meesa

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I've been busy dieting and falling off the wagon the past month! This is probably been the most difficult part to do! I know that this is my last month to ever, EVER eat large quantities of food and so I've had too many LAST MEALS that I can't count them on my two hands...maybe two hands and toes, but not sure about that. I've been doing the 2 shakes and a "sensible" dinner every day and it's paying off. I'm so hungry every day and every night. That is the only way that I lose weight; I've got to be feeling hungry all the time. No wonder it's been impossible for me to lose. I couldn't stand feeling this way for at least 2 years while trying to lose all this weight! I would binge eat like that (*snapping fingers*)! It would take one meal to make me fall right off the wagon. I can't wait to get rid of most of this hungry stomach, and hopefully most of the hunger and grehlin as well. Less than two weeks and I'm on my way!

I need to get my paperwork ready this week. I already booked a hotel, furnished with a kitchen and recliner. I need to go shopping for more necessary items. I do have many samples of protein shakes and my vitamins. Now, I just don't need to get sick (fingers crossed)!

I drove 5 hours to Michigan to go to Dr. Pleatman's seminar. I really wanted to meet him. He was very nice and accomodating with all of my questions. I met a few of his patients and am very pleased to see their results. After his seminar, I feel very confident in him to do the surgery well. I'm excited that he's so skilled at laparoscopic surgeries.

I met Jo in his office yesterday. She took my stats and other information. She gave me plenty of papers to read and fill out. She was so sweet! I have such a good feeling about all of this, a peace about my decisions. It feels so right! My official consultation with Dr. Pleatman is April 4th and the surgery is scheduled for April 5th! I finally have a date, a goal to look forward to and it feels so great! I'm so glad that I did not have to settle with RNY as insurances only seem to cover that operation. Since I have no coverage anyway, I'm happy to pay for the VSG and so glad I will pay half as much as what I was quoted in Ohio. Now just to lose the 15 lbs. before surgery. I'm totally pumped about finally starting this next leg of the journey!

Well, the cardiologist cleared my tests saying everything looked normal enough! I'm so excited! I will be expecting a letter from them stating such. Now, to go to the seminar in Michigan. Update later.

I haven't posted in a while. I don't know why as I'm on the message board all the time, searching out information. Here's the update:

1) I called and a patient coordinator called my insurance which first stated that it would pay for the surgery and as of 4 days ago said they will not pay for the surgery or any wls.

2) I started researching VSG and find that I feel more comfortable with that surgery right now. I'm scheduled to see a seminar for Dr. Pleatman in Michigan who does this procedure. He has a nice package for self-payers...$11,000 for the surgery. DH agreed he feels most comfortable with the VSG than the intestine-switching RNY. If I don't lose all the weight then I may chose to revise to RNY or DS.

3) VSG is a newer surgery with promise. Basically they cut your stomach from football size to banana size. This is only to restrict your food intake and tends to lower the ghrelin hormone (makes you feel hungry). No malabsorption issues since intestines are left intact. I will be able to eat more normal just less. More like child portions. Still have to take vitamins and watch my protein and limit carbs and fats. The jury is officially still out on this surgery but I've seen some people on here who've lost 100, 150 even close to 250 lbs. from the VSG. I'm willing to risk the work in order to keep to a more normal lifestyle. Again, this is a useful tool. I still must work for my goal. The tool just helps me get there a little quicker.

4) At this point, I've been to 3 different surgeon's seminars in the past few months. I'm so tired of going to seminars. I'm ready to do this surgery! I've worried about all of this long enough!

5) I will pass the time between now and my first dr. appt. by dieting, trying to shrink my liver and prepare for surgery. I'm trying to do liquid diets from the local grocery store.

6) Finally got over my claustrophobia and went to my 2nd attempt for Cpap titration this past weekend. Of course I had my newly prescribed anxiety medicine in hand! I finally found a mask I am satisfied with and can't wait to see how it improves my life. I'm tired of always being tired all the time, plus it's hard to drive from work everyday with your eyes closed. Yep, that was my challenge almost every single day.

7) The only thing at this point that I know that Dr. Pleatman requires is for me to get clearance to have surgery. Well, since my stress test came back abnomal, my cardiologist (at least I have one now...never had one before) ordered a chest x-ray, echocargiogram and bloodwork. I've done all of this and will see him over then next week for the results. He know I want WLS and is all for it. Hopefully I will get surgery clearance and be one step closer.

Here's hoping for surgery over my school's spring break the end of March!

Found out the EU in my hubby's notes is actually EV which stands for "evaluation". I have been on cloud 9 since finding out his insurance may pay for this. My insurance keeps telling me no, No, NO. GRRRR!! Why not? I really would like to know. I just hope my hubby's insurance pays for most if not all of it.

I went to a cardiologist today because my stress test came back abnormal. He is not worried, although my blood pressure is higher now than it was before that test. I have to add another med for that. Just to be on the safe side, the doctor wants a chest xray, blood work and an echocardiogram. He said after analyzing those tests he will then decide the next step. He said to go ahead and exercise unless I feel lightheaded, etc.

My husband called his insurance today. Here are the notes he took down:

MEDICAL
-BMI 40
-100 LBS OW
-1YR WEIGHT HIS
-PSYCH HIST/EU.
-DOC NON MED WEIGHT
-MED PROB ASOC W/ WEIGHT
-MEDICAL REVIEW

I can figure most of it out but what is EU? I hope he remembers when I ask him when he gets home from work. He's not very good at remembering things.

Finally I am posting! I figure I need to take the time out and do this for myself so that I can look back after my awesome weightloss! I want to document the process, the struggle and the joy. As of today my PCP has recommended me for this surgery and ordered the appropriate tests. Blood work came back normal. Sleep study shows that I have medium/severe sleep apnea. I will not be using the machine as I have claustrophobia. Stress test came back abnormal; insufficient blood flow to the top portion of my heart. I have an appointment with a cardiologist about this. This is the first time my doctor told me not to exercise or exert myself before I see the cardiologist. I'm a little nervous about all of this. After all of this I am hoping that my petition to insurance will get them to pay for wls. Now that I am worried about my heart I am wanting to eat better and take better care of myself. I'm only 33 and I don't want to die. I need this surgery now more than ever.