Jeanine E.
Hi, my name is Jeanine. I have been battling with my weight for most of my life from minor weight problems to the serious one I have now. I have an appointment to meet with the Physician Assistant at the Weight and Nutritian Clinic at Geisinger Medical Center on October 10. My hope is that I will be on my way to being approved for Roux-n-y surgery. I will let you know how I make out at that appointment. In the meantime, I am thankful for all you men and women and the support you are supplying to all of us who suffer from this disability.
Thursday, 10/3/2002 Well, it is only one week now until I see the Physicians Assistant--I am a little nervous, but anxious too. I want to thank everyone for their support--first of all my husband who has loved me for 24 yrs and no matter how big I am tells me how beautiful I am and how much he loves me. He supports my decision to have this surgery done; anything that will ensure our spending more years together. My family (4 sisters and 1 brother)is great too--of course they have concerns, but will support me in whatever decisions I make. Thanks for having this site for me to share what I am feeling--it helps more than some can imagine. God Bless
Friday, 10/11/2002 I had my visit with the Physicians Assistant-Shannon McShea and I met with Dr. Still and they said I am a candidate for the Lap RNY. Geisinger has a 6 month waiting period before surgery can be scheduled, but I will be going to monthly visits with the nutrition team and support groups. Now that it is a reality I am a little nervous, but I am still working towards having this done. To say I was not nervous would be a lie for anyone, it is a big step. . After speaking with Shannon yesterday-I was a little more at ease with the prospect of having surgery-she explained how far things have advanced in this field and that even though some people have problems overall there health is improved. While I was there I had a chance to speak briefly with Roxie, who I met on this site-her first appointment was yesterday too. I am hoping we will have the opportunity to go through this together.
Monday, October 21, 2002 Well it's been 11 days since I was at the clinic and found out I qualify for surgery and I have been educating my family and friends on what the surgery is and what it will do for me. Some are a little resistant suggesting other methods and I know it is because they love me and are worried, but like I keep telling them this is the tool for me to lose the weight and keep it off. The other methods are fine for those that do not have a lot of weight to lose, but they are not good for me -- I lose it and then put it back on. I was talking with my husband yesterday and he is supporting my decision--but he said to make sure I was doing this for myself not for the approval of others--he is a wonderful man. I was reflecting yesterday about my life and my weight and I did not realize how unhappy I was about my weight--it brought tears to my eyes as to how I truly felt about what I looked like, how I felt, and the remarks that have been made through the years that I thought did not bother me. You know the ones like being in high school and boys saying "you have such a pretty face, if you lost some weight we would go out with you" You know when I look at pictures of myself back then--I viewed myself as extremely heavy because of what others said and I was not that heavy. My husband thought I was beautiful then as he does now even though I am 120 lbs heavier--he said I would be beautiful to him no matter what. Thanks for listening to me vent--it truly helps to be able to do that here. God bless everyone in their journey.
Wednesday, November 20, 2002 Hello, I had my second appointment at the clinic on Friday, 11/15--I met with Shannon McShea (Physicians Asst) we had a very nice discussion about my journey towards surgery. The meeting started off with some humor--you see I had gained 6 pounds since my last visit and she said let me ask you one thing "I know you had quit smoking 3 weeks before your last visit" her next question "Are you still not smoking?" I said "YES" then she proceded to say that gaining the 6 punds was not a big deal since I was still not smoking. She then looked at me and with a big grin said "Now if you had told me you had started smoking again--then me and you would be having some words" She is so nice--she truly understands what I am going through and is in full support of helping me achieve my goal. We also discussed that my insurance is changing as of Jan 1, 2003--she said that was no big deal since they would not be sending for insurance approval until after the first of the year anyway. My insurance is changing to Health America (HMO)--she said that they have had no problems getting approval throught this carrier--"Whew" that's a relief--I was a little worried about that--no need to worry now. Well, that is all for today--my next appointment is Dec 16 and I have a whole day of appointments then including Pysch Evaluation--I will update again after those appts.
Thursday, January 2, 2003 Hello Everyone--Well, I had my Psych Eval on Dec 16th and everything went well--the person I met with stated that he approved of me having the surgery and that I was very well informed about the procedure and what will be happening after the surgery--I have to give this site a big THANK YOU for that. I am past the three month mark--I am cresting the mountain--on the downhill side toward my surgery date. I have started to really watch what I eat so I can lose the 27 lbs Dr. Still wants me to lose. It was tough the last three months with quitting smoking, but now I must get down to business. Down being the operative word here. My next appointment is Jan 30 for a Bariatric Evaluation--this is to make sure everything is in line for submitting the approval papers--Whoo--Hoo. Then I have another appointment on Feb 3 to meet with Dr. Still and my group sessions--hope to have at least 10 lbs off by then. Then it's only one more appt to my date with the surgeon to set a date--(I am doing the happy dance now!!) My family support has been great--my Husband can't wait for me not to have pain walking or to be able to walk without huffing or puffing--that's not saying the smaller size won't be pleasing to the eye either--he is human after all. Thanks all you wonderful people--I will update after the Feb 3 appts. Bye for now.
Tuesday, February 4, 2003 I have been very busy that last month--I had my Bariatric Surgery Evaluation with Joanne Rogers (works with Dr. Still) on January 30 and found out I had lost 10 lbs. since Dec. 16, 2002. Geisinger Clinic has a requirement of losing 10% of your weight before your letter of approval is sent to Insurance company--I have 10 more lbs. to go by March 5 my next appt with Dr. Still before the surgeon. Once I see him on the 5th and he sees the loss--he will submit to HealthAmerica. I can't wait--once I have that approval in hand it is off to the surgeon for my date--I can't wait--actually I can, but you know what I mean. Prayers and blessings to all wherever you are in your journey--Peace be with you and God speed.
Tuesday, February 18, 2003 I recently had my preapproval testing done--well, I have a fatty liver--now isn't that something a not only am I fat--but my liver is fat. Shannon McShea told me today that this is typical. My bloodwork came back good--the Zocor for my cholesterol is working--LDL: 157 HDL: 55 I am waiting for my last appointment (March 5 for submitting for insurance approval) before setting up my consult with the surgeon. I hear that HealthAmerica replies within a week--ooooohhhhhhhh--it is getting close to getting a date--I am so ready for this. Bye for now--God Bless to everyone at AMOS wherever you are in your journey
Thursday, March 6, 2003 I went yesterday for my sixth visit at the Nutrition and Weight Loss Clinic at Geisinger in Danville--I only have 5 more lbs to lose for their criteria for surgery--so, they are sending for my Surgery Approval--Woohoo. It supposedly only takes HealthAmerica 3-5 days once they recieve everything--so I am hoping to hear from the Surgeon's Office late next week to set up my visit with them to set my DATE!!!! I thought this would never get here--I am thinking end of this month or first or second week in April
Friday, March 21, 2003 I am doing the Happy Dance--my surgery was approved by insurance company. Surgery won't be happening when I thought though--I knew that was wishful thinking though. My consult to set my date is April 29--I did ask to be called if something opened up earlier in the month. Praying for all in their journey, our country, and our military.
WooHoo--the time has finally come--I have a date!! I met with Dr. Strodel yesterday--I will be having my surgery on May 16. There has been one change--I will not be having Lap RNY due to previous surgeries and what they bring--adhesions. I have had several surgeries already--gall bladder, appendectomy, and complete hysterectomy. I am okay with that--I want what is best and easiet--he feels that if it would have been tried Lap--it would have either taken several extra hours (over 5) or a high possibility of having to be opened anyway--with open he said at max I would be in surgery 2.5 hours.
Thursday, May 15 Well, tomorrow morning I leave at 7AM to go to Geisinger in Danville--I need to be at the hospital at 9:15AM to prep for surgery. I am a little anxious and a little nervous--to be expected. Tomorrow I will be on the other side--I will be a true "Loser" and it will be a good thing. I will update as soon as I am able. Prayers to all!
June 10, 2003 Well it has been 25 days since my surgery I am back to work and doing well. At my 10 day checkup I had lost 16 lbs. I go back for another checkup on Monday, 6/16 we'll see what my loss is then. I experienced a dumping episode yesterday--do not want to do that again to save my life--it was awful--my body does not like cheese at this point in time and that is okay--it is the boss. As far as the surgery, it wasn't bad at all--I would have to say it was comparable to my hysterectomy as far as pain goes.
Wednesday, July 16 Well, it's my 2 mth anniversary since surgery--I am down a total of 63 lbs. this includes 12 lbs. lost pre-surgery. I have had a few instances of vomiting--totally my fault--either ate too fast and one bite too many. I have dumped twice and not from eating sugar--once from eating a bite of baked potato and once from eating a bite of low fat cheese cauliflower. My system was not ready for it--I tried it too early. Well gotta go--update soon.
Monday, January 12, 2004 Well it has been a long time since I updated my profile--my starting weight was 290 lbs--I am now 168 lbs. I went from a size 26-28 pants to a size 14 and have went from a size 3-4X blouse to a Large or x-Large. I feel great--I have not had any major problems--I think I have a hernia--but from what I hear that is typical and it might be of benefit to get that precious tummy tuck done.
Thursday, May 13, 2004 I have not updated in quite sometime--I currently weigh 149 lbs--that is a 141 lb loss in one year. I am scheduled for hernia repair w/full abdominoplasty (approved by insurance) and breast reduction/lift (appealing denial) on July 6. I can wear some 10's now which I never thought could happen--I have never been that small. I have never had a flat stomach either--always had that pot gut going on. This is going to be strange to have a flat stomach--I CAN'T WAIT.
Wednesday, November 2, 2004 It has been a long time since I posted. I had my admoninoplasty and breast lift on July 6. The recovery was not bad at all--the pain was controled with prescription meds the first week then just extra strength Tylenol. I was amazed at how low the pain level was for such a big surgery. I have a beautiful flat stomach and my boobs are up where they belong. My measurements before the surgery were..breast 44D and hanging, 37 inch waist, 45 hips and 24 upper thigh. Now, 36C and perky, 28 inch waist, 36 hips and 20.5 upper thigh. I have went from a size 26-28 pants to 7/8 and from a 3X top to S/M depending on the cut. I started at 290 and now weigh 133--it is amazing to me. I can not begin to tell you how happy I am and my husband is GREAT--he loves to take me shopping for new clothes. My positive outlook has enhanced our marriage --we were happy before but it is even better now. I pray for everyone to eventually reach this point of happiness. As far as future surgeries--I am going to wait awhile since I have had two summers recuperating from surgery. But I am contemplating having my thighs lifted--time will tell and money too since I will have to pay for this. My thighs have gotten better with exercise but I do not think they will ever tighten enough--just depends on what I think I will be happy with--I am 45 years old and do not expect to look 20, but not looking like a sharpei in shorts or a bathing suit would be wonderful. I pray for all of you every day that no matter where you are in the process, beginner looking at surgery, waiting for surgery or waiting for approval, or working through an appeal.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005 It's been a very long time since I updated. I am doing very well--my weight is staying off and I feel great. I have been in an ongoing battle with the insurance company to get them to pay for the removal of the excess skin from by buttocks and thighs. Trying to get them to understand that this should be considered reconstructive--that it is correcting an abnormality. I as others are not striving for perfection--just normalcy--we are all trading hanging skin for numerous scars--I just don't understand and will keep fighting the fight as long as I can--I figure if they turn it down again--I will start all over again with a new surgeon. I have decided that if they (the insurance company) want to be so picky--I will go to a doctor every week--my copay will cost me $10--but the insurance will pay anywhere from $75-200 every week--over time--it will cost them more than the surgery--it doesn't make sense to me but I will keep fighting.
About Me
Before & After
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