Mary G.
July 18th'06
I am relatively new to OH and embarking on the
journey of a lifetime...thank you to all for sharing
your experiences, it is
such a comfort to know that there are
folks available to answer questions, provide support
and teach by example the best ways to regain health.
All my preop testing is completed and now the waiting
game...Dr.Chebli has been fantastic and his office
manager Lisa is such a positive young lady!
What a pleasure to have found such a
supportive team. 
July 26 '06
My preop testing was completed a week ago, and
my surgeon's office was prompt in faxing the
information to the insurance company. Every
stipulation for approval was met:BMI over 40,
nutrition consult with 30 day record, psych
consult, documentation of comorbidities
(HTN, sleep apnea with CPAP) The insurance does
not have an exclusion policy, yet they denied my
initial attempt at approval secondary to my BP
being controlled on 300mg of
Avapro. The reviewer commented that I was only
on ONE medication for BP(...hey, how many pills
does someone with HTN need to take before it
is considered a comorbidity?) This feels like a business maneuver rather than a complete denial. I have read
many posts regarding the process for approval, and this doesn't seem to be out of the norm. I imagine some folks will accept the first denial,
and then either self pay or give up...never having
been one to take "no" well, I have initiated the
followup with insurance.
I have contacted my prior PCP to send a letter to
the insurance documenting the multiple diets and
drugs I have been on for the last 14 years. We
will continue to forge ahead with plans and preparations. I have lost 20lbs in the preop phase of this, purchased all
the recommended post op necessities and continue
to remain hopeful.
Aug 10 '06
Quite a bit has improved since my last post. Dr. Chebli spoke with the Medical Review team for the insurance company and I sent a well thought out letter of appeal to the company with a letter from my former PCP (who had also recommended WLS in 2002)...They approved the request to
cover surgery...WOOHOO!! Surgery scheduled for August 16...what
a difference a couple of weeks can make! I realize this is no "easy
fix", I know the recovery may be difficult, hope I can stay focused
on the positive...my friends and family have been wonderful, and
work pals have been so accomodating and encouraging...I am truly
blessed with support.
Aug 13 '06
Just a few days to surgery...so much to think about, organizing the
family (who would probably prefer I didn't),packing, unpacking!
Okay, maybe I am obsessive. Anyway, looking forward to the
journey and praying the surgeon and assistants hands are swift
and sure. I am so grateful to OH. The last few days, whenever I
start feeling concerned, the boards are there with relief and
experience. Thank you all so much.
Here's my list "to go"
CPAP, clothes, pillow, toothbush/paste, deodorant,hair
spritz, lip balm ("Boudreaux's Butt Paste"...thanks for the bowel prep guys!), powder, baby wipes,Q tips, s/f peppermint and tea, comfy clothes and sweater, portable
CD player for audio books...see you on the other side!
Aug 19 "06
Here's what I remember from my surgical experience on 8/16/2006:
I checked into the Northwest Hosptial at 0600am for surgery at 0730. The staff was incredible...so warm and considerate. I dressed in a gown, ted stockings and little "no skid" socks.
I weighed and noted a loss of 35lbs since my initial consultation with Dr. Chebli. (The bowel prep added at least 5# of fluid loss, which I gratefully include in this number) The preop nurse started my IV, did a history for anesthesia, gave me a shot of Heparin in my tummy, applied compression wraps to my lower legs, and kept me calm with her delightful conversation. Next, the anesthesiologist came to do his interview and gave me a sedation agent. I remember kissing my hubby, wheeling into the OR and moving onto the table with some staff help....then I woke up in the recovery room! I admit to being quite sore from the neck down, and foggy. I was amazed at the number of cables attached to me, but didn't care to move a single one.
When I woke up in my room, Dr. Chebli was there with my precious husband...they both were wonderful to see. Both of these men have supported me through the most incredible decision...I am blessed to have found a skillfull surgeon and teacher in Dr. Chebli. My husband is absolutely the love of my life. He is supportive and kind, planning our future goals in which every step takes into consideration our health, wellness...and FUN!! Dr. Chebli asked me if he was my boyfriend! "Why yes he is, for 20 years now!!" The whole family has embarked on this journey with me, we've all learned more about nutrition and exercise.
Day 1 post op was a bit rough with nausea from the anesthesia...It was hard to stay focused because of the pain medication, and I noticed that "listening" to the experts is really the way to go. It's okay to just follow directions, these guys have tons of experience with successful WLS. I got up, walked the halls, with a walker and CNA to help roll the IV, oximeter etc.....each successive walk was easier and my mobility increased along with my oxygen levels. The pain medication was necessary, but the anti-nausea meds really made a difference. I slept off the nausea and woke up at 0300am ready to walk again!
Day 2 was much easier, walking unassisted, tolerating fluids,
making all the noises I usually discourage my kids from laughing at! Dr. Chebli came in, took out the JP drain, gave me a thumbs up on going home, great discharge instructions...all in all...not rough. We made a appointment for day #5 post op and tipped our hats to the staff at Northwest Hospital. (They really are awesome!!!)
As far as surprises, there was only one I remember.
I was not prepared to see the scale results on post op day #1 and #2...it's hard to see the numbers climb while the IV fluids are running constantly. I know it's very important to stay hydrated, so I understood why I had gained 20#...but still I admit it was unsettling. Here's hoping I remember this lesson if I'm tempted to step on the scale too often...a little water retention goes a long way!
The pain medicine has made me a bit floaty, must be time for a nap...
Aug 23 '06
I am a week post op now and so grateful for all the support
I have received. I had my post op appointment with Dr. Chebli and Lisa...they remain my inspirations! I really enjoy
going to see them. They are so great at educating and encouraging their patients.
My husband and daughter came with me to the appointment, and are also quite taken with the whole team approach to this amazing journey...While I had my visit, they went over to the hospital to drop off some goodies for the staff. Since our daughter was home during my surgical stay, she was very curious about the whole process (oh, to have the energy of my eight year old princess!) I know it helped for her to meet Dr. Chebli and Lisa, along with seeing the hospital and staff. She remembers someone saying, "don't lift anything greater than
5lbs", and that has been a mantra ever since!
My appointment went very well. The staples were removed
from my "lap" sites, my weight was at or below my preop visit
(still retaining water from the surgical stay), and my instructions seemed easy enough to follow:
(1) All protein to come from supplements (60-80gms)
(2) Take recommended vitamin, mineral and pharmacuticals
(3) Water
(4) Exercise
(5) Puree to start 8/23(...hey, that's today!)
(6) Followup visit at one month post op
(7) Shop as much as you want (Okay, that was my idea!!)
September 19, '06
My one month post op visit went quite well. Since my last visit I have lost an additional 28 pounds and am feeling great. Daily exercise and keeping up on my protein, water and supplements have been key. I'll see Dr. Chebli again in one month and hope to be feeling as well, if not better, at that time. My energy since surgery has improved dramatically, off my BP meds completely and now adding iron to the list of supplements in the morning...amazing journey so far!
