mariewikle
12-2006 - ok - 5 years out - i had lost 230 lbs - and in this last year, due to sugar cravings and not a much exercise - i've gained back 30 of those lbs. Totally stinks!
I have so much skin hanging from everywhere - that if I had it all cut off - I'd probably lose 30 lbs but - I'd like to be at my smallest if I ever get plastic surgery. this way - i'd be even smaller.
04-06-2005 - I haven't been here is so long - I thought I'd jot down a few things. I have so much more energy now. I can get around so much better. I have so much skin, but I can deal with that one day at a time. I have to save my money to have the plastic surgery, because the insurance companies say that since I lost the weight via gastric bypass, they won't cover it - regardless of how much skin I have. So, that is just one more stepping stone in this journey. I won't let that get me down. I want to encourage anyone who is having a tough time getting approval, or finding a doctor or what ever the trouble is - don't give up. Keep going. This has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. The biggest life altering thing - by far the best. I have my life back. I have hope of being healthy. I exercise. I still "indulge" like everyone does, but the key is exercise. Most if my calories come from my coffee (creamer) but I "treat" myself with it.
Keep trying - dont ever give up. It is so worth it!!!!! Before I found this website - I tried for a couple of years to get the surgery. Couldn't for one reason or another. If I gotten it when I first tried, I would have never had so much weight to lose. But I kept trying.
Wow, I can't believe that 2 years ago today I started on the journey to a happier, healthier life. I have lost a total of 239 lbs. I would do this again in a minute. I still exercise and I'm more active. I feel so much better, healthier. It has been a wonderful experience.
November 4th was 11 months for me. I have an appt on Dec 9th to have my 1 year follow up with Dr. Olchowski. I have lost 179 lbs since surgery and and additional 23 lbs pre surgery. It has been incredible. I recommend anyone wanting to lose weight and has tried everything to check this out. It isn't the easy way out by any means, but if you make it work, it can.
June 7th,
I had my 6 mth check and everything is going great. I did find out that my scales are about 10lbs off from the Drs. office. I had lost 129lbs, according to his scales. Things are really good. I exercise a lot more than I ever have in my life. I play tennis, and baseball with the kids. We walk, go and do more than I use to. I was active with them before the weight loss, but we do so much more now, and I think the really enjoy it as much as I do. This has been the best thing I've ever done for myself. It was rough in the beginning, and anyone thinking of having this done, really needs to research it out, ask questions and know all the risks. This board really helped me with questions, and just reading the many many profiles out there helped also.
May 6 2002,
I'm at my 5 month mark, and all seems to be better. Much better. I had trouble as you can see, and it was very scary. I wasn't sure if I'd ever "feel" better again. Around the 3 month mark, my energy started to soar, and I felt like myself once again, only better. More energy, able to do things at a longer rate, not having to sit and rest a while. At my 3 month mark I had lost around 90 lbs. To date I've lost 126 lbs. I can do so much more. That is why I haven't posted in a while. I'm no longer spending most of my time sitting at the computer. I did have a 3 week plateau. I lost no weight during that time, but once I upped the protein, and exercise it started coming off again. I walk 1 & 1/2 to 2 & 1/2 miles a day, everyday. You still have to make wise food choices, and drink pleanty of water, but this is the greatest tool yet. I couldn't tell just by looking at myself in the mirror, but once I started getting the pictures of myself back, I could see the difference. I take a picture on my anniversary date everymonth, and you can definately tell. Like I said, this is a tool, you can gain the weight back if you over eat, but used properly, you can lose the wight unlike anything I've ever tried. I go on June 5th for my 6 month check up. I'll have more then.
1-21-02 - Well, tomorrow will be 7 weeks since my surgery and I must say it hasn't been an easy road. I have lost 65 lbs to date. I started having trouble breathing and catching my breath, but I didn't think anything about it...big mistake. When I would lay down at night time, my side right at my ribs would hurt...just thought I had pulled a muscle...nope..not the case. I ended up in the hospital 8 days with a chest tube in my side...right at my ribs, draining out 3 liters of fluid off of my lung. I knew I needed to listen to my body, but I never thought of anything that serious. It has been hard. I couldn't figure out why I didn't have any energy, why I had a hard time breathing. After the 1st liter came off of my lung, it was quite clear. I'm doing well, only been home a day now. I'm slowly working at getting my strength back. I hope nothing else goes wrong. I've had the flu and other infections, but I just want to be healthy now. I don't regret the surgery, but I sure hope it gets better.
12-21-01 - I had my staples removed on the 17th, and found out I had lost 27lbs. I'm very excited about that....13 days after surgery and down 27 lbs. I had been on "soft" foods like chicken etc, this week and today I started having problesm getting the foods to go down. After a few bites the food just sits. It doesn't go anywhere. I can't even take the iron capsul. It does the same. Any ideas? I'm going to call the Dr office if this hasn't stopped by the day after Christmas. It is very painful. I don't understand. Haven't had any problems up till now.
12-12-01 Well, I can't believe I'm on the "other side" I had my surgery on Dec 4th. Stayed in the Hospital until the following Monday. My white blood cell counts kept rising. I'd like to say a special thanks to Melissa who called and checked on me, and also gave me info to ask the nurses for to help with recovery. Thanks for all the encouragment from everyone else. It does help. I don't know what to expect the next few weeks. I return Monday the 17th to have the staples removed. I'm not "real" sore, but I do feel guilty that I can't "do" the things around the house that I normally do. I do a little, then rest a little. Sleep at night is hard. I'm drinking my water, and eating the 2 ozs. It seems to be going good. I'll find out at my dr visit. Thanks again for the encouragement. Anything to help with the next few weeks, will be wonderful. Any tips accepted. This site is a wonderful tool. It helps so many of us help each other.
10-19-01 - I'm switching from Dr. Wachsmuth to Dr. Olchowski in Wilmington. (for various reasons)I was approved once for Dr. W and felt I could get approval with Dr. O with little or no problem. Last I heard, I wasn't denied, but the insurance still wasn't finalized...a few more things to take care of. I was given a date of Dec 4th 2001. I'm excited, but I'm being cautios because sometimes I feel this is never going to happen. I want to be well on my way to being small and healthy.
7-6-2001
My job switched insurance carriers and I ask the Dr. office to re-send the letter on June 1. They didn't send the letter until last week when I called to see if they had heard anything. I received a phone call today from Dr. W's office letting me know that I was approved for surgery. I don't have a date yet, but at least I'm approved!!!
I sent in my appeal letter and didn't hear back from Coventry. I made a few phone calls, was transferred many, many times and then was told that this surgery was not a "covered item" and that I wouldn't be covered...even if my life depended on it.
Anyone else dealing with Coventry? I'd like to know if there is any hope with this insurance company?
Photos
 Before 12/3/2001 After 11/3/2002 11 months later and minus 179 lbs |  |  |
Surgeon Info:
Dr Olchowski made me feel like I deserved to have this done, like he cared about my future and what he could do to help me. He never made me feel bad, inferior or like he was doing me a favor. He is a very busy man, but worth the wait.
Insurer Info:
Blue Cross Blue Shield/Blue Choice
My job switched insurance carriers, so I saw another opportunity to have this done. I looked at the exclusions, and it was there....they would help with surgery if it was necessary. (I believe it is a must) I'm glad I don't have to deal with coventry anymore. They charge a lot for their insurance and cover very little. -------------------------------------------- With Coventry I was first told that the person who deals with the "appeal" letters, doesn't have an extension, so I would have to continue to write to the insurance to find out if I could have surgery. I demanded to "speak" with someone on the phone.....and was told that I would not be covered......this type of surgery was not a "covered" item. Does anyone know what to do to get this surgery a "covered item?" I have no clue what to do or where to go next. I can't afford to pay for this my own self.