Sharon S.
5/13/07 Today is my 10-month anniversary and I have lost a total of 82# so far. I was hoping to lose 100# by my one-year anniversary, but don't think it's going to happen. I think I'm destined to be a slow loser. I'm definitely not complaining though. When is the last time I've lost 82# and know it's going to stay off?----NEVER! I'm down to size 18. I can now "bounce" up and down stairs and move about easily.
12/13/06 Well, it's been 5 months since surgery. I feel wonderful. My body feels like it never had surgery, the only reminder is that I can't eat the volume of food I used to; and that is not a problem to me since I'm probably eating now like "normal" people do. I'm down to a size 22 from 26-28 (and a couple of 30's. I've lost a total of 62# so far and am feeling wonderful. I can walk more easily and there's a spring in my step. Speaking of steps, I can walk up and down steps now like a normal person does, not like my mother used to (one step at a time, two feet on each step). My DH says he can really see the difference. I've lost some of my hangy stomach...it still hangs, but not as much volume as before. I'm sure I'll have to have panni surgery but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Life is good.
9/13/06 Today is my two-month anniversary of my surgery. I'm down around 40# and feel wonderful. My clothes are starting to get loose on me and people notice a difference in my body. I know there's a difference because of the way my clothes fit, but I can't really see it yet myself. I try to drink as much fluid as I can, but I'm still not making the 70-80 ounces I'd like to, which may be the reason I didn't lose a lot this past month. I'm really trying and know I won't get dehydrated because I drink "enough" to prevent that (40-50 ounces), but I really need to push harder to get in the extra. Food is no problem, I can eat anything; and my tastes never did change...everything still tastes the same as pre-op. It takes real effort on my part to get down all the pills that are necessary to take everyday; but it's a commitment I made and I will continue to do it.
7/28/06 I have done exceedingly well since my surgery. I'm down over 25#, have not had any major digestive problems, and most amazing to me of all -- food still tastes the same to me. I've had only one incident where I think I ate too much broiled salmon and I threw it up three hours later after enduring a couple of hours of stomach pain. But it was a good lesson learned for me. The hardest thing to remember is to eat slowly.
7/25/06 Got my stitches out today.
7/20/06 Had my drain pulled today, everything looks good.
7/13/06 Surgery Day. Everything went well.
7/6/06 Got a call from the insurance company saying I'be been approved. I still can't believe it. Now I need to start getting everything ready since my surgery will be next week.
7/5/06 Received a call from BCN telling me I don't qualify for an expedited appeal. I explained that I am the primary caregiver to my husband and, therefore, feel I qualify since my step-daughter has flown in from Alaska to give him 24/7 care during and after my surgery; but that she was here only for a certain amount of time. BCN then called my PCP and bariatric surgeon for verification and my surgeon told her when asked if I was going to die tomorrow: "How do I know, I'm not God. She's healthy enough to have surgery now, but with her co-morbidities, she could die of a stroke tomorrow." I got a phone call back from BCN five minutes after talking to my surgeon saying I've been approved for an expedited appeal and that I would get an answer tomorrow.
6/30/06 Sent in my letter of appeal (certified, return receipt requested) with letters of support from my surgeon and PCP. Asked for expedited appeal.
6/19/06 Got a verbal denial from insurance company today (Blue Care Network)--the day before my scheduled surgery. The word is that they denied me because of my age. As far as reasons go, it might be a good thing because I feel that I can argue in my appeal using the Medicare guidelines which have approved many people older than myself. Now I'll just wait for my letter of denial and appeal packet, which I should receive next week. The the appeal process begins.
6/15/06 I've had the paperwork in to the insurance company for over a month now, they had to wait for my psych eval. because that agency has taken two weeks to write up the report and get it back to BCN. I'm 5 days away from surgery with no approval yet. Heard from BCN today and it sounds like they may make a decision today or tomorrow. Nothing like waiting til the last moment...Geesh!
5/18/06 Met with Dr. Hares today. Everything went very well. I have been very concerned that my age (63) might become a factor in the surgery, but after my exam, Dr. Hares said that I am a good candidate and I have a surgery date of 6/20/06
5/10/06 Had my appointment with Jackie (Dr. Hares' assistant) today. It was very informative and confirmed much of the information that I had already researched. Also, I was able to set up my first appointment with Dr. Hares for next week, 5/18. Now I'm really getting excited. This is all starting to seem real to me.
5/9/06 I'm very excited, tomorrow I meet with Jackie, Dr. Hares' assistant, which is the first step toward my surgery.
5/8/06 Last night I attended my first bi-monthly DS bariatric meeting in Bloomfield Hills. It was very informative. The attendance was small, but it allowed the meeting to be quite intimate and, among others, I got a chance to meet Pat H, who is another DSer and lives in a town not far down the road from me.
5/1/06 The last time I remember being a "normal" size was when I was 11 years old. When I graduated from high school, I wore a size 18 -- back then, you couldn't find anything but "old lady" clothes in size 18! (Oh, how I'd love to be an 18 right now.) Anyway, my weight kept creeping up; sometimes I'd lose for short times, but gain it all back. Just before I met and married my husband, I had been on another one of my diets for almost a year, plus was getting shots and taking diet pills from my doctor. I looked pretty good and was wearing size 14 -- the smallest I've ever been as an adult. Along came 3 children in close succession and with each child I gained some weight and never seemed to be able to lose it. My children are now 31, 32 and 33 and I'm still carrying those maternity gains plus LOTS more.
I know diabetes and sleep apnea both fight against a person losing weight, but it just seems impossible anymore; and I've just about reached the point of giving up. Why try, only to fail or lose some and gain it and more right back again?
My husband has been chronically ill for many years. He has been through 2 major heart bypass surgeries and countless other major surgeries. His kidneys have now failed him and he is a dialysis patient. I think the turning point in my life came a little over a year ago when I realized that if I didn't do something about my weight, I was not going to be physically able to take care of him in coming years when he would be needing me most.
I approached my PCP last year about weight loss surgery and already knew that I wanted the DS. She is also my husband's PCP and so she was totally sympathetic toward my feelings of needing to be a strong and healthy caregiver for him in the future. Although she was not very familiar with the DS, she was very open-minded and allowed me to provide her with information and graphics, which she photocopied and has since given out to other patients in her practic. She advised me that Blue Care Network (my HMO) requires 12 months monitored weight loss care and so I began seeing her monthly. I just had my 12th appointment with her in April, 2006 and requested a referral to Dr. Hares in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
