prettysoon
My First Blog
Mar 21, 2009
I have been occasionally visiting this site and enjoying meeting and talking to others that are going through the same process that I've chosen. Finally, I noticed I don't have any history of my preparation for surgery. So, I'm going to first capture a few dates:
8/20/2008 - Attended Summa informational session. Anxious to get first appt with surgeon; Called insurance and found RNY is covered up to max of $15K with no precert requirements
8/25/2008 - Called Dr. Z office for initial appt to get the process moving. NOTHING AVAILABLE until 11/6; OVER 2 months to wait! Good things worth waiting for.
11/6/2008 - Showed up early for my first appointment... pretty excited...oh oh... they forgot to put me in the computer so I didn't get to meet with Dr. Z. I have been rescheduled for later in Nov. Met with office staff and there appears to be different information coming from my insurance concerning a precert requirement for 6 months of diet and exercise. They are trying to clear it up. I set up appt with Dr. Wells for diet and exercise so more time isn't lost.
11/20/2008 - Finally met with the surgeon. It was a quick visit and he reassured me that I would be a good candidate and very successful with the surgery. We talked about a weight loss goal and I said 142... he said why so high? I told him I never weighed 142 before..lol Frankly, I would be happy under 200 and exstatic under 150.
11/25/2008 - Being a little irritated by the 6 month D & E requirement, I met with Dr. Wells to begin the process. Nov through April would be by monthly appointments. Loved Dr. Wells... very positive, encouraging, realistic and taught me alot. He will make the 6 months easier to get through.
12/9/2008 - Endocrinologist started me in insulin... I HATE IT... but knowing that this too will be over after surgery, I agreed and signed up for the program. I know I need to get the sugar down and I have only been blessed not to have organ damage yet. Stay the course and continue to get healthy.
12/16/2008 - Month 2 with Dr. Wells
1/13/2009 - Month 3 with Dr. Wells; Met with Robin, the nutritionalist
1/15/2009 - Met with Dr. Shaub, the cardiologist... more encouragement, all is well.
2/24/2009 - Month 4 with Dr. Wells... Not doing well with weight and very frustrated. Have been tracking foods and gaining. Endocrinologist explains the insulin is putting sugars back in line and my body is adjusting by holding calories... I don't know if I believe it; Agreed to start modified Optifast to get the weight off for insurance.
3/3/2009 - EDG at Summa... all is well, but a small ulcer was found and being treated
3/9/2009 - Psycho eval... diagnosed me as an emotional eater and REQUIRED therapy... a 10 week group session or private session... I'm doing both to get approval quickly.
3/17/2009 - Ultrasound, Pulmonary and Month 5 with Dr. Wells... lost 9 pounds
4/21/2009 - LAST MONTH with Dr. Wells. I love this Dr and want him to be part of my weight loss team! Lost another 5 lbs. Bev to submit for insurance approval today. Expect to take 72 hours for approval. This is truly a milestone!!!
4/28/2009 - INSURANCE APPROVAL today... paid my $1400 fee and in for surgery scheduling. Found out my gallbladder results showed a polyp is present. Checking with dr to determine it it needs to come out. And now I wait for my surgery date.
5/1/2009 - OK.. HERE IT IS... The date is 6/9/09. Earlier than I expected! Surgeon is removing the gallbladder too because of the polyp and fixin the hernia... it was a 3 for 1 sale???
