agent99
just a few things left
Mar 28, 2008
I went to see my surgeon yesterday. That was something that my insurance required. Other than approval, I have a hurdle to get over before surgery. I must wuit smoking. I am trying to do that, but it is so difficult. I have to quit in 2 weeks so that when I go back on May 2, 2008, I can tell him that I have quit and get a date. The earliest I can get a date now is mid May. It will most likely be sometime in June. By the time that the insurance gives approval and I prove to my surgeon that I have quit and he has free time for my surgery..... I want to just do this now. My sister and brother-in-law look so great and their health has improved so much, I can't wait!
Pysc Eval
Dec 27, 2007
So I went to my pysc eval and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. She was very nice. I have go back 2 more times though for my insurance. My nut appt got cancelled for tomorrow and moved to next Friday. She got caught up North by the weather. I should have everything done by the end of January and then it goes for approval. I was told that it could take 2 to 4 weeks for the approval. Then I get my date! I figure it should be sometime in March according to when I will complete everything and it goes to insurance. I am getting excited again. I can see the end of the tunnel now. My sister is doing teriffic and I am a little jealous. I get excited to hear what she weighs. Since we were the same height and weight, it gives me somewhat of a time table for me.
Went to a support group
Dec 05, 2007
I went to a support group last night. It helped a lot. There a woman that lost 112lbs since June. It inspired me. I also got some good tips on where I can get smaller sizes of protein drink so that I can try them before spending a lot of money. They also stressed that you don't have to give up food or flavor when you have this done. You just need to make smarter choices with food and not to overeat. Especially when you have this done. I agree that I am not going to go through with this just to stretch out the pouch and get back into this same condition. I also got tips on how to treat going out to dinner. I was told that once I order, ask for a to go box right then. When the food comes, cut off my portion and put the rest in the box. Then I will also have leftovers for days. I want to keep my families lives as normal as possible. There will be changes that they will go through also, but I don't want them to feel that we can never go out to eat at all anymore. It will just become a special treat to go out now. My daughter is worried because we will no longer be buying whole milk. She drinks milk a lot and needs a certain amount of fat. She is underweight due to a hiatel hernia. My husband and I told her that she will get used to it and it will be better for her. We are taporing down on the milk. Right now we are buying 2% and soon will move to 1%. My goal is to be used to skim milk before I even get a date for surgery. I am currently trying to slowly change the way we eat so that it will be easier once I have this done. This is a big step for me and for my family.
Went to Nutritionist today
Nov 29, 2007
I had my nut appt today. I think it went well. I learned a lot about my eating habits and what I have been doing to contribute to my weight. I am making some changes so that I can see if I lose any weight when I go next month. She even gave me a few healthy suggestions that I never even thought of. She didn't put me on a "diet", but just some suggestions that will result in me losing some weight. I have goals to meet. She did say that it seems that I am doing good with my water intake. I am almost drinking 64 ounces already. My goal is to cut out half of the amount of bread that I eat. I also need to start eating lunch. That is going to be hard since I never eat lunch and haven't for years. This will help prepare me for the surgery. I am setting the goal for myself to stop drinking while eating. That will be hard too. I have a renewed excitement.
Hemotoligist appt.
Nov 26, 2007
The hemotologist said that I will have to have some injections prior to surgery due to my history and family history. I will most likely be on blood thinners for a couple of weeks after surgery also. She mentioned to me that she sees many patients a few years afer rny due to anemia. She seemed surprised that I knew that was a possibility. I cannot seem to convince anyone that I have researched this surgery for several years and I am comfortable with my decision. I am a big girl and know full well what I am going into. I know the risks and am willing to take them to save my life. I swear if one more person tries to tell me that I am making the wrong decision, I will scream so loud that they will hear me in different parts of the world!! I am anxious to get throught this 3 months for my insurance so that then no one can "try to talk me out of surgery". The more I talk to my sister the more it convinces me that this is right. I know the dificulties she has had, but that only empowers me more because I have this knowlefge going in. I am ready for this.
I have calmed down
Nov 09, 2007
I spoke with my manager and the dates are going to be just fine. As usual, I freaked out without finding out first. He said "As long as its not on a Monday". Big difference between him and my other manager. I have gotten all of my tests faxed over and just checking on them to make sure they were received. I have my first appointment next Friday. That is for the hemotologist. That is to make sure that I am not at risk for blood clots. Between mine and my family history the doctor just wants to make sure that everything is ok. I see the nut for the first time on 11-29-07. I am just anxious to get this started. I am hoping to have everything done and get a date by March. The problem is, I do not have patience. That is my curse. I am trying to work on it.
A little ticked off
Nov 03, 2007
When I came home yesterday, there was a letter waiting for me from Vandy. The last thing I told them about setting my appointments is that I need them on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday as late in the afternoon as possible. All but one appointment is early in the morning. 2 out of the 4 set are on Friday. I have to wait until Monday and talk to my manager and see if that will be ok. Can't do this without insurance and need the job for the insurance (and the paychecks are always helpful). I am excited because now I see a plan in place and I have most of what I need. I am now on my way as long as I can get the time off to go to the appointments. I think it will be ok, except for one of the appointments. It is a Friday morning for 90 minutes between Christmas and New Years. That is a VERY busy time for a bank. I am trying to stay positive about it and that it will all work out. I need to have this happen. I do not like bumps in the road and I know that there will be some. I have a tendency to stress until I have a solution to the problem. I have fixed the money problem and have all of the other tests they want being faxed to them. I just need the nut appointments, psycologist appointments (yes I have to go 3 times before for each), the 2 support groups, and see a hemotologist. From other's stories, that seems pretty easy going. I just hope that it is.
I am excited!!!
Nov 01, 2007
I had my first appointment with the weight loss clinic. I have everything I need except the pysh eval and the nut appt. I also have to see a hemotologist due to blood clotting in my family and previous problems I have had. This 3 months should run smoothly. It will be the approval process after that will be in question. Now it is just a waiting game until then.
Drugs that are harmful and safe to the pouch
Oct 18, 2007
DRUGS THAT CAN DAMAGE THE POUCH:
Advil
Aleve
Amigesic
Anacin
Anaprox
Ansald
Anthra-G
Arthropan
Ascriptin
Aspirin
Asproject
Azolid
Bextra
Bufferin
Butazolidin
Celebrex
Clinorial
Darvon compounds
Disalcid
Dolobid
Erythromycin
Equagesic
Feldene
Fiorinal
Ibuprofin
Indocin
Ketoprofen
Lodine
Meclomen
Midol
Motrin
Nalfon
Naprosyn
Nayer
Orudis
Oruval
Pamprin-IB
Percodan
Ponstel
Rexolate
Tandearil
Tetracycline
Tolecin
Uracel
Vioxx (off market...not safe for anyone)
Voltaren
ALL "NSAIDS" (*see below for the Cox 2 Inhibitors)
DRUGS THAT ARE CONSIDERED SAFE:
Bendaryl
Tylenol
Dimetap
Robitussin
Safetussin
Sudafed
Triaminics (All)
Tylenol (cold products)
Tylenol Ex Strength
Gas-X
Phazyme
Imodium Ad
Colace
Dulcolax-Suppositories
Fleet Enema
Glycerin-Suppositories
Milk of Magnesia
Peri-Colace
Advil
Aleve
Amigesic
Anacin
Anaprox
Ansald
Anthra-G
Arthropan
Ascriptin
Aspirin
Asproject
Azolid
Bextra
Bufferin
Butazolidin
Celebrex
Clinorial
Darvon compounds
Disalcid
Dolobid
Erythromycin
Equagesic
Feldene
Fiorinal
Ibuprofin
Indocin
Ketoprofen
Lodine
Meclomen
Midol
Motrin
Nalfon
Naprosyn
Nayer
Orudis
Oruval
Pamprin-IB
Percodan
Ponstel
Rexolate
Tandearil
Tetracycline
Tolecin
Uracel
Vioxx (off market...not safe for anyone)
Voltaren
ALL "NSAIDS" (*see below for the Cox 2 Inhibitors)
DRUGS THAT ARE CONSIDERED SAFE:
Bendaryl
Tylenol
Dimetap
Robitussin
Safetussin
Sudafed
Triaminics (All)
Tylenol (cold products)
Tylenol Ex Strength
Gas-X
Phazyme
Imodium Ad
Colace
Dulcolax-Suppositories
Fleet Enema
Glycerin-Suppositories
Milk of Magnesia
Peri-Colace
still waiting
Oct 14, 2007
I went to my appointment only to find out it had been cancelled. Needless to say, I was very disppointed. 
They rescheduled me for 10-31-07. I have a morning appointment which won't go well for my job. The only afternoon appointment they could get me was at the end of November. I have been waiting for this appointment since August (when it was made) and longer if you really think about it. Right now, my mom is trying her best to talk me out of it because my sister hit a bump in the road. I have been trying to tell my mom that although my sister and I are the same height and build that we are very different people. We react to things differently. My sister has been very supportive of me and I love her for it. She has always supported me in everything. (even things she didn't always agree with) 
They rescheduled me for 10-31-07. I have a morning appointment which won't go well for my job. The only afternoon appointment they could get me was at the end of November. I have been waiting for this appointment since August (when it was made) and longer if you really think about it. Right now, my mom is trying her best to talk me out of it because my sister hit a bump in the road. I have been trying to tell my mom that although my sister and I are the same height and build that we are very different people. We react to things differently. My sister has been very supportive of me and I love her for it. She has always supported me in everything. (even things she didn't always agree with)
