steveh
Was about to get back on that "Here We Go Again" roller coaster by going back to the VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet) - you know, the Medically Supervised/No Solid Food one... did it 7 years ago and lost 201 lbs. in 9 months. And now, here I am only 8 lbs. from my highest weight of 401. When I spoke with staff at the program and told them I was considering that or WLS they encouraged me to seriously consider the WLS. It's something I've pondered for a few years as the weight was coming back on so I've taken some time to think, research, consider, research, think, consider... and, well, I'm ready.
Spoke to my PCP last week and he's putting together the referral letter to the UCSF program. Although I know UCSF is a good hospital I don't like the fact that I don't have any choices - my insurance will ONLY cover bariatric surgery at UCSF.
I have all the other required information ready and as soon as I get the letter from my PCP my request to be evaluated for surgery will be in the mail. And then, based on everything I've read, I guess I'm ready to begin that "waiting game".
Would appreciate hearing from others, particularly anyone with Blue Cross PPO and had their surgery at UCSF. I would also be curious hearing from some people who are 5-10 years out. And, of course, anyone else who is willing/able to take some time to provide support is most welcome to contact me.
May 23, 2006
I've been overwhelmed with all the stories I've read on this site and the people who have been so encouraging and supportive as I start this process. I got the referral letter from my PCP today who says he supports my decision "100%". So, tomorrow my "application package" will go to UCSF for their preliminary review. I've also learned there is another option if UCSF doesn't work out so well, but it would mean having the surgery in San Jose at a hospital that has really bad reviews posted here. So, hopefully the UCSF option will work out.
I had one those "moments" today. Many of you know, I'm sure - the OMG I'm not gonna fit moment???? I had some pulmonary function tests scheduled. I got there and first off she wanted to weigh me. I took one look at her scale that maxes out at 350 and chuckled saying "well, I can tell you now this is never gonna work". She said "are you sure, let's try". Uh huh... like I don't know after being conscious of every ounce of weight on my body since I was first told I was "fat" at age 7. Knowing that I'm at 393 today I placated her and showed her it didn't work. Then - imagine this - there was this circular plastic container and she thought I was going to fit INSIDE. Of course, I proceeded to sit inside it, and she proceeded to try to push the door shut even though my knees were CLEARLY 6" outside the closure.
Yes, I can "chuckle" at these moments in retrospect, but they are always demoralizing, embarassing if not absolutely mortifying, and ultimately destructive to my sense-of-self. I'm so ready for things to be different.
5/30/06
I was pleasantly surprised today when I got a call from UCSF advising me that they were calling to set up an appointment for my first surgical consult. Hooray!! And, it's next week - 6/7. They have an orientation meeting in the morning and then I will see the surgeon after the orientation meeting. As I "lurk" around - reading posts, reading profiles - I just get more and more convinced this is the right course for me and I get more and more excited about getting back to living life again. My fantasy now is that things will just keep moving along as quickly and smoothly until I'm sitting on the loser's bench!
6/7/06
OMG - who would have known? How could I NOT have known? My scale at home was off by 50 lbs??? And not in my favor. I thought it might not be exactly right, but 50 lbs??? So, I had my Orientation and First Surgical Consult today and was freaked out that my weight was actually 443 - not 393 as my scale at home had been reading. And, after he looked at my belly, pressing here and there, etc. he said I may not be able to have an RNY and they may have to do a VSG first. That's not what I wanted to hear so I'm very determined to drop as much weight as I can in the next 45 days. He wants me to lose 30 lbs. and I know I can do that. And, he's requiring what seem like a lot of tests - maybe because I'm so old. :-) EKG, treadmill and Echocardiogram; Abdominal Ultrasound; Upper GI Endoscopy; Chest Xray; Psych Consult; Nutrition Consult, and a bunch of blood work. So, onward I go with the hope that I can still have an RNY when all is said and done.
7/10/06
Well, as I get to the end of all the tests the surgeon required I may be up against a setback and feeling really depressed and disappointed with the news. The stress test revealed some "reversible ischemia" and my doc wanted me to see a cardiologist. That happened today and the cardiologist won't approve the surgery without doing an angiogram and if there really is a blockage (as suggested by the test results) they will put in a stent and I wouldn't be able to have any surgery for at least 6 months. Damn this is making me feel bad! I guess it's just a one-day-at-a-time thing now and hope that when they do the angiogram they'll find it was a false positive (which apparently is a real possibility since I haven't had any symptoms). Meanwhile, I'm losing the weight that I need to lose although I don't know the amount as I haven'd had access to a scale that will work for me.
8/23/06 - I have a date!!!!!!!! SEPTEMBER 26. After getting through the cardiac cath (it was a false positive stress test so there was no blockage) and my PCP getting all the paperwork submitted I had my follow-up appointment with the surgeon today. I started at 443, my goad was to lose 33 lbs. before this appointment and I lost 41 so he was very happy. So, I'm scheduled for a laparoscopic RNY on 9/26/06. All very good news!
9/20/06 - Wow... time is flying!!! Six days and I'll be a loser!! Went to my first support group meeting tonight and I have to say I wasn't particularly impressed although I'm sure I will continue to do it and try to focus on the "principles" and not the "personalities". I weighed myself while at the hospital and I've lost another 7 lbs. - below the 400 mark!! Down 47 lbs. now and hopefully that is going to contribute to an easier surgery. Oh yeah, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I have moments when I feel very scared, moments (a few times a day) when I question if I'm doing the right thing, etc... but, overall, I know it's the right thing for me and, without a doubt, it's the right decision.
10/12/06
A little over two weeks out and feeling better every day!! The surgery went well although I ended up spending an extra night in the hospital. Have to say that the most uncomfortable part of the whole situation for me was the gas and what ended up being pain from the J tube - once the tube was yanked pretty much all my pain was gone. Since then, some minimal pain at the incision sites (I ended up with 8 small incisions) but over the last couple weeks that has all resolved itself. I have been a little surprised at how quickly my energy is zapped though - seems like an hour out and about and I'm exhausted and ready to get home.
Figuring out what, when, how to eat has been a bit of a challenge. I haven't dumped, haven't vomited, but have had some times that I felt like I was WAY overflowing on a small amount of pureed food.
And then, there's the weight change. I'm down a little more than 25 lbs. since the surgery and down almost 76 lbs. since I started this whole adventure at the end of May. I feel so much lighter when walking - I took a nice brisk mile long walk today with no pain in my ankles, hips, knees or back!! That, in itself, makes this surgery all worth it in my book.
Life is good!!!
