TracyM
Here's My Journey!
I am new to this thing - just in the pre-op stage awaiting insurance approval. I have been overweight for the past twelve years and watching my health dimish as I go. Diets, diets and more diets - no great losses just feeling like a yo-yo! Never ever thought I would gain over 100 lbs but I did - self inflicted or medically not really sure - just know the weight came on quick and never left. Between 1990 and 1992 I gained the weight - kind of tells me the medical side of it had something to do with it.
I am now 34 years old, had several surgeries the final being a total hysterectomy. Thankfully, someone looked down on me and blessed me with my wonderful son (who's now 6) amidst the chaos of biannual surgeries. And here I am today, with chronic lower back damage and resulting pain and lots of doctors saying the best thing for me to do is lose the weight. Oh, and I failed to mention recently diagnosed as glucose intolerant and feeling like I am much, much older than I am! I even recently had pneumonia - which I never ever had - only indicates where my health is leading to.
Over the past two years I fought with the weight to no avail and contemplating THE radical surgery . The one that everyone seems to think you are lesser person if you do opt for it. But, HEY - this is my body and my life - no one else's but my own - AND I OPT TO LIVE AND LIVE HEALTHY! So-o-o why not jump into with both feet, get the weight off now (as the docs say)!
I went to my consult in the early part of March. And had my pre-op blood tests, chest xray, blood gases, pulmonary test and EKG done on St. Patty's day. Also went to the psych the same day - what a rat race! Did the tests locally only 4 miles from home but then had to run from their to 50 miles away to see Dr. Liotta. Good thing was that he said I appeared to be mentally good and not giving him a lot to talk about WAHOO!
Waiting on insurance approval and next appointment with Dr. Chungfat (surgeon) is on May 6th. We get to review the test results, etc. - AND - hopefully set a tentative date. Holly in his office said June is definitely out but possibly JULY if all goes well with the insurance companies! I will keep you all posted!
May 6, 2004
Go to Dr. Chungfat today, hopefully I will get a date. Talked to my nutritionist today. First follow up since March. Gained weight - WHATS NEW! She was concerned with my water retention and allergic type reactions to foods. She said she was calling Dr. C to explain to him that it is her opinion to get some further testing. Possibility of Celiac Disease! (gluten intolerance) Who knows but she figured a blood test may be able to figure something out. Talk to you all again soon!
May 7, 2004
Went Dr. Cs and he suggested going on a gluten free diet to see if it helps with my symptoms. He didn't seem to convinced that this was the problem. Me either for that matter! Asked if I had the symptoms - well some (like 2) but not really. If I did according to all the information about it I would be experiencing drastic weight LOSS - yes LOSS and anemia. Don't have either - if I did I wouldn't be here for WLS! Or atleast so I thought!
I am just going to start weeding out the foods that seem to bother and take it from there!
No date yet - awaiting insurance notification! I am hoping they say yes right off. Talked to BC/BS this AM - she said "you don't need pre-approval for your insurance type" I said yes but it is WLS and BC/BS did offer a courtesy review to make sure that it would be an approved surgery. Let's hope!
May 12, 2004
YAHOO I have a date and tentative approval! August 16th I will become a LOSER! I am soooooo excited! Insurance called and talked to Doc, requested one more paper and everything was indicated as a go! I am so happy only wish it came sooner! I have asked to be put on the cancellation list - - but WHO would cancel?!?!? I guess all good things come in time and everyone is entitled to vacations. Surgeon is vacationing at the end of June and assisting Doc 2 weeks in July. Initially they told me a July date but fell through. ANYWAY - I am scheduled and looking so forward to entering the new stage of my life.
May 17, 2004
Well - bad news! I received a letter on Friday from the insurance company. They have denied the surgery based on lacking documentation of weight loss attempts. I will have to check with my PCP to see if she sent anything over to the surgeon. I was sure there was but we will see. I talked to the surgeon's office and the person handling my paperwork was out and due to return this week. So we will see - hopefully just a minor glitch!
July 12, 2004
Well -still no word on our appeal! I talked with the Dr's office on Friday and they were going to try and see what was going on. It now has been close to 1 month since we sent in the diet info they wanted. Let's hope this satisfies their needs. Let you all know what is going on. The wonderful diet that the dietician has me on has done nothing for me. I keep bloating up gaining five pounds, losing it and regaining it. I FEEL LIKE A YO-YO!!
Sept 11, 2004
Well, second denial letter received, they keep telling me the doctor is causing the denial by not submitting the information. What the insurance company seems to forget is they previously said they had everything. Well anyway, everything is back out to them. It has been almost three weeks and no word. The last letter acknowledging my appeal stated it can take up to one month for a decision. We will see how it goes. This is all soooo depressing!
9/22/2004
Hey all it's a go! Bc/BC excellus called me on Tuesday with the good news. I AM APPROVED!! I am sooooo excited. Need to have a final consult with Dr. Chungfat and get the date scheduled. Looks like it possibly won't be until the new year - but patience is a virtue - Right?!?!? NOT!!!! I'll keep you all posted. BYE for now.
9/29
Well I have a date, Holly gave me January 10th possibly the 3rd. She was unsure of the hospital schedule so the 3rd is up in the air and the 10th is definite. Yahoo! I cannot wait to get the weight off - it has been tooooo long!
1/25/05 Well here I am 2 weeks post op and doing great! Most of the pain from surgery has subsided and I am well on my way to a better thinner life. Eating is minimal at best and when I do eat I get very gassy, not sick but burpy. I must say though it has all been worth it. The only negative thought I have had about the whole thing is, "boy do I miss eating". But being thin and healthy is worth a whole lot more than the best tasting food!
3/22/2005 2 months 15 days post op & 41 pounds lost! I feel so much better than I did presurgery. I have more energy and can enjoy things so much more. Doctor's appointment on March 31st. Will update again then.
4/26/2005 Woops where did the time go? I was going to update after my last appointment but somehow time flew by. I was at 41#s when i visited the doc. I really need to invest in a new scales as it seems mine is off at least 3 to 5 lbs. Any who... I am feeling great and am down about 49 lbs. Unfortunately I keep toying with about 3 to 5 pounds upward. My weight is so crazy lately. My eating habits aren't the best - some days I don't even want to eat - those days I make sure to atleast get in a Diet Carnation Instant Breakfast to ensure I am getting some nutrients. Then there are other days you fight with head hunger wicked - today is one! Well need to go - American Idol is on!!!
10/13/2005 Again time has slipped by and I have not visited my page to update you all on my progress. I am now down 110lbs, weighing in at 139. It seems so great and unbelievable all at the same time. My journey has been uneventful, no problems, complications, etc. (Knock on wood!) LOL
Anyway, my total loss now puts me in the century club! WOOOHOOO! Excited - excited!! Thought I never would see the scale below the 200 mark - but, wow, it really happened. Unfortunately, my brain hasn't caught up. My mental picture of myself is still FAT - until I look in the mirror - I still feel obese. :-( but.... NOT:jump:!!!!!
5/8/2006 Well a year has come and gone! WOW - it went so fast, the year and the weight!! Woo-hoo! I am at 129 lbs now and still don't feel it. Look and mirror and still feel like the fat person I was for the past umpteen years! I guess I just have to get over it.
Anyway, life remains uncomplicated, my health has been great other than my excess skin bothering me. Not physically but mentally. Atleast I don't think so... My back still bothers but no where near what it did when I was 250. Maybe it is the skin around my waist and hanging from my thighs - but I rather think it is just messed up!
Ta Ta for now - just wanted to update everyone. Maybe I can figure out how to do my pics - who knows! ~~ Tracy