EvetteB
September 18, 2006
I went for a consultation with Dr. Evanson today. I knew what the consultation was going to consist of but I was still really nervous. I did not want to go because I knew that I would be the only young person there. Once I got to the hospital I signed some paperwork and then I was called back to take my weight and then my measurements, "AHHHHHHH!" Seeing that was not fun, I had lost 21 pounds since I had been 3 years ago but it still sucked seeing all those numbers. After the consult when I met with Dr. Evanson individually he seemed upset that I did not have the surgery done before, and now I have high blood pressure and diabetes. He said, "this time we're doing it. I was so excited to hear him say that because I have been thinking that for the past two years.
September 21, 2006
I called St.Vincent's today to schedule an appointment with the psychologist, Dr. Stote. I have an appointment on Oct. 10. When I got my packet to fill out before my consult it said that his office does not file insurance so I asked the receptionist if I had to pay for the appointment then and she told me yes it would be $115.
October 1, 2006
Went to Plainfield today with my sister shopping, I actually found some cute clothes there at the Metropolis mall. I called Dr. Evansons office today to see if they received my letter of medical necessity from my PCP. I had to leave a message for Colleen to call me back. I have been calling my insurance company over and over again to make sure that bariatric surgery is covered. They keep telling me yes that it is covered under my plan but I am still skeptical :)
October 9, 2006
Well I was supposed to have an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Stote but with unexpected expenses I had to cancel. My new appointment is for Oct. 24. I'm so ready to get this psych evaluation over with so my packet will be sent to the insurance company. I'm so afraid I'm going to get denied again:(
October 12, 2006
I received an email today from Colleen stating that she did receive my letter of medical necessity from my PCP and that my stuff will be finished over the weekend and sent out on Monday to my insurance company. WAHOOO!! I'm just hoping that they will approve me without having my psych eval. completed.
October 17, 2006
I called the insurance company today and asked if they had received my predetermination letter. They said that it was received on Monday Oct. 16 and that I should allow 30 days before I call so they can have time to process it. Well, I guess now I just wait.
November 1, 2006
It is so hard to wait and not call the insurance company, so today I called and I was told that IBM's predetermination department received my letter on October 24. I asked the lady why the had told me they received it on the 16th. I kind of had an attitude because I figured United Healthcare would do like Empire give me a whole load of crap send me around in circles then deny me. But the lady said the United Healthcare did receive it on the 16th and then they sent it to IBM pre-determination department and IBM received that on the 24th. After she told me that I felt bad for having an attitude with her. She told me that it would still be up to thirty days from the 24th.
November 24, 2006
Day after Thanksgiving I received my approval letter from the insurance. I have been waiting for this letter for 3 years. Cannot explain the feeling when you receive this letter.
December 2006
Faxed my letter of to Colleen @ Dr. Evansons office. She received my letter, then the surgery scheduler called me and told me my surgery would be January 19, 2007. I was so excited, I didn't really have time to be nervous with all the pre op testing and everything else that had to be done in such a short period of time.
I went and had pre-op testing done, I had heard from many people that the upper gi test when you drink the barium was really nasty. I was nervous about having that test done, once it was over it really wasn't bad at all. The rest of the testing was a breeze.
January 2007
I had to go to one support group before I could have my surgery. I was dreading going to the meeting because I knew that I would be the youngest person there and like so many other events you go to you worry about what people think about you, if people are looking at you and talking about you. Well I went and everyone was so nice and supportive.
Went to the pre-op class, got a lot of information and filled out a bunch of paper work. Once again you are told what will go on with the type of surgery you are going to have. The dietitian tells you how small your stomach is going to be(size of a ping pong ball) pretty scary.
January 19, 2007
Day of my surgery, I'm finally going to be a loser. YEAH!!! Still wasn't nervous. I met with the anesthesiologist and Dr. Evanson. Dr. Evanson thought that I was really calm for someone who had never had surgery. I was more excited than nervous. I walked back to the surgery room and I saw this little bitty operating table. I was thinking I'm not going to fit on the table, but I did. They told me they were going to start an IV the next thing I knew I was waking up and the nurse was asking me if I felt sick. It was done, over with, my stomach was now 2 ounces. I was taken to my room and I got to see my family. I slept a whole lot. YES they do get you up 2 hours after your sugery. I got up and my left side hurt. I felt better though after walking. My blood pressure was really high I had 2 IVs for fluid
I knew that they had said you may gain weight after surgery, I weighed myself and I was upset. I had gained like 12 pounds, pretty depressing. Dr. Evanson came to see how I was doing the first night I was there. I woke up when I heard the door I was so druged up I had no clue who this guy was in my room. All I saw were these bright blue eyes and I knew it was Dr. Evanson.
February 2007
Weight: 286lbs -32 pounds YEAH!!
One month follow up appointment I really didn't want to go, I didn't feel that I had lost enough weight. They said I was doing good. Dr. Evanson said he was glad to see me smiling because when he came to see me I wasn't very happy with him or anybody.
I thought it would be hard to not want food that my family was eating but really it wasn't. I had gone to the beyond full liquid diet and I tried some cheese and a mushroom off of homemade pizza, I chewed it up really good, the next thing I knew my chest hurt so bad and then I got sick for about 15 minutes.
March 28, 2007
Weight:254 -64
Been back to work for about a month, there are some days when I am really tired, everyone at my work says they can really see the weight coming off. I only see a difference in my neck and face.
My sisters, 2 nieces and myself are going to Florida, for spring break, I'm really excited since I've never been and that I have gone from a size 28(sometimes tight) to a size 20-22 and I'm comfortable in my clothes.
April 19, 2007
Weight: 247 -71
