KiaSunRay

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I've made it past the holidays and I couldn't be more relieved.  It's always a real pain in the ass time of year for me because people tend to have unrealistic expectations be it gift giving, giving time or anything in between.  The kids had a good time and I'm glad for that, although it wasn't very fulfilling for me.  They can be a really trying group.

Next week I'll have my third diet check up with the surgeon.  Although he put me on a 1200 calorie diet during our first checkup, I'm convinced it's just a formality.  I dont think he really expects me to follow it.  At weigh in during the last visit, I'd lost 2lbs.  He says, "Are you on a diet?"  Well, didn't you put me on one a month ago?  I'm sure the weight loss didn't occur with any effort on my part.  This time, I just decided to take a pee before weigh in.  Nothing major.   I've had it with these roller coaster diets.

Also next week, I'm scheduled to get my sleep apnea, pulmonary and cardiac clearances.  I really dont know what to expect from either.  I just hope they're a). painless and b). quick.   That's really all I need.

Next, I have to get my psych eval and physical.  I just had a physical in Oct.; I don't feel I should have to do another one!  The psych eval should be simple, though I'm not looking forward to paying out of pocket for it.  The psychologist on staff with my surgoen doesn't accept insurance.  I want to have my eval done with an in network doctor so I dont have to pay anything.  I met with the nutritionist last month.  In April, all of my paperwork for the insurance company will be complete.  I shouldn't be denied this time.

I'm very nervous and excited about the procedure. 

I made it to one of the surgery seminars held at the Obesity Center near GWU hospital.  The presenter didn't add a significant amount of info; he said things I've found during my research.

I went through the process of having my weight and BMI taken.  Next, I met with the surgeon to discuss my comorbidities.  Then I meet with the insurance coordinator to discuss fees and my insurance company.  At this point, the insurance company is my biggest concern.  The insurance coordinator called me on Friday to let me know the procedure is covered, but they wouldn't give her many details regarding qualification.  Now that's another thing that has me nervous.  I'm more than certain I qualif; just write the damn check!  She told me that they may require six months of doctor supervised dieting.  Um....HELLO!  My whole point of consulting a surgeon is because the dieting thing really isn't working out for me.  That's not so bad though, my target surgery date is March 24th so it's still well within my reach.

The doctor gave me two referrals to get a sleep apnea test and some other kind of test that I can't recall off hand.  I have no idea how I'm gonna do all this pre-op stuff, including attending support group meetings from 12-1.  That isn't a big deal for people who work in downtown DC, but I work in Columbia, MD which isn't exactly a couple of Metro stops from the Obesity Center.  It will work itself out somehow.

On Friday, I told my boss I'll need to use medical leave in the spring.  Though he was visibly surprised, he's very supportive as well.  I think the hardest thing will be dealing with co-workers.  They aren't the most tactful people I've experienced, nor do I feel moved to share anything personal with most of them.  I'm still working on how I'm going to address their questions without divulging anything I don't want to share.

I browsed GW's hospotal website to view the obesity center  and the surgeons they recommend.  I decided to go to my insurance carrier's website to see who's covered.  Only one name came back out of the group, and it's not even the guy that piqued my interest!  I've noticed a couple of the surgeons I saw on the website are reccommended by the OH community so that's pretty comforting.

Today I called my insurer's customer service number to find out which surgeons are covered.  I go through all the prompts to find out....customer service is closed for the day!  Why couldn't they just set an auto greeting to tell you that up front!  What a waste of time.  I'll call back Monday evening though.

Yesterday I went to Curves to find out about signing up.  I need another bill like I need a hole in my head, but I have to do something about my weight.  I try to eat healthfully, but frankly, I'm broke and it's expensive.  I go through periods where I do very well and them sometimes I do poorly.  I need to do something consistently to make my health and life much better.

I was very, very sad after my weight and measurements were taken.  I've never, EVER weighed this much before.  I'm having a hard time controlling it.  I went to my doctor for a physical today and she's very supportive of WLS. 

I went online to do some research when I got home.  And cried.  A lot.  I'm so disappointed in myself.  I feel defeated.  The weight won.  At any rate, I'm trying to find a pre-op support group since that's what I really need right now.  I very few friends and family.  Everyone always looks to me for support but they look at me all crazy when I need it.  I need to connect with other people who can feel what I'm going through and understand what I need.

Back to the research.  WLS has always been in my peripheral.  It was my choice to attempt to loose weight by eatinig well and exercising, which generated minimal results.  Now at 100lbs heavier, it's moved from my peripheral and placed itself right at my nose.  There's so much info to wade through.  I have no idea what I'm doing!

I went to the GWU Hospital website and found a number to call to register for a WLS seminar.  I'm scheduled to attend next Thursday.