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8-12-05

Wow, it's been almost a months since I've posted. That means I've been sick for almost a month. YUCK!!! I have a terrible cough and drainage right into my pouch. Eating has been horrible. I was coughing up what I did eat, but everything taste soooo yuck!!!! I'm starting to feel better, my eating is much better. I still have coughing fits though, it's frustrating me that is for sure. I got to 200 and stayed there for three weeks. Now I would have been thrilled to hit 199 and stay there for a while. It's been 12 years since I was under 200 pounds!! But nooooo - I had to sit right at 200.

I found a plateau buster thing on the main board and I decided to go for it!! The first two days I lost no weight, but day three (yesterday) I lost 2 pounds and joined ONEderland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And again today I've lost another 2 pounds. So now I'm 196!!!!! If I knew who started this I would give them credit but I don't know. But I'm putting the plateau buster in here anyway.

Plateau Buster

#1 - Do this for 10 days to break a plateau

#4 - You may consume up to 3 oz of the following high protein foods, 5x a day

pork

chicken

turkey

lamb

fish

eggs

low fat cheese

cottage cheese

plain yogurt or artificially sweetened

peanut butter

beans/legumes

You may also have:

sugar free popsicles

tea or coffee

sugar free soda

sugar free jello

broths

crystal light drinks

#5 - If it's not on the list, you can't have it for 10 days!!!!

#6 - Keep a food diary and try to get up to 30 mins of exercise daily

This is what I'm doing and I'm not saying it's easy. I so long for a piece of carb select bread. But I'm dedicating this 10 days to getting my protein level back up where it needs to be.

8-23-05

I'm sick just about every day. Every meal is torture to me right now. SF applesauce makes me sick!! I don't know what's wrong here. I can't get in to see the surgeon until the end of October. But if this keeps up I'm going to have to beg for a sooner appointment.

Here's what I ate yesterday:

Water - about 50 oz

B - two bites of oatmeal (which made my stomach cramp up immediately

L - nacho's; meat and cheese mostly about 2 oz(I was sick for two hours after eating lunch)

D - pot roast about 1 oz of meat, 1/4 cup of salad, 2 tsp of mashed potatoes (again was instantly cramping up and sick for over an hour after eating)

YUP - That's it!! And I had to make myself do that much!!!! Even the water will cramp my stomach but it goes away pretty quick so I just keep drinking anyway.

I currently weigh 190lbs. I'm happy with my weight loss, but I just didn't expect to be sick 90% of the time!!!

8-27-05  
Today is my 100th day after surgery. My friend and angel Jennifer took some pictures of me. I didn't recognize myself in the pictures. No Kiddin' this picture with the umbrella in the back, I absolutely didn't think it was me!!! That's pretty strange. I'm at 188 now and just thrilled to have lost this much weight!!!

8-31-05

This whole food thing has got me down today. Or maybe it's all the turmoil in the country with the hurricane and gas prices. I went shopping yesterday and was determined to get some protein for me to eat this week. Here's how today's going

Breakfast:

Atkins Morning Start Cereal (1.5g fat;10g carbs; fiber 7g; 15g protein.. before you add in milk) I ate three bites before I was sick.

Snack:

20 oz water

South Beach Diet's Caprese Style Chickenw/ Broccoli& Cauliflower (8g fat; 12g carbs; 3g fiber; 35g protein) I ate five bites and then my stomach was in knots!!!!

Now, I'm  back to water. Water is my friend right now, cuz I can drink as much as I want and it sits well!!!! I don't know what to do for dinner. I was so excited to be eatting 50g of protein before dinner today.... and I was so depressed to not be able to eat it. I don't even want to think about dinner!!!!

Yesterday I had swiss miss hot chocolate with protein powder for breakfast and I went to lunch with my mom. I had a side salad (about 1/4 cup) and a cup of chili that I ate about 80% of. That was good.

I seem to be able to eat about anything that is "soft". Soup, mashed potatoes (I know bad at this point), liquids, chili if it's small beans and really fine meat pieces, salad (I guess because it turns to nothing after chewing it?) I could do jello and pudding but I'm sick to death of both of those and there's nothing really in them anyway. I don't know what to do. I feel like a failure because I can't eat like I'm supposed to. I know I've lost a lot of weight, but I worry that I'll never "eat" again. I don't want to be on mushy foods the rest of my life, that's for sure!!!! Guess I just need a big hug today.

7-5-05

7-14-05

Exactly 8 weeks ago I had surgery and today I hit the 1/2 Century Club!!!! OMGSH!!!  I was 262 right before surgery and today I'm 212!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I'm not including the weight I gained in the hospital and had to relose)I'm so thrilled. Most of my tops need to be size 14 now, my shorts/pants are 16/18 with most of them REGULAR and not WOMANS!  This has been just such an incredible thing.

Yesterday I walked back in to the insurance company where I worked two years ago and NO ONE RECOGNIZED ME!!!! There were jaws dropping left and right. It was wonderful. I don't see THAT big of a change in me, but I guess there is.

7-18-05

Man am I sick of being sick. I've done nothing but cough for four straight days!! OUCH, my throat hurts, my head hurts, and I'm exhausted from it all. As of today I'm 205, but that's only because I can't get or keep food down. My pouch says "NO WAY" . I've tried hot tea, ice tea, water, soup, etc.... nothing helps.

I didn't realize that eating would be this much work. I just want to get to the point where I can live a normal life and function like everyone else. Right now, I can't get through WalMart without coming right home (having the kids unload things) and taking a two hour nap. I'm so whipped!!!!!

I'm going to a new PCP next week. He used to work with McLaren's WLS program, so at least he knows what kinds of meds I can and can not take. I'm getting a b-12 shot and I'm insisting on a full blood work up. My levels can't possibly be where they should with what I've been through.

7-19-05

I'm two months out now. I've lost 57 pounds and 34.5 inches!!!!  Weight loss has slowed down a lot, but I'm not eating enough and I am too sick to walk so I see why. I'm trying to be patient and remember that it will happen, this is just a bump in the road for me. I've got 70 pounds more to go and I'll be at goal, so really I've done wonderful. Over 40% gone in the first two month. I just need to quite whining and focus more on getting better

June 4, 2005

Today is day 16 post op. I'm down 19 pounds but I'm having a hard time eating. It takes such a concentrated effort to even eat two ounces of food. I could just as easily go without eating at all. I had about three days where I got in enough food, protein, and water and now I'm back to not getting enough in. I know it will get easier as the weeks go by but right now it's hard.

I don't have any trouble getting enough walking in. I can pretty get in two miles a day OK, just need to focus more on eating more food.

People are starting to say that they can see a difference in my face and stuff, I don't see any difference. My stomach is still swollen, so I look pregnant!! YUCK!!!!!!!!! My watch is getting too big and my sandals were too big, so I know I'm losing inches it's just not in my stomach where I need it the most right now. I just need to be patient. I'm eager to be able to look for a job. I'm going back to school this fall. I know I'll enjoy that. I just need to get through the summer.

6-8-05

I hit my first WLS goal!!! I now weigh less than my husband!!! When I got so I weighed more than him, it was my determening factor in having WLS. I hated that I was heavier than him!! Now I'm not anymore!!!! YeeeeeeHaaaaaa.

I'm also only 2 lbs. away from having lost 20% of my excess body fat!!! Incredible, absolutely incredible. I'm starting to fit into some clothes I haven't worn in two years. (the last time I lost weight) 2 1/2 years ago I was down into 16/18 and some 14!! Then I ballooned back up and went higher than ever to a size 24 or 3x! All my 24's are hanging on me now. And I'm wearing some of the bigger 18/20's. I don't know how after only losing 23 lbs. But I'll take it no matter how!!

I'm starting to feel better from surgery. I do have more energy now. I just need to get into a routine of walking. I tend to just let the day happen and see if I get it in. I've got to make it more of a priority!

6-23-05

Well I've lost 39 pounds now!!! I see it a lot in my upper body. I've lost 30% of my excess weight!!! That is so cool to think of it that way!!!! I'm currently not feeling well and struggling to eat and drink but I know that it's just stress from some major family problem. It will get better. Tomorrow I go see Dr. Wood. I'm nervous about that because I know I haven't been able to get in much. Today I've drank about 30 oz of water, ate a scrambled egg, had four bites of tuna casserole, and three or four bites of green beans. That's it. Not even close to the 60g of protein or the 64 oz of water. It's starting to take effect on my body now too. I feel so weak and tired. I'm sort of dizzy all day. We just moved this week, and I can unpack only one box and then I have to go lay down for a while!!! I feel like a whimp!!

My incision looks wonderful. No problems with it at all. My drain tube hole has healed over nicely as well. It's a lot of work, but wow is this surgery worth it!!! I'd do it again in a heart beat!!!!!!!!!!

6-30-05

Well I had lost 45 lbs and was down to 217lbs!!! But then I got real sick and ended up in the hospital for two days. There they filled my full of fluids and I've gained back 9lbs so today I am 226 lbs. I'm not complaining though, I needed it. It feels nice not to be so exhausted although I still tire easily!! I got in a nice 3 oz of chili for lunch today!! That was good. Hospital stay sucked. They ran potassium through my IV - OUCH!!! that stuff hurts going in. I hope to have work release in three more weeks, then its off job hunting for me!

5-2-05

WoooooooooHOooooooooooooooo I have a date!!!! Cori called today and I'm schedule for surgery on May 19th!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Lord!!! What else is there to say. I'm soooooo thrilled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5-6-05 
Time is ticking away. Last night I went to North Branch group. Everyone was excited to hear that I have a date and the realization that most of them won't see me again until after my surgery!!! I made a scrapbook for my WLS journey. Everyone at group thought it was adorable. They said I should make them up and sell them.(hhhhmmmmm) Tiffany is such a sweetheart! She made me a guardian angel and gave it to me last night. It's so cute. Now, that girl's got talent. I promised to take the angel to the hospital with me. As soon as I get this darn picture thing figured out, I’ll put a picture of it on here.

Everyone keeps asking me if I'm "scared" yet! What's up with that???? I'm not nervous about the surgery, I'm nervous about getting it cancelled, or getting sick and having to postpone, etc. There are some strange things going on at Cori lately. Patients are saying that Dr. Hendrick and Dr. Kole are leaving. (perhaps that is why Dr. Kole cancelled his consult apt with me and they wouldn't reschedule it????) This makes me a little nervous. What if surgeon's leave and the remaining surgeon's are too overworked? What if they postpone surgeries and create waiting lists that are months long? OMGSH - I'm sooo close to having this done, I'm just afraid that something going to happen to delay it more!! Those are the things I'm scared of.

I bought my baby spoons (my kids thought that was pretty funny) and two sippy cups this week. I've gone through the Cori manual and have a good idea of what the stages are. Monday, I have to call Cori back and see about my pre admis. testing. WOW - I have less than two weeks left!!! I'm sooooo geeked!!!!!!

5-10-05

Yesterday Cori called and confirmed by date. They said the hospital will call with my pre admis. testing. Only 9 days left!!! It's happening fast now. Yesterday I cleaned like crazy (sort of nesting syndrome). I washed all the windows, and moved the furniture and cleaned. Getting all the things done that I would be tempted to do after surgery!!!

I'm going walking in Lapeer today and then shopping for my preop stuff that I haven't bought yet. It'll be here before I know it.

5-14-05

Went to pre surgical testing yesterday. My nurse's name was Peaches. She was very nice. Explained all about what would happen from the time I arrive until I go home. They did blood work, an EKG, and two chest x-rays. I was out of there in an hour.

Tomorrow we're celebrating my oldest child's 17th birthday!! It's really on the 17th but I'll be on liquids then and I wanted to be able to have cake with her so we moved it up a couple of days.

With only 5 days left, I've cleaned about everything possible in the house. I've made lists of things needing done. I've made schedules for the kids' baseball and other activities. I've re-read the book that Cori gives their patients. I forgot today to get my prescriptions filled, so I'll have to do that on Monday!

May 23, 2005  - I'M A LOSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's my surgery experience.

Arrived at hospital and was given an IV. Nurses came in and asked me basic questions. They added antibiotic to my IV. Then they came in to do the epidural. This wasn't fun. Then lady missed twice!! So on the third try she said, "I think I got it in this time." Yikes - I don't care what you THINK. I want you to KNOW!!! After waiting a couple of hours, it was my turn. I was wheeled into surgery at 9:00am. I only remember someone telling me they were going to give me something to relax me in the IV........... then I woke up in recovery!!! I was in mild pain. I stayed in recover for a few hours. I finally got to my room about 3:00pm. The rest of the day went well. I mostly slept. About 6:30pm they came in and had me sitting up in bed. I asked if I could walk but they said it was too early. Around 9:00pm I TOLD them that I was going to get up to walk (I know that the sooner you walk, the better you heal). So a nurse came in and I did one lap up and down the hall way. Sometime in the night I complained to the nurse about my stomach getting larger and it being hard. She said it was gas. It was soooo uncomfortable!!! I asked about it again later in the night and was told the same thing. The next morning, a nurse came in to take out my catheter. She said that it was all backed up and didn't the night nurses check it. (nope) So they had to work on it and get it draining again. Then there was so much coming out it took 25 minutes of straight draining before she could remove it. That day I went pee about every hour or so and I was filling the 'hat' each and every time. I walked and got ice chips on the first day after surgery as well. I did about 10 laps the first day. Everyone said I was doing great. Dr. Wood came in and said the surgery went perfect. On Saturday, he came back in and said that I was doing great and could go home!! I did have to come home with my JP drain still in. There was too much drainage for them to take it out. So I was home about 3:00pm on Saturday!!!

The Lortab (liquid pain medicine)taste nasty to me, but I'm getting it down every six hours. The shots are nothing to me, although everyone in my family thinks that it is gross. My drainage tube really bothers me. I know that it's just a mental thing. It doesn't hurt! But any movement of it and I'm lightheaded and dizzy. I have to have someone else empty it, I just can't!! That seems so weird to me. I have no problem doing everything else required of me, but this drain, I just can't deal with it at all.

Yesterday, I walked around the block once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Today it's raining, so I'm just trying to get up and walk around the house. I think I'm doing pretty good. Staples look good, no sign of infection. Drain looks good according to my husband. (I can't even look at it)

Anyone who's pre op reading this I have a suggestion that was given to me by my angel and it's been great. I bought men's tank top style t-shirts (the one's your grandpa wore) I put that on instead of my bra. Then I put my binder over that and then my clothes over the binder. It is very comfortable and the binder actually helps hold "me up" without a bra. I tried to wear my bra, but I was just too uncomfortable.

Got on the scales this morning. I was 262 at my consult. After my bowl prep (which I won't even talk about on here) I was 259. When I came home from the hospital I was 257. And this morning I am 254!!!! It's already melting off of me!!!! I am amazed!!!!!

May 27, 2005

I did find out that I'm not eating nearly enough. I feel like all I do it eat and drink water. I was eating 2 - 3 oz every three hours. But they want me eating 3 - 4 oz every two hours!! WOW I don't know how that will work and still get water in as well. But I'm working on it, I've already started eating every two hours! Now I've just got to increase the servings. But I'm dong pretty good. It feels good to be on the mend.

4-15-05

Wow - I can't believe I've let this go so long without an update. I was denied by Aetna !!!! I then appealed it myself and today in the mail I received my APPROVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I am actually going to have surgery. Of course, I want it tomorrow now that I'm approved.

Somehow Cori Center put me down with Dr. Kole who isn't the surgeon I asked for (but he a great surgeon too). So I called to schedule my consult with him, and of course....it got all messed up. Cori said that he's not in the office next week, so it would be the following week - the 25th. I said OK, but then they called back a few hours later and said that they had to cancel my appointment for the 25th because Dr. Kole was booked and there was no room for me!!! OMGSH was I ticked off!!!! She appologized to me for her mistake, but it just didn't matter. I told her that Cori has not done ONE thing RIGHT in my case and it was not acceptable to me to wait two more weeks! I asked if she would just schedule me with another surgeon then, but she wouldn't do that. She said I could only go to Dr. Kole. BOLOGNA ( I know, I was a b$%%^) but they screw EVERYTHING up. My PCC Chuck, is on vacation this week. So, he will be back on Wednesday. I sent him an email telling him what happened and asked him if he could see if Dr. Kole would squeeze me in that day (the 25th). I've waited a year, and all my patients were used up on the insurance company. I told him that I'm willing to go wtih another surgeon - I just want it ASAP. So, now I wait for him to call me back

4-18-05 
Well Cori called me back and said that I can see Dr. Kole on Wednesday the 27th. He's fitting me into his follow up apts. on that day.

Erin posted her beautiful pic on the site today so I decided to get at least one of mine on here too. 

Well, after trying to post my pic I can't get it sized small enough to put on here. I made it small 2"X3" saved it, then linked it to here, but it shows up on here as a HUGE pic!!! I certainly don't want any huge pics of me anywhere. I'll have to get some help with it.

4-24-05

YIKES - we've got about four inches of snow on the ground right now!!! Last Tuesday, I walked in Lapeer and it was 80 degrees. I was in shorts...  and now we've got SNOW!! I so hate living in Michigan !!!

The days are dragging on. Each day seems like a week to me. I'm just so ready to hop up on that table and get going on life again. I feel like I've been on hold for the last year, trying to get surgery - now, I'm approved and I want it NOW!!

Wednesday I go see Dr. Kole. I was told that I would get my date then as long as I don't need anymore tests done. Once again Cori has mislead me. I won't get a date then. Chuck told me that someone will call me with a date a "couple of days" after my appointment with him!!!! DAWG GONE IT!!!! Why don't they get their act together! I KNOW for a fact, the Cori doesn't call when they say they will so I'm sure I won't hear from them until sometime in May. I'm so sick of all of this!!!

I am trying to stay positive (and failing miserably, I know) I am excited about having the surgery. We have things planned for summer and if I have surgery in May then I will just have enough time to recover before the busy schedule hits!!! In June I'm going to a five day scrapbooking thing. I can't wait!!! I love to scrapbook. Then we camp the first two weeks of July. I definitely will need to be feeling better in order to do that!

We will probably still be homeschooling through June. With taking time off for surgery, it will put us a little off schedule. But the kids seem fine with it. They will really only be doing two subjects in June, so it won't take them very long to get it done each day.

The kids are asking questions about my surgery. What will I eat after surgery? How will I feel? Questions like that. I've been open with them regarding surgery and life afterwards. They've been with me through three other surgeries in the last five years so they aren't really worried about mom dying, she's just having surgery! I'm glad about that. Now if I could just get a date and get this show on the road!!

4-27-05

Surgeon's office called this morning - the CANCELLED my consult apt today!!!! Said the surgeon was leaving early today! The worst part is, that the nurse said she didn't know when they could reschedule me and she'd call me back when she could. What the heck is going on????? Cori has messed up everything in my case so far. They've never found my file. Now I'm approved and I can't get in to see the surgeon. I called Chuck at Cori and begged for an appointment (yes, I begged). I told him it was getting ridiculous the things they've screwed up. He said he would see what he could do and call me back later today.

Chuck just called, he got me in to see Dr. Wood tomorrow!!!! to Chuck! I wanted Dr. Wood in the first place and by someone's mess up I got placed with Dr. Kole. (not that Dr. Kole is not a good surgeon though, I would use him too)So, I'm back to Dr. Wood and Cori says that it shouldn't make any difference insurance wise cuz I'm approved for Cori.

I'm so ready for this roller coaster ride of PRE OP to be over, I'm getting "emotion" sick from all the ups and downs!!!!!! My psyc eval is only good for another month, so I've got to get this thing scheduled...cuz I doubt I'd pass another eval at this point!!

4-28-05

My consult it done!! Everything is done and ready for surgery. Dr. Wood was great!!!! I really like his personality. He told me he thought I was a great candidate, and he was sure I'd be his "SuperStar" patient!! Now, I wait for the scheduling person to call me with a date!

The question is how long do I wait before I call the scheduling person???????????? Today is Thursday, so I'm giving them until Tuesday to call me. If not then I'll call and start bugging them for a date!! I'd jump up on the table tomorrow, if they'd let me!!

March 2 - 2005

STILL WAITING! Wow, this is really driving my nuts. My physical health has been deteriorating lately. I'm just so darn exhausted I can't see straight. I force myself to stay awake during the day.

I have a stabbing sharp pain in my left should that is horrible when it happens. The other day I was mid sentence and I grabbed my shoulder and yelled OUCH! DH asked what was wrong, so I told him. Going to the PCP is such a waste of time, he never does anything, half the time he doesn't even note my chart. My arms are still going numb from the wrists to the elbows (this isn't pain, but very annoying)leaving me unable to do much and driving exasperates this! My right foot has been painful to me for months now. I've gone to PCP, he took xrays and said it wasn't broke, but it is still very painful. If one of the kids bumps my foot, I'm in agony!! Even just wearing my shoes hurts!!!!  Gosh - I'm 35 years old and falling apart!!!!

My last call to Aetna got me no information. The lady told me that it was "dated  3-8-05 pending review approval" she didn't know what that meant, even though I asked about three times. All I can figure is that on 3-8-05 it is scheduled to be reviewed??? I don't know. The longer I wait the more sure I am that it will be denied. I've felt that when I sent it in. My PCP just DIDNT document things like he should have. I even told him EXACTLY what needed to be included and he still didn't do it!! But he doesn't DO much of anything anyway.

I would absolutely HATE to have to do another 6 mths. medically suppervised diet, just because he didn't do his job!!! And if I have to I will certainly get a different doctor! I've already found another PCP that is closer to me and he supports WLS!! So, I will be switching over to him, I just didn't want to do that in the middle of an approval.

I'm very down today. Guess it's a mix between the waiting, feeling like I'm NEVER going to have WLS, my health, and just life in general!! I'm leaving tomorrow for 24 hrs. of alone time, just for me. Got a hotel and I'm taking my scrap booking things and going away by myself. That will be nice, I hope I don't flop onto the bed and sleep the entire time away!! DH is meeting me at the hotel Friday night and we'll spend one night there together.

3-9-05

Well it must be that this whole month is just plain going to suck!!! I can not get any answers from Aetna . Today I got a message from Cori. They need to reassign me to a different PCC (patient care coordinator) because they let most of theirs go and are only having ones at their headquarters in Ill. handle things now. So, I call there and yup I haven't been reassigned yet, but I should have by now. After being on hold for a long long time, this lady comes back and tells me that my file didn't get sent to Ill. so they can't assign me anyone. I explained that everything was submitted to Aetna a month ago, and I really need someone to check with Aetna and see where my determination is at. This lady (should be a used car salesperson) then tells me that all my stuff is in order and since it was all there and turned in then I should have been approved. (how the heck does she know ANYTHING about my case being approved, they've lost my file...duh). She said that she would call Michigan and have my file overnighted to them. Tomorrow when she gets the file she'll call Aetna and get my approval and then call me back tomorrow. OMGSH - how can she say I'm approved when I have not been!!! How frustrating this is to me. Besides it was after 4pm in Michigan when I called her. They can't possible contact Cori in Warren and have them find my file and overnight it to her this late in the afternoon.

I'm sooooo sick and tired of people stringing me along, just to get me off the phone. And then, they do NOTHING!!!! So I called Cori in Warren . She found a PCC there (who was supposed to call me yesterday and didn't) but he was getting ready to go home and wouldn't take the time to talk to me, find my file, or call Aetna !!!!! They did look it up and there have been no notes added to the computer on my file since it was submitted on the 11th of February. So no one has done anything for the past month.

I guess tomorrow, I'll be calling Aetna AGAIN, and see if I can find a sympathetic ear. I really need some inside person here to get answers from - this is just ridiculous.

Feb. 3, 2005

Update time! Well, I did go see the surgeon. He has ALL his patients do the Optifast thing, no way out of it. When I asked what the purpose was he said "behavior modification"!! YIKES, when it cost almost $1,000 Yah, I guess so. But there is no way I can pay for it. I can get my testing done by another doc. but it is pretty irrelevant since I can't do the optifast.

So, once again, I'm a patient without a surgeon. So yesterday I DROVE down to Cori, picked up my packet, filled it out and gave it back to them. She said I needed a blood test, so I got that done today at my PCP. My PCP also handed me a copy of all my medical records, including the sleep study so my file is complete now!!! Guess tomorrow, I'll drive back down to Cori and give it to them. It's 1 1/2 hr. drive down, but I like knowing that I personally handed it to them, didn't get lost in the mail!! I'll find out tomorrow what my next step here is, but I'm ready to submit to Aetna now. YEEEEEEHAAAAAA!!! Finally!

Feb.24, 2005

OOOOOOPPPPPSSS! I have not been on here in a long time and now I'll have to back track. Let's see. I've turned in my file to Cori and it was submitted to Aetna . I've been calling Aetna every few days, but they just say that it's still in review! It's very very frustrating to be forced to be patient with the insurance co. They just seem to take FOREVER!!!

Meanwhile, on Valentines Day - I slipped on the ice and knocked myself out! Spent three hours in ER (which was actually a quick trip). I had a concussion, sprained neck and spasms in my neck and shoulders and back!!! OUCH!!!!! That was really painful. I spent a week completely drugged up with muscle relaxers and Tyelnol 3's!!! That did the trick, and now I'm feeling better! So, it's back to the waiting game. Tomorrow is my day to call Aetna again, and of course, I will be on the phone with them.

*side note: we bought new kitchen appliances on Valentines Day. Our fridge (which I fell trying to help bring in the house) was the WRONG ONE!! The correct one is out of stock!!! GGGGGGGGRRRR after much arguing with the salesman, I got our $1299 fridge for $600!!! YIPPIE!! It was supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I called today to verify that it was there and coming tomorrow, they said NO. It didn't come in. Now it will be another week. But they did a good thing and they are paying to rent us a fridge until our comes in.

1-3-2005

Wow, after one week of my new eating I've lost 6 lbs.!!!! I'm so thrilled. Sure makes me glad I didn't give in and buy Doritos last night LOL

I'm doing very well on sticking to it. My hubbie went through the cupboards and got rid of all that wasn't "healthy" including almost all of the pasta (my personal favorite)The entire family is eating this way, and there haven't been too many complaints from the kids. We did have baked fish the other night and most of the kids had a sandwich, but we all ate a little bite of it just to taste. I thought it was good, but missing something....huuuh....oh yes, must have been the cheese sauce I would normally have put on it. Oh It was great to see the scales go down!!!!

We are using Zonya Foco's cookbook "Lickety-Split Meals". It is wonderful!! Great healthy meal for people on the go!! I would recommend it to everyone!

I go for my feedback from psy. eval on Jan. 10....then it's off to the surgeon. I am hoping to do well enough on the 1200 cal, that I won't have to do the liquid Optifast for six weeks prior to surgery! It's pretty costly, almost $1,000 total. We'll see! It is up to the surgeon if Optifast is required or not - hopefully for me it won't be.

1-12-05

On the 10th I officially passed the psych. eval!! She recommended me for WLS. Then I saw the dietician again. She's been great and so much help. She was thrilled with my weight loss!! We went and got scheduled for my surgical consult. with Dr. Wease. It is on January 31. I was wanting it earlier in the month but he's on vacation for two weeks...bummer...but we ARE learning patients through this process!!!!

1-6-05

1-13-05

It's official....I have sleep apnea. O2 levels dropped more than 144 times in the night and I stopped breathing all together numerous times as well. What a bummer!!! I never really thought I'd have it, I just wanted to rule it out cuz I've heard of people going into surgery and waking up on a vent, due to undiagnosed sleep apnea. Well, I'm so claustraphobic - I do not want to wake up on a vent!! So I asked my PCP for the sleep study. WOW, I sure am glad that I did!! I go Wed. (19th) to get fitted for my cpap machine.

1-26-05

This cpap machine is so hard to get used to. I found a non-mask type that is the Nasal Aire II. It's good because it’s more like oxygen tubing and NOT a mask on my face. But I still wake up 4 - 6 times each night in  a total panic and yank the thing from my face! Then I wake up enough to know it is supposed to be there. But then it takes a while to calm myself back down and put it back on (thank God for ramp mode)!! So, I'm actually getting LESS sleep with this thing than I was before!! :(

I go see the surgeon on the 31st. I'm excited about that. I'm working on a list of questions to ask him. I also need to write a letter to my insurance company describing what MO has done to my day to day life. (I'm not eloquent enough for this). I am hoping that Dr. Wease will allow me to use my PCP for all of my blood work up and stuff instead of their internal medicine doctor. Their IM doc. is out of network for Aetna and I don't think I should have to pay out of pocket for it when my PCP can order whatever tests are needed anyway. So, we'll see. I guess it's worth fighting for since it's my money!!

12-8-04

Updates. I got my eye surgery date moved. I had surgery on 12-4-04 and the next day I was seeing 20/20!!! What a blessing to not wear glasses anymore. I am loving it.

Cori center has still not returned my call. I've called again and just got an answering machine, which they never returned my call from that either. Maybe they just have so many patients that they don't need me, I don't know but it does turn me off!!

I had my orientation at McLaren in Flint today.... and I guess I have to eat crow, because I've always said I would rather die than go to McLaren (had a bad experience with the one in Lapeer); but I've got to say I was IMPRESSED!! They were so friendly and they had answers to all my questions before I asked them. Most of the information was in hand out format, all the risks and benefits of WLS, a surgery check list, and prices for all non-surgical things (ie. psyc. eval, nutrition assessment, etc.)

McLaren uses the Opti-Fast liquid diet for six weeks prior to surgery, and they go over what that costs as well. FYI it will cost me $120 a week for those six weeks. I thought it was kind of high, but then we considered the fact that I won't need "food" during that time, and we won't be eating "out" either. So actually it will only be an extra $40 - 60 a week. That's not pocket change to us, but it is worth it to me and I'll just have to tighten the "budget belt".

So I have my psyc.eval scheduled for 12-27-04 and my nutrition assessment will be right after the eval (that will be a long day) I'm excited, and scared! I'm sure they will tell me I have "food issues" duh!!! Like I don't know that. But I just don't want to get into my "childhood" and did my father love me and that kind of psyco babble!

At least today I feel like I've accomplished something towards getting a surgery date. It is a good feeling!!! Wish Cori would call me back, just so I can tell them, they were too late and I went elsewhere! (yes, I have a mean streak in me, I know that too!)

12-28-04

I went for my psyc. eval. yesterday. It went well, I guess. Wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought. The lady was prompt and told me that we'd be done in 1/2 the time - and we were!! After the first of the year I'll call back for my report.

I also saw the dietician. She was wonderful. Gave me some homework to do over the next two weeks until I see her again.

1. Eat three meals a day ( I hardly ever eat breakfast, so this is going to be difficult for me to do. )

2. Drink 48 oz of water a day. I usually only get in 24 oz or so, but I can do this one pretty easy. It's just a matter of being aware of the need to drink more.

3. Keep a food journal, including the time I eat, the amount, and the estimated calories.

I also was started on vitamins. I'm not a pill taker at ALL!!! So this one is very difficult. I bought them last night, and already forgot to take them this morning!

She gave me a lot of information on how to stay on a 1200 cal diet. Including restaurant info., shopping tips, and meal prep tips.

Next step is to follow up with psy. after that clearance is given then I see the surgeon and then get my complete physical and any other clearances needed.

The only clearance I might need is sleep study, so I'm going to request one from my PCP now instead of waiting a month. I go see the PCP on Jan. 5th.

I obtained a copy of my medical records and was very shocked at how LITTLE the doctor put in my records. A lot of my complaints have not been noted at all!! So, I'm going to have to "persuade" him to include more information in my medical records!!!

11-29-04

Guess what I'm getting for Christmas???? My eye lasered!!! I've worn glasses for my entire adult life. I'm so excited about never having to wake up and reach for my glasses again!! I go for surgery on 12-10 and I'm geeked!

I also found out that Cori Center is a participant in Aetna ins. so I have more than one option for surgeons now. I've contacted Cori (boy, their wheels seem to turn REALLY slow), they said that a patient rep would contact me in a couple of days. GEEEEE - no prob. it's only my life on the line here. I'm so impatient, I know. I keep telling myself not to be this way, but it is hard. I know in January I can submit to the ins. company and I want thing lined up..... I've waited five months now just to submit.... I'm tired of waiting.... and yet I know there are weeks and weeks and weeks of waiting left before I can join the Loser Club!! But like all good things, it will be worth the wait.