Julie H.

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Howdy All,  I am hoping to continue with my journey this time around.  I switched to St. Joe's Hospital/Bariatric Clinic, and they are much more organized and on the ball then Ginger was at Rupp's office. I was so overwhelmed with what I needed to do first and I wasn't getting any clear direction from Rupp's office (Ginger). Now that Xmas is over I hope to concentrate more on what I need to do to move forward with getting gastric bypass by the spring of 2010.

Thoughts from my surgeon/dietician were: start drinking your daily water, start walking, and practise eating w/o television, and eat your protein, protein, protein.

I ran into a friend that had the RNY surgery, and I have decided to start the process again. I went to the informational meeting on May 18th at St. Joe's. I need to complete the patient health history form, and then call tommorrow to meet with bariatrician and nurse clinician. I have seen and heard of so many success stories.....I am honestly scared to be thin again.

5/6/09 Still feeling like a stuffed piggie in my clothes. Nothing fits. Nothing looks good. My knees hurt, and I have a sit down job. My stomache is huge. I am debating about a different job within the company, and really am stressing myself out about it.  Don't quite know what to do.

4/18/09  I am now tipping the scales at 270lbs. I cannot control my food intake. I am addicted to food. I am in denial. I am not sure what to do at this point. I started the entire process in 2005--- and got stuck at needing to get a 6 month consecutive weigh in at my doctors office. I just hate the body I am in, and need something to change.

I feel like I'm back to step one with the process, and I have no one to blame but myself... I left 2 messages with my doctor/her nurse to call my insurance company and get an authorization to my insurance company so we can move forward. I am at 273lbs.....

My Toughest Journey



2005 - My Mother was first going to have the WLS, however, she decided against it because of her extensive health history. I, myself then spoke with my cousin, Melissa who lives in Duluth, Minnesota and I was surprised to learn that she had lost over 100lbs by having WLS.

I was not overweight as a child, teen or young adult, however, I really 'let myself go' when I was pregnant and I have totally lost control of my weight in the last 10 years. I gained about 60lbs when I was pregnant with my first son. He is now 12 years old. I did drop quite a bit of the pregnancy weight over the next couple of years. I joined a beginners running club through my employer. I then went on to finish my first 5K Run (Grand Ole Days), my first 8K Run, and then participated in my first 10 mile run (St. Paul/Mpls Marathon).
I then continued to slowly gain weight over the next several years. I, like many others have tried TOPS, Weight Watchers, Atkins. I always seem to loose some weight, but always to gain it back. Currently, my cholesteral is about 290. I started taking 50Mg of Lipitor about 3 months ago. I kept putting off having my blood taken because I knew the cholesteral was high.


I am a very confident and outgoing person, and I love being around people. I have become very self concious about my weight and really don't like being around people that haven't seen me for awhile. I am ALWAYS thinking about my weight. It is what I think about ALL day, and at night, I dream a lot about my weight. I am usually very thin in my dreams. I don't like to look in the mirror at myself AT ALL. I just still think I am under 200lbs, and when I see a picture of myself I can't believe it is even me. I can't really explain it, but I just am in denial.

Everyone I have met so far that has had the WLS says they don't regret a thing, and wished they would have had the surgery sooner.


2005


8/05/05 I found out my cholesteral is higher than I thought, and I need to go on lipitor to get this under control.


9/1/05 My Mom & I decided to get healthy. She challenged me to exercise for 10 minutes everyday. I weighed in at 258lbs at home. Every tuesday we are going to weigh in, and then check in every 3 months with our measurements. I still gotta email my measurements to my Mom. I will also post them on my profile once I get them done (hopefully this weekend).

9/6/05 Weighed in this morning at 252lbs. Of course this loss is all water weight because of the pms thing. I have been working on the exercise and eating right, but I know I can do better.

9/8/05 Had my info meeting at St. Joseph's Hospital from 6:30 until about 9:30pm tonight. It went longer than I expected because our group had a ton of questions. I didn't hear anything new --- the MN Group of WLS gals/guys really helped with questions and information. I did learn more about the different procedures which is what I am most concerned about now. I now need to schedule an appt with a bariatric nurse there -- it is free. I will get my medical records together and fax them over. I do know that my insurance (Health Partners) does not cover any wls, but I am going to have enrollment period at work and I am looking into getting different medical coverage.




9/9/05 Today I completed my medical history, and will bring this with me to my appt with the bariatric nurse. I also made that appt and it is on Tuesday, October 4 at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul. I also called my clinic, and they faxed me a release to get my history from my doctor/clinic. On Monday, I plan to fax that form back to my clinic so I can get my complete file mailed to me in time for my appt.
I have a cousin in Duluth (she is like the sister I never had) that got the surgery in November 2004, and she is now a size 8. She emailed me a picture of herself and I about fell off my chair. I didn't even recognize her. Whoa! That really blew me away......

9/12/05 My Mom & I are trying to get healthy, and are emailing each other for motivation. Every tuesday is our official weigh in. The more weight I can lose before my surgery the better.

9/13/05 I weighed in today at 250. It will take awhile, but I really want to get some weight off before surgery. I have to call my clinic tommorrow to get my complete file with doctors notes. I think I tried at least 4 times to fax the consent form. AHHHHHH!

9/15/05 I had my bariatric nurse appointment scheduled for October, however, the office called me today and said they had a cancellation. So, it was moved up to this coming monday. I have a mamogram scheduled for 8:00am and then my bariatric appt. is scheduled for 9:30am. YIPEE. I couldn't believe they called to reschedule. I know I WANT the appointment, but now that things are moving along I am sooooooooo nervous. I have really been watching what I eat and starting an exercise program. Just walking daily for now. I now weigh 248lbs. I'm pretty excited about that.

9/19/05 I had an appt today with the bariatric nurse, and she basically went over my medical history. I decided to have the lap RNY procedure, and didn't really know which surgeon to go with. The nurse just told me which surgeons did that type of procedure and suggested Dr. Schwartz. So, I set up psych appts in November and I will also go in and take the 3 hour psych testing at my convience. I also set up an appt with the dietician and another one with the surgeon. So, November will be a busy month. The nurse also suggested the best insurance provider to go with, and it seems that HealthPartners would be that provider. I will be switching my insurance providers in October, so the nurse suggested setting my appts out to November. This could actually happen sooner than I thought. I am thinking the springtime, but if it is sooner that would be great because I get more vacation time from work starting mid-November. I'm really trying to eat right and exercise (walk) to be healthy. I weighed in today at 250.




11/05/05 Well, I feel like I am starting over with where/when/who will do my surgery. I finally got my packet and was able to go online and get my new benefits that WILL cover the surgery through my job. So, I have been just waiting, waiting, and waiting some more. My new benefits do not become effective until 01/01/06, and I can't even make any appts that will be for any WLS.
Anyway.... my medical benefits will be covered through United Hospital so I have decided to go to the informational meeting at the hospital where I plan to have the surgery. The info meeting is 11/17/05. So, I am anxious to go and see what I can learn about how the procedure works at United Hospital.

I am very anxious to move on with the surgery. I have dreams all the time that I am thin --- and I know that is because my weight is on my mind all of the time. I just am really afraid I will fail.


12/22/05 I cannot believe how long it has been since I posted. I have not been on my profile since the OH Staff decided to change the "log in" process. I have wanted to post every day, but couldn't get on. One of the staff members finally got things fixed. Wow. That took a long time.

So, it seems like nothing is new -- but things are coming along.
It turns out that I have to start the entire process over because my insurance would not cover the surgery through St. Joseph's. I had to go to United Hospital for the into session, and they charged me $20.00 for a packet of paper/info on the surgery (I thought that was a real rip off). I wasn't very impressed with the intro session at United Hospital. I thought the info session at St. Joseph's was much better....more organized, better speaker system, better speakers, the set up in general. I did think the doctors did a good job with the question/answer session though.
About a week later I had my appointment with the nurse, and she was very informative. Better than St. Joe's nurse......so, I guess all the programs have some good and then some bad. It is kinda up to you to get all the information you can and ask the right questions.
I did have my heart set on the lap RNY, however, the surgeon that I might use only does open and I did not really want that recovery time. It is not for sure yet.
My insurance is now Blue Cross Blue Shield. I have 4 appointments in January for the psychiatrist. And I have the infamous psych test scheduled during the second appt.

12/27/05 I have been eating like a complete PIG. There haven't been too many sweets around, not like other Christmas', but I seem to seek out the treats and go crazy!

Today I changed my times for all my psych appts, just moved them back a half hour. My first appt is 1/2/06 at 10:15, and then I take the written test also. My next appt w/psych is 1/9/06, and then 1/18/06 and the last one (hopefully) is 1/23/06. I got them all scheduled, and I am soooo very nervous.

1/4/06 After attending my first pysch appt I decided to switch -- I hopefully got everthing straightened out w/BCBS. Everytime I would call over there I was given different information. AHHHH! I found out there are a couple shrinks in my neighborhood, so I decided to switch. I wasn't impressed with the first gal I went to anyway. I now have my first appt. scheduled for 1/25/06 with the psychiatrist. I am sure I will run into a ton more road blocks. BRING IT!!!!




1/27/06 I have wanted to post forever, but really nothing new. I am eating like a complete P - I - G !! I have talked to BCBS many times, and get really tiered of doing someone elses job. I did schedule a couple shrink appts with two different guys because I didn't want my appt to fall through. I went to a Dr. John O'Neil in Mendota Hgts, and really thought he was great. His office called BCBS and got things straightened out ..... so far....anyway. I was told last from BCBS that I was covered for gastric bypass surgery, but not for the shrink appts or for the dietician appts. Oh well. I only paid a $25.00 co-payment for my first shrink appt. I took the long, dreaded "test" everyone talks about. And then did an inventory, and chatted with Dr. O'Neil for about an hour. So, now he knows pretty much my history. I have another appt with him in 2 weeks to go over the results of the test I took. I'm kinda nervous. I feel I am doing all the research and surrounding myself with supportive people.





02/10/06
I have my follow up appointment with Dr. O'Neil on 2/14/06. I am not sure how long this appointment will be....or even if Dr. O'Neil wants to see me again.

Not too much else new. I have gone to coffee with gals from the twin cities area a couple times now. I also started walking some...I have a goal of 30 miles for the month of February. I have been looking into gyms, but not sure what I am going to do at this point.


2/22/06 Both Dr. O'Neil and myself both rescheduled my follow up appt to see him a second time. I finally saw him this past monday, and we went over the results of my testing. I really felt very comfortable with him, and asked if I could see him post op to see how I have changed. He said that would be okay.
Within the next 2 weeks he will be sending over all the test results and information he has compiled about me and is going to recommend me for the gastric bypass surgery. YIPPEE !!!

I did call Ginger at St. Paul Surgeons to see what I could do while I wait, and she suggested that I get the HIV test done.
I was scheduled to get my cholesteral checked and have the HIV test done....(just blood tests) this morning, but my youngest son did not feel well so I had to reschedule.
My GP doctor just put the orders in for the blood work, so I can go any time and have it done. Just got to get my butt over there.


2006



2/23/06 My eating is so out of control right now. I eat when bored or stressed -- that will be something I need to change. I know I am so nervous about not getting approved for the surgery that I eat because of the stress.




3/6/06 It is time to update --- yesterday I did call Dr. O'Neil to see if he forwarded my test results on to SPS office. He left me a vm stating he faxed over all my info this past friday (3/3/06). I did confirm after speaking with SPS that they have my information. I dod not remember the gals name that I spoke to -- I am going to call back this afternoon and speak with Ginger and see how long I now have to wait. You sure wait a lot don't you?????




3/8/06 I called SPS yesterday late in the day and spoke with Ginger. She said she tryed the nice approach and got no where with my BCBS, so today she trys a different approach including the attitude. She is so funny. I am also going to try and call BCBS and see where I get with my questions.



3/9/06 I spoke with Ginger today, and she had made contact with Leon in the pre-certification area at BCBS and he said he would contact her within 48 hours if there was any additional information SPS office needed to send over. I told her I would call and see what else I could find out... so I talked to Rasheeda also in the pre-cert area of BCBS, and I told her my surgeons office is trying to get the process moving some. She did give me the names Diane and Stephanie from the gastric bypass work group and I have been assigned a case number. She sounded like she almost gave away a "date" for my surgery, but then kinda fumbled over her words to cover herself. Whatever that meant??? !!! I will check in with Ginger again tomorrow, and see if she has heard anything yet.


Future Update
03/14/06
I have called BCBS about 4 times since this past thursday, and I love that I get different answers depending on who I talk to -- anyway the latest update is I am still waiting. HAH ! I found out today because I am so darn persistant (and Ginger is giving a gold star) that my file was sitting out in there 'system' with a December 2006 surgery date. WHAT THE HECK?? Sounds like a bunch of people that don't have a clue. I have actually called more than 4 times, but that is the latest.

3/17/06
I did get a voice message from Ginger at SPS, and she stated that the gal (Diane) from BCBS would need documentation from the past six months that I have attempted some type of weight loss plan.
I called over to my clinic right away, and spoke with the records area. I had them fax over a consent form to get my complete file. I have never looked at my file, so kinda curious. I did speak to a nurse over at my clinic, and she said that there is dictation in my file from my doctor from August 05. My doctor wrote that I mentioned gastric bypass surgery, and that I did not feel motivated. She also dictated that I have tried several different diet plans and have failed. I am not sure if this is adequate information, but I'm going to pick up the complete file this next Tuesday. I keep trying to call Ginger, but they are always so busy it is hard to catch up with Ginger. I will try again Monday.



3/20/06
Happy First Day of Spring !!! I did just talk to Ginger (SPS) and this is what I need to get over to her asap -- insurance company is requesting this before they can approve my wls. I was told I need at least 5 years of my BMI being 40 or higher. I also need 3 months of failed diet history. Tommorrow I am going to pick up my file at my clinic. I hope I have all this info in my file. I don't want to wait anymore. My eating is soooooo out of control.


12/28/06
Unbelieveable how I've been away....I was so angry and frustrated about my progress(or lack or progress). I do not want to start from the beginning, but I am not having much success on my own.

12/29/06
I did call Ginger from SPS and she was going to dig my file out of the archieves and see what I need to get this ball rolling again.




1/2/07
I did get a hold of Ginger, and she went through my file while I was on the phone with her. I just need 3 mos. of supervision from my doctor and the results to be forwarded to the folks at SPS. I am thrilled to hear that, but I'm not holding my breath.


4/8/07 Unbelievable how long it has been since I've updated my profile. I have been preoccupied with trying to get my business "Just Julie Event Planning & More". The ball has totally been in my court, but I keep thinking I can loose the weight on my own. NOT !!! I recently talked to my dear friend, Laurie and she is now tossing around having the surgery, so now I'm motivated again. I did get a letter typed up today and faxed it to Ginger and I also faxed it to my doctor. This seems to be the last bit of information I need, but I have gotten 2 letters from my doctor and they are both too general.




Future Update





Future Update





Future Update
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Photos Before Pictures   Weight Loss Survey Responses Click Here To View Member Interests: Hobbies - I do Fundraisers, & work with The Gourmet Cupboard   Dogs - Have an adorable Peek-a-poo puppy named LOLA   Meeting People - I am very much a people person.   Walking   English   Organizations - Toastmasters. I'd like to speak of my WLS once complete   E-Bay   Married - Been with the same guy for about 15 1/2 years now.   Talk Radio Listening   WLS in your 40's Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members. Insurer Info: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Julie H.