NancySTX
Yay...I got my old stuff back!!
Jul 03, 2007
have been overweight all my life. I would really like to start living a normal life before I turn 40. (I'm 37)
07/06/01 I'm still here! About a month and a half and I will have fulfilled my insurance carrier's request for 6 months of DR supervised weight loss. I lost 7 lbs then gained it back and now I think I may have lost a couple more..oh well, I'll found out at my next appt with my PCP. Can't wait to get a surgery consult.
08/10/01 I have completed my 6 months of Dr supervised wieght loss. I have also been diagnosed with Lymphoma so the WLS will have to go on the back burner for awhile. I'd like to thank everyone on the site for all the information and especially those who have emailed me personally. I will continue to check
on the site every once in a while but obviously I must take care of the Lyphoma first. Thanks again
08/26/01 Well, I have had my first round of chemo and didn't really have any complications from it. Thank Goodness. I am still planning on having WLS if I don't lose a lot of weight from the cancer. I am hoping I will so I will have one positive thing about this experience. Hope all preops and postops are doing well. Just checking in.
01/21/02 I am so excited!! Just got back from my oncologist's office. I am done with my chemo and won't need any more treatments at this time. Just have to have periodic x-rays and cat scans. I asked him if it was okay for me to persue wls again and he told me in about 6 months would be okay. It will take at least that long to get a consult with one of the 3 surgeons in my area anyway. So now I am back on track!
04/06/02 I have had 2 chest x-rays since my last post and both have come back totally normal. I have a cat scan scheduled for the end of this month and that will really tell us where I am as far as being in remission. I asked my PCP to put my request for WLS before the "board" (or whatever they call it) for review. That way I could be ahead with pre testing requirements and be ahead of the game a little. They said they would review my case after my cat scan. Yea! That means it could be possible for me to have surgery in the summer or early fall. The sooner the better. I found out that the type of chemo I was taking actually causes most people to gain weight (like 50-60 lbs). I only gained back what I had lost before cancer. So now my BMI changes again.
04/25/02 Had my CT Scan yesterday and am waiting on pins and needles to hear the results. My PCP said she would put my request before the board if the scan comes back clean. I'm keeping my fingers, toes, eyes and anything else that will cross, crossed. I should find out next week.
05/20/02 Rcvd the results from my CT scan....good news...the mass that was left after chemo (which my Dr thought was probably scar tissue) has gotten smaller and I have no symptoms of the cancer. The bad news is he said to come back in 3 months with another chest x-ray and then I could go for the surgery. He said he would love to see me after I lost the weight because I would be a knockout...what am I now...chopped liver? LOL He also said my short hair looked really good with my long eyebrows LOL...I sure hope he meant eyelashes! So now I wait a little longer...hopefully in the meantime I can maintain where I'm at weight wise.
10/06/02 I don't know if this will ever happen for me. Everytime I think I am getting close something else comes up. Insurance now wants another 6 months of DR supervised diet with me keeping a journal of diet and exercise, nurses visits every two weeks and DR once a month. I am really depressed about the whole thing. I already did this once and was approved. Isn't it obvious to them that I need this done. I've gained more weight and will probably keep gaining until I explode. I haven'
t even gone to the DR to get the documentation started. I just need to get over feeling like this and do what they want. I am just really discouraged.
11/27/02 I have a consult appointment with Dr Schwesinger April 22...I found out it was not my insurance that was holding me back but my Doctor's Group....Debbie at Dr Scwesinger's office explained to me how HMO's work so now I have changed my pcp. Finally I have made a little progress.
12/08/02 Well, I knew it had to be going too good. I was laid off on Friday. I have a severance package for 6 weeks and then I will have to pay for COBRA if I don't have another job with insurance by then. It really seems that I am not destined to have this surgery. I have had one roadblock after another. I will keep trying though. I'll call the surgeons office on Monday and let them know my situation and maybe they can schedule my consult earlier. I can only hope that losing my job is a blessing in disguise. I have to believe God knows what he is doing in my life and I will trust Him.
01/10/03 I am still moving forward with plans for surgery. I got the info for COBRA and it is CRAZY expensive. I will probably pay ahead when I get my income tax refund. On a happier note I had my psych eval today and it went very well...The Dr said I am a good candidate for surgery as I have no major anxiety or depression issues. If I could only get an earlier appt with Dr Schwesinger!!!
03/05/03 Shot down AGAIN! Dr Schwesinger has had a massive heart attack. All his appointments have been cancelled indefinitely. I don't know whether to give up or start over. It's like somebody is trying to tell me something. My friend Michelle, who has already had surgery,is determined not to let me give up. That's why I love her!
06/16/03 I wonder if anyone else has had the luck I have had in trying to get this surgery. It turns out that Dr Schwesinger will no longer be doing bariatric surgery. His partner Dr Kasanstev is leaving. That leaves me no choice but to go with Dr Pilcher's group. I called today and have an appointment for their seminar...get this...Nov 16, 2005. I don't know if I'll ever get this surgery. Victoria (at Dr Pilcher's office) did tell me that they are adding another Dr this summer so that should move the list up a little. She also said that I should have my PCP write or call them and my circumstances could also get me moved up on the list. I made an appointment with my PCP for next week to see about getting a sleep study done. My husband said my snoring has been keeping him awake. I hate to say it but I hope I have apnea so I can move up on the list. I've gained more weight....I don't know how much...my Dr doesn't have a scale that goes over 350 but I can tell.
07/08/03 Possibly? Maybe? Hopefully!
I went to see the pulmonologist today about having a sleep study done. He told me he can pretty much guarantee me that I DO have apnea. I'm doing the sleep study next Tuesday at home. I don't think I could have slept in a lab anyway. The DR did say that he works closely with DR Pilcher and will send a letter immediatly to hopefully move me up on the list. He also said he would call DR Pilcher personally. WOW! LOL I also had xrays done of my back, left hip and left shoulder after my last visit to my pcp. I got some results today...I have degenerative disc disease in my lower back and she wants me to have an MRI...That might help me move up the list too. I also had blood drawn today for all kinds of tests that my PCP ordered. When she gets the results from that she also will be sending DR Pilcher a letter. If anyone reads this please pray for me to get moved up on the list. I am in constant pain and have been very depressed. Hopefully this long long journey is finally heading in the right direction. I'm not getting my hopes up though because everytime I do they get crushed.
07/10/03 Praise God....Thank you Jesus!!
I called the surgeons office to let them know about my sleep study and they moved my seminar date up to November,19 2003!! Thank you everyone that prayed for me! It Worked!!
08/28/03 I haven't updated in a while because I have had no breaking news. I did get the results from the sleep study and have mild obstructive sleep apnea. I've been trying to use the cpap everynight and have only been able to keep it on all night once. I guess it will just take a little time for me to get used to it. My cat that usually sleeps right next to my face all night is not real happy about the exhaust on the mask. LOL I have the kind with nasal pillows and it is fairly comfortable so hopefully I will be able to keep it on progressivley longer each night. In the meantime I am waiting patiently for my seminar in November. I am hoping to have the surgery by Jan or Feb but with my track record I am making no plans that are set in stone.
111/03/03 Well...here I am again...asking for prayers....I had a mammogram a week and a half ago and it came back abnormal. Dense tissue in my left breast. I had a magnified mammogram of the spot last Thursday and expect to get the news tomorrow. On a brighter note...My wonderful friend Michelle Roberts has been working tirelessly to get me in to see a surgeon. She finally succeeded. I have a consultation on Mon Nov 10. That is another reason I am praying that my results from the mammogram are good. Michelle had surgery with Dr Schwesinger (who had a heart attack and is no longer doing bariatric surgery) and the surgeon I am seeing is doing so as a favor to Dr Schwesinger. (I was scheduled to see Dr S in April and he had his heart attack in March.) The Dr I'm seeing trained under Dr Schwesinger so I'm sure I will be in good hands. If it wasn't for Michelle never giving up hope I might not be as close to having surgery as I am....I would have given up a long time ago without her.
I love you Michelle....No one could ask for a better friend than you!
12/17/03 I HAVE A DATE...12/30/03...got in by the skin of my teeth LOL
1/13/04 Happy New Year! I made it through surgery with flying colors!...had my two week check up yesterday and have lost 24 lbs from my all time high of 380. I have been able to tolerate everything I have eaten so far. I have had a problem with eating too fast and really have to concentrate on not drinking to fast but other wise I am doing great!
02/05/04 I swore I would not be one of those postops that just dropped out of sight after surgery...so here I am. I joined a fitness club and went to my first ever water aerobics class today. It was really fun and I kept up really well. Of course, it WAS the seniors class LOLOL. I used the scale in the locker room and I am down to 332. That's 48 lbs gone in less than 5 weeks...is that incredible or what. Only 2 more pounds to the half century club. WOO HOO!!
02/27/04 Unfortunately the last post I made was a bit premature. I used the scale at the gym and used it wrong. I actually had only lost 38 pounds at that time. However, I have now lost a total of 51 pounds. (I learned how to use the scale lol) I'm treating myself to a pedicure tomorrow!
03/15/04 Water aerobics is going great! I'm actually getting muscles in my shoulders and biceps! LOL I've lost 59 pounds as of today. I seem to go a week or two and lose nothing and then I will lose 2-3 pounds a day for a few days and then go back to the mini plateau. That's okay...as long as I know it's still coming off. Tomorrow will be 11 weeks out from surgery. My BMI is below 50 WOOHOO!
05/31/04 Yesterday was my 5 month anniversary and I've lost 97 lbs. I was hoping to have lost 100 by 5 months but I'll take the 97 anyway! LOL I am still faithfully going to the gym...I've started lifting weights and doing the incumbent bike for aerobic/cardio. I think if I had not been working out since 6 weeks after surgery I would have lost over a 100 lbs by now, but, I like having muscles. So it's a good trade.
04/24/05 OH MY STARS!! I can't believe it's been almost a year since I last updated. Life really gets in the way of computer time!! LOL I'm doing great...living life like never before. I'm down 195 lbs which puts me at 186 right now. A lot of things have changed in my life since surgery but they weren't all a direct result from the surgery. I got a new job in November, I'm getting a divorce (which is a good thing and was a long time coming) and I'm meeting lots of new people and making new friends. And of course keeping the old ones too! LOL I'm just really happy and grateful that I was able to have the surgery and get my life back before it was too late! I'd post a new pic but my digital camera kinda disappeared when the ex moved out!
01/10/06 Boy, time sure flies when you're having fun! Another year come and gone...I can't believe it's been two years since my surgery! I've settled somewhere between 175 and 180 and am very happy at this size. I figure I should lose 10-15 pounds with plastics (sometime in the future) and that will make me just right! Everything has gone really well for me...no complications of any kind (knock on wood). I AM able to eat considerably more than I was 6 months ago but I suppose that is to be expected. I'll have to be more conscious of what I eat now but I don't think that will be a problem since my tastes have changed somewhat. I haven't been to the site since my last update...it sure has changed! I'm going to try to update a little more often...we'll see what happens! LOL
07/06/01 I'm still here! About a month and a half and I will have fulfilled my insurance carrier's request for 6 months of DR supervised weight loss. I lost 7 lbs then gained it back and now I think I may have lost a couple more..oh well, I'll found out at my next appt with my PCP. Can't wait to get a surgery consult.
08/10/01 I have completed my 6 months of Dr supervised wieght loss. I have also been diagnosed with Lymphoma so the WLS will have to go on the back burner for awhile. I'd like to thank everyone on the site for all the information and especially those who have emailed me personally. I will continue to check
on the site every once in a while but obviously I must take care of the Lyphoma first. Thanks again
08/26/01 Well, I have had my first round of chemo and didn't really have any complications from it. Thank Goodness. I am still planning on having WLS if I don't lose a lot of weight from the cancer. I am hoping I will so I will have one positive thing about this experience. Hope all preops and postops are doing well. Just checking in.
01/21/02 I am so excited!! Just got back from my oncologist's office. I am done with my chemo and won't need any more treatments at this time. Just have to have periodic x-rays and cat scans. I asked him if it was okay for me to persue wls again and he told me in about 6 months would be okay. It will take at least that long to get a consult with one of the 3 surgeons in my area anyway. So now I am back on track!
04/06/02 I have had 2 chest x-rays since my last post and both have come back totally normal. I have a cat scan scheduled for the end of this month and that will really tell us where I am as far as being in remission. I asked my PCP to put my request for WLS before the "board" (or whatever they call it) for review. That way I could be ahead with pre testing requirements and be ahead of the game a little. They said they would review my case after my cat scan. Yea! That means it could be possible for me to have surgery in the summer or early fall. The sooner the better. I found out that the type of chemo I was taking actually causes most people to gain weight (like 50-60 lbs). I only gained back what I had lost before cancer. So now my BMI changes again.
04/25/02 Had my CT Scan yesterday and am waiting on pins and needles to hear the results. My PCP said she would put my request before the board if the scan comes back clean. I'm keeping my fingers, toes, eyes and anything else that will cross, crossed. I should find out next week.
05/20/02 Rcvd the results from my CT scan....good news...the mass that was left after chemo (which my Dr thought was probably scar tissue) has gotten smaller and I have no symptoms of the cancer. The bad news is he said to come back in 3 months with another chest x-ray and then I could go for the surgery. He said he would love to see me after I lost the weight because I would be a knockout...what am I now...chopped liver? LOL He also said my short hair looked really good with my long eyebrows LOL...I sure hope he meant eyelashes! So now I wait a little longer...hopefully in the meantime I can maintain where I'm at weight wise.
10/06/02 I don't know if this will ever happen for me. Everytime I think I am getting close something else comes up. Insurance now wants another 6 months of DR supervised diet with me keeping a journal of diet and exercise, nurses visits every two weeks and DR once a month. I am really depressed about the whole thing. I already did this once and was approved. Isn't it obvious to them that I need this done. I've gained more weight and will probably keep gaining until I explode. I haven'
t even gone to the DR to get the documentation started. I just need to get over feeling like this and do what they want. I am just really discouraged.
11/27/02 I have a consult appointment with Dr Schwesinger April 22...I found out it was not my insurance that was holding me back but my Doctor's Group....Debbie at Dr Scwesinger's office explained to me how HMO's work so now I have changed my pcp. Finally I have made a little progress.
12/08/02 Well, I knew it had to be going too good. I was laid off on Friday. I have a severance package for 6 weeks and then I will have to pay for COBRA if I don't have another job with insurance by then. It really seems that I am not destined to have this surgery. I have had one roadblock after another. I will keep trying though. I'll call the surgeons office on Monday and let them know my situation and maybe they can schedule my consult earlier. I can only hope that losing my job is a blessing in disguise. I have to believe God knows what he is doing in my life and I will trust Him.
01/10/03 I am still moving forward with plans for surgery. I got the info for COBRA and it is CRAZY expensive. I will probably pay ahead when I get my income tax refund. On a happier note I had my psych eval today and it went very well...The Dr said I am a good candidate for surgery as I have no major anxiety or depression issues. If I could only get an earlier appt with Dr Schwesinger!!!
03/05/03 Shot down AGAIN! Dr Schwesinger has had a massive heart attack. All his appointments have been cancelled indefinitely. I don't know whether to give up or start over. It's like somebody is trying to tell me something. My friend Michelle, who has already had surgery,is determined not to let me give up. That's why I love her!
06/16/03 I wonder if anyone else has had the luck I have had in trying to get this surgery. It turns out that Dr Schwesinger will no longer be doing bariatric surgery. His partner Dr Kasanstev is leaving. That leaves me no choice but to go with Dr Pilcher's group. I called today and have an appointment for their seminar...get this...Nov 16, 2005. I don't know if I'll ever get this surgery. Victoria (at Dr Pilcher's office) did tell me that they are adding another Dr this summer so that should move the list up a little. She also said that I should have my PCP write or call them and my circumstances could also get me moved up on the list. I made an appointment with my PCP for next week to see about getting a sleep study done. My husband said my snoring has been keeping him awake. I hate to say it but I hope I have apnea so I can move up on the list. I've gained more weight....I don't know how much...my Dr doesn't have a scale that goes over 350 but I can tell.
07/08/03 Possibly? Maybe? Hopefully!
I went to see the pulmonologist today about having a sleep study done. He told me he can pretty much guarantee me that I DO have apnea. I'm doing the sleep study next Tuesday at home. I don't think I could have slept in a lab anyway. The DR did say that he works closely with DR Pilcher and will send a letter immediatly to hopefully move me up on the list. He also said he would call DR Pilcher personally. WOW! LOL I also had xrays done of my back, left hip and left shoulder after my last visit to my pcp. I got some results today...I have degenerative disc disease in my lower back and she wants me to have an MRI...That might help me move up the list too. I also had blood drawn today for all kinds of tests that my PCP ordered. When she gets the results from that she also will be sending DR Pilcher a letter. If anyone reads this please pray for me to get moved up on the list. I am in constant pain and have been very depressed. Hopefully this long long journey is finally heading in the right direction. I'm not getting my hopes up though because everytime I do they get crushed.
07/10/03 Praise God....Thank you Jesus!!
I called the surgeons office to let them know about my sleep study and they moved my seminar date up to November,19 2003!! Thank you everyone that prayed for me! It Worked!!
08/28/03 I haven't updated in a while because I have had no breaking news. I did get the results from the sleep study and have mild obstructive sleep apnea. I've been trying to use the cpap everynight and have only been able to keep it on all night once. I guess it will just take a little time for me to get used to it. My cat that usually sleeps right next to my face all night is not real happy about the exhaust on the mask. LOL I have the kind with nasal pillows and it is fairly comfortable so hopefully I will be able to keep it on progressivley longer each night. In the meantime I am waiting patiently for my seminar in November. I am hoping to have the surgery by Jan or Feb but with my track record I am making no plans that are set in stone.
111/03/03 Well...here I am again...asking for prayers....I had a mammogram a week and a half ago and it came back abnormal. Dense tissue in my left breast. I had a magnified mammogram of the spot last Thursday and expect to get the news tomorrow. On a brighter note...My wonderful friend Michelle Roberts has been working tirelessly to get me in to see a surgeon. She finally succeeded. I have a consultation on Mon Nov 10. That is another reason I am praying that my results from the mammogram are good. Michelle had surgery with Dr Schwesinger (who had a heart attack and is no longer doing bariatric surgery) and the surgeon I am seeing is doing so as a favor to Dr Schwesinger. (I was scheduled to see Dr S in April and he had his heart attack in March.) The Dr I'm seeing trained under Dr Schwesinger so I'm sure I will be in good hands. If it wasn't for Michelle never giving up hope I might not be as close to having surgery as I am....I would have given up a long time ago without her.
I love you Michelle....No one could ask for a better friend than you!
12/17/03 I HAVE A DATE...12/30/03...got in by the skin of my teeth LOL
1/13/04 Happy New Year! I made it through surgery with flying colors!...had my two week check up yesterday and have lost 24 lbs from my all time high of 380. I have been able to tolerate everything I have eaten so far. I have had a problem with eating too fast and really have to concentrate on not drinking to fast but other wise I am doing great!
02/05/04 I swore I would not be one of those postops that just dropped out of sight after surgery...so here I am. I joined a fitness club and went to my first ever water aerobics class today. It was really fun and I kept up really well. Of course, it WAS the seniors class LOLOL. I used the scale in the locker room and I am down to 332. That's 48 lbs gone in less than 5 weeks...is that incredible or what. Only 2 more pounds to the half century club. WOO HOO!!
02/27/04 Unfortunately the last post I made was a bit premature. I used the scale at the gym and used it wrong. I actually had only lost 38 pounds at that time. However, I have now lost a total of 51 pounds. (I learned how to use the scale lol) I'm treating myself to a pedicure tomorrow!
03/15/04 Water aerobics is going great! I'm actually getting muscles in my shoulders and biceps! LOL I've lost 59 pounds as of today. I seem to go a week or two and lose nothing and then I will lose 2-3 pounds a day for a few days and then go back to the mini plateau. That's okay...as long as I know it's still coming off. Tomorrow will be 11 weeks out from surgery. My BMI is below 50 WOOHOO!
05/31/04 Yesterday was my 5 month anniversary and I've lost 97 lbs. I was hoping to have lost 100 by 5 months but I'll take the 97 anyway! LOL I am still faithfully going to the gym...I've started lifting weights and doing the incumbent bike for aerobic/cardio. I think if I had not been working out since 6 weeks after surgery I would have lost over a 100 lbs by now, but, I like having muscles. So it's a good trade.
04/24/05 OH MY STARS!! I can't believe it's been almost a year since I last updated. Life really gets in the way of computer time!! LOL I'm doing great...living life like never before. I'm down 195 lbs which puts me at 186 right now. A lot of things have changed in my life since surgery but they weren't all a direct result from the surgery. I got a new job in November, I'm getting a divorce (which is a good thing and was a long time coming) and I'm meeting lots of new people and making new friends. And of course keeping the old ones too! LOL I'm just really happy and grateful that I was able to have the surgery and get my life back before it was too late! I'd post a new pic but my digital camera kinda disappeared when the ex moved out!
01/10/06 Boy, time sure flies when you're having fun! Another year come and gone...I can't believe it's been two years since my surgery! I've settled somewhere between 175 and 180 and am very happy at this size. I figure I should lose 10-15 pounds with plastics (sometime in the future) and that will make me just right! Everything has gone really well for me...no complications of any kind (knock on wood). I AM able to eat considerably more than I was 6 months ago but I suppose that is to be expected. I'll have to be more conscious of what I eat now but I don't think that will be a problem since my tastes have changed somewhat. I haven't been to the site since my last update...it sure has changed! I'm going to try to update a little more often...we'll see what happens! LOL
HMMM....
Jun 30, 2007
I haven't been here in a long time and I changed over to the new profile. I didn't know I would lose all that was in it.