HeidiMc
(FROM MY OLD OH PROFILE)
General Info:
I am 23 and I've been heavy since puberty. I've never really been able to lose any weight and I've tried so many ways. Starvation diets, weird diets, Slim Fast, Richard Simmons, Yoga, Vegetarianism, Atkins, Meridia, Xenical, counting calories, counting carbs, counting both, Body for Life, personal trainers... *sigh* The list goes on.
I've been researching WLS for about three years now and have been waiting for bills, money, and insurance to be decent before I have surgery.
***Warning: Venting Frustration Ahead!!!!***
The last two years has been the worst of my life and I'll never let my situation get that bad again. I was out of work a lot because of severe back pain, and I finally quit that job. I lost my truck, apartment, job, insurance, and had to declare bankruptcy all within a three month period. I now live back with my parents
August 7?, 2004 Saturday-
I'm not sure of the date; the last few days have been hazy. I've been to three different doctors this week and had to leave my FT job early three days this week. Tuesday was the dentist at 2 pm, so I had to leave at 1. Thursday I had a doctor’s appt with a possible new PCP. And Friday, I met my nutritionist to kick off my required 6 month supervised diet. So I am counting calories again.
I decided I like the new PCP, she's a PA and her doctor and she are cool. It was nice being talked to like an adult for once. I got my first paycheck from my PT job today. Working 5-6 days a week there PT making min wage. I only netted $200, but it's $200 closer to moving out. And I love it!
P.S. The Doctor, PA, and nutritionist were all surprised about how much I knew about the surgery **Giggle** I told them about this wonderful website.
Feb 8, 2005 Tuesday -
Whoa, I haven't updated since August? Wow. But I guess that's because everything had been the same stuff until recently. Let's recap the last six months, shall we?
Part-time Job. Well, I got fired about three weeks ago. Apparently, I suck at sales. Duh. The owner wanted me to lie to customers and sell them stuff they don't really need. I told him no and three weeks later he fired me. But not before cutting my hours from 25 a week down to 4. I was starting hate the job anyway. The animals weren't caged properly and the sick ones were over crowded in the dirty back rooms. He never listened to anyone about getting things fixed or buying needed supplies.
Full-time Job. Still there and still underpaid, but my review is coming up in a few weeks. I might not even wait that long. I found out the 19 yr old I'm training makes more than I do. I've been there almost a year and had 5 years print shop experience. He's never seen a press work.
PCP. I did meet my new PCP in August and I did like the PA. Very obese friendly. But it's not like I thought it would be. I'm part of the resident program and the residents change every three months. Which I'm cool with that. I just thought I would see the same person each time. I'm going to get my referral next month for the surgery.
Nutritionist. Yes, that's right. I'm in the fifth month of the documented weight loss attempt for my insurance. She's a nice lady and all, but I hate spending $20/month just to sit and chat for ten minutes about non-diet related stuff. I'm sticking to a 1500 calorie diet and I'm walking as much as I can.
Surgeon. Changed again. Mom did NOT want me to have WLS at Harford Memorial, and I wasn't crazy about the ideal either. My cousin's mother-in-law had surgery through Sinai Hospital, so I changed to him. I really like him. I went to a seminar / meeting last night and met him. My consult is in three weeks! Can't wait! Can we say "Surgery in April"? Crossing my fingers!
House. I will be moving out of my parent’s house in about a month. Right around my consult. Of course the date is very tentative. There is so much work to do. The place is a disaster. But the price was right. When it's all done, it'll be worth it.
Money. I think my loan from my mother is almost paid off, if not already. But now I owe my parents $1500 for work done on the trailer. Crossing more fingers for a raise soon! I only make $1100 a month! Yikes! No way I can live on that AND pay for surgery AND be out of work for a few weeks AND pay off my folks AND get a new car.
Car. It's falling apart. Plain and simple. It won't last another year. Keeps stalling, heater don't work, window don't work, AC don't work, blinkers keep dying, spending over $200 just for gas... yeach. Need a newer used one. with a warranty.
March 15, 2005 Tuesday -
Well, I have a date. No excitement yet. I have to lose forty pounds! yech. This is going to be fun. Anyway, the date is May 13th. Two months.
I just got back from my consult. Geez, what a month. I had a dentist appt scheduled almost four weeks ago. There was a little snow on the ground and no one was there. No phone call. So I called the next day and rescheduled for two weeks later. Again no one there and no phone call. So I called AGAIN to reschedule. Meanwhile I got two bills in the mail from them to pay a balance from two months ago. I would have been paid over a month ago if they had kept their appointments. Idiots. I'm supposed to go again next week. Sure.
Then, today was fun. I had to leave the kid I'm training at work alone to have my consult. It's an hour drive to the hospital. So, I get there and as soon as I pull into the parking lot - the car stalls out as I try to park. FIVE TIMES. yech. Finally, I get the stupid car going and try a different spot; I guess the car liked it better since it didn't stall that time. I find Dr. Gandsas' office and find out he's not there today. I wasn't even in the system. Oh man, I was ready to start crying. I was nervous all day long, drove an hour, fought with the stupid car, drove ON I95 AND the beltway, and Dr. Gandsas wasn't there. Paula (bless her heart) actually found Dr. Li and we went ahead and had the consult. I liked her.
I have more tests to schedule. My boss won't be very happy. Dr. Li wants me to come back in a month to check and see how much weight I lost.
My parents bought me a little 4 cylinder car. I won't see until later this week. That's more money I have to pay them back. I think I'm up to $7000 now. It's bullcrap. I just paid my mother off in February and now I owe them all this money. I hate this trailer. If I had known how much this was going to cost or how long this was going to take - I would have just got an apartment. My lot has no drainage and they just put a new trailer next door - and it's IN MY LOT. I am not amused.
Can you tell I've been having fun lately?
March 25th, 2005 Friday -
Jeez. The last two weeks have been nothing but a blur. On the 15th, I had my consult. The rest of that week I was stressed to no end. Then this week was incredibly long - eight doctor appointments. That’s a lot.
Tuesday, March 15th I had a consult scheduled with Dr. Gandsas at Sinai Hospital at 2:15 pm. I worked a half day and left at 11:30 am so I had plenty of time to get there. I stopped by the Bel Air library and found a handful of Tamora Pierce books on sale. I grabbed Chik-Fil-A on the way. I don’t understand all the hype about it. I thought the chicken wasn’t all that. I made way to the city. There was construction on 695 and I hate driving in that sort of thing. Anyway I get there and start pulling into a parking spot and my car dies. It stalled five times before I gave up on that spot. I got it started, revved it up and tried a different spot. I guess it liked it better since it went in without a problem. I find the office and walk in. Paula was shocked I was there. She said Dr. Gandsas wasn’t in the clinic that day and that I should have gotten a phone call. Needless to say I was a little upset. She got Dr. Li to do the consult instead. I liked her okay and she was nice. But she was so young. She didn’t seem much older than me. She hasn’t done nearly as many surgeries as Dr. Gandsas and is only a few years out of medical school. We talked, went over my history and she examined me. She played with my belly fat and then told me a surgery date. If I could lose forty pounds. I just looked at her and made a dumb face. We had just gone over my history, she knew I was with a dietitian for six months, and she thought I could actually lose forty pounds in seven weeks?! I’ve never lost more than twenty and it took an over-controlling step father to do that.
Needless to say, I cried on the way home. I did manage a tirade in the car and managed to get myself together before getting home. When I told mom, she just laughed at me and said I’ll never do it. I cried myself to sleep over it. Such a supportive mother, isn’t she? I did research on Atkins and gave up. My eating choices weren’t exactly the healthiest the rest of the week. When I talked to my cousin, she did mention that since Dr. Li had less experience, she would be more hesitating with such things.
Monday, March 21st I had my psychological test and my dentist. I had to take the whole day off - I took it as a vacation. The shrink was in White Marsh. I dug up some directions and was getting ready to walk out the door when the phone rang. It was Paula from Dr. Gandsas’ office. She wanted to schedule a second opinion with Dr Gandsas. I think she noticed how upset I was when I left on last Tuesday. So I had to rearrange my schedule. The shrink was a nice older white white man. Complete with beard and mustache. At least he didn’t have a couch in there like Freud does, I would have been laughing. Then I dawdled and came home to start my laundry. Then I headed to Dr. Carr’s office. They were there this time, so my teeth got cleaned finally.
Tuesday, March 22nd I had two more appointments. I was going to have three, but one was rescheduled. I had my follow-up at Johns Hopkins Community Physicians. I finally got to meet Dr. Houk and I saw Dr. Bennett again. Dr. Bennett did the exam and also did my breast exam and pap smear. I hate those, they hurt. She and Dr. Houk are going to write up a letter for the insurance submittal. I dawdled around and got home around seven. Jumped in the shower and got ready for the dreaded sleep test at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Found the hospital okay and got there at nine. The attendants didn’t show up until almost 9:45 pm. I was so ready to crash. They were both a little chunky. They took us to our rooms and hooked us up. Man, I slept bad. The wires got on my nerves to no end. I kept waking up. Finally I was roused at 5:45 to begin another long day. The traffic going to work was great considering the weather. I got there at 7:30. I stayed until 12, left and made my way to Sinai hospital. I waited a bit then I saw Nancy Klum (the dietitian). I talked to her about a half hour and she gave my a few things to read about after surgery diet. I liked her, she was nice. Then I had to wait a lot longer for Dr. Gandsas. There was a lady in there that I wanted to squeeze her head. We were discussing clothes and I mentioned that I don’t wear pants. She keeps saying my tastes would change. I told her a few times that it has nothing to do with taste, it was religious. She started going on about how she bought a new pants suit for church and how my tastes would change. If my mother was there, she would have been proud. I have a small problem with keeping my mouth shut and polite sometimes. I managed, though it was tough. They weighed me - 309 lbs. *sigh* I then talked to Dr. Gandsas. He talked to me and played with the belly fat. He said he could do the surgery without the weight loss, but it would still be easier if I lost some. He changed my surgery date and moved me into the second or third week of April. So now I have to scramble to get all my tests done. Karen helped me to set up everything.
Friday, March 25th is today and I had more appointments. I had my labs done, my x-ray, and ultrasound. My EGD is on Wednesday and my Pulmonary consult is on Thursday. Then I’m all done.
Dr Gandsas wanted to submit my stuff for insurance approval as soon as possible. He’s just waiting for the letter from the PCP. I’ve called twice. He wanted to submit yesterday. I’ll call them again in the morning, I guess.
April 1, 2005, Friday -
Whoa, what a week. I've been busy. This week was a lot calmer. I was off on Wednesday for my EGD. I don't remember a thing. Cool. Mom took me and the traffic was horrible. But we got there on time. Directions were hazy and not well explained. But we found the place. I was in and out in about two hours. Guess What?! I'm not pregnant. he. Thought that was funny.
Thursday I had my Pulmonary Consult. The doctor wants to do some tests before he'll clear me. And we're still waiting on the Pych. okay. Still waiting............
Tuesday, April 5, 2004 -
Well, now all the tests are done and I am waiting on the insurance approval. Waiting impatiently, I might add. Ms. Elaine submitted my information before she left on Tuesday, so now I am waiiiiiiiiiting. I hate waiting. They said they should know in about 48 hours. I called the insurance company today to fix my name on the card (I just got it and my name was misspelled) and asked if they had any information yet. I was told it was still in the process.
Last night I went to the Bariatric Seminar at the Holiday Inn at Timmonion. That was a fun day. (Notice the sarcasm) I worked from 6 to 9 am, left work for my last bit of tests (yay!), came back and worked 12pm - 4. From there I went straight to the hotel. I found it okay and the seminar was boring. It was “Gastric Bypass Basics” or something like that. I am well beyond the basics now. However I did talk to few people who were on the fence about surgery and were there to get more information. After the thing was done, I hung out and talked until almost everyone else was gone. I headed out to my car and it wouldn’t start. Long story short, it was my own stupidity and I had to pay to gas my mother’s van up after my step dad fixed it in under 30 seconds. (Don’t ask)
Today, I was fidgety. Every time my boss was paged or the paging system clicked on, I would stop to listen. And wait to see if the call was for me. Can you tell I was antsy? Not to mention, I now have a huge bruise on my wrist from the test yesterday and I couldn’t do much of anything ‘cause it was so sore.
Thursday, Apr 7th -
I am approved!!! Whoo hoo!!!! Just waiting (impatiently) for a surgery date.
Friday, Apr 8th -
April 27th. WHOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!! TWO AND A HALF WEEKS!!!! Two and a half weeks?! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (I'm happy)
Wednesday, Apr 20th -
Seven more days **sigh** I'm waiting somewhat patiently. I had my pre-op appointment today. I was at the hospital for five hours today. I was scheduled at 11:30 in Anesethia. Took care of that is about an hour. Then we headed up to Dr. Gandsas's office. There were two people ahead of me already there. The staff was all at lunch. There should have been a sign in sheet or something. One lady was there because of complications and the other was there for a pre-op with Dr Li. We waited almost a half hour before the staff got back. After we were all signed in and stuff, we had to wait another hour and a half. It wasn't all that bad. I went in for a few minutes to talk to Nancy and get my Calcium and went downstairs to talk and give paper work to Illene. Then I like talked to other patients. I had already warned my mother that there is always a wait because Dr. Gandsas takes his time with patients and there was also the lady with complications.
I had my pre-op appt with Dr. Gandsas, and it went quickly. He showed me where the scars would be and went over the surgery again; mostly reiterating what I already knew. Mom was impatient as all get out. We didn't get out of there until 3:00, and she had to get home to get the kids off the bus. I couldn't believe that she hadn't already made arrangements. Oh well.
Seven more days. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH :O
Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 -
4 more days. I'm getting really antsy. All the possible complications keep entering my head. The ones I worry about the most keep popping in there. I'm NOT scared - I'm more nervous. What if they doesn't work? What if it gets screwed up? Will I dump? Can I stay away from sugar? Okay, maybe I'm getting a little scared. After all - this is my first surgery and I'm only 23.
Tuesday, Apr 26th, 7:25 am-
Exactly 24 hours and five minutes before go time!!! AHHHHHHHH!
~GRINZ~
Wednesday, Apr 27th, 4:17 am -
Getting ready to leave for hospital. I had so really off the wall dreams last night. From some guy falling down an elevator shaft to being late to the hospital. I am Soooooooooo HUNGARY. That'll be fixed in about two hours. WHOO HOO. I made it 'til today, now I have to make it 'til tonight!
Wednesday, May 4th -
I am seven days out and I'm still in a good bit of pain. I'll update better when I can sit comfortably at the computer.
Tuesday, May 17 -
Well, I'm almost three weeks out and I'm going stir crazy. I am so bored and I'm tired of being told that I can't do something. I finally got mom to let me go back to working on my trailer. YaY! I move in less than two weeks!
Anyways, the surgery did go smooth and I won't have much in the way of scars. I was scared about going to an open procedure, since I didn't lose any weight beforehand. The surgery was at 7:30 in the morning. We had to be at the hospital at 6, so we had to leave the house at 4:45 in the morning. At 7:25, they started the anesethia and I don’t remember a thing after that until I woke up in recovery. I remember the ride to my room was a little bumpy. I slept on and off most the day and they let me get up that night to sit in the chair and walk a little. OMG! It hurt so much to get out of the bed. Not to mention – I had an IV hookup, a drain, a catheter, and leg compressors on. Fun. They took out the catheter the next day, the drain on Friday morning, and I went home that afternoon.
I did have some problems with chest pain and breathing. They had to adjust the Oxygen and put some fluid in it to keep my nasal passages open. My second night they took a chest X-ray and did an ultrasound on my legs, since I was having pain. I was just settling back into my bed, at 11:30 at night, when Dr. Gandsas walked in. He was just checking on me. I told him to go home and go to bed.
June 23, 2005 Thursday -
Yesterday was eight weeks out and I swung by my regular doctor's office to be weighed. i weighed 269 with jeans and shoes on! That's 46 lbs from 315!!!! WHOOOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!
Haven't had any problems except with the billing for my anseithia. I was going to call today but I ended up working late. I've only gotten a little sick from eating bread. I also get that rumbly gas inside. And, since I just moved and am still getting settled, I haven't exercised yet. I will be taking a class starting next week with my mother at a church twice a week.
July 10, 2005 Sunday -
Nearly ten weeks out and still losing. I was weighed on Thursday. 264 lbs!! That's 51 lbs gone. WHOO HOO!
September 26, 2005 Monday -
Tomorrow will be five months out. I can't believe how well this surgery is working. I went to see my PCP for a follow-up last week and I weighed 239 lbs. 239??!! How cool is that? That's 70 # in five months!!!!
I have behaved myself for the most part. I get a little sideways with my eating since I'm back to working two jobs. I'm also volunteering down at the animal shelter every week. I joined a little gym by my job and I try to go three times a week. It's been difficult with my part time job.
I have also returned to the chiropractor. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. My back was in knots. It feels great to be adjusted.
What's new?? Well, I'm living on my own now. And I love it. I walk around half dressed, sing on top of my lungs, and lay on the carpeted floor (i've never had new carpet) I eat what I want, when I want. Nobody touches my laundry, ice cream, and books. My iguana is finally growing after a year in the unheated basement at mom's. I can leave a sandwich in the frig and know it will still be there when I want it later.
I work two jobs, again. This time it's Papa John's. i deliver pizza five evenings a week. I get cash tips, milage, and a base pay. I like the people I work with. It's all laid back. We goof around a lot when it's not busy. and play rummy and uno a lot. i don't touch the pizza unless I'm really hungry. It's usually thin crust chicken when i do.
I volunteer at the animal shelter every week. I clean cages, play with the cats and inform the public about adoptions. It's a lot of work, but it's only 2-3 hours a week.
I have energy to keep up with this craziness. Six months ago I would be in the psych ward with as busy as I've been.
I've discovered shopping again; I love it!!! I was in a tight 28/30, now I'm down to 24's. Awesome!! I have gone through all the clothes that were given to me by a friend. I didn't even have a chance to wear most of them, thank God. No sense of style. I hate elastic. I hate flowers. I hate plaid. I hate plain shirts with jeans. I am starting to buy clothes at regular stores. I got four shirts at Kohls for $30 that were 2xl. And they fit!!! COOL BEANS. I'm trying not go nuts, but now I'm thinking about getting new bras. My chest size has gone down, but not my cup size. *sigh* 48 DDD to a 42 DDD. oh well. If they don't go naturally, we can cut them off.
Friday, Nov 4th 2005 -
Well, now it's been six monthes and I am down 80# +. My "official" weight from Dr. Gandsas' office is 225.5 #. COOL. That's a lot of weight. I've been fussing a lot lately about what I eat, since I've been eating mostly conveince food. I don't care that I can't eat as much as I used to, it's the fact that I'm eating it. I keep buying salad and fresh food for the fridge, but when I look at it - I'd rather have an egg and cheese sandwich from royal farms.
i also haven't been to the gym in the last two weeks, except once. Bad Heidi!! :(
I had my follow up with Dr. Gandsas on the 26th. I had to wait a while as usual, but that was because he was tied up in surgery. He is pleased with the weight loss.
And so am I, I just think it could be more. I need to learn how to cook, so now I am at the library about to go look at cook books.
March 18, 2006 - Saturday
It's the day after St. Patricks and I am at my mothers updating. Since I still don't have a computer at me house I know my updates are spordic. My weight loss has definetly slowed down. Of course it doesn't help that I'm working 70 hours a week now and haven't been to the gym lately. I know I've been bad. I've been looking at pilates classes and home exercise equipment.
October 7 2006- Saturday
Not much has really changed. I haven't lost any weight in a long time. I've hovered around 205 for awhile now. I still work a lot, but now I have three jobs since I'm getting ready to quit papa johns. I just got hired at Walmart. I'm still making it on my own. My car is still going, thank God. I've dumped $800 in it this last month and I still need to get new tires. My central AC went up and so did my furnace, so my BG&E bill was low. Small blessings I guess. Oh well. My house will be paid off in June of next year and by then I'll be debt free. I've already booked my cruise in September of next year. I can't wait!
