Dawn Potter
1/8/05 Application form received from Dr. Simon's office and filled it out. It was several pages long and very thought-provoking. I can see that this will not be an easy or overnight process. In other words, "Only serious individuals need apply." I will mail it out in the morning. 1/24/05 Received a letter today from CNY Bariatric Surgeons, and have an appointment on February 28th for an information session. I also need to get a letter of medical necessity, bloodwork, and various tests completed with my primary care physician prior to my first visit. 2/28/05 I attended the 2-hour information session about the surgery and received paperwork and brochures to read over. 3/11/05 Had visit with Dr. Michelle Blegen, my primary care physician, who wrote my letter of medical necessity to Dr. Simon, plus performed the bloodwork and various other tests needed for my first visit. She was very encouraging and I left her office with the knowledge that I could back out if I needed to at any time, but that it was well worth pursuing. My feeling is that if I'm ever going to do this, I need to do it now. 3/23/05 My first appointment with Dr. Simon and his group. I meet all the criteria to be a candidate for weight loss surgery. The nutritionist gave me instructions on eating habits changes I need to make, and what to expect in the months to follow. I left with a good attitude, hope, and an eagerness to follow their instructions to the letter. Dr. Simon would like to see me 15 pounds lighter by my surgery date. 5/11/05 I had a great check-up this week. I've lost 9 pounds of the suggested 15, and they are gathering all the needed pieces for submitting my folder of paperwork to my insurance for surgery approval. I'm very happy. One very exciting event for me was meeting others and visiting in the waiting room who have had the surgery, or who have been given their surgery dates. It's like we're bonding with each other in ways other people just don't understand. Two sisters were seated next to me and gave me the information on this website. I had no idea there was such support! It's encouraging and reassuring to know others share my same concerns, questions, and fears. I'm looking forward to my next visit in July. In the meantime, I must see my primary care physician in June for a weight report. 5/26 I just got my psychological evaluation date with the psychologist. I will see him on 6/23. He said to plan on a 2-hour appointment (1 hour to fill out a questionnaire with 300+ questions, and 1 hour with the doctor). GEEZ!! 6/7/05 Had check-up with Dr. Blegen, my PCP, and I'm down another 3 pounds! This is very exciting--and difficult. I think the hardest thing to do is put my fork down in between bites and wait 2 minutes before taking the next bite. I'm really struggling with it. 6/23/05 I had my visit with Dr. Griffiths in Syracuse, for my psychological evaluation. It was a 2-hour appointment with the first hour being spent talking with him about a whole host of things, but mainly my family and what kind of support I have. He said it was wonderful that my husband was so supportive since many individuals experience the opposite with their spouses. The second hour was spent filling out a questionnaire of 370 true/false questions. It was a good appointment. I left the office with the feeling that I was one step closer to having approval for this surgery!! I'm very upbeat that it will actually happen. 7/15/05 I found out today that my folder has not yet been submitted for approval to my insurance provider. They have not received the psychiatric evaluation report. That is all they are waiting for. I will give it a few days then call him and see if we can move this process along. How disappointing, because I was really hoping to go to the doctor on the 20th and receive information about a date for surgery. 7/20/05 My appointment with Dr. Simon was today. I am down another 2 pounds, making the total 11 pounds. I have 4 more to go -- preferrably more. I can do this. Dr. Simon said to replace my drinking glass at the table with a timer. His nurse assured me that we were headed in the right direction and that I should take advantage of this time to get my eating and timing perfected. She assured me it would be easier on me afterward. So, as soon as the psychiatriac evaluation report is sent, my folder will be submitted to the insurance provider, then we should know in about two weeks after that. OK. . . . I'll be patient. 7/21/05 Dr. Griffiths said he faxed my psychological evaluation over to Dr. Simon's office, for a second time. 7/27/05 A third copy of my psychological evaluation was faxed. I called this morning to find that they had, indeed, received it. Now, according to Dr. Simon's office, it will be about a week before it is submitted to HealthNow for approval. All this waiting is nerve-wracking! 8/2/05 My folder was sent to HealthNow for approval. 8/8/05 Received a letter from HealthNow. That was fast!! They are requiring a GI Exam in addition to more blood work. All the bloodwork is done and being submitted, but I will have to get set up for a GI Exam. 9/2/05 Ultrasound of gall bladder, kidneys (GI Exam) and fasting blood work completed. Results will be faxed to Dr. Simon's office by Monday. 9/7/05 Appointment today at Dr. Simon's office was great, although I had gained a few pounds from my last visit (which I have to take back off!), plus the remaining 5 pounds prior to surgery. Everything else was very positive. My paperwork has been resubmitted to HealthNow and it should be within the next week or two that I have a surgery date. I still struggle a lot with waiting two minutes in between bites and no fluids with meals. This is a MAJOR hurdle which I need to conquer within the next month. 9/21/05 My surgery has been approved! I got the letter today in the mail from the insurance company. I cannot tell you what receiving this letter does to me. I am very excited and happy, yet absolutely scared to death! 10/8/05 I have a date! December 5th at 8AM. I got a letter from Dr. Simon's office. It is really going to happen!! And just before the Christmas holiday. Guess I will start the New Year off with a new outlook and a new me. 10/12/05 54 days and counting!!! Received pre-admission paperwork in the mail. I have an appointment on 11/22 for pre-admission physical and blood work. My family and friends (that know about this) have asked me, "how do you feel?" I can only describe it as the feeling one gets when they have wanted to ride a roller coaster for a long time. Having made the decision to finally get on the ride, pay their fare, get the ticket, and wait in line for their turn. Now, sitting in the seat, all bucked in, they are just waiting for the rest of the folks to get strapped in so the ride can start. I'm at that stage right now. I'm all strapped in and waiting for the ride to begin. Kind of breathtaking! 10/26/05 After my brief visit with Dr. Simon's office, I met went to meet Michelle Daws for the first time. She is also a patient of Dr. Simon's and we have been e-mailing back and forth and have formed a tight bond. It is wonderful to have a person to go through the experience with who can relate. We spent an hour together talking and learning about each others lives and families. I have this website to thank for Michelle and I meeting each other. 11/18/05 Just 17 days to go!! My how time flies. I'm trying to get everything in order. . . health, family, house, work, affairs, etc. I keep in touch with my fellow WLS friends and marvel at their progress. I can't wait to be on the "other side" with them. 11/22/05 Today was my Pre-Op visit at the doctor's office, and then off to the hospital for blood work and Pre-Admission paperwork. The doctor's office gave me a "new set of dishes" for my meals after surgery. They consist of 6 medicine cups (2 for each meal). I'm set for surgery at 8AM, so must be at the hospital by 6AM. Just 13 days away!! 11/27/05 I survived Thanksgiving! The holiday took on a new meaning for me. I'm very thankful that I have good insurance that will cover this upcoming surgery, thankful for a job that will allow me the time off to recover, and thankful for family and friends that will support this process and extreme effort. This is my final week at work for six weeks. 12/4/05 Less than 24 hours. I did a lot of last-minute things yesterday and today, and am as ready as I'll ever be. I wrote a poem about my adventure, which I wish to share. Enjoy. Twas the day after New Years, I'd made up my mind To make a few changes from the same old grind My weight was a problem, I'd come to see I had to do something, for a healthier me I'd tried many diets, hoping to find That one special cure to leave pounds behind I bought pills, drinks, and powders, and ordered books by mail Made shakes, soups, and chowders, and drank water by the pail I'd lose a few pounds and walked, giving no slack I wrote down what I ate, trying to stay on track Also journalled my meals, and even a snack But within months, I'd gained it all back Over the years, diets had taken their toll And emotional eating has entered the fold I turned to comfort food when time got tough And additional weight gain made exercising rough But my battle with weight loss was just part of the war My overall health had begun to get poor Type II diabetes had been diagnosed Along with other problems that had arose Like reflux of acid in the middle of the night And pain when I walked with no end in sight The added weight had made walking hard Not to mention my self-esteem had been severely scarred I had to do something, a more permanent change I wanted my weight out of the "morbid obesity" range I'd heard of a surgery that helped the obese And I wanted my struggle with weight to cease I watched the health channels and surgery shows Listened to the patients and the procedure they chose I'd done lots of research, and surfed the web And even listened to Roker, the weather celeb I made the call and researched the surgery And within a few weeks, I was on the bypass journey I met with the doctor, nutritionist and nurse I was given the facts; the best and the worse My surgeon was great, I liked what he said But, oh, the scales, they made my face red I was given instructions to follow to the letter Which would make post-op a whole lot better It's been almost a year of planning a new life And now within days, I'll go under the knife I've been pretty nervous, and I try to relax And when panic attacks, there's always Xanax! I've met other patients from the bariatric center We've bonded together and become each others' mentor Like Debbie and Tammy, and my friend Michelle And ObesityHelp.com has been really swell I love the support that everyone donates And with e-mail so easy, we've become web mates I've shopped for the basics, and the sugar-free stuff And I know it's not easy, it's going to be rough But I'm ready for weight loss, the permanent kind I'm ready to leave health problems way behind Play ball with the grandchildren or maybe hit a grand slam And be half the person that I currently am So now it's just days before my big surgery date We're down to the hours, and I can hardly wait To begin my life on the slimmer side Goodbye 3X, you're gone with the tide! 12/5/05 Today is the day! I got to the hospital at 6AM. I am a very high anxiety person and was really having second thoughts about going through with this. But, with a very supportive husband on my arm, he escorted me to Pre-Op and before long I was getting processed through. They gave me a shot of Versed (good stuff!) which calmed me down. The anestesiologist was superb, and Dr. Simon and crew came in my room to meet my husband and daughter and son-in-law, and said he'd see them afterward. Surgery took 3 hours. I have 6 port hole sites on my belly. My younger son and his wife arrived before I came out of recovery so I was able to see them when I came out. My older son and his wife arrived during the early evening. I can't express how important family is during this major surgical process. I'm glad for good family and friends. 12/6/05 Today I began clear liquids. I started out with sugar-free jello and broth. Deb Harlander and Tammy Hewitt arrived at lunchtime and diluted my juice to the proper consistency. It was great to see them. Also, my good friend and also fellow gastric-bypass "sister" Michelle Daws, came to see me and brought her mother to meet me. I was thrilled so see her and meet her mother. Michelle, Tammy, and Deb are such encouragement to me. I see how well they have done, and am eager to follow after them. 12/7/05 Dr. Simon came in this morning. I can go home today. Those words were music to my ears! Geoff came and got me about 11:30 and we were off to Ithaca. I went home in my nightgown, robe, and slippers. No way was I putting clothes on! The ride was OK, but the driveway was torture. Geoff's got to fix those pot holes! I had my son-in-law put the scales out where I can use them when I need to. I weighed myself when I got home so I have a "post-op" starting point. 12/8/05 I did very well today. I'm coughing up some old blood and such, but that is normal after major surgery. I'm still on the clear liquids and they satisfy me enough. I try to get up and walk more, but barely make it to the computer for 10 minutes, then off to the easy chair. That will get better in time, I hope. 12/9/05 I will call the doctor's office today and discuss my eating plan and hopefully will be advanced to "Stage 2" eating. This will include high protein drinks, sugar-free pudding, sugar-free yogurt, and scrambled egg. I list all this and wonder how I'll possibly eat all that in a day. I have to keep sipping water. That is the most important so as not to get dehydrated. I enjoy little notes from my co-workers, friends, and family. It's a wonderful communication with the outside world. 12/11/05 This morning, I stepped on the scales and am down 8 pounds since the day I came home from the hospital. I try not to be a slave to the scales, but I feel like a kid at Christmas at the moment. I am going to try sugar-free pudding today. It's a high protein, zero sugar pudding from Sylvester Stallone's line of products at GNC. I am hoping it will taste good and I can get my protein in with that instead of those drinks. I'm not tolerating the drinks as well as I wish. The Stage 2 diet is going well. I was able to eat a scrambled egg and pulverized chicken breast today, which I tolerated both well. The chicken tasted absolutely wonderful after such a bland diet so far, even though there was no spices or anything on it. 12/15/05 Today I am 17 pounds lighter! I notice my rings are a little loose on my fingers. My incisions are starting not bother me. I was able to sleep on my side for a while last night. I'm concentrating on trying to walk around the house more and maybe do a little more. I'm not pushing, I'm just getting bored. And I want to begin to build up a little muscle. I cannot express enough how important good friends and support is for this process. Other patients I have met and befriended, my husband, and good friends have all made the process easier. Support and encouragement from others is so essential. 12/17/05 Today I am 21 and 3/4 pounds lighter! It's amazing to me. I'm seeing numbers on the scales I haven't seen in more than 15 years! It is hard to get in three meals, plus the three protein drinks. I manage to get 2 drinks down, plus my water, but need to manage my intake a little better so as to fit the third one in. And I feel good. My family notices my pants are getting baggy and I'm losing some of my double chin. This is all good! I ran into one of my co-workers today at the store. It was so good to get out and see a familiar face and visit if only for a minute. 12/27/05 Down 25 pounds today! I had a little set-back last week that landed me back in the hospital for two days. I had severe pains in my mid-section which came every two minutes. Dr. Simon ordered me to the ER and after a CT scan with dye and other tests, they kept me for observation for a day. Looking back, I think I must have eaten too large a bites too soon together. I can't stress the importance of small bites and waiting 3-5 minutes between each bite. Anyway, I'm back on track and more careful than ever. 1/5/06 My 1-month anniversary. I'm down 31 pounds! That is a pound a day. Hard to believe. This is truly a learning experience, though. I can only say, I wish I had learned a long time ago not to eat so fast. I've had a couple of episodes of eating too much or eating too fast, and believe me, it WILL come back up within the hour! But, even with the minor problems, I'm not at all sorry I had this done. I'm now into a size 22W, which is down from a 26W! This is very exciting! 1/20/06 I got called away from work to rush to the hospital to be with my daughter. She gave birth to our grandson, Coby Kane Drake, 8 pounds 5 ounces, 20 inches, and a full head of black hair! That makes grandchild #5 for us. 1/23/06 Back to work today, full time. I went back half days last week and enjoyed getting acclimated back into the working mode. I highly recommend half days the first week. My co-workers were all supportive and it was nice to see them again. I'm beginning to see subtle differences in my appearance. Down 38 pounds today! 2/3/06 Down 44 pounds today since surgery. Add the 13 pounds I lost before surgery, and I'm up to 57 pounds lost!! Amazing. I'm down two clothes sizes and feel great. I have learned that I cannot eat beef. It hates me! Beef noodle soup and beef broth are great, but just don't eat beef. Can't do it. 2/9/06 Last night was my first visit to a restaurant since surgery. It was not as hard as I expected. I had a bowl of soup for my dinner. And it was fine. I was satisfied and really enjoyed being out. 2/10/06 Today I am down 48 1/4 pounds since surgery, and 61 1/4 overall. And I feel great. I'm happy and my outlook is great. I've had several people talk to me about the surgery and I am always happy to talk about my experience and answer questions. 3/3/06 Today I am down 69 pounds! And I feel great! I also had an endoscopy where they discovered a stricture. I have been living on soup these last few weeks, and now I know why. The stricture was preventing food from going into the digestive tract. The doctor dilated the stricture today so I should have no more trouble. 3/20/06 Today I am down 75 pounds! I'm over halfway there! I am now able to fit into a size 20 (down from a 24-26W) pants and an XL (down from 3X) tee shirt! I continue to feel great and am in awe of how good I feel. I'm enjoying the compliments of those whom I've not seen in many months. Not a day goes by that I'm not grateful for having had the surgery. My BMI has gone from 55.7 before surgery to 42.7 presently, and dropping. I seem to have this permanent smile on my face! 4/1/06 My husband and I went to a wedding reception this evening. First formal outing since I had surgery. It was wonderful! I had to buy a new outfit, of course, and buying a size 20 was a pleasure! Some folks I had not seen in several months didn't recognize me at first. It was great to hear the many compliments. As of today, I am down 82 pounds! 5/2/06 I have mastered a couple of big goals for me this past month. First, I now weigh less than my husband for the first time in our 25 years of married life! And today, I hit my 90 pound loss mark. Also, I am now wearing a size 18W and will soon be into a 16W. There is not a day goes by that I don't celebrate the surgery and the new me shining through. 5/26/06 100 POUNDS!!! I have lost 100 pounds as of this morning! How awesome it is. My brain has still not caught up to the person looking back at me from the mirror, but I'm very happy with my improved health and energy. I have a great reason to celebrate the long holiday weekend! 6/18/06 Today I am celebrating my 50th birthday. My gift to myself is good health, and being 106 pounds lighter than I was last year at this time! My energy is great, I am able to go up a flight of stairs without pain or stopping midway, and am enjoying life. 8/10/06 Today I weighed in 120 pounds lighter. This is a life I know nothing about so I feel like I'm in unchartered waters. I have outgrown the XL tee-shirts that I had bought. No longer do I have an "X" in front of my clothes. I've gone from a 26W to a 14W and still losing. I'm currently wearing a Large shirt, but they are beginning to be loose. I notice a lot of extra skin, but hey, it goes with the territory. I'll live with it. Good health and feeling good about yourself is far more important than a bit of extra skin. 9/16/06 Today is our 25th Anniversary. I weight in just 3 pounds shy of the weight I was the day my husband and I met! I am very happy. I am currently 132 pounds lighter, and now into a size 12 pants and a Medium top. These are sizes I never thought I'd ever see. I go to the doctor next week and am anxious to hear what they have to say. We had our photos taken for our Anniversary, so will get a new photo posted soon. 9/20/06 Today was my 9-month post-op check up at the surgeon's office. They are very happy with my progress and say I am their "poster child" for bariatric surgery! I am happy, healthy, and thrilled to have had the surgery. It has not been all easy, but I think it was well worth going through all the ups and downs. 10/5/06 It has been 10 months today since I had surgery! Today I weighed in 134 pounds lighter. I have been on a plateau for the past three weeks and finally broke it. It gets frustrating to weigh in every morning and find you have not lost a single ounce! But I have moved on and am back on the losing end. 12/5/06 ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Today I am down 143 pounds! Amazing. I look back on the year and can't hardly believe how much has happened. Not only is my weight almost half of what it was a year ago, but my health is so much better. I feel good. My diabetes is gone, my cholesterol is down, my arthritis is minimal, my feet and knees and back don't hurt, and I am able to stand on my feet for long periods of time without being in pain. My energy level is great and I love being active. Not a day goes by that I'm not very thankful for having this surgery done. Oh, it has its ups and downs, but overall it is priceless! 6/26/07 Time for an update! It has been 19 months since surgery. I now weigh 131, which makes me down 170 pounds! It is absolutely hard to believe. I wear a size 8 pants, size small shirt, and my ring size is down from an 8 1/2 to a size 6 1/2. I feel great! I highly recommend this surgery to anyone who is struggling with weight that is making them miss out on what life has to offer.