sugasmak4813
June 04, 2004:
I am a 31 year old mother of 1 beautiful 7 year old daughter. I am about 5'9 with a BMI of 43. I have been battling my weight ever since my college years. I have always had "big bone" structure but now it's coupled with lots of fat. I carry my weight pretty good because I am tall...I would be a mess if I were shorter. I am at the point in my life where I want to look and feel beautiful on the outside just as I am on the inside. I feel that my weight and height intimidates lots of people. I'm not a bear...in fact, I'm the total opposite. I want to enhance the quality and quantity of my life. I want to be around and be able to do the things a mother and young woman should and not worry about how much of an embarrassment I may be (to myself and my child) because of how big (fat) I am.
I have been researching WLS for about a year. I know someone who recently had the surgery and is doing well. I contacted her doctor, Dr. Robert Thomas in Winter Haven. On 05/17/04 I had a consultation with Dr. Thomas. It went well....his assistants scheduled me immediately to have lab work and a chest x-ray on that same evening before I left the clinic...I was impressed. I had an EKG and Ultra Sound on 05/20/04. Now I am waiting for my psychological exam on 06/11/04, the nutritional assessment on 06/14/04, and a pulmonary clearance on 06/17/04. My PCP wrote a letter of medical necessity and now I am so excited. I pray that I won't have any problems getting approval from my insurance to cover the procedure. I have been visiting this site for about 2 months and just decided to set up my own profile. I have read lots of encouraging things. I must admit that I am scared of having surgery but I know that it will be beneficial to me. I have also decide that I will attend a bariatric support meeting sponsored by Winter Haven Hospital to learn as much as I can. I will keep you updated on my journey!!!
June 21, 2004
Just an update...my last clearance appointment was canceled and rescheduled. When the nurse called me, I was sickened...I just knew she was calling with bad news. Now I have to wait until July 1st for the breathing test and then July 12th to see the doctor. Oh well, I guess I have to be patient. I called the surgeon's office today and spoke with one of the nurses Roberta...she seems quite nice. I asked her if they had received any of my results from the other doctors and she said yes. She also said that she would probably go ahead and try to submit my request for approval even though I would still need the pulmonary clearance...I'm excited and anxious because truthfully, I worry about whether or not UnitedHealthcare is gonna cooperate. Hopefully, they will. When I find out something, I will post it...let's keep our fingers crossed!!!
July 1, 2004
I went to my pulmonary clearance appointment today. I took the breathing test but I have to go back on July 12th to see the doctor. The nurse that conducted the breathing test told me that I did really well. While I was in the clinic, I walked over to Dr. Thomas's office to let them know that I completed the breathing test so they could update my status. Roberta told me that she submitted my paperwork to my insurance for clearance on June 29th. Let the waiting begin!!! Hopefully, things will go pretty quickly and I get approved so I can cruise on over to the losing side!!! I'm asking that everyone keeps me in their prayers.
July 4, 2004
My before pic was just added to my page today!! I'm excited even though it looks like my eyes are messed up on there...oh well nothing is perfect. Besides, once I am on the losing side, the after pic will be "flawless" (lol).
July 9, 2004
I called UHC today to find out if they have at least received my paperwork for pre-certification...they claim that they haven't...I'm beginning to get pissed off because my surgeon's office mailed the information thru certified mail and it's been over a week now...I don't want to know if they have looked at it and made a decision, I just wanna know if it has been received. I really don't know what else to do at this point. I guess I will just have to wait it out. SOmetimes, I don't think those people in Customer Service know what the hell they are doing and they all seem to get cocky about a service we as customers pay for and request. Some of them need additional training in Customer Skills and they all need PRAYER!!!(but don't we all...lol).
July 12, 2004
I went to my final appointment with the pulmonary doctor today..I had to walk for 5 minutes and they did a test to see how I was breathing afterwards. Dr Miller told me that he saw no reason why I wouldn't do well with the surgery. Everything seemed to be in good shape in spite of my weight. He told me that he would dicate a letter and have it sent to Dr. Thomas. On another note, I was in contact with UHC and they are claiming not to have received any of my paperwork. I was pissed because it has now been approximately 2 weeks. After my appointment with Dr. Miller, I walked over to my surgeon's office (Dr. Thomas) and asked the nurse Roberta about my paperwork and I also told her what UHC was saying. She showed me a receipt that they indeed had gotten the paperwork mailed certified. I had obtained an alternate number from "Jacqueline B"(Thanks Gurrl) for UHC and thru that I was given a fax number for the pre-determination department. So while I was speaking with Roberta at my surgeon's office I gave it to her and she said she would fax it as well. NOW.....I guess I still have to wait it out and see what the deal is...I haven't thrown the towel in, I'm just getting a bit frustrated with everything...I will continue to pray about it all and I'm sure it will work out in the end.
July 26, 2004
Well it's been a minute since I posted anything...I was waiting to hear something from the insurance company. On July 15th I finally reached someone at UHC who took the time to look into my screen and see that they had my information since July 2nd. I was told that my info had been sent to Care Coordination and is in review, after being told for about 2 weeks that they had received nothing. It's amazing how when you look for something you can usually find it!!! Anyway...today is the good news...I AM APPROVED!!!! My surgeon's office called and notified me this morning that I am approved and we scheduled my surgery for August 10th at 9:45 AM...Yes!!!!! I'm so happy. I must admit I am a little nervous but this is what I have been waiting for. Thank You Jesus!!!
July 29, 2004
Yesterday I had a scare...I thought that I would not be able to have the surgery after all I have been through. My surgeon's clinic sent me a letter saying I have to pay him $2158.78 up front before I can have the surgery...how am I gonna do that in a week...I am not banking like that. I was so nervous that I couldn't sleep at all. This morning I called as soon as I could and was told that there was a coding mistake and I only owe $154.78!!! Thank you Jesus for looking out for me once again!!!
August 05, 2004
Well I officially began the countdown til my surgery on Tuesday. I have 5 days til my surgery date...I went to my pre-op appointment with my surgeon this morning and I had to go to the hospital to do my pre-admissions stuff. The hospital's financial counselor, Jennifer Maze, was very nice. She made me feel good about the surgery especially when she told me her mother had the surgery done by Dr. Thomas...She said her mother is doing really well and looks good. I must admit, I am nervous, but I am anxious at the same time. I know God has my back and I will do just fine.
August 14, 2004
I didn't get around to posting before I left for the hospital on Tuesday, but I'm Home!!!! I made it through my surgery without any problems. I did well in the hospital and I stopped taking my pain medication last nite, I was not in any pain and I didn't feel the need to continue taking it for no reason. I have some at home but I'm doing fine without it for now. The weather has been bad here in Florida (Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonny)...I made it home today safe and sound. While in the hospital,every other commercial was a food commercial, I was sooooo hungry...Right now I have a strong crave for peanut butter and banana....anyway, I will stick with my liquids until I can enjoy those things. My incision is "nice"...the line is straight and it looks like it is healing perfectly. I am so glad that this part is over and I can't wait until I am able to become more active so I can be the "Big Loser" I want to be in this manner, so I can shine a be the Winner I have always been.
August 19, 2004
I went to the doctor today to have the staples and drain tube removed (that really was uncomfortable)....I weighed and was down 20lbs from the day of surgery 9 days ago...Yes!!! I am so happy that I am now strolling down Loser's Lane...
September 11, 2004
It's been a while since I last posted but now I am officially 1 month post op with a weightloss of about 26lbs. I was a little discouraged because I thought that I would have lost more at my one month point. When I really think about it, 26lbs is GREAT...before this surgery, I couldn't have lost 26 lbs in a month...so I won't complain. People at work say that they can see a difference, I really can't see very much of a difference but I guess that is due to me being such a tough critic of myself. In due time, I'm sure I will see a definite change. My next appointment with my surgeon is on October 11th...I will post again then, unless something exciting happens before then!!!
October 11, 2004
Okay I went for my 2 month appointment/check-up today and I am down to 260...about 17.5 points from the last time I was in his office. According to his nurse I have lost 32 lbs total but she isn't counting from my day of surgery, if so, I'm down 40lbs...either way I am happy...I think it's going kinda slow but I won't get discouraged. I have joined CURVES and am very motivated...hopefully, that physical activity will pep up my weightloss...we shall see!!!
December 10, 2004
I went to my 4 month check-up with Dr. Thomas.....and I am down to 237!!! That is 63lbs from my surgery date. I am so happy. I have been getting lots of compliments from everyone...I have been working out at CURVES religiously and it is paying off;however, I do need to do better with my water intake...that is something in a category by itself...I will post another pic on the site when I reach my 6 months mark...my personal goal by that time is to weigh 215...let's see if I can make it!!!!
February 09, 2005
It's been a long 2 months since I last posted...I went for my 6 month check up yesterday...I am down to 217, 2 pounds short of what I wanted but hey, I'm very happy with the results...I am so glad that I made this decision...I look better and feel a whole lot better. I will have to add another pic to show my progress. Things are great and I am truly proud of myself. I have given myself a new goal of 195 for my 8 month checkup..I really hope I can reach that goal...I am afraid that my window is closing so I am gonna have to work extra hard to get there...
April 12, 2005
Well I'm finally back..I went to my 8 month check up yesterday and I am down to 197 for a total weightloss of 96lbs according to the doctor's office but I say 103lbs due to the weight I was on the day of surgery...Anywho...nonetheless...I AM HAPPY! I thank GOD for this opportunity and I feel so much better about myself. I am still working out at CURVES 3-4 times a week and walking the 3mile lake at least 2 times a week...Lots of people say that I look thin and that I shouldn't lose anymore weight but I know where I want to be and that is at 185. I think I would still look healthy and not too frail due to the way my body is built. I'm sure I will make it. My eating has picked up and I want a whole lot more than I can actually eat, it's crazy but I'm sticking to my guns and tryna do the right things. My personal goal for the next 2 months is to get down to 185 and a size 12...I think I can do it...no scratch that...I WILL DO IT!!!
June05
I have passed the goal I set for myself I am down to 179...I feel so happy about this. I am not in a size 11/12 depends on the outfit and style...I will be back to update on my anniversary!!!
August05
Well it has been a year as of the 10th...I am so happy that I made this decision. I feel good and I'm loving every minute of the new me. I am still working out at CURVES 3-4 times a week and I even call myself jogging a mile on the weekends. Jogging and distance is truly a mind thing...problem is, I mind so it matters ..LOL...anyway, I am down to 174...I've noticed that my weight has flucuated between 178 and 174. This is cool...I don't want to lose too much more weight. I am happy where I am not I just need to maintain. People see me and don't even recognize me. It feels good to be noticed for all the right reasons. This has truly been a blessing for me!!!
December 2005
Well Family...It's been a long few months since I have posted. So many things have happened but I am glad to say that most of them have been positive. My weight still flucuates between 175 and 170 depends on the time of the month even though I don't have a menstral cycle anymore. I have found a new love, his name is Robin. He is the best thing that has happened to me as far as relationships go. I met him while I was at work. I guess it was all in God's plan because I wasn't suppose to be at the jail (returning an inmate from work duty)...there he was delivering water to the jail (he works for Zephyrhills water)....we couldn't stop looking at each other....I had to say something to him...he was so cute and WORKING (LOL)....that was November 2nd and we have been together ever since. We attend church together every Sunday (which is a change for me and the men I use to date)...In this situation, I can truly say that God has truly smiled upon me. My goals as far as weightloss is to continue to workout and maintain. I really don't want to lose any more weight because I am happy with how I look now at 170lbs. I am no longer the person I use to be..I'm brand new inside and outside and I know God has made all of this possible. I pray that my health and lovelife continue to flourish. Check out my picturetrail, I have added a few more pics. I have added a couple of pics of me and my new man and one of my daughter!!! These pics were taken within the last couple of months since I last posted. Until next time, I wish everyone the best and great health.
July 20, 2006
Hello...It's been a loooong while since I last posted. A few things have changed. I moved in with my "fiance" in March and things have been great. We got engaged on July 16th...he proposed to me in the mall at the jewlery store. It was beautiful, just like the ring!!! Anyway, I haven't been working out like I should but luckily my weight hasn't changed too much, I toy around with 5-6 pounds. I am paying for a membership at Shapes so I need to get my lazy butt in there and make use of my money. I have a lot going on in my life but I thought I should take a moment out and post. My 2 yr anniversary will be next month, I will post more pictures then. Until then, I wish everyone the best and take care!!!
October 04, 2006
I haven't posted in a while...a great while!!! Well, things have been going very fast for me lately...I'm in the midst of planning my wedding ...the date is April 14, 2007. My fiance' and I are also in the process of having a house built. I don't know if I'm coming or going right now but I'm still pressing forward. My weight has changed a little... I'm holding steady at 178. I am definitely in need of a butt kickin' cause I haven't been using my gym membership like I should be. I am slowly but surely getting back into the workout mode cause this sister will fit in her wedding gown come April..ya feel me??? Well, I hope all is well with everyone...take care until next time!!!
