Heather Stone
It's all about MOI!!!!
Oct 16, 2006
MY JOURNEY
05/21/06 Start of extremly bad heart rythmns - Anxiety Attacks
6/1/06 Doctor tells me I need to lose weight because i'm starting to get older and this is just the beginning of health issues. Stated I should try Bariatric Surgery
06/15/06 Decided to get more information - Called to Schedule a Consultation at St. Vincent's
07/05/06 Called Insurance to get information on if Dr and Hospital are covered, and what is involved in getting approved for surgery. Lots of information being read, and found out insurance won't approve lapband for my BMI. So have to do the Lap RNY.
07/10/06 My step-mom comes home from Bariatric Convention for her job. She brings me tons of extras drinks and protein and mixers and cookbooks for pre-op and post-op surgery.
07/17/06 Good news, my bariatric packet was in the mail today.. Only 5 more days till my consult!! Little nervous to hear the entire factors and talk to the doctor. Still trying to figure out if the consultation with Dr. Gupta is gonna cost me, or if insurance will pay.... Oh the drama!!
7/20/06 Tomorrow is the big consultation day!! I'm a little nervous, but I'm mostly can't wait to hear what they have to say.. I've got so many questions and so much rolling in my head about this surgery! I can't wait to find out everything I want to know. I'm hoping that Dr. Gupta is a nice person who understands my plight. I still have to go home tonight and fill out the paperwork for the consultation tomorrow.. So here's hoping it goes fast!! My step mom is going with me tomorrow the appt is at 8:15, so we're gonna have to leave about 6:30 am and I'm no morning person!! Trust me!!! I'll update when I get back!!!
7/22/06 Had my consultation today with Dr. Gupta. I really like her. She was in a rush, but she seemed to hit all the points. My husband and step mom went with me. They learned alot too. We had met one on one with Dr. Gupta and she said I was a viable candidate for the surgery, I just needed to do the psych eval and we'd be in good shape. She said that since I'm young, and don't smoke or drink, that I should be fine, but with any surgery there is always risk. She said that she has a 1% rate of leakage as a surgeon, so that is very telling of her credentials! She also said that November looked like a viable month for the surgery. I have my psych eval on August 5th,, a Saturday! Sucks you have to pay for that up front! Oh well, tis is life!! I liked the numbers though 65 -70% weight loss, that's astounding!! I will be so happy to get rid of the CPAP machine, all the medicines, I have to take.. I want to be able to walk without losing my breath and feeling like I'm dying!! I can't wait to live!!! My baby girl to have a mommy who can swing and run with her,, how exciting!!!!!!! Okay I'm getting ahead of myself!! Approval first, Heather,, keep that in mind!! Next step primary physician to get a letter of weight loss attempts... Wish me luck!!!!!
9/1/06 Received my psych eval letter. Not so wonderful. Have to do 5 consultations with therapist or counselor individually, and then 4 support groups at St. V. and a dietary class. And St. V is a good 1 and 15 mins away from me. It sucks, but oh well. I'm still waiting on a letter from Dr. Kick's office. My original doctor moved to 9/29/06 Finally everything is received and ready to go. Waited forever, on getting a letter from where a prior pcp lost my file.. Uggghh.. But anyways, faxed everything to anthem.. Now just waiting!!
10/04/06 Okay.. I'm sooo impatient. Called Anthem they were waiting on provider tool information from the doctor, so called the doctor's office. They called back, and faxed it on... Now waiting.
10/9/06 I called insurance today.. I'm soo impatient.. I got APPROVED!!!!! I'M SOO HAPPY.. AND SOO SCARED.... It took less then a week and day to get an approval. OMG it's gonna happen.. Now to wait for the letter so I can get the surgery scheduled... Oh i'm soo nervous!!! but soo happy!!!
10/10/06 So I think it finally sunk in.. I'm gonna have WLS surgery.. Oh my goodness.. I'm really nervous, but very excited.. My angel, (and I am her angel too), Tracey Thomas is one week away from her surgery.. I'm soo excited for her!!! Tick Tock,, how the time is moving so quickly... I went to a support group meeting today at
10/16/06 Still waiting on a date for surgery,, but I’m approved,, Yea for me!! I talked to Tracey T today,, she getting ready for surgery tomorrow.. I’m soo excited for her.. Lots of luck and lots of prayers coming your way from me!!!
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02/02/07 Meet with a different surgeon at Major Hospital. Dr. Vieira.. LOVED HIM..Literally meet with me for 1 hour and we just talked about the surgery and the after part, the whole thing... Decided I really liked him and felt so comfortable with him.. Plus he is father of two girls,, and he meet my Bella.. So he knows what he has to do.. Keep me Alive through this, and give me a tool that will help me with this battle I've been fighting!!!
02/05/07 I've got approved and got a DATE.. It's official March 13, 2007!! I'm soo nervous.. I have a EGD on 02/09... Scoping my throat and some good drugs..
02/11/07 Okay- the EGD is over... It was good drugs, and I can't remember a thing,, from what I understood, I was a fruit loop!! So that's under my belt!! Now for the other preop stuff!! Oh I meet with Lisa the Dietician.. A liquid diet for one week before Surgery.. OH I HOPE I CAN DO IT... I'm starting to try and eat with baby spoons.. That's really really hard!!! I get started, and I'm trying to chew my food into mush,, which is even harder.. I'll get the hang of it!!
02/26/07 So it's another day.. I'm nervous.. I've got literally 14 days before my surgery.. I'm scared now.. Nervous,, Anxiiouuusss!! But excited,, mostly scared though.. I hope I'm doing the right thing.. I've got a 4 year old daughter, and a husband, and I dont' want to leave them.. I love them more then life itself.. Okay I'm flipping out again.. I'll be fine!! Pray for me.. Please.... I've gotta keep my mind on straight.. Friday, I have a Adenosine Stress Test at 9:45,, Consents with Kelli at 1:00 and Meeting with Lisa at 3:00 for presurgery and post surgery nutrition.. Did I say I was nervous... Oh yeah I did... Okay 3/7 I start the liquid diet, and I have an EKG at 3,, and then 3/12 I have cleannse myself,, ohh joy... That should be quite refreshing,, NOT... I'll keep ya updated.. I'm scared,, and nervous.. Oh I said that already.. Okay.. I'm keeping my mind at ease with a book,, Danielle Steele's The House,, it's pretty good,, I might have to buy me some books for the hospital.. Oh and some Crocs, Chapstick, and bringing my pillow, and toiletries, and my baby girls picture, and leaving my nerves at home!!! God be with me... Love ya all.. I'll post more later!!
