Kalli R.
I have prayed for this for along time; always finding myself with "Insurance won't cover it" to the point I had given up...Then by the Grace of GOD I moved to PA. and found a wonderful PCP that reconized my struggle and refered me to Dr. Kolenich's office..When I called to see if they accepted my ins. they said yes and that they were pretty sure they could get it approved. MY Prayers were answered, I'm not sure my feet have touched the ground since. I know that God has brought me to this and he will see me thru it...I thank HIM daily for the blessings in my life! Up dates to follow...... : )
Oct 29th 2003- I went for my last pre-op testing yesterday. It intailed visiting with a Nutritional Consultant. I went with Pen in hand and ready to take notes and get any and all information I could..Learned a little that I didn't know and absorbed more of what I was told before..Now the waiting game starts.. My PCP has to write her letter and send all the results of the pre-op testing to my surgeon, then he inturns, add his letter and send everything to the Ins. for approval...heavy sigh* I only hope and pray that GOD has brought me this far.. that the Ins. approves it..Dr Kolenich's office seems to think it will be approved..ME?..well I just try to NOT get my hopes up.. But how hard is that?.. This is like a chance at being reborn, a chance to live and enjoy life again, rather than just survive on a daily basis...I just keep telling myslf- "GOD HAS BROUGHT ME TO THIS- HE WILL SEE ME THRU IT!!!!!!!!! updates later!
Nov.7th 2003- Spent this week trying to get all loose ends together. Asked 3 doctors that I have seen to write letters on my behalf. They required me to pay a fee for them to write a letter, So I just had my medical records sent to Dr. Kolenichs office. I hope that this will be enough information to be submitted to the Insurance compnay to get an approval on the first try..The waiting seems to be the hardest part. Trying very hard to keep the faith and keep my spirits up, but feeling it becoming more and more difficult to move each and every day..I pray to GOD that this is what HE would have me do so I can become healthy again..God Bless evryone out there that is going thru this with me...
Nov.12th 2003- Well the Doctors office called me back yesterday..All information has been received and will be sent to the Ins. company..I got a big knot in my stomach, is this for real?..Is is really going to happen?... I am getting so excited, but the waiting is the worst part..So I took it upon myself to look up more information online about my Insurance carrier.. Well I did find where it looked like I will be covered..Although I am not an insurance adjuster by no means.. but feeling a little more positive about it....Another blessing from GOD... Thank You Lord for all the blessing you have brought into my life, and for the friends and support YOU have brought me thru this site... God Bless each and every one of you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nov.18th 2003-I GOT APPROVED!!!!! The doctors office call and said I had been approved for the surgery...I don't think my feet have touched the ground...I go in tomorrow to set the surgery date...GOD has truely blessed me yet again...This a Prayer answered....I have never looked so forward to be being a looser in all my life... : ) update tomorrow, hope I can sleep tonight!
Nov.20th 2003-I GOT A DATE!!!!!!!Dec.9th, Thank You LORD, Thank You LORD, Thank YOU!!!!I set here and shake my head, I just can't beleive that this is really going to happen for me..I am thrilled like no other..I thank GOD everyday for the blessing in my life, and HE has truely blessed me again..This is a long time prayer answered. My fience' seems to be alot more comfortable with the surgery, but seems to be VERY concerned about me being able to make the life style changes. I try to reasure him that this is something that I have prayed for and wanted for years, That I NEED the life style change, and I would give almost anything to have this tool to help me make the changes that I NEED to make to live a HEALTHY and happy life.. I want to do simple little things like walk without hurting so bad I want to cry, I want to play volleyball again, play softball, run and play with my grankids, I want to ride a horse again, I want people to look at me and the man I love more than life itself and say..wow! he's a lucky guy, rather than the whispers I know that go on as we walk by..I want to be able to use the bathroom (other wls people know what I mean there), I want to breathe easier, I want to cross my legs... I could go on an on, but most important, I want to live a long and healthy happy life with the man that GOD brought into my life, and watch my kids and gran kids grow...
Nov.26th 2003- Just a littel update for all who have been following me and for those who just want to know..."Mainly for me" as I need to write today. I went in on the 19th to visit with Dr. Kolenich and his staff to set up my surgery date. :)
As we all know it's the 9th and also set up my appointment for the pre op blood work and registration for the hospitial, which was the 24th. The staff at the hospitial was great. Very frinedly and informative. I had an ekg, every blood test in the book I swear, answered family history type questions and visited with the ansthologist (sp)..All seemed to go well, but I once again was faced with the feeling "what if something shows up in the blood work?? or what if this?? or what if that? to the point I had stressed myself out again..Flinching every time the phone would ring, not wanting to answer it for fear it would be the doctors office... loosing site that GOD has brought me to this...HE will see me thru it as well..Well Dr. Kolenich office just called and there was indeed a bad reading on the blood work, my blood don't clot like it should, but we knew that, that it is due to the apsrin that I was taking on a daily basis..I had only stopped for a few days when the blood work was done and Dr Kolenich said it had to be stopped for 2 weeks before I would be able to have the surgery.. So all in all things are going well as expected.. They will test me again the day of surgery to make sure that the blood clots like it should... I am feeling a sence of releif today, now that they called.. I knew all along things would be ok as I have GOD guiding me...NOW if I would just let HIM do HIS work.. He does a much better job than I do.. :) I am really excited about this.. its like a dream that has come true.. I feel so good about it... oh don't mis understand me.. I am a little nervous.. but I know that I, as well as my surgeon is in GODS hands and we will be fine.. Have a great thanksgiving...updates to follow! GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!
Dec. 3rd 2003- Well the day is getting closer, I feel like a child waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve..I am so excited, I have never felt so comfortable with any other type of surgery in my life, and I have had a few, more than some, less than others...I'm ready to become a looser for the rest of my life..Went in for my yerarly today, (sorry guys) and my PCP was so happy for me (almost in tears) and totally in awe that my approval and date came so quick..She gave me a big hug and said you have worked so hard and are such a good person, NOW YOU deserve to be happy and healthy..She is such a sweetheart...I did manage to keep myslef busy for the most part of all day.. Let me tell you my wagon is dragen tonight,...not to sure that I haven't lost a wheel. ; ) I have been in contact with so many wonderful and kind people on here, It's refreshing to know that there is still alot of GOOD people in the world...Some I have become friends with, some just took the time to pass on kind words or a quick prayer for me..The support has been wonderful, and I am so proud to say I am a part of these wonderful people...December 9th, just a moment in time, my re birthday..I get to celebrate 2 birthday in december form now on... and I have never been so happy!!!!!..updates to follow... huggs and loves to all....GOD BLESS!
Dec-17th 2003, Well as some of you may know I became a looser on the 9th of this month...Everything is going well..I love my new tool for my new life ahead..I did have a couple small obsticales to bring home with me, such as oxygen and a cathider..(please forgive my bad spelling)..I got home friday the 12th at about 10 pm...took a little time getting the in home oxygen set up...First night home was good....felt so good to be back in my bed..from that time to date...Dec 17th 2003 life as I knew it is behind me...and I have a entire new opinion for those out there that say "we weight lost surgery patients took the easy way out" Now dont take me worng.. I had an easy surgery, and thus far seem to be healing quite well...But there has been nothing about this that has been easy!...I know that this was the right thing for me, and have no regrets whats so ever..Just wanted to post an update, but hate sitting for very long.. will update more later.. Thanks To everyone who has said a prayer or a kind word for me...huggs and loves...GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!
Dec 28th 2003- Thought it time to make a new post to my page. I, for some strange reason thought I would bounce back from this surgery like I did 21 years ago when I had my hysterectomy ...NOT! It's been alot slower than I had thought.. Not that I have ANY regrests, cause I don't, but I was just slower in my recovery than I had thought.. My incision is healing quite well, I had to go in to the hospital on Saturday, as I woke with drainage running down my sides from the incision..It was just a "fatty pocket" I was told about this prior to the surgery..That this kinda of thinng could come about...They couldn't believe that my surgery was only the 9th as I was healing very well... I am feeling like my old self again.. or for the most part anyway... I spend alot of time focusing on what and when I am eating.. it's a matter of changing a 45 year old habbit, so for me ... it take alot of focus...Again, I want to thank each and everyone of you who have sent your Prayers and kind words my way.. but most of all I want to thank GOD above for making all this happen for me...GOD Bless each and everyone of you!!! until next time..
Jan 9th 2004- Well here I am 4 weeks out and down 27 lbs, not sure how many inches. I guess maybe I should of taken the time to measure..I had my 4 week checkup today and Dr. Kolenich seemed to be very pleased. I do have a small fatty spot in my incission that he wants to work on again so that my scar isn't as big there. After we make sure it's healed. I am released to start on regular food and taking my meds again..Thank God..it about gags me to crush them, talk about bitter..OH MY! I do have to admit I am a little nervous about taking the pills whole again.. He said to break them in half if I was concerned about them being too large.. I had chicken breast and cottage cheese for dinner tonight and all went well...At this point everyday is a chore to make sure that I am getting my protein and water in, But Dr. Kolenich assured me that he would become easier as time passed... Anyway..I had to thank him again for the chance he and the GOOD LORD above gave me on this new tool and outlook on life. I have no regrets and am so excited, and look forward to the future in a way I have never done before... God Bless to each and everyone of you that have sent me the kind words and prayers..and to those of you that are enbarking on this journey..My thoughts and Prayers will be with all of you for a light speed recovery...
Feb 9th 2004- 8 weeks out and still a looser, Boy, what a Great Word..LOOSER..LOOSER, I'M A LOOSER.. lol... Down 38 lbs, was hoping for more than this but trying to be patient, after all it took years to put in on and am sure it WON'T take "years" to get it off..okay, well may A year, as in 1 year...I feel so good, I had forgotten what it was like to have energy..To love life, and to look forward to moving my body...It's a GREAT feeling..GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERy ONE OF YOU!!!!!!!
March 10th 2004-WOW here I am again, another month has gone by, and along with the time, the fat is also going as well... Down a total of 45 lbs, and so happy....each and every week that goes by I am increasing my activites, and feeling great.. I want to take a minute to say something to all of you that are looking into having the WLS.. I can't stress this enough- MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A QUILIFED SURGEON TO DO YOUR SURGERY, ask him how many he has done, and make sure he has a pre-op plan with loads of information for you.. AND at least a year post-op care/follow up..This is very important to your succes and HEALTH..I was/am so blessed to of had a GREAT surgeon, but knowing how desperate I was for the help/surgery I could of been taken in by anyone at that point... I am just so greatfull that GOD and my pcp guided me in the direction of a fabulous surgeon and hospital group.. Best of luck to each and every one of you that are about to embark on this journey....
Dec-23-2005
Well I did'nt wait until I was at goal to get married as my plan was. We had all but one of our children home for Christmas this year and having them be a part of our wedding ment more to me than being at my goal weight. So in my picture you will see a heavier bride than what I wanted to be, but I am so greatfull to have had the children here to share this special moment with us..
Dec-27-2006
I just passed my 3rd rebirthday, and even though I have only lot 70 lbs, I have maintained my weight. I went in the 8th of this month and had my incissional hernia (6-8 in. long) fixed, and my surgon beleives that with it fixed I will be able to loose the rest of the weight I wanted to in the begining. I can tell you I was very hard on myself, and felt like the biggest failure for undergoing such a surgery and not even being able to do THAT right either. With futher education and support I know I am a good person and that no matter what I am ALOT healthier that I ever was before... With a solid plan in place I have great hopes of reaching my goal weight as well..
June 2-2009
As you can see its been awhile since last visiting my page...I just needed to post to myself to help keep me from getting off track yet again. I only lost 70 lbs only to gain 33 back.. Now I am on the losser side again..I cant stress enough how important labs are..KEEP TRACK OF THEM YPURSELF... once they are low it takes a long time to get them back...I struggle on a daily basis with altering my body with wls and feeling like a failure when all is said and done.. BUT.. I am back on track and my tool is still working for me so I refuse to give up.. enough for now... Love and Blessing to all.
