Where to start.....?

I think my battle with the bulge started around age 10, although there were years where I had thinned out only to put the pounds back on later. The serious weight gain started around age 23 and at 5'6, I went from about 160 lbs to my current 273 lbs over the past 20 years.  I looked into WLS about 4 - 5 years ago but was really put off by the surgeon that I saw in Toronto. 

From January to December, 2007, I went from 240 to 280 lbs and ended up with a number of health related problems including sleep apnea, a herniated bowel, pain in my knees, elevated blood pressure and borderline diabetes.  As a single mother with three teenaged kids, I knew I had to do something before I fell seriously ill. 

I spoke with my family doctor in Whitby who referred me to Dr. Lutrzykowski in Bloomfield Hills, MI.  The whole process of getting approval from OHIP for the initial consultation went much quicker than I expected. I mailed the required forms on November 27, 2007 and received approval on December 10. 

My consultation with Dr. Lutrzykowski took place on January 11, 2008. Although I was a little nervous, he made me feel quite comfortable, answered all my questions and explained the whole procedure to me. I should note that when I was weighed by one of his assistants, I was shocked to see 283 lbs on the scale.  The scale at home was showing me at 270 - 275 lbs. Of course, I now have a new digital scale that is more accurate.  I was told that I was a good candidate for the DS, that needed to lose only 10 lbs before the surgery and that I could expect to have the procedure in early March.

On January 22, I got a call at work to tell me there had been a cancellation and my surgery was being moved up to February 6. Yikes! I had only had two of the four required pre-op tests done and wondered if Dr. Lu would get the last two test results in time for the surgery. Instead of having 6 weeks to prepare for the surgery, I now had less than 2.  I couldn't concentrate on anything for the rest of the day.

So, I made arrangements with work and family for my new surgery date and began making a list of everything I needed to get done in the time remaining.  Then....a bump in the road.

On January 24, I get another call from Dr. Lu's office telling me that they've received correspondence from OHIP stating that they won't cover the cost of the gall bladder removal unless they receive a requisition from my family doctor and only if I have stones. Well, I'm still not sure how this is all going to happen considering my ultrasound doesn't take place until January 31!  Now, I'm back on the phone, trying to move up the date for my ultrasound, but, of course, there are no appointments available. My family doctor isn't back into the office until Monday so there isn't anything I can do but wait until then.

About Me
Oshawa, ON
Location
25.3
BMI
DS
Surgery
02/06/2008
Surgery Date
Jan 25, 2008
Member Since

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