jadelyn
Hey all, It is so nice to be able to come to a forum where you can read and communicate with people who are going through what you are dealing with. I’m married to a wonderful man for 16 years and the mother of 3 beautiful daughters. I am not one that can say that I've been over weight since childhood. My weight gain started when I was in high school. So, I’ve always been an over weight adult. Every year, my weight has slowly increased. Throughout my adulthood, I to have tried all the diets know to men….you name it and I have tried it. I am not one who can say that I loss a lot of weight over the years, the most I can remember me losing is 25lbs. And, of course I gain that back plus plenty more. It’s really funny how you don’t realize how much weight you put on you assume your clothes are getting tight because you have dried(kidding yourself) them too long or until you take long long hard look at yourself and realize that all your aches and pains are due to you carrying around an extra 100+ lbs. Over the years I’ve been an health over weight person never had a problem with high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and all the other health issues that are associated with excess weight one carries on their body. But now, every time I go to the doctor, they tell me that my blood pressure is high. I think by carrying all this extra weigh around has caught up with me. I don’t want to follow in my parent foot steps with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and so on. It time for me to realize and stop kidding myself that I can do this on my on my own (or look up and another 10 years would go by and I would be 100lbs more over weight) because I can’t or else I would have by now. Let’s face it well all are experts on diets. We all know the dos and don’ts about what we need but we all know it’s not about diets. It’s something far greater than that. We can’t do it alone, I can’t do it alone, that’s why I’ve deiced to have WLS….to save and change my LIFE!!
This is my weight loss journey
3/24/07--- Here I am weighing in at an all time high of 255 lbs not easy to admit that at all. But, I figure if I don’t own up to it I will never over come it. So, I am releasing it by owning up to it. Back in 2005, I thought about weight loss surgery made up my mind to do it and my husband and I went down to have a consultation with the surgeon. Told a few family members about it and was indeed going to do it. I did not get good feed back form those family member and I believe that self consciously that was the reason I did not go through with it at that time me thinking I can do it on my own. Almost 2 years to the day, I am 20 lbs heavier. Fast forward two years, I went to my WLS seminar in December 2006 where I met Dr. Meilahn and his staff. The seminar was very informative and Dr. Meliahn was very knowledgeable. The very next day I called his off to set up an appointment to meet with him. That was December 15. I was thinking that I wanted to do this as soon as possible me believing that I should have a date for the surgery by April 2007. I went through all the pre test and screening in January. Schedule and had my appointment with the psyc and the nutritionist. All of this was done by the end of February. Now I’m just waiting for my surgeon’s office to call me and let me know what the next step would be.
Weight b4 WLS 255 Goal 140 – 135 lbs
3/30/07-- I gave my surgeon’s off about a week to get all the paper work back from the nutritionist and the psyc. So, today I gave them a call to see where I was in this process and what’s going to happen next. To my surprise, (well not really) Nyeesh told me that they were waiting for me to submit the paper work from my PCP. You all know that 6 months supervise weight study and the medical necessity for the surgery. Well, of course I was a little upset and just wanted at this point to just give up!!! You see, the doctor I had for over 8 years has since retired and I now have a new doctor who knows nothing about me and my struggles with my weight so, now what?
Weight b4 WLS 255lbs Goal weight 140-135
4/2/07—today I called my PCP to set up an appointment. Why in the hell they told me the next appointment they have is May 24? I told him that’s like 2 months away. He had the nerves to say “ya, I know…” Hello. I asked him to check to see if they have any cancellation for this week and turns out someone cancelled Wednesday the 4th.
Weight b4 WLS 255 Goal weight 140-135
4/6/07—Went to see my new PCP on Wednesday and all went well. Blood pressure was high, sugar levers were slightly high not much and total cholesterol was sky high. Now I guess I can I officially have high blood pressure because she prescribed medication for my blood pressure and my high cholesterol (not happy about that at all) never wanted to get to this point. I informed her that I wanted to go ahead and have WLS. She did agree and said that would be the best thing to do. She told me she have had patients who had the success with the surgery. I informed her that I need a letter stating medical reasons for the surgery and of course she said I have the medical reasons. So she went on to write me the letter on her prescription pad….I said OK, knowing this was not going to work for the insurance company. But silly, me took it hoping it would be sufficient. Called Nyeesha at Dr. Meilahn’s office to see if it would be good enough and of course it was not. One would think that a doctor who said she had patient who had the surgery know what the insurance company are looking for in a letter and surely know how to write one. For a split second, I thought about giving it all up and just deal with being miserable, unhealthy and fat.
Weight b4 WLS 255 Goal weight 140 - 135
4/10/07--- Called my PCP office yesterday about this letter she needs to correct. I called after hours and she was gone for the day so her secretary told me she will relay my message. Today at 10:00 she called. She was very nice about the whole thing. She asked for my surgeons’ name and number so she could give his office a call so she could get exactly what is needed on the letter. I’ll give her until Friday then give both offices a call. Until next time
Weight b4 WLS 255 Goal 140-135
4/20/07--- It's been about two weeks now and I have not heard from my surgeon's office as of yet. I called today and left a message with his assistant to return my call on monday. I really need to know where I am in this process as of today. Did they submitt my paperwork over to the insurance company yet?? I need to know. Why is this process taking sooooooooo long???? Will keep you all informed.
4/23/07--- Dr. Meilahn's office called me back today and informed me that my wonderful PCP did not fax over the correct paper work.... now I am getting really pissed!!! What the hell. I did all the paperwork for her the only thing she had to do was rewrite the letter I wrote for her on her letter head and sign it and fax it over to Dr. Meilahn's office. You think she got insulted because the letter I wrote was better then hers?? I hope not....my goodness I just want to get this over and done so all the paperwork can be sent over to my insurance for approval. Shit, I was helping her out.....lol. Anyway, I call her about a week ago and left a message with her office manager and she did not return my call. Damn where is my old doctor. Know she would be a problem. Now what do I do?? I am going to give her office a call first thing in the morning and to tell you the truth, I don't care if the think I am bugging them. This is my life and health am talking about. Sorry to vent, until next time. I wll post what the outcome was from my phone call.
Weight b4 WLS 257 Goal weight 140 - 135
4/26/07--- Finally, the day has come..... Well not the big day anyway but, I finally received all my paperwork from my PCP and it was faxed to my surgery's office today and submitted to my insurance company..........Now the wait is on. Until next time.
5/9/07---Can you believe it, I called the insurance company today they have received all my paper work and they informed me that everything is still pending which I guess means that they are still reviewing all my paperwork. She told me that I should hear something soon. I hope real soon because damn I gained 5 lbs. Until next time
Weight b4 WLS 260 Goal weight 140-135
6/11/07----- It’s has been a while since I updated my profile. While, I received a letter from my insurance company the end of May saying that my claim for WLS was denied. The reason was lack or no proof of 6 months of supervised diet. The funny thing is, I did not even get upset. I started this process back in December and thought I would have had my surgery by April. But, things sometimes doesn’t go as plan. I have had a miner setback and now I am going through the appeal process and decided to do a 3 month supervised diet with a nutrition. While I am going through the 3 months of supervised diet, I will submit my appeal. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason and take something out of every experience in life. This is a life long journey and going to nutrition will only help me in the long run. Taking short cut will only delay your outcome and doing things the right way will only help you in the long run. So until next time, Peace
Weight b4 WLS 255lbs Goal 135-140 lbs
7/14/07------Well started this 3 months supervised diet with my PCP and nutritionist this week. Not happy about doing this just feel like it’s just a stall for
Peace Weight b4 WLS 255 Goal 135-140 8/4/07-----Still doing this 3 months diet thing. Just seem like I’m going with the flow. Trying really heard to stay with the program. Man its hard keeping food journals. I forget one day and boy do I not remember every morsel I put in my mouth. It’s something good to do because you truly do not realize how much you are taking in and how fast the calories add up. Went to the doctor today and she said my blood pressure was up 142/86 and she prescribed yet another medication not happy about that at all. Of course due to the fact of all this weight I carry on my body. I was not happy about that. I guest I’ve been escaping that bullet for a long time. But that the price you pay when you are obesity. I’m still trying to follow my nutritionist and started walking. I have not loss any weight and was concerned about that so I expressed my concerned with her and she said the insurance company just want to see no weight gain and to see if you can stick with the program so , that was great to here. Until next time Peace Weight b4 wls 255 Goal 135-140 8/17/07---- Just came back from Disney World had a great time but man was it hot as hell down there. The kids had a fantastic time. I was not all that happy with being in my own skin. This trip just reinsured me that I am making the right decision in having this surgery. I did not like the way I felt nor look. I had usual appointment with my nutritionist and pcp and was glad I did not gain any weight on my vacation. I was very careful of what I ate. She wants to change some things around in my diet because it seems like I’m not getting as much fruit in. So, we changed took out some things and added more fruit. It’s sort of like the point system weight watchers uses. I’m just trying to have all my I’s dotted and my T’s crossed so
Peace 9/4/07---- Things are coming along well with the nutritionist . She wants me to do a three day liquid diet so I can have a feel as to how it would be for pre-op and post-op diet. I really don’t want to do it. I just want to save that for when it necessary for me to do that diet but, I will try it. I guess it’s for the better. She wants to have two more visits before I submit my appeal to
Weigh b4 wls 254 Goal 135-140 9/21/07---- Today I decided to start gathering up all my paperwork and documentation to get ready to submit to
10/19/07---- Last week of all the madness. Went over all my paper work with my nutritionist and everything is well documented. I wrote Aetna yet another letter pretty much pleading for their approval and also wrote one for my pcp as well because for some reason with all her schooling, she can not wrote an appreciate letter. I must say it sounds nice. I have my last appointment with her so I can get a copy of her documentation as well. Until next time…Peach Weight b4 wls 252 Goal 135-140 Weight b4 wls 252 Goal 135-140 12/13/07---I made it out of surgery! This pain is unbearable at times. My doctor proscribed me lovenox for seven days right after the surgery. I got released from the hospital that night and nurse came out the next day to show me how to give myself the shots. To my surprised, it did not hurt at all. The needle is very small. When the visiting nurse came out the next day, she asked me if I was ok giving myself the needles. It's really not bad at all believe me because if they were, the nurse would have to do them for me. Just find a fatty spot in your stomach and stick away. Still very tired and not getting much rest because of the soreness from the surgery. 7/11/08 --- It's been such a long time since I last post in. I fell fantastic. I have loss a total of 59lbs. I wor k very hard everyday when it comes to excerising and watching what I eat. I had 3 fills and had to go in for a unfill because I was just to tight. I tried to avoid the unfill but I realize that I was causing myself more harm than good by beening too tight. I suffered with being to tight for 5 weeks and my doctor was not happy about that. I am happy to say that I am wearing a size 14 paints and a xl shirt. I am excited about that.
Weigh b4 wls 255 Goal 135-140
Weight b4 WLS 255 Goal 135-140
10/09/07---- This will be my last time going to see the nutritionist. I am truly glad it’s over. She said I do not need another visit. Just one more visit so we can go over all my documentation in order to get it ready to submit it to
Weigh b4 WLS 254 Goal 135-140
11/2/07---Well all the paper work is in my hand. I have all my documentation and called
Weight b4 wls 252 Weight as of today 244 Goal 135-140
12/17/07--- I am 5 days out and each day gets a little better. I had no idea that the pain after surgery would be this bad. Right after surgery, my husband had to help me get out of bed, off the couch etc. He had to help me get dress and I could not even sleep in my bed. It was just too painful trying to get up from a reclined position in order to use the bathroom. I swear it took me about 15 minute to get out of bed. I had to slide off the bed on to the floor and the work my way to my Knees it sound ridiculous but I just did not want to put any pressure on my stomach muscles. Man I did not know how much we use our stomach muscle. The pains to me were worst then having my 3 daughters. As the days goes by, the pain does ease up a little. I don’t see how in the world some people return back to work after day five. This surgery was necessary for me and I would go through all this pain in a heart beat again. I have NO regrets. After five days, I have lost 8 lbs and though it’s difficult trying to get liquids in, I know it’s necessary.
Weight b4 wls 252 Weight as of today 244 Goal 135-140
12/26/07--- I feel great. The weight is coming off the way I hope it would. I am now on mush and to my surprise it’s not all that bad. I thought I would have problems with it but it’s going ok. I for some reason can not stay off the scale. Every morning I find myself jumping on it after I use the relieve myself. I keep telling myself that it’s my way to hold me accountable for what goes in my mouth. I know I should not practice that but it is what it is for now. I just get so excited when I see the number on the scale going down. I am so focus on making this work and amazed how the weight is coming off. I brought a new pair of jeans today from Old Navy size 18 black to wear on Christmas and a sweater from
Weight b4 wls 252 Weight as of today 240 Goal 135-140
