I started out this process trying to go through Dr. THomas in Texas at gastric-bypass-center.com. Everything on their site is automated so I thought it would be pretty easy and it was until it needed human interaction. I requested all of my medical records be sent to them and then I never heard anything back. I left dozens of phone messages and no one returned my call. I can't tell you how frustrating this was.
At the same time I started trying to go through another Dr's office a little closer to home. Dr. Parvez's staff is great and they have all had the procedure. I gave my information over the phone and they faxed it in to my insurance company on a Monday. I am very impatient so I called the insurance company on Wednesday. The said that they had no record so I called another line and they found it. Dana called me that afternoon from Dr. Parvez's office and told me I was approved!
I have a consultation with the Dr. tomorrow 4/29/05
4/29/05-
Sat in on the seminar with Dr. Parvez. Geez there were a lot of people there.
Anyways Dr Parvez approved me for surgery and I had my bloodwork done there in the office. I confirmed my approval with HealthNet. So hopefully my blood tests will come back OK on Monday and I will be able to get a date!
8/20/06
Well here's and update, my blood work came back and guess what? I was pregnant! My husband and I were so excited and we had our baby in January. I went almost immediately back to prepregnancy weight and lost an additional 23lbs (I have since gained 10 back).
Looking back on it now, Dr Parvez's office was a little shady and quite dirty. I don't think I would recommend him. But the staff from Liv Lite were really great.
Well we moved back home to GA and now I am going through the process all over again. So far I have done everything with Dr. Duncan's office.
I got a letter in the mail from the ins. comp. stating that I was covered but not guaranteed. I am not sure what that means but they are requesting a surgery date, so that must be good.
I have not met with Dr. Duncan personally and that is a little disappointing.
So hopefully this week I will get a date.
9/7 Well, I got a date! It is 10/6.
10/10
Well, I am home from the hospital. Actually I have been for a couple of days. They released me 1 day after the surgery. The first few days at home were pretty rough. The gas pain was almost unbearable and I also had shooting pains in my right side. To make matters worse, I can't keep the pain meds down. They are too thick and sweet. I was disappointed to see that when I got home from the hospital I had actually gained 10lbs from the day I checked in. I guess that is somewhat normal though with all of the saline and CO2.
Today is definately looking better. I am still on clear liquids mostly chicken broth and water. I tried some jello last night but could only eat a few very tiny bites. I am going to try some Crystal Lite today. Oh, and thank God for sugar free popsicles! 15 calories never tasted so good!
I get sad when I see commercials on TV for DQ and fast food and such, remembering how much I used to love them. I guess what I have to think is that if I could have controlled myself then I wouldn't be in this situation now.
3/7/07
Today is a great day. I am at 179. I've reached the orginal goal set for me by the nutritionists. I don't get discouraged with plateaus because I know they're going to happen. I sat at 185 for weeks and then all of the sudden, 179. Weird I know. I go to the gym about 3 times per week and do the circuit machines. Yesterday I ran 2 miles on the treadmill but I am not a big fan of cardio.
I am in a size 12 dress pants and pretty happy about that. I am going to keep going until I feel completely comfortably with my size. i figure it will be around 150 or so, but we'll see.
7/14/07
Me again.... Well today I am at 158 and wearing a size 8 skirt and mens small tshirts. I have a lot of plateaus but the doctor said this would happen as you get close to your ideal weight. I am only 5 lbs from 100lbs lost. I never thought I would be this size. Despite time spent in the gym, I have a lot of loose skin on my stomach that will need to be surgically addressed. That happens when you have a 12lb baby and weigh 300lbs!
My family says that it's time to quit losing weight, but my ideal body weight is still 20lbs off. I am going to try to hit it and then let my body get comfortable where it wants to be.
I haven't touched any refined sugar since the surgery. NONE WHATSOEVER. And it is really hard sometimes. I know that if I slip just once, that will be the end. I now shop for only organic food for my family and have made a major lifestyle change.
This was the best and hardest thing I have ever done. Don't think about it, just DO IT!!!!!