Sharon M.
It's been awhile
Oct 27, 2006
October 27, 2006:
I have been so lazy posting! lately I have been trying to figure out this new format on the site! I am really stupid when it comes to computer stuff, but I have been reading the tutorials by Apple Pie (who is awesome) and I am slowly learning and actually having so fun!! As far as weight loss goes I have lost 24 lbs. at my 4 week mark. I am weighing myself every week so I will weigh again on Saturday and see how it looks. Last Saturday I went to the Central Cali lunch at Big Bubba's in Visalia. I had a really good time. I like spending time with people who have so luch in common with me. Everyone looks so great! It is good for me to listen to their stories since they have been through it all. I went back to work on the 16th and all is well. It has been rather slow at work which is good so I can get back into the swing of things. My energy level seems pretty normal. I am trying to eat a variety of things, but I have trouble vomiting and foaming at times. I have to learn when I am too full, to take smaller bites, and to chew more. This is really a learning process, but I am so so glad that I had this surgery. One thing I have noticed is that I don't have this major obsession with food anymore. It seemed like before the surgery all I could think about was food. What I was going to eat at the next meal and how much. Now I don't think of food like that at all. It is more like now I just have to eat to get nutrients to keep my body functioning. This is a much better feeling to have. I worry sometimes that I am not eating enough. I am drinking 2 protein drinks a day to ensure I am getting enough protein. Typically I eat beans, applesauce, cream of wheat. I am working on eating more meat. I have eaten fish two times and it has made me sick. I am also having trouble with things tasting too sweet. That is a huge change for me!! I can't drink plain water any longer and I also can't chug water like I used to. I really miss that. I want so bad to just guzzle water, but there is NO WAY!! My medications get stuck often so I have to take it real slow. Looking forward to our trip to Hawaii. We leave in 3 weeks! Can't wait. I will have just enough weight off that it will make walking much easier for me. I really am so happy I had this surgery and I am looking forward to my new body emerging.
I've only just begun
Oct 24, 2006
5/11/06:
After much thoughtful consideration and research AND being an OH junkie I have decided to have a gastric bypass. I am afraid of the surgery, but then I am afraid NOT to have the surgery. I went to a seminar in Fresno on APril 29th. The doctor that did the presentation was Dr. Higa, the doctor I will be seeing is Dr. Boone who is in the same office. I was given a list of items that need to be completed prior to surgery - psych eval, blood work, etc. I have Blue Shield HMO so I have to get a referal from my doctor and the HMO before Dr. Boone's office will even make a consultation appointment! That's disapponting since the consul appt. are being made now for July! Anyway went to my PCP who referred me to Dr. Boone in the first place. He was going to put in for the referral, but I haven't heard anything yet. I guess I should call. My PCP said for me to get my psych eval first and then he would work on the rest of the pre-requisites. (I get the feeling he isn't too keen on the idea, but he said I meet the criteria and he has seen my weight loss efforts for the past few years)
Anyway - I went to my psych evaluation today and she said I passed and she totally supported my decision for the WLS. That was nice to hear. Now I will call my PCP and get the ball rolling on the rest of the tests and getting that referral in for the consult and the surgeons office.
Things to do
Oct 24, 2006
5/17/06:
The things that Dr. Boone, the surgeon requires is the following:
1) Current physical and letter of support from PCP -did this today, 5/17/06, just need PCP to fax info. to the surgeon. Good news is that they actually measured my height today - I don't think it has been done in over 20 years. I am one inch shorter that I thought. Yeah!!! only 5'4" not 5'5" that makes my BMI better since I am a light weight. It was a 39.4, now I think it is a 41. I weighed 239 lbs.
2) Psych evaluation - did this and was approved 5/11/06. She said she would fax the results to the surgeon.
3) Current pap results from OB/GYN - requested this info to be faxed to surgeon on 5/12/06.
4) Blood work - this done on 5/15/06. As of 5/17/06 doctor has received the results and will fax info. to the surgeon.
5) Nutritionist visit - this is scheduled for 6/9/06. I have requested that I be on call for an earlier appointment if there is a cancellation.
SO- I have everything done except the nutritonist. But, the surgeon requires a referall from my health group network since I am Blue SHield HMO. That has been a problem. Had my PCP office call yesterday and they said they had the request just needed my height. OOHHH- anyway I will call them tomorrow and see if it has been approved and have them fax to the surgeon so I can get a consultation. This seems to take a lot of work, but in reading other profiles I see that it is very common.
Pre-op testing
Oct 24, 2006
5/19/06:
I got approved from my health network - HMO to see the surgeon. So, now I have an appt. with doctor Boone in Fresno on 7/21/06 at 9:30 Yah! Their appts are two months out. But I was told if I get all my requirements completed and faxed to them before that date they will give me an earlier date. All I have left to do is see the dietician on 6/9/06 and follow up with every one else to see that they faxed my info to them. It is so nice that I work with a woman who had the surgery done 5 yrs. ago she has done great and is really encouraging me.
More pre-op testing
Oct 24, 2006
6/1/06:
Good News!! Got a call today from the Dietician office who said they had a cancellation and could I come in tomorrow instead of June 9th. . well, duh. yah! Also, I talked to Denise at ALSA (the name of Dr. Boone's office) the other day, she said so far she has received everything she needs except the psych eval. (already done) and the dietician (which I haven't done yet). She said when she has received these last two reports she will see if I can get an earlier consult. date. My date is currently not until July 21st. Yesterday, I went back to the Psych for another appoint. She is through with her evaluation I am just going for therapy to help me through this process. Anyway she assured me she would fax her report over ASAP. Sooooo... I will call next week and see if Dr. Boones' office got it or not. You gotta keep on 'em!
All tests are completed!
Oct 24, 2006
6/7/06:
I saw the nutrionist on 6/2/06. Good info. SHe even faxed her report to Dr. Boone that very day! My psych faxed over her report yesterday, 6/6/06. So I called Dr. Boone's office to see if I could get an earlier consult. date (I have an appt for 7/21) anyway I was told the earliest I could get in is 7/13/06. So I took that date. Now I am a little bit depressed because I am in a waiting mode for over a month. I have all of my tests and appointments completed unless Dr. Boone requests that I need more. So, I will be ready for him to submit to insurance for approval when I go in. My insurance is fast - usually responding within one week. Then Dr. Boone's office is scheduling surgeries about 3 weeks out from that. I hope to have my surgery done in August. We are going to Hawaii in November and I want to be all healed and stable before we go.
Waiting for Consult
Oct 24, 2006
6/24/06:
Just got home home today from spending a week at beautiful Bass Lake. Had a great time. We go every year so I am really looking forward to next year when I am thinner. I am still waiting. It is so frustrating to have everything done, but waiting to see the surgeon. I go on July 13th. Hopefully an earlier date will come up.
Consultation with Dr. Boone!
Oct 24, 2006
July 13, 2006:
I went to my consultation today with Dr. Boone. I really liked him. I weighed more today than I ever have. My BMI is now 42.6 Yuk!!!! He said that I am a good candidate for the surgery!!!! Yes...He said everything is already done so he will submit to insurance for approval and then they will give me a surgery date. I am really excited. It seems like it really is going to happen. He suggested that I lose 5-10 lbs before the surgery.
Waiting for a date
Oct 24, 2006
July 19, 2006
This waiting is killing me! I went to my consultation last Thursday and I couldn't help myself I called on Monday. I talked to Denise to see if Dr. Boone sent in my info to the insurance company for approval. She said it was already done. She said to give them 7-10 days to respond and if I don't hear back from her by then to give her a call back. So now it has been two days since I called and I have heard nothing. I feel like calling the insurance company, but I won't. I feel like a stalker!
Still Waiting
Oct 24, 2006
July 25, 2006:
This is a good day! After a few calls to Blue Shield and being told they have not receeved an info from Dr. Boone I finally got an explanation. Christine at Dr. Boone's office said there was a problem with the dictation/transcription of my report so now it is complete and it will go to insurance today!! Blue Shield is very fast normally. I know someone who got a response in just a few days. I went to the gym last night and started some cardio. I really hate to excercise, but i know that I must. I have gained 10 lbs. since I started this process in April so I want to get some of it off before surgery. ALso I know it is better for my heart to be healthy for surgery. I hope I can keep up the excercise. I don't want to regain what I lose - again - I have been down that road so many times. Also, keeping myself busy at work and at home so I don't have time to dwell on waiting for an approval. My 12 yr. old son is going to band camp next week. WHile he is gone my Dh and I are going to get new carpet in his room (living room and other rooms as well), paint, and new furniture. I got him a new comforter, sheets, pillows for his bed too. He knows nothing about it though and we will suprise him when he gets home!! We are trying to encourage him to spend more time in his room and less time in ours (if you know what I mean). He's an awesome kid. I also have 3 other awesome children and 2 grandchildren. My other 3 children are in their early twenties, grandchildren are 2 1/2 and 4 months. They make me feel old!! But I don't act old. My 12 yr. old is more mature than I am. He gives me advice. He is an old soul like his father.
About Me
Tulare, CA
Location
38.4
BMI
Surgery
09/20/2006
Surgery Date
May 04, 2006
Member Since
