SARose61
I just turned 40 and I am falling apart physically...lol Honestly, I am diabetic on insulin have gained more weight than ever since being placed on insulin. Tried too many diets to mention. Just went to a new endo yesterday and was waiting to be given the usual diet lecture, instead the 1st words out of this guys mouth was we really need to work on getting you approved for stomach surgery. I was so impressed. I told him that my employer was going to change insurance groups in Sept and he said we should then wait until then to begin the process of writing letters etc. Honestly I am more nervous about the apporval process than I am about the actual surgery. I will post more as time progresses. Unfortunately my other problem is that I have been sick so much because of my diabetes that I have depleted my sick leave and vacation time. I hope to be able to bounce back from this surgery quickly cant take much time off. I sit a
t a computer all day at work, not much lifting at all. I hope to learn a lot from people on this message board.
08-30-01 Just got back from my drs appt with my pcp. He is all for referring me for surgery. My insurance changes to humana as of Sept 1st. Here is the decision that I have to make. There is a group of drs in San Antonio that is the only group that does the RNY procedure appt are scheduled thru 2003 with them. I asked my dr about personally calling them to see if he could get a better date and he said that even though I feel my condition is severe that there are others in worse condition that have not been able to get moved up. Now there is another dr is SA that does the VBG and you can get an appt with him in around 2 months. However he is renegotiating a contract with my new insurance so has suspended making appt for anyone using that plan. I know the RNY is the surgery that is most talked about here. I am afraid that the success rate for the VBG is not as good. But can I patiently wait a year and a half for this surgery?
8-31-01 What a difference a day makes. After posting to a local support group. I found out this morning that there is another dr in San Antonio that will do the RNY. He is Dr. Wayne Schwesinger. He is a professor of surgery at our local medical school and he does consults for this surgery also. I have my 1st consult with him on Sept. 26th! Gosh I never thought anyone could get this excited over the possibility of having yourself cut open and your insides rearranged. But I certainly am excited.
9-10-01 My surgeon's office finally received the Referral from my Primary care dr. Now all I have to do is try to sit still and wait for my appt on the 26th of Sept. 16 days from now.
9-27-01 My 1st Appt yesterday with the surgeon, Dr. Schwesinger, was very simple. I filled out the profile sheets which weren't very detailed at all. I was given an eleven page article to read about the surgery, I already knew most of what it said. I was very disappointed when I stepped on the scale they have there, I now weigh 368 lbs! No wonder I feel so crappy all the time.
We went over my medical history and I gave him my typed up version of it which included my failed dieting attempts. He explained the tests that I will need to have. Psch test, visit w/the nutritionist,a visit with the other surgeon on his team, and because of my history of pneumonia a visit with the anesthesiologist. He did not mention a sleep test nor an upper GI or endoscopy. I told him about the continuous tummy problems that I have had and a positive test for H Pylori that I had in 1998. I need to find out the type of treatment that I got for it and then he will retest for that and if I am clear then no endoscopy is needed. H pylori leads to ulcers sometimes and it resides in the bottom portion of your stomach, if not resolved it would remain in the portion of the tummy that would be sectioned off after the surgery and very difficult to treat. I was really suprised at how simple this all seems. Is this less than what other drs require?
I now have to wait a week and call his administrative assistant to check on the status of the letter he will write and send to Humana.
I asked him for a time frame for all of this. He said if approval goes smoothly and we schedule all the tests, I could be scheduled for surgery in about 2 months! I told him about really hoping to be able to have it around the holidays since we get lots of time off then from the university and he said that it was very possible.
I wish I could have had a camera to catch the look on my husbands face when the dr was explaining that the new pouch would only hold about an ounce of food. That was all he kept repeating back to me on the way home, an ounce, an ounce.
Well now I really start the waiting game. I better keep myself busy to keep my mind off of having to wait again.
10-8-01 Well I finally heard from my Dr's office and they told me to go ahead and schedule my psych evals. Said I have to see both a psychologist and a psychiatrist. They are getting back with my PCP for referrals to the other appts I need to make, nutritionist, endoscopy, anesthesiologist etc. Oh and I asked about the sleep test and they told me that I am going to see the anesthesiologist because of my asthma and pneumonia history and that he will ask me lots of questions and determine how best to handle my respiratory care before, during and after surgery. He might reccommend treatments before surgery to strengthen my lungs and reccommend the sleep study.
Dr. Schwesinger is out this entire week, but the office assistant said we could schedule all this and have all the info together to send with the letter for surgery approval. She said my dr. is one of the hardest ones to get to stop and dictate. Just because he is head of surgery at the teaching hospital, I cant see why that would be a problem. But Donna, I guess maybe you are right, all the tests can be done before the letter of necessity is sent to the insurance. I just thought that the insurance needed to approve all of the tests 1st. I'm confused anyway...as long as I feel like I am doing something. 1st psych eval is on Oct 22 with Alamo Mental Health Group. Psychiatrist on Nov. 8th. Now at least I feel like I am waiting with a purpose...lol
Gotta get back to work...we do not get the holiday today :(
10-24-01 I went for my psych test Monday. The MMPI 567 totaly ludicrous questions that I hope will not label me as crazy enough not to have this surgery. Some other folks I have talked to said they didnot have to take that test. Go figure each surgeon sets things up a certain way. I have to have all my appts with psych, nutrition and a 2nd surgical opinion all done before the letter for approval even goes to the insurance. Waiting to schedule the other two things. I am also tackling some tummy problems that I have because I am diabetic or because of an tummy bacteria (H Pylori) that never completely cleared itself up a couple of year ago. Waiting for blood test results and I am taking some meds for Diabetic Gastroparesis (lazy tummy muscles). If all this helps I may not have to have an endoscopy. Keeping all my fingers and toes crossed.
11-13-01 I had my follow-up with the psychiatrist last Thursday...I am mentally stable enough to have this surgery. I tested positive for H Pylori and I am taking the 14 days of medication that I need to take to clear up that tummy problem. I meet with a nutritionist this Thursday and then the 2nd surgeon on Friday. I am getting there. After that my main surgeon writes the letter for approval and that is it. A friend of mine is having a hard time after her surgery and I really think about that and what will be in store for me. The closer I get to this, the more I think. My family really needs me. My daughter graduates high school next year, my youngest begins high school next year. I have to be positive about this and trust in God and Hope for the best that this surgery will be the best decision that I will ever make in my life.
11-19-01 I had my appt with the nutritionist Dr. Dent on Thursday the 15th. He was so easy to talk to. I expected a thorough scolding for letting myself get into the shape I am in. Instead what I got was a very realistic talk about what life is going to be like for me after surgery. He said that the 1st 6 weeks or so, you iron out any of the problems you have with surgery. The drs follow you very closely. After that you are again on your own at it is up to you to follow the regimented diet, try to exercise, and maintain that for the rest of your life. He compared it to trying to hitchhike from Texas to Canada and finding someone to take you the 1st 30 miles then kicking you out of the car and having to walk the rest of the way on your own. I get the picture. He also made the comment that it would take about 2 years for anyone to really stretch their pouch out and start regaining lots of weight. On Friday the 16th I had my 2nd surgical opinion consult with Dr. Strodel. A very fine surgeon. He made me feel a whole lots more confident about the Univ. Hospital group of surgeons I am seeing. My actual surgeon Dr. Schwesinger did not have a chance to go into the detail that Strodel did with me. Strodel also recommended that I have a heart echocardiogram because I had used phen/fen in the past to rule out any damage to mey heart. Only bad news here is that my next appt with my surgeon is not until Dec. 5th. so I wont be getting approval or a surgery date until after that. Strangely enough, I am feeling very patient about this now, not in as much of a hurry as I was when I began the whole process. Plus I'm actually gonna be an Angel for Cass DeLaGarza who is having surgery on Nov. 29th with Dr. Strodel. That should keep me occupied and my mind outa trouble...lol
12-4-01 Tomorrow I have what is suppose to be my final appt with my surgeon. His office manager, Debbie assures me that approval and getting a surgery date should follow shortly after they submit my info to Humana HMO. The problem is that I have had to corral every other dr that has to send info to my surgeon. From experience folks...follow up on every promise someone makes you. My psych assuredme that he would send a letter ASAP to my surgeon. I saw him Nov 8th as of last week when I called their office it was pending his signature. They finally mailed it on Thursday. I have been playing phone tag with my PCPs office also they need to send a copy of my medical records where my PCP states that I am cleared for surgery. There was nothing like that in my records even though they did the referral??? Hopefully tomorrow my appt will go smoothly and I will not be told that I have more hoops to jump through. But hey if I have waited this long...I can keep waiting. All I want for Christmas this year is to be approved for surgery and be given a surgery date!
12-10-01 I've had some set backs! My surgeon wants me to see a cardiologist because I took phen/fen. That appt. is on the 13th. He also wants me to see a pulmonary specialist because of my history of asthma and pneumonia that visit is not until Jan 2nd. So no surgery date for xmas...I wont get a surgery date til sometime in January. I moped around for a couple of days because of this. I went shopping and did some volunteer work for a local christmas charity to take my mind off of being disappointed. Everything will happen in its due time. Of course I want to make sure I am healthy enough to have this surgery without any more chances for complications that those that already exist.
01-09-02 Happy New Year! I am still jumping hurdles. Wouldn't you know it when I went to see the cardiologist my blood pressure was sky high. I have always been borderline hypertensive, never on any meds. He put me on something and it made me feel awful, groggy lethargic, nauseated and running to the bathroom. I stopped taking it. I went for an echocardiogram on Dec. 22nd. My heart was beating too fast. But I have been taking lots of puffs from my inhaler for my asthma so that might have been what was causing the heart to beat fast. I missed my follow up with the cardiologist on dec 26th...hey who feels like going to the dr the day afte xmas! I had that rescheduled for january 15th. I met with the pulmonary specialist had a pulmonary function test and an xray...he cleared me for surgery and gave me a maintenance drug for the asthma so I dont use the inhaler so much...it seems to be working. Wouldn't you know it right after seeing the pulmonary specialist, I developed a very bad cough and now I am coughing up ugly junk. I hope this doesn't linger on forever. So Jan 15th is my next and hopefully last hurdle. The cardiologist has to clear me for surgery and then it is back to the surgeon for his final blessing and hopefully a surgery date. One day at a time. All this waiting gives me too much time to think about all the what ifs and I hate that. I am such a worrier. What if I spring a leak, get pneumonia, croak!!! But..what if I go blind, lose a limb end up on dialysis, croak!!! Wish I had an on/off switch for that part of my brain that is responsible for my paranoia....lol
1-22-02 My cardiologist had me go through a chemical stress test today. It was one of the most awful medical procedures I have ever gone through. They hook you up to an IV and run a drip of some type of medicine that makes your heart rate increase up to about 160 beats. I thought I was dying. Then they inject an isotope into your veins so that they can see if you have any blockages in your heart. All my cardio tests came back OK. I have my clearance for surgery, but boy did I have to work hard to get it!
1-28-02 I feel like a kid waiting for christmas. I have my final pre-op visit with my surgeon next week on Feb 6th. I should know a surgery date then. It is starting to sink in that maybe within a month or so I will be on the losing side. Like every time I sit down to eat something I really like, I wonder if this will be the last time I ever get to eat it...lol I hope this week flies by!
2-7-02 It has been a long, long road and all well worth it. I am scheduled for surgery on Friday Feb. 22nd. I am not sure of the time yet. I have to call the Univ Med Center at 3:00pm the day before and they will tell me the exact time. My dr said more than likely it will be early in the am and I will have to be there about 6:00am. I am so excited but I dont think it has fully hit me yet that this is really going to happen in 2 weeks. I have to go get my pre-op blood work, chest x-ray and ekg done at my primary care physicians ASAP and I have to take that to the anesthesiologist at 8:00am on the 20th. Thank you Lord for carrying me thus far, I place myself totally in your hands.
2-11-02 Went and did all my pre-op tests. Blood work, UA, EKG and Chest X-Ray. I dont know why but I am feeling totally drained, exhausted. Maybe it's because my emotions are on such a high and the physical condition of my body just cant keep up. I am hoping that surgery will change all that my mind will no long be able to keep up with my super charged body...yeah right..we'll see...11 days and counting...
2-19-02 Surgery is just 3 days away. I'm a little bit nervous and just anxious for the day to get here. I am more anxious about the huge hospital I am going to be in. I have been told that the wait sometimes for a room can be hours in recovery. I have to put my family through all that, but good to know in advance what to expect. I go see the anesthesiologist tomorrow morning. I will not find out what time my surgery will be until Thursday after 3:00pm. I am hoping this scratchy throat I have does not turn into a sore throat.
2-20-02 I had my appt w/the anesthesiologist and left so upset and in tears. My blood pressure is always sky high and it was true to form at the hospital. I was informed that if my BP is high the morning of surgery they may not operate. I was devastated by this news. I have worked so hard to get to this date. I have decided to take the day before surgery off to rest completely and put myself in the right relaxed frame of mind for surgery. If it was only that easy. ARGHHHH!!!!
3-2-02 I made it. I am on the losing side. I m 1 week post op. Home with my family ...Praise God! Thank you to all the beautiful people on this site. Will post more as I feel up to it.
3-6-02 Went to get my staples removed. My incision looks really good, no problems with infection, yet...I have to watch that. Boy does it really itch. I know that will get better with time. I have lost 35 lbs from my heaviest weight before surgery. I am trying to regulate my insulin taking half of what I was before surgery about 70 units morning and evening now. But my bg levels are up then come way down making me feel really dizzy and some blurry vision too. See the endo on the 19th. We will see what happens...gotta get some rest now. Waiting for my energy level to pick up. I am on pureed diet 2 more weeks...and I take flintstones vitamins and I am drinking carnation instant breakfast between meals for more protein.
3-9-02 Now that I am feeling more human again, let me post about my surgery experience. I arrived at the hosp at 6:30am. About 15 minutes later I was taken back to the surgical prep area w/my 17 yo daughter along for support. I was hooked up to a BP monitor and of course my BP was way up. I started to panic, Oh My GOD they will kick me outta here. I was told to relax and that they would be giving me something through the IV to lower my BP. WHAT!!!! All that worrying for NOTHING!!!! So here comes the happy head resident to try to talk me into an epidural for pain management...I said sorry sweetie, I prefer the PCA morphine pump...he pouted and went off to plead his case with someone later returned and said OK...you win...PCA pump it is. I have heard many epis dont work well if they are too hi or too low in your spine. So they come back and start discussing my BP and what to do not to do and that we need to wait and the ugly little voice in the back of my head starts telling me what are you doing here...hehehe I tell my daughter you know what, I've changed my mind...lets get outta here. One of the residence overheard my squaking and they give me something to make me happy in my IV, but only after asking me if it is OK to to that...I say yeah...what the heck. I am wheeled to the OR, moved to the table and strapped down...no running out now. 2 residents try at the same time on each arm to insert arterial IV lines (a precaution due to my Hi Blood Pressure) and I remember that hurting like hell...then WHAM I am out and waking up in the recovery room. I spend an eternity in recovery because it is a big teaching hospital and trauma center. I was put in surgical ICU because I ran a temp for 2 days highest of 102. Passed my barium swallow leak test, still had a fever so next day they did an open MRI scan and I passed that too. When I passed that the nasal/gastric tube was removed and I was allowed to finally sip water. On the 3rd day the fever broke and I was moved to a regular floor. I did not get up to walk until that 3rd day. I was on clear liquids 3-4 day and started full liquids - cream soup on the night of the 4th day - yummy yummy. I was very pleased with the level of care that I received at the Univ Hosp that had been one of my biggest hesitations.
3-19-02 I am 3.5 weeks post op. I have lost a total of 44 lbs and as of today my endochrinologist has taken me off of insulin! I am now taking only 1 oral med for my diabetes and I only take it if I am over 160 bg before each meal. This surgery has been everything I could have hoped for so far. I am having just a little bit of trouble eating, but that is my own fault. I have to learn to slow down, eat small bites and chew chew chew. Oh yes, let me not forget to mention thatafter being released from the hospital my blood pressure was high normal and has remained that way since surgery. I am not taking anything for my blood pressure at all anymore!
3-25-02 A total of 50 lbs lost. I am having a little bit of trouble eating. I think I eat too fast sometimes. Saturday nothing would stay down - lunch and dinner came back up. Sunday was better. I am trying to up my protein intake because someone said the more protein you take in the better the weight loss.
4-03-02 I developed a very bad sore throat this past weekend w/sinus drainage into my pouch. I was not able to eat much of anything the past 3 days because I would get severely nauseated and throw up. I have been very weak also. Getting sick so soon after surgery has really left me feeling terrible. Luckily today I am better I was able to keep down some beans w/cheese and a piece of low fat ham and crackers. Gettin sick is not the best way to lose 12 lbs in a week. But I am so amazed at being this close to breaking under 300 at just 6 weeks post op.
4-11-02 I gained a couple of lbs this week...probaby because last week I was so sick my body thinks I am starving it. I am also having some burning pain and sharp little pains right above my pouch. They come and go. I hope my visit w/dr. S. next week will shed some light on what is going on. I am thinking it might be an ulcer at the stoma...probably will need to be scoped.
4-29-02 I have finally made it under 300 lbs (297) and I wonder if this time I will never see over 300 again. I certainly hope so. My eating problems have improved. I have to stay away from anything that is too acidic, lemonaide kills me. Dr. S. thinks I am doing great and he said he did not think I needed a scope...that worried me. But thank God eating has been so much better this week. I have to stay away from anything fried, it will not stay down. I do best eating meats alone not in combination with anything else. I had an embarrasing moment this past weekend. We were invited to eat out w/my in-laws at a chinese buffet. I went around the buffet tables 3 times before chosing something to eat, most everything looked stir fried and I knew it would not agree with me. This restaurant only has 1 person bathrooms. I felt the food I had eat coming back up on me, felt the pressure you feel when your pouch is not happy and I knew I was in trouble cause my Mother-in-law was in the bathroom. Well you know what happened next...I tried to up-chuck into some paper towels but did not make it. I was so embarrased and the restaurant staff looked so worried. I assured them that I was sick before eating to calm their fears of a health dept. visit and we left the restaurant ASAP. Maybe they will think about expanding their restroom facilities....lol
5-14-02 I think I can finally say that I feel pretty much normal now this is my 12th week. I am use to my new eating habits. Meat is always my top priority with each meal and I try not to mix lots of different foods at the same time. I started walking last week w/a group from work and find I can keep up with them and even do stairs! Clothes are starting to get really baggy now. Have bought some 2Xs but even those are very roomy.
5-30-02 This past weekend was a true test of my new found stamina thanks to WLS. I had 2 church services to oversee back to back, one was confirmations for my youth class w/the bishop. I was on my feet there from 2:00pm til 7:30pm and later that night we were invited to a dance and guess what at 11:00pm I was still doing the boot scootin boggie on the dance floor. I wore a nice new size 1X dress that I bought...gotta get some pics scanned one of these days. On Sunday we took a day trip to Mexico and again I walked around all day long and didn't pass out from exhaustion or heat. Did have a little trouble keeping a mexican taco down that I had for dinner...all that grease...I should have known better...lol!
06/12/02 I only have one thing to say plateaus suck big time. I am eating more than I use to and I know that at times I may even be eating some things that maybe I should not. But I am in no way eating anywhere near the amout that I ate before surgery. This past week I even stepped up the exercise. I hate to say this but this is starting to feel just as hard as any of my pre-op dieting attempts...reality has hit hard and I know I cant give up...I have to try harder.
06/17/02 Broke thru the plateau...lost 2 lbs. the hard way lol. I remember now what the nutritionist told me this surgery is like hitch hiking from san antonio to canada and getting a ride only to new braunfels and having to walk the rest of the way. I have to step up and make good choices and choose to exercise to. Set up our pool this weekend and did lots of water exercises. I have to think like the little engine that could...I think I can...I think I can.
06/24/02 Wow what a difference a week makes. I lost another 6 lbs. I now only weigh 2 lbs more than my husband....hehehe. He is losing too which is a good thing. He lost 5 lbs this week. I am 6 lbs away from hitting 100 lbs lost...some people I know cant believe that I have lost that much...but hey I am a big n tall girl and it is amazing how much weight I was carrying on these bones.
07/22/02 Today marks exactly 5 months since WLS. I am stuck hovering 2-4 lbs from hitting the 100 lb loss mark. I weighed 270 last week...272 this past weekend. This is very frustrating it now seems like I hit plateaus continuosly for 4 weeks at a time and just hover on the scale. My snacking is not under very good control. I know so many people hate dumping...but I wish I was a dumper. I am starting to wonder if I will be one of the persons who never really reaches goal. I know I am much healthier at 272 than I was at 368 but would much rather be a healthy 200 or even 180. I feel very overwhelmed right now.
7/29/02 I am still teetering on the scale up a lb down a lb. On my drs scale last wed though I was down to 265...I know by my scale that is just not right. I am feeling more positive this week. I managed to walk more in the evenings 3 times last week. My blood sugars are staying very close to normal range now. As a matter of fact I have to start watching out for lows. I actually had a low sat night after walking around all day at flea markets and I thought I was just feeling tired..tested and actually was low at 68 bgl. Maybe very soon I will be able to control my diabetes w/diet only....yeah! I guess that alone should be considered a success...much more so than any number I see on that darn scale of mine.
8/5/02 I guess my pattern will be no loss for 3/4 weeks and then a 5/6 lb loss. I am now at 266 lbs. I just found out that my B12 is very low and I guess that is why I have been feeling rather dizzy and out of energy to the point of feeling like I am going to pass out. Going to my PCP for a B12 shot on weds.
8/26/02 I'm in another holding pattern...one day scale will read 260 the next it will read 263. You'd think I'd be use to these ups and downs. I went hiking this weekend with my husband. Not a very long trail...but kind of steep something I would have never done last year. I am so proud of myself. Took my daughter to the salon yesterday to cut her hair and I sat in a chair across from a full wall mirror. I caught myself just staring at myself and smiling...I am so vain...lol
9/16/02 Still hanging on to the same weight. 258...then it will jump up to 260. I went and bought a new outfit for our family reunion which will be on Sept. 28th ...It is a size xl stretch bell bottom black pant and a 1X top. I was very pleased with how I look in it. How wonderful it is to enjoy trying on clothes as opposed to how I use to dread it.
10/14/02 Scale is barely moving...but then again...I am barely moving...only walking in the morning for 20 minutes with group from work. I have to keep reminding myself that this surgery has already been a big success for me. My health is 100% better than where I was at last year at this time. I have to remind myself that I didn't put myself through major surgery to let my old habits of being a couch potato and a snackaholic get the best of me...oh yeah..all this and here come the good old holidays!!!!!
11/05/02 I am so happy...I bought a pair of size 16w pants this weekend. Even though losing is very slow now...my body is taking a nice shape...it is great to get into smaller sizes...I love thrift stores! One mans trash is another man's treasure...how true it is!!!
2/24/03 Well a year has come and gone since I had my surgery. I have not posted in a while. I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am no longer losing weight. I came to a dead stop over 3 months ago and I keep going up and down from about 247-252. It is very unnerving. I also can eat lots of things I shouldn't be eating, because I do not dump.
3/8/03 Looks like I finally broke a 4 month plataeu. I have been seriously cutting the carbs out of my diet for the past 2 weeks and I think that has made the difference.
Date Weight Amount Lost
09/27/01 368 Start Weight
02/22/02 360 8 (Surgery Date)
03/06/02 333 35
03/13/02 328 40
03/19/02 324 44
03/25/02 318 50
04/01/02 306 62
04/08/02 308 60
04/15/02 302 66
04/22/02 300 68
04/29/02 297 71
05/06/02 293 75
05/14/02 288 80
05/22/02 286 82
05/28/02 282 86
06/12/02 282 86
06/17/02 280 88
06/24/02 274 94
07/06/02 272 96
07/09/02 270 98
07/22/02 272 96
08/05/02 266 102
08/12/02 263 105
08/26/02 261 107
09/04/02 258 110
10/14/02 256 112
10/23/02 252 116
11/15/02 251 117
11/25/02 247 121
