Tabby C.
OMG...Getting Closer.
Sep 09, 2006
Well, yesterday I was going to call my surgeon's office to find out what was going on with my file, since I had completed all of my testing. After I woke up there was a message from my surgeon's PA. I called her back, totally expecting to get her voicemail, but she answered. She said she had a question for me. I figured that she needed more info for my file before she submitted it to the insurance company. She proceeded to tell me that she had submitted my file to the insurance company that morning and that they had an opening this coming Thursday for Pre-Op information day and asked if I thought I could make it. She said that of all of the files they had, mine appeared to be the most straightforward and would probably be approved the fastest, so they decided to give the opening this week to me. She said that they may even have the insurance approval by the time I get there and can give me a surgery date. I asked when they were scheduling for right now and she said the 2nd and 3rd weeks of OCTOBER!!! Like, as in 3-4 weeks from now!!!! Can you believe it? For the longest time, nothing was going on, now all of a sudden, BOOM!!!! I am so excited. I hope all goes well and that I have my surgery date on Thursday. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Testing...COMPLETE!!!
Sep 06, 2006
At least for now, that is. On my way home from work yesterday morning, I decided that I would not eat anything and go in for my bloodwork after sleeping. I got home, went to bed and slept until 2pm. I woke up and did some chores around the house and then tried to call the lab to see how late they were open. I got the main number that said to arrive 30 minutes before the lab closes. After punching in my zip code, I got our local lab number and called. There was no answer. It is a 25-30 minute drive from my house, but I figured I would go anyways and see if they were open. I got there at 3:50pm and the door was open, so I went in. The tech called me back while I was signing in and she started entering in all of the tests that my surgeon wanted run. My PCP also gave me a script for b/w to check on my PCOS and insulin resistance.
Well, the girl ran out of spots to put the tests in and had to do open another occurance for me. When she came to my script from my PCP, she was confused and had to call central for more info on what to enter. By this time it was 4:10pm, she had locked the door and mentioned they closed at 4pm. I was beginning to feel bad. I noticed her wedding ring and hoped that she didn't have any children that needed picked up at daycare or anything that I was keeping her from. Central had to call her back after trying to look up what my PCP was requesting. They finally called back at 4:20pm and told her that what my PCP wrote on the script was not a test, but rather a diagnosis. I could have told her that if she had asked.
She finally took me in the back, sat me down and said "I hope you are an easy stick after all of that." I assured her that I have been told that I was easy. She stuck me and said "Yep, you're easy." While she withdrew TEN TUBES OF BLOOD, we chatted about my infertility and all of the bloodwork that I had done while trying to conceive both of my babies. She told me that as of last night she was pregnant and was waiting on bloodwork that she had run on herself that day. She was very friendly with me for me making her be there 30 minutes past closing time. I guess a positive pregnancy test puts people in a good mood. Perhaps I was the first person that she was able to talk to about her pregnancy. Who knows. Anyways, it was a good experience and it is now done!!!! YAY!!! I will call tomorrow to check with my surgeons office to see what my next step is. Getting close.
Well, the girl ran out of spots to put the tests in and had to do open another occurance for me. When she came to my script from my PCP, she was confused and had to call central for more info on what to enter. By this time it was 4:10pm, she had locked the door and mentioned they closed at 4pm. I was beginning to feel bad. I noticed her wedding ring and hoped that she didn't have any children that needed picked up at daycare or anything that I was keeping her from. Central had to call her back after trying to look up what my PCP was requesting. They finally called back at 4:20pm and told her that what my PCP wrote on the script was not a test, but rather a diagnosis. I could have told her that if she had asked.
She finally took me in the back, sat me down and said "I hope you are an easy stick after all of that." I assured her that I have been told that I was easy. She stuck me and said "Yep, you're easy." While she withdrew TEN TUBES OF BLOOD, we chatted about my infertility and all of the bloodwork that I had done while trying to conceive both of my babies. She told me that as of last night she was pregnant and was waiting on bloodwork that she had run on herself that day. She was very friendly with me for me making her be there 30 minutes past closing time. I guess a positive pregnancy test puts people in a good mood. Perhaps I was the first person that she was able to talk to about her pregnancy. Who knows. Anyways, it was a good experience and it is now done!!!! YAY!!! I will call tomorrow to check with my surgeons office to see what my next step is. Getting close.
One Step Closer
Aug 31, 2006
Today I FINALLY had my appointment with my PCP. I figured I would have to go back for one final appointment before I could submit my paperwork to the insurance company, but she told me today that she would fill out my release form and fax it to my WLS Surgeon's office today. TODAY!!!! I am hoping that is OK, as I still have another 16 days until my FULL 6 months is up, but I guess I will wait and see what the Surgeon's office says. I STILL have to get my bloodwork done, but had planned on doing that tomorrow. After that...I should have all of my testing complete that they wanted done to submit to the insurance company. I just can't believe it.
Actually, I think that I am not really allowing myself to believe it. I had September 16th in my mind as my date to submit to insurance, so I think I still have that in my mind. I figure that I will have my bloodwork done and then make another appointment with my PCP for September 18th to go over the bloodwork. For my health insurance through work, I have to have a complete health screening done and bloodwork is part of that. I have to have that completed by the end of September, so I will still have to go back to my PCP for that. I'm keeping that date in the back of my mind, just in case my surgeon makes me complete a FULL six months of diet with my PCP before they submit to insurance. However, it may be six months by the time they get my bloodwork results and get everything together to fax to my insurance.
Also, I kept putting off this appointment because I was worried that I had gained weight since my last appointment and I was *HOPING* to get it off. Well, that didn't happen. I GAINED another 7 lbs since May. That just stinks. I still want to take off the 15 I have gained in the past 6 months, but who knows if that will happen. Have I mentioned yet that I SUCK at dieting?
Not much else going on for the surgery. The only other thing that I am trying to do now is to try to become a Flybaby and follow the Flylady plan. I am working on the baby steps. I've been "flying" for about a week now. I HAVE GOT to get more organized and keep my house cleaner. Baby Steps!
Actually, I think that I am not really allowing myself to believe it. I had September 16th in my mind as my date to submit to insurance, so I think I still have that in my mind. I figure that I will have my bloodwork done and then make another appointment with my PCP for September 18th to go over the bloodwork. For my health insurance through work, I have to have a complete health screening done and bloodwork is part of that. I have to have that completed by the end of September, so I will still have to go back to my PCP for that. I'm keeping that date in the back of my mind, just in case my surgeon makes me complete a FULL six months of diet with my PCP before they submit to insurance. However, it may be six months by the time they get my bloodwork results and get everything together to fax to my insurance.
Also, I kept putting off this appointment because I was worried that I had gained weight since my last appointment and I was *HOPING* to get it off. Well, that didn't happen. I GAINED another 7 lbs since May. That just stinks. I still want to take off the 15 I have gained in the past 6 months, but who knows if that will happen. Have I mentioned yet that I SUCK at dieting?
Not much else going on for the surgery. The only other thing that I am trying to do now is to try to become a Flybaby and follow the Flylady plan. I am working on the baby steps. I've been "flying" for about a week now. I HAVE GOT to get more organized and keep my house cleaner. Baby Steps!
Walk a Mile in My Shoes
Aug 21, 2006
I don't really recommend it to anyone. On Friday I went shopping with my sister, niece, mom and my two kids. We walked all over the mall for several hours. I made sure to wear tennis shoes, because I knew I needed their support. By the drive home, my ankles and feet were killing me. I can't wait until after my surgery when I can walk and walk and NOT be in pain afterwards. I love to wear sandals in the summer, but they have NO support. I wake up in the middle of the night to pee and I have to steady myself because my heels hurt. MY HEELS!!! I figured my ankles would hurt from the weight, but not my heels. Don't really know why I didn't think they would hurt, too. I see people in high heels or pumps and wonder if I will ever be able to wear pretty shoes like that AND be able to walk in them. I love shoes, too, but right now I don't buy any because I wear an 11 Wide and they only make about 3 styles in that size. I know I probably need to order high end shoes for my size, but I hate to spend lots of $$$ on shoes. I don't know why? I wear shoes every day and my feet have been the same size for YEARS, so why not spend more money? I'll get my use out of them. Actually, right now I hate to do it because there is a possibility that my feet will shrink after my surgery. I'm REALLY hoping this is the case. I would love to fit into a size 10 Regular. Wouldn't that be grand?
Speaking of shoes. On Friday morning I saw a commercial for New Balance Kids. It said that they come in all sizes and widths. My daughter wears a 5 Wide, not really easy to find shoes in her size, unless I go to StrideR*te. I love their shoes, but their prices are high. They even go high on e-bay. Well, while we were shopping, I was looking for shoes for the kids for fall and came across the NB sneakers for my daughter in 6 Wide. They felt like they fit her pretty good. They were SOOOOOO precious and on sale for $20. I just love them on her. She loves them, too. She is only 18 months old and LOVES shoes as much as her mommy. I also think that since they are size 6, she can probably wear them through winter. We'll see. My son got a new pair of Reeboks that day, too. It was a good shoe day for the kids. Mission complete!!!
Speaking of shoes. On Friday morning I saw a commercial for New Balance Kids. It said that they come in all sizes and widths. My daughter wears a 5 Wide, not really easy to find shoes in her size, unless I go to StrideR*te. I love their shoes, but their prices are high. They even go high on e-bay. Well, while we were shopping, I was looking for shoes for the kids for fall and came across the NB sneakers for my daughter in 6 Wide. They felt like they fit her pretty good. They were SOOOOOO precious and on sale for $20. I just love them on her. She loves them, too. She is only 18 months old and LOVES shoes as much as her mommy. I also think that since they are size 6, she can probably wear them through winter. We'll see. My son got a new pair of Reeboks that day, too. It was a good shoe day for the kids. Mission complete!!!
Putting Off Until Tomorrow...
Aug 17, 2006
OK, so I need to get to my PCP for my monthly checkup. In ONE MONTH I should be able to submit my paperwork for my surgery to the insurance company. ONE MONTH!!!! But I need to see my PCP *this* month and AGAIN *next* month. I keep saying that I want to do some hardcore dieting to lose weight BEFORE I go in. I also need to go get some bloodwork done BEFORE I go in. I was supposed to take my Glucophage BEFORE having the bloodwork drawn. I am not very religious about the Gluc, so I am trying to get a solid week of it in my system before having my bloodwork done, so that the b/w will show what the Gluc is doing for me. ALSO...I work midnight shift and need to fast for 8-12 hours before the b/w. This is not easy when you are awake and sitting at a desk all night long. You get VERY hungry. I would like to do my b/w on a day off but need to do something with the kids so I can go in....Do you see where I am going with this? I just don't have time to get my b/w done.
Once I get my b/w done, I need to make my appt with my PCP. I would REALLY like to have a morning appointment...You know the deal, you weight less in the morning than you do in the afternoon. Unfortunately the only day that "I" can go to the doctor in the morning, after sleeping all night long, is on a Friday. Unfortunately my PCP is not in the office on Fridays. This is just not working. It is also going to take a few days for the b/w results to get to my PCP, so I have to schedule around that, too. I'm getting stressed out as I type this. I don't know how to drop a quick 10 lbs., I don't know when I can schedule in b/w with a 4 yr old and a 18 month old, I don't know when I can schedule an appointment with my PCP for my appt, plus my son's 4yr checkup and my DD's 18 month checkup. Do you see now why I am putting off until tomorrow, that which could be done today?
Once I get my b/w done, I need to make my appt with my PCP. I would REALLY like to have a morning appointment...You know the deal, you weight less in the morning than you do in the afternoon. Unfortunately the only day that "I" can go to the doctor in the morning, after sleeping all night long, is on a Friday. Unfortunately my PCP is not in the office on Fridays. This is just not working. It is also going to take a few days for the b/w results to get to my PCP, so I have to schedule around that, too. I'm getting stressed out as I type this. I don't know how to drop a quick 10 lbs., I don't know when I can schedule in b/w with a 4 yr old and a 18 month old, I don't know when I can schedule an appointment with my PCP for my appt, plus my son's 4yr checkup and my DD's 18 month checkup. Do you see now why I am putting off until tomorrow, that which could be done today?
Trying to Start ANOTHER Diet.
Aug 08, 2006
Well, today I was going to try to start the South Beach Diet to lose some of the weight that I have gained since my initial consult with my WLS surgeon in February. I know that I have gained 10 pounds since February and would like to go into the surgery weighing what I did at my first appointment, if not weighing less.
I sat down this afternoon and started on my grocery list...salads, cukes, celery, lean ground beef, pork loin, turkey sausage links, lite yogurt...Then I started getting hungry. I work midnight shift, so afternoon is breakfast for me. I looked in the fridge. No meat thawed out. Hmmmm??? I don't really care for eggs too much. I will eat them after the surgery when I *HAVE* to for protein, but I don't *HAVE* to eat them now, so they don't appeal to me. I remembered I bought Low Sugar Instant Oatmeal a few weeks ago. That sounded good with some skim milk. NOT a good start to the South Beach Diet. Well, maybe I will do Weight Watchers....Yeah, I'll do WW.
DH and I went shopping and he questioned some of the things on my list (turkey sausage?). I told him that was this afternoon when I was going to do the SBD, NOW I am doing WW, so I don't need them. We got our groceries and by the time we got to the register I was breaking out in a sweat and getting really shaky... telltale sign that my sugar had dropped and it was only going to get worse if I didn't eat something soon to bring it up. THANK YOU, PCOS. So I grab a candybar and throw it on the belt for the cashier. Damn, I suck at diets!!!! Screw it!!! We went to Applebee's for dinner so I didn't have to cook. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
I sat down this afternoon and started on my grocery list...salads, cukes, celery, lean ground beef, pork loin, turkey sausage links, lite yogurt...Then I started getting hungry. I work midnight shift, so afternoon is breakfast for me. I looked in the fridge. No meat thawed out. Hmmmm??? I don't really care for eggs too much. I will eat them after the surgery when I *HAVE* to for protein, but I don't *HAVE* to eat them now, so they don't appeal to me. I remembered I bought Low Sugar Instant Oatmeal a few weeks ago. That sounded good with some skim milk. NOT a good start to the South Beach Diet. Well, maybe I will do Weight Watchers....Yeah, I'll do WW.
DH and I went shopping and he questioned some of the things on my list (turkey sausage?). I told him that was this afternoon when I was going to do the SBD, NOW I am doing WW, so I don't need them. We got our groceries and by the time we got to the register I was breaking out in a sweat and getting really shaky... telltale sign that my sugar had dropped and it was only going to get worse if I didn't eat something soon to bring it up. THANK YOU, PCOS. So I grab a candybar and throw it on the belt for the cashier. Damn, I suck at diets!!!! Screw it!!! We went to Applebee's for dinner so I didn't have to cook. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Brand New to the Blog World
Aug 07, 2006
Well, perhaps not *BRAND NEW*. I have been reading other peoples blogs for a while now and never thought that I was talented enough to write one of my own. Well, I have decided to use this space for what it is mean to be... a WEB LOG. I will document my journey to lose weight through Gastric Bypass Surgery. I am in the process of completing all of my testing requirements to submit my paperwork to my insurance company to get approved for the surgery. I have about 6 weeks left before we can submit and each day I go through different emotions from excited, to anxious, to just plain scared to death. I am very confident about my choice of surgeons and have been very pleased so far with all of the physicians that I have seen since beginning this entire process in March. Today I am very excited and feeling good about my decision.
This weekend I went to my sisters house to visit and on the way there I read my Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies book. It is so full of useful information and is helping me see that all of my emotions that I am going through are "normal". Makes me feel good to be "normal". Also, this weekend, my sister asked me about AFTER the surgery. She asked if I was scared about how I would have to eat for the rest of my life. I'm not. I am going to take this tool and USE IT!!! My smaller pouch is going to force me to eat less and train me to use portion control. I will have no choice. I'm looking forward to having the dumping syndrome (I can say that now, I haven't had the surgery or thrown up from eating something I shouldn't have, lately) to give me a kick in the butt to remind me NOT to eat greasy foods or sweets. I NEED THAT!!! I am really looking forward to what lies ahead. Wish me luck.
This weekend I went to my sisters house to visit and on the way there I read my Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies book. It is so full of useful information and is helping me see that all of my emotions that I am going through are "normal". Makes me feel good to be "normal". Also, this weekend, my sister asked me about AFTER the surgery. She asked if I was scared about how I would have to eat for the rest of my life. I'm not. I am going to take this tool and USE IT!!! My smaller pouch is going to force me to eat less and train me to use portion control. I will have no choice. I'm looking forward to having the dumping syndrome (I can say that now, I haven't had the surgery or thrown up from eating something I shouldn't have, lately) to give me a kick in the butt to remind me NOT to eat greasy foods or sweets. I NEED THAT!!! I am really looking forward to what lies ahead. Wish me luck.
Sleep Study or Studying for Sleep
Jul 30, 2006
Well, my husband and I went for our sleep study this past Sunday. We got there around 9pm and it took until about 11pm to get our paperwork done and get us hooked up an ready for bed. I KNEW I was not going to sleep well all wired up. On one of my questionaires there was a question about "Have you ever taken any sleep aids to either stay awake or go to sleep?" I got a prescription in February from my PCP for Lunesta because I work midnight shift and with a 1 year old I was exhausted. I wanted to get one GOOD night of sleep each week. The pills were so expensive that I took 9 of the 10 that I got and have been holding on to the last one until I REALLY need it. I marked on the paper that I had taken Lunesta earlier this year. The tech leaned in my room and asked if I was going to take my Lunesta before I got in bed. WHAT????? You mean I CAN take something to make me sleep? I thought it would alter the sleep results so I didn't even bring it with me. DARN IT!!!! I guess if I had brought it, I could have taken it. Thanks for letting me know now. Anyways, I got in bed, watched a little TV and then TRIED to sleep. I finally fell asleep around 1am, but woke up at 2am (OMG, was it an apnea event that woke me?) I finally buzzed the tech and asked to pee. Got back in bed, hooked up and TRIED to go back to sleep. I was told I HAD to get more sleep because he didn't have enough data on me. There was some sort of thrashing noise every 15 minutes or so that was also keeping we awake, possible from a room above me. At 2:45am I buzzed the tech again and said I brought a desk fan and could he please plug it in for me? He brought me a box fan and plugged it in...aaahhhh....white noise and some air circulating....I finally fell asleep with this. Next thing I knew the lights were being turned on and it was 5:45am. The tech told me that my husband was awake and ready to go. I was sleeping pretty good when he came in and had a hard time waking up. I am NOT a morning person, especially on about 3-4 hours of sleep. Well, today we got the call with the results. I had no signs of sleep apnea, but my husband had 5 occurances an hour or 30 observed occurances. He has to go back and repeat the test with the mask on. Maybe I will be nice and give him my last Lunesta...NOT!!! Now I have to go get my bloodwork done and make another appointment to meet with my PCP. Until then.
Getting Support
Jun 30, 2006
When my husband and I told my MIL that we were planning on having gastric bypass surgery, she was not happy at all. At first we tried not to bring it up in front of her very much. My parents were very supportive. My MIL came right out and said "NO! I don't like that." For this reason we have tried very hard not to ask her to help with the kids when we have a doctors appointment. I mentioned one day about one of the appointments and her response was "What kind of appointment." I told her for the WLS and she said "Oh, I thought you had changed your mind about that." Now, my MIL is a nurse, so I know that some of her opinions and fears come from the clinical side, while others are coming for a maternal side. I finally cornered her one day and explained to her that the surgeries are different than they were 10 years ago and that my family has a history of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. I was not going into this surgery blind and would appreciate her seeing things from my point of view. She softened up a bit after that. She has even scheduled herself a day off of work to watch the kids when DH and I have to go for our Sleep Study at the end of July. Too bad we can't share a bed for the study
Marking more off of my list
May 31, 2006
On May 17th I had to go for my follow-up with the dietician and to meet with the pulmonologist. The meeting with the dietician was nice. I lost a pound. Woo Hoo. It was really hard to stick to the diet, knowing that after the surgery I won't be able to eat a lot of my favorites. I guess that is what got me in this situation to start with. Every diet I start I have to have one "Last Supper". Also I had two birthdays to celebrate and Mother's Day. OUCH!!! The meeting with the pulmonologist didn't go as I had hoped. I was getting a cold, so they wanted me to take Flonase to clear up my nose. Then based on my answers to some of the questions and a physical exam, he wanted me to come back to do a sleep study to rule out Sleep Apnea. Man, I hope I pass that test and don't have to sleep with the mask on. I have no idea how I will be able to sleep with that. I also went to see my PCP on May 30th. According to her scales, I have GAINED 9 lbs. I have no idea how that happened, especially after I had lost a pound in the past month according to the dietician. Hope the next appointment with my PCP goes better. I certainly didn't want to gain any MORE weight while waiting to have the surgery.
About Me
West Alexander, PA
Location
28.2
BMI
Surgery
10/11/2006
Surgery Date
Mar 28, 2006
Member Since
