate, funny and professional all rolled into one.   She thought I was a great candidate for Lap-Band.  She said that she didn't think the insurance company would give us any problems so that was GREAT news.  I'm very excited...and usually I'm a nervous nelly, but for some reason...I'm not nervous at all! 

So here I am, typing my profile and waiting for the insurance approval.  I'll post an update as I hear more.