Loretta D.
7/19/04 - I'm starting all over again. My BC/BS insurance would never cover me. I now hope to have Medicare cover this procedure because I have tried dieting and all has failed. I really need this surgery to save my life. Tomorrow I'll start trying again.
10/9/04 - Well I keep trying. I have been writing Medicare and everyone else I could think of, but with no luck yet. Finally after several calls to Dr. Gooden's office, they are accepting Medicare patients again. (Note: Later found out that Medicare doesn't pre-approve.) I just can't believe after all this time I maybe able to have this surgery.
12/13/04 - My consult with Dr Gooden went well. He agreed I qualified and I sent him copies of letters from my cardiologist, pulmonologist, and psychiatrist. Now I just have to wait for his staff to schedule me.
1/13/05 - I have a surgery date of 2/8/05. I'm going to start walking around the house a little more to build up my breathing. I'm so excited. After all these years, I sure hope my pre-op goes well.2/12/05 - Well the surgery went fine, I had a great surgeon. (love him). No complications so far. The anesthesia - I didn't even know when the put me out or woke me up. That was great. The major problems that I had was being very uncomfortable it the bed. Even though it was and obesity bed, I seem to slide down to the bottom and cramp my legs and back. They left my iv tubes in and my urinary catheter in the whole time which made me very uncomfortable. I kept having pockets of gas and had to get up and blow it out the old "pooter" with a bang. I was lucky to have my husband or sister with me to wipe me and to help me back into the bed. My major concerns was the congestive heart failure and shortness of breath which I already had preop. They put leg compressors on me to help avoid blood clods and also gave me shots to prevent clotting. I also had IVs of potassium because my potassium levels were low. (preop). My heart doctor also came by everyday to check on my fluid retention and listen to my heart. (love him) He also ordered a chest x ray. I had breathing treatment done and I felt like hell until I got home. I'm on a 10 day fluid diet and slowly I've made it to the losing side and gaining back my strength. Oh, another thing I noticed, was that when the medication they gave me to prevent clots worn off I broke out into a very heavy sweat and chills at the same time. That wore off last night.
3/8/05 One month out and I have lost 33 pounds. I really haven't exercised much because of the weight on my knee. I have minor problems with breakfast but do work hard at trying to get my protein in. I find my tastes did change and I have not been able to tolorate protein drinks. Beans, cheese and milk have been my sources. I don't have a problem with fluids.
4/8/05 - I'm swimming almost everyday but I'm losing very slowly.
6/8/05 - I'm really losing slow so I've cut back my calories to 800 or less per day. One of my recent protein discoveries is AchievOne. In fact AchievOne is the only protein supplement that I use now.
7/8/05 I haven't lost much this month. I guess cutting back calories just hasn't worked for me. I'm beginning to feel like a failure. I'm getting hungry alot and getting sick with milk, even lactaid milk. I purchased an exerciser type bike. The kind that you pedal from your own chair and some exercise equipment for the pool. I drink my AchievOne every morning. I get all my liquids in, I just don't know what to do to get my weight off faster. I've been lucky, I did not lose any hair.10/08/05 My swimming season has ended so I need to start some other exercise. I've been very busy this last month and will be in the months ahead. My baby sister has developed cancer and has to go through the whole routine and I intend to be there all the way. I've had my hair highlighted, then dyed red. I guess I'm looking for changes. My most favorite food now is the Jello White Chocolate pudding (sugar-free) with bananas and strawberries. Also, I am using Cal-Mag for my calcium supplement.
11/08/05 I'm down 86 pounds and off of one of my blood pressure meds. Hurrah! I still can't handle milk, sugar, much fat, or sugar alcohols. Ugh.
01/29/06 Well I can tolorate some milk now. I can also eat some sugary foods. My weight has slowed alot because I have been under so much stress and doing little exercise. I'm disappointed that I can eat so much. I've always been able to eat more than most without feeling sick or full. I wish that wasn't the case. I do get really hungry ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON. I'm trying really hard to get back on track! I've posted my fat pictures around the house and started using my fitday to track my intake more carefully.
03/27/06 FINALLY! I've started losing again!! I've lost a little over 100 pounds as of today. I've upped my calories in the form of healthy fats and it seems to have boosted my bowel movements and weight loss. Now I need to work harder on the next hundred pounds.
6/26/06 - I'm in a slump. My weight is stuck. My depression is getting worse. I've had a bone scan and now have to start on Fosamax. I have been taking all my supplement religiously. My blood work is ok. I was hoping to lose enough weight to get my apron removed this fall but I see now it's just not going to happen. I need some big time encouragement to get me over my hump. I need another extreme measure, but I don't know what.
8/8/06 I've had shingles for 3 weeks. The scarring and pain still remain. Today I had more upsetting news my sister has to have one kidney removed. I sure hope I can get rid of my pain so that I can be there for her surgery and after care.
9/8/06 I had a consult with a PS on 8/16/06 with Dr Ewart. Then on the 28th I had a UTI. Thats all healed now but I've have a bad backache for the last few days. After working on obtaining more documentation for the PS and finding a new primary care doctor, I spent a couple of hours in the pool. trying to get in as much exercise before the summer ends.
12/07/06 I had a hernia repair and my panni removed. I don't know how much. Dr. Gooden said he didn't weigh it. I was in the hospital one day. I'm still pretty swollen so I can't tell on the scales that I have lost any. The staples will come out on the 20th and the drain were removed before I left the hospital. I get to take a shower on 12/10.06.
Date
Weight
Total Lost
BMI
2/8/2005
386
0
68.4
3/8/2005
353
33
62.8
4/8/2005
346
40
61.3
5/8/2005
338
48
59.9
6/8/2005
326
60
57.7
7/8/2005
322
64
57
8/8/2005
316
70
56
9/8/2005
312
74
55.3
10/8/2005
304
82
53.8
11/8/2005
300
86
53.1
12/8/2005
296
90
52.4
1/8/2006
295
91
52.2
2/8/2006
290
96
51.3
3/8/2006
290
96
51.3
4/8/2006
286
100
50.6
5/8/2006
283
103
50.1
6/8/2006
280
106
49.5
7/8/2006
277
109
49
8/8/2006
272
114
48.1
9/8/2006
268
118
47.4
10/8/2006
261
125
46.2
11/8/2006
255
131
45.1
12/8/2006
246
140
43.5
1/8/2007
238
148
42.1
2/8/2007
234
152
3/8/2007
232
154
41
4/8/2007
232
154
41
5/8/2007
232
154
41
6/8/2007
232
154
41
7/8/2007
8/8/2007
