Claire K.

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Well, I am going in to have my hernia repaired, a tummy tuck and a breast lift on June 13th. Yes, I know it is Friday the 13th even. I am excited and scared. I weigh 144 now, but am still a size 6. I am just so happy with my weight loss and my energy. 

I am still taking potasium and now high blood pressure medication as well. Just added Iron pills. I will be taking 5000 IU of Vitamin D3 a day for 6 weeks soon as well. Seems my calcium levels are still not where the Surgeon would like to see them.

Well, my life is so different then it was just 14 short months ago. I now weigh in the 130s. Like I did in high school. Went to Walmart for pants and I am a size 6 now. Can you believe it? I do not think I was ever a size 6 in my life. I am still taking lots of Calcium and some potassium as well. I go to my PCP on Dec. 12 for a follow up on Potassium. 

My oldest daughter has now moved out and graduated High School. I am enrolling for college to get an accounting degree. I wanted to do that back in high school so I figure I might as well try now. I have never been to college at all.

My hernia is still there and not causing me much trouble at all. I am excited and scared at the thought of getting it repaired and a tummy tuck as well. I am thinking I will have to wait till summer because of school now, but that should not be a problem since it is not bothering me and I have had it for over 6 months already.

Went to my 1 year appointment and the surgeon said my potassium is still low, but getting better. My calcium is low still and I am taking 3500 mg of calcium a day. My cellphone reminds me take a pill every 2 hours.  I am also taking 50,000 IU of Vitamin D3 every morning to help with the calcium absobption issues. I weigh 151 and feel great. I wear a size 10 in most everything. I do have a hernia and am waiting till march to have it fixed with a tummy tuck I am hoping. I wear a support belt like a binder to hold everything in.

I have lost over 90 pounds. I last weighed 158. I really do not know what I weigh. I know I wear a size 12 or 14. I have the hanging skin issues, but feel great. I have so much energy. I have found that I love to walk. I can not believe it. I am looking more and more like my mom too. She was never over 125 in her life and I always felt I did not look like her. Well, without all the fat, guess what? I look like her.

I am trying to walk at least everyother day and even got a new dog to have a walking partner.

   I went to my PCP today to get my physical. I am working on becoming a school bus driver and that was the next step. Well, he had to get my weight and I am 199.2 now. Wow under 200 for the first time in over 17 or more years. I also broke down and bought my self some new pants. I got two pairs of jeans off the clearence rack in a size 16 and they are a little baggy, but I find it all so wonderfully exciting. When I first had surgery I could not even fit into my size 22 jeans. It has not even been 3 months and I am down in sizes. I find men are giving me more attention. I mean I am single and my male friends are commented how good I look and men I do not even know are being friendly. Some people just smile at me when they pass. It is nice. My middle daughter told me last night that since I had surgery I do not make them eat as much. If they say they are full I allow them to through it away. I never realized I was force feeding my girls. I am learning to eat smaller amounts and feel I am doing great. Just wanted to make sure I updated for everyone.

Well, Dr. Z cancell my 1 month and we had to reschedule. Today was the big day. I just got home about an hour ago. I weighed in at 213.5 a total loss of 33 pounds since surgery. He gave me the green light to start exercising too. So, tomorrow I am going to the gym.

Also in his weighting room, I was waiting there for 2 hours. He had an emergency at the hospital. I found a chewable pill for the gas and bowel smells. I asked him and looked online it is only 9.95 plus 5.75 for shipping for 100. It says take 4 a day, so I might give it a try. It even says samples available if I call, so I will be calling in the morning.

April 19, 2006
   Been reading a lot of profiles on here and geting excited about the thought of surgery. This website sure has lots of info.

April 20,2006
      Went to see my PCP today. I have been having a lot of knee pain for about a month now. He has done x-ray, ultasound and even bloodwork. Seems that I now have pitting edema and bone cysts. He also told me I have diabetes now. I was prediabetic for over 3 year.
   I also noticed I am over that 250 mark again. I want to be under 200 so badly. It has been 20 years since I was under 200.
   I talked to him about WLS and he was real supportive. I think I might be seeing a little light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
   Talked to my stepdads new girlfriend. She had surgery through http://www.dssurgery.com/   Had my PCP fax a copy of my medical card. Was told I am on a 18-24 month waiting list.
   Also joined the yahoo group for the Dr. and found out there are support groups up here in Sacramento. I will start going to the next one.
   I am so excited by all of this. Not only will it improve my life, but it will make the lives of my 3 daughters so much better too!

May 17, 2006
   I am going to Pasadena this weekend to find out about the DS surgery with Dr Crookes. Taking a friend with me and real excited about learning more.
   Also just received a packet in the mail from Memorial Care and Dr. Leport. They only offer the Roux en y, but I might consider it if they will get me in sooner. I am doing a lot of reading to see what is best for me.

May 22,2006
   Send in the paperwork for Dr. LePort. Also sent him the $200 for not insurance covered education.

June 9,2006
   Talked to Becky at Dr. LePort's Office and they did find my paperwork and money order. I mailed to the other office. I was not told where to mail and only found one address for Dr. Leport in the paperwork itself. Now I am looking for someone that takes medi-cal that can give me the psycalogical evaluation. Wow! One phone call to El Dorado County Mental Health and they say they can do the evaluation for me. I just need to get though to Becky again and have her fax it all over and see if I can schedule an appointment.

June 22,2006
   Well, tomorrow is my psych evaluation. I am excited and nervous. I also got a call last Saturday from Dr. K in Delano. I have a surgery Consult scheduled for the 30th. I am real excited about that. I would rather have the Duodental Switch and I know Dr. K in Delano is wonderful from all I have read and heard about him. Besides my stepdad's girlfriend had him do  her surgery. Will let you know about my psych evaluation tomorrow.

June 23,2006
   I went to my psych evaluation and all went well. I was told he would type and fax my letter the early part of next week. I also have a surgery evaluation for the EKG and such scheduled with my PCP on July 13. So less then a week till I have my surgery consultation.

July 2,2006
   Well, I went to Delano to meet the wonderful staff and Dr. there. It was nice to meet the other patients and be able to put a face to some of the names on the phone. All went well there. I just need to get my papers in order. I did find out that they have not received my Psych evaluation yet. That was disappointing, but I at least know to make sure they do. I have an appointment with my super supportive PCP on 7-13 for the EKG and surgical release. I also am playing phone tag with the dietitian. The only other thing I believe I need is the hand written diet history. I also need to check with Weight Watcher's and Jenny Craig to see if they have any proof and record of me. I am guessing they will not, but still hoping they will. Oh, I also lost 7 points. Seems I weigh 246 and my BMI is 40.9. I figured that to be good news.
   For those of you looking at hotels in Delano, the staff at the best western liberty, were very nice and helpful.

July 12, 2006
   Well, I got a call on the 7th that the dietitian had an opening on the 10th at 2. I got it and went and picked up my referal letter for Dr. K today. I faxed it off to him and will call Dee tomorrow to make sure she received it. I also have my appointment with my PCP tomorrow morning at 10:30 for my surgical release from him. 
   For some reason the Psych Eval has not been faxed yet to Dr. K. I will call again tomorrow to see what the hold up is there. Then I believe that the only thing I have left to do is my hand written diet attempts list. Wonder when they will be able to schedule me for surgery?
   Oh and the Dietitian said I weigh 243. Seems The cutting out soda is helping my weight already.

July 13, 2006
    My poor PCP. I went to my appointment and really had no clue what I needed or wanted from him. His office staff was real good about calling Dr. K's office and asking them to fax what they wanted from my PCP. it all worked out good. It is nice they are working together already. I see it is something to benefit me after surgery. Also now I am taking something for high blood pressure too. Seems it is good timing for me to have surgery for sure.

July 18, 2006
   Well, I called Delano and they received my dietitian report and some of the info from my PCP. They are still waiting on my Psych Evaluation. I heard it was just waiting for the Psychiatrist to sign it and since my daughter has counseling tomorrow I will ask again about it. I need to write out all my failed diet attempts and fax that in. Will do it in the next few days.

July 20. 2006
   Talked to Dee and she received the Psych. Eval. now and I just faxed my diet history to her as well. I believe she will be sending Medi-cal for my TAR either today or tomorrow.

July 26, 2006
   Just spoke to Dee and she said everything was sent in for my tar. Medi-cal has up to 60 days to reply. Wish me luck and I will post as soon as I know something.

August 29, 2006
   Dee called and said she called the TAR hotline and I am approved. Then she asked if I want Surgery in September. So, I am scheduled for Sept. 19th. I called my support person, who is going with me and he is going to talk to his college professors and arrange things on his end.
   Wow! So much to do and only 3 short weeks till I have surgery. I have to be there the day before for my preop appointment. That means we will be leaving on Sunday the 17th. Need to call the hotel and start planning. I am already excited and scared too. LOL

Aug 31, 2006
   Well, my support person told me he can not make the date it was to soon for him. So I called my siblings dad and asked him and his girlfriend to come with me and be my support team. She had the same surgery at the same place about 18 months ago. Which means they will know what to do with me. Well, they called me back and said yes. Did not take them long to agree to do it for me. So now to call the hotel and really plan for it. having two people with me will mean I need to have a hotel room even when I am in the hospital, but I know it will be so worth it. They will drive 2 1/2 hours to come pick me up and then 4 -5 hours to get to Delano. She did schedule her follow up visit on the 20th, so that they can do that while there with me.
  Wow, so much to do and so little time. My middle daughter will be 14 on the 2nd and my baby will be 8 on the 7th. Well, I have my physical tomorrow and will let you know how that goes. Today my neurologist told me my blood pressure was 160/92. That is even on medication.

Sept 29,2006
   As of today I am 10 days out. I am healing and getting used to not being able to eat much and just get my protein and water in. I am doing real well I feel. I lost 15 pounds when I went to see the Dr and get my drains removed. So now no medication for high blood pressure or Diabetes. All I take it nexium for stomach acid and vicadin for pain.
   So far all is going by the book. I do not like the stomach binder, but know I would not like a hernia even more.

Oct 21, 2006
   Ran into someone I know at alburtson's yesterday. She did not know about my surgery, but was telling me how good I look and all. It was exciting for me and made me feel good that someone noticed. Reenforced that I am actually losing weight and the surgery is working. Sometimes I wonder.
   I do have more energy and can climb stairs easier now. Walking is feeling more natural and not an effort.
   I think I finally passed the kidney stone that had me in emergency on the 14th.
   Tomorrow I am taking my girls with me to Delano. Monday morning is my 1 month follow up with Dr. Z. I am excited to see what I weigh now.