KLena
After Surgery Update
Feb 21, 2009
I know its been a long time since I posted any updates but I haven't forgotten the friends that helped me get started on this journey. I have so much to tell ya about. I miss blogging. I said I was going to make an effort to at least blog 2x's a month and keep up w/ my online friends.
Well here goes........
So I had my surgery on 11/7/08 w/o any complications! Well physically, anyway, b/c I was an emotional wreck the first week after my surgery. I would cry at a drop of a dime over the dumbest things like commercials, the weather, anything. And if you know me, you would know that, that is NOT me at all. It was crazy. Thank GOD it only last a week. Other than that I was good. Sometimes, I would get mad b/c I wanted to chew something and I couldn't so that was tough and like so many others who have gone thru this, I asked my self WHY? did I do this. But I am much better now that it has been over 3 months and it helps that I'm down 70 lbs
! It is crazy how much and how quickly I have dropped. It is also crazy that all my "skinny" clothes that I had in my clothes are now too big on me!As far as food, I feel I'm doing a good job! I know I eat whole lot less then I did before
! I keep up w/ my proteins and my vitamins. I also get in my 64 oz of liquid everyday (mostly water but something I include my protein shake). I also get in about an hour of exercise in a day, mostly walking. But one of my goals, is to get a better workout routine. I know I have to get better at it.On a personal note, my boyfriend proposed to me on 1/22/09
! It was so funny cuz I kept asking him if he lost something when he got on his knee and then got down w/ him to try to help him look for it! And then when he did propose, I asked him to wait cuz my nails weren't done! So he asked me if, I wanted the ring or not and I asked him to let me see it. He busted out laughing. Anyway, I said yes and he put the ring on, busted nails and all! Next stop, nail shop!Anyway, the wedding will take place on 9/17/09 in Savannah, GA (enough time to drop enough weight to look fabulous in my dress!
). I can not wait to marry my best friend. I can honestly say, that I am at a place in my life that I am truly happy! I also enjoy all the planning and arguing w/ my sisters and friends over all the details of the wedding! (I will never let them know that though!
)So that's it in a nutshell, all the major stuff that has happen since my last blog. Like I said earlier, I will try to update more often. I really do enjoy expressing my feeling and thoughts w/ ya!
til then,
Lena
Back on Track!
Sep 20, 2008
Hey OH Family,
So I'm back on track. I took some time off but now I'm back.
As ya know I was originally scheduled to have surgery with Dr William on July 12 however since my grandmother’s passing I could no longer afford the out of pocket expense for using a Dr out-of-network.
And this is where my new journey begins again. 
I went to a seminar @ Emory because their doctors are covered under my plan. After the seminar, I spoke to the coordinator and advised her that I have already been thru the processed and have been approved however my Dr is no longer in network.
She advised me to get my paper work together and faxed to her so she can begin the process of another approval with a new surgeon. In the next couples of days, as I get all my paperwork together, I get a call from Ginger. She says that she was checking up on me and to keep in contact with my ins plan because the approval letter will expire.
I advised her that I am in the process of finding a new Dr since Dr William is not in network and she refers me to Dr Macik.
I called my ins plan and verified that my approval does not expire for another 6 months from the approval date and Ginger forwarded my charts to Dr Macklin’s office. I contacted Dr Macklin”s office and set an appointment for 9/19/08.
Surgery Cancelled
Sep 07, 2008
So I have to reschedule my surgery for another date. I really havn't been thinking about it much but I will have it done I just have to get my mind right. I will keep everybody posted once I get a new date.
Thanks for all the emails.
Pre-Op Date
May 31, 2008
My Pro-Date is on July 9th. It seems so far away but then again it’s already June, so I guess it be here before I know it. Smooches,Â
It's crazy. I'm getting everything I'm gonna need together so I won't have to run around like crazy the day before surgery trying to get everything together, like I usually do. 
Oh well I guess I just wait now....But I do have some good news though my dog had puppies on Tuesday morning. I posted the pic. She had a total of 5 but only 3 survived. 
 However the 3 that did survive (2 boys and a girl) are doing great! 
The hard thing now is to try and not get to attach to them and thats going to be hard!
~
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APPROVED!!!!!
May 22, 2008
What's crazy is that the surgeon office told me they were trying get intouch w/ me all last week to schedule my surgery for TODAY but we were playing phone tag. But that worked out for the best b/c now I have time to get my business in order!
Watch out "Loser Bench" I'm on my way!
Waiting for Approval
May 03, 2008
So I had my appointment w/ Dr Williams on Wednesday and everything went well. The good thing is that I do not have to do any other type of test b/c I have enough information to submit to the insurance company. And according to Dr Williams my pre-approval letter was submitted on Wednesday.
So you know I called my insurance on Thursday, 
I'm so excited that this is finally happening but I do have another hurdle that I need to jump before it’s officially a go. I guess 2 since I haven't officially been approved but anyway the other is that I have to come up w/ $3000 for the Surgeon and the surgical team fees. When they told me I almost cried b/c w/ all the financial hardship that I'm going thru right now, I have no idea where I'm going to get this money. On the upside, I have about $1000 in savings that I can use but a couple of bills will have to go unpaid for about a month. Anyway, I'm in search of a part-time job to help come up w/ the rest.
If anyone has any ideas, please let me know and keep me in your prayers b/c I know w/ God's will I will come up w/ the rest.
Dr. William's Appt
Apr 24, 2008
Surgeon's office called....
Apr 14, 2008
I will continue to document every step that I go thru. Maybe my process will help someone else.
My Pre-Approval Letter
Apr 13, 2008
According to Ginger, my paper work was sent to the Surgeon office last week for them to send it to my insurance co.
So I am another step closer to my surgery! I can't wait to get my date. I hope have to wait too long.... Keep me in ya prayers!
Third and Final Clinic Visit!
Apr 04, 2008
I went to my final clinic visit on 4/1/08 and have lost another 4 pounds. The dietician looked over my food journal and was very please. Even w/ my little cheats, I was still less than 1600 calories everyday.
The psychiatric was also please. He just added that I should right down a side note, like when I chose not to cheat and how I felt when I did.
One thing about keeping a journal, it made me think twice about eating something that is not good for me b/c I knew someone was going to read it and my pride would not let me look bad. Funny, huh?
The next step now is my paperwork will be sent to the surgeon's office and then to the insurance company.
I'm hoping this will go smoothly and quickly so that I can have surgery by the end of this month or early next month. I’m so ready to be on the "Loser's Bench". I have been doing water aerobics and swimming laps at least 5x's a week faithfully. I love the water. I can be in the pool for hours and not even realize it; it never feels like a chore.
Well that's it for now, I'll keep ya updated as I creep slowly thru this new journey in my life.
