Strmwalk
|
Melvina Stefan Warren, OH, USA Post Op - BMI: 46.2 Member ID: S1105419952 Contact: Click here to send a Personal Message Surgeon: James Kolenich, M.D.,F.A.C.S. |
Click here for Melvina's surgery support page Click here for the 09/2005 Reunion Page Click here to print Melvina's cards (You can print your own cards, and if you're good at it, you can help print cards for your friends as well!) |
{C}
I was one of the first VBG in 1982. I won't say it was a failure from the beginning. Back then, there was little or no education or support. I did eventually lose 100 lbs. But I feel most of the loss was from vomiting. In 1999 I went back to the same surgeon, because I couldn't eat solid food. He did something. God knows what. There was no information or schooling on what he did. I wasn't very knowledgeable about my health back then. I just wanted to be able to eat without pain and throwing up. Well, now it's 2005 and I have gained all but 20 lbs back. I am so ashamed! I really think I need a procedure. Have been researching RNY and BPD with DS. I hope I find an answer soon.
Feburary 8 2005
Well I guess this is a journey now. 2/11 I have a informational meeting at UPMC in Greenville. Yes, I am going back to the same surgeon. I feel he is a very good surgeon. I did talk to the girl at his office. She reccommended that I attend this meeting and see how things go. I am just hoping if everything is a go-ahead the drs office can get around insurance company. I will keep updating.
Feb 13, 2005
The informational meeting went really good. I talked to Dr. Kolenich personally, and he said I AM a candidate for RNY. Now I have to wait for scheduling of all the tests. My hopes are high, but I know not to get too excited. Just have to wait and see how everything goes from here. I am praying for strength in the months ahead to get me through.
March 7,2005
Updating on my progress. In a few hours I go in for my scope. Boy did I have a scare today. For some reason, I just pigged out. I ate everything that didn't move. Well, that lasted about 5 minutes. But the pain lasted a lot longer than that. I haven't forced myself to throw up in a long time. But I did to relieve the pain. As soon as I did, I got a severe splitting headache. WOW! It was bad. Of course, I forget to tell you. I didn't take my pills the night before or that morning, and had nothing to eat but "the binge". So go figure why. I don't know why I do that, every once in awhile. It's not like I don't have enough to think about. Well back to the update.(sorry about the tangent) Scope scares me for some reason. Have no idea why it just does. You would think someone who already had a VBG a little scope would be a piece of cake. It probably will be, I'm just freaking, I guess. After the scope I just need psych assessment, nutrition evaluation, and a visit to the cardiologist. The last one is the one I am really concerned about. When I had my heartattack 3 years ago, he told me he was more concerned about me smoking than my weight. Hopefully since I quit smoking he will agree to WLS. I did get back result for pulmunary(sp) test. Dr said it looked good and ABG test looked really good too. Steps in the right direction. I really have to start following my diet closely. Diabetic and Heart disease diets are about the same so why can't I get a hold of this? Need to lose some before I see the surgeon again, he is not very lenient about gaining, which is what I think I have done. Maybe the procedure tomorrow will give me the jump start. Well post more update soon.
March 27, 2005
Happy Easter!! Tomorrow starts more rounds of tests. Have my psych evaluation. Wonder what they will find. :) Just kidding I know what they are looking for. To see if I am ready and prepared and able to deal with the life style that goes with the after care of WLS. I definately am more than ready. I have been worrying lately about not being able to get any weight off before I go see the surgeon again. But I figured it out. I really have lost around 20 lbs, but it really doesn't count. Wanna know how. Well I quit smoking on Feb 14, and I haven't gained a pound since then, so I figure that really I have lost about 20, it just doesn't count. hehe. Too bad I know the surgeon won't see it that way, but at least I haven't gained any. Whew! Wednesday is the appointment for the nutritionist. I have a whole slew of questions for her/him. Then getting the go ahead from my cardiologist and that should be it. I sure am ready. Praying everything keeps running as smoothly as it has been. There have been times in these past couple of days where I am beginning to think I don't deserve to have this surgery since I already had it once. But logicly I know I wasn't totally to blame for that surgery failing. Give me strength Lord. I want to start my healthly life NOW!! Patience is something my mother taught me to never pray for. She always said, If you pray for patience, the Lord will give you reasons to need patience. So I am praying for guidance and the peace to handle what comes. Thats it for now.
May 2, 2005
Wow! I didn't realize that I hadn't updated in April. Got to get my act in gear. lol I received a call from the Bariatric Center in Greenville today. All they need now is a letter from my PCP, and extra verification from my cardiologist. They already have one but they want another just to be sure. Which is no problem since I am going to the office next week for blood pressure check. Do it then, and all will be on the way. Wow! Now I think I am getting nervous. I had a little lull in all the tests and phone calls so I kinda forgot what was going on, but this brings it right back into the front of my mind. I need this tool so bad to help get my health back. I am so afraid insurance will say no. But I am not going to give up. No way!! I promise I will update soon.
June 9, 2005
Wow. It sure has been a long time since I updated. Things are going pretty good. All the testing is done. The only hold up is go ahead from my cardiologist. I had the yearly routine stress test and he wants to discuss something about the results before I can go ahead. Well, he didn't put me in the hospital, so it must not be too serious. After he does give the go ahead, I get to make my consult with Dr. Kolenich. I just want it all to be done so there is no more waiting. No patience as you can see. Haven't gotten the approval yet from the insurance either. It sure takes alot of endurance to make it through. But I really do need this surgery to help me get on the path to a healthy life or things don't look too good. It seems like more pains and problems present themselves everyday. But I have done all the jumping through hoops and flip flops that has been asked, so the only thing left is to leave it in God's hands. And that is just what I plan on doing.
The only other thing I worry about is the weight I am gaining. I know it is from quitting smoking, but 16 lbs. since Feb isn't a step in the right direction. But I have started to try and stick to the eating plan I will need after surgery. Lots of protein, protein drinks, crystal light, ice tea with splenda, veggies, yougurt, chesse, and at least 64 ozs of water daily. Since it is summer it really is not too bad. But it is really hard to change without the tool (WLS) to help. Well that was my little update, till next time God Bless All!!!
August 9, 2005
Things are still up in the air. The doctors office sent info to the insurance July 2. I talked to Karen at Dr. Kolenichs office yesterday and she said August 2 she emailed another copy of info to the company. Yesterday I talked to a Care Coordinator and she said I should have a reply by Friday. I can't believe it is finally time to start to get nervous.
I read my profile and I noticed that I didn't include anything about my personal life. Well here goes.....I am 51 years old. My height is about 5'5" or 5'6" not quite sure anymore. I think I have shrunk some.(Guess I am about to the age for that to start happening.) I am married to a wonderful man for 15 years. We have 4 grown boys(from my previous marriage)that consider my husband their Daddy-O. The Lord sure blessed me when I met him. Ok, on to the other stuff. I have been overweight since I was around 7 or 8 years old. I think my first diet was when I was around 10. I lived with my adult married sister and her family for 2 years, when I was around 6 and 7. I always felt like I was in the way when I lived with them. Guess that was the start of my low self esteem. Through the next years up until my last year of high school I was always heavy. (Top heavy to boot, which didn't help with the comments I got from the other sex) I think I kept my weight around 165 to 185 til high school ended. Then got married and the babies started coming. First one I gained up to 230. Went down to about 190 after, but got pregnant within 13 months so started gaining again. Went up to around 245 with the second one. I only lost about 20 lbs after. Third one (4 years later) I went up to about 285. Never lost anything with him, and the 4th one 21 months later I weighed 330. When the baby was 9 months old I had VBG done. That was in 1982. By 1986 I weighed 135 lbs. But that wasn't permanent. I think alot of people on this site know about the failure of most VBGs. Gradually I started regaining in 1989. But I managed to halt the regain at about 200 lbs. In 2000 I had to go back to Dr. Kolenich for repair. As soon as I felt better after that surgery I noticed weight was creeping on fast. By 2002 I weighed 230-245. Then after heartattack in 2002 I gained 40 lbs like over night. Ok that is my fat history. Sad huh. I know other people out there are in the same boat as me. That is why I enjoy this site so much. All the encouragement, support and info is just wonderful. Well, hopefully I will be updating later this week with the message I AM APPROVED. patience, patience. God bless everyone til next time. Jane (I use my middle name instead of Melvina)
August 18, 2005
Woo Hoo!!!!!! Received my letter from the insurance today. It says I Am Approved. Praise the Lord.!!!! I am so thankful everything has went the way it has. It really wasn't such a long haul just seemed like it. I am calling the Dr.s office tomorrow to set up the consult. Wow!!!! This is really going to happen. I am so excited right now I can't concentrate, so I will update later after I see Dr. Kolenich. Bye all....Prayers to everyone who needs a little lift from the Lord. Jane
September 18, 2005
Went to see Dr. Kolenich Friday everything went great. My surgery is scheduled for September 28, 2005. Wow, now that it is so close, I just can't believe it!. Update more soon. God Bless, Jane
October 4, 2005
I am on the other side. My surgery journey was uneventful. I was rolled into the staging area getting ready for my IV(they had to put in at the last minute) I am a hard stick. After the one IV was done, I remember them talking about the Dr. being a little late. The next thing I remember was waking up in my CICU room. Had my leak test, passed. That was Wednesday and Thursday. I went home Saturday and felt good. Thank God for good drugs. haha Really, honestly it was effortless, I keep waiting for the problems to start. Today is Tuesday (tommorrow will be 1 week) I have only felt slightly sick today. I am sure there are days ahead. But I know God will help me through like he has always done. I go to Dr. Friday to have JP drain removed and last of staples out, then I will find out how much weight I have lost. It is really hard not to step on the scales everytime I go to the bathroom. I will wait and see. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers, getting a little tired but had to update on the OTHER SIDE! Love to all and blessings unbounded..Jane
October 11, 2005
Well I am feeling quite a bit better so I thought it was time to update. As I today I have lost 24 lbs. Wow In two weeks! Still having trouble getting my protein in. Water is no problem. I guess it is just day by day. One thing I found out. After hospital and a couple days home, the binder does more harm than good. I feel so much more healed without. Oh sure things are tight and I am really sore, but it was making me think I hurt worse than I did. I have tried to start walking more. It's a little hard when the weather doesn't cooperate. But I pace around the house, just to be moving. I notice the more movement the better I feel. More energy and stuff. I still can't believe it 264 lbs. WOW!!!! Haven't weighed this amount in years. OK on to other thoughts. My meds are definately less. From 3 BP pills, now I only take 1. No more sugar pills. This tool is just one of the most greatest things in the world. Use it, don't abuse it. That's my new motto. haha Well, this was kinda rambling, so maybe I am not as ready for computer as I thought I was. Love and Prayers to ALL
Jane
November 19, 2005
Wow! I didn't realize it was so long since I updated. Bad, bad, bad. Went for the six weeks check up to Dr. Kolenich and I had lost 40 lbs. Yay!!!!. I had a problem with my incision opening about 1/2 inch and draining, so I have been dressing that twice a day. I only have slight pain now and again, especially where the last drain came out. Been doing really good otherwise. Of course some days are better than others. Protein is really a stumbling block for me, but I keep pushing it. Water isn't such a hard hurdle, I have always drank lots of water. Update on meds, no more BP meds at all. I seem to be slowing down on weight loss, could just be me thinking it will all fall off like the first weeks, but now I have lost a total of 44.5, so that ain't too shabby! Hey that is almost 50. WOW! I will take it. I am learning how to eat now. It sure is a learning process. I haven't eaten any sugar yet, but my father in law passed away last week and it was hard to resist all the goodies people brought in, but I made it! I figure the next time will be a little easier to resist the junk, since I know now that I have the strength to say no to that garbage. Healthly body, healthly body. To those of you out there that are thinking about this surgery, it is not a piece of cake.(no pun intended) It is hard work. Mentally and physically. Mentally we wake up from surgery and our brain tells us we ate junk food around 24 hours ago, so it is time for a fix. Of course, it is not that immediate. It takes at least until you are on stage 3 foods(or sooner). So we have to undo our brain from its old habits. I read somewhere once that it takes 30 days to break a habit, and our old eating patterns are MUCH more than habits. Physically, it is painful to have any kind of surgery, and if you have RNY, they move quite a bit of stuff around inside, so you will feel it for a while. Then the fun begins of teaching yourself to MOVE. Hey, I know I didn't get enough exercise of any kind before, but I kept lying to myself and others saying I did. I remember and old saying young men just married used to say, "if you don't use it, you lose it." So I figured I have to use (exercise) my body, or I will have thrown all this good work that the doctor, and I have done. That would just be a waste. But, considering all of this, to me this surgery is definately worth it. God Bless All
Jane
Feburary 18,2006
Wow! I had promised myself that I wouldn't neglect updating my profile after I had surgery, but I guess all great plans....we all know how the rest goes. Well, let's see....as of today I am down 82 lbs., which I think is great. Just so happens the doctor does too. My incision is finally healed. I think I started babysitting my two youngest grandchildren to soon after surgery. I started watching them around the end of October. My granddaughter is 4 1/2, which was no problem, but my grandson who turned 1 October 21(and weighs 32lbs, and to top it off he didn't walk until he was 15 months old). I just love them so much, I couldn't help myself. I had to wick my incision twice a day for over a month, and the drainage was pretty gross. Things aren't well with my sons family. I have vented to my friends and family so much about problems with my son and his wife separating I am just tried of talking about it. It has been really emotional on me and I am so depressed for my son. So on to after surgery. Once (around 1/23/2006) I stopped watching the babies my incision healed in almost 2 weeks. That was the only medical problem I have had so far, except my potassium and magnesium is a little low, so for now doctor has me on script for it. As for body and mind cooperating with after surgery only slight adjustments. Dumping--the only thing I can say is I am glad I don't dump drasticlly. When I do it just feels like someone pulled the plug on all my energy. I have to lie down for about 1 to 2 hours. So I try to be careful and not eat sweets, carbs and the like. Protein and water are still difficult to get in proper amounts, but I know it is so important so I keep trying. Met=RX bars are great!
I am into some size 18s from size 32s. Just seemed like one day I went from 24s to 18s, like overnight. Of course the 32s were pretty tight before surgery so I wore them quite awhile. But all in all I thank the Good Lord, that I was blessed with approval from the insurance to have this surgery. I am in the process of getting back to the cardiologist for update on my heart health. As of now, no meds, no high blood pressure, no diabetes, and no prozac. Of course at times I think I really need the prozac, or maybe not.(Where would I hide the bodies?) HAHA Just a little humor. Really things emotionally are 100% but self-esteem is improved at least 80%. Not to preach, but I would recommend this for anyone with several comorbidities. But definately do your homework first. It is not a miracle, it is a tool. Use it wisely. More soon, I promise
July 4,2006
Wow. I can't believe it has been SOOOOOOOOOOOO long since I updated. No excuses, just toooooo busy. When the weight comes off, the energy level sure goes up. Well, let's see. As of this morning I weighed 177. 109 ugly, depressing lbs gone! Yeah! I honestly never thought I would be at this weight again. I told myself when I had surgery I would be happy with weighing 200lbs. Not no more. I have set my new goal weight as 165. I am sure it won't be too hard to get there. But either way, getting to that goal or not, I feel great. Life is so much more enjoyable when you are not carrying around all that extra poundage. I can't stress how much more energy I have. My house is now livable, whereas, before it was horrible. Healthwise, things are great. Still no meds but potassium and magnesium. And of course vitamins. The only problem I still have is getting in my protien. Thats probably why the potassium and magnesium are low. I keep searching for protien shakes or bars, but some make me dump, and others have just too many calories for me to even consider taking. I try to find bars with at least 20 or more grams of protien. One thing I have done that I wish I had, is I have had no exercise program. I was walking but just gave it up, because I was too disorganized to set aside the time. Everyone having this surgery should definately get into a fitness routine. Too much sagging skin, and the would probably come off sooner. I contacted OH for my century card, it should be on here soon. Wow. Another accomplishment. Well gotta go, things to do. Love and Prayers to all........Jane
August 8, 2006
Things are going good. I went to see Dr. Kolenich for a check up July 12. He was pleased with all the blood work and my progress. You can sure bet I am too. I never thought I would make it this far! This morning I weighed 169. Wow 119 lbs gone. There are times I just can't believe it. I am now into size 10/12 pants and size 16/18 tops or large/xlarge. Instead of size 32. Sometimes I don't recognize myself in the mirror. The mind still hasn't caught up to the size I am now. Dr. Kolenich has set my new goal at 160. I think that is easily obtainable. When I get there he will start the process on hernia repair. He wants me to be at goal, when he does the repair. I am sort of looking forward to it so the excess hanging skin on my stomach will be gone. Well, just wanted to update for right now. Will add more later. Prayers to all. Jane June 4,2007 Well things have really been good. I never had a hernia. I had a fat deposit lump. Which Dr. Kolenich removed in April. Everything went good. But no excess fat removal for me. As of this morning I weighed 154.5. I couldn't be happier with that. 133.5 pounds lost. I have never felt better.
January 29, 2013
Wow, what a long time gone. 5 1/2 years! Well, lets see I weighed 156 this morning. I guess this is okay. Need to eat more protein for energy. I guess that is my biggest obstacle. On September 28, 2005 I made a life changing decision to have surgery. It was a success. I believe I would not be here today, if I had not had the surgery. It is not a fix all for your life, but it is a solution for you health. If not healthy life is miserable.
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: James Kolenich, M.D.,F.A.C.S.
Dr. Kolenich is a stern, very knowledgable surgeon, who is one of the most competent surgeons I have ever met. His staff is very on the ball with everything. If you are planning on seeing him, make sure you have plenty of time. You have to wait quite a while to see him, but it is worth it. From what I am learning about his aftercare program is going to be really thorough. Which is a wonderful thing. He is also very informative about surgery risks. I would rate him overall with a 10+. I believe surgical competence is more important than bedside manner, sure it would be great to have both, but this is my life we are talking about, give me someone who definately knows exactly what they are doing, and need to do, than someone to sit there and tell me what I want to hear.
Insurer Info:
United HealthCare, Select Plus POS
Dealing with UH wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But the company my husband works for carries the insurance, are about worthless. But all the people I talked to at UH I feel honestly tried to be helpful. They approved it in 15 days so I really couldn't be happier.