Shirley P.
My name is Shirley and I have been thinking about this surgery for years. Now I am actively seeking it to change my life. I am in a commited relationship and I have three kids. Two of them still live at home and would benefit greatly from this change. Now lets see what happens. 5/27 6/1/05 6/15/05 4/26/06 4/28/06 5/8/06 5/28/06 6/2/06 6/9/06 6/22/06 6/23/06 6/30/06 7/6/06 7/10/06 7/15/06 7/19/06 Review Nurse Daphne called and said that my BMI alone made me a good candidate plus I have diabetes. She said I have a lot to look forward to and to call her if I have any problems. She said to let her know my surgery date when I get it so she can keep me in her thoughts and prayers. She is an angel. So relieved, no more fighting. I will post on Monday or when I get a date. One more time- APPROVED!! 7/24/06 I have a surgery date!! It is August 28, 2006. Angela (surgical coordinator) says I will get a call from Michelle to schedule my pre-op appointments. And now I have to go buy the things I will need for the day before to get ready and food for when I come home from the hospital. Only one month 'til I start my new life!!! 7/31/02 8/2/06 8/07/06 8/19/06 8/22/06 8/24/06 8/25/06 8/27/08 9/3/06 9/9/06 9/12/06 9/25/06 9/28/06 10/19/06 I've been so busy enjoying the ride that I haven't updated in awhile. I started back to the gym last week on the day I reached six weeks. Man it felt good. My goal is to go 4x's a week. I made them all last week and twice so far this week. I plan to go tomorrow and the next day. I am 7 1/2 post op and down 48 pounds. I have had some more nice WOW moments but yesterday I had the best one so far. My daughter and I were at the store and I was pushing the cart ahead of her because she stopped to look at something. When I heard her running to catch up to me, I started to run too. She just started to laugh and we both ran to the end of the isle, laughing. The best part was, I could have kept running, I wasn't out of breath. It was just so fun to be able to play with her like that. I can't remember how long it's been since I was able to do something spontanious like that. It felt so good and it will only keep getting better. What a great ride this is. I am so happy I had the surgery!! And I don't know what I would do without this site and alll the great friends and support I've found here. This ROCKS!!!! 1/15/07 Wow. I haven't updated in almost three months. Shame on me. Since last I posted, I have gone back to work. But I'm gettng ahead of myself. I had the best holidays. On Thanksgiving I had my whole family over. I cooked a huge dinner with all the trimmings including home made pie and drove about 200 miles transporting family. I have SO MUCH more energy its unbieveable. MAN what a blessing surgery has been. Christmas was a similar event only I had family for days and a two week guest from out of town. I also went back to work around that time and am having a blast with that. And as if that isn't enough, I have lost 75 lb.s in the last 4 1/2 months. I make sure to get my protien and vitimins in each day, eat slowly, and drink plenty of water. I'm always on the go. The one thing that has been suffering is my workouts. It's SO HARD to get to the gym when I'm working everyday. And I feel the difference too. My body is softer. I miss the way my body feels and responds to me when I'm working out regularly. So I have to figure that out. The first couple of weeks I was going at 6am. I am going to try evenings. I WILL update more and log how that is working out. I hope anyone who reads this, go ahead, take the plunge. It is so worth it!!!!
I have been looking at some of the stories here. I guess I can expect to get denied the first time by the insurence. It's good to know what to expect. Now that I am committed to going through with surgery, it can't move fast enough. I am still waiting to hear from the surgeon I was referred to. I see some members here had their surgery done by Dr. LePort. The reviews are mixed. I have felt for a long time I can deal with just about anything short term. So if my experience is less than perfect, it's temporary. I'm glad this site is here, I find myself stopping in daily. Seeing other people get through it gives me patience and hope. Thanks for being there.
I spoke to the doctors office today. The IPA requested more information about my case before they approve or deny the referral. The woman I spoke to said if I haven't heard back from someone by Friday to call her back. The WLS office called back to see if there was any news, which surprised me. I hope it's because they are that committed to helping people change their lives. Every day I look at more photos here, see people who remind me of me, then see the after photos and dream of a day when I can think of my present condition in the past tense. I could probably fill pages with writing before I ever get close to surgery. But just in case anyone actually reads this, I won't. I hope we all get there.
I posted again before this date but something went wrong when I sent it. Oh well. I got denied on my first attempt. The IPA said they want me to have a six month doctor monitored diet plan before they approve me. My doc thinks a diet history will do the trick. So we are doing both. I began a meal replacement plan with her and submitted my diet history to her for my second attempt at approval. We'll see. I should hear something tomorrow. I don't expect to be approved this time either. My doc is going out on maternity leave at the end of this month so I will see someone else next month for the diet check in. I'll do what it takes. Thanks to Barbara for reviewing my diet history and giving me feedback. And so it goes.
I started South Beach after the last entry. After a few months I was getting no where but the carb cravings were terrible. In February of this year I started going to the gym. I increased my strength and stamina but didn't achieve weight loss. I went back to my doc and asked her to try again with the referral. Less than a week later I had an approval letter in my hand. I completed the online registration forms for Dr. LePort and I have my consultation appointment May 18th. At last, a light at the end of the tunnel. My partner has more concerns than I do, but we'll muddle through. So I am back for support and glad that the site is still here. I'm heading to chat now. Whew.
One of the hardest things for me right now is feeling a lack of support. My family and I are going to a wedding tomorrow. How I wish it were six months post surgery rather than two months pre. I will look huge in the pictures (since I am). My nephew is getting married so the pictures are inevitable. I was in chat trying to get some questions answered. That was challenging since it seemed people were there to chit chat more than offer support. Or maybe that is the type of support they need. My first appointment is three and a half weeks away now so there are some things I am wondering about. I am going to start a list of questions to take with me so I don't forget when I'm there. I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the next. Went to the gym three times this week. I hope I see someone post a reply on my site soon. OK, I'm having an off day. Time for bed.
I have my first appointment next week. I have been to the site every day I think. The support I've found here has been great. I've posted some of my questions and the response has warmed my heart. I have learned alot from visiting different area's of the site too. I feel so ready for this change. I hope to see my therapist this week. I put a call in to her over the weekend since I missed last weeks session. My insurance allows 20 visits for the year so I can't see her every week. Well, I could but I want to be sure and save some for after the WLS. How's that for positive thinking? I know Joe had surgery on Tuesday and I hope he is doing ok. He should be home by now. I gotta figure out how to find people on the site. Anyway, just an update. Each day feels like a struggle but I have more hope than I have in a long time. I just wish that the visit with my partners family was going to be six months after WLS instead of a couple of months before. Hope your doing well Joe. And thanks to everyone who has been so generous with their information. 
I've been to my consultation appointment. I have my pre-approval appointments made. They will be complete by June 7th. Then it's submit to insurance for surgery approval. The woman I'm working with says it can take two to three weeks for the approval or denail to come through. One step at a time but I feel very excited. My partner is starting to come around and I feel more supported at home. 
So far I've been to nutrition class and a support group meeting. I have my psych. eval. on Monday and my doctor has faxed the no substance abuse letter in too. I am scheduled to attend a Doctors talk next Wednesday and that will be the last step. So I'm almost done with the pre-authorization goals. Then it will be time to wait again. Man, that is the hardest part at this point. I've contacted some people in the California group and met a couple at the support meeting last night. I plan to attend the support meeting on an ongoing basis to help me get through the waiting process. The meeting was great. I learned alot in just 2 hours. After my approval for consult I went food nuts during the month I waited. The weigh in was a wake up call for me. Since then I have been trying to eat well (i. e. healthy) and keep my blood sugar in the "good" range. I want to be as healthy as possible for the surgery. It still feels like a dream but I feel hopeful and excited. I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch though. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a fast approval. And I'm anxious to get back to school. Until next time....
All preliminary appointments are complete. Becky says she is sending my info to the insurance company today. I have heard it can take from two to six weeks for approval. After the doctors talk the surgery scheduler, Angela, said she has seen approval come as quickly as two days after submission. I doubt I'll get that lucky but I sure hope it's not six weeks!! My goal is to still have surgery and be healed enough to go back to school in mid August. The more healing time the better. My partner has come a long way in the understanding and support of what I am doing. That means so much to me. I know she loves me and is working through her concerns. I've met some of the people here at support group and I kind of feel like I have a set of peers in the other people who are where I am in the process. I've seen one girl at three different meetings now. I guess we (the group of us) will probably be having surgery around the same time, if insurance goes through at an equal rate of speed for us. My dad is very supportive, as he has been for anything I've done in the past ten years. What a difference being a responsible person makes. I hope I don't start with the insomnia again now that I'm back in the holding pattern. We'll see.
Well, I got a call from Dr. LePorts office. The medical director from the insurance company feels that I should have the lap-band instead of the gastric bypass. I am so frustrated and angry. I have to appeal what he thinks I should have. I'm supposed to get another call tomorrow to let me know what the process will be now. I know it will take what it takes and I'll get through it but for now I feel like I don't want to jump any more hurdles. I am grateful that the doctors office handles the appeal for me. I'll see what happens next.
I filed the appeal and faxed my letter to Becky at doctors office. Now I wait some more. She said when the appeal doc calls she will send him everything including my letter and we'll see what happens from there. This sucks. 
I keep meeting people who have started the journey after me. Some even with the same insurance, all have surgery dates and I am still in the appeal process. While I am happy for them, I wonder what makes me so special, to be part of the 10% who have to go further (sp?) to get their needs met. I'm just complaining. On the whole things are going well. I see the start date for school approaching and I don't know if I should register or not. I hate waiting. Ok, enough negativity. Tomorrow the family and I are going to my son-in-laws birthday dinner. That will be fun. I'll focus on that. Until next time...
Just a quick update. I am still waiting for the appeal folks to request my information from Becky. I am trying to remain patient and positive but it is difficult. Sometimes I wonder if maybe I'm not supposed to have the surgery. Then I think I am reading too much into the denial. I took up knitting again (I used to knit) as a way to keep my hands busy. I wish it was as easy to get this body moving, but at least I see something being made with the knitting. At the rate I'm going all my family and friends are going to get home made blankets for Christmas this year. They have 30 days from the day I appealed to make a decision so at least the wait isn't indefinite. I'll call Becky tomorrow to see if she has gotten a call yet.......
I talked to Becky today. She said Memorial Healthcare hasn't heard from Blue Cross yet. I called BC and they said they are going to assign a review nurse to my case and to go ahead and send the paperwork to them. That way when the nurse is assigned the paperwork will be readily available. It's been over two weeks already and the woman I spoke with said they will make a determination within the 30 days alloted so hopefully the wait is almost over. Now if it would just come back approved, that would be awesome, make the wait worth while. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I so want to move on with my life and be able to start doing all the things I dream of, things so many people take for granted. Until next time...
When I took my daughter to the doctor Friday my doctor told me she had received an urgent request for my chart notes going back to 2005. She sent them immediatly. So I know they are at least checking out my information. Now I am waiting with my fingers crossed to hear something (approved, approved, approved please) during the coming week. Next Sunday is the 23, thirty days since I filed the appeal so I'm thinking they will reach a decision by the weeks end. Regardless of the outcome from here, it looks like I'm not going to be ready for school in August. Hopefully by spring semester. Here is to not counting your chickens before they hatch.
I called the insurance company on Monday. After talking to William for a few minutes, he determined that my case had been reviewed by many, many people, based on all the tracking (file sent here, then there, then somewhere else and so on) he saw. We discussed the time limit which is 30 calendar days. He said I should call back Thursday or Friday to see if a decision has been reached. It pretty much has to be by then. So I plan to call tomorrow after I get back from my son's eye appointment. Weird but today has felt pretty much stress free. Maybe I am finally at the point where I know I have done all I can and the rest isn't up to me. I'll see what they decide and go from there. It is a relief, and I'm sleeping much better. I had a few days of insomnia again. About the insomnia, I heard yesterday that insomnia, water retention, month long PMS and period changes can all be signs of menopause being on it's way. I've been wondering about that cause I've been having night sweats too. Maybe it's time for a check up, see if there is any change in my estrogen levels... Anyway, I'll post tomorrow to say if I have an answer.
Approved!! Approved!! I am approved. 
I called Becky this morning to tell her the news. She said as soon as she gets a fax stating my approval she will call to schedule. I called Angel Daphne at 11:30am to ask her to send Becky the fax. I called Becky back at 3:00pm and left a voice mail asking if she has gotten it. No word yet so I'm thinking I'll call Angel Daphne again. I hope these people don't hate me for bugging so much. I am so excited and ready to go. I go back and forth between thinking "ok, just breath and be patient" and thinking that after 15 months I have been patient enough, now lets get going. So we'll see which side of me wins. Either way I hope my next post includes a date.
In the last six days I've started getting ready for the big day. I have all my vitamins, protien powder, protien drinks, pre-surgery supplies, and liquids for after. I put in a call to Michelle at the doctors office to set up my pre-op appointments. I haven't heard back from her yet. I know the next few weeks are going to fly by and before I know it, it will be my turn. I'm just going to take each day as it comes and keep getting ready. One of the most interesting things to me is my sleep has stopped being a problem. Now that things are set in place, I feel relaxed and filled with a pleasant anticipation. That is a major relief.
I have my pre-op appointments set for August 7th at 7am. Then back to the main office for final paperwork. I have to make an appointment to see my PCP after the 10th but before the 20th for her to sign off on my surgery. All of this makes whats coming more real. Wow! I can't believe I'm almost there. Three and a half weeks to go. We are having our annual family BBQ on August 12th, then my son's birthday August 20th then surgery the 28th. Busy month but that's good. Keeps me busy and the time goes by that much faster.
Went in for pre-op work up's today at 7am. I had upper GI, chest x-ray, ultra sound, blood and urine drawn, and hospital registration. It's awesome to think on the morning of my surgery I can just show up and not have to go through all the paperwork. After I was done at the hospital I went back to the clinic for final instructions, was fitted for a "binder" and filled out thier final paperwork. I also found out I have lost 15 lb.'s. How did that happen? Anyway, now I am all set. I started taking my iron today and I go off of anti-inflamitories next week. That, I am not looking forward to. But it will be worth it in the end. It has taken so long to get this far, I pray for nothing to happen now. Three weeks to go.
I had a scare this past week. I tested positive for Hepatitis C. The surgeon's office said after I was asleep on surgery day they were going to do a liver biopsy to make sure my liver was ok. My PCP wanted to delay surgery until I had been checked out further. I was crushed. Now here is the weird part. When my blood was drawn at my PCP, the nurse and I agreed to pull an extra tube of blood since it's so hard to get blood out of me. When the surgeons office said I was positive for Hep C I called my PCP and asked if they could use the extra tube of blood to test again. After further testing from both office's, it turns out that I DON'T have Hep C. I tested positive because I was exposed at some point but the anti-body's I made beat it!! Can you believe that? So I don't have to have a biopsy and my PCP signed off on my surgery. Everything is in place. Tomorrow is my son's 10th birthday, then I count down my last week before surgery. Almost there now.
I met with Dr. Ali today. I had 8 questions written down and asked a few more that came to me as we talked. The whole thing only took about 15 minutes. He is a doctor who inspires confidence. I lost another pound which is funny to me. I have been eating pretty much whatever I want because I know those days are almost over. Whatever, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. I'm down to five days and a wake up. My family and I are going to Parker's Lighthouse on Friday night to have a "Sugery Celebration Dinner." The kids and I are trying to get everything ready here at the house. I already have all the supplies I'll need, I just want the house ship shape to it won't get too bad before I'm able to start cleaning again. I feel ready.
Just a quick update: I've been to my last support group meeting before surgery. Tomorrow I'm going to GNC to get more Isopure protien drinks and some plain flavored powder. Almost there now....
My family and I went out to dinner as planned tonight. Man, it was great. Wonderful company, awesome food and a fantastic view at Parker's Lighthouse. Everyone got something different and we did a lot of sharing so all could try what ever they were interested in. We shared desert and walked out by the boats afterward. Earlier in the day I went by my doctors office to have one last tube of blood drawn for a glucose ATC (I think thats what it's called) count. It's when they check your average blood sugar level for the last three months. One of my doctors said it would be fun and interesting to see where I am and watch the number come down after the surgery. After the blood draw I made a final trip to GNC for my protien powder and some more Isopure drinks. Turns out the best protien powder is made by Isopure too. I now have vanilla, chocolate, and a fruit flavor. That should hold me for the three weeks of liquids. As Monday approaches I find I am mostly just getting more and more excited. All the final touches and plans only increase my anticipation. But for now it's time to sleep.
Well, this is it. My last entry before my first as a loser. My surgery is tomorrow at noon, I'll be at the hospital at 8am. I've had my MOM which hasn't done much except make me feel bloated. Anyway, I'll update when I get home. Weeeeeeeee.......
Did anyone get the plate number of the truck that hit me?? It's been a week since surgery and I am starting to feel better. Most of the bruising has faided away and I'm very sore on the right hand side of my stomach. Don't know why. I just wanted to take a minute to update that I'm back and taking time to recover from the surgery. I'll put down a more detailed entry about my hospital/surgical experience after I have more energy. Until then....
It's been almost two weeks since surgery. I am feeling pretty good overall, still have quite a bit of fatigue, but it's getting better. I went to the store today for the first time (drove two days early) since coming home. When I first got out of the car and walked to the store, I started off as though nothing new was going on but by the time I reached the shopping cart areas my body let me know I needed to slow down. After I caught my breath, my daughter and I went in and the rest of the shopping was fine. Although I have been moving around on a daily basis at home, walking in the store was different enough to get my bowels moving. I find that I am impatient with myself in terms of wanting to be recovered from the surgery now, which I know isn't reasonable.
HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE
I previously said I would talk more about my hospital experience, so here goes: Check was a breeze, a short wait, then into a pre-op area. I changed into a nice big gown, answered questions, and had an IV started. After not too long it was my turn for surgery. I was given some happy juice and wheeled into OR. The table was very narrow and the room cold. They put the squeezies on my feet and out went the lights. I woke up in my room with medical personeel buzzing around and my Nancy standing in the doorway. Someone had put my glasses back on for which I was greatful. I doozed most of the day off and on, got up to pee and take a walk. Trying to wipe after the bathroom was the most painful. Guys have it all over the girls when it comes to post surgery bathroom stops. Since I was too sore toget up and down often and dry mouthed, I made a compromise by rinsing my mouth with plain water and spitting it out each time. The second day I started sipping water which was like Heaven. Took a couple more walks. The nurses were worried about my pain so they gave me an intra-muscular pain shot on top of the morphine button. I must say, that was a relief. I don't think I ever slept more than 2 hours at a stretch while there so I was more than ready to come home on the third day. The hospital staff was wonderful and took such good care of me. I had a private room and Nancy got to stay with me as long as we both wanted each day. She could have stayed the night but they couldn't find any of the recliners used for overnights. That was ok since I was not that aware at times. The nights were the hardest because of the broken sleeping. Coming home felt like a gift.
On Sunday I felt like a lunatic. Turns out this is normal because of a few reasons: there is no food to act as a buffer between me and my emotions; Losing weight causes hormones to be released from the fat cells; I'm still coming off the anesthesia (sp?). So it's a relief to know that I'm not REALLY crazy, and it will pass. I called the doctors office yesterday to ask about taking Iron now to help with the fatigue I've been feeling. They said the fatigue is normal too, but as long as the Iron isn't making me feel sick to go ahead and start taking it now. Also to take the B12 every other day instead of once a week. I did and I could tell the difference right away. THAT is a major relief. Feeling like I can get up and move has definitely helped my mood. I've lost 27lb. since surgery day 15 days ago. I can see and feel the difference. Yup, it was the right choice. I expect things to keep getting better with (of course) the occassional bad day. Until next time...
Wow, time fly's when you're having fun. This is just a quick update, something I probably should have done sooner. I wanted to add some weight facts to my profile, so here they are. I will come back to this spot in my profile with future updates just for the purpose of being consistant.
May 06- 368lb.
August 28, 06- 348ob.: -20 (surgey day)
September 25, 06- 312lb.: -36 (since surgery; total since May -56)
A friend of mine came by today who hasn't seen me since surgery and he said my face looks longer and thinner. He kept looking at me funny. I told him to try and drop by every couple of weeks so it wouldn't be such a big change to take in. But it sure felt good to hear.
Today is my one month anniversay (sp?). I have lost 36lb's and am progressing nicely ovreall. I was just reminded by Lynn (who has to be one of the nicest people on the site) not to forget to include my WOW moments on my profile. I've had two so far.
One was about a week ago when I was able to put on some jeans that having been taking up space in my closet for the longest. They just slid right up and zipped without any challenge. The other was yesterday. I took my daughter to the doctors office and when I sat down, I was sitting IN the chair, not ON it. I know that they didn't get new chairs so that must mean I'm shrinking. Nice feeling. I look forward to more.
This time last year I was nervous and getting ready for my surgery. My anniversary is 8/29/06, one week from today. I've lost 119lb. and life has changed soooo much. Activity is no longer an issue. The only thing that stops me from doing anything is if I want to or not, not "am I able, will I fit?" I'm buying clothes in the regular part of the store now. I can't shop at Lane Bryant anymore. THAT has been wierd but I'm getting used to it. My daughters have helped me learn to shop for my new size. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week and two of those are with a personal trainer. I HIGHLY recommend the training to anyone who can afford it. I wouldn't try half the things I do without him telling me I can, then I'm always surprised when I can do the task.
I play with my kids more, shooting pool, swimming, bowling, playing with the dog. We had our annual family b-b-q a couple of weeks ago: I played softball with the big kids and RAN THE BASES!!!!! I can't explain how huge that is. If anyone reads this and isn't sure about getting the surgery: STOP WAITING!! THERE IS A GREAT LIFE WAITING TO BE LIVED!! GO GET IT!!! (the surgery, then the life) Thanks Daphne, Dr. Ali, and my OH family, for all the support and the new adventure I get to have.
5/9/10
Happy Mother's day! it will be 4 years since my surgery in August. i've lost a total of 181lb but the last 21 came off unexpexctedly during the last 3 months and i've learned to read my body so i feel like the loss will continue. there have been other changes in my life. unfortunately my relationship didn't survive. my partner and i broke up over a year ago and i went through a year of insanity trying to recover from having my heart broken. things are better now and i plan to move back home where my family of origin hails from. the ex and i are friends now but there is little holding me to long beach now. i'm excited to start another new chapter in my life.
weight loss details. i wa a size 30 when i had surgery, i'm now a size 10 and for a tree (me being 6'), that's not a bad size. if i shrink into a size 8, they're going to have to revive me after i faint from shock. the thought of being a size with a single number scares me. i'm just a few pounds from onederland and i NEVER thought i'd be one hundred and anything. i have mixed feelings about leaving the 2 hundreds. but maybe i'm putting the cart before the horse since i'm not there and am not trying to get there. the loss could stop just as suddenly as it started, right? now that i've found my way back to the site, i'll keep posting as things progress.
thant's it for now.
caio
John Mayer - Bigger Than My Body
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