Christine F.

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It has been 6 months and two days since my surgery.  I turned 27 earlier this month and I feel like I have my life back!  I have lost a whopping 96 pounds and I am only 6 pounds away from my goal!  I have had some stalls, but the weight has just falled off for the most part.  I will go a week or two without seeing any change in the scales and then one morning I step on and I'm a pound lighter, then the next day I step on, I'm 2 pounds lighter.. and before that week is out, I've lost another 5 or more pounds.  I get a little frustrated during the stalls, but I know that it'll budge eventually, and I don't get too upset about it.  I'm running again, and considering training for a marathon with my husband.  My first goal is to run a 5K.  Then I'll try a 10K and then maybe a mini marathon... then one day I'll be reg'd for a marathon!  I enjoy running.. it's my stress relief. 

I've been shopping like crazy.. I'm buying the cutest clothes... size 9 at the moment.  From a 22 to a 9 in 6 months!  Can you believe it?!  I wear cute clothes more often, fix my hair and put on make up almost everyday.  I'm feeling pretty and I like making myself look nice.  I'm not full of myself.. I don't ever want to be that person, but I do feel better about myself.

My blood pressure, which used to be horrible is now NORMAL!  Yes, normal.  The only pain I have is in my lower back and I think it might have something to do with the tummy skin.. which is GROSS!  I HATE my stomach and I do everything I can to hide it.  I want a tummy tuck so badly I can taste it, but I don't have an extra 10 grand laying around to get it done right now.. my dr. doesn't think my insurance will pay for it, but I might press the issue with her a little more.. I'd rather my insurance tell me no then her tell me probably not and find out that they would have done it.  I have to sleep with a pillow or blankets tucked between my knees now because they hurt laying on top of each other.  I can see bones I never knew I had.  I had a headache the other day and was rubbing my forehead.. I can feel the different ridges and things on my bones!!  No, I'm not sickly skinny.. I'm just not nearly as fluffy!! lol  I'm enjoying my life to the fullest and loving every minute of every day!  I feel insanely busy, but that's because I have the energy to take on more things and I'm probably doing a little too much, but I'm not going to miss out on another second of my life.

I know this post is all over the place, but there's so much I want to say and little things just pop into my head here and there, so I want to get them all out before I forget.  Ok, I've got to wrap up this random post and go eat dinner at a friend's house.  Thanks for taking the time to read my posts.  If there's anything you'd like to know, send me a message.. I'm not on here all that often any more, but I'll eventually get to it!!

I had my pre-op assesment yesterday at Bothwell.  I got there right on time and they checked me in and told me to wait.  A lady came out, and took me to a little office/room.  She took my blood pressure, my weight and my temp.  She asked me a bunch of health history questions that I've answered a thousand times already and then went over the paper I filled out.  The lady that was going to do the EKG came in and told me to lay on the little bed.  I got up there and she started sticking the sensors on my chest and legs.  She told me to relax then said, "Ok, you're done."  I was shocked.  I thought EKG's were long serious medical tests that took several mins.  NOPE!  The test took less time than it took her to put the sensors on me.
After that, I kept answering questions and the anastesiaologist came in and talked with me.  She asked me some of the same questions and then she was on her way.  The physical therapist lady came in and told me the stuff I had read in the binder and demonstrated a few things.  Then the nutritionist came in.... as a person, she seemed really nice.  My insurnace doesn't cover the nut, which isn't a huge deal, it's only $35... but here's the thing.  She READ TO ME!  Honest to goodness, she read the stage one, stage two, stage three parts of the diet to me.  I kept waiting for something better to happen.  I kept waiting for some amazing piece of information to come flying into my ears and it NEVER happened!  She was in and out in 15 mins.  I was pretty upset that I just paid that woman over $2 an hour to read to me what I've already ready 4 times or more!
After the nut left, the nurse took my blood and sent me out to radiology.  I got my chest x-rays and was sent on my merry little way.  I went on upstairs to see my friend, Super Meg who had just had surgery the day prior.  
I got a phone call last night, telling me that I forgot my binder, that I can pick it up any time next week.  DARN!  Oh well, the weekend without it wont kill me, will it?!  
So, that's my pre-op story.  It wasn't nearly as exciting as I thought it might have been.

Here's what I remember from the day...
I arrived at the Surgrey Center at 6:20am.  I signed all of my paperwork and was taken back immediately.  The nurse showed me to the bathroom, gave me a bin with booties and a gown in it and told me undress down to my underwear and put my clothes in the bin.  So I did.  I also had to pee in a cup so they could do a pregnancy test.
Once I was changed, she led me to my bed and asked me a ton of questions that I've answered a million times already and will probably answer a million more before this is all over.
As I was sitting there in the bed, staring at the IV that they would be placing in my arm at any min, the fear and anxiety really sat in.  The fact that I'm having gastric bypass in 3.5 weeks really became real.  I sort of panicked.  My heart rate went through the roof and my blood pressure was higher than usual.  I started thinking, "What am I doing?  Why am I doing this?  I don't need this surgery!  I can do weight watchers and start exercising again.  I know I can lose the weight!  I've done it before.. do I really need to have surgery to do it?"  I was really messed up for a little bit. 
The nurse came back and started telling me what they were going to do, so that took my mind off  of things and allowed me a few moments of clarity.  The nurse gave me a little sub-q shot of lidicane to numb my hand where she was going to place my IV.  It burned, but only a tiny little sting, nothing to talk about really.  She then placed the IV ( I barely felt a tiny bit of pressure) and I could feel the room temprature lactated ringer solution going up my arm... that was the worst part! LOL  They let my friend, Louise, come back and keep me company while I waited for my turn in line.
The nurse anestetist (SP?) came over and had a chat with me (SUPER nice gal, BTW) and told me what she was going to be doing for me.  Louise and I sat and talked for a few mins, and I had a chance to tell her how freaked out I was and she told me to suck it up fatty!  LOL I'm teasing!  She was super nice and really helped me get through my nerves and reminded me why I was there.
The nurses came back... two of them!  The nurse anestestist came back and gave me the stuff to make me calm (like valium, but not) and the stuff to start knocking me out.  One second everything was normal, the next I could feel a difference in my chest and the my eyes!  The drugs were working their magic!  LOL
The other nurse came over and sprayed the back of my throat with this awful yucky stuff designed to numb your gag reflex.. that was the worst part of the whole thing!  The next thing I know, they're wheeling me away.  I had to shut one eye, b/c my depth perception was all jacked up and it was making me kind of woozy. 
So, they got me into the procedure room, and the nurse anestetist told me she was going to give me the rest of the magic and I remember the other nurse (her name was Sabrina, now that I think of it) starting to place the bite block in my mouth, then it was lights out!
The next thing I remember is a horrible itching in my nose and demanding benadryl!  The nurse said I was all over the blood pressure machine, looking for my benadryl, but I think she was crazy!! LOL
They had me up, talking and drinking.  Dr. H came by, told me everything looked fine and that he'd see me in a couple of weeks.
Louise and I left, went to Starbucks, got a coffee drink and Louise accompanied me to my morning Government class!!  Now, how's that for dedication?!
My throat was a tiny bit raw feeling for an hour or so, but it was over quick.  I was a little more clumsy today than usual, but nothing bad.


At 1:15 I went to see Dr. Pineda (sp?).  WOW!  That had to have been the dirtiest medical practice that I have EVER been in!  It's an older building, so I can be somewhat understanding, but the room they had me in was nasty!  The floors were nasty and the office was very dank...  yuck!  I wouldn't pick him as my PCM, that's for sure!  Once the Dr. came in the room I really like him.. he was very nice.. right up to the end, when he said, "You've very young to be considering this operation.  Have you tried diet and exercise?"  My mouth had to have dropped open and before I could stop myself I said, "Do you think I'd be cleared for surgery if I hadn't tried dieting and exercise?  I'd much rather have this surgery at 26 than at 46 when I've got a stroke and heart attack under my belt!"  Good grief!  I wonder if Dr. H knows the ppl he's referring us to are trying to talk us out of surgery?!  LOL
So, that was my day.  All is well and I'm SO ready for bed.  My next thing is May 2nd and that's when I go in for my pre-op assesment and that's also the day I start my liquid diet... I'm just a little over a week away from that!  My how time is flying!

I got my special phone call today!  What's so special about a phone call?  Well, Margie, from Dr. Hornbostel's office called me today and told me that my approval is official and she gave me my schedule of events.aA
On April 23rd, I'm having my scope done and meeting with the Internist.
On May 2nd, I go to the hospital for my pre-op assesment.  I also start my Slim Fast on that day.
On May 16th, I have my surgery!!!!
I'll have exactly a two week break between school semesters after my surgery.  The timing is perfect.  They were going to do the surgery on the 10th of May, but I'm still in school and have finals the next week, so it wouldn't work.  YAY for me!  I'm so excited but also TERRIFIED!

I spoke with a gal from Tricare today and my surgery has been approved!  I haven't received my call from Dr. Hornbostel's office yet, but I'm hoping it'll come through in thenext day or two!  This is all coming together very well, timing and all is just falling into place, it's wild.
I had a small blip with Tricare.  I have a couple of different names in their system.  One name they have is my first initial, middle name and last name.   Another one is my first name, middle initail and last name.  I thought I was going to have issues with them paying for the service, but it turns out all is well.  I'll post again when I have that magic date!!  I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait!!!!  WOOO HOOO

I had my first appointment with Dr. Hornbostel today.  I was SO nervous.  When I got to his office, my nerves kicked in and I couldn't stand to sit still.  The nurse that called me back was not Margie, and she was not happy to be working.  She was kind of grumpy, but my cheekyness soon had her laughing.  My good friend went with me, so after the nurse left and while waiting for the doc, we talked about all the different questions and I kept telling her how nervous I was... My BP was 156 over 96... YUCK!    Finally, Dr. Hornbostel came in and gave me his well rehearsed speech LOL.. he told me all about the surgery... he mostly went over everything he talked about at the seminar.  He told me about the two week diet before surgery and then asked if I had any questions.  He gave me my binder, said, "We'll call you when we get your approval."  and that was it!  He said Tricare has been being a little funky lately, but he didn't think there would be any problems since my BMI is 42 on their chart and I have the high BP.
So, now I join the ranks of those waiting to be approved from the insurance company.  I'm hoping to get the call soon and not have to wait two weeks.  I'm going to call my tricare office in the morning and give them the heads up.  YAY!  I'm excited that that part is over and I know he's willing to do the surgery.  My next worry is being denied by tricare.  I shouldn't be, but I've got to worry about something, this has all gone too smoothly so far!
I'll keep posting as I learn more.
Thanks for reading!
Christine

I'm sorry; this first post is going to be boring.  I'm just laying out the details of my WLS steps, and once I started asking the right people the right questions, things have fallen into place rather quickly!  Here are the straight forward details:
I saw my PCM on Monday, March 3.  I asked how she felt about WLS, specifically gastric bypass.  She was all for it, said she loved it, even.  She gave me Dr. Hornbostel's contact info and told me to go to a seminar.  I called that day and BOOM!  The next seminar was the very next day.  I attended the seminar, liked what I heard, and decided to go ahead with the surgery.
I called my PCM, told her I was interested and she put in a referral for a consult to Hornbostel.  The referral was approved on the 6th of March.  I took my paperwork packet to Dr. Hornbostel's office on the 10th, got a call today, the 11th and was told to come in for my first appt on the 19th of March!
Ok, there ya go!  That's it.

ABOUT ME:
I'm 26.  I have been battling my weight since I was about 12.  My father's side of the family is large, and my mother's side is small.  I took after my father.  I joined Weight Watchers for the first time when I was about 14.  I lost weight and did well for a while.  Shortly after, I gained back my weight plus some.  I joined WW again when I was about 19.  I lost a good deal of weight, but again I couldn't keep it off.  I got married in 2002, moved to Japan with my Air Force husband in 2003 and did WW on my own.  Again, I lost and gained back my weight plus some.  I had my son in 2004, and suffered from pregnancy induced hypertension.  After my son was born, I lost weight, and gained it back.  We moved to Missouri in 2006.  I started WW again and did the best that I've ever done!!  I got down to 179!  I was in a size 12.  It was amazing!  That was in Sep 2006.  By Dec, I was gaining my weight back.  Now, it's been almost 2 years since I started WW the last time, and I'm at my highest weight ever!  My blood pressure is really high, and I have very little energy or motivation to get up and play with my son.  I feel bad for him, he deserves a mom who will roll around on the floor, run up and down the steps and chase him around the park... and I just want to be healthy.

So, I got a phone call today, from Margie, and I'm so very excited but also terrified!  I can't wait for next week.  I'm just anxious to see if Dr. Hornbostel will take me on as a patient.  I don't think he would refuse me, but I've got this voice telling me it may not happen.... 
I'm almost positive that my insurance will pay for the surgery, and that's awesome news.  I'm not too worried about that aspect.  I just want next Weds to get her and be over!

Thanks for reading.  I'd love to talk to people who have had WLS, specifically gastric bypass, RNY, people who are waiting to get it, and just about anyone in general.

YAY for us!  We're on our way to a healthy life.