Robin C.
The Countdown Continues!!!!
Mar 10, 2007
March 10, 2007
Only 7 weeks and 1 day from today will be the big day! It is coming up a lot quicker than I ever dreamed it would. I am trying different proteins right now. I liked the Nectar fuzzy navel okay. I think it might be better in yogurt or milk than just mixed with water. This morning I had some light Silk milk (Vanilla soy milk) mixed with 3 frozen strawberries and 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder. I whirled it up in the blender, and it was really good - like a strawberry milkshake (with 29 grams of protein)! I am going to try a chocolate mint shake tomorrow.
We just got back from skiing in West Virginia - what a blast! I love that state - it's natural beauty never ceases to amaze me. Timberline ski resort was sooo nice - very few people, no lift lines, nicely groomed slopes, etc. I skiied all day all three days that we were there. My thighs and calves were screaming with pain at the end of each day, but it was sooo worth it. I can't wait until next time we go when I won't have to have hubby put my boots on for me (because I won't be too fat to bend over), when I won't have to take my skis off in order to get back up when I fall (because I won't be too fat to stand up easily ), when my legs won't hurt because I will be in shape, and so I can wear a really cute ski outfit!!! Life will be so very different this time next year, and I cannot wait! My 42nd birthday is coming up in June, and I already told my husband I want a new bike so that I can ride bikes with our children down to the beach this summer instead of driving. I keep dreaming about how different life will be when I am thin, exercising regularly, and living a healthy life. I can't wait for life to begin again!!!!
9 Weeks To Go and Counting...
Feb 26, 2007
Getting Closer...
Feb 19, 2007
In the Beginning (before WLS)...
I am just beginning this journey, although I have been thinking about WLS for a couple of years. I am going to the information session tonight that my surgeon requires. My DH is going with me - he has been so great through the years watching me from a very fit size 6 athlete in the 1980's when we met to the 230 pound person that I am today. I am really looking forward to getting the surgery and being able to be active with him and my 3 children, ages 13, 12 and 7. I am 5'6" and weigh about 230 lbs. I can't believe that I have let myself go like this. I just hope and pray that I will get approved for surgery easily because of my high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and GERD. I am tired of sitting on the sidelines watching my life go by. I want to be able to the person that I feel I am on the inside.
8/24/06
I have a date for my first consultation with my surgeon. It's September 26, 2006. I wish it would hurry up and get here. I read these profiles everyday and each and every person that I read about is an inspiration to me. I just cannot wait to get on the loosing side, get rid of my high blood pressure, tie my shoes without feeling like I will suffocate, and walk up the steps to my bedroom wihout being out of breath. I got the diet clinic to give me a copy of my records from last October 2005 through February 2006. I also had my personal trainer sign a letter about my workouts with her from May 2006-July 2006. Hopefully these, along with my journal of diets and gyms that I have tried over the years will be enough to convince Aetna that I deserve to have this surgery covered. I sure hope that I get it beofre the end of 2006. As of this morning my weight was up to 233.4. I don't know what's going on with that. Oh well, another update later (after my appointment). Keep loosing everyone!
8/30/06
So it's not after my appointment, but I have some things on my mind. So here goes. My weight is back down to 233 as of this morning. I guess that is something :-) . I finally got up the nerve to tell my mother that I was going to have this surgery. Of course she is not supportive - thinks I should lose the old fashioned way. Of course she has to remind of the two friends of hers that had it and it didn't work for them - well duhhhh - theyst ill ate everything in sight in little bits at a time until they streched their pouches back out so much that now they are heavier and unhealtheir than ever. She has been finding stories of people who have lost tons of weight by watching what they eat and exercising. I keep wanting to ak her what their results are 5, 10, 15 years after the "diets". But of course this information will not be available. So I just smile and say that I am very happy for them, which I truly am because, golly - no one wants to have to have an operation in order to have permanent weight loss. It's unfortunate that is what is is going take for me to lose my wieght, but at least I am going to do it and get healthy. Last night though when we celebrating a family birthday at a very nice dinner, she found out that a woman ( a minister's wife) that she really respects had the surgery 8 years ago. She was dumbfounded because she would never have known that this woman had been heavy before since she looks so fabulous and healthy now. So I think that helped my mom to see that maybe I was onto something here. I am sure that she will never admit though. My wonderful DH who has been so supportive and wonderful to me since I met him over 21 years ago keeps telling me to quit worrying about pleasing my mother, that she doesn't have to approve of everything I do. Intellectually I know that, but emotionally I still want my mom's approval because she is such a fine person and I love her very much. Sorry about all this rambling - I have just had this stuff on my mind, and I figure that journalling like this is a good way to work through it.
So anyway. I am counting down the days until my intial consult with my surgeon. I am down to 27 days. I cannot wait, but I must say that I am at times overcome with emotion about this. From what I have read this is fairly common once you make this life altering decision. One moment I am so happy and excited and so sure that I will get approved immediatey, and then the next moment I am filled with fear that I won't get approved and will be destined to remain fat and on blood pressure medication forever. Fortunately the positive moments usually last longer than the negative ones. :-)
Well that's it for today. Have a fabulous day everyone!
9/6/06
Well, I went to my first support group meeting last night in Virginia Beach. It was great! Many thanks to Judy and Christine for telling me about it. Ya'll both look so awesome. Christine, I can't believe you are only 3 months post op! A Plastic Surgeon named Dr. Alspaugh spoke about the types of operations that WLS patients are usually interested in after they reach a stable weight. I am not really thinking about plastic surgery yet, but believe me, if I lose the amount of weight that I hope to and look all flabby and saggy, I will be "havin' some work done" for sure! I called my surgeon's office yesterday to see if perhaps Dr. Wohlgemuth had anything open up before Sept. 26th, but no luck! Ronnie, the scheduler there was so nice though. She said to feel free to call her back later in the week to check again. So I think I will.
I have decided to start keeping a food journal now. I think it will help me to get in the habit for post op. Plus I think it will be interesting for me to go back later on and compare the volume and types of food that I eat now. Possibly it will even help me avoid falling into those same pitfalls after surgery so that this really can be permanent weight loss. I am also making a list of "redlight" foods that I know I can NEVER bring in the house. Man, that list is LOOOONG! Obviously I have more food issues than I would like to admit to.
9/22/06
Just got back from New York City last night - what a grand little vacation. My hubby had a conference to attend so I went along for company. It was a blast! I shopped - resisted the urge to buy new clothes for myself because I know they won't fit for long (hopefully!) because of impending WLS (only 4 days 'til my consult - will it ever get here???). I got a great Coach purse in Chinatown and a cute littel Prada bag for my oldest daughter. If any of you are "Sex in the City" fans, I highly recommend the Sex in the City Tour. It was awesome! I also highly recommend "WICKED". It is the best play I have ever seen on Broadway! We also had reservations for Monday night football at ESPN Zone - another really fun place! My hubby was walking on air when we sat down at our center front row seats for dinner in front of the big screen. So anyway, it was a little sad too - a trip filled with lasts. For example - my last cupcake from my favorite little Greenwich Village bakery (the one on Sex in the City), my last time pigging out on pretzels from the street venders, my last Carnegie deli mile high corned beef sandwich and huge slice of NY cheesecake. But on the bright side, if all goes well, my last time visiting NYC as a fat lady too. For that I am truly thankful. I cannot wait to get this all behind me and get back to living life. It was a lot harder walking up and down those steps to the subway this time since I have gained so much weight since the last time I was there. My feet and ankles are so swollen from all the walking that I look deformed and my calves are hurting like crazy, but it was worth it. I'll update again after my consult. I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes as planned with that and that I get a surgery date and approval VERY soon!
9/26/06 2:30am
Here I am wide awake at 2:30 in the morning the day of my surgical consult. I am so excited that I can't sleep. I pray to God that I get approved easily and quickly and that I get a surgery date very soon. I just don't know how much longer I can take this waiting. I want this sooooo badly!!!! My skin on my ankles has been hurting because my ankles are so very swollen from my high blood pressure. My hiatal hernia is driving me crazy. It's so disgusting to constantly burp up partially digested food. I am tired of having a puffy face and eyes from my high blood pressure. My daughter wants me to coach her basketball team this year, and I would love to. But I am afraid to tell her that unless I get the surgery, I will not be able to - I am just to exhausted by that time of day and I just don't think I could even demonstrate the skills well because of my size. I really don't want to disappoint her; so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I have my surgery before the season starts. My youngest is so funny lately. She loves looking at the before and after pictures with me here on OH. She constantly asks, "Is that what you'll look like, Mommy?". Also, I don't know how many others have this problem, but since I have gotten so large, it is inevitable that when I sit down to dinner with my family that I will end up with part of my dinner on my chest. My "shelf" just seems to catch everything! So my little girl says the other night, "Mommy, maybe after surgery you won't spill so much and can quit keeping Tide to go in your purse." From the mouths of babes... (LOL!!!). Well, I am going to try to get some sleep so I won't look totally wretched tomorrow for my appointment. Good night (morning) all.
9/26/06 3:00pm
I am perfect.....well, er, as a candidate for gastric bypass, that is! LOL! Finally had my initial consult with my surgeon, and he's says I am perfect for surgery! Given that my BMI is 39 and I have high blood pressure and a strong motivation to exercise and succeed, he says that he feels very confident that I will reach whatever goal I set for myself. I already went for my bloodwork, EKG, and chest x-ray. I have set up my appointment for the psych evaluation, scheduled my pre-op wellness/exercise class, my white light scan to determine where my fat is exactly and how much of it there is (for a study that my surgical group is doing), and I have gone to the required support group meeting. So now I have to wait for approval, and I'll be on my way! My surgeon says that possibly I could be on the other side in December, but more than likely it will be the first of the year because of his busy schedule.
Well, I am walking on air right now. I hope you guys are all having as wonderful a day as I am!
10/12/06
Well, I'm not crazy! LOL! I just had my psych eval, and it went really well. I didn't have to take a test or anything. We just talked for about an hour. He cleared me for surgery. I told him I might like to come back later on after surgery and talk if I felt the need. He said that would be fine. Now I only have the white light body scan on 10/20 and my nutrition class on 10/23 before Dr. W will submit for approval and give me a date. Woohoo!
10/20/06
This morning at 10:15 I had my white light body scan. It was quick and painless. I just had to take all my clothes off and stand in a dark room with white lights flashing all around me for about 30 seconds. That's it! Then I got dressed, the nurse handed me a printout wth lots of measurements and an image of my body shape. I guess the surgeon will explain it all to me when I see him again. But for now I did figure out which measurement was my height and which measure was my total volume (weight). Interesting that my height calculates out to about 5'5" and weight was right at 240. This gives me a bmi of 39.9. I cannot wait unil the next time I get one of the scans so that I can watch the numbers fall! Only one more hoop to jump throught before they'll submit for approval with the insurance company. On MOnday I have my wellness nutrtion and exercise class. Dr. W's office should get that report by Tuesday, 10/24. Then my char goes to someone els in the office who gets it ready for insurance. Hoepfuly that process will not tkae too long. All three of my children are spending the night out with friends. This doesn't have very often; so hubby and I are going to take full advantage by going out to dinner (Thai food), having somw drinks and either going dancing or seein a movie. I am really looking forward to spending some time with just him. We always have such a good time together, even if we're just cleaning the house. So tonight should be really great! I have read so many profiles in which people end up getting divorced. This concerns me, but I know our marriage is strong. My hubby has seen me at my best and worst in every aspect of life and has loved me through all of it. I, too have seen him at his best and his worst, and have loved him through all of it. We are each other's rocks, and the light (and love) of each other's lives. We are both looking so forward to me having this surgery and getting on with life. We feel like we are in limbo right now playing this waiting game. I sure I hope I get a date for surgery soon!
October 23, 2006
Today I jumped through the last of the hoops before my surgeon's office will submit my paperwork for insurance approval. I did the 3.5 hour wellness class. What a huge waste of my time! From 12:30 -2pm I learned how to stretch and lift little 5 pound dumb-bells. Then from 2-4pm I got to have the nutritionist read my manual to me. - LIKE I DON"T KNOW HOW TO READ!!!!! It was so ridiculous. To top it all off - I have to do the same thing again as part of my pre-op at the hospital- except when I go back, they make it last a whole day!!!! ARGGGHHHH!! I have already memorized my manual cover to cover and read 4 other WLS books. I do not feel that I need this and it is making me crazy that I have to miss so much work for all of this useless crap! So now I am finished ranting. There were a couple of good things - I met some really nice ladies that are using the same surgical group that I am. I am looking forward to getting to know them better. Also, a lady who had surgery done by Dr. W (my surgeon) just happened to be in the building working out and dropped in to give us some words of encouragement. She was 5'4" tall and pre-op wighed about 260lbs. She had her surgery in Dec. of 2005. Currently she weighs 120 lbs. and looks FANTASTIC. That was very encouraging to hear that she had lost that much weight that quickly and had relatively no extra skin issues. I hope I do as well as she has done! Tomorrow I will check to make sure the nut faxed my form over to the doc's office and that someone is faxing or mailing my stuff to AETNA pronto!
October 24, 2006
Lola faxed my paperwork to Aetna today! I am keeping my fingers crossed!
October 25, 2006
Called Aetna today - no info. - they said it takes 48 hours for the info to come out of imaging. Then it could take up to 30-60 days for a decision, but if all was in order, it could be decided in 10-12 days. Still Keeping my fingers crossed!
October 26, 2006 12:10pm
Lola called from Dr. W's office. She is wonderful! I knew immediately though from the way she asked me if I had a minute to talk that there was no good news. AETNA DENIED, yep - DENIED me! They said that my BMI was 38.9 (over the rquired 35 with a comorbidity) but since my BP is controlled by my meds, they were denying me. Lola said, basically they are telling me to gain weight, then I can have the surgery, which makes no sense. I pointed out to Lola that my body scan calculated my height to be 5'4.5" rather than 5'6" that I was claiming before. So that in combination with a weight of 242 gives me a BMI of 41.1 - over the required 40. She agreed that the body scan would definitely be the most accurate measure of my height and said she would make sure that Dr. Wohlgemuth was armed with this info on Tuesday when he makes a face-to-face appeal to the insurance doc. He doesn't understand why I would be denied in the first place because the national standard is BMI >35 with High BP. Hopefully they'll get it straightened out on Tuesday, I'll get my approval, and have surgery very soon. I'm definitely saying some prayers tonight!
October 30, 2006
I went in to weigh again this morning at Dr. W's office. Miraculously i gained enough weight over the weekend that I weighed 248 pounds, giving me a BMI of 40 exactly. I called Lola to make sure she got my new weight, which she did. So now I just have to hope that Dr. W is successful tomorrow with the insurance doc. I've still got my fingers and toes crossed. My mother in law really disappointed me this weekend with all of her negative comments about me having the surgery. Thank goodness she doesn't live around here so I don't have to deal with her on a regular basis. My husband and son said to just ignore her, that she is ignorant about this sort of thing. So I guess that's what I'll do!
October 31, 2006
I talked to Lola this afternoon. She said I was going to kill her because Dr. W got called in on 3 emergency surgries and couldn't meet with the insurance doc. I assured that her that I wouldn't kill her and that obviously those emergency operations were far more important than my case with AETNA. She said she appreciated that, but she also felt that I did not have a thing in this world to worry about since my BMI was now 40 (documented as official at their office). I should have asked her if we should just resubmit with my new BMI but I didn't think of it until after I hung up. Oh well, she said that Dr. W would take care of it on Thursday. So... the waiting game continues.
oh yeah, almost forgot. My mother-in-law must have realized how negative she sounded or maybe my hubby said something to her. But at any rate she called last night and volunteered to rearrange her schedule when I have my surgery so that she can come down and help out with the kids. I think that is her way of showing support - at least I hope it's not her way of being here when I am down and out to get in a few more jabs. I hope she is not that evil! At any rate I will probably not take her up on her offer because my mom and dad only live 5 blocks away and will help me out if I need it. My mom is trying very hard to be more supportive although she keeps telling horror stories about problems that she has heard of people having. I think she is just worried and making sure that I am not going into this wearing rose colored glasses. I hope that's what her goal is anyway. Thank goodness for my very supportive hubby and children and my dad (who just doesn't say anything), and all of my very supportive OH friends!
November 8, 2006
I'm still waiting. I called Lola yesterday and still nothing. I am trying so hard to be patient, but it is not a virtue that I possess. I am going to call Lola again today. We'll see what happens!
November 9, 2006
I am so upset right now. First they said I didn't have a high enough BMI (38.7) even though I had high blood pressure. My surgeon talked with them until he was blue in the face today explaining that my BMI is 40 and that I have a co morbidity. This time AETNA said that I have not had my comorbidity long enough (less than 5 years) for them to approve it and I haven't had a BMI of 40 for 5 years either. It sounds like this guy at AETNA is making up the rules as he goes to me. Lola at Dr. W's office says she has never had this much trouble with AETNA. The AETNA doc told my surgeon that I have to appeal to AETNA again. This time I will get a different director that will review my case. I am in tears as I type this. I just feel so hopeless right now. I have never felt like this before in my life. I know my surgeon is going to fight for me, but I never dreamed I would have this much trouble. Is some one trying to tell me that I shouldn't have the surgery - that it isn't right for me? I am questioning everything right now. I am sorry to be such a whiner, but I just don't understand why this guy at AETNA is being like this.
November 17, 2006
I just finished my appeal letter for AETNA. I am so emotional right now - I knew I felt all of those things that I wrote, but I guess just seeing it written out made it really hit home. I hate being fat!!!! I just don't know what I will do if they don't approve me this time. I faxed to letter over to my surgeon's office to Lola. She said Dr. W was working a letter too. She'll submit it all again next week as soon as Dr. W finishes his letter. I hope and pray that I get approved this time around! I know for a fact that we cannot self pay because it will cost about $24K total. There's no way we can afford that right now. I am posting a copy of my letter in case anyone needs ideas for what to put in their letter. I adapted some of it from a letter that I found posted here on OH. I would like to thank whoever that was that posted their letter, It was very helpful in getting my thoughts organized. Here's the letter:
Dear Aetna Representative,
My History In 1998, I discovered that I was pregnant with my third child. The pregnancy was going well; the blood pressure was slowly creeping up though as it had with every other pregnancy. Then on December 26, 1998, I was in a car accident and then the problems began. My back was injured and I was having premature labor pains. I was again put on bed rest – this time it lasted from Dec. 26, 1998 until May 1999. By the time I delivered the baby (healthy fortunately), I was huge and had no muscle tone at all. I think my metabolism just quit on me. I weighed about 240 lbs. when my third child was born. Fortunately, the back pains eventually subsided for the most part as I naturally lost some of the baby weight, and I was able to lightly exercise again. I hired a personal trainer that I worked out with three times per week, I did Weight Watchers again, but had minimal success. I tried over counter diet pills – none worked. I lost some weight, even got down under 200 many times, but I al ways have gained the weight back as soon as I have gone off the diet. From 1999 on I wasn’t feeling well (headaches a lot), my face was swollen looking and my hands, feet, and ankles were constantly swollen. I attributed to swollen look and head aches to just being fat, but in retrospect, I am sure that this was the beginning of my high blood pressure because I get the same symptoms now if miss a few doses of my medication. I used to avoid going to the doctor unless I was really “sick”, so I never had the blood pressure problem diagnosed until a few years later when I went in to see Dr. Ciccone. Meanwhile, I tried Atkins, South Beach, the Zone, Sugar Busters, and many more diets. Finally, sometime later I went to my new PCP, Dr. Ciccone. He diagnosed me with high blood pressure and high cholesterol and put me on the appropriate the medications, which I have been taking ever since. He also prescribed phentermine for appetite control and told to “fill my plate with as much food as I wanted, but then only eat half of it.” Well, this worked so well, I gained more weight after the initial effects of the phentermine quit working. He later put me on Wellbutrin because he had, in his words, “never known a fat person who wasn’t depressed.” Meanwhile I kept trying to diet, using green tea pills, other natural remedies, Weight Watchers, and Atkins again – nothing has worked permanently. Later Dr. Ciccone tried Meridia for weight loss. I didn’t take it long – for one, it didn’t work for me and secondly, it made me feel very spacey (I couldn’t concentrate on anything at all). I then tried “The Lemonade Diet.” In this diet you mix the juice of lemons with grade b maple syrup, ground cayenne pepper, and distilled water. Then you drink this mixture all day long – nothing else to drink or eat - just lemonade. Oh yeah, at night before bed I got to drink a cup of “Smooth Moves” hot tea before bed. Then in the morning, I guzzled 4 cups of distilled water with 1/2 cup sea salt dissolved in it (for a laxative effect to clean out my system). I followed this diet for six weeks – losing 20 pounds and killing whatever bit of metabolism working that I had left, for sure. As soon as I was able to keep food down again, I gained all twenty pounds back, plus some. One of my more recent (Fall 2005- Winter 2006) dieting adventures was to pay Dr. Bernstein’s Diet Clinic a ton of cash to receive a “physician monitored diet” that consisted of three Vitamin B injections per week, urine tests to make sure I was in ketosis (hence, following the plan), blood pressure monitoring and frequent blood tests. I was told to eat 7 oz. of low fat protein, 16 oz. Of non-starchy vegetables, 2 small fruits per day, and no added fats or starches, and no sugars or starches. I again experienced some success, getting down into the 180’s, but as soon as I ran out of money, and couldn’t afford to go the clinic for the shots, I started gaining weight back. Eventually I was back up to the 230’s. So I decided to get a personal trainer in May of 2006 who also served as a nutrition counselor. She prescribed a diet and exercise program that I followed to the letter. I worked out with her for one hour per day, three days per week, and walked every day that I wasn’t working out with her. I started to experience horrible joint and back pain from all the weight bearing on my joints as I pushed through her rigorous workouts in my home gym that I had invested in (recumbent bike, weights, treadmill, bands, exercise ball, and more). Additionally, I only lost 1 pound the entire time I was working out with her and following her eating plan. We decided it was best for me to seek a more permanent weight loss solution and continue with the walking as my knees and hips would allow it. It was at this time that I decided to begin researching gastric bypass surgery. I have concluded that it is the only way that I will ever get my life back. My Body Heredity My Life I had always been an active, athletic person prior to becoming obese. My family is athletic too. All of my children and my husband are involved in sports and/or dance. I was a high school basketball, volleyball, and softball player and swimmer. I swam on my college team at the University of Richmond. I have coached basketball, baseball, track and field, and swimming for most of my life. Now that I am so heavy I cannot participate in any of these activities that I used truly enjoy and still love. I cannot even play basketball (or any sport for that matter) with my own children because of my weight. I literally cannot fit on our little sailboat to go out sailing on the bay with my family. I do not enjoy going to our beach house because of all that is associated with it: difficulty hauling my obese body up and down the steps and across the sand, the unbearable rashes caused by heat, sand, and sweat in my rolls, the trauma of having to first find and then put on a bathing suit. Simply put, I cannot enjoy any quality of life with this weight on my body. Weight loss surgery would allow me to finally permanently get my weight under control; and thus, I would get my quality of life back without the pain in my joints and back, without the worry of heart attack from the high blood pressure and high cholesterol, without the pain of constant heartburn from the GERD and hiatal hernia, more energy to do the things that my family and I would enjoy doing, and without the embarrassment of wearing a bathing suit (and shorts). Please seriously consider my plea, and afford me the opportunity to have this surgery so I can use this tool. Sincerely, Robin Crabbs
My name is Robin Crabbs. I am a forty-one year old female. I am 5’6”, and weigh in at approximately 248 lbs. I am classified as morbidly obese with a BMI of 40.
I meet Aetna and national criteria of a BMI of 40 or a BMI of 35 with high blood pressure, and have done all the footwork laid out by Aetna for approval of gastric bypass surgery. I have been denied gastric bypass surgery by Aetna. You have read the paperwork that was forwarded to you by my surgeon compiling my weight history and all necessary medical tests required for approval. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with me, the patient in question.
My weight problems began when I was pregnant with my first child (October 1992). Soon after learning that I was pregnant with my first child, my OB/GYN noticed that my hands, feet, and face were swelling, and I was complaining of headaches. She also found that my blood pressure was very high. I was immediately placed on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy, and thus, I gained a tremendous amount of weight because I couldn’t exercise at all. I delivered a healthy baby boy three weeks early in January of 1993, and my blood pressure returned to normal shortly thereafter. I did not have time to lose much weight before I found out I was pregnant again with a baby girl due in March of 1994. My blood pressure became elevated even sooner during this pregnancy, and I was again placed on complete bed rest for the duration of my pregnancy. By the time I delivered my second child in February of 1994 I weighed in at about 220 pounds (I had been a slender 140 before my first pregnancy). My blood pressure again went down after the delivery of my baby. This was a lot of weight for my 5’6” frame, and I found it difficult to lose the weight, but I did Weight Watchers faithfully for months and months and finally got my weight down to about 180lbs. I was feeling much better about myself until I went to my PCP at the time, Dr. Santa Cruz for an ear infection (this was in 1995). Not only did he diagnose me with an ear infection, he also wrote in large letters on my chart “OBESITY” as a diagnosis. I was devastated to say the least. He then prescribed phentermine pills for me to control my appetite. This diagnosis and prescription served to destroy what little self-esteem I had left and began a long series of yo-yo dieting. For the next three years I tried every diet out there and tried to get back into my exercise regimen. I experienced varying degrees of success with each diet, losing some weight initially, but then regaining every pound I ever lost and then some.
Since gaining all of this weight, my breasts have gotten huge. My 40F bra is too small, but I have not been able to get a bigger bra. The weight of my breasts makes it difficult to jog or even do regular household chores because of the back pain that I experience. Also, I suffer from back pain, neck pain, poor posture, and indentions in my shoulders, and skin breakdown in the creases. This area is susceptible to infection, especially during warmer times. I have gone from a slender size 6 (and a 36B bra) in misses clothing to a size 20 in women’s clothing because of my extremely large breasts and rolls of fat in my stomach and my large hips and thighs. I get rashes in the rolls of fat unless I am very careful to dry the areas very well and use powder. Additionally, because I have a large abdomen, I also get the same irritation in the fold between my abdomen and my pubic area. Even with the best hygiene practice these large areas of fat accumulate sweat, thus a smell by the end of the day. Even with the slightest of movement, this is aggravated by the friction caused between two areas of skin.
Pain in my joints practically debilitates me. This is especially so in my hips and knees. I would love to take a nap everyday as I am exhausted by normal actions of the day, but I cannot because of my home-based videography business and the need to care for my three children. I do usually fall asleep by 9pm, allowing little time for my husband and I to connect because he doesn’t get home from work until 7pm. I also have plantar fasciitis brought on by my weight; thus, my feet hurt on any given day because of this pain, which is aggravated by the weight they carry. In addition, I have GERD. This condition is aggravated by obesity. I have high cholesterol. At 41 years old I often feel I have the body of an 80 year old.
My family members (father, aunts, grandparents, uncles) have battled weight their entire lives. My uncle just died in 2005 from a heart attack caused by obesity related heart disease. I see the way he struggled with his weight constantly, and in the end it killed him at the young age of 65. I do not want the same thing to happen to me.
My grandfather had diabetes caused by his excessive weight. I have a family history of obesity. This surgery will allow me the chance to overcome health issues I have, and am sure to get at such an unhealthy weight, such as diabetes and heart disease.
My Plea
I’ve attempted many times to lose or control my weight with little or no significant results. I do not take my decision to have weight loss surgery lightly. I’ve done hours and hours of research on the gastric bypass procedure itself, complications of surgery, and the lifestyle changes necessary for success after this surgery. This is a major lifestyle change, a tool; I wish to obtain to improve my quality of life. I feel that the benefits far surpass the risks!
When I saw my surgeon, Dr. Wohlgemuth in September 2006 for a WLS consultation, he informed me I was a perfect candidate for gastric bypass because I was motivated to exercise and make the lifestyle changes necessary to be successful. I’m ready to live a better life and to be a better mother and wife. I am currently not able to be the best mother or wife I know can be because of my limitations caused by my morbid obesity.
Bottom line - I feel Gastric bypass is the tool I need to obtain a healthy weight allowing me to live a more active life and to be healthy without taking blood pressure medication. I know it will be hard work. I do not expect overnight results, or an easy way out of obesity.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Well, Dr. Wohlgemuth finally finished my appeal letter on Thursday of last week. Lola was out of the office on Friday; so my appeal package finally was sent out on Monday, December 18, 2006. Lola says it will take the insirance company about 4-6 weeks to respond. I am sick of waiting. I have decided to join the Norfolk Fitness Center and start working out as soon as I finish up with all of these Christmas videos. I am so sick of my swollen legs and ankles - I wish I could hurry up and get my surgery. I am losing faith that it will even happen. My mother and cousins keep telling me not to have the surgery - that I can do this on my own. The longer I have to wait the more discouraged I get and the more depressed I get because I can't stand listening to them tell what I should and shouldn't do. I swear they think that having the surgery will be taking the easy way out. My cousin even went so far as to tell me that our family is known for our great eating and drinking parties. She doesn't want me to have the surgery because then I won't be able to be a part of it any more. Like that would be a bad thing - but at any rate, just because I won't be eating and drinking with everyone dosn't mean I couldn't be a part of it. I am soooo over it!
January 16, 2007
Still no progress on the appeal. I have called AETNA several times and I feel like I am getting the run-around. When I called Friday, they said it could be up to another 30 business days. I still do not have a case number yet though. Sunday I auditioned for America's Biggest Loser. They said they'd call by midnight Sunday night - I never heard from them. I am very disappointed, I really thought the audition went well and that I was exactly what they were looking for. Another door closed. I want to thank everyone for their emails and comments. You all have been so wonderful. I haven't been on much because I just get upset everytime that I think about not getting approved. I am going to keep calling AETNA every Friday to see where we are with this. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
January 19, 2007
I called Aetna again today (it has been 1 week since I last spoke to them). Today I spoke with Julie. She asked if I had received a confirmation letter stating that they had my appeal and it was being processed. I told her that I had not. I also told her that last week I was told that I should be receiving a case number very soon. Julie said that I still do not have one, and she is concerned that they have had my appeal for 30 days and nothing has been done with it. She called her supervisor and emailed her with an urgent message asking WHY???? I told her I appreciated it, but I am very upset that this is taking so long and that I feel like I am getting the run around. She completely understood and said that she would call me back with some answers later today. I sure I hope that I hear something positive. I am really losing faith in this system! I need this surgery so badly, and I can't understand why I am facing so many roadblocks. For AETNA to not approve my surgery because my blood pressure is being controlled by meds makes no sense to me. Why should I have to live with being fat and being on prescrition medicine the rest of my life when having the surgery and losing weight would get me off the meds and improve my quality of life????? Why can't these so-called educated people (medical professionals) see that my health problems are only going to escalate if I continue to gain weight? How many co-morbidities do I have to have, how much do I have to suffer with this massive weight before they will approve me???? I am sick of this and I don't know what to do!
January 20, 2007
Julie (at AETNA) called me back before she left work on Friday and said that she had sent a message to the people reviewing it that this needed to be taken care of pronto. She is keeping my file open on her computer so that she will check on it daily until they finish. She said the documentation packet that Dr. W sent over was impressive. Hopefully that means I'll get approved. She is going to call me Tuesday to give me an update. She says that she feels like she is responsible for this now. Thank goodness someone is finally holding themselves accountable over there. I am beginning to feel a small amount of hope again. Julie seems to be in my corner at least. I am still waiting though.... Mike says he knows that it is going to happen for me. He just feels it he says. Back in December I had said that I was going to do one appeal ,and if I didn't get it, then so be it. It must not be meant to be. Now I feel like fighting until the bitter end if I have to just because of the priciple of the thing if nothing else. I deserve to live a better, healthier, fuller, happier life just like all the other success stories that I had read. I'm not going to quit until I get it!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 3:40pm
I AM APPROVED! I AM APPROVED! I can't believe it. Julie from AETNA called me and told me. They haven't even written the letter yet, but that is just a formality. As soon as it is written, Julie will fax it to me. I called Lola, but she wasn't available. So I left a message for her to call me. She didn't - so I am going to call her back tomorrow morning so I can GET A DATE!!!!! I am so excited that I can't even think straight!
January 25, 2007
I spoke with Lola yesterday about my approval. She said I made her day, and she loved how I took charge of the situation with AETNA. She said I turned a nightmare insurance situation into a positive outcome with my diligence in calling and following up with AETNA. She even said she wants me to come work for her! LOL! Anyway, it boils down to another waiting game right now. I have to have the approval letter before I can get a date because someone else in the office does the scheduling. So I am on the phone right now with AETNA to try to get the letter faxed over to me immediately. I have my fingers crossed that the letter is finished! I'm on hold....
A different Julie says that she will call me later today to let me know what is going on with my case (the letters aren't usually written that fast, but she will try to get it expidited). Hopefully she will get it faxed out to me today!
January29, 2007
Well, today is my son's 14th birthday - I can't believe that my baby boy is 14 years old. I am filled with emotion when I think about how quickly he is growing up and what a wonderful young man he is becoming. Eveyone I meet tells me that he is the nicest kid they have ever been around. I am soooo lucky to have such a handsome, intelligent athletic son. I love him so much! He brightens my every day, and I hope he knows how much his love and support have meant to me.
I just got my approval letter from AETNA! Yeah! I faxed it over to Lola. She said that it will be April before I have surgery. I am very disappointed - I was hoping that it would be before then, but at least I know that it is going to happen! :-)
We had a family gathering last night to celebrate my mother's, my son's, and my older daughter's birthdays. It was a lot of fun, but of course I had to listen to a ration of crap from my mother, cousin, and aunt again. You see, I have lost 8.6 pounds since January 30th - I decided that I needed to exercise to get my legs a little stronger since my husband and children and I are going skiing in March. I wanted o be able to ski for at least a couple hours at a time. So I have been kick boxing or doing the treadmill most days since then. That is how I lost the weight. Well my mom said that if I could lose that much weight in 4 weeks that I didn't need the surgery and that I was just taking the easy way out. My aunt and cousin chimed in that they agreed. They don't seem to get it - I never have any trouble taking wieght off for a short period of time, but it never lasts. When I "go off the diet", I gain every bit back plus another 10-20 pounds. It amazes me that they can't see this - I mean really - they have all known me my entire life. You'd think that they would have seen the pattern by now! I just said that I am not taking the easy way out. The surgery will simply speed up the weight loss timeline, and help me to maintain the weight loss if I continue to watch what I eat the rest of my life. This is not the easy way out - I will be forced to eat healthy, small meals the rest of my life. Why can't they get it?????
I guess that they will never understand. I can't wait to hear what they have to say once I start losing. I can only imagine the comments. Thank goodness I have the support of my husband and children. They are the ones that matter the most anyway.
February 1, 2007
Still no date!!!!!
February 2, 2007
Do you think a watched phone is like a watched pot that never boils? Why won't that phone ring and have someone from Dr. W's office on the other end with a surgery date??????? Why?Why?Why? I know - I am impatient - I want my surgery, and I want it NOW!!! Okay, enough whining for one day. I really need to quit thinking about this and get back to work.
February 7, 2007
Will the phone ever ring???? This waiting is killing me. People keep asking me, "Do you have a date yet?" I keep saying, "No, I'm still waiting for the call with my surgery date." It is soooooo frustrating! I want to get on with life, but I can't plan ANYTHING - not my trip to San Francisco, not my family's Easter celebration, not my video production schedule for the next couple months, nothing! I don't understand why this takes so long. What is so hard about looking at an Operating Room Schedule, and 2 surgeon's schedules and fitting in an operation????? Seems soooooo simple to me! I don't know if I will be able to hold off on calling Dr. W's Scheduler until sometime next week. She is really trying my patience!!!!!!!
February 10, 2007
I spoke with Lola at Dr. W's office on Friday because it had been 2 weeks and I hadn't heard anything about a date. She checked with Becky (the scheduler). Becky has my folder, and it is number 13. I don't quite know what that means, but Lola says it is better than being number 48. Anyway Lola says that it might be MAY before I get to have my surgery. This is KILLING me! I can't stand waiting! I look at all the before and after pics and read all the profiles talking about how much fuller everyone's life is after they have lost all the weight, and I want it BAD - I want it NOW - not tomorrow, next week, or next month. I want it NOW! I am getting more and more impatient with each passing day. I am tired of feeling like my life is on hold. I am praying that Becky will call me this week with good news. If anyone rads this, please say a prayer for me that I get a date soon.
