heddo30
August 8, 2001
I learned of this surgery about 2 years ago and thought that this would be great. Then I would think, I'll try this one last time, I really think this is the diet that will work. None ever did. Although losing some, it always came back and brought friends. I can't beleive that I've let myself get this big. I've always been overweight. I got married 7 years ago, I gained 100 lbs within about 2 years. Although it has slowed down, I'm sure it hasn't stopped. That's why I've got to do something now.
I went to a seminar in St. Louis for the New Start program in June. They answered all of my questions and settled some fears (although I know that there still is a risk involved and that really scares me). I sent the letter off the next day. About 3 weeks ago I called and they said that they had to send off the pre-determination letter. I called Monday to see if they heard anything yet. They said no and that I should call the Ins. Co. and see if they received the letter. When I finally reached the person in charge of my part of the alphabet, she said that they never received a letter. This is great. I've waited all this time. Called New Start back and they sure enough had never sent the letter.I gave them the Ins. Co's fax #. Hopefully I'll hear soon. This waiting game is no fun. I'll be devestated if the Ins. doesn't cover me.
August 15, 2001
Called the ins co. again today to see if they got the letter and they still haven't. Called New Start and gave them the fax# again. Hopefully they will send it this time. It is really frustrating.
September 7, 2001
Still waiting
October 2, 2001
I have finally heard a little something, before insurance will approve me I've got to have a psychological profile. My appointment is on the 24th for that. They said that if I was approved right now, my date would be sometime in January. I had no idea that all of this would take so long. When I sent off my paperwork I figured it would be done by now. I hope that it will go faster from here.
October 25, 2001
I just know that one day I will hear something about this. I never thought it would take this long. Went for the psych eval. yesterday. It went fine. I'm just so tired of waiting.
December 2, 2001
Still no word. Called the Insurance Co. 2 weeks ago and the lady I'm dealing with said that it was ridiculous how long this is taking. She said she would find out herself and let me know. I still haven't heard from her.
December 5, 2001
I got a date!!! I got a fax yesterday. It is going to be March 18. I can't believe it.
February 8, 2002
I am starting to get really nervous. It is coming up so fast. I have pre-op testing in 3 weeks and surgey in about 5. I'm in a wedding 2 days before and I tried on the dress today and it was absolutly horrible!! This dress is made for someone who weighs about 125 lbs and I'm a far cry from that. It is orange and shows A LOT of skin. The lady that owned the shop even told me it looked bad on me. I look like a giant orange in it. This dress makes me so happy that I am having this surgery. Especially seeing myself in a 3 way mirror. Yikes!! I can't wait until this is all over. It is so stressful thinking about it. My husband and I went out to dinner last night and we started talking about the surgery and I started crying. I know the week before is going to be really bad. I'm already a basket case. I really want to have this done though and I know that I'll be happy that I did when it is all over.
February 18, 2002
Surgery is one month from today. I'm getting really nervous.
February 20, 2002
I heard Monday that Dr. Fabito cancelled all of his surgeries until further notice. I called Ida today and she didn't think that this will affect my surgery but isn't positive. We should know for sure by the end of the week. Ida said it is because of him changing insurance. That made me feel a lot better. Hopefully this will really happen. I have a feeling it won't.
March 2, 2002
My pre-op testing has now moved to the 11th. It sounds like they are going to do a lot of testing. They said that the surgery is still planned for the 18th.
March 6, 2002
I can't believe that my surgery is only 12 days away. I am so scared and so excited at the same time. I am so ready to have this behind me and to start losing weight. I am going to talk to the Dr. when I go Mon. to do the test to see if I am prone to getting blood clots. My dad had this surgery in Nov. and one week post-op he started developing clots and had to go back into the hospital for almost another week and they had to put a filter in. 3 clots went to his lungs and he almost didn't make it. After surgery he became anemic and could not take the blood thinners because he was losing to much blood. Thank goodness he did and is doing great. He has lost over 70 lbs and looks great. He is my inspiration!
I got my hair done tonight for the wedding. Cut and highlighted. Time goes so fast. The wedding is next Saturday. The reception is going to have a Japanese theme. Me and my friend Rheanna have been making origami cranes until our fingers are about to fall off. Only 80 more to go.
March 29, 2002
I got home the 21st. I got the staples out the 26th. I've already lost 15 lbs. I hope that I start feeling normal soon. I went to the Memorial celebration of Christ's death last night and I was so weak. I thought I was going to pass out just sitting there. It felt good to be there and to be out. But, I was glad to get home and rest. Today has been a hard day. I've been depressed because of being home so much and not feeling good and the awful pureed food. I wish I didn't have to eat. If I could get all I needed from vitamins I would be happy to not eat again. I know that I'll change my mind about that when I can start eating solid food again. For now I have 10 more days on pureed. YUCK!!
April 28, 2002
I went for my one month check-up Friday. I've lost 30lbs altogether. I was hoping that I'd lost more but, how else could I have lost 30 lbs in 5 weeks and kept it off. I feel really good. I can't say I have a tremendous amount more energy yet but I can tell a difference. I've really not had any trouble with food except chicken and bread, since they're dry. I even tried a little bit of cheesecake the other day and it didn't bother me, of course I only ate two bites. I am glad I had the surgery done. I still can't believe that I actually went through with it. It was the scariest thing I've ever done.
June 29, 2002
I am still doing great. According to my scales I've lost 64lbs. I was supposed to have a Dr's appointment this past Wednesday and they called Tue. and cancelled it. I'm excited to go and see exactly how much I've lost. I still can't believe that I had this done. I'm so very glad that I did. I feel so much better. This picture that I posted makes me sick. I hope I look better than that now.
December 10, 2002
It has been so long since I've updated this. I have now lost over 100lbs and wear a size 10. I feel great. I will post an after picture soon.