Keith.
Visit My Blog
Oct 18, 2006
To see the entire story ... unfold .. See archive for 3\06
Keith's Journey
Mar 02, 2006
3-2-06 My First Entry
Hello everyone, I am 41 and divorced, I have a 12 year old daughter (13 next week). I have been divorced for 11 years now, it was pretty rough and bitter, but through the grace of God I was given custody of her since the beginning of my separation/divorce, she has been a great kid.
As for my daughter and I we have many interest, I am an avid bowler and bowl in the Hopewell Church League every Sept-May, love to play golf and am a die hard Redskins fan with season tickets, as for other sports I love Yankees Baseball, Nascar (Go #24), and Duke Basketball. My daughter is your typical teen, she loves music and television and is very passionate towards art. We are both Christians and love our church (www.mpbc.us). Well enough of that for now, plenty of time to discuss more later.
As for my weight problem, I have not always been an overweight man, in 1984 when I began employment with my current employer I weighed 150 lbs, my weight began to be a problem when I was towards the end of my marriage (1994) and it just got worse after the divorce, that is when I became less active physically due to staying home and raising my daughter (2 yrs old at time) and then beginning to eat out at fast food joints all the time, I loved to cook but just couldn't manage to cook in such small quanity for the 2 of us and neither of us liked left overs so that was a waste. On top of all that I am a shift worker and after 22 years of that and eating at all different times especially after midnight when I would get home before bed it just escallated to where I am today.
So I began my journey to WLS surgery on 12-7-05 by going to Dr. Amy Martin of Commonwealth Surgeons seminar at St. Mary's Hospital, I was very impressed with her knowledge and passion towards her work. I had already done some research and watched a video of the Lap-Band procedure online prior to the seminar, so after the seminar I knew this was my choice. I met with my NP Barbara Kayes on 12-30-05 and she was just super. On 1-17-06 I met with Sharon Upton the dietician and on 1-19-06 met with Ronna for the Psychological Evaluation, both of those went well also. I had to submit from my PCP a 6 month evaluation including weigh ins to my insurance and that was no problem. All the above was submitted to my insurance and on 2-2-06 I got my first bad news, my insurance carrier denied the surgery, the co-ordinator at Commonwealth (Hilarie) took care of the appeal. Finally today I got my letter from Cigna dated 2-24-06 that they have APPROVED me for surgery (Praise God) So now I am waiting for Hilarie to call me back and give me a date. I am not sure what all is next but I pray that God will allow everything else to go more smoothly and quickly, I would love to have a date ASAP.
Well, I guess I have rambled on enough for now, I look forward to reading the message board and also will post more later. Until then thanks for reading, take care everyone and God Bless. Keith
3-4-06
Hello again, Just wanted to share that I went to my first support group meeting Thursday night (3-2-06) in Hopewell, it was at John Randolph in a conference room in the basement, I enjoyed that really well, met some nice ladies of which some have had surgeries and some are like myself waiting to have theirs, it lasted for 1 1/2 hours and was very good, got to hear other folks stories and it is nice to hear first hand face to face what you can expect, if you have never attended one then I urge you to look for one in your area, and I definitely recommend this one.
Still waiting to get a date, I called Hilarie and emailed her Friday but didn't receive a return call or email, sure it will happen Monday.
3-7-06 I HAVE A DATE
Well, finally I have gotten my letter with my surgery date and other appointments prior to surgery. My surgery is scheduled for April 13th at St. Mary's Hospital (Lap-Band). Also I go March 27th for my Behavior Mod Class, Dietary Class, and Informational Class. I meet with my surgeon Dr. Amy Martin on March 28th, on March 30th I get my physical with the NP and then go over to the hospital and get my labs and pre registration done. Yahoo!!! finally getting to that point, would have liked an earlier surgery date but I am sure this is Gods plan, but if it is his plan to change it I have let Hilarie know that I would move my date up sooner if it became available. Well, thats it for now.
3-28-06
Hey everyone, well I have done my classes and met my surgeon, it is getting really close now, I go this Thursday (30th) for my labs and pre registration and that will be the last step prior to surgery. Looking forward to the big day, getting a little nervous though, but that is too be expected I guess. I really appreciate the folks that have sent me encouraging messages on my upcoming date and life after surgery. Well, I guess I will end for now, everyone take care and I will be back before surgery, to throw out my input on my pre op diet that I am about to start. God Bless.
4-6-06
Well, getting closer and getting more nervous each day, and to add to it I got a call today from my surgeons nurse to tell me that my EKG had some abnormalties on it and that I had to see a Cardiologist before I will be allowed to have the surgery. She says that is probably nothing to worry about but protocol is to go this route and get clearance. Hopefully that is all and I am able to stay on schedule, I am so ready for this too happen. Please pray.
4-18-06
Sorry it has been a while but a lot going on up to and after surgery. I finally had my surgery as scheduled on the 13th. I arrived at the hospital at 9 am and within 10 minutes they had me on a bed and different nurses asking questions. After they juiced my IV up i don't think I made it 10 minutes before I was gone. I remember waking up in recovery area a few hours after surgery and not knowing where I was, I believe I actually thought I was in the surgery area, I remember being out of it and talking all kinds of weird stuff. They moved me to a room and for the most part I was ok, I had my morphine pump but wasn't in a lot of pain at first but the nurses kept telling me to use my pump, so every little twinge i hit the button. I stayed till the next afternoon around 4 pm and went home. The next day around lunch time I just started feeling more pain in chest area, had a lot of rumbling going on inside of me but couldn't manage to burp out any air, it hurt to drink my liquids, so the Dr. on call had me go back to ST.Mary's ER and I stayed there from about 4 pm to 1 am getting IV and test run for leaks, and clots in neck. Those were all fine so sent home with prescription of Pepcid. Each day has gotten better and I feel I am on my way. Looking forward to my 2 week post op visit, getting tired of liquids liquids liquids, surprisingly I haven't had any real strong urges to eat, see a KFC or Pizza commercial every 1/2 hour and that is a little tough but my mind is right for this. Well, I guess that is it for now, I will try to post soon, appreciate everyones prayers and kind messages. God Bless.
4-27-06
I had my 2 week post op visit today. I couldn't have been more pleased. My initial weight on 3-30-06 was 376.5 and today it was 335.5 pounds, YES that is 41 pounds lost in exactly 4 weeks. I feel great and can't believe that I have lost so much so soon. I now get to add some foods to my diet now, that is nice but I really am going to try and watch carefully what I do. I have a long way to go and I know it will take time but what a great start. Thanks everyone for reading and wish everyone great success. Until next time.
5-9-06
I met with Dr. Martin today for the first time since surgery, it has been about 3 1/2 weeks since surgery. I lost 7 more pounds since 2 week visit, so that is 7 pounds in 11 days for a total now of 48 pounds lost. She said I lost too much too quick and that is probably why I have been feeling tired the last week, still can't find a protein drink I like so that is frustrating. I can eat more foods now so that is a plus, although I haven't been hungry, at this point I have been eating just once a day and she also said that I need to eat 3 times a day, so that will be tough but I am going to try, she said it is good though that I am not having cravings and fighting to not eat the wrong foods but to try and eat more. Well that is it for now.
5-23-06
Met with the NP today, everything went well, need to eat more foods with protein since not able to drink the protein drinks. I gained 1.5 pounds, so now I am at 330.0, still 46.5 total loss, I am not discouraged, they say that is normal to gain and not to worry.
6-12-06
Went today for my 8 week check up. Still doing well. I lost 4.5 pounds this time around, so I am at 325.5 now for a total of 51.0 pounds total loss. Yippee. Released to return to work now which I really am not looking forward to, but first I am leaving this week for Myrtle Beach for some fun and R&R, have been having lots of fun playing Golf for the last 4 weeks as well. I also will have my first fill on July 12th, they said all my weight loss is mainly due to me doing the right things and that a fill now will help the band to truly start working, so that is cool too. Well, that is it for now.
7-12-06
Had my first fill today. It was 4 cc, I have a 10cc VG band. I weighed in at 319, 6 lbs less than last month and now a new total of 57lbs. I feel really good and am looking forward to seeing how the fill works out. Hope everyone reading this is doing well and take it easy in all this hot summer heat, keep that bottle of water with you and God Bless.
8-15-06
First visit since fill last month. I have lost 6 lbs since fill. Will have 2nd fill September 20th. Dr. Martin says that she is happy with my progress and that I still have lost more than typical for band surgery. Will try to get some pictures posted soon. New weight amounts are now 63 lbs lost current weight is 313.
9-20-06
Had my 2nd fill today, I really felt an immediate difference this time, just sipping on that nice flavored drink that they make you drink while watching it go through was a full feeling. I think this fill is really going to create an even bigger restriction on me, even after I had been doing great anyway. My only problems before this fill is that I still didn't have a consistent portion size for my 3 meals. Sometimes I just wouldn't be hungry so I may have skipped breakfast one day and then the next day perhaps skip lunch, even skipping a meal I still wouldn't each much for dinner though, Dr. Martin wants to get all 3 meals in and all 3 be consistently close to the same portion sizes. Well that is about it, OH by the way since my last visit last month I lost 5 lbs. New totals are current weight 308 total weight lost is now at 68 lbs.
10-24-06
I had my check up today with Jeannine. Everything is going great and she said to keep up the good work. This was my 1 month check up since my last fill which was the second fill overall. It appears that I am more likely to be at my "sweet spot" now. My weigh in today was 298 which finally put me under 300, that is so great. That means that I lost 10 lbs since my fill last month and my grand total is now at 78.5 lbs lost since my surgery on 4-13-06. I have my next appointment in 7 weeks. I had set a personal goal to lose 100 lbs by the end of the year, if I stay on this course that I am on then that should be reachable, but even if I come up short that is ok because I have to still realize that I have lost all this weight in just 6 months and that is really a lot for the band. So I am very pleased. Well, till next time I hope everyone stays healthy and happy.
12-12-06
Went today for my scheduled appointment with Jeannine. Lost 5.5 lbs since last visit. Weight totals are now current weight 292.5 total lost since surgery is now 84 lbs. Next appointment is on Jan 30th.
1-30-07
Saw Jeannine today today for regular appointment. I gained 1.5 lbs since last visit, little discouraged but as she pointed out just went through major holidays, plus still not working due to being out on workman comp for shoulder injury, so exercise is limited, so all in all can't really complain.
2-28-07
Went today for scheduled appointment with Jeannine, I lost the 1.5 lbs back exactly, so I am now back to 84 lbs total lost since surgery 4-13-06. Glad I lost that back, still out of work, rotator cuff surgery is set for next week 3-7-07 at St. Francis Hospital, not looking forward to that or the rehab but got to be done. So all in all I am happy, be glad to get this surgery over with so I can get back to some physical activity to help kick start the weight loss up more. Go back for another visit on 4-3-07.
Hello everyone, I am 41 and divorced, I have a 12 year old daughter (13 next week). I have been divorced for 11 years now, it was pretty rough and bitter, but through the grace of God I was given custody of her since the beginning of my separation/divorce, she has been a great kid.
As for my daughter and I we have many interest, I am an avid bowler and bowl in the Hopewell Church League every Sept-May, love to play golf and am a die hard Redskins fan with season tickets, as for other sports I love Yankees Baseball, Nascar (Go #24), and Duke Basketball. My daughter is your typical teen, she loves music and television and is very passionate towards art. We are both Christians and love our church (www.mpbc.us). Well enough of that for now, plenty of time to discuss more later.
As for my weight problem, I have not always been an overweight man, in 1984 when I began employment with my current employer I weighed 150 lbs, my weight began to be a problem when I was towards the end of my marriage (1994) and it just got worse after the divorce, that is when I became less active physically due to staying home and raising my daughter (2 yrs old at time) and then beginning to eat out at fast food joints all the time, I loved to cook but just couldn't manage to cook in such small quanity for the 2 of us and neither of us liked left overs so that was a waste. On top of all that I am a shift worker and after 22 years of that and eating at all different times especially after midnight when I would get home before bed it just escallated to where I am today.
So I began my journey to WLS surgery on 12-7-05 by going to Dr. Amy Martin of Commonwealth Surgeons seminar at St. Mary's Hospital, I was very impressed with her knowledge and passion towards her work. I had already done some research and watched a video of the Lap-Band procedure online prior to the seminar, so after the seminar I knew this was my choice. I met with my NP Barbara Kayes on 12-30-05 and she was just super. On 1-17-06 I met with Sharon Upton the dietician and on 1-19-06 met with Ronna for the Psychological Evaluation, both of those went well also. I had to submit from my PCP a 6 month evaluation including weigh ins to my insurance and that was no problem. All the above was submitted to my insurance and on 2-2-06 I got my first bad news, my insurance carrier denied the surgery, the co-ordinator at Commonwealth (Hilarie) took care of the appeal. Finally today I got my letter from Cigna dated 2-24-06 that they have APPROVED me for surgery (Praise God) So now I am waiting for Hilarie to call me back and give me a date. I am not sure what all is next but I pray that God will allow everything else to go more smoothly and quickly, I would love to have a date ASAP.
Well, I guess I have rambled on enough for now, I look forward to reading the message board and also will post more later. Until then thanks for reading, take care everyone and God Bless. Keith
3-4-06
Hello again, Just wanted to share that I went to my first support group meeting Thursday night (3-2-06) in Hopewell, it was at John Randolph in a conference room in the basement, I enjoyed that really well, met some nice ladies of which some have had surgeries and some are like myself waiting to have theirs, it lasted for 1 1/2 hours and was very good, got to hear other folks stories and it is nice to hear first hand face to face what you can expect, if you have never attended one then I urge you to look for one in your area, and I definitely recommend this one.
Still waiting to get a date, I called Hilarie and emailed her Friday but didn't receive a return call or email, sure it will happen Monday.
3-7-06 I HAVE A DATE
Well, finally I have gotten my letter with my surgery date and other appointments prior to surgery. My surgery is scheduled for April 13th at St. Mary's Hospital (Lap-Band). Also I go March 27th for my Behavior Mod Class, Dietary Class, and Informational Class. I meet with my surgeon Dr. Amy Martin on March 28th, on March 30th I get my physical with the NP and then go over to the hospital and get my labs and pre registration done. Yahoo!!! finally getting to that point, would have liked an earlier surgery date but I am sure this is Gods plan, but if it is his plan to change it I have let Hilarie know that I would move my date up sooner if it became available. Well, thats it for now.
3-28-06
Hey everyone, well I have done my classes and met my surgeon, it is getting really close now, I go this Thursday (30th) for my labs and pre registration and that will be the last step prior to surgery. Looking forward to the big day, getting a little nervous though, but that is too be expected I guess. I really appreciate the folks that have sent me encouraging messages on my upcoming date and life after surgery. Well, I guess I will end for now, everyone take care and I will be back before surgery, to throw out my input on my pre op diet that I am about to start. God Bless.
4-6-06
Well, getting closer and getting more nervous each day, and to add to it I got a call today from my surgeons nurse to tell me that my EKG had some abnormalties on it and that I had to see a Cardiologist before I will be allowed to have the surgery. She says that is probably nothing to worry about but protocol is to go this route and get clearance. Hopefully that is all and I am able to stay on schedule, I am so ready for this too happen. Please pray.
4-18-06
Sorry it has been a while but a lot going on up to and after surgery. I finally had my surgery as scheduled on the 13th. I arrived at the hospital at 9 am and within 10 minutes they had me on a bed and different nurses asking questions. After they juiced my IV up i don't think I made it 10 minutes before I was gone. I remember waking up in recovery area a few hours after surgery and not knowing where I was, I believe I actually thought I was in the surgery area, I remember being out of it and talking all kinds of weird stuff. They moved me to a room and for the most part I was ok, I had my morphine pump but wasn't in a lot of pain at first but the nurses kept telling me to use my pump, so every little twinge i hit the button. I stayed till the next afternoon around 4 pm and went home. The next day around lunch time I just started feeling more pain in chest area, had a lot of rumbling going on inside of me but couldn't manage to burp out any air, it hurt to drink my liquids, so the Dr. on call had me go back to ST.Mary's ER and I stayed there from about 4 pm to 1 am getting IV and test run for leaks, and clots in neck. Those were all fine so sent home with prescription of Pepcid. Each day has gotten better and I feel I am on my way. Looking forward to my 2 week post op visit, getting tired of liquids liquids liquids, surprisingly I haven't had any real strong urges to eat, see a KFC or Pizza commercial every 1/2 hour and that is a little tough but my mind is right for this. Well, I guess that is it for now, I will try to post soon, appreciate everyones prayers and kind messages. God Bless.
4-27-06
I had my 2 week post op visit today. I couldn't have been more pleased. My initial weight on 3-30-06 was 376.5 and today it was 335.5 pounds, YES that is 41 pounds lost in exactly 4 weeks. I feel great and can't believe that I have lost so much so soon. I now get to add some foods to my diet now, that is nice but I really am going to try and watch carefully what I do. I have a long way to go and I know it will take time but what a great start. Thanks everyone for reading and wish everyone great success. Until next time.
5-9-06
I met with Dr. Martin today for the first time since surgery, it has been about 3 1/2 weeks since surgery. I lost 7 more pounds since 2 week visit, so that is 7 pounds in 11 days for a total now of 48 pounds lost. She said I lost too much too quick and that is probably why I have been feeling tired the last week, still can't find a protein drink I like so that is frustrating. I can eat more foods now so that is a plus, although I haven't been hungry, at this point I have been eating just once a day and she also said that I need to eat 3 times a day, so that will be tough but I am going to try, she said it is good though that I am not having cravings and fighting to not eat the wrong foods but to try and eat more. Well that is it for now.
5-23-06
Met with the NP today, everything went well, need to eat more foods with protein since not able to drink the protein drinks. I gained 1.5 pounds, so now I am at 330.0, still 46.5 total loss, I am not discouraged, they say that is normal to gain and not to worry.
6-12-06
Went today for my 8 week check up. Still doing well. I lost 4.5 pounds this time around, so I am at 325.5 now for a total of 51.0 pounds total loss. Yippee. Released to return to work now which I really am not looking forward to, but first I am leaving this week for Myrtle Beach for some fun and R&R, have been having lots of fun playing Golf for the last 4 weeks as well. I also will have my first fill on July 12th, they said all my weight loss is mainly due to me doing the right things and that a fill now will help the band to truly start working, so that is cool too. Well, that is it for now.
7-12-06
Had my first fill today. It was 4 cc, I have a 10cc VG band. I weighed in at 319, 6 lbs less than last month and now a new total of 57lbs. I feel really good and am looking forward to seeing how the fill works out. Hope everyone reading this is doing well and take it easy in all this hot summer heat, keep that bottle of water with you and God Bless.
8-15-06
First visit since fill last month. I have lost 6 lbs since fill. Will have 2nd fill September 20th. Dr. Martin says that she is happy with my progress and that I still have lost more than typical for band surgery. Will try to get some pictures posted soon. New weight amounts are now 63 lbs lost current weight is 313.
9-20-06
Had my 2nd fill today, I really felt an immediate difference this time, just sipping on that nice flavored drink that they make you drink while watching it go through was a full feeling. I think this fill is really going to create an even bigger restriction on me, even after I had been doing great anyway. My only problems before this fill is that I still didn't have a consistent portion size for my 3 meals. Sometimes I just wouldn't be hungry so I may have skipped breakfast one day and then the next day perhaps skip lunch, even skipping a meal I still wouldn't each much for dinner though, Dr. Martin wants to get all 3 meals in and all 3 be consistently close to the same portion sizes. Well that is about it, OH by the way since my last visit last month I lost 5 lbs. New totals are current weight 308 total weight lost is now at 68 lbs.
10-24-06
I had my check up today with Jeannine. Everything is going great and she said to keep up the good work. This was my 1 month check up since my last fill which was the second fill overall. It appears that I am more likely to be at my "sweet spot" now. My weigh in today was 298 which finally put me under 300, that is so great. That means that I lost 10 lbs since my fill last month and my grand total is now at 78.5 lbs lost since my surgery on 4-13-06. I have my next appointment in 7 weeks. I had set a personal goal to lose 100 lbs by the end of the year, if I stay on this course that I am on then that should be reachable, but even if I come up short that is ok because I have to still realize that I have lost all this weight in just 6 months and that is really a lot for the band. So I am very pleased. Well, till next time I hope everyone stays healthy and happy.
12-12-06
Went today for my scheduled appointment with Jeannine. Lost 5.5 lbs since last visit. Weight totals are now current weight 292.5 total lost since surgery is now 84 lbs. Next appointment is on Jan 30th.
1-30-07
Saw Jeannine today today for regular appointment. I gained 1.5 lbs since last visit, little discouraged but as she pointed out just went through major holidays, plus still not working due to being out on workman comp for shoulder injury, so exercise is limited, so all in all can't really complain.
2-28-07
Went today for scheduled appointment with Jeannine, I lost the 1.5 lbs back exactly, so I am now back to 84 lbs total lost since surgery 4-13-06. Glad I lost that back, still out of work, rotator cuff surgery is set for next week 3-7-07 at St. Francis Hospital, not looking forward to that or the rehab but got to be done. So all in all I am happy, be glad to get this surgery over with so I can get back to some physical activity to help kick start the weight loss up more. Go back for another visit on 4-3-07.
