Dot T.

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Here are my labs: 

I added the ranges in parenthesis behind my levels.  Also added TIBC numbers on here.

Vitamin D level is low - 21  (30-100)
PTH INTACT IRMA (PARATHYROID ANALIZER) HIGH 118 (10 - 63)

RDW- SD stands for Standard Deviation in RDW – 50.3 (normal is 38.7 to 49.6)
RDW-CV stands for Coefficient Variation of RDW – 15.3 (normal is 12.0 to 14.9)

B6 high – 201.4 (20.0 - 125.0)

B12 is 1142  (200 - 1000)

Calcium is 9.3 (8.5 - 10.5)

iron is 53 (35 - 180)

I can't find my ferritin level on here :-(  Is there another abbreviation or name it could be called?

TIBC 361 (280 - 380)

iron sat is 15% (15 - 50)

hemoglobin is 12.3 (11.4 - 15.5)

hemacrit is 38.6 (35.0 - 46.1)

RBC is 4.30 (3.94 - 5.13)

folate is 19.8 (1.5 - 24.0)

 

chart posted by diminishing dawn, keeping to make me feel better:

 

For patients weighing 200 to 250 lbs.
10 lbs. in first 10 days
15 to 25 lbs. in 6 weeks
25 to 35 lbs. in 3 months
35 to 45 lbs. in 6 months
60 lbs. or more in 1 year
70 lbs. or more in 18 months

For patients weighing 250 to 300 lbs.
10 to 12 lbs. in first 10 days
15 to 25 lbs. in 6 weeks
25 to 35 lbs. in 3 months
45 to 60 lbs. in 6 months
80 lbs. or more in 1 year
90 lbs. or more in 18 month

For patients weighing 300 to 400 lbs.
10 to 30 lbs. in first 10 days
25 to 45 lbs. in 6 weeks
35 to 55 lbs. in 3 months
50 to 80 lbs. in 6 months
100 lbs. or more in 1 year
120 lbs. or more in 18 monthsee

 For patients weighing 400 to 500 lbs.
10 to 30 lbs. in first 10 days
25 to 45 lbs. in 6 weeks
35 to 60 lbs. in 3 months
50 to 90 lbs. in 6 months
120 lbs. or more in 1 year
150 lbs. or more in 18 months

***********************************************************************

800438

Nothing Received
March 3, 2008

According to the insurance company, they have not received the fax from Friday :o(  They gave me a name of someone who it was supposed to be sent in attention to...  I called Amanda to see if she sent it Attn: so-in-so and she said no.  She just sent it to "pre-determination department."  From what the insurance lady on the phone said, it can take a week for it to get to where it needs to go if you don't specify who it needed to be sent in attention to!!  GGRRRRRRR!!!!!!!  Wish I had known this BEFORE so I could have told Amanda!!  I guess I'll call back in a couple of days.

Insurance Update
March 5, 2008

Well, they say they received the fax (finally!) But, it needs to be sent to another department.  They should get it tomorrow.  She also said they can take up to 30 days to approve it!  UGH!!  I sure hope it doesn't take that long!

No News is Good News??
March 7, 2008

NO, I'm NOT talking about NO NEWS on the INSURANCE, Silly!!  lol  I'm talking about my blood work I had done over a week ago!  They said that they would have the results of my blood work in a week and if I didn't hear anything, that means everything was clear!  Woo hoo!  What does that mean?  I don't have to be treated for Thyroid or H. Pylori before I can have surgery!  And, I guess my liver function is good too.  So, in THIS case, NO NEWS is GOOD NEWS!

Called Insurance Co. again
March 11, 2008

So, I called the insurance company again to see if there has been a determination made yet...  No such luck!  They said that Pre-Determination received it on March 5 and that it was a lot of pages and that it can take up to 30 days from the 5th!  Well, what I have to say to that is...  just because you HAVE 30 days to make a decision doesn't mean you have to TAKE 30 days to make a decision!  SO THERE!  lol

Surg Assoc Support Group
March 11, 2008

Tonight was another Surgical Associates Support Group.  It was basically everyone introducing themselves, telling their story, and Q & A session.  There were quite a few new, pre-surgery people there that had a lot of questions.  There was a lot of good information given.  It's always good when I learn something new :o)
After all of that, they had a taste test of some protein flavors.  I didn't stick around for that because most of what I saw was Nectar and I have samples of that from online...  It also looked like chaos and I didn't feel like sticking around...
Before I left, I went to the bathroom and someone was talking to me about flavors to add to water (like Crystal Light) and some spouse of a WLS patient to-be butted in and said to me "YOU'RE having THIS SURGERY??!!!  You're too SKINNY for THIS SURGERY!"  OK...  So, under most circumstances, that would be a complement...  But, today it wasn't!  Maybe she should have minded her own business and kept her comments to herself!  I told her that my BMI was over 40 and she acted like she didn't even know what a BMI was!!  Oh well, I know that my decision is what is best for me and they wouldn't do the surgery if I wasn't a candidate.  So there!

Checking Up With Insurance
March 17, 2008

I'm trying really hard to not call the insurance company at LEAST once a Day!!  I called again today, OK...  So, it's been almost a WEEK since I last called!!  All I got was the broken record response...  "Predetermination received your paperwork on March 5 and they have 30 days from that date to make a decision."  Blah, Blah, Blah.....

A Call from Surgical Associates
March 18, 2008

Crystal called today to update me on insurance...  She called the insurance co. today.  SHE was told that my info was received YESTERDAY and that it takes up to 30 days from THAT date!!!!!  GGRRRRR!!!!!!!

I figure at this rate, I might hear something by JULY 4th if I'm LUCKY.

Tulsa Area Support Group
March 19, 2008

Because Dan's surgery is next week, we decided to be nice to him and move the support group meeting up a week so he isn't tortured with eating broth while we are having the good stuff!!  Aren't we nice??!!  lol  Anyway, tonight's gathering was larger than the last one.  We had Sherrie (from Claremore and her husband), Phyllis, Dan, Lis, Joni (her husband and 1 yr. old son) and myself, my daughter Serena and husband Josh.  Talk was good, food was GREAT, and I think we all had a good time (other than the picture taking time for me!)  Can't wait until next month!

Another Insurance Update
March 20, 2008

Got another call from Crystal at Surgical Associates.  She called the insurance company again today to follow-up on my predetermination.  She said that the nurse was going over the paperwork today and that I should hear something by next Tuesday, March 25.  (yeah, I've heard that one before!)  So, hopefully I'll have some news to pass forward soon!  Until Next time.....

Still Waiting………………….
February 1, 2008

I saw Dr. K on 01-23, waited 7 days to call surg assoc to see if they had submitted to insurance yet...  No return call.

Called again this morning...  still, no one returned my call. 

Called again this afternoon...  no one returned my call.

Called the insurance co. this afternoon and they said they have not received anything.

I just wish someone from surg assoc will return my call!!  I would like to know when they are sending it so I can follow-up with the insurance co and keep them on their toes!

So far, all I've got to do is leave messages on Amanda's voice mail :o(

UGH  (twiddling thumbs)

Finally!!!
February 7, 2008

I finally got a call back from Amanda at Surgical Associates!!  It took a week and about 4 calls to her to get a return call.

My case has not been submitted.  She said she was still waiting on dictation from Dr. K.  I had no idea it would take 2 weeks for them to get dictation!!  She said she will call me when it is submitted.

So, the wait continues..........

And the Waiting Continues…
February 12, 2008

I called both Amanda and Tracy at Surgical Associates yesterday checking to see if my information has been sent to insurance yet.  Tracy returned my call a few minutes ago.  I guess Dr. Katsis has been out of the office and that must be the hold-up.  Tracy said that he is back in this week and that they are waiting for him to “sign off on the dictation” and that it will be submitted after that.  She said it should be “sometime this week” and that they will call me and let me know.  From what I understand from literature I have from the insurance company, they should make a decision within 2 weeks.  I’ll keep ya posted on when I’m submitted and when I hear from the insurance company!  Hopefully it will be Good News, “APPROVED!”

Valentine's Day
February 14, 2008

Hello again...  I don't know when I'm going to get surgery.  At the moment, I am VERY frustrated!!!  I went to the informational seminar  November 5 and was given a bunch of tests I had to have done BEFORE I could even consult with the surgeon!

It took me until January 3 to get them all done.  Then, they called me to set up my consult.  I saw the Nutritionist on Jan 17 and the surgeon on Jan 23.

After the consult, they are supposed to dictate a letter of medical necessity (or predetermination letter) whatever they call it, and submit to insurance for approval.

Well, today makes it a MONTH since my consultation and they have NOT sent it to insurance YET!!!  I've been calling them...  The last time I talked to them was Tuesday.  They made it sound like the doctor had been out of the office and they were waiting for him to "sign off" on the dictation.

Well, another lady I know from support groups (and the OK board here) said that she saw the doc last Tuesday and that she didn't think he had been out of the office...  So, I'm mad if they are lying to me and I want to know what the hold-up is with them submitting to insurance!!!!!

I also don't know if my insurance is going to be a pain in the butt or if they will approve me because I meet the criteria.  I don't know anyone personally with my insurance to ask how their process with insurance went.

Anyway, they told me on Tuesday that it should be submitted THIS WEEK and that they will call me when they submit.  I'm still waiting IMpatiently for the phone to ring.....

Sorry I just needed to vent!

Rescheduled Appointment

February 18, 2008

Due to the icy weather, I called Surgical Associates to reschedule my appointment that I have for this Thursday, 21st for next Wednesday, February 27.  :o(

Weight Check, Blood Work, Support Group, OH MY!!

February 27, 2008

So, I went to Surgical Associates today to have my weight check done.  I'm DOWN 9.5 lbs!  Good for me!  I had my blood work done (thyroid, liver panel, and h. pylori)  Results will be in 1 week.

I asked about the status of my case being sent to insurance...  They said they were working on it TODAY and that Amanda was on the phone with the insurance co. at that moment.

I plan to call the insurance co. tomorrow to see if they have received everything.  I sure hope so!

My goal now is to have a surgery date the first week of April so I'm 4 months out when we go to San Diego this summer (1st week of August) so I can eat somewhat normally!

Tulsa Area Support Group Meeting

February 27, 2008

Since I had my appointment in Tulsa this morning and the support group meeting at MiMi's Cafe tonight, I spent the day hanging out with Michelle.  I had a good time getting to know her better.  That evening, Michelle, her daughter Abi, and myself met up with Dan and Amybeth.  Too bad more couldn't have made it, but that's what happens when it is flu season :o(  Even though the attendance was low, we had a good time. 

We tossed around some locations for next month...  I think it's going to be Abuelo's Mexican restaurant. 

The next date is Wednesday, March 26!! The night before Okie's surgery!!  We all have to take a bite for him (chew REALLY well) and he has to BYOB (bring your own broth, Okie!)

Hope everyone is healthy by next month and we can all get together and have a great time!

11:28 a.m. February 29, 2008

February 29, 2008

Submitted to Insurance!!  I received the call from Amanda today that my case has been submitted to insurance!!  I will call the insurance company MONDAY to make sure they received everything they need!

She said I should know something within a couple of weeks!  WOO HOO!

I'll keep ya all posted :O) 

Pulmo Appointment
January 3, 2008

Today was the last appointment of my required appointments before I get to have my consultation with Dr. Katsis!

Dr. Bryan Worley, pulmonologist.  This appointment was a breeze.  I got there, filled out the usual paperwork.  One of the nurses took me back, got my height and weight and did a breathing test on me.  At first she put my height and weight in backwards and I was blowing like crazy into the thing and it came up with 14% lung function twice!

After changing the numbers around, she finally came up with 97% lung function.  I'd say that's good!  After that, they did a quick little blood/oxygen saturation test (the little red clippy thing on the finger) and that came out good.  Didn't tell me the number though.

Next was a chest x-ray.  First I had to undress from the waist up and put on a paper gown.  Oh, how comfortable that was!  NOT!!!

After getting back into the regular exam room, I'm told that Dr. Worley got stuck at the hospital doing a procedure and was running late.  I ended up waiting an HOUR!!  Wasn't that big of a deal.  I looked at a magazine and played a game on my cell phone.  Worst part of it was all that time I had the paper gown on and it was kinda COLD in there!!  It is January, you know!  lol

Since he was running behind, my appointment was short and sweet.  Just the way I like them!  He listened to my breathing with the stethescope, my x-ray was clear, my lung function was good, he said I would be low risk for lung problems following surgery but that he would follow-up with me in the hospital.  I am to take my c-pap with me (which I don't have yet) and that is it.

I got dressed and as I was leaving I heard him dictating the letter to Dr. Katsis on my behalf!  He said have a nice day (called me by NAME, which I LOVE) and that was that...

Hopefully, I'll get a call from Surgical Associates for my consultation soon!  WOO HOO!!!

C-Pap
January 4, 2008

Well, today I had an appointment for a lady to come to the house to install my CPAP.  She never showed up.  And, I even MADE MY BED TODAY!!  Oh well... 

I don't know that I really want it anyway.  I guess I'll call next week and see what the deal was and set up another time for that.  I don't want any delays in getting my surgery!

Consultation Scheduled!!!
January 8, 2008

WOO HOO!!!  I just got a call from surgical associates!!!  I have an appointment!!

I'm going in to see the nutritionist on Jan 17 at 11:00

Seeing Dr. Katsis on January 23 at 1:00!!!

Guess what????  I made an unofficial goal of getting my appointment with Dr. Katsis by MY BIRTHDAY!  That is the time frame I was hoping for!

Well, Well...  Guess what??!!!!!  January 23 is my 36th Birthday!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

I'm so excited.  Can you tell?

Support Group Meeting
January 8, 2008

I attended my second support group meeting put on by my surgeon's group tonight. 

I felt so good being able to stand up and introduce myself and give the good news of finally completing all the steps required to get my consultation visit with Dr. Katsis scheduled!  WOO HOO!!

I also met Pam A. from the Oklahoma Board.  Missed Sherrie, Michelle, & Staci though!  Hope I get to meet them one of these days!

Interesting Phone Call
January 15, 2007

I got an interesting phone call today.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the message until too late to call back.  The message said that it was someone from St. Frances Pre Arrival Department and that they needed some information for my "upcoming visit."

I didn't know I was scheduled for an "upcoming visit" YET!!  I thought I had to see the nut (01-17), surgeon (01-23), and then await insurance APPROVAL before I needed to worry about a visit to St. Francis!!!!!

I called the number after hours just to see if I could get any more information from a recording.  It said that I could call back during business hours OR fill out the "Patient registration" form online.

I went to the website and it had the regular info that needs to be filled out, but one of the fields with a red asterick (*) that is manditory said "Service/ Admin Date"  Well, I don't know that information!!  I wonder if I call tomorrow if the person I talk to will have any idea about this??  Even if she has a "window" of time, that would be great!

I wonder if this is a little "insight" to my (hopefully) very near future???

Wish me luck!  I'll post again tomorrow after I call the number again!

Dietitian Appointment
January 17, 2008

Well, it turns out that the weird phone call I got the other day was regarding my nutrition appointment.  Because of the "Centers of Excellence" the dietitian has to be on St. Francis property, hence the call for my appointment at St. Francis.

So, the day arrives for my appointment and guess what?!!!  I left my house EARLY and I was STILL 10 minutes late!!!

At first, I went to "sort of" the right place but not really the right place...  So, I called Surgical Associates and someone there told me the NUT was in the Natalie Building which is totally NOT where I was!!

So, I went to the Natalie building and asked about "Jackie" there and no dice!  So, I called Surg Assoc again and the person I talked to this time said that I was told the wrong location and this person actually HEARD that PERSON give me the WRONG info!!

So, she sent me back to *about* where I was the first time.  ONLY...  I was in the St. Francis North entrance and I was supposed to be over where the construction is going on for the CHILDRENS Hospital! 

By this time, I'm quite annoyed.  I HATE being late.  Lateness drives me up a wall!  No one told me "Jackie's" last name...  phone number, suite number, NOTHING!!  Eventually after calling Surg Assoc twice, I ended up with two different phone numbers for her.  Neither of which was answered because she was with a patient!

As it turns out, Jackie is in a temporary location and might not even be in the same place the next time I have to see her.  Who knows?  Also, being late wasn't too bad after all.  She hadn't finished with the previous patient so I still had to wait a little while before being seen.

Now, about the actual appointment:  It went really well.  She just took a little history of my past eating habits.  She figured out based on my current weight how many calories I should eat to still lose a little weight before surgery.  She gave me a detailed list of how many servings of each food group I should eat (higher protein, lower fat/carb). 

I also got the "bariatric bible" that I will use after surgery.  It is pretty neat with lots of detailed information about how to eat to get ready for surgery, how to eat week by week and month by month after surgery, what to do, what NOT to do, etc...  It will certainly come in handy over the next couple of years!!

I have to go back to see her one more time before surgery when she will go into more detail about the 5 days prior to surgery when I'm on liquids and the first couple of weeks after surgery.  Then, I'll see her again 2-6 weeks after surgery so she can answer any questions and help me with the next phase of my new eating!

Consultation with Surgeon
January 23, 2008

Well, I finally had my initial consultation with Dr. Katsis today!  He is a really nice man!  When I first got there, they weighed me and gave me a print out of my weight, BMI, % of fat etc...  Interesting!!!

Next, was my vitals (temp and BP).  Then, I went into the exam room to wait for the doctor to come in.

When he came in, he basically went over all the paperwork that I filled out back in November when I first went to the informational meeting.  A couple of things had changed since then, but most of it was accurate.

Then, he listened to my lungs, looked at my belly, and felt around on my legs (I'm assuming for swelling?).  After that, he talked to Josh and I about the two procedures he does and drew an upside down picture of what is done and talked in detail about risks vs. benefits of the surgery.

Because I'm a "light weight" and fairly young, he said that I'm a lower risk than many.  That's good news!!

Probably within the next week, they will submit all of my info to the insurance and then we'll wait on approval.  If I don't hear from them that they have submitted, I'm going to call them on Wednesday and ask when it will be submitted.

I have to go back for a weight check in 4 weeks.  I need to really work on losing some weight by then.  They will also order blood work at that time.  Blood work takes about a week to come back and if my h-pylori comes back negative and I'm approved, we can schedule!!  If I have h-pylori, then I'll have to be treated for 2 weeks before I can be scheduled.

I hope my insurance is speedy!  I would like to have surgery in March!

Until next time..........

“Unofficial” Tulsa Area WLS Support Group
January 23, 2008

Well, tonight I attended my first "unofficial" support group hosted by one of my fellow OH'ers!!  It was really fun!  We met at Chili's.  There were 3 pre-ops there (Myself, Dan, and Tressa's husband, Jimmy), 1 post lap-band (Lis), 5 post RNY (Carrie, Michelle, Phyllis, Sandy, and Tressa), and Michelle's daughter joined us as well.

Conversation went well.  There were NO awkward moments at all!  Lots of tips and hints were shared.  Several of them passed around their drivers license pictures so we could see "before" and Tressa brought a photo album with her monthly pictures which was really neat to see since she has lost 100 lbs now!!

Having a diverse group of people with different surgeons, different procedures, etc. was really nice.  Getting together at a restaurant was good too so we pre-ops can giggle at everyone taking TINY bites, chewing, chewing, and more chewing, no one drinking with their meals, and all the TO GO boxes!!  lol

I'm looking forward to next month when we get together again!  I hope we have the same or better turn-out!  I also hope to have a date by then!!!

Still Waiting………………….

Psych Eval
December 3, 2007

Well, I have a psych eval scheduled with Dr. Lindsay Patterson that was made through my PCP's office a month ago.  They couldn't get me in until January 31!!

I decided I don't want to wait that long, so I'm looking into getting in sooner with someone else.  I called Tracy (at Surg Assoc) and she gave me the name of Dr. Melissa Cashman.  Dr. Cashman has had WLS herself!!

She can get me in on December 13!!  I already have a cardiologist appointment for that day, so I guess that will work out as long as I can get MIL to pick Miranda up at school and keep her until I get home...  UGH...  I hate asking her for favors...  I guess if she can't I might be able to get Josh's grandpa...  I just feel bad asking him for such favors though since he is in his mid 80's now!

Anyway, Dr. Patterson's office wasn't going to file insurance at all and I had to pay $300 at the time of the appointment.  Dr. Cashman will file insurance.  So, I guess that is good in the case they do actually pay something.  I won't know what I'll have to pay until Wednesday afternoon.  

At most, it will be $400.  Dr. Cashman seems to think that they may pay up to 50%.  That would be great!  We shall see.....

Sleep Study Part II
December 4, 2007

Well, I have my sleep study tonight with the CPAP. I'm NOT looking forward to it, but looking forward to getting it OVER WITH!

I'm a little mad right now too. The sleep center called earlier today to make sure I remembered I had my sleep study tonight... I said, yes, I remember...

Then, I got a call just before 4:00 from the Sleep Center. The guy asked me if I had my Lunesta. I said NO, no one told me I needed Lunesta!!!!! Why didn't the girl earlier today mention anything about Lunesta?

He went on to say that the doctor who read the original study wanted me to have 2-3 mg of lunesta for tonight's study!

So, I was in a time crunch to try to get my hands on some Lunesta! I don't know what days my doctor works, what days she leaves early, etc... So, I didn't know if I would be able to get any at such short notice or not!

I jumped in the car and went to my PCP who LUCKILY isn't too far away and it took me about 15 minutes to get some Lunesta.

I guess the doctor forgot to send in the RX. They gave me a sample. I'm not as mad at my doctor for forgetting as I am at the sleep center for not telling me EARLIER that I would need it for my second study! I guess the nurse (from my PCP) also could have mentioned it when she originally told me that I would need a second study...

I'm just glad that I was able to get it and didn't have to postpone my sleep study!

Thanks for listening to my rant!

Sleep Study Part II, Continued…..
December 5, 2007

 

My sleep study last night went OK... I can't really say that I slept a whole lot better with the lunesta though.

From the moment I rang the door bell and heard a woman's voice I was happy. I was glad it wasn't that same nuts-o guy I had last time. Turns out the lady who let me in wasn't my tech though ;o/

Although my tech was a woman, I got off on the wrong foot with her. She was probably in her upper 50's (she mentioned having a daughter my age) and one of the first things she said to me was: Are you wearing perfume? I said "NO" (hee hee, it was bath and body "splash" spray that I put on after my shower) she said "Well, don't be surprised if my voice goes out. I smell something and I'm allergic to all fragrances!"

I'm thinking, how rude... I'm sorry she is allergic to smells and I'm sorry she could smell me, but she didn't have to be rude about it. It was just her tone of voice and the way she said it that bothered me. Maybe because I'm not the type to mention it even if I think people have cologne on too heavy or it is cologne that STINKS, or it is gagging me... I just deal with it, especially in a professional situation where I'm dealing with the public (I used to be an ophthalmic technician)

She never mentioned it again... She also never lost her voice!!

She was just as weird as the first guy only in a different sort of way. Maybe they have to be weird for that job? Is that a prerequisite?

More about the test…

I started out with a small mask that was just over my nose and she had a chin strap holding my mouth closed... Well, I guess I managed to open my mouth and start breathing that way, so she switched masks on me and I ended up with a larger one that fit over both my nose and mouth.

The air flow started out really light but when I aroused at night a couple different times I could tell that the air flow had increased. I don’t know what setting it ended up on and the tech couldn’t tell me. I guess I have to wait a few days for that.

I have an appt with my PCP today, but I’m still very tired. I don’t know if it is still the Lunesta working on me or if it is because my sleep was interrupted so much. I think the end of the test was around 4 am because after getting unhooked, changing clothes, filling out a questionnaire, and driving home, I was home by 4:30!!!! So, since I’m still tired, I think I'm going to postpone my PCP appointment until next week so I will have these sleep study results also.

Another thing about that tech… She irked me when she woke me up too. There are two different light switches in the room. One is the main overhead light that is bright and the other one is a "can light" that is concentrated on the table near the bed, so it gives a softer light... When she woke me up at 4 a.m. she Blasted on the BRIGHT light, said "GET UP" she let me go potty then came back in and took me to the room where they unhook.

I HATED that light.... I thought I remembered filling out a questionnaire last time about the technician, but I didn't get that one this time. I wonder why? I sure would like to let them know about that BLASTED BRIGHT LIGHT. No one likes to be awakened with bright light!!

That's all I can think of at the moment... I'm just glad it is over with! Over all, I don't think she was as courteous as the weirdo guy I had last time.

 

Cancellation
December 13, 2007

I was supposed to have two appointments today.  Cardio and then Psych.  My Psych appointment got postponed to next week though due to icy weather.  The Psych (Dr. Melissa Cashman) actually lives in Norman and comes to Tulsa one day a week.

But, I did get to go to my cardio appointment, so I'll blog about that.  It was almost a waste of time.  Nothing...  When I got there, they took my blood pressure and it was better than it usually is in my PCP office.  Then, I went into an exam room and waited.  When the doctor came in, he looked at my test results, said everything looked good, listened to my heart, felt my pulse on my wrist, neck, and ankle, and asked why I was there!  lol  I told him I was getting cardio clearance for bariatric surgery.  He said no problem there.  I'll make you up a letter!

They have form letters there on the computer and he asked who he was sending it to and plugged in all the info and generated a letter right then and there.  He said he would send it and also give me a copy in case something happens and it gets lost.

I saw my letter coming off of the printer as I was walking up to check out.  No more appointments are needed with him unless something comes up in the future!  I have cardio Clearance!

Woo Hoo...  One more step down!  Until next time..........

 

Psych Eval
December 20, 2007

Had my psych eval today.  Boy was that weird!!  First of all, my appointment was at noon.  When my original appointment was rescheduled, I trusted my memory as to when the new appointment was.  Then, as the time got closer (earlier the morning of the appointment) I started second guessing myself as to the time of the appointment.  I ended up calling her to verify the time!  How stupid...  I told her I was "second guessing" myself...  GREAT!  What is she going to think of that?!!  lol

I guess it was a good thing that I called her though.  Because when I got there, I didn't really know where I was going.  The building was kinda weird.  The building was on a hill, so if you go in through the front, you have to go down a spiral staircase to get to her office.  If you go in through the back, it is at ground level.  There is also a side door that actually looks like an "employee only" type of door that is actually closest to her office.  She said I could use that door and I did.

When I got there, it was almost ghostly!  lol  Like an abandoned building!  I heard footsteps and some voices from upstairs but the downstairs was abandoned.  I found her office.  It had a solid door with long narrow windows on either side of it and one of her business cards was taped to the window.  The door was locked.

I continued down the hall.  I was about 15 minutes early.  I found the restroom, went, and then checked her door again.  Still locked.  I went back down the hall toward the bathroom where there were a couple of chairs.  I sat down.  Watching my watch...  Noon came and went.  Still no activity downstairs.  A few footsteps and talking upstairs...  Maybe I'm in the wrong place?  lol  Here I am second guessing myself again...  I went up the spiral staircase, looked around, there was a sign board with suite numbers and names...  Melissa Cashman was nowhere on the sign.  I saw a man, he looked at me (I'm sure I looked confused) didn't say a word to me and went about his business.  I went back down the spiral stairs.

I decided to go toward the back door that she once mentioned.  There, I saw another one of those sign boards with names and suite numbers on it.  There, I finally saw Dr. Cashman's name.  At least I know I'm in the right place...  Now, where is Dr. Cashman?  This time I KNOW my appointment was at noon because I just confirmed it THIS MORNING with her!

By now, I was probably 12:05.  I went back to what I thought was Dr. Cashman's office.  Still locked.  Went back to the chairs near the restroom and waited some more.  Finally, at about 12:10 I hear keys.  There she is, keying into her office!

I went down the hall, we said hello.  She gave me a bunch of papers to read and sign (all the general info and medical jargon you have to sign that you understand) while she put her things in her office.  She apologized for being late and commented on it being a "good thing I confirmed the appointment time" since she was late or I REALLY would be second guessing myself!!  lol  OK...  GREAT...  I'm immediately coming across as mental!  ha ha!

OK...  now back to our regularly scheduled blogging...  When I went into the waiting area for the first time and tried to sit down on the couch...  It was crazy!  There were pillows EVERYWHERE in no organized fashion!  lol  The OCD in me wanted to straighten them up (like I do at home) but the shyness of me didn't let myself do so.  It wasn't until Josh (hubby) was making light of the story I was telling him that he said it was probably a test to see who DOES straighten the pillows and who does not!  lol  WHEW!  Maybe I passed that test by NOT straightening the pillows!

After I was done with the paperwork and she was done checking her voice mail and getting settled at her desk, I went in for the talking part.  I think it went OK.  She asked the general questions about family, weight issues/history, support system, etc.  Nothing major.  It was basically like catching up with an old friend who I hadn't seen in many years.  I think we probably talked for about 45 minutes, but it went fast.

After the talking, she led me into another room with the TEST!  I'll spare you the details of this disorderly room!  The test was the MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory).  It was 567 True or False Questions.  It took me about an hour and 20 minutes to complete.  It was really laid back though.  No one was monitoring me while taking it.  She even said if I needed to, I could go down the street to get a drink.  There was no time limit.  She said most people complete it in about an hour and a half but she has had some people over analyze the test and take 6 hours!  lol  The questions were so odd and I can see how people could try to figure out what the relavance of them would be and stew over them.  I found 75 of the questions online.  Here is a sampling:

1.  I like mechanics magazines
2.  I have a good appetite
3.  I wake up fresh & rested most mornings
4.  I think I would like the work of a librarian
5.  I am easily awakened by noise
6.  I like to read newspaper articles on crime
7.  My hands and feet are usually warm enough
8.  My daily life is full of things that keep me interested
9.  I am about as able to work as I ever was
10.  There seems to be a lump in my throat much of the time
11.  A person should try to understand his dreams and be guided by or      take warning from them
12.  I enjoy detective or mystery stories
13.  I work under a great deal of tension
14.  I have diarrhea once a month or more
15.  Once in a while I think of things too bad to talk about
16.  I am sure I get a raw deal from life
17.  My father was a good man
18.  I am very seldom troubled by constipation
19.  When I take a new job, I like to be tipped off on whom should be nice  to
20.  My sex life is satisfactory
21.  At times I have very much wanted to leave home
22.  At times I have fits of laughing & crying that I cannot control
23.  I am troubled by attacks of nausea and vomiting
24.  No one seems to understand me
25.  I would like to be a singer
26.  I feel that it is certainly best to keep my mouth shut when I’m in trouble
27.  Evil spirits possess me at times
28.  When someone does me a wrong I feel I should pay him back if I can, just for the principle of the thing.
29.  I am bothered by acid stomach several times a week
30.  At times I feel like swearing
31.  I have nightmares every few nights
32.  I find it hard to keep my mind on a task or job
33.  I have had very peculiar and strange experiences
34.  I have a cough most of the time
35.  If people had not had it in for me I would have been much more successful
36.  I seldom worry about my heath
37.  I have never been in trouble because of my sex behavior
38.  During one period when I was a youngster I engaged in petty thievery
39.  At times I feel like smashing things
40.  Most any time I would rather sit and daydream than to do anything else
41.  I have had periods of days, weeks, or months when I couldn’t take care of things because I couldn’t “get going”
42.  My family does not like the work I have chosen ( or the work I intend to choose for my life work)
43.  My sleep is fitful and disturbed
44.  Much of the time my head seems to hurt all over
45.  I do not always tell the truth
46.  My judgment is better than it ever was
47.  Once a week or oftener I feel suddenly hot all over without apparent cause
48.  When I am with people I am bothered by hearing very queer things
49.  It would be better if almost all laws were thrown away
50.  My soul sometimes leaves my body
51.  I am in just as good physical health as most of my friends
52.  I prefer to pass by school friends, or people I know but have not seen for a long time, unless they speak to me first
53.  A minister can cure disease by praying and putting his hand on your head
54.  I am liked by most people who know me
55.  I am almost never bothered by pains over the heart or in my chest
56.  As a youngster I was suspended from school one or more times for cutting up
57.  I am a good mixer
58.  Everything is turning out just like the prophets of the Bible said it would
59.  I have often had to take orders from someone who did not know as much as I did
60.  I do not read every editorial in the newspaper everyday
61.  I have not lived the right kind of life
62.  Parts of my body often have feeling like burning, tingling, crawling, or like “going to sleep”
63.  I have had no difficulty in starting or holding my bowel movement
64.  I sometimes keep on at a thing until others lose their patience with me
65.  I loved my father
66.  I see things or animals or people around me that others do not see
67.  I wish I could be as happy as others seem to be
68.  I hardly ever feel pain in the back of the neck
69.  I am very strongly attracted by members of my own sex
70.  I used to like drop-the-handkerchief
71.  I think a great many people exaggerate their misfortunes in order to gain the sympathy and help of others
72.  I am troubled by discomfort in the pit of my stomach every few days or oftener
73.  I am an important person
74.  I have often wished I were a girl.  (Or if you are a girl) I have never been sorry that I am a girl
75.  I get angry sometimes

See what I mean?  Some of those questions were pretty weird!  Do I answer some of them as TRUE if they were true 15 years ago but are no longer true?

I didn't find out anything today.  She has to "grade" the test and I have an appointment to see her again next Thursday to go over the results.

Until next time.....

 

Psych Eval Results
December 27, 2007

OK...  today is the dreaded day...  Will the men in white coats be there to take me away when I enter Dr. Cashman's building?

NO...  I guess everything went OK.  I hated hearing some of the things that the test came up with.  I don't agree with some of it, but must of it was fairly accurate.

Bottom line:  She's going to send a letter to Dr. Katsis for me early next week!

Only one more appointment to complete!  YAHOO!!!!

 

My Christmas Toy!
December 30, 2007

Guess what I got for Christmas?  I got a hand held GPS unit!  I've been wanting one.  Why, you ask?  Because I wanted to take up a new sport that is kinda geeky (like my husband) and will get me out of the house and into the out-of-doors and a little exercise to boot!

It is called Geocaching!  Check it out on www.geocaching.com.  What you do is go to the website, put in your zip code to find "caches" near your home, download the lat/long (latitude/longitude coordinates) of where the cache is hidden into your GPS and then go find it!  The caches are often rubbermaid containers or metal Army ammo boxes hidden under sticks, brush, rocks, trees, etc. filled with "treasure" which is often little trinket toys, keychains, magnets, McToys, etc.  There is usually a log book to sign that you were there.  They are kinda fun to look through too.  Just to see who was there before you and where they were from, etc.  There are also sometimes "travel bugs" and "geocoins" in the box.  They are trackable items that people put in there that the owner can track where it goes, how far it goes, how many states or countries or miles it travels, etc...  (Yeah, I'm a geek!  But, it's fun!)

I finally got to play with my Christmas toy on our way to Kansas City 12-29 but DANG it was COLD out!! 

We found our first one in Coffeyville, KS on our way up there, found the second one near my sisters house, and our third on our way home.

It is so much fun, I just wish it wasn't so cold out!  To find the one in Missouri, we had to dig in the snow! 

Just wanted to share my adventures with my new toy.  I can't wait until it is nicer weather and the days are longer so I can cache some more!

Another Info Meeting and Frustration!
November 5, 2007

I went to an educational meeting last month and nothing was said about documented weight loss attempts within a certain time frame.  I later found out that particular doctor isn't in my network, so tonight I went to another seminar for a doctor who IS in my network...

This surgeon's staff just "blanketed" everyone in their requirements, which are mirroring Medicare requirements.  They told us all of the appointments we have to have before ever setting foot in their clinic for a visit with the doc or any insurance guru.  We cannot even discuss ore INDIVIDUAL ins. requirements.

Among what they said we had to have was a documented weight loss attempt within 2 years.  They said some ins. co.'s require it doc supervised and some will accept Nutri-System, Weight Watchers, etc...

Well, My insurance doesn't say ANYTHING about prior weight loss attempts.  I agree, it will look good to have it in my packet of info sent to the insurance co. but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find that stuff and I'd have to start a diet now and prolong this process another 6 months!!

Luckily I managed to keep and FIND my WW membership booklet that they fill in at the weekly meetings from Jan 06 through Aug 06.  I also have 12 weeks worth of food journal from 2005 that I can copy, and 4 Nutri-System orders that I placed between 11-06 and 01-07.

I hope these things will count toward my dieting attempts so I don’t have to wait until APRIL when I'll have my 6 mo. diet complete with my PCP that I started in October.

Also, I'm BARELY 40 BMI and it is scary to lose weight not knowing yet if I have any co-morbids to go with my BMI.  The only one I can hope for is Sleep apnea...  Doesn’t that sound sick to say?

ugh...

I hate this...  This is really trying my patience!

 

PCP Visit Today

November 7, 2007

 

I saw my PCP today for another "weight loss" visit.  I gave her the list of appointments I need made that I got from Surg Assoc the other night.  I also gave her a sample PCP Support letter.  She read it and said she'd send it to them over the next couple of days.

She also got her nurse on the task of making my appointments for me.  I need a sleep study (because I asked for one), a Pulmonary eval, psych eval, and cardiac eval.

I also showed her a bump on my foot where I dropped the phone a couple of weeks ago.  She took an x-ray of that.  Everything is fine, but I have a neuroma (I knew that) which is a non cancerous tumor on the nerve.  Sometimes it is painful, but not too bad.

Before the end of that business day, the nurse called me and gave me my appointment times and dates!

Cardiologist:  THIS Friday 11-09-07 at 8:45 a.m.
Sleep study:  THIS Friday 11-09-07 at 7:00 pm.
Pulmonary:  Jan 3, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
Psych Eval:  Jan 31, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.

She said she put me on a call list for the Psych test if someone cancels.

Wow, that was fast and several of those are comming right up!
I'll update later :o)

 

Drove to Tulsa Today

November 8, 2007

 

I drove to Tulsa today to scope out where my cardiologist appointment will be tomorrow.  It is early enough in the morning that after I drop Miranda off at school and then drive down there I will not have time to get lost!

I also packed up my 66 copies I made of my diet history to take to Surg Assoc.

I found Surg Assoc fairly quickly and easily.  The cardiologist wasn't quite that easy to find :o(  But, I found it!

Then, after I got home, I got a call from the Cardiologist office confirming my visit and it turns out they have two locations and I scoped out the WRONG one!  lol  

I mapquested the CORRECT location and even printed out a ariel photo of the building and this one actually looks easier to get to.

Wish me luck!

 

Cardiologist Appointment Today

November 9, 2007

Well, I got one of THREE cardiologist appointments out of the way this morning.  The building was easy to find.  I drove right to it!

The paperwork took longer than the EKG and visit with Dr. Irvin did.  I thought I was going to have an Echo today and an EKG and be done with it, but I was wrong.

I go back on Thursday (11-15) for the Echo and an Adenosine Stress Test.  The stress test is at 8:05 and I have to be there at 7:50.  Miranda will have to spend the night with grandma to get to school.  There is just no other way for me to get down there that early.

The Echo is like a separate appointment at 1:30 that same day.

I don't know why I also have to have a stress test.  I wonder if it had something to do with the way I answered one of my questions or if it had to do with my strong family history of heart disease and my dad dying at age 58 of a heart attack??

Anyway, he ordered a chemical stress test instead of a treadmill.  He asked how much exercise I get (which is almost none) and I told him about a time this summer when I went half way down the block on my daughter's bicycle and back and thought I was going to pass out and die!  I swear, I was seeing stars and I had this sorta tunnel vision.  It was not a good feeling!  lol  I think that is why he won't make me walk the treadmill which is just fine with me!

The last appointment will be just to go over results of the tests he did.  That appointment is set up for 2:00 p.m. on December 13.

I'll update on the echo and stress test probably on the 16th!

Sleep Study is tonight

Sleep Study
November 10, 2007

This Sleep Study was not required by my surgeon, but my PCP ordered the sleep test because I said I wanted one.  My sister seems to think that her apnea is what convinced the insurance company to approve her.  I just thought it wouldn't hurt anything.  If I have it, well that's a co-morbidity!  And since I'm barely BMI of 40 and have not been "Morbidly Obese" for very long (I've just been Obese for years) I thought anything I can get to help me out, I'll do!

The sleep study was a little creepy, but not too bad.  I just had to show up at 7 p.m. I was a little taken aback by the fact that the tech was a man!  How creepy is it to have a strange man watching me sleep!!  eewwww!!!

First he showed me a video, and I got dressed for bed.  I had to fill out a questionaire about my sleep habits and how well I think I sleep and how often I wake up during sleep, how rested I feel when I wake up, etc...  Also it gave me some situations and asked me to rate from 0 to 3 how likely I was to fall asleep in those situations.

Then he wired me up.  He said I had 23 wires hooked to me by the end (seemed like more).  they were all over my head in my hair, face, chest, ribs, legs, oxygen saturation monitor on my finger, and two straps around my mid section.  Oh, and a thing in my nose.  It reminded me of oxygen tubing but he said that it records temperature.  He said that when you inhale air temp is cold and when you exhale it is warm, so that is how it tracks your resp as well as the belts around my mid section.

I watched a little TV (Paula Deen of all shows!  lol) and then read my book a little.  Usually, I would have been dead tired from reading, but since I was in that strange place, it was totally different.  I couldn't seem to turn my brain off and go to sleep!  It seemed like I layed there forever before I went to sleep!  I ended up taking a Xanax to help me sleep.

He said I didn't have to sleep on my back the entire night, but I sort of tried to anyway.  Until he TOLD me to turn over!  I don't know why he did that, but I turned over when he told me to.  I hope that doesn't end up biting me in the butt!

Then when he woke me up (at 4:30 a.m.!!!!!) He unhooked me and I had to fill out another questionaire about what I thought about the test and my sleep in their facility, how long I slept, how long it took me to get to sleep, how rested I felt, and stuff like that.  Got dressed and was home by 5 a.m.

If I do have sleep apnea, I will have to go back for a second study with the C-PAP machine.  It could take 2 months to get me in for that appointment.

That's it on that!

Until next time!

Note to Self
November 15, 2007

This is really just a note to myself.  

I turned in my release of medical records to the PCP office on 11-5-07 so I want to follow-up on or about 12-05-07 to see if Surg Assoc has received them yet.

They are supposed to turn in their electronic files ASAP and the stored paper files within 6 weeks.

ttfn

Support Group Meeting
November 13, 2007

Went to a support group meeting tonight.  It was neat to see post-ops and hear about their success' as well as their struggles.  It was neat to hear their advice to us pre-ops about working hard to get insurance approval.  It was neat to hear them give advice and support to newly post-ops who are struggling with learning how to eat and live with their new pouch (or band).

There were also some really touching stories from pre-ops who are really fighting hard to save their lives by having this surgery.  The lady in front of me almost came to tears when she was talking about her situation.  It was truly sad...  Tracy, the meeting leader, said something about relationships not being the same after WLS due to jealousy...  She said that even your SISTER can be jealous of you "if she's always been the smaller one and now suddenly, YOU are smaller."  That is when the lady in front of me said that it will NEVER happen to her because her sister passed away due to complications from her morbid obesity .  She went on to say that she HAS to save her life because she has two young children who rely on her because she is all they have.  I don't remember that lady's name, but I hope to see her again and I hope she gets her approval and surgery!  I will be happy to see her as a LOSER and follow her progress at the monthly meetings.

I also got to meet Michelle from OH Oklahoma forum!  It is so nice to be able to meet people in person who have went through or are going through what I'm going through.  I hope to eventually meet more OH'ers!

The next meeting is December 11 but I will not be able to attend as that is when Serena's High School Orchestra Christmas Concert is!  At least I'll be enjoying her Christmas music

So, I guess the next support group meeting will be in the NEW YEAR!!  January 8.

Still Waiting……
November 13, 2007

I'm still waiting on the sleep study results.  I'm afraid that because the tech told me to roll over that he "helped" me pass it.  I don't want to pass it if I really do have it.  If I have it, it needs to be treated, especially in the hospital after my surgery when I WONT be sleeping on my side!

OK, that was just a rant.

Chemical Cardio Stress Test
November 15, 2007

Went to the cardiologist today for my medically induced stress test and echo.  The stress test was first.  I arrived exactly on time for my appointment, but the instructions said to arrive 10 min early...  So, I was a little late going in for the test.

The first time they called me back, they gave me my IV line.  That guy was GOOD!!!  I didn't feel a thing!  I'm not joking!  If I hadn't been watching him, I never would have known he did anything!  NO bruise.  I could barely tell where it was at by the time I got home that evening!  So, after the IV line, he injected some radioactive stuff that helps the camera see my blood flowing through my heart.  After that, I was told to go back to the waiting room and drink 3 glasses of water.  The more water you drink, the better your pictures will turn out.

Three glasses of water later, they called me back again.  This time, I had to lay down on the camera table.  The camera rotated around me, stopping every few inches taking pictures of my heart at rest.  This process took about 30 minutes.  Next, back into the waiting room.

A few minutes later (maybe 10 or so) I was called back again for the chemical part of the test.  First they hooked me up to 10 or 12 electrodes, took my blood pressure, and explained what they were going to do to me.  Then, the tech had to go get the nurse.  This is when the fun (NOT!!!) begins!  She hooks my IV up to a machine that had "THE medicine" in it.  She went over side effects, what to expect, how I might feel, etc...

I started feeling the effects about 1 minute into the 6 minute test.  I was feeling a warming sensation all over my body & my face was beet red (I could feel the redness).  By 1 1/2 minutes I was starting to get uncomfortable.  By 2 minutes I think I lost track of time...  lol  By this time, I started feeling like someone kicked me in the gut!  I had a heavy feeling in my chest.  I know that I was ready for it to be OVER by 3 minutes!!!  The nurse told me when we were at 3 minutes "half over" and I was wanting it done NOW!!!  I felt like I had a WHOLE apple stuck in my throat!  At 3 minutes, the nurse injected me with more radioactive solution.

Like I said, I don't have much memory of exact times, but probably about 4 minutes into it, I told the nurse I felt like my throat was closing up.  (remember, the apple!!).  Shortly after that I started dry heaving!!  The nurse had me roll over to my side and heave in the trash can.  Nothing came up, which surprised me.  I had drank so much water!  lol

Shortly after the heaving was over, the test was over.  About as fast as it came on, it went away.  I didn't mention above that during the test they took my BP.  I think they probably took it 3 or 4 times, but I don't remember that at all.  I just remember her saying they would take it several times.  With all the other pain I was having, I don't remember the BP cuff!!  

Just as fast as this all started, it all went away.  They took one last BP reading and had me sit up for a minute, unhooked most of the electrodes, had me stand up for a min, then I was free to go as long as I didn't feel weird.  I felt (almost) normal!

They gave me some peanut butter crackers (couldn't eat for 6 hours prior and no caffeine for 24 hours prior).  At this time they told me I could have all the caffeine & food I wanted, sent me to the cafeteria, and told me to drink 3 more glasses of water.

After the snack, coffee, and water I was called back in for another set of pictures.  These were just like the first set and took about 25 minutes.  This time, they had a couple electrodes stuck to me though.

That was the end of the test...  In conclusion, I think I'd rather be in labor for 24 hours again before I do that SIX minute test again!  Lol

Echocardiogram
November 15, 2007

The echo was almost as uneventful as the EKG.  Especially since it was almost immediately following the stress test!

It was basically like a sonogram that they do when you have a baby.  I had to undress from the waste up, wear a "pretty" paper vest, she used that icky jelly stuff, and it took about 30 minutes.

It was kinda neat seeing the valves and stuff.  She was nice and pointed things out to me so I might be able to see what she was looking at.

The doppler part meant that it had shades of red and blue on it.  One color was blood flowing one direction and the other color flowing the opposite.

That's about it.  I should hear results of both cardio tests by the middle of next week!

Finally!!!  Sleep Test Results!!
November 20, 2007

After calling my PCP several times, I finally got the results of my sleep study.  I guess the PCP had called them several times and they faxed it to them several times, but it never made it!  

Yesterday, I finally got the results.  I have sleep apnea.  The nurse didn't go into any detail as to if it is mild, moderate, or severe.  I see my PCP on Dec. 5 so that will give us something else to talk about other than my diet.

She said I could schedule another sleep study to be fit for a CPAP machine or I can wait until I lose weight to see if the apnea goes away.  I thought I might as well have another sleep study and get a CPAP so I don't have to worry about not doing it now and then later being told by the pulmonologist or the surgeon later that I have to have another sleep study.  It takes up to 2 months to get in for the study, so I don't want to put it off.....

The earliest she could get me in was December 29.  I took that appointment and then called them to ask them to put me on their "call list" for cancellations.  The tech I had last time said they have a lot of people reschedule or back out especially around the holidays.

I sure hope I can get in earlier because if it comes down to that date, I'll have to reschedule because I've already made plans to go to Kansas City, MO to visit my nephew who will be home from San Diego where he is in the Navy.  I'm NOT going to miss that!  I miss him so much!

So...  If I haven't been stuck in a cancellation spot by December 14 I'm going to cancel my existing appointment and see how far down the road I'll be rescheduled for.

More Test Results!
November 20, 2007

While I was getting test results, I thought I'd call the cardiologist office.  It turns out they have a test results phone line but the nurse failed to give me the phone number and my ID.  The person on the line said my results were posted yesterday and she gave me the phone number and my ID!!!

My stress test showed good pumping action (71%).  No sign of ischemia or blood flow constriction.

My echo was 65% which is normal.  The normal range is (55% - 75%).  The echo also showed mild regurgitation of the mitral valve which she said was "normal wear & tear."

I'm not sure what all that means, but I will see the cardiologist again to go over results on December 13.  If I don't hear anything from him between now and then, all is good!

until next time!  Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Talking About Family Health History
November 24, 2007

Paternal aunts/uncles
Sammy – deceased - MVA
Earl – deceased - Heart attack, double amputee due to hardening of arteries
Loretta – deceased – obese, heart attack
Edna – deceased - cancer (lung, liver)
Dad – deceased – obese, heart attack
Ines – still alive, obese, diabetic, HBP
Alta – Still alive, obese, heart attacks
Arnold – deceased - cancer (throat, lung)

Paternal grandparents
Grandpa – deceased - heart attack
Grandma – deceased – obese, heart attack

Maternal aunts/uncles
Eunice – deceased – obese, lung cancer
Gary – still alive, heart attack

Maternal grandparents
Grandpa – deceased - parkinsons, diabetes
Grandma – deceased – obese, alzheimers

Paternal First Cousins
Susan Burkholder – morbidly obese, diabetic, kidney failure
Arthur Jr. – heart attack age 41
James McClure – obese, heart attack
Earl Jr. – obese, diabetic
Barbara – deceased – cancer

Brother Frank – Obese, Diabetes, HBP, sleep apnea & high cholesterol
Sister Margie – HBP, sleep apnea & High cholesterol (prior to gastric bypass)
Sister Karla - ?? (Obese, Can’t afford to go to doctor/No health insurance)

Mother – no known ailments
Maternal First cousins – healthy as far as I know

Slow Going, But Still Moving Forward

October 11, 2007

Well, Not much to report, but I have made a couple steps toward my goal.  

I saw my PCP on October 2nd to talk to her about a completely different issue, but between making the appointment and actually going there, I decided to postpone the original talk, so I ended up ONLY talking to her about my weight and my thoughts about tring to have Gastric Bypass.  I was SOOO happy when she said that she thought it was a good idea (so if I need a letter from her, I'm sure she'd send me a good one) and she said that along with my BMI and blood pressure I shouldn't have any trouble meeting the criteria.  She also gave me a pamphlet of Dr. Gorospe's that she had in her office.

Plus, if my insurance decides to make me do a doc supervised diet or anything like that, I have one visit out of the way where my #1 diagnosis on my appointment was OBESITY!  Maybe we can start my "diet" on that date!

Also, I have a spot reserved at two different informational seminars to help me decide which doctor I want to go with.  

One meeting is this coming Tuesday, Oct 16 for Dr. Gorospe.  I like his procedure in that he uses the silastic ring around the stoma to help keep the pouch from stretching out again...  But, I'm not so sure I want my surgery at Bailey Medical Center and I've also had more people tell me that they would rather me go with a different surgeon...  decisions.....

The second meeting is November 5 with Dr. Katsis, Dr. Fisher, & Dr. Cole.  For this one, I had to send $25 for materials fee before they would reserve my spot.  I'm not sure which of the three doctors will actually be at the meeting to answer questions, but of the three I was leaning toward Dr. Katsis...  

It's a Small World After All, It's a Small World After All, It's a Small World After All, It's a small, small world!!
(I knew I could get an obnoxious song stuck in your head!!  ha ha)

Speaking of Small World, as I was looking up info on Dr. Katsis, I found out he is the brother of Laci Peterson's Sister-in-law who I HATED when I was watching the entire Scott Peterson trial...  (Yeah, I'm a Court TV geek!)  But, I don't guess my dislike for Janey Peterson should have an affect on Dr. Katsis's surgery technique...  I just hope that he uses the silastic ring!  lol  I won't hold his sister against him!

I guess this whole ring thing I keep talking about is very similar to the ring used in the Fobi pouch, but it is positioned a little differently and the "Y" is still done and part of the small intestine is still bypassed.  I'm having a hard time finding info on "banded RNY" surgery.  I hope to get my questions answered at one of the two meetings I'm going to.  I KNOW I read somewhere that Dr. Gorospe does the banded RNY but now I can't find where I read it.  How frustrating!  My sister whose surgrey was done by Dr. Bosquez said she had the band and he used to work with Dr. Gorospe...  so...

Well, it is 12:45 and I'm getting tired and rambling...

Until next time!  (probably after my meeting on Tuesday!)

One Informational Meeting Down…
October 19, 2007

Well, I went to my first informational meeting with Dr. Gorospe's office.  I liked him...  He gave quite a large packet of info and I read every word of it...  Then, as suggested in the packet, I called my insurance company to find out what doctors and facilities were in network and he nor his facility he uses is in network.  So, other than what I learned about the procedure at that meeting, it was a waste of my time.  

I did find out that Dr. Katsis and St. Francis are in network, so it appears that I will go that route.  I'm scheduled to go to Dr. Katsis' informational meeting on November 5 and I cannot wait!!

Another good thing from Dr. Gorospe's meeting is that I met another lady about my age who is in the same part of this process as I am and we exchanged phone numbers, so I think it will be good for both of us to be of support to each other.  

That is my update as of today...  Until next time...

Had A Bad Day…
October 22, 2007

Today was a bad day for me :o(  I don't know why...  Some days I have a positive feeling about my insurance and getting approved and some days I feel like it's too good to be true.  It can't happen to me...  I'll be one that isn't approved and I'll find myself back at square one (only fatter than when I began).  

Maybe it was the weather today?  It went from a beautiful weekend this weekend to a chilly, rainy, fall kind of day.  Didn't get out of the mid 50's today.  Usually I like fall, but not when it is a cold rain :o(

Please, whoever reads this, pray for me, light a candle for me, send your good vibes this way, whatever it is you do, I need all the help I can get getting approved for this surgery.

until next time.....

 

Still Rambling…
October 22, 2007

"LETTER OF MEDICAL NECESSITY"

I have called my insurance company 2 or 3 times tring to get them to tell me what I need to do prior to submitting for surgery and they hardly tell me anything.  I don't know if it is really going to be that easy or if they are going to spring a bunch of CRAP on me later...

I called today and this is what I said (I wrote it down so I would know what to say before I stumbled over my words like a fool)

"I'm considering having WLS and I was calling to see if there is any preliminary testing I need to have done prior to submitting for pre-approval."

All of the times I've tried to get this info out of them (2 or 3 times) all they say is that I need a letter of medical necessity!  If they will take a letter from my surgeon and/or PCP and approve it on that, then "SLAP ME DOWN ON THE OR TABLE NOW!!"  LOL  They say "the surgeons generally know what tests are required."

I think it is just the waiting and uncertainty that is driving me nuts...

In Network or Out of Network?
October 25, 2007

So, after going to the informational seminar for Dr. Gorospe and reading his entire packet...  It suggests that I call my insurance company and find out exactly if he is in network or out of network before going to the intake visit so I will know what my payment responsibilities are.  I looked on the insurance company website and neither he nor Bailey Med Center was listed.

I got the call from his office yesterday to set up my intake appointment.  I asked the lady on the phone if they were part of Preferred Community Choice or not and she said YES, they were.  So, I scheduled my appointment with Dr. Gorospe on November 16 at 9 a.m. but told her that I would call and verify with my insurance today.

I just called the insurance and sure enough neither he nor the hospital are in network (which is what I thought).  So, I will cancel that appointment and go to Dr. Katsis' informational seminar and hopefully have surgery with him.  I know he is in network.

That's my update as of today.

ttfn..........  until next time :o)

Letter of Medical Necessity
October 26, 2007

Tonight I typed up a LONG Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN) from "my point of view."

Well, not really MY point of view...  lol  I used the template at:  www.obesityhelp.com/content/letterofmedicalnecessity.html and changed it up to "fit" me.  

About half of the first page is saluation stuff, then there is 2 full pages and then the last page (pg. 4) is about half full.  That makes for ONE LONG LETTER!  I hope I don't have to use it.  I think unless my doc wants me to send a letter from my point of view, I won't use it unless I end up having to appeal.  If I do end up sending it to them, hopefully they'll get tired of reading it and just approve me to SHUT ME UP!!!  lol

My packet from Dr. Katsis came with a Sample PCP Letter in it, but I also made up one myself that is more taylored to fit me to give to my PCP when I see her on November 7.  I think I'm going to give her both letters to compose hers from.

I will post a copy of my PCP letter here on my blog after I get the "official" one from her that we actually send in.

Now, I need to:
1. Go to the informational seminar
2. Go to my 1st visit with the doctor
3. See a "shrink" and get a report to send in
4. See a dietitian/get report
5. get blood work/report
6. get my gallbladder ultrasound report (from Aug or Sept when I had it done)
7. have a sleep study done/get report
8. any other tests doctor makes me get
9. Most importantly, GET APPROVED!!!!!

? Can you tell I have a ONE track mind lately?

This whole surgery/insurance stuff is consuming my every waking moment!

until next time!  Ttfn

September 28, 2007

Well, it seems I didn't reserve my seat for the Seminar on October 1 as early as I should have, so I can't go until November 4...  But, as for the other doctor who has his scheduled for October 16, I WILL be there!  I called and reserved a space for his September meeting but had to cancel and rescheduled for October meeting.  I'm just surprised that they didn't send me a packet or ask for any money yet like the other one did...  hummm...  I tried to call today to see if they had anything they needed to send me and the person who is in charge of it is out this week :(

Oh well.....  more waiting.....

I've also been looking at my benefits book from the insurance company.  This is NEW insurance for us so I'm kinda nervous...  I'm going to type up some insurance info from the book at the bottom of the page so I can refer to it later if I need to.

UGH!!  I hope this process goes fast!

until next time..........