Ladybugmom
omg it's been awhile...
Jun 09, 2008
It has been such a long time since I updated.....I was pretty depressed about not getting approved for my tummy tuck but I guess those are the breaks. Today I weighed in at 161 lbs and I am up 27 pounds from my lowest. I decided to join the gym and try eatting better because I need to stay healthy. This surgery has been the best thing that I ever did and it is time to get my ass in gear and correct my poor choices I have been making.My
amily all went to the Dominican in March and had a wonderful time. The kids loved it and were really well behaved. My husband and I celebrated our 21 st wedding anniversary and it was sweet and romantic and I enjoyed the entire weekend. I am going to try and post more to try and get myself back on track.....I will keep you posted!
amily all went to the Dominican in March and had a wonderful time. The kids loved it and were really well behaved. My husband and I celebrated our 21 st wedding anniversary and it was sweet and romantic and I enjoyed the entire weekend. I am going to try and post more to try and get myself back on track.....I will keep you posted!
Denied the third time! :=(
Oct 15, 2007
Oh well the verdict is in and my third level appeal has been denied as not medically necessary. I have pictures documenting at least two skin rashes and treatment for both but the insurance company says it is cosmetic. I can request a hearing and am not sure I will do that as I do not want to show my vajayjay to anyone else. I will perhaps save for a future operation that will cost at least $5000. Luckily for me hubby doesn't get turned off from the flab!
Thanks for all the support! I am sad because of this but I will get over it......I notice I am eating out of stress/boredom/comfort andd need to change these behaviors before they get out of hand. I am starting school in January and am not sure what my major will be but I hope to do something in the medical field.....Perhaps everything happens for a reason and I will kick my ass into gear and change my habits and get to my personal goal. Thanks for all the support! Hugs..............
Denied and now in another appeal.....
Sep 17, 2007
Good afternoon everyone. Again it has been awhile since I posted. I was denied my appeal on August 30th and they automatically send it to a 3rd party reveiw system so I am still keeping my fingers crossed. I went to see my pcp on August 29th and had a really bad rash and was prescribed a cream with a steroid in it to heal it better. My doctor agrees it should be approved but we will see. John and I decided to take the kids to the Dominican Republic for a family vacation and we invited my mother in law. We are all so excited and can not wait. The hotel is brand new resort that is opening up Jan 25th. I bought a nice sundress on ebay for $6.99 and it included shipping. I received it today and it fits and looks nice too. I have been trying to walk almost everyday but usually I get in 2.2 miles 5 times a week. My weight today was 144. I am 19 pounds from my goal and I so want to get there. I have to really make better choices on eating. Last week I bought a weight watchers cook book and cooked a nice chicken dinner. Everyone raved over the chicken. The next day I made Ham and yams and the ham was good but the kids were not crazy over the yams part. Yesterday I made chili and I thought it was yummy. Perhaps if I start cooking more we can all eat better and feel better.I will update when I hear about my approval.....wishful thinking huh? Hugs, for now......
My appeals for plastics
Jul 17, 2007
Ok here I go again.....I wrote a post and it was deleted before it went through..... Things here have been very busy and it has been a while since I posted. I was denied for my plastic surgery and I kind of expected it but it was still rough for me....
here is a letter I typed in regards to an appeal for a belt lipectomy. It is kinda graphic in nature so be warned first.What do you think?
Hugs Chris
To Whom it may concern,
This letter is written to appeal a decision of denial for a Belt lipectomy (abdominoplasty) by Dr. Samuel Shatkin
In January of 2006, I underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. This surgery has proven to be a great success. My blood pressure is now within normal limits and I no longer need prescription medication to maintain a healthy blood pressure. I no longer suffer from sleep apnea nor acid reflux. My blood sugar levels are now within normal limits allowing me to live a healthier lifestyle. The gastric bypass has helped me to lose over 140 lbs and my BMI has greatly improved. It started at 52 and is now 25.
I have successfully maintained my weight loss of 144 lbs for over 6 months by following a healthy diet, keeping my nutrition levels high with daily supplements and walking everyday. Due to my significant amount of weight loss, I have been left with a huge amount of excess abdominal/back skin that hangs below my pubis, causing numerous skin rashes and irritation (see attached photos). I have tried numerous home remedies like, Gold bond powder, Corn starch, baby powder, Hydrocortisone creams, Desitin ointment, and finally have gotten a prescription for Nystatin cream to help control the rashes/irritations. None of these prevent the irritation and needless to say they only work for awhile. I do take extra care with keeping the area clean and dry as frequently as I can, sometimes using a hair dryer to dry the area and placing gauze between the skin folds. I apply the creams frequently to prevent chaffing and notice that through out the day the cream rubs off onto my under garments causing the rashes/irritations to reappear. The areas cause excessive itching and sometimes produces a smell that causes embarrassment for me. I suffer from low back pain as well as numbness in my right hip/leg area. I am on Lyrica for pain as well as Ultracet.
Aside from the skin problems I am also experiencing other problems in my life, like when I walk upstairs or down stairs you can hear a slapping sound from the excess skin slapping my upper thigh area. Making me more aware of when others are around me. I experience difficulties when I go to the restroom, having to lift my excess skin to properly clean myself, causing discomfort in my arms, neck and back. During sexual relations with my husband of 20 years I face sexual dysfunctions on a regular basis due to the large amounts of skin hanging on my stomach/back and surrounding my labia area. It is both causing psychological pain through embarrassment and physical pain by needing to manually hold the excess abdominal skin up while engaging in sexual activity with my husband. The excess skin is a direct result of my weight loss is a detrimental outcome to sexual activity in my personal life. I am finding that the excess skin prevents sensation in my vaginal wall as well as my clitoris.
The amount of years I spent morbidly obese caused the skin to over stretch and no amount of exercise will reshape the skin leaving it looking deformed. So I feel there is a need for reconstructive surgery and should in no way be considered cosmetic in nature.
Now that I am no longer morbidly obese, I need to live my life under healthful conditions for its entirety. Removal of the excess skin will greatly reduce my need for future medical attention to rashes, chafing and infection along with emotional pain, physical pain and discomfort. I am writing as a plea to reconsider this Belt lipectomy (abdominoplasty) by Dr. Samuel Shatkin.
Sincerely,
I will write more when I have news.....Hugs, Chris
here is a letter I typed in regards to an appeal for a belt lipectomy. It is kinda graphic in nature so be warned first.What do you think?
Hugs Chris
To Whom it may concern,
This letter is written to appeal a decision of denial for a Belt lipectomy (abdominoplasty) by Dr. Samuel Shatkin
In January of 2006, I underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. This surgery has proven to be a great success. My blood pressure is now within normal limits and I no longer need prescription medication to maintain a healthy blood pressure. I no longer suffer from sleep apnea nor acid reflux. My blood sugar levels are now within normal limits allowing me to live a healthier lifestyle. The gastric bypass has helped me to lose over 140 lbs and my BMI has greatly improved. It started at 52 and is now 25.
I have successfully maintained my weight loss of 144 lbs for over 6 months by following a healthy diet, keeping my nutrition levels high with daily supplements and walking everyday. Due to my significant amount of weight loss, I have been left with a huge amount of excess abdominal/back skin that hangs below my pubis, causing numerous skin rashes and irritation (see attached photos). I have tried numerous home remedies like, Gold bond powder, Corn starch, baby powder, Hydrocortisone creams, Desitin ointment, and finally have gotten a prescription for Nystatin cream to help control the rashes/irritations. None of these prevent the irritation and needless to say they only work for awhile. I do take extra care with keeping the area clean and dry as frequently as I can, sometimes using a hair dryer to dry the area and placing gauze between the skin folds. I apply the creams frequently to prevent chaffing and notice that through out the day the cream rubs off onto my under garments causing the rashes/irritations to reappear. The areas cause excessive itching and sometimes produces a smell that causes embarrassment for me. I suffer from low back pain as well as numbness in my right hip/leg area. I am on Lyrica for pain as well as Ultracet.
Aside from the skin problems I am also experiencing other problems in my life, like when I walk upstairs or down stairs you can hear a slapping sound from the excess skin slapping my upper thigh area. Making me more aware of when others are around me. I experience difficulties when I go to the restroom, having to lift my excess skin to properly clean myself, causing discomfort in my arms, neck and back. During sexual relations with my husband of 20 years I face sexual dysfunctions on a regular basis due to the large amounts of skin hanging on my stomach/back and surrounding my labia area. It is both causing psychological pain through embarrassment and physical pain by needing to manually hold the excess abdominal skin up while engaging in sexual activity with my husband. The excess skin is a direct result of my weight loss is a detrimental outcome to sexual activity in my personal life. I am finding that the excess skin prevents sensation in my vaginal wall as well as my clitoris.
The amount of years I spent morbidly obese caused the skin to over stretch and no amount of exercise will reshape the skin leaving it looking deformed. So I feel there is a need for reconstructive surgery and should in no way be considered cosmetic in nature.
Now that I am no longer morbidly obese, I need to live my life under healthful conditions for its entirety. Removal of the excess skin will greatly reduce my need for future medical attention to rashes, chafing and infection along with emotional pain, physical pain and discomfort. I am writing as a plea to reconsider this Belt lipectomy (abdominoplasty) by Dr. Samuel Shatkin.
Sincerely,
I will write more when I have news.....Hugs, Chris
Bouncing with the weight!
Jun 02, 2007
Wow it has been awhile since I updated and I am sorry.....Today is June 2nd, 2007. I weighed in this morning at 140 pounds so that means I have gained 6 pounds since my last posting! I am having a rough time keeping to the plan. I have been chewing loads of gum.....I say this in shame...... :(
Anyway I will not eat gum anymore! I am starting back to basics on Monday and am hoping I can loose at least 10 pounds. I am so close to goal and am only sabataging myself. I am not sure why? Anyway emotionally it has been a rough couple of weeks...I have personal issues with my son and hopefully we are on the better road now, my 2nd daughter is getting ready to graduate from High school and she just finished her senior year of softball. I think she played the best defensively as she has ever played and I had loads of parents complimenting me about her. She pitched in a few games and I was impressed and one Mom even said she was an "all around player" Made me feel proud too. Her prom is also coming up and it is a very busy time for us all. I am still hping to go see Anna fr a couple days in July too. Time will tell. John and I will be celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary on June 6th and we are still very happy.....My secret buddy Kari is awesome and has sent wonderful gifts to me and I am doing loads of pages of scrapbooking and even my daughter Elizabeth is doing pages for me too...They are looking wonderful. I will be wrking on a sprts one for Brittany...softball and volleyball...I am sad because she says she does not want to play in college...What will become of my life?Lol! Anyway I went and met with a different plastic surgeon on May 22nd and I was impressed...We talked about a total beltectomy........Not sure if I will be approved but will keep my fingers crossed. Hopefully I should know in about 1 and 1/2 weeks. I will post more than.....Hugs Chris
Anyway I will not eat gum anymore! I am starting back to basics on Monday and am hoping I can loose at least 10 pounds. I am so close to goal and am only sabataging myself. I am not sure why? Anyway emotionally it has been a rough couple of weeks...I have personal issues with my son and hopefully we are on the better road now, my 2nd daughter is getting ready to graduate from High school and she just finished her senior year of softball. I think she played the best defensively as she has ever played and I had loads of parents complimenting me about her. She pitched in a few games and I was impressed and one Mom even said she was an "all around player" Made me feel proud too. Her prom is also coming up and it is a very busy time for us all. I am still hping to go see Anna fr a couple days in July too. Time will tell. John and I will be celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary on June 6th and we are still very happy.....My secret buddy Kari is awesome and has sent wonderful gifts to me and I am doing loads of pages of scrapbooking and even my daughter Elizabeth is doing pages for me too...They are looking wonderful. I will be wrking on a sprts one for Brittany...softball and volleyball...I am sad because she says she does not want to play in college...What will become of my life?Lol! Anyway I went and met with a different plastic surgeon on May 22nd and I was impressed...We talked about a total beltectomy........Not sure if I will be approved but will keep my fingers crossed. Hopefully I should know in about 1 and 1/2 weeks. I will post more than.....Hugs Chris
14 months out and feeling great....
Apr 02, 2007
Today is April 2, and I am feeling great. I weighed in this morning at 134 pounds. That is a loss of 144 pounds.I am wearing all different size clothes right now, but I am in a size small top and anywear from a 2-5/6 pants. My undies are a size 5. I am loving everything about this surgery. I have not measured inches since January but my stomach definately is smaller. I contacted a plastic surgeon the other day and have an appointment on May 10th. The only problem is I have to have 6 months documentation of skin rashes and medical necessary problems. I called my PCP today and got a cream ordered for the rash under my belly. ;)
So hopefully the ball is rolling now. I have had alot of people telling me I look anorexic but I know I don't it is just the way they think. I went to turning stone and met up with Karyn from the Jan 06 board and she is great and looking good too. I know I have made loads of friends from this surgery and hope to keep them forever. I am still doing the secret buddy program but I am not running it, Yesterday I found out I have a new pal to buy for not a problem but I just sent out a really expensive package to her for March and April, now I have to come up with a gift for my new pal and send it out for April. Kari is my pal who buys for me and I could not ask for a better pal. She sends great stuff and her daughter who is 13 picks out stuff for me too. What a lovely lady! I do miss talking to Melissa who I BOUGHT A GIFT for as secret Santa back in 05. she is no longer part of this board but I hope not to loose contact with her. Well that is enough for now I have things to run and do. Talk soon....Hugs Chris
So hopefully the ball is rolling now. I have had alot of people telling me I look anorexic but I know I don't it is just the way they think. I went to turning stone and met up with Karyn from the Jan 06 board and she is great and looking good too. I know I have made loads of friends from this surgery and hope to keep them forever. I am still doing the secret buddy program but I am not running it, Yesterday I found out I have a new pal to buy for not a problem but I just sent out a really expensive package to her for March and April, now I have to come up with a gift for my new pal and send it out for April. Kari is my pal who buys for me and I could not ask for a better pal. She sends great stuff and her daughter who is 13 picks out stuff for me too. What a lovely lady! I do miss talking to Melissa who I BOUGHT A GIFT for as secret Santa back in 05. she is no longer part of this board but I hope not to loose contact with her. Well that is enough for now I have things to run and do. Talk soon....Hugs Chris
What a trip!
Mar 11, 2007
I just returned from the most amazing trip I could ever have imagined. I went to the Dominican republic with John to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and we thought it was beautiful, romantic and more! Our resort was so pretty, we had Flamingo's eating out of our hands and there were peacocks and a rooster called George! The grounds were so well kept, and just beautiful. We had lots of food and I mean lots and there was free alcolhol and I had a blast....plus 2 drinks knock me on my ass so it was funny! We went on two day trips and one was to snorkle and swim with sharks and sting rays and I was brave enough to do it! We also went to a sactioned island called Soana Island and it had white sands and really blue water and I am the tannest I have ever been.They fed us their typical meal and then we rode on a catamaran. I am a chicken and was afraid to go out on the net but I did it. I was afraid to get on the scale when I got back but to my suprise I weighed in at 137 lbs which is a 2 pound weight loss since last weigh in and 1 pound while away! I have had alot of stuff going on behind the scenes too. I have been having my period every 3 weeks since 2000 and my doctor decided to do a proceedure called an Endometrial Ablation and hopefully it will stop me from having heavy periods or periods in general. If not the next route is a hysterectomy which I guess I could go for since I am done having kids and really do not need it anymore. Well I have things to do so I hope to write again soon.....I will post pictures soon too..... this is me and John in the Dominican
Struggles of the everyday wls journey....
Feb 11, 2007
I am coming clean and admitting I struggle everyday with food. I love food and I hate food. It consumes me a s well as me consuming it. I wake up thinking food and go to bed with the same thoughts. I really have a rough time at night. I really have been making bad choices and am not sure why, since I wake up everyday with the best intentions. I think I even had my first real dumping experience the other day. I had a great eating day and my daughter came home a was eating ice cream and I was like...give me some. So I ate it then a short time later I was sweating profusely and my stomache was nauseated. I didn't throw up but felt horrible, then in the morning I had the runs and I think it could have been dumping. Do you think I learned a lesson. Not sure, because Ice cream still sounds good to me today. My stomache has been very loud lately too. I mean it is so loud people ask me if I tooted and it was just tummy rumbling.
Last Saturday I went for a tattoo..I will try to post it after. My daughter's each got one similar to mine too. I was very touched that they would do this for me. I feel very honored. They are really great kids.Well I guess I will post more soon. I am hoping to conquer this food monster and become more accountable for how I eat. Hugs Chris
Last Saturday I went for a tattoo..I will try to post it after. My daughter's each got one similar to mine too. I was very touched that they would do this for me. I feel very honored. They are really great kids.Well I guess I will post more soon. I am hoping to conquer this food monster and become more accountable for how I eat. Hugs Chris
Today's my Birthday!
Jan 30, 2007
Hello everyone! Today is January 30th and it has been one great year! I am one today and have never been happier! I have a great family and wonderful friends and everyday is better than the last!
Today I weigh 141 pounds. That is a total loss of 137 pounds since the beginning! I measured myself and lost a total of 100.5 inches( I will post measurements below)! I still am wearing size 4 pants although they are getting bigger in the legs and bum but not the waist...Go figure. I am 16 pounds away from my personal goal and hopefully I will get there.
I just returned from a trip in Vegas and met several wonderful people from the Jan 06 boards. I met Anna, Angela, Ronna, Karyn and her Dad Tim, Teresa, Amber, Jaci and Tommy, Dana, and several people from the California board. I had so much fun and everyone was wonderful. I really beleive I met life long friends. I had fun with "ceaser" who was really good looking but had a huge zit on his face(lol), Anna has lots of gas...and boy can we eat! Our eyes were so much bigger than our stomaches. Ask Anna, Angela and Ronna how the $55 piece of chocolate was...I thought it was delicious!We all seem to eat about the same amount and are all doing so well. I can't wait to meet again!
Today my husband and children gave me a card and it was so sweet about how proud they are of me and then I received 1 dozen roses delivered! Absolutely beatiful! I do have a great family....My mother in law sent me a card that said Happy 1st birthday and there was a pair of black sexy undies in it! Not something most would send to a one year old! LOL...My husband likes them though!Well here are my measurements:
Neck 12.5 same
wrist 5.5 same
upper arm 10.5 down .25
under boobs 31.5 same
boobs 34.5 down .75
waist 31 same
butt 35.5 down .5
thigh 20.5 same
knee 14 same
calf 15 same
ankle 8.0 down .25
foot 8.25 same..
total inches lost from the beginning was 100.5 but from last month was 1.5 inches...
I did have a great wow moment when I tried on my clothes of the orange shirt and blue jeans and they were huge on me... too cool. check out my pics from vegas! Hugs to all!
Today I weigh 141 pounds. That is a total loss of 137 pounds since the beginning! I measured myself and lost a total of 100.5 inches( I will post measurements below)! I still am wearing size 4 pants although they are getting bigger in the legs and bum but not the waist...Go figure. I am 16 pounds away from my personal goal and hopefully I will get there.
I just returned from a trip in Vegas and met several wonderful people from the Jan 06 boards. I met Anna, Angela, Ronna, Karyn and her Dad Tim, Teresa, Amber, Jaci and Tommy, Dana, and several people from the California board. I had so much fun and everyone was wonderful. I really beleive I met life long friends. I had fun with "ceaser" who was really good looking but had a huge zit on his face(lol), Anna has lots of gas...and boy can we eat! Our eyes were so much bigger than our stomaches. Ask Anna, Angela and Ronna how the $55 piece of chocolate was...I thought it was delicious!We all seem to eat about the same amount and are all doing so well. I can't wait to meet again!
Today my husband and children gave me a card and it was so sweet about how proud they are of me and then I received 1 dozen roses delivered! Absolutely beatiful! I do have a great family....My mother in law sent me a card that said Happy 1st birthday and there was a pair of black sexy undies in it! Not something most would send to a one year old! LOL...My husband likes them though!Well here are my measurements:
Neck 12.5 same
wrist 5.5 same
upper arm 10.5 down .25
under boobs 31.5 same
boobs 34.5 down .75
waist 31 same
butt 35.5 down .5
thigh 20.5 same
knee 14 same
calf 15 same
ankle 8.0 down .25
foot 8.25 same..
total inches lost from the beginning was 100.5 but from last month was 1.5 inches...
I did have a great wow moment when I tried on my clothes of the orange shirt and blue jeans and they were huge on me... too cool. check out my pics from vegas! Hugs to all!
10 days til Vegas!
Jan 15, 2007
Today is January 15th and this MLK day so there is no school. My friends from the January board are going to meet up in Vegas in 10 days and John said he didn't mind if I went along because he feels I deserve it. He is so wonderful. I really am lucky. I decided to try and make a gif for everyone going so hopefully it will come out well and everyone will like it. I am so excited about going. I did the 10 day plateau diet and lost 4 pounds but I seem to bounce around the same pounds. It is frustrating but I will get through it. I would really like to drop another 17 pounds. I weighted in oday at 144 pounds and my lightest was 142. I think I am going to go out and buy an exercise bike today and John has started to try and loose weight too. He started at 289 pounds and is 284 pounds today...Then he can use the exercise bike too. I put loads of clothes and stuff on ebay and am hoping to sell them so I have more spending money for Vegas. Well enough for now. I will chat again soon...
About Me
Lockport, NY
Location
27.8
BMI
Surgery
01/30/2006
Surgery Date
Apr 25, 2005
Member Since
