chacha3030
I am an almost 33 year old (birthday in about a week) mother of two teenage boys. I have been on a rollercoaster ride with my weight all my life. I am now at my heaviest point now weighing almost 240 at 5'3"! I am exhausted all the time and I can't fit anything! Plus I am a courier and I can't do my job anymore. I actually hurt myself at work by spraining my back and damaging some discs in my back while lifting and bending. I found out that I have disc problems now and some kind of sacrial deformity! I have been in so much pain that I have been getting epidural injections full of steroids for four months and boy have I been putting on pounds due to them! I am hoping that this goes smoothly. I started seeing one physician, but I didn't like what was going on regarding his surgery center. He had no place to perform his surgeries and had people that was approved by the insurance company waiting for him to find a place to perform the surgery! Can you believe that! I would go crazy if I had to endure that. So I already have a psych eval, nutrition eval, and I see the physical therapist and my pcp tomorrow. I am hoping that all this will speed up the process! I need to get this weight off to get this pain in my back to ease up!!! Pray for me please!
Feb 28,2006: I went to Dr Titus Duncan's siminar and it was quite informative. I am turning in all my paperwork asap! I will have it in by tomorrow because my mom works at the hopital where I plan to have the surgery! Inside hook up!
March 9, 2006: I turned in all my paperwork last week and just recieved a call today to let me know my Dr.'s appt is Wednesday the 15th!! Woo Woo!!! I am half way there now. I will see the doctor, get my blood drawn and a check off list of all I need done! I am going to try to have everything ready by the time I get there Wednesday. I am going to start calling the doctors today!
March 14, 2006: It is about 11:33pm, the night before my consultation with my surgeon. I am too excited! I can't sleep! I have been up viewing all the photos and reading all the profiles. I think I am on the right track to getting this all done soon. I have tons of paperwork to give them tomorrow. I made copies of everything, one for the bariatric surgeon's office, one for my PCP office and one for me. I can't be to careful. I have read that people have had things lost along the way. I have medical records from previous dr supervised diets, records from my occupational medicine physician documenting my back injuries, lower disc problems and the "enormous" weight gain caused by the steroid epidural therapy to relieve my severe back pain. I also have the psychological eval and the nutritional eval. I think I just have to get the letter of medical necessity from my PCP, and I have an appt with her on Friday! I will know more tomorrow after I see the surgeon! Wish me luck! I am so nervous! I want to get this ball rolling. I am now up to 242 and I am so tired all the time. I am without any energy and feel very achy all the time. My knees, ankles, back! My GOD, I am 33 years old and feel 73, and I bet some 73 yr olds are doing better than me!
March 15: I am finally home from an exhausting day! I went to work, went to my consultation and then to school. It's after 10pm and I am exhausted. Well my visit was interesting. I saw Dr Fields today. She was rather dry, but my friends tell me that is normal for surgeons. Well I hope so. I had my blood drawn, metabolic test done, weight taken, height...etc. I turned in my psych eval, nutritional eval, the records of previous doctored supervised diets, records of my back injuries...etc. I had tons of things. Dr Fields told me I just need my PCP Clearance letter/letter of recommendation. I get that on Friday. After that they will be ready to send my info to the insurance company. Pray for me!
March 16, 2006: I forgot to mention that I now have to lose 10lbs before surgery if I can get approval. Once I get my medical clearance tomorrow, I'm on my way! I would love to find someone that is about my age and going through the approval stage as well so that I can have a support partner.
March 18, 2006: I had an appointment with my PCP yesterday for the last thing I needed before my surgeon's office turned in my paperwork to the insurance. She really surprised me. She would not give me a letter of necessity that I believe I need for Cigna. She said she will give me the diet history and a letter of clearance pointing out all my comorbidities. She said that she could not say that if I didn't have the surgery, I would not make it or my problems would get worse because she didn't have anything from a back specialist. I have given her so many things from my occupational health provider, including a statement from the provider that says that I would benefit from medical acupuncture to control my weight for pain relief in my back. I have tons of things. I have had three months of epidurals and physical therapy for my back. well I will turn everything in to the surgeons on Monday and hopefully they will submit the paperwork to the insurance soon thereafter. Pray for me.
March 21, 2006: Got the letter of medical clearance from my PCP. Hope I have everything now. Will be turning it in to the Dr's office tomorrow.
March 23, 2006 I had to get another letter from my PCP being a little more descriptive. She gave it to me this morning. I was better than the first one, but still not great. I have to deal with it because she said that is the best she could do. I just faxed over all 42 pages to the surgeon's bariatric insurance consultant. I do not care for her at all! She acts like it hurts her to give me info that I may need. She also informed me that the insurance company may not want all my paperwork! I let her know that everything I faxed to her was supportive documentation. I was told by a host of other Cigna users that they had to submit tons of supportive info to get approved. I asked her to submit everything that I gave to her. I called Cigna and they informed me that all I needed was a letter from my PCP, a letter from my Surgeon, My Psych eval, my nutritional eval and any supportive documents of my comobidities. I did all that. Please pray for me. I need patience right now. I am losing the little I have left...very fast! She told me that she would have everything submitted in 2-3 business days! I hope she does! Now I will play the waiting game!
March 29, 2006 Called Lolita, the bariatric insurance consultant, to find out if she faxed over my info. NO! She hadn't gotten around to it! Can you believe that. She told me it would be 2-3 days! A week later and she still hasn't faxed it. It took me less than 10 minutes to fax over my paperwork to her! I am so upset with her I don't know what to do. I am getting ready to pour me a alcoholic drink to sooth my nerves!
March 30, 2006: FINALLY!!! She called me and let me know that she submitted the paperwork to the insurance company today! OK, now I really need to have some patience. Pray for me!!!!
April, 2006: I am so upset with Cigna, I just don't know what to do. I called to see if they have received the request and guess what???...They said it was in an appeal process and I was like what??? They just received it on the 31st! I called and called and finally found out that it was mixed up with a previous claim for a breast reduction from back in January! They mixed the claims up!!!
OMG!!! I am going to go home and take a nap now. I am at work and can't wait unitl I leave at 2:30. My patience is gone!!!
April 5, 2006: Cigna finally received the info today. I was told that it is currently under review. I am so nervous now! I won't call them back until Friday or Monday.
April 6, 2006: APPROVED!!!!!!!!! APPROVED!!!!!! After the mixup on Friday, the info was resubmitted on the evening of the 4th, reviewed on the 5th and approved on the 6th! I have to take back all the bad things I had to say about Cigna! Thank you Jesus!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
I have to wait for the actual letter, but the surgeon's office does have tha approval number. Hopefully, it will be soon.
April 11, 2006: I got my letter today!!! I could not wait to run to fax it off. I took it out the mailbox and flew to my local check cashing place. Yes, I could have waited until tomorrow and faxed it at work, but I just couldn't. I noticed that there was a tentative date given for insurance purposes which was May 4th! I could only hope, wish and pray that it is near that date. I am happy today!! I am almost done.
April 17, 2006: Nothing really to report. It's been a week and still no date! I am so impatient! I have asked GOD for patience and I pray that he answers! I am so ready to get to the loser's side. I am so unhappy with myself right now. I look at myself and think of all the things I used to be able to do. I have NO energy. I don't do any of the things I used to. I am thankful that I have my sons, a great boyfriend and wonderful friends.
April 20, 2006: I HAVE A DATE!!!! MAY 1, 2006!!!! I have to go for an endoscopy on Tuesday the 25th. I have the pre op for that on tomorrow at 1:30pm. On the 27th, I have the pre op for the surgery which is suppose to last the entire day. Then my rebirth is on Monday! I have to be there at 5:30 AM!!! Thank you GOD! I am about to jump for joy in this little office!
April 24, 2006: I am really nervous about my endoscopy tomorrow. I am supposed to be put to sleep while it is done. It was scheduled for 8a, now it is scheduled for 12p! Dang. I am NPO after midnight! No food or drinks for I don't know how long! Lord, help me...:-) I will write tomorrow on how it went.
April 26, 2006: I was really afraid yesterday. I am glad that is over with. I still have a sore throat, but didn't remember a thing after I scooted myself onto the or table. It feels so strange having everyone looking down at you like you are a specimen...:-)
Tomorrow is the complications class and pre-op. All day tomorrow! Oh well, I guess I am ready! I will be keeping you informed.
April 27, 2006: Well, what an interesting pre op visit. First I get there at 8:30am. I have an EKG and weigh in. I was then asked if I received medicine for my positive H-pylori test. I was like what???? OMG. I had the bloodwork completed at the beginning of March and no one told me I needed to be treated for a thing. Dang. That means a change in surgery dates. :-( It is now moved to May 5, 2006 at 5:30am. I guess everything happens for a reason. God had a different date planned. Well I just got all four prescriptions filled. 2 antibiotics, 1 called aciphlex for coating the stomach and the pain medicine for after the surgey. I had a chest x-ray today, ekg, bloodwork...lot of blood taken, weigh in, and a complications class. I was booked. I was there until 4:30pm. An entire eight hour day. Well nothing left to do now but wait for the day. I bought all the supplements needed, so I'm set.
May 9, 2006: I am home bored to death! However, I am blessed and I thank God everyday for blessing me with this gift! I had my surgery on the 5th. I was the first one in. I arrived at 5:30am. The nurse called me to a room around 5:40, told me to get changed, take off anything extra, including any fake hair if I had any, which I didn't...smile...and she told me she would be back in shortly. Fifteen minutes later, she was back, inserting the IVs, giving heparin shots, etc. Then the next thirty minutes, it was off to the OR. Everything happened so fast. I was told that the surgeon wanted me on the table at 7:15! I was there at 7:10 and can't remember anything after that, but the recovery room nurse waking me up! I was out of it. The next thing I remember was being wheeled into my room! I was like what is going on! I looked at the clock and it was only 10am! WOW! That was so fast. I remember receiving a phone call from my buddy angel So Inspired, she is truly a God Send. I think she is a real angel. Her surgery is Wednesday, May 10th! Please be praying for her!
I guess I was out of it again for a while, because my mom was standing over me and almost scared me to death! I was like what the..., but didn't want to get knocked out! She stayed for a while, but I can't remember how long. I had a morphine pca, patient controlled anesthesia machine. It was great. I used it like 3 or 4 times during my entire stay. It helped, but kept me out of it. I remember the flower guy bringing in beautiful flowers sent by my friend Stacey and also remember my mom coming in several more times, she works at the hospital where I had my surgery, so that was great. My good friend Ebony came later in the evening and actually slept in my bed with me...then watched television like she was going to stay. I thought that was so funny! I could not stay awake long enough to enjoy her company. My boyfriend did not make it, his transmission went out in Spartanburg, SC on his way from Charlotte! Dang, but he will be here Friday.
After visiting hours, ever I could not get anymore sleep, someone was in there every two hours on the hour! I was so frustrated!!! I was ready to go home! I will update more later. I am getting a little sore sitting at the computer right now.
May 11, 2006: Well, to continue with my journey while in the hospital, I woke up the next day after only about 4 hours of sleep total, I was really ready to go. The transporters came and took me to Xray around 8 am, I was cleared by them, and was back in the room by 10 or so. I was told that I could go home, but when the Dr came to visit, I had such horrible gas, he did not want to let me go. I was like, no way! I shut my mouth, walked around and when my family arrived around 2:30, I told that nurse that the gas was gone. I still had gas, but felt it could be resolved at home. I was released and off to home I went. I was so exhausted, I took something for pain and slept til 9pm. My sons were there with me, taking good care of me!
Well it has been almost a week and I am still doing quite well! I am walking daily and doing full liquids. I love soft mashed potatoes and cream of wheat! Also the sugar free popsickles are great!
May 24, 2006: I went for my first follow up visit yesterday. I am doing great, according to my physician. I am down 14 lbs so far and am feeling great. I am on a "protein train" this week, so I hope to lose even more by Friday.
May 30, 2006: Today is the Tuesday after the Memorial Holiday weekend. I had a great weekend meeting three young ladies from the BAF group. They looked great and was such an inspiration! Natalie F, Kittie Kat and Tera thanks for a great beginning of the weekend and thanks to my sweetie Shawn for the big finish! It was nice to be 22lbs lighter and have more energy to dance dance dance!
June 6, 2006: After my one month checkup, I am officially down 26lbs, never to be seen again. My surgeon says I am doing very well and I will be returning to work on Monday, the 12th! I can't wait to get back to the job! It's been pretty boring here!
July 23, 2006: It's been sometime since I have posted anything here. I just have a couple of things to mention. I am still having a hard time digesting water. It has been a challenge, especially with this Georgia heat. I need all the cold water I can get. Second, I am at 199lbs! Onderland! Woo Woo! I haven't seen under 200 lbs in almost 3 years!
Almost forgot to mention that I am in the manager's training program at FedEx! After 7 years, I guess I will go for it!
August 8, 2006: I am about 194 today. Whhooo Whoo! I feel so much better! I am wearing a size 14! Things are great. The only thing is that I sometimes get so tired. I think I am missing some nutrients, so I am going to the doctor tomorrow to check it out. Wish me luck. I hope everything is alright. I will update after my bloodwork.
Sept 6, 2006: Just a quick update. I am doing very well. I exercise often, get my protein in (without shakes and supplements...just food), and after my bloodwork, all my levels are within normal range! I have tons more energy and I feel great!
November 3, 2006: It's been a month since I have updated, so here goes. I have been working like crazy! I have not had time to follow the boards or any of the happenings in my groups on here. I will be participating in the protein train with my BAF family this week. I have been steadily losing weight and am now down to about 172. I have 34lbs left to lose to reach my goal weight!!!!! Wow was this journey a quick one. November 5th will be my 6 month anniversary.
Wow, Wow, wow!!!! It's been so long since I have been on the boards posting anything. Well, let me start off by saying that today is August 26, 2009 and it is approximately 12:10am. I am officially NPO (no food or drink after midnight) due to my surgery in the morning. At 11:30, I will be having a TT and Breast lift. I am so excited! I can't wait to be able to fall asleep and wake up a different looking woman. Now I have been fortunate enough not to have skin issues, it's just this dang belly and heavy breast mess that had me ready to make a change. I have a smaller skin fold at the bottom of my abdomen, that I believe has been there since the birth of my youngest son, 18 years ago...only it got flabbier...is that even a word...lol. And as a lot of you know that has had gastric bypass, after a couple of years or sometimes sooner, you regain some of your weight. I never got down to goal....never thought I would actually. I was quite happy with my weight, though. I think my lowest was in the upper 150's. I am a solid sista and at 157, I was about a size 8 or 9. I was supposed to get down to about 143...and I am glad I didn't. I really didn't want to be a skinny minnie, just a nice healthy size, but still sexy. Well, I am up to a size 11/12, which is ok with me. I am still pleased even though I am weighing about 172. I know after the surgery later today, I will be swollen and heavy, but I was told that I can anticipate losing anywhere between 10-15lbs after the swelling goes down. About 160 would be perfect for me, espeically without the skin fold and heavy girls on top. It seemed as though the weight that I regained went straight up top! I flew from about a 36c I guess, after surgery and at the lowest of my weight loss, to a size 40D! I can't wait to get them reduced later today.
Well, I am heading to take my shower and go to bed to get ready for my big day!!!! Please pray for me.
