Laryssa ..
~~~~~~~~~UNDER CONSTRUCTION~~~~~~~~~~~~ :)
I'll try my best.
I am 34 yrs old and had battled obesity all my life. being overweight didn't keep me from enjoying a great social life etc...but It did deep down make me feel like I was not quite "normal".
Sadly, that I believe is society's fault, people stare at other's who are obese, joke about their food choices etc. We all know that's not true, I could have ate veges all day and followed the best of diets, yet my body would still find it difficult to lose the weight.
I am 5'5 and at weighed 244 prior to surgery.
I began my research a few years ago, my sister underwent gastric bypass and I was set for that surgery, until I began researching the lapband. With three little children, I was afraid to undergo rny. Plus, I was not going in to have any wls to be "thin", but rather healthy is all I wanted.
I am now 2 years post-op and weigh 175 and float up and down, but have gone from a size 20 in jeans to a 10 and am VERY happy about that.
My knees do not hurt any longer, nor do I get out of breathe as easy. My blood tests are all in normal range, for once in my life!! HURRAY!
I have met so many special friends through this website as well as from my surgeon and no matter how differen't we may look or seem on the outside, we all have endured our battles with our health and weight issues. There has been many ups and downs, but what journey doesn't come with them?!
....will write more again
I am 34 years old, happily married for 12 years to a wonderful supportive man :) and the mommy of three beautiful sons, they are 9,5 and 2.
I was born in Putnam CNTY, NY and through the years moved with my siblings and parents, I am back in NY now, living in Dutchess County.
I am a stay at home mom, and like you, have dieted most of my life. I have done just about all diets you can do, some were very short lived, others I did lose, only to gain it back shortly after. Now, I am at a point in my life where I want to be healthy, this is not me hiding under my clothes.
Both of my parents are dealing with many ailments and I am scared that in 20 yrs plus that is going to be me.
I do not feel as healthy as I should for my age and am so tired of being tired! I notice the last year or so that my knees, ankles and hips hurt, I have PCOS, suffer from gout at times. I would love to even lose 60 pounds..battling this weight since pre-teen years. I have been to weight watchers camp, done w.w., jenny craig, la weight loss, cabbage soup diet, atkins, south beach you name it, I have tried and some did work, but only temporarily. You know what I mean!
my sister had WLS a year ago, and has done wonderful, although she was a "healthier obese women", I see how happy and beautiful she is inside and out.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Laryssa845/IM000700.jpg
7/25 I have my very 1st appointment with Dr. Ambrose this Thursday 7/29 at 10 am...first step of many I know, but a really BIG step for me!! I am so excited and nervous right now, don't have coverage for my 3 kiddies yet either, but I will be going!!!! :)
I met with Dr. Ambrose..besides waiting quite a while for him to examine me etc..he seemed to be a great surgeon..but....He does not perform the LapBand, on the open rny. So now onto another surgeon!
**As of 7/27 I have my very own "ANGEL", and that she is, her name is Dana, Sweetie Beanie, she is wonderful, beautiful, and inspiring to me..I have a feeling we will become very good friends! :) Hope everyone is doing well
* update..I am not going to continue with Dr. Ambrose, he seemed like a wonderful surgeon, however, he does not do the Band. So..I will keep researching!! :)
** Update..Appt. set for 9/15 with Dr. Kwon, Port Jervis NY...Thank god it's soon...I want to get this ball rolling!!
The following AMOS have my number ( from the LapBand board)
*Dana ( my Angel), of course she does (Sweetie Beanie)
*Sharon t gosh, do i love this woman!
*Lili you can tell she is so sweet even from her picture!
9/9/04 met with my cardiologist, I am suppose to see him every 6 month for check-ups after having 2 cathetar ablations for numberous pvc's , svt's and ventricular tachycardia.
After we discussed some of his findings on the ultrasound, i spoke to him about my weight and told him I have been researching WLS and before I could say anymore..he replied..."Please look into the Band", I truly feel you would benefit from it, since you are not too big ( what's that about?? LOL) and are young ( 31)..So I have his acceptance and clearance and support when I am ready!!
~~On 9/15/04 I am meeting with Dr. Kwon, of Port Jervis, I am praying that I can have the surgery within 6 months tops or so.
9/15/04 Had a 1pm appointment to meet with Cynthia, Dr. Kwon's coordinator, she was great, actually everyone there is!!
It was a "group meeting", we first went into a room where we all went over papers, quiestions etc..filled out many forms, before this we were all weighed:
5 5 1/2
238
39 BMI
After spending some time learning and getting more educated about the Band we then were able to meet one on one with Maryann, who is in charge of the insurance ( reminds me of my Aunt Mille), she is a peppy women and so sweet too!!
We go over what we will need for our insurance etc.
We also met with Elaine, who is the dietician, another wonderful women there!!
Off we all went to sit in another room, one by one we went in to meet with Cynthia, the coordinator, where she went over our papers and scheduled some of our appointments, or gave us scripts for the testing we needed.
We also were handed 2 movies...Wilson story ( which I know they have showed on TLC/Discovery) and another movie about the band.
After all of this, our last "stop" was with Courtney, the receptionist to make out appointment with Dr. Kwon, mine is Oct. 18th.
So here begins the testing!!
1. fasting blood work 9/16 DONE!!
2. Upper GI x-ray scheduled 9/17 DONE!!
3. Dr Bob Young (Psych) waiting for the call 9/27 DONE!!
4. Elaine (dietician) waiting for the call 9/27 DONE!!
5. Cardiologist..stress test/echo clearance 9/29 DONE!
I have done the echo, and my card. will do my letter
of medical nec. 9/29 DONE!
MEET WITH SURGEON 10/18
6. Need EGD ( endoscopy) with gastroenterologist 10/11/04
Then all your pre-op is scheduled for the monday prior to your surgery, they perform their surgeries on wed and thurs only.
The day of pre-op we also meet one more time with the Surgeon and Cynthia the coordinator.
then you are seen again the monday after surgery!!
A 2 week pre-op diet and losing 10 pounds is needed prior to surgery!
This is due to the fatty liver that will have to be pushed out of the way when the procedure is done.
I am so so so very excited!!!
~~~ UPDATE
OK so I did my upper GI x-ray and it was a peice of cake!! All done.
Today 9/27 I met with Elaine, the nutritionalist, had my meeting with her and all went well, I now have all my info for pre-op and post-op!! 40. fee
I also met with Dr. Robert DeYoung, PA 9/27 That was much easier then i suspected, I was nervous but after filling out the first 560 quiestionarre, and meeting him, i felt much better, that report should be done tommorow!!
I paid 450. for this out of pocket, but it is worth it!
So now wed. night i will be going to get my stress test and letter of recommendation, i am so excited, then they can fax all of that over to my surgeons office!!
Tommorow I have my consultation with a Gastro. to schedule my endoscopy!! Hopefully that will not be too far away.
Other then that I am done!!! whoohooo other then of coarse, my pre-op surgery testing!! :)
I am so excited!!
Well, tommorow I go in for my endoscopy, I am sooo nervous!! I have to be at the hospital for 6:15 am. I have been realy sick with a throat and ear infection, it has been horrible! I am hoping they will perform the test anyway, I'll write when i get home from it!
10/12/04 Update!! Well yesterday I went in to the hospital to have my endoscopy done..i was so nervous but everything went well, so that was my last test!! whoohooo
Last week I started with a very bad sore throat, had to actually go see the dr. and be put on anitiotic for a very severe throat infection, needless to say, I have not been happy, I would rather deliver my children then go through this throat pain again!!!
I also want to thank OH for doing such a good job on my profile..Thank you!!!! Everyone is great!!
~~~~~~~~OK ..so for those of you wondering why, I chose to have Storms on my profile...When i get to goal, I want to go on a storm chase!!!~~~~~~~~~~ :)
I'll write more soon....xoxoxo
October 18, 2004 My BIG date to meet with the surgeon, Dr. Kwon!!
I was never so nervous and excited all at once!
While waiting to see him many people came in and out getting weighed etc, after their surgeries, so of coarse, I ask all about it and Congratulate them!! it was so neat to see them.
I then get called into this room and wait..ohh boy...in comes Dr. Kwon and I was soooooooo excited I couldn't help but smile and smile and..LOL So we talk about the surgery, the diets, excersize etc. I was weighed and lost 5 pounds!! wooohooo another 5 before my surgery!
Dr. Kwon was wonderful and answered every quiestion I asked and I know if i had alot more he would have stayed and answered them all. Dr. Kwon is very knowledgeable and seems to have a great bedside manner! I was examined and told i would be a good candidate for same day!!
NOVEMBER 10th!!!!!!! is my day!!
Have to go do pre-op on the 8th and I am so so excited!!
Today 10/19 Maryann is submitting my letters for insurance approval..GO GHI...Make me so happy!! I hope and pray that i get approved and not too long of a wait!
SO, I also called Dana, my wonderful angel as soon as i left the office to give her the good news! ( not to mention having to call her on the way there for a mini- nervous breakdown!)
Dana was so excited and happy for me..she is a HUGE supporter and friend in my life!!
Sharon you too..:)
So, now I am playing the waiting game..yuckk but it will all be so well worth the wait!!
"Good things come to those who wait"
so true...I'll be posting soon I hope!! :)
10/21/04 Well another update..a few things have happened since I last wrote.
My Angel and dear friend, Dana ( Sweetie Beanie) gave me the wonderful news ( what a surprise) that she booked a hotel very close to where the hospital is that I will be having surgery ( hopefully) in. Can you imagine someone going out of their way to support and encourage you like that?? I was floored and so very grateful. I have a feeling Dana will be in our lives for a long time to come! Thank you so very much, Dana!
I also found out that my insurance GHI cbp, does not allow you to fax anything..so, I called yesterday and spoke to Maryanne who handles the insurance papers and she is mailing it out today, but it is 3 days later then when it would've been faxed, if allowed.:( I am feeling quite down about that right now, plus my BMI was 38 on monday when i met with the surgeon, so the insurance now will see that also.
I called GHI and spoke to someone in coordinated care and they told me that it can take up to 45 days to receive the approval. Can you see now why I am so bummed out about this.
I am praying so hard that it will not take too long and that I too, can get a call that says I got approved.
I deserve this surgery as I haev battled my weight all of my life...I will be so upset if they turn me down.
Today 10/21 is Sharon T's birthday, she is someone very dear to me also through OH. I am hoping this up coming year only brings her happiness and good news..she weighed herself today and is down 70 pounds!! way to go, sharon!
I'll update again once i hear something, please keep me in your thoughts!!
10/30/04
Well, I received the dreaded call from Maryann, the insurance coordinator, saying that GHI denied me, that they DO NOT cover the band and even if it were another wls I would still be required to do the 6 month physician supervised diet.
I will write more about this as soon as I can gather my thoughts a little clearer.
11/4/04
Well, as you may know by now, I was denied...Due to the fact that GHI feels that the Lapband is still "investigational", and even IF that was covered they still require the 6 month supervised diet.
So, I made an appointment with my cardioligist for this Friday and am planning on going through my records with him about my diet history and weigh ins. In the meantime, I have been gathering everything possible to submit as well as the appeal letter, which is so difficult to do.
** I have to send a a very special Thank You to the Lapband board, for all their support and encouragement, as well as to Dana, my ANGEL, who has posted very useful information and done a heck of alot of research for me to start my appeal, as well as always being there. Sharon T. , you are like a "second mother" to me and I am so thankful to have you in my life, Kristin J, Grace V, Lili, and so many, many others....I appreciate everything and am proud to call you all my friends.
So, now i am burying my head into the research and documentation etc, hoping to get everything sent to GHI early next week.
I will keep my profile updated.
11/9/04 Well, I have come out from feeling buried under GHI and my appeal. I sent in my packet today and they will respond within 15 days, but have 30 days to make their final decision.
For those of you who are dealing with an appeal and are lost and afraid, Roberta Apes and Gary Viscio are absolutely magnificient for this. Their guidance, research and support helped me to keep my head up. They can both be hired, I wish I was able to, but right now there is not a possible way too hire either one of them.
So, Now I will play the Waiting game once again and pray. As soon as I know something I will post it here.
Friend
You've laughter that can fill my heart In such a special way, You're all the many little things That make each day sublime, The many dreams that may come true That bless this life of mine.
To me you are a hope and faith That seems to know no end, Tomorrow"s plans I cherish so An understanding friend, You're everything that I could wish The sun that fills the sky, The rainbow when the storm is through The cloud that's drifting by.
You seem to be the helping hand When troubles come my way, The stars that light a darkened sky The dawn at break of day, You always wear a special smile So much a joy indeed, You lend a coutage real and sure In every hour of need.
To me you are the dearest friend That I have ever known, No matter what tomorrow sends I never feel alone, As faithful as the rising sun With peace and joy to lend, I thank God in my every prayer For giving me my friend.
© Garnett Ann Schultz
Posted by Dana to Laryssa
WELL!! It is December, 3rd 2004 and I received my phone call!! I was approved after fighting my appeal and won!!!!!!!!
JANUARY 12, 2005!! I am sooooo excited!!
****DANA....THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR UPDATING MY PROFILE, ADDING THE PICTURE AND BEAUTIFUL POEM AND ANGEL!
I LOVE YOU!!
If it weren't for all Dana's help in researching And the help of everyone on the board, I would have easily gave up! I didn't, and see what came true!
I am so very happy!!
~~~~This board is not always all about WLS, My youngest son, James Paul suffered a complex series of seizures a few weeks ago, after going unconscience and the paramedics arriving, I was terrified, Dana kept the board notified and i recieved so much love, support and encouragement, that I ws moved, so much to tears. I truly believe all the prayers that were sent out, were answered, and thank god, James is doing well now. We are still awaiting another test and I am very scared it can happen again.
To everyone of my friends....you are all such an amazing part of my journey!
I love You all! xoxoxo
12/14/05 Well, I am starting to get nervous about my upcoming surgery!! It is less then a month away now and boy....LOL
I will write more soon!
1/15/05
I AM A BANDSTER!!!
Gosh, Where do I start updating?? Dana, my very close friend and angel, drove to pick me up, in a snow storm, no less on tues. night. We arrived to the hotel, changed, watched "Muriels Wedding", and then the next thing was..WED!! I was so scared, was awake from about 2-3 am the night before, called my hubby at 5:45 am crying etc... We arrived to the hospital at 10:30 am for my surgery for 12:30 pm. I actually was pretty calm about it, until they wheeled me in. Once, in holding, I just cried...The anesth. told me to stop, since it was only making all my "membranes wetter". SO I was given a "dry" drug too!!
My heart and I made it!!!! :) Everyone was excellent!! Dr. Kwon, Carolyn, his assistant, the nurses etc, and of coarse, DANA were all beyond wonderful!!
My pain was so-so after surgery, basically in the center, where my port is placed, I did not use morphine once, I did have to tkae prevacid though, I think from waking with the tube ni place in OR, made me a little sensitive afterwards. I had soem pain in my back and belly was sore, but I walked from the hallway to my bed after being in the recovery room for about an hour or so.
I am now on clear liquids and trying my best to take in what I should be. I am having a tough time with that. Other then that, I feel pretty good, my body is cold, I think my blood pressure is low, since it normally is, but when I go for my post-op on monday, i will have Dr. Kwon check it out for me!!
So, no drugs since I have been home!!
This is only the start of something very big and exciting!!
I will be back to update more!!
All my Love!
1/17/05***POST-OP visit was today!
I am now down another 8 pounds and weigh in at 218...my staples came out and i will start the shakes 3 x a day and water in between. I will have my next appt in 2 weeks and am feeling better now!!
Will post again!
2/3/05 Had another appointment with my surgeon, saw Carolyn, and everything looks great, felt my port..ewww...and I am down to 205 now!! So, I start 2 weeks of mushies now and will see the Dr. again in 2 weeks!! I am so very excited and LOVE my band!!!
3-4-05 So sorry that I have not updated in so long, my parents have both been ill, and with 3 kids, I haven't been able to get online as much as I would like to.
So, time for an update!!!! I went today and am down to..197!!!!
I can not believe it!! I have now lost 29 pounds since surgery and 12 pre-op, so a total of 41!! My first goal is not too far away anymore!
So much as happened in the past few weeks, our dear Sharon had her first hip replacement surgery and thankfully, is doing well now and recovering:) I miss all my friends through OH and am hoping to get back to the :swing" of things very soon!!
April 1, 2205..First Fill!! Well, I am now officialy down to 195!! Total loss of 31 pounds, since surgery on 1/12 and 43 including the pre-op loss!! The fill was fine, Carolyn did it ( she is great), She used an ultrasound first then numbed it, me being the brave one I am, asked her to not tell me what she was doing until she was done!! Anyway, I felt a slight pinch getting the novacaine and that was it, some funny butterfly-ish feelings, but all was well!! So far anyway..she placed 1 cc in my band, which holds 4 cc's. I am on shakes for 24 hours then mushies for 24, so far my shake didn't go down so easily, but CIB did warmed and that is probably why!! I will keep updating...:)
I LOVE my band!!! I bought a pair of 14 jeans and they are actually a little too baggy!! SO, I am happy happy :)
May 1,2005 UPDATE
Well, I have not been able to get on the board much these days, I just came back from Florida to see my terminally ill Dad, he has been bed ridden for the last 1 1/2 yrs and his cancer had now spread througout his body. Hospice has been wonderful, but to see him so very helpless and to know we are losing him, is the most painful thing I have ever dealt with. I wish he was here to spend time with us, his children and his grand children. I will be back to post, my appt is this thursday.
June 7, 2005
~~Well ALOT has happened since I last updated my profile. But, the hardest thing I have experienced, is the loss of my Father. He passed away on May 20, 2005, after a long battle with cancer. Since then I have seen a few rainbows and truly believe that my Dad sent them for us. It has been very difficult and trying at times.
My band seemed to be a little too tight, everything was getting "stuck", so today was my appt and I had 1/4 removed, so I now have 1/4 cc in. I am down to 184, from 226 day of surgery and very pleased with it all. Comfortably fit into a size 14, from a 20/22, and my bra has gone from a 42 C/D to a 38 B, but that's OK, I'll take it anyway I can!
My little Jamie has to undergo further testing now, so I will concentrate on that and post here as I find out new things.
I have not been on the board in awhile, and miss it and everyone there. I am going to atleast post of rmy 6 month bandiversary, especially for the newbies to see that this Band works!! Best tool, I ever invested in!!
I will be back!
June 2006
I have not been good about journeling...But, I wanted to update a little here, I was at a stall for months, so much was going on in our life that I had not seen my surgeon for almost a year! Bad I know, but I did make my appt and go see him, Dr. Kwon ( I love) checked to see what was left in my 1/4cc and there really wasn't anything, he put in 1/2 cc and I have restriction now and the scale has moved..a little...BUT, it has moved!! I think I am about 178 now.
Dr. kwon told me I should lose maybe 10-15 more pounds, I am happy with that. Right now I am in a size 10/12 in jeans and OK with it, hey..I was a 20! All my blood levels were drawn and everything is good..what an improvement in my cholesterol! :)
I have been having some waves of sharp pain in my lower back on the right side...so we will see what that can be.
I did my measurements and have lost 27 total inches! I do love my band!
I will post more on here, I know how important it is to me and to others researching the surgery. I miss the board, but will hopefully get back on there too!
6/06~ Another visit with the Great Dr. Kwon!! I am now down to 176 and feeling great!! I LOVE my band!! I have lost 27 total inches so far and am in a size 10 now..If I only lose another 10 pounds, I will be soooo ecited, BUT if I stay where i am now, I have succeeded and have had a very successful Band journey so far!
Dr. kwon told me I have lost 57% of my body fat and at a year and 1/2 out, anything 50 or more is a success!!:) I'll post more soon!
Crazy time of year, end of school, baseball playoffs etc...
| Date | Weight | Pounds Lost | Total Pounds Lost | BMI |
| 1.12.05 | 226 | -12 | -12 | 37.6 |
| 1/17/05 | 218 | -8 | -20 | 36.3 |
| 2/3/05 | 205 | -13 | -25 | 33.7 |
| 3/4/05 | 197 | -9 | -29 | BMI#4 |
| 7-10-05 | 182 | -15 | -46 | 30.6 |
| Date#6 | W#6 | PL#6 | TPL#6 | BMI#6 |
| Date#7 | W#7 | PL#7 | TPL#7 | BMI#7 |
| Date#8 | W#8 | PL#8 | TPL#8 | BMI#8 |
| Date#9 | W#9 | PL#9 | TPL#9 | BMI#9 |
| Date#10 | W#10 | PL#10 | TPL#10 | BMI#10 |
| Date#11 | W#11 | PL#11 | TPL#11 | BMI#11 |
| Date#12 | W#12 | PL#12 | TPL#12 | BMI#12 |
| Date#13 | W#13 | PL#13 | TPL#13 | BMI#13 |
Charts Lovingly Added by
Dana "Sweetie Beanie"
12.15.04
| Date | Waist | Hips | Thighs | Arms | Calves | Chest | Total Lost |
| 12.31.04 | 40" | 47.25" | 28" | 15" | 15.75" | 46C | |
| 2-18 | 37.5 | 46.5 | 25.5 | 14.5 | 15 | 43 | 11 |
| 4-6-05 | 36 | 44 | 24 | 13.5 | 15 | 41.5 | 16.75 |
| 3-7-06 | 35 | 43 | 24.25 | 13.5 | 14.25 | 39 | 24.75 |
| 6-9-06 | 35 | 41 | 23 | 14 | 14 | 38.5 | |
| Date#6 | W#6 | H#6 | Th#6 | A#6 | C#6 | Ch#6 | T#6 |
| Date#7 | W#7 | H#7 | Th#7 | A#7 | C#7 | Ch#7 | T#7 |
| Date#8 | W#8 | H#8 | Th#8 | A#8 | C#8 | Ch#8 | T#8 |
| Date#9 | W#9 | H#9 | Th#9 | A#9 | C#9 | Ch#9 | Total#9 |
| Date#10 | W#10 | H#10 | Th#10 | A#10 | C#10 | Ch#10 | Total#10 |
| Date#11 | W#11 | H#11 | Th#11 | A#11 | C#11 | Ch#11 | Total#11 |
| Date#12 | W#12 | H#12 | Th#12 | A#12 | C#12 | Ch#12 | Total#12 |
| Date#13 | W#13 | H#13 | Th#13 | A#13 | C#13 | Ch#13 | Total#13 |
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Profile created by ~~Vickie !~~
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Hospital Reviews
Member Interests:
Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Dr. Peter H. Kwon
I could not have picked a better surgeon ( and staff) then Dr. Kwon. Everyone in the office are fabulous, and I am so very pleased with my decision! I am now 6 months post-op and down almost 50 pounds! I feel wonderful and I owe much of that to Dr. Kwon, his knowledge and staff!! Carolyn, Barbara, Maryann, Cindy, Courtney, Pam ( who moved), the new girls and anyone else I didn't mention..Thank You!!! :)
Insurer Info:
GHI, CBP
I was denied, GHI stated that the surgery was still "investigational", but I won!! I was approved and had my surgery January 2005. Best thing I ever did! Well......Very frustrating. I was told that they did cover the gastric adjustable banding, only to now find out that they do not cover it. Also, I was told many times through GHI, that the process depends on the individual basis, well not true, they now say everyone is required to do a physician supervised 6 month diet.
