2-1-06
Started calling different numbers I had seen on TV about the LapBand. Some of them seemed as if I was just another number. Then my last number was a winner! The guy on the phone was so nice, he took his time and acted as if he really seemed to of cared. The cool thing was.... They are having a seminar this Friday!
2-3-06
Attended a LapBand seminar. I am thinking that this might be for me. I had a hystorectomy 3 years ago, anything that could have gone wrong did. After a month in the hospital and two months of having a homecare nurse, I finally got better. I have my first doctor appointment 2-17-06
2-17-06
Wow!That took longer than I thought, 3 1/2 hours. I really liked this doctor, He took all the time I needed to answer all of my questions. everyone there is very nice, they treated all the patients like gold. I watched everyone that came in there, they probably thought that I was wierd, I tried to listen to everything that were saying and evn tried to figure out what surgery they had.
After Speaking with the doctor I changed my mind, Gastric By-Pass is what I want. I completed MANY pages of a questions. He said that they will send it to OSS, they should be contacting me within the week.
2-27-06
OSS called this morning, they said that my doc is no longer with their program. They wanted me to switch doctors. I said no, she stated that she called my insurance, it is covered she just needs to send a lette of medical necessity.
I called the docs office just to make sure everything was ok. Christy said that they will be handeling everything there.
3-10-06
No word, so I called the docs office. She put me on hold then came back on the phone wanting me to tell her what OSS had said. I did, she said she would call me back.
Christy called me back. She said that Sandy tried to call my insurance but they were closed. She would call on Monday.
3-13-06
Christy called, OSS had sent the letter to BCBS Texas, my insurance is in CA. Sandy has started the new letter and will fax it over.
3-15-06
Sandy called and said I was APPROVED, I started to cry, I couldn't believe it so I asked, are you sure? She said yes, your are approved for your LAPBAND>>>> My heart sank, I then told her it was suppose to be for GBP. Sandy wasn't happy either but she quickly lighten her voice and said, don't worry, she will call them, shoulnd't be a problem since I was approved without them wanting anything else.
3-17-06
Sandy called, she wants me to come back in and talk to the doc again, I ask why, she said that he doesn't remeber me changing it to GBP. I was pissed! I told her that I didn't want to come back in, that will just make this process take longer. I explained when and why I changed my mind. She said okay I will call you back.
I felt bad that i got mad over the phone. I called her back, she said that she wasn't offened in any way. She was also typing up my new letter! She had also spoke with my case worker at BCBS CA. He said this isn't a problem. Sandy will call me Monday or Tuesday. She was so nice, I explained to her that this has me stressed out! She said that it was normal and if I get stressed or have any questions to pick up the phone and call them, I have been told that 5 times now. She did say that if I get approved in 2 days again I could have my surgery in a few weeks. I have a business meeting to attended in 3 1/2 weeks and don't want to go.
3-23-06
I was approved (again)! My date is 4-4-06 only a week and a 1/2 away. I am so excited to get this started and get to the on the "losing side". I am nervous as hell, I got sick to my stomache as soon as she told me the date. Lots of people to call......
3-30-06
OMG what a week! I have been on an emotional roller coster! I have even broke out in hives all over my face. I went to Pre-op appointment today. It went better than I thought. Yesterday the docs office and the hospital were going back in forth on who should get my deductable.... Hello? $300. I also have to pay 20 % or up to my annual out of pocket which is $2000. So I paid the hospital $1200 and the doc $600, they seemed to have been happy.
I also had my blood work done, EKG as well as a chest x-ray. The person that registered me had WLS 14 months ago, she looked great, then the pre-op person, Dee, she had her WLS 3 years ago. The financial person, Kara, her sister is having hers next week too! Everyone was so very nice. I had my hystorectomy at Cy-Fair, even though I had complications with my 2.. yes 2 surgerys days apart, the staff took great care of me. My daughter had her hystorectomy there, she even had the same room as I did. I had 3 different nurses remember me (I was in there for 3 weeks).
I feel so good about this surgery, everything has really been easy for me the whole way. I even got an unexpected bonus check in the mail today, $2261 !!!!!!! I know that all will go well. My hives have even chilled out!!!
4-3-06
This days has been a long day! I met someone else that is having her surgery tomorrow by the same doc, her name is Rosemary. Speaking with her has helped since we're in the same boat.
I am going to cook dinner for the family, go spread turf builder on the yard and watch Deal or No Deal and then try to chill out! I hope I can sleep! WOW! by this time tomorrow I will be on the losing side!
4-10-06
Where do I begin???? Okay I will start with almost over sleeping for my surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's just say meeting Rosemary on OH was a God send. She got up early and decided to call me.... at 5:36am... that is when we woke up... I was suppose to be there at 6am and I live 45 mins. away. I put my clothes on brushed my teeth, Steve grabbed my bag and we were off. My mom couldn't get ready that fast. I had printed out directions to and from the hospital just in case she would need them. I told here thaty were on the printer in the office. I drove so I could be busy... called Rosemary and told her she calmed me down a lot. I arrived at the hospital at 15 after 6am ... alll was cool...
They move quickly there I wanted my mom to get there.. my oldest daughter Jennifer had called her... my mother was heading away from the hospital!!!!! I had told her that I printed out 4 different directions, 2 and from the hospital snd 2 and from Jennifer's. She doesn't look at them ... she takes the first one and starts driving!!!! to Jennifer's>>>>
She makes it there as they were moving me to the OR.
I was in surgery 3 1/2 hrs they had told my family 1 1/2 hrs. I'm not quite sure why yet.. I was unfortunate to have LOTS OF PAIN!!! They had put a new pain device on me that was getting great reviews, it's wasn't connected all the way and they couldn't tell until I woke up SCREAMING!!!!!!!! They quickly put me on a Morphine pump and I was good to go....
Until the next morning they took my blood test and my white count was high. Off to x-ray and quickly found out I have pnuemonia. The lung specialist came in, put me on some different antibiotics and breathing treatments. It took a few days to heal and get the infection down before I could go home. I still feel fortunate that the only complications that I have had so far I Large amount of pain and pnuemonia.. My sister Jenny called my fourth day in and asked if I now had any regrets?? I told her to ask me in 6 mths. She said no I want to know right now, she was suprised when I told her NO REGRETS!!!! I was past the horrible pain and now I just have to do exactly as the doctors say and I will get better. She said she still couldn't do it. I don't know what she weighs but I would say her BMI is around 60. I am scared for her.
I am home and starting to feel better. The doc told me that it will take 2x's the time needed to recover. I get better everyday. It has been 6 days, I think I am doing good. just tired going to nap...
4-12-06
I am finally having a better day today. I have been doing a lot of crying. I really don't know why. Maybe I've been inside to long.
I went to see the doc today... Got the drain tube removed YEAH!!!!! I also got moved to soft food, I am so glad because I had almost just quit eating. I went out to eat at Luby's, after eating 5 small bites of food we took the rest home, I think I'm good for a few days. The doc also said that I will start to re-gain my energy now. He set my return to work date to 4/19 I think I will fell better by then. Oh, before I go ..... 12 pounds down!
4-17-06
I had my chest x-ray done today, I guess they will let me know if I need more meds. I fell better, still get out of breath, still have sharp pains in my stomach when I bend over. I go back to work in 1 more day, hell, I got tired going to the docs office, how am I going to get in and out of my car 20 x's in one day?????? It hurts so bad on get in the car.... I willl do what I can do then go home and make sales calls.
Update... 25.5 punds lost.... sick of fish and mash potatoes!
4-20-06
I went back to work yesterday, OMG the pain, I am in outside sales so I have to get in and out of the car. I went to 2 salons, I was in so much pain!!!!!! Not to mention I still get winded from the pnuemonia. I went home by noon. Today was much better, I was so surprised. I went to 6 salons, had a luncheon meeting and was home by 3:30pm, much better. I have walked so much in the last 2 days, I really thought that if I walked more than 30 min a day it would hurt me more, I was so wrong..... I don't know why I didn't listen to everyone.... the more you walk the better you feel.. so very true. I am down 28.5 pounds. Some of my customers don't know that I had gastric bypass, they asked me... did you do something different to your hair?.......I said no.... Did you change your makeup?.... Nope.... I just laughed inside and never told them. I haven't lost enough for them to say.. WOW you lost weight.. but they sure know that something has changed for the better.
5-16-06
Okay, I'm down 45 pounds now, feeling pretty good. I tried some wine tonight, doc said it would be okay, NOT!!!!!!!!!!! I got sooooo sick! Won't try again for a while. Trying to work out more... Still get tired in the afternoon... going to speak w/the dietition she mentioned I might need B-12. That's it for now.
6-7-06
I am now down to 270, 54 pounds lost now. I started wieght lifting 2 weeks ago, my body hurts!!!!!!!! I have worked every muscule!! The wieght loss slowed down a bit.. I know it's due to the work out but it is still driving my nuts. I keep thinking that I'm not going to lose anymore. I have even had some people tell me... you are losing it slower that my friend did... if I get told that one more time....So I came her and started reading profiles that kinda matched me.. I am right on the average. My friend Rosemary that also had her surgery on the same day and same doc has really been a big help to me.. I don't know what I would do without her!!!
Any way I have lost inches, I am now in size 20 pants... It's hard to imagine that 2 months ago I was busting out of a 28...... the gym is really paying off.. I just can't walk or lift my arms very well.....
June 21, 2006
I have now lost 60 pounds!!! Yeah Me!!!! I feel so good now, I can now stay on the stair master for 1 hour! I haven't done that in 11 years. My muscules don't hurt so bad, I am just a little sore. I now have 109 pounds to go until I hit my target wieght. Sometimes I feel like I am not going to lose anymore, then I start losing again. It soooo scares me when the scale doesn't move for a week. I know I am only suppose to weigh in on Sundays but I still get on that scale everyday. The last 5 days have been weird, I haven't been able to eat much. I feel like I am just starving and all I can eat is 3-4 bites. Dr Dreamie (St laurent, we call him that cause he's so damn cute) says that he wanted me to get my protien from food and not drinks, I kinda got worried so I bought some protien drink mix. I will try it in the morn. I haven't lost any hair yet and I want to keep it that way, I am a hair stylist so my hair is a big deal. Until next time......
July 3, 2006
Tomorrow will be three months post op.... I now lost 63 pounds... I have hit a plateau that has lasted 8 days... I am so mad!!!!!! I have read profiles for days now... My doc says it's normal but I am still mad as hell!! I get so scared that I won't lose anymore, I work out and follow the food intake and the vitamins to the "T".
I thought that I wouldn't need to attend the support groups.. I think I have changed my mind and will be attending the nexted one!
July 6, 2006
WOOOOO HOOOOO Okay the scale is moving again!!!!! I lost 3 more pounds... I am now 259.... I just can't wait until I am below 250.. I at least want to be there before my next doc appt. Aug. 9th. I haven't been below 250 in 6 years.. I can't wait! Oh Yeah, my BMI has dropped 10 points!!!!
July 24, 2006
Well I have been stuck at 251, I go in to the doc for my check up on Aug. 9. I sure hope I can get below 250 by then. The weight loss is real strange.. one week, no loss, the next week 4 pounds... oh well at least I am losing!!!! I think my bigest problem is drinking water before.. during.. and after I eat. I have started to really work on it. I am working out and eating right and getting in all of my water.
My grandchildren were babtized yesterday, it was a beautiful ceremony. My ex-husband came with wife #4... major trash but that's another story.. She had asked him if I was his ex-wife he said ..... I don't know... maybe? LOLOLOLOLOL That was the best!!! He told my daughter that he didn't know who I was. I Loved it!
August 9, 2006
I had my check up today. I thought the doc would tell me that I wasn't doing very well due to my slow weight loss. I was so wrong... He was so happy, I was hoping to be at least 249... nope... 250 on the nose!!! I was so mad!!!! But everyone in the office was so shocked at how I looked, it realy made me feel so good. The NUt didn't even know who I was at first. I geuss I should be happier with losing 74 pounds... I read these other profiles were they have lost 80-90 pounds in 4 months and then I think I should be the same... knowing damn well everyone is different!! Well gotta run to Walmart... back to school time!!!
OMG! I just knew it... the day after my check up I weigh in at 248!!!! I am very happy with the loss though LOL!!!!
8-22-2006
I just got back from a business trip. I just couldn't believe that I could fit in the seat!!!! I used to dread having to fly, I would get nervous and sweat like crazy waiting to board. I still went through the sweating process... then got on the plane... sick to my stomache, I went to TRY to fasten the seat belt.... it fastened just fine!!!!! I had about seven inches to spare!!!!!!!! I almost starting crying but I held it back since I was sitting next to a co-worker. The funny part is I thought that maybe that was a newer plane and they made them bigger now, so I went through the whole proces again when I flew back.... Still had seven inches left over.. oh yea, my thighs weren't cramed in the seat like a sausage!!!
I also couldn't believe that I lost more weight. Since day one I can't quit thinking that my RNY is going to stop working. I now weigh 241.6.... I guess it's still working!!!!! 82 pounds 4 1/2 months.
Until next time.....
Jan. 18, 2007
WOW ! It has been sooooooooo LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOG since I have posted anything. It has been 9 months and 15 days since my new life began. Statred off at 324 and now I am 194, I just can't believe it. I feel so great! I work out at the gym in the AM 1 hour cardio and 1 hour weight training. I also walk with some of the Katy group when my schedule permits, we walk 4 miles. I feel like a brand new person, it wasn't easy though. If I had to do it all over again I would in a heart beat!!!!!!!!
I no longer live with my boyfriend, I had him move out in Nov. I am now dating and having a blast!!!!
My job has also gotten even better. I am now making 20,000. more a year! YIPPY! I need it for all the new clothes!!!!!
I look back at the last nine months and have to laugh at myself, I was convinced the whole time that my surgery didn't work or would stop working. Even 2 months ago at my last appointment I told my doc that I would not make my goal. Ha hA ha I am too funny! I have lost 14 lbs since then!!!!
It is just so hard to absorb all of this as you go through the journey, wearing a 5X and now a Regular Size large..... I shop in the regular section????? Everyday is a great day, if you are thinking about having WLS and need to ask questions please fell free to contact me.
Until next time....
