Elena Ramon

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Hey everyone! So it's been a while since I was last on OH, but since then there have been a lot of great things happening.

I found a bariatric program that works with my PCP and my insurance. I've seen the surgeon and have signed the long term contract that will begin the documentation necessary for my approval.

I might've mentioned this before but I was a bit undecided as to the surgery that I wanted to have, only because I was so sure that I was going for the gastric bypass. After giving it all some thought, after looking at the long-term risks and affects of gastric, looking at where I want my life to head towards, I have decided that I will be applying for the gastric sleeve instead.

There are a number of reasons for this choice but I suppose the biggest one comes down to an opportunity I never really gave thought about; childbirth. Honestly, I have always said I never wanted children even though I absolutely adore my nieces and nephews and people always tell me I would be a great mom. I am going to say that, now, I believe that statement has come from the fear of rejection or for fear that I would never find a significant other that I could share that choice with. That has brought me quite a bit of grief and a lot of my personal choices have probably stemmed from that.

"I'm far too busy to have a relationship."

"I'm not interested in any of the people (guys) I know."

"I have more than enough time to find a boyfriend later, once I've figured out my career."

And many more like these..

But I digress, getting back to my choice for the sleeve, I have come to understand that while it is not impossible for a woman to have children after the bypass, it is more difficult and there are a lot of added risks to the process, mostly stemming from malabsorption. I still believe that I wouldn't want children at this point in time of my life, I can't speak of future me and whatever situation I will find myself in. Again, I understand that pregnancy is not impossible with the bypass, and adding to the fact that I'm actually considered healthy apart form my weight, pregnancy is something I would like to make an educated decision of and I don't want to take away the option or reduce the possibility.

Enough of that though, a couple of other things that are occurring with me:

I'm in the Master's Program and will have both my teaching certificate and my MA around this time next year

There's the possibility of starting a Reference business (although it will be non-profit for the beginning of the whole thing)

The non-profit I founded with my mom will be sending the second set of supplies and clothes for orphans in Honduras soon. Lots of added support this time around!

So things are looking pretty good for me on the whole. I just need a job that will be flexible around my Dr appointments and my classes. Seriously, it's starting to be a big strain on me and is having a huge negative impact on my stress levels, which worries me that I will then be making bad choices for myself; in food, cigarettes (I've quit for a week this Friday!), that sort of thing.

Hello everyone!

I'm excited to write that I've finally started getting my whole process on track! 

I decided to go to the clinic that I had always attended as a child, since they had all of my records and they accepted the medical card, and they were just absolutely wonderful! My DR was right on board with me and my decision to have Weight Loss Surgery. In fact, I think I found a new friend! We were speaking in French and about so many things! She's just fantastic! 

Anyway, she's going to give me the referral as soon as we finish checking my health in its entirety. Imagine an extensive physical. We did the blood work on Friday when I first went in, so I should be getting the results soon; hopefully on Monday when I go back. I believe I was ordered a Complete Blood Count, which is the regular sort of set, but on top of that she ordered another, the name of which is escaping me. But basically the point was to get as much information on my health as possible, to check:

Cholesterol

Diabetes

Thyroid

etc.

On Monday I have an appointment with a cardiologist and I might be getting some x-rays done because she noticed that my heart-rate was quick.

     "I don't know if your nervous or if there's something else." 

I wasn't nervous, but my heart felt normal to me, I'm guessing it was just quick because of my weight and how any little bit of walking around gets my heart pumping to some degree.

Essentially, we're trying to create good form for why I need the WLS, so that when I continue the process I can have documentation of how my weight is affecting my health other than just how I feel.

Obviously I don't want the tests to come out and say I have such-and-such disease, the thought of having diabetes alone is very traumatizing, but I need to accept all of the risks of how I've been living to help prepare myself for my future. Besides, when they took my vitals they mentioned that my blood pressure was a little high, not dangerously so, but it's a sign that the health problems are starting, so I'd like to stop them while I'm ahead.

Thanks for listening!

~Helen 

PS: I'm getting my first good teeth cleaning in a couple of years! I mean I brush my teeth and keep a clean mouth, but there's nothing like visiting a dentist for that really CLEAN feeling. Go health insurance!