Karla S.
I am 39 years old. Married 16 years. Have 1 son who is 15. I weigh 378 lbs. I can no longer be weighed at my doctor's office so I don't really know how much I weigh. I have Hypothyroidism, diabetes,aand high blood pressure. I have been overweight all my life. I am almost the age my mother was when she died from complications of diabetes. She was 44. I want this surgery because I want to be healthy again and I think this is the tool I need to achieve my goal.
07-09-03 Before I went to my Dr. I wrote a letter about why I wanted the surgery. I gave her that and a copy of the information about the surgery I got from CORI. It really surprised me that a trained professional would have such a reaction to a form of treatment that can help. All she talked about were the people that had died from the surgery and the negative side effects. I really don't mind hearing the good and the bad about the surgery but she sounded almost like my cousins when I mentioned I was thinking about it. I was looking for a professional opinion and she sounded so much like a layman. At the end of the visit she advised that I wait a year and try some herbal supplements and diet to lose the weight. She also refused to do the H. Pylori test for me. Now I almost feel confused. I have been researching and talking to people who have had the surgery for the past 6 months. I am 39 years old, my weight no longer shows up on the scale, I have diabetes, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism and she is telling me to diet.
07-16-03 Had my psych evaluation today and I passed. Also took my H. Pylori blood test yesterday. Although my Dr. didn't want to do it I remembered that my girlfriend works at a lab. I called Mera at Cori and got another prescription. Then I went over to the lab and got my blood drawn. I wish I would have thought of that before.
07-18-03 Called Mera to see if she got the results. She had everything. My blood test came back negative. So she scheduled my consultation with Dr. Wood for Tuesday the 22nd. She told me she could schedule the surgery as soon as 2 weeks. That's too soon for me. I have to get things in order first. Plus I want to make sure I am making the right decision for me.
07-22-03 Had my consult with Dr. Wood from the CORI Group. My impression of him is that he is very kind and knowledgeable. I am also happy that he is cautious about the use of blood since I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He believes that the surgeon should be focused on the surgery in order to avoid complications. I had a 5:00pm appointment. There were about 12 to 15 potential patients. We had to sit through a two hour seminar which was very informative. He went over everything from the procedure to the complications. Afterward he had a private consultation with each person. Becuase of my BMI, (62) Ihave to get a Greenfield filter as a precaution. He explained that this is permenant. It has to be put in by a vascular surgeon. I also have to have a sleep study done. If it is confirmed that I have sleep apnea, then I need a CPAP machine. I have to be off my birth control pills for 4 week prior to the surgery. Since I just started my pack of pills that would end up putting my surgery at September. He did explain that I can go back on about 30 days after the surgery. I got out of his office at 8:45 p.m. Although that was kind of late, I feel he spent sufficiant time with me.
08-01-03 Aug 20 is the date for my sleep study consultation. Aug 21 I am having the Greenfield filter put in. I had the consultation with Dr. Talbert over the phone. He explained that it will be inserted through the neck. I will have local anesthesia. Once I have that and the sleep study I can have the surgery. I'm hoping the beginning of September. CORI told me I didn't need pre-authorization for the surgery as long as I meet the guilines. What that basically means is that I can have the surgery and the Dr. would submit the bill to the insurance company. No waiting for approval. I received the EOB from the insurance compay for the Psych testing. They charged $174.00 BC paid 147.55 and I owe 26.03. Not bad. I went through Burdette and Doss. The gave me an appointment withen a week of my calling. The psych test took a couple of hours. They then made an appointment for me to speak to a psychiatrist. They have at least 12 doctors. That took about two weeks. They also have evening appointments. That appointment took no time and I passed. My pysch name was Dr. Dipico. Once the appointment was over they faxed the results to CORI while I was standing there. I also asked for a copy of the results for my records. The test for Hpylori cost 65.00 the insurance paid 7.67 I owe nothing. I did this at the DMC labs.
08-21-03 I went for my consultation for the sleep study. Once the doctor did the exam (checked tonsils and breathing, asked a ton of questions about my sleeping pattern) he told me that he recommended that I have a sleep study. He said that they were backlogged 6-8 weeks. This was disappointing because I was hoping to have the surgery about mid-September. That would put me at October. Anyway, once I got to the scheduling person she gave me a date of August 26 for the sleep study. That puts me back on schedule. She said the always have a lot of cancellations. Today is the day I have the Greenfield Filter put in. No food or drink after Midnight. I want my morning coffee sooo bad right now. I guess this is the beginning of many changes of habit I have to make.
09-01-03 I had the Greenfield filter put in place. They give you twilght sleep. It didn't really hurt just felt like a stiff neck the next day. Dr. Talbert was my dr. He has a very gentle manner. The hospital staff at Harper were also very nice. They went ahead and did the blood work for the surgery while I was there. I was supposed to have my sleep study on the 26th but they rescheduled me for the 28th. I had to be there by 8:30. The room is like a motel room. There is a double bed, TV and bathroom. They give you a cup of water and that's it, but you don't really have time to snack. They took me in and had me fill out paperwork. Then they weighed me, took my height and took pictures. I gained 2 lbs since my consultation with Dr. Wood. Then they attached about 12 electrodes to me and told me that I could watch TV until bedtime. At 9:30 it was bedtime. I felt like I was 2 years old. Once I got in the bed they turned out the lights and told me to close my eyes. I did fall alseep. The only problem was that since I went to bed so early I woke up in the middle of the night. They will let you go to the bathroom but that is the only thing you can get up for. It took me awhile to go back to sleep because usually when I'm up that's it. I woke up again and it wasn't time to get up. They don't tell you what time it is, so you feel very off kilter. They finally woke me up. It was about 7 ish. I took a shower and went to work. Didn't feel right for about an hour after I got to work got coffee and food. At least that's the last thing I have to do before the surgery unless I have to get a CPAP machine. I won't know about that until the 17th. My family and I are going to do Atkins while we wait. Maybe I can take a couple of pounds off before the surgery.
09-03-03 Called Mera at CORI today. I let her know I had the sleep study done. She said as soon as they get the results, she can schedule the surgery. So I called Dr. Rowley's office and left a message. I am going to call first thing in the morning. I got my EOB from the insurance company for the Greenfield filter. That surgery was $9708.70. I don't know how much the insurance will pay because the hospital billed it under the wrong name, so it has to be resubmitted for payment. That should be done Monday. Will let you know.
09-10-03 I called Mera today and found out that my results from the sleep study indicate that I have sleep apnea and require a CPAP machine. I have the appointment for that on September the 24. The best news of all is that I also HAVE A DATE!!!!!! September 30. Now that it is real I really don't know how I feel. I'm excited and scared I think. In 20 days I am going to be on the other side. WOW!!!
09-25-03 I went to the hospital yesterday for the pre-op exam. When I had the filter put in the took all the blood test and all I had to do was the EKG which came out fine. As a matter of fact my blood pressure was good to. I started to think why am I having the surgery. I know why. No matter how good I feel today, the problems always come back. The other day my foot swoll up and I couldn't get my shoes on. Anyway, once I left that appointment I went for my followup with the sleep study doctor. I have mild to moderate sleep apnea. I need a cpap machine the problem is that I have to have another sleep study done using the mask and I can't get an appointment until January. My surgery is Tuesday. The said that I just have to tell the anesthesiologist so they can take precautions. When I left I'm thinking why do I need to go back in January since the weight is causing the sleep apnea. Hope fully I will have lost 30-50 lbs by then and won't need a machine. I can't believe I am just five short days from the surgery. I'm not nervous yet. Maybe Monday.
10-02-03 Well I am on the other side. My surgery was September 30 at 10:30 it took 2 hours and I was in my room by 5:00 I think. I was a little drugged. I met my roomate Tracy. Her surgery was done by Dr. Kole. She was really cool and we looked out for each other. First night we couldn't have any thing. The tube down the nose was horrible and the catheter was no party either. Next day the tube and the catheter was removed. The tube hurt coming out but once it was out it was all good. We could have popcicles and ice cubes. The popsicle were the best I ever had. Unfortunately we ate about 2 too many. It didn't hurt or make me throw up just real uncomfortable. I got the epidural which was a blessing because I didn't feel any pain at all. Today we were able to have all clear foods. There was tea, jello, chicken broth, water, and crystal lite. The chicken broth was nasty but the jello and the tea went down well. You have to do 1/2 an ounce every 30 minutes. The hospital staff was wonderful. My favorite nurse was Maria. She was strict but very sweet. Anyway I'm getting kind of tired. Will update later.
10-10-03 I went for my post-op check up. I'm at 357.9 That's 20 lbs down. WOW. Dr. Wood looked me over and said all the staples could be removed. He also said I could start full liquids and then start pureed foods on Monday. I could then start solids in 2 weeks. I told him that I was feeling numbness on my left thigh. He said it was from the epidural and should go away. I forgot to mention to him the hard knot just above my navel so I told the nurse when she came to take my staples out. We got the staples out and she put on steri-strips and told me to go ahead and put my binder on. While I was putting the binder on the nurse came back in and asked me what was that on the floor. When I looked down it was some kind of liquid. She called Dr. Wood back in. Apparently there was a lot of drainage coming from my incision right under my navel it was all over the floor. Dr. Wood started pressing on the area where the hard knot was and more fluid come out. He stuck a swab in the area and it came out with just the clear fluid. They ended up gausing the area and told me to pack it and come see him in a week. He felt it should heal by then. I also picked up my vitamins and some sample packs of protein to see if I like them.
10-31-03 I had an appointment at the gyn today. When they weighed me the nurse told me 302. Now this was amazing to me because that would mean I lost 50 lbs. in two weeks. I also had an appointment with Dr. Wood. When I got on their scale it said 340. Now that's more like it. That's 38 lbs since my surgery. He checked my stomach and said everything is healing fine. I have to go back and see him in 4 weeks. I was going to buy a scale but decided not to. I'll wait until my next visit and be pleasently surprised. He did say I needed to get more protein in. He gave me a B-12 shot for energy. I have started solid foods. I have got to learn to chew slower because when I eat to fast or don't chew enough it feels like a rock in my stomach and I have to through up. Anyway, I go back to work on November 11th. Then the fun begins.
12-08-03 I haven't updated in a while. I went to CORI today just to weigh in. I've notice that my clothes were getting bigger. I have gone from wearing a 30-32 to a 22-24. That was pretty amazing. When I weighed in today it was 321.3. That's 57 lbs down. I've lost a little kid. I have been having a very hard time getting protein in. Today I started drinking Atkins shakes. It was not bad. I couldn't tolarate the powder form. This went down well. I also haven't been exercising, so I am going to start doing Tae Bo. My husband says he can feel my shoulder blade when we hug. The only downside is that I get sooo cold. That's interesting to me because I used to be so hot. If I walked any distance I would sweat. Now I have a ton of blankets on my bed. I have also decided to try taking the depo-provera shot. I read on the main board that the pill becomes less effective, but then I read that it doesn't. I rather not risk it so I'm going to the shot. My gyn won't tie my tubes until I lose more weight. I'll try to keep my profile updated at least once a month. See Ya.
12-12-03 I ended up having to be scoped and dialated. From the time I stated eating regular food I would sometimes have problems keeping them down. It didn't really bother me because I would have good days where things would stay down. It wasn't where I would get nausous it would feel like things where stuck and I would make myself throw up. Anyway, I started to realize that I should probably be eating more food than I do. So I called Dr. Wood office and the set me up to be scoped. After I was scoped and dilated Dr. Hendrick showed me the picture and my opening was very small. He also showed me the after where he enlarged it. So things should go a whole lot better now. The procedure was not bad at all. The gave me an IV. Sprayed some numbing medication down my throat had me lay on my left side and I don't remember a thing until they to me in the recovery room. I got to the hospital at 12:00 and was out by about 1:30. It didn't hurt at all. You have to be n a liquid diet but tommorrow I should be able to eat regular food.
12-20-03 I went to visit my best sistergirlfriend today. I haven't seen her since I had the surgery. We have know each other for 20 years. As I pulled up to her house she was in her car getting ready to pull off. I pulled up next to her and she kept looking at me crazy. I asked her were she was going and she looked shocked. She said that she did not know who I was. She said I was starting to look like I did when I was 20. That was really a breakthrough moment.
12-24-03 Stopped at CORI to weigh in. I'm at 315. 63 lbs down. I was hoping for more but that's ok. Since my dilation I can eat more. It's a good thing in some ways not so good in others. So my New Years resolution is to start exercising and writing down what I eat. So I will update again once I start my new program.
01-23-04 Stopped into CORI. I'm at 306. 72 lbs gone. I have not yet started exercising, but I know I must. I spoke to someone who was on Depo-Provera and she said she gained over 100 lbs. I hope that doesn't happen because that would defeat the purpose of the surgery. On the up side I am losing inches so this must be my first plateau. I guess I can't complain being that I have lost 72 lbs in 4 months. That's never happened before. I said was not going to get stressed about the numbers. Anyway I really need to start to some form of exercise. And I will this week.
03-12-04 I went for my 4 month checkup today. I am down to 300lbs. That's a total of 78 lbs since the surgery. I think my weight lose has slowed down but then again I have not done any exercise yet. Also I probably am having too many carbs. I have been eating a lot of peanut butter and crackers because I was trying to get more protein in. The nutritionist at CORI told me that my diet sounds pretty good except to use a lowfat dressing and ate turkey bacon instead of pork. Fortunately, I discovered that I can eat apples so now I have peanut butter on my apples instead of crackers. I am going to start walking on Monday at work. My clothing size has gone from a 30-32 to a 22-24. I can wear my heels now without my feet hurting like they used to. My goal this month is to get under the 300 lb mark and walk on a regular basis.
05-11-04 I have not weighed myself offically in two months. Unofficially, I weighed at my girlfriend's house and was at 294. That was last month. I can eat almost anything I want. I stay away from bread and sweets. My down fall is Doritos. I think it has to do with the strong flavor. So I try to stay away. I can drink alcoholic beverages. Warning though, the effect is very quick. I try to limit it to white Zinfindal. Still a strong effect. I have started exercising this week. I have been walking about 2-3 mile per day. I have a pedometer that I put on in the morning and go out at lunchtime to walk since it has got warm. I still get cold and have a blanket on my bed at night that I will not do without. I don't complain about the cold too much since I always complained about being too hot.
6-22-04
Just wanted to check in with a weight update. I am now down to 293 officially. Still feeling good. Still walking. I think I'm losing inches. It's coming from the top down.
08-25-04 I think that I am in a serious plateau. I am still at 293. I am starting to think it is from the Depo shot. I seem to get very hungry, although I know I am full. I guess I can't blame it all on the Depo. I have to make sure I drink my protein everyday. I also took a serious loving to Doritos, which I stopped eating. I found that I can eat bread so I don't. I have given myself a new goal. I have to lose 15 lbs by September 30 which is my 1 year anniversery. So I am getting serious. I will be exercising more and doing a modified Atkins program. I will let you know next month if it is the Depo or me.
10-01-04 Yesterday was my one year anniversery. I am still at the same weight 293. I have cut back on junk food and started walking. I am going to have to go back to internist to check my thyroid levels. I have not taken any thyroid medicine since my surgery. I am also going to stop taking the Depo. I think my hormone levels are off. We will see.
2-12-05 I went to my Dr. and found out that my thyroid levels were way off. She said she didn't know why I didn't know. So I'm back on the medication. I went to my ob to request my tubes be tied. My reqular ob couldn't do it because she works out of St. John hospital and they won't let her. I found another ob and am schedualed for February 28th. She called the other day and advised that when she called Dr. Wood he told her that he didn't recommed that she do it because I haven't been to see him for my 1 year checkup. So have to go see him before she will do the tubal. I will be giving him a piece of my mind once I see him. Just to let everyone know. Depo does stop your weightloss.
08-21-05 Just wanted to update my profile. I had my tubes tied as scheduled. I also started taking my thyroid medication regularly. I got on the scale last Monday and found out the I have gained 7 lbs. This weight gain is totally my fault. I am eating entirly the wrong stuff. I have falling in love with Krunchers chips. I discovered I can eat sweets and am trying to keep it at a minimum. I have a tendency to stuff myself even after I am full and feeling sick. On the up side, I had not lost any weight since the last time I posted a weight loss, so a weight gain at least means that the weight has started to move. I have truly found that weight loss surgery is no miracle cure. You have to work at it. It is time for me to get back to work. Dr. Woods gave me an extreme protein diet that consist of 3 protein shake, 3 cubes of cheese and 3 pieces of meat the size of a deck of cards per day, along with 3 vitamins until I lose about 80 lbs. If I do this diet I can lose 20 lbs per week. Although this sound extreme, it is no more extreme than surgery. I did not do this surgery to fail. So I am going to have to get the weight moving in the opposite direction. I would like to lose more weight before my 2 year anniversery on Spetember 30. I'll keep you posted.
12-26-06- I'm back. I am trying to get some encouragement. I have gained about 30 lbs. Mainly from eating all the wrong stuff. I am trying to get back on track for 2007. I need to learn about what's going on within. Weight-loss surgery is a fantastic tool, but you have to fix the other stuff also. I think that everyone who undergoes this surgery should have more counseling than they offer. Just because you can pass a test does not mean that you are necessarily ready for the rest of your life.
12-31-06 I forgot to add in my previous update that my endocrinologist put me on 50,000 mg of calcium. Apparently, I had trace levels of calcium. I've found out through research that low levels of calcium can also slow your weight loss. The Dr. also put me on a higher level of thyroid medication. Now if I can get my diet back in order I will be fine.
05-04-07 I am now up to 40lbs gained back. I have to seriously do something about this weight. I still do not consider the surgery to be a failure. I am a stress eater. I have to work on the things that make me eat. I would advise anyone considering the surgery to work on what your triggers are.
My story is really no different than most. In 2003 I weighed 378 lbs. My feet hurt and I was tired. That's why I had the surgery. I initially lost 78 lbs and felt great. I slacked off on everything that I was supposed to do and gained back 55 lbs. I am currently going to Curves and doing Atkins. I have lost 1 lb and a few inches. It's always been a battle and this one is no different. The surgery does work but it is only a tool. You have to work with it. So I will keep you up dated as to my progrees.
