Why is Santa coming early this year?

Nov 17, 2007

A good friend of mine from Louisiana once asked me why I am having this surgery.  Was it because of personal or medical reasons?  You know if I answered that question, it would be a little of both.  Personally, I guess it is a little selfish…I would like to be around to watch my son grow!  Now I know the next breath I take may be my last!  But, I honestly feel this extra weight I am carrying around is definitely hindering my health.

 
Health wise, I am not in bad shape, but I am not in the best either.  It seems I have several co-morbidities that have been known to improve with weight loss.  I have the following co-morbidities:

v     GERD: Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease
v     Acute Hypertension
v     Osteoarthritis: Caused by aging and additional weight on weight bearing joints
v     Sleep Apnea
v     Depression

So, the majority of the problems can be corrected with weight loss.  Now, I have been able to lose a little weight on my own, and things seem to be better. The main reason I have lost some weight is not drinking soda.  We have replaced the 2-3 cases of soda we were drinking, with 2 cases of water.  So, if I am losing weight on my on, why am I going through this surgery?  I need help!  I need help with the ingestion of sweets.  I read a great article yesterday from “Bariatric Brat” that dealt with Gastirc Bypass Surgery.  Below is part of the article that speaks to my decision”

“Okay, no sugar-coating the truth here (pun intended) - I was a heavy-duty sweet eater before weight loss surgery. That is the primary reason I chose the gastric bypass. I knew that, with my personality, I would search out ways to get my sugar fix whilst defeating the LAP-BAND. I knew that I actually needed the surgery that would make me violently ill if I ingested too much sugar and/or fat. As I have stated before in this space, I love dumping. It keeps me honest. That being said, I have an occasional sweet - and I enjoy it. I can have a few M&Ms and be completely satisfied with the taste and texture, whereas in the old days, I would inhale the 2-pound bag faster than you could say "Jerry Springer" and not even taste it. These days, I can even have a candy dish in my office and it doesn't bother me whatsoever (of course, I keep my pre-op picture near it, but I digress.) I once heard a post-op put it this way: it's not as though you'll never have chocolate cake again. You aren't going to score the corner piece with the double-frosting and sugared roses, but you will have and even enjoy a small piece of, say, your daughter's wedding cake.”

I thought about Lab Band Surgery, but I knew I could cheat.  For me I would survive on the Mickey D’s Milkshake Diet.  At lunch, I would have a 32oz. milkshake.  That would be 1160 calories and 240 carbohydrates.  Not to healthy if you ask me!. Compare that to what I will be having…600 calories and 15 carbs per day!  

To say I’m excited and scared and at the same time is an understatement!  If you have not figured out by now, my surgery has been approved for December 18 of this year.  So for Christmas, I will be getting a new lease on life.  My request of you, my family and friends, is to say a prayer.  And get ready for a new, skinnier me!

 

Have a great day!
christmas 1


A WLS Timeline!

Nov 04, 2007

When I started the WLS process, I knew there would be road blocks.  I knew there would be rivers to forge, mountains to climb, and heights to soar!  OK, enough with the poetic waxing!  I have been trying to put together a time line from when I made up my mind to now.  I realize that this might not be totally accurate, but it is very close what is happening.  So, with out further ado:

 

4/20/07            Weight loss consultation with PCP

4/21/07            WLS Seminar at Centennial

5/21/07            2nd month of 6 month diet

6/22/07            3rd month of 6 month diet

7/24/07            4th month of 6 month diet

8/21/07            5th month of 6 month diet

9/17/07            6th month of 6 month diet

 

At this point, I thought all my paperwork would be turned in.  Unfortunately no, and if I had not followed up with insurance, I never would have known.  At this point I found out that my Nutrition appointment and Surgical Consult needed to be scheduled.  Now back to the regularly scheduled program:

 

9/24/07            Scheduled Nut appointment and surgical consult

10/3/07            Nutrition appointment

10/8/07            Surgical appointment    

10/9/07            Upper GI Scheduled

10/17/07          Checked to see if my paperwork to insurance has been turned in.  My insurance rep at the Dr.’s office told me I was missing my 6th month weight consultation.  After an evening of anger, the situation took care of itself.

10/18/07          Weight loss packet faxed to Cigna

10/22/07          Weight loss packer returned unreadable

10/23/07          Weight loss packet mailed to CIGNA  

10/26/07          Information entered into CIGNA computer.  Calling daily to check on progress.

11/2/07            CIGNA reports that packet is in out-patient approval dept. After numerous calls to Drs Office, situation seems to be corrected.  Once again the waiting game has started once again!

11/4/07            Created time line

 

Where are we?  That seems to be the Million Dollar question.  Once again I will start calling on Monday to check on progress!

 

“The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.    ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes ~

 

Have a great week!


A Tad Upset!

Oct 17, 2007

Hey guys,

I apologize for this post...yes I am apologizing for the anger I
feel! I have met several of you from the Centennial support Group
and other functions throughout town, and I am truly blessed in
knowing you! But I am angry this evening.

You see I am a patient of Dr. Dyer, and have been undergoing my 6
month diet. Approximately 3 months ago, I was informed (wrongly)
that I would be finished in Sept. with my 6 month. Right as I
finished the diet, my case was transferred from one rep. at CMCWLS to
another. Well here is where I get confused. Like I said, my diet
should have been finished on Sept. 17. After that appointment, I
emailed my insurance rep at the clinic to find out what was next the
next step. I found out the task that needed to be completed and
immediately set up arrangements to fulfill these said appointments.
After all was finished, I gave it a week only to find out my
paperwork was not sent to insurance. I was informed that we needed
to wait on the transcript form the surgical consult. Once again i
gave it a week. As I was following my information on the Patient
Portal, I noticed my weight loss records were not checked as
completed. I immediately called CMCWLS only to find out, are you
ready...they only have 5 months of weight loss records. According to
CMCWLS, the records they have are from May -Sept (5 months of weight
loss records). Angry was not the word used to describe my emotions.
i called my PC P's office to find that my WLS journey was begun in
April, not May. So according to Summit Primary Care, I have 6 months
of weight loss records.

I know how I feel is not relevant to the care that CMCWLS gives out,
but if I did not follow up on this, would I have ever known that
files are missing? I have heard of the roadblocks that we face when
we have WLS, especially from the insurance companies. I just never
expected it from my Dr.'s office.

I understand I am ranting, and once again I apologize for my
feelings. Tomorrow I will call my PCP and request that the files be
sent again. Hopefully we can move in the right direction.

I truly love being a patient of Dr. Dyer. I think CMCWLS has the
best program in town! I thing CMCWLS patients and the support group
here are truly one of a kind! So, I really don't want to change
services. I guess I will hold my tongue now and go to bed. Maybe I
will feel better tomorrow!

Thanks for listening!
Scott



Guess what I did?

Oct 12, 2007

I saw the Dr. on Monday, drank a strawberry flavored barium milkshake on Tuesday, and am now waiting for the insurance to give me the go ahead!  YEAH, I guess? 

The Dr.’s visit was a breeze!  Dr. Dyer’s only concern stemmed from my Hiatel Hernia and how big it was.  You see, I have had 8 esophageal dilatation’s over the years.  So, the good Dr. sent me to have a Upper GI.  Now, this was an experience in itself.  The radiologist was a hoot.  When he first showed me the barium going into my stomach, he popped out with his best Al Pacino imitation and said, “Say hello to your little friend”.  Other than the fact the strawberry flavored milkshake was nasty, no problems!

Anyway, it seems I have finally fulfilled that laundry list of do’s for the insurance company.  I can’t believe that 6 months has flown by so fast!  It seems like yesterday I was reading over the insurance requirement, and thinking, “this could take forever”.  Who knows, it might still take forever!  You hear all kind of stories.  From the ones who took 2-3 years to finally get approved, to the ones who were approved within a week. 

Well no matter what happens I am on the right track!  I’ve made changes in my lifestyle that are going to make me a healthier person.  I have surrounded myself with a great support system of family and friends.  And I believe in a God that reigns upon high!  Who could ask for anything else!

So, there you go!  My request is this…For my friends and family on this board and elsewhere to keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  And as soon as I hear something, you will know it!  In fact you will probably hear me screaming, feel me jumping up and down, and then you will remember…”It’s just Scott in Tennessee , he must have gotten approval!”

On yeah, the hospital let me bring home some of the strawberry flavored barium…I’m willing to share if anyone is interested?

Have a great week!

 

 

 

 

 

 


Live Like You Were Dying ?

Oct 07, 2007

Music speaks to people in many different ways. You've heard the saying, "Music soothes the savage beast". Music makes us sad or happy,. Music can lift our spirits, or have us crying in our beer.

Well, several months ago, when I started this journey I am on, I posted the words to a song. The song was from the movie Dreamgirls. It was one that was sung by Jennifer Hudson called "I Am Changing". The words of this song spoke loudly to me! Yes, I am changing! Changing the way I eat, changing the way I do things in my life, changing for my family. I believe these changes are for the better. Whether to make me a better person, or allow me to do things I have never done before. changes are happening!


Well, day before yesterday, I heard one of my favorite songs on the radio. Tim McGraw's Live Like You were Dying. And yes, before you commit assumicide...the words spoke to me!


Before I started making changes,in my life, I was living like I was dying! Matter of fact, I probably was dying. My weight was killing me! I was tired, breathing was a problem, walking was the worse. My life consisted of working and eating, watching TV and sleeping. Going to the basement was tortuous, climbing stairs was a nightmare. I think you get the picture.


The words from this song really mean a lot to me! Not only the sentiment involved, but the mere thought of taking advantage of every waking minute. Yes, I still love my TV! But walking means a lot also. In fact last week at the Walk From Obesity, I walked 4 miles! Being able to do things like hiking, climbing stairs, watching my son play football means so much!


You know, we are not promised anything in life. We are not promised tomorrow, a week from now, or even our next breath! So my challenge to my friends and family this week is simple...Live like you were dying!


For those who have not seen or heard the video, I have placed it here, along with the lyrics, for your convenience. Listen and enjoy! Oh yeah, Have a great week!

He said I was in my early forties
With a lot of life before me
When a moment came that stopped me on a dime
And I spent most of the next days
Looking at the x-rays
Talking bout the options
And talking bout sweet time
I asked him when it sank in
That this might really be the real end
How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?
Man what’d you do?

And he said
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu-Manchu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.

He said I was finally the husband
That most the time I wasn’t
And I became a friend a friend would like to have
And all the sudden going fishing
Wasn’t such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
Well I finally read the good book
And I took a good long hard look
At what I’d do if I could do it all again

And then
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu-Manchu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.

Like tomorrow was a gift and you got eternity to think about
What’d you do with it
What did you do with it?
What did I do with it?
What would I do with it?

Sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu-Manchu
And then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying


Walk From Obesity 2007

Sep 29, 2007


Navigational assistance please!

Sep 26, 2007

Map
You know, I think this would be a lot easier with a GPS.  You know those things in newer cars!  They tell you what road to turn on, how to get to your favorite restaurant, and my personal favorite…”Please make a U-Turn”, right in the middle of the interstate!  Sometimes technology is too smart!
  

I think I need a GPS for the insurance system.  As you know, I have just finished my 6 month diet.  My 6 month files were to be faxed on  9/15.  Guess what?  That’s right, it was not done!  I called Centennial, where I am having surgery, on 9/21, to find out they did not have my files.  Here I go, calling my PCP, preparing to unload!  The girl in medical records was super kind and completed the task with in an hour.  Now that’s service with a smile!

 

On Monday 9/24, I found out my file had been transferred to another financial person.  At least she had my 6 month files!  YEAH!  Yep, here it comes…another roadblock.  It seems I have to have a surgical consult, along with my nutritional eval, before things may be submitted to insurance.  UGH!!!!  I am going to my nutritional evaluation this morning, and can’t get into my surgical consult till Mon. 10/8.  Hurry up and wait!  Seems like the story of my life!

If anyone finds a GPS for insurance companies, please giv3 me a shout!

 
Have a great week!


Bald Is Beautiful

Sep 22, 2007



I've recently got into blogging!  What a great way to speak your mind!  As well as help a few peoplke!  So click opn the link above, and you will be teleported to my new blog,..."Bald Is Beautiful".

New Slide Show

Sep 22, 2007

Snappy Hey Guys! Just thought I would take a moment and tell you about my new hobby. Well, not new but recent addition. I was asked back in Feb. if I would take pictures at my Brother in laws wedding. I did, and had a blast. Since then, Have taken over 5000 pics of anything and everything. If it will sit still long enough, and if it is moving, I am snapping photos!   If you are interested in seeing more photos I have taken, you can visit my FLICKR page by clicking on this link "Scott's FLICKR Page".  Hope enjoy and have a great week! Just remember one thing, you don't have to smile when I take your picture! C'Ya!

Lunch Bunch

Aug 17, 2007


About Me
Nashville, TN
Location
28.0
BMI
RNY
Surgery
12/18/2007
Surgery Date
Apr 17, 2007
Member Since

Friends 144

Latest Blog 15
Why is Santa coming early this year?
A WLS Timeline!
A Tad Upset!
Guess what I did?
Live Like You Were Dying ?
Walk From Obesity 2007
Navigational assistance please!
Bald Is Beautiful
New Slide Show
Lunch Bunch

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