Megadith
Life sucks!!
Nov 15, 2007
so, not only was I having second thoughts about what the hellI had done after surgery, but 2 days after I was home I had to go back because I was so sick. I have a leak and it really sucks. I had emergency surgery to "fix" it, but when I was finally trying shakes again, they went right through my drainage tube. Apparently, it isn't fixed, but because I still have the tubes in, all I have to do is be patient and I guess it will eventually be fixed. The DR. finally let me come home after 10 days which was a good choice because my mental status was going down the drain as well. I am finally home, with a feeding tube, pretty much constant, and a drain and I can only have sips of water. I have to go back to the Dr.'s on Monday and then once a week after that until I'm healed. I'm pretty uncomfortable but at least I am in my own house. I hated being in the hospital. I spent 5 days in ICU which was like a dungeon. God I am glad to be home. Pretty pissed at the Dr. for not getting it right the first time, and screwing me up, but again at least I'm home.
It's finally here!!
Oct 29, 2007
It's hard to believe I haven't blogged anything since March. A lot has changed since then. I have lost and gained a few pounds. My overall weight loss was about 8 pounds. It's better than gaining right? Anyway, so my surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. I am so incredibly nervous. Thankfully I haven't started having panic attacks yet, but I'm sure they will come later this afternoon or tonight. I know I will be a basket case tomorrow morning. I am very glad they are letting me take my anxiety medication or we would be having a large problem. So I just wanted to update that I am finally having surgery. Part of me really wants to chicken out, but then there is my mom who will be talking me down all morning. If I could just go and be nervous that would be fine, but I know I am going to be spasing in the morning and that is only going to make things worse. Good luck to anyone else having surgery tomorrow and I will try to blog again shortly after surgery.
A day full of appointments
Mar 26, 2007
So, on the 13th I went for all my appointments. I started with PT, then went to Dr. Hixon for a quick update, then to have my gallbladder study, which is fine, chest xray, and lab work. I then went to the nutritionist and finished off the day with an EKG and pulmonary study, which are both good.
Today, I went for the mental health evaluation and as far as I know everything is okay.
I guess I need to get myself in the mindset of starting to count calories, exercise, and now I have to pay attention to the glycemic index. This is what is going to be hard, and obviously food and exercise are a big part of the problem or I wouldn't be here. Portions are my biggest problem, but I have always known that.
Well anyway, my next appointment is April 13th for a check-up with Dr. Hixon. I hope I am down at least a couple pounds by then, but I guess that would mean I would have to start eating better and exercising. I will post again after that appointment, although I am the only one reading this blog.
Today, I went for the mental health evaluation and as far as I know everything is okay.
I guess I need to get myself in the mindset of starting to count calories, exercise, and now I have to pay attention to the glycemic index. This is what is going to be hard, and obviously food and exercise are a big part of the problem or I wouldn't be here. Portions are my biggest problem, but I have always known that.
Well anyway, my next appointment is April 13th for a check-up with Dr. Hixon. I hope I am down at least a couple pounds by then, but I guess that would mean I would have to start eating better and exercising. I will post again after that appointment, although I am the only one reading this blog.
Now it's official!-2/20/07
Feb 20, 2007
Well, it is official. I had my first appointment last Friday and I am now on my way. The meeting was no big deal. Lots of questions as everyone that has been through it knows. I was told that I now have to exercise every day. I don't see that happening although I am going to start off with three days a week for at least 15 minutes. I actually did it yesterday so I guess I am off to a good start. I had lost about 6 pounds because I had the stomach flu last Thursday so next time I go it is going to look like I am going in the wrong direction. I was told I have a big neck and I have to have a sleep study. That is the wrong thing to tell a person who doesn't like to spend the night except for in her own bed. If I can't be comfortable enough to spend one night for a sleep study, how I am going to be able to spend 3-5 nights in the hospital?
I left the office with a full day scheduled on March 13th. I have to see PT at 8, Dr. Hixson at 9, my gallbladder study is at 10:15 and if there is time before that I will do my bloodwork and my chest xray. Then at 11 I have the nutritionist, a lunch break, and at 1 I have my EKG and breathing test. On March 26th I see the Mental Health person. I broke down in tears yesterday because there seems to be so much going on in March. I keep waffling between whether I really want to do this or not. I am such a chicken about everything and I am afraid my anxiety is really going to become an issue.
Kathi has been really helpful. With her surgery being next week, she is good to get a perspective from. She is willing to do anything or go anywhere with me. In April, I am planning on going to one of the support meetings with her. By then March will be over and maybe I will be in a better place.
Until the next time...
I left the office with a full day scheduled on March 13th. I have to see PT at 8, Dr. Hixson at 9, my gallbladder study is at 10:15 and if there is time before that I will do my bloodwork and my chest xray. Then at 11 I have the nutritionist, a lunch break, and at 1 I have my EKG and breathing test. On March 26th I see the Mental Health person. I broke down in tears yesterday because there seems to be so much going on in March. I keep waffling between whether I really want to do this or not. I am such a chicken about everything and I am afraid my anxiety is really going to become an issue.
Kathi has been really helpful. With her surgery being next week, she is good to get a perspective from. She is willing to do anything or go anywhere with me. In April, I am planning on going to one of the support meetings with her. By then March will be over and maybe I will be in a better place.
Until the next time...
Initial Appointment-1/22/07
Jan 22, 2007
Ok, so I made my initial appointment today. I am really going forward with this. My appointment is February 16th at 3pm. I probably won't blog before that unless something really exciting happens. Good luck to everyone recovering or having surgery soon.
From the beginning! 1/21/07
Jan 21, 2007
Ok, so this is my first post because I have only recently decided to have WLS. My gynocologist mentioned it two years and twenty-five pounds ago, but I wasn't interested then. About two months ago, I went to my PCP about being put on Metphormin because I am so frustrated and disgusted with my weight. She did agree to try me on a low dose of Metphormin because even though I haven't truly been diagnosised, we both feel that I have PCOS. She also suggested that I think about the gastric by-pass surgery. I said that I would go to an informational meeting and her office called to set it up. I decided I was going to wait until after the holidays and give myself sometime to think about everything. My information meeting was scheduled on January 9, 2007.
I still didn't really think about the surgery much, even after scheduling the meeting. I don't think I really started to consider it until about a week before the informational meeting. I starting thinking that maybe this was a good choice for me and something I should really think about. I decided I would come up with some questions before I went to the meeting to get me more interested. I also found these wonderful blogs from other people that have had the surgery. I think this has been the most helpful of everything.
My mom went to the meeting with me and I listened intently and looked around the room at all the other people. Initally I wanted to leave. I couldn't believe that I was at this point in my life. That at 22 years old, I weighed 275 pounds. This summer was killer for me. I usually lose weight during the summer, but this year I made some poor eating choices at work and instead gained 15 pounds. I should tell you that I have been overweight since my grandfather died when I was three. I remember weighing 180 pounds when I was in fifth grade. I hate looking at any pictures over the age of three. That is why I have few if any to post at the moment. Anyway, I felt that I shouldn't be in the room with all of these other people; most of them were much larger and much older than me. Why should I do this at 22? Am I giving up too early? I can do this on my own, can't I? Obviously not, since the 25 pounds I lost after I graduated high school came back quickly and added about 10 or so more. I told myself that I would ask my questions and think about the surgery, but that I wouldn't set up any appointments and I would give myself until the end of January to decide.
Well, here I am. It is January 21st and I have made my decision. It was not an easy one for me, but I have done it. I think the problem was that I felt like I was giving up to soon. Mom had already told me that she didn't think I had ever really tried and I have always been taught not to give up. You can't fail if you never try, right? After long chats with my mom and my therapist, I made the decision. I have the support of my immediate family and some choice friends that I told so far and that is all I need. I also found it easier to say yes knowing that if I change my mind, I can always back out. My severe anxiety issues have always been a problem and I wasn't sure and still am not, as to whether I will be able to go through the months prior to the surgery. After feeling about ready to have a panic attack just on the way to the informational meeting, I was unsure of whether I could make it the 6-8 months through the process. We will see what happens.
So, to tell you where I am right now. Tomorrow, I have to call the Bariatric center to set up my initial appointment and call my PCP to have my records sent over. I called the insurance company to see if I am covered and they told me that I would have to have case notes sent from my PCP showing "medical necessity" and a letter from Dr. Hill saying he is willing to perform the surgery and to include the diagnosis and procedure codes, as well as the costs of the surgery. I thought that this was the first step, but after reading blogs, it seems like I have to go through all the steps with the hospital first to see if I am a candidate. I am currently in my second semester of my Master's Program for Special Education. My classes start on Tuesday so hopefully, I will be able to update my blog frequently on my process. Please feel free to leave me comments, ideas, or just to say hi. Here's to my new journey and my new life. Meredith
I still didn't really think about the surgery much, even after scheduling the meeting. I don't think I really started to consider it until about a week before the informational meeting. I starting thinking that maybe this was a good choice for me and something I should really think about. I decided I would come up with some questions before I went to the meeting to get me more interested. I also found these wonderful blogs from other people that have had the surgery. I think this has been the most helpful of everything.
My mom went to the meeting with me and I listened intently and looked around the room at all the other people. Initally I wanted to leave. I couldn't believe that I was at this point in my life. That at 22 years old, I weighed 275 pounds. This summer was killer for me. I usually lose weight during the summer, but this year I made some poor eating choices at work and instead gained 15 pounds. I should tell you that I have been overweight since my grandfather died when I was three. I remember weighing 180 pounds when I was in fifth grade. I hate looking at any pictures over the age of three. That is why I have few if any to post at the moment. Anyway, I felt that I shouldn't be in the room with all of these other people; most of them were much larger and much older than me. Why should I do this at 22? Am I giving up too early? I can do this on my own, can't I? Obviously not, since the 25 pounds I lost after I graduated high school came back quickly and added about 10 or so more. I told myself that I would ask my questions and think about the surgery, but that I wouldn't set up any appointments and I would give myself until the end of January to decide.
Well, here I am. It is January 21st and I have made my decision. It was not an easy one for me, but I have done it. I think the problem was that I felt like I was giving up to soon. Mom had already told me that she didn't think I had ever really tried and I have always been taught not to give up. You can't fail if you never try, right? After long chats with my mom and my therapist, I made the decision. I have the support of my immediate family and some choice friends that I told so far and that is all I need. I also found it easier to say yes knowing that if I change my mind, I can always back out. My severe anxiety issues have always been a problem and I wasn't sure and still am not, as to whether I will be able to go through the months prior to the surgery. After feeling about ready to have a panic attack just on the way to the informational meeting, I was unsure of whether I could make it the 6-8 months through the process. We will see what happens.
So, to tell you where I am right now. Tomorrow, I have to call the Bariatric center to set up my initial appointment and call my PCP to have my records sent over. I called the insurance company to see if I am covered and they told me that I would have to have case notes sent from my PCP showing "medical necessity" and a letter from Dr. Hill saying he is willing to perform the surgery and to include the diagnosis and procedure codes, as well as the costs of the surgery. I thought that this was the first step, but after reading blogs, it seems like I have to go through all the steps with the hospital first to see if I am a candidate. I am currently in my second semester of my Master's Program for Special Education. My classes start on Tuesday so hopefully, I will be able to update my blog frequently on my process. Please feel free to leave me comments, ideas, or just to say hi. Here's to my new journey and my new life. Meredith