Robin H.
One Year Bandiversary!
Mar 29, 2010
One year later.....and I am down 63 lbs and feeling great! I still have a long way to go but I have come so far, too!
I cannot lose sight of the fact that a year ago, walking more than 50 ft caused a huge strain on me and my energy level was near zero. Not a place where a single mother of an active 9 year old wants to be!
I have more energy, but not necessarily more will power! I have 9.8 cc's in my band but I still think I need a bit more. I push the envelope and its a daily struggle.
This next year, I need to add more exercise as I know that I cannot rely on food choices alone to get the 100 lbs off.
1 comment
I cannot lose sight of the fact that a year ago, walking more than 50 ft caused a huge strain on me and my energy level was near zero. Not a place where a single mother of an active 9 year old wants to be!
I have more energy, but not necessarily more will power! I have 9.8 cc's in my band but I still think I need a bit more. I push the envelope and its a daily struggle.
This next year, I need to add more exercise as I know that I cannot rely on food choices alone to get the 100 lbs off.
A wandering ramble of thoughts
May 19, 2009
Pinch me please! After reading various posts since my surgery in March, I have seriously been wondering if I really did have surgery. I had no bloating from gas, no pain in my shoulders, my incisions didnt hurt, and yes, I can see them but was the band really put in? I can feel my port.....but I have never had any kind of port pain, twinge or twang from it. Did they just give me anesthesia and then put me on a ventilator (cause I know I was hooked up to one for about 18 hrs after the phantom operation!) Oh, and the $32K hospital bill states I had surgery....so I must have, right?
Actually, I am counting my blessings that the surgery went so smoothly and I am now on the other side of bandsterville. Fortunately, none of those things happened as I think the devine powers knew I couldnt take much more of any kind of hell. It allowed my son and I to get back to "normal" and I actually do have way more energy already. We have done a few things such as going to the aquarium, spending the day at the beach, etc...that I could not have done 37 lbs ago!
And I am very proud of myself for having the foresight to plan financially for my surgery.
Pre op costs: $1076
Surgery/Hospital costs: $49670
ER Costs: $3635
First Fill: $477
I have a high deductible medical plan with a HealthFund that my employer contributes $1000 to each year. I also set aside money into a Flexible Healthcare spending account. My deductible is $1250 and my coinsurance limit is $1000. Bariatric surgery was covered at 50% coinsurance. Since all my practitioners and hospitals are in my network, overall costs were greatly reduced. My total responsibility was $2250 and that was paid from my HealthFund and from my FSA. I had nothing additional to pay for. And.....I still had money left over in the FSA to cover any medical expenses for my son for the year. The FSA will also cover things like my vitamins and nutritional suppliments. Dont get me wrong, I planned well but because I put more away this year into my FSA, it decreased my take home on my salary...so I still feel a financial twinge but I own nothing now to anyone.....that is a good feeling!
So, I had my first fill on May 11th. Totally weird feeling, but no pain. Here I am a week later and I have lost the 6 lbs that I had gained between my 3rd and 6th week post op. Ya me! I had 4.5 cc put in....and feel only a bit of restriction. I definatey eat less than I did but I am finding that I do get hungry between meals, so I am having to exercise some willpower. On the good side....my previous hungry foods was often bread and I am just plain scared to try it now (I HATE just HATE the thought of being stuck...or PBing or sliming or throwing up so Bad BREAD...bad bad bread!). I have some healthy snacks at home and allow myself a snack in the evening. But I am already looking forward to that next fill June 24th!
I think I am done rambling on.......for now.
1 comment
Actually, I am counting my blessings that the surgery went so smoothly and I am now on the other side of bandsterville. Fortunately, none of those things happened as I think the devine powers knew I couldnt take much more of any kind of hell. It allowed my son and I to get back to "normal" and I actually do have way more energy already. We have done a few things such as going to the aquarium, spending the day at the beach, etc...that I could not have done 37 lbs ago!
And I am very proud of myself for having the foresight to plan financially for my surgery.
Pre op costs: $1076
Surgery/Hospital costs: $49670
ER Costs: $3635
First Fill: $477
I have a high deductible medical plan with a HealthFund that my employer contributes $1000 to each year. I also set aside money into a Flexible Healthcare spending account. My deductible is $1250 and my coinsurance limit is $1000. Bariatric surgery was covered at 50% coinsurance. Since all my practitioners and hospitals are in my network, overall costs were greatly reduced. My total responsibility was $2250 and that was paid from my HealthFund and from my FSA. I had nothing additional to pay for. And.....I still had money left over in the FSA to cover any medical expenses for my son for the year. The FSA will also cover things like my vitamins and nutritional suppliments. Dont get me wrong, I planned well but because I put more away this year into my FSA, it decreased my take home on my salary...so I still feel a financial twinge but I own nothing now to anyone.....that is a good feeling!
So, I had my first fill on May 11th. Totally weird feeling, but no pain. Here I am a week later and I have lost the 6 lbs that I had gained between my 3rd and 6th week post op. Ya me! I had 4.5 cc put in....and feel only a bit of restriction. I definatey eat less than I did but I am finding that I do get hungry between meals, so I am having to exercise some willpower. On the good side....my previous hungry foods was often bread and I am just plain scared to try it now (I HATE just HATE the thought of being stuck...or PBing or sliming or throwing up so Bad BREAD...bad bad bread!). I have some healthy snacks at home and allow myself a snack in the evening. But I am already looking forward to that next fill June 24th!
I think I am done rambling on.......for now.
Positives and negatives...such is life!
Apr 06, 2009
I bought a new scale this past weekend...never had one in the house. I had my son test it and a neighbor and it weighed true for them. I finally got on it, being almost two weeks post surgery. I figured all the gas and IV has been eliminated by now, so hopefully, this is a true reading. I am down to 359! Thats an overall loss of 33lbs since my consult with the surgeon on 01/19!!! Go ME! And...its a lost of 21 lbs since two weeks ago! (two days prior to surgery, I weighed 380 at the surgeon's) Please PLEASE please! let my scale be right!
Now for the negative. I had been having a pain in my right calf last week. It reminded me of the start of a charlie horse so for a few days, I just put it off to not using my legs all that much during the week of my surgery. Friday night, my son and I were with several friends, one being a nurse practitioner. I was telling of my pain to everyone and she insisted on looking at my leg. She felt a heat that I didnt notice and saw some red striations....and calmly told me she had concerns about it being a blood clot. A trip to the ER the next day and some testing there ruled out blood clots....my veins and arteries were flowing well. My PCP checked in on me and she and the ER doc both feel its cellulitis. Given my recent history over the past several months of swelling in my legs, it appears I may have picked ups some sort of MRSA while in the hospital. SOOOOO, its heavy duty antibiotics for the next 10 or so days and no going back to work as I need to get my legs up and on some heat daily. I know cellulitis can turn into a long term hassle so I am going to follow orders to the tee!
This just sucks because otherwise, I feel almost euphoric with the changes I am seeing already and starting out on this new journey! I cant....and wont....let this get me down! Positive attitude can overcome...right?
1 comment
Now for the negative. I had been having a pain in my right calf last week. It reminded me of the start of a charlie horse so for a few days, I just put it off to not using my legs all that much during the week of my surgery. Friday night, my son and I were with several friends, one being a nurse practitioner. I was telling of my pain to everyone and she insisted on looking at my leg. She felt a heat that I didnt notice and saw some red striations....and calmly told me she had concerns about it being a blood clot. A trip to the ER the next day and some testing there ruled out blood clots....my veins and arteries were flowing well. My PCP checked in on me and she and the ER doc both feel its cellulitis. Given my recent history over the past several months of swelling in my legs, it appears I may have picked ups some sort of MRSA while in the hospital. SOOOOO, its heavy duty antibiotics for the next 10 or so days and no going back to work as I need to get my legs up and on some heat daily. I know cellulitis can turn into a long term hassle so I am going to follow orders to the tee! This just sucks because otherwise, I feel almost euphoric with the changes I am seeing already and starting out on this new journey! I cant....and wont....let this get me down! Positive attitude can overcome...right?
Home....Finally!
Mar 28, 2009
Well, what should have been an overnight stay, resulted in a four day stay! I breezed through the surgery fine and even that part of my recovery has been easy. I did give everyone a scare with my breathing so I stayed on the ventilator for a while. That resulted in a three day stay in ICU. I finally moved to a regular surgical floor yesterday.
I am tired so I am going to go rest! Glad to be home though...
2 comments
I am tired so I am going to go rest! Glad to be home though...
The big Day is HERE!
Mar 24, 2009
Finally! Its here! Tomorrow I get my band! Its been a busy last few days, getting in to the surgeon's office for a quick weigh in after the two week pre-op....my first 11 lbs down and into a new "decade"! Last minute haggeling with the hospital about how much is due up front.....and they finally listened to me and how my plan works (medical plan, HRA and FSA....who knew!?) Good lord, I work for my insurance company and I answer these kinds of questions day in and day out so yes, I am giving you correct information.
My father is here to take care of my son....
I cried, no bawled!!!! my eyes out at lunch with my parents and brother....I wont ever get to enjoy a hot, huge slice of freshly baked bread dripping with butter again! Of course, they dont understand (in my self indulgent mind) what it means to be one way one moment, and then ZAP....different when you wake up the next.
After running around all day getting last minute things done so my father and son will survive 24 hours without me, I am finally resting. However, my tummy is moving a hundred miles a minute .....hopefully, its just from nerves. (calm on the outside, a bundle of butterflies on the inside).
I just pray that I will be a positive statistic tomorrow and come through this like a breeze. My GB surgery a few years ago was no biggy and it was done somewhat as an emergency ( admit through ER, surgery the next day) so this should be a no-brainer, right?
My one regret? My best friend in Ohio has no clue I am doing this....we havent spoken in almost a year and I would really love to have her here with me right now. Then my world would be right.
C'est la vie....
0 comments
My father is here to take care of my son....
I cried, no bawled!!!! my eyes out at lunch with my parents and brother....I wont ever get to enjoy a hot, huge slice of freshly baked bread dripping with butter again! Of course, they dont understand (in my self indulgent mind) what it means to be one way one moment, and then ZAP....different when you wake up the next.
After running around all day getting last minute things done so my father and son will survive 24 hours without me, I am finally resting. However, my tummy is moving a hundred miles a minute .....hopefully, its just from nerves. (calm on the outside, a bundle of butterflies on the inside).
I just pray that I will be a positive statistic tomorrow and come through this like a breeze. My GB surgery a few years ago was no biggy and it was done somewhat as an emergency ( admit through ER, surgery the next day) so this should be a no-brainer, right?
My one regret? My best friend in Ohio has no clue I am doing this....we havent spoken in almost a year and I would really love to have her here with me right now. Then my world would be right.
C'est la vie....
Sigh....a change in plans.
Feb 28, 2009
Unfortunately, I have been under the weather the past week and a half with bronchitis. One of the meds the doctor put me on was prednisone. Knowing its a steroid and thinking I had heard Dr. Jessee mention no steroids close to the surgery date, I called her office to double check. I was surprised at first when the call resulted in an ok for the meds......but a push back on my surgery date. I totally get why the change was made and really do appreciate her looking out for my good health, but I was still saddened.
A few hours later I had myself picked up and dusted off and determined to get in good breathing health by my new date of Mar 25.
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A few hours later I had myself picked up and dusted off and determined to get in good breathing health by my new date of Mar 25.
Approval!
Jan 26, 2009
Woohoo! I received word today from the insurance coordinator at my surgeon's office.....the surgery has been approved! My sister will be flying in to help out with my son while I am recovering. Time to get some new furniture...get the house all sparkling, etc etc..... lol
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Re-Birth Date Set!
Jan 19, 2009
Woohoo! I just got home from seeing my surgeon and we have set a date of March 11, 2009 for my surgery!
OMG......!
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OMG......!
The First Meeting.....and weigh in!
Nov 24, 2008
YIKES!!!! 391.5 lbs! Holy Cannoli's Batman, when did that extra 50 lbs creep on?? So I am trying to suck it up and pat myself on the back for taking the first steps before I really found out the damages done.
As for my surgeon, I am so happy I went with Dr. Jessee. She and her staff were kind, funny, attentive and just what I needed. I am a matter of fact kind of person, dont hold anything back and love to laugh. I want my medical team to be just like that. Serious when its necessary but with a sense of humor laced with business. Above all, I could tell it was an office that cared about its patients.
Ok...so when I really was down in the dumps a few years ago, I wondered what it would feel like at 400 lbs so now I know. I am as close to that number as I want to ever, EVER be so now....off with the weight!
With the three months of pre-op diet that I need to do for insurance purposes, it appears I will be having surgery sometime in late Feb/early March. tick....tock tick.....tock (come on time!)
As for my surgeon, I am so happy I went with Dr. Jessee. She and her staff were kind, funny, attentive and just what I needed. I am a matter of fact kind of person, dont hold anything back and love to laugh. I want my medical team to be just like that. Serious when its necessary but with a sense of humor laced with business. Above all, I could tell it was an office that cared about its patients.
Ok...so when I really was down in the dumps a few years ago, I wondered what it would feel like at 400 lbs so now I know. I am as close to that number as I want to ever, EVER be so now....off with the weight!
With the three months of pre-op diet that I need to do for insurance purposes, it appears I will be having surgery sometime in late Feb/early March. tick....tock tick.....tock (come on time!)
The first step
Nov 05, 2008
I attended a seminar tonight and met my surgeon for the first time! I am off and running. Getting the necessary paperwork together, making arrangements for the 3 months of medically supervised weight loss done and feel like there is hope yet for me!
About Me
palm harbor, FL
Location
52.9
BMI
Surgery
03/25/2009
Surgery Date
Oct 26, 2008
Member Since
