Wendy H.
2/5/01-I have been reading about this surgery for over a year now, and have finally decided to go for it! I was a little frustrated when I called the surgeon's office today and found out I had to wait until June 28th for my consultation. Then, I called my insurance company for clarification of the printed guidelines and found out this surgery is not covered. My next step is to try and change insurance plans. (My company has several available since we have all merged together from other locations.) The other insurance plan does cover the surgery, but I may have missed the "open enrollment" period. Hopefully, I will have an answer by tomorrow. I will also make calls to some of the other surgeons in the area to see if they have an earlier date for my consultation. Now that I have made my decision, I am very excited and eager to proceed! This web site is an excellent resource. Keep up the great work!
2/06/01-Found a new surgeon...my consult is on 2/23. I am so excited. Now I just have to get the insurance coverage resolved.
2/20/01-I am in the process of waiting for my "hopefully" new insurance company to accept me as a policy holder. I had to push back the date of my consult to March 2nd, since this new policy will start on March 1st. I have been preparing myself for surgery by walking on my treadmill (almost daily) for at least 10 minutes, and taking a daily multi-vitamin. I've also sampled some protein bars and shakes in preparation for post-op. I'll keep updating as I progress.
3/2/01-I had my consult with Dr. Jacobs today. Everything went very well and he answered every question I threw at him! I'm in the process of changing insurance companies, so as soon as I get my "card" for the new insurance, his office will go ahead and schedule a sleep apnea test and my psych evaluation. Dr. Jacobs is a very nice and personable man and I feel very comfortable with him performing my surgery. I recommend him to anyone in the Omaha area. Today was a very good day!
3/5/01-As good of a day as Friday was, Saturday was just as bad! I found out that the new insurance company denied my coverage. I had applied with Blue Cross Blue Shield, and they said they couldn't issue me a policy based on my height, weight, asthma and arthritis. So...now I begin the battle of the insurance war. I called Diane at Dr. Jacobs office this morning and told her to go ahead and send the pre-approval request to my current insurance company. They have a written exclusion, so this is going to be an up hill batttle. After 2 days of being depressed, I am back and ready to fight! I attended my first support group meeting tonight here in Omaha at St. Joseph's hospital. They have one the first Monday of every month at 7:00pm. I am soooo glad I went! I met 3 people who've had the surgery and they look great. They gave me just the boost I needed in the inspiration department. I highly recommend attending a support group if you have one in your area. Everyone please keep your fingers crossed for me and hopefully my insurance company will decide to approve me on the first go around.
4/03/01 Well....today I received the awful news! I am now officially "denied" due to the written exclusion in my policy. Five minutes after hearing the news, I was e-mailing Walter Lindstrom's office with all of my information. Even after being denied, I am still full of hope. I attended my second support group meeting last night and met so many new and wonderful people. It's nice to know that we're not alone. Dr. Jacobs had suggested in my consult that my gallbladder may be bad, so I'm in the process of scheduling a sonogram of my liver and gallbladder. (More fuel for the appeal!!!) Also, I have an appointment tomorrow with yet another insurance agent to see about some supplemental insurance that will cover my surgery. Maybe if I tell him that the ADA says you can't refuse to cover someone based on their obesity, I'll actually get underwritten!
I'll update soon...hopefully with some good news!
5/14/01 - I have an appointment in the morning with the Vocational Rehab office here in Nebraska. I read on some of the other profiles, that surgery is covered as long as it helps you keep your job, or helps you find one if you are unemployed. I have been disciplined at work for excessive absences due to my health problems (my co-morbids), and am currently on probation. So, we'll see what happens next. Also, I have been researching self pay options with various Bariatric Centers and surgeons all across the United States. Everyone has been so nice and so helpful. If any one needs some "self pay or cash price" info, let me know and I will share my findings with you. Don't ever give up...there are many programs and many avenues out there. You just have to pick the right route! Good news soon..(I hope)!
6/25/01 - So much has happened in last few weeks! I have a new job, and will be relocating to Virginia at the end of July. The insurance company with my new job is Blue Cross Blue Shield, with no exclusions whatsoever about obesity surgery. So, sometime in the year 2002, I will finally get to have my surgery.
I should probably go ahead and schedule my consult with a new surgeon, since everyone's waiting lists seem to be so long! I will update more after the move, since I will be very busy over the next 3-4 weeks with traveling and training. I truly believe that if you want something bad enough, the universe will find a way to make it happen! I was miserable on my old job, and the hours were terrible. Now, I'll be making more money, great hours, great company, and get to move back to the state where I was born. With ny surgery paid for on top of all that! I keep waiting for someone to pinch me and tell me I was dreaming! =0)
9/30/01-Wow..time has certainly flown by. Tomorrow, I have my first consultation with my new surgeon since moving to Virginia. His name is Dr. Hazem ElarIny. I really wanted to have this surgery done laproscopically, and he is the closest surgeon to where I live. Hopefully if everything gooes smoothly with paperwork and pre-op testing, I will be having my surgery in about a month or so. My aunt is going to fly up and help me out. She used to be a nurse, so this will help with any post-op fears. I have been so busy with my new job and home, that I haven't spent much time here on the site. I promise to do better in the future!
10/04/01-Had my consult with Dr. Elariny on Monday night. I learned more about gastric bypass surgery from him in 2 hours, than I had learned this whole year from other surgeons and researching on line. I am very comfortable with him performing my surgery. All the ladies in the office were very knowledgeable and helpful. Oksana is an insurance WIZ. She is very good at what she does. I should have an approval (hopefully) in the next couple of days. It seems so funny to be saying that after all I've been through this year trying to get this accomplished. Life is very funny that way. You never know where it's going to take you!
10/17/01-Still waiting for "official" approval. BCBS is reviewing my procedure (Oksana at Dr. Elariny's office tells me this is normal and not to worry.) I can't schedule my surgery date until I get the official ok, so I am very anxious! Thank goodness work has been busy lately, and keeping my mind occupied. Last night, I came across a box of clothes labeled "Skinny Clothes". I took out a pair of black jeans that I used to wear about 60 pounds ago. I decided that they would be my inspiration. To all of you who have been struggling with this and fighting so hard, don't ever give up! If it was meant to happen, it will! God Bless!
10/18/01---Happy Day!!!! Got approved! Got my surgery date! Life is sooooooo wonderful! Yipppeeeeeee!
10/22/01-Went this morning and had the rest of my pre-op testing done. Had an EKG, Upper GI Series, and blood work done. I'm so glad to be done with all of that!
11/07/01-13 days and counting! WOW! I never thought I would be this close to success! I think my dad will be coming up here from Florida to take care of me. What a sweetie! I remember when I first told him I wanted to have this surgery and he looked right at me and said, "It's not your fault that you are the way you are." (Meaning my weight.) He has always understood me in a way that others have not. I will probably have him do my updates here since my Angel is back in Omaha. I miss her soooo much! I've been walking on my treadmill (Dr's orders) and I did an entire mile last night! Whew!
11/07/01-Part 2: Dr.'s office called and had an opening for this Friday, the 9th, so I jumped on it! All of a sudden, I went from 13 days and counting to 36 hours and panicking! Thank goodness I had just about everything done and ready to go. My sweet dad hopped in his van and immediately started the 15 hour trek from Orlando, FL so he could be here in time. What a guy! Tomorrow is clear liquids all day, and "you-know-what" at 4pm! Yippee! Wow...I'll be on the other side before I know it! Life is truly wonderful!
11/13/01-Life is still wonderful! I'm back at work today (1/2 day). I can't believe how incredibly well I feel! This was a walk in the park. I think the hardest part was dealing with effects of 20 oz. of magnesium citrate the night before! Potent stuff. One sneeze and.....well, I guess I really don't need to go there. Anyway, I feel great! As of this morning I am down 9.5 pounds. I keep checking the scale, to make sure it isn't broken! For anyone still in the decision making process, I say go for it! Dr. Elariny is a wonderful and highly skilled surgeon. Everyone at Fairfax Hospital was so nice. I really believe that has a lot to do with how quickly you bounce back. I have my post-op checkup on the 19th. More soon!
11/20/01-Went in for my post-op check up yesterday afternoon. Everything is going wonderfully. As of this morning, I have lost 18 pounds in 11 days. Whoooooo-hoooo! Every day I wake up, I feel better and better. I did experience a bit of "food mourning" at then end of last week. It sure is nice to wake up in the morning and put my clothes on, and have them be looser! My next goal is to lose 22 more pounds by Christmas morning. At this rate, should be a piece of cake! (I mean piece of protein shake!)
12/07/01-Things are still so strange and new. I have now lost 32 pounds in 28 days. Only 8 more to go by Dec.25th. I have been having some trouble keeping meats down. The processed meats are alot easier on my sensitive tummy, than the meats that are in their pure form. The one good thing about throwing up, is that there is not much there to throw up! It's usually done and over with in 5 minutes. I have been feeling a lot lighter on my feet, which is very nice. I got my haircut 2 nights ago, and my boss said I was looking younger. Pretty good!
12/13/01-Went for my one month post-op check up yesterday. Things are going very well. I am still trying to get over all of the "head" stuff. I tried to some cheese pizza (very thin crust) on Tuesday, and I felt guilty about it! Dr. E. told me to stop feeling guilty! As long as I am getting my protein in, and watching the sugar and carbs, I shouldn't worry. It's very hard to get out of the old "mind set" from before. I am feeling better and better every day, with tons of energy for the most part.
05/06/02-Wow....time certainly does fly! My 6 month anniversary is in 3 more days! I am now doing research on plastic surgeons and thinking about having a tummy tuck and arm lift done. I can eat better now, but I still throw up occasionally. I'm still staying away from leafy raw veggies like lettuce. I had a very bad experience with an artichoke a couple months ago. I can eat fruits and yogurt and frozen veggies if they are cooked til they are mushy. I have my 6 month follow-up with Dr. Elariny on the 13th. I still have lots of energy, but I don't walk on the treadmill as much. I use my Total Gym 2-3 times a week, and try to do Tae-Bo when I have time. I have been loving buying clothes!!! I can now wear 12's in bottoms and med-large tops. That part is very, very exciting!I still find myself gravitating towards the plus size department in the stores. Will update again soon......
05/14/02-I went for my 6 month check up yesterday with Dr. Elariny. I had to leave work early to drive 75 miles to his office to make my 4:30pm appointment. I got there at 4:25pm, and as of 5:45 I was still sitting in the waiting area, so I left! When I tried to remind the new office lady that I had been there for an hour, and that my appointment was at 4:30pm, she just said the doctor is running behind. She didn't even take me back to get my blood pressure or weight! I think what really upset me was that they took the "new" consult patients back ahead of me and that was why I had to wait so long. My little check-up would've taken 10 minutes tops. I am VERY disappointed in the way I was treated. I guess my aftercare is now up to me, since my surgeon doesn't have the time to see me anymore.
07/04/02-Boy...life is definitely hectic these days! I now have a small side business called Wubilees by Wendy. I make snuggle beds for people and pets out of polar fleece. My web site will be up and running on July 8th. Please take a moment to check it out and let me know what you think! WWW.WUBILEES.COM -I love helping animals, so it makes me feel good to be making something they love. My kitties love their Wubilees. I am now at 150 pounds and loving life! I've been travelling this summer and used to hate changing planes because of the long walk involved between gates. Now...I love it! I look at it as a mini-workout. BIZARRE! Last night, I actually phoned the Silhouettes company and told them they could stop sending me catalogs, because I could no longer fit into their size clothing. That was a major hoot!
01/06/03- Well.....I am now a business owner! The Side business was doing so well, I decided to do it full time. I quit my "normal" job last September, and have been VERY busy! I normally live in Virginia, but I am now spending the winter in Orlando, Florida with my mother and running my business from down here. I sell my Wubilees at craft show and cat shows, and right now there are plenty down here where it is warm. I finally stopped losing weight, and reveled in the fact that one of my New Year's resolutions this year WASN'T to lose weight!!!!! My kitties are here with me at Mom's, and are loving their life by the swimming pool. She has a screened over pool area with lots of plants and trees and places for them to explore. They are soooo spoiled! More soon.....
Weight Loss Record:
Beginning Weight 240lbs. on 11/8/01
13 days post-op...220 lbs. on 11/22/01 (-20 lbs.)
24 days post-op...209.5 lbs. on 12/03/01 (-30.5 lbs.)
34 days post-op...205 lbs. on 12/13/01 (-35 lbs.)
42 days post-op....198.5lbs. on 12/21/01 (-41.5 lbs.) Under 200!!!!Wowweeee!
62 days post-op....192.5 lbs. on 01/11/01 (-47.2 lbs.) Slowing down......
77 days post-op....186 lbs. on 01/24/02 (-54 lbs.) Still slow....
94 days post-op....179.5 lbs. on 02/11/02 (-60.5 lbs.)
126 days post-op....170 lbs. on 3/14/02 (-70 lbs.)
152 days post-op....164.5 lbs. on 4/09/02 (-75.5 lbs.)Losing more inches than pounds right now. (-36 inches total)
174 days post-op....159 lbs. on 5/1/02 (-81 lbs.) and -43.75 inches!
245 days post-op....148 lbs. on 7/11/02 (-92 lbs.) and over 50 inches.
327 days post op.....139 lbs. on 10/01/02 (-101 lbs.)
4/20/07- 6.5 years later and still loving life! I currently weigh 164 lbs. and am very happy with that. My health as been good, although I do have to get monthly B-12 injections since I don't absorb all the vitamins and nutrients I should.
2/10/13-11.5 years later and still doing great! I now weigh 145 lbs. and living very comfortably.(Although at age 47, I'm not too happy with time marching all over my face!) I am now living back on the east coast, and have a job that I love.
7/23/13- Had a bit of a health scare in June. My blood count got down to 4.4!!!! When they tell you to take your vitamins and supplements, DO IT!!!! I had to go to the emergency room, and was admitted to the hospital for 24 hours to get 3 units of blood, and iron infusions. Have bounced back wonderfully, and my blood count is now up to 10. My current weight is 138 lbs.
Photos
 240 lbs. Me with one of my kitties, Winston. |
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 146 lbs. Taken July 20,2002 with my Aunt's new kitten, Otis. |
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Hazem Elariny, M.D.
I was very impressed with Dr. Elariny. I learned so much from him about my surgery, and what my options were. I like that he lets you choose how long your connections will be, so you can customize the operation to yourself. His office staff was so nice and helpful. Oksana is an insurance WIZ. She really knows her stuff! Shauntae is very thorough (and patient!). I have read the negative comments about Dr. Elariny on this site, and can't believe someone would waste their time on such negativism. I have never encountered a more caring physician than Dr. Elariny. (Even when you page him on the weekends!) He truly cares about his patients, and his staff does an incredible job considering the overload of work they have. Please go see him for yourself-don't let others opinions influence your decision. You could be missing out on the chance of a lifetime! I would recommend him to anyone.
Insurer Info:
Blue Cross Blue Shield Trigon, PPO
Wow!!! No problems at all. Was approved in 3 days. The people at BCBS were so nice and friendly!