Tonya P.
10/03/05
I have my information session scheduled for November 14th 2005 and my office visit with Dr. Kirkland on November 17th 2005. I wish there was a way to speed up this process, I'm anxious to get started. A few people I have spoken to were suprised I was able to get in so soon. I called Dr. Kirklands office on September 29th 2005.
11/14/05
Went to information session today it lasted about 2 hours. They had 3 speakers who were each speaking about their role in this process. Everything they said I had already heard but I guess it was different hearing it from the people who mattered. At that time I had a reality slap that this was real and my entire life as I know it is changing. I hope I can handle all of this. I meet with Dr Kirkland on November 17,2005.
11/17/2005
Well today was the meeting with Dr. Kirkland. It was more of an informal lecture it was not a one appointment but one where everyone sat in the waiting room and he addressed everyone at 1 time. He was very in formative and gave alot of history. When he was done speaking we were weighed individually I was not happy to learn that I went up 5lbs and that my BMI is now 44.7, I'm a borderline diabetic. My PCP had already written me a letter of medical necessity and I brought that with me so they were able to start the process with the insurance company. I was given instructions to attend 2 support group meetings and schedule the Psychology evaluation. That of course is not covered by insurance so I will try to work that in somewhere the cost is $200.00. So I guess this is it my journey has begun.
12/06/05
Ok, I never thought I would be updating this so soon. Yesterday when I came home from work there was a message on my answering machine from Dr Kirkland's off saying that they had my approval. How surprised was I, I had just had my 1st consult with him on 11/17/05. One thing which may have helped was my Letter of Medical Necessity, my PCP had wrote this for me ahead of time and I brought it to the consult with me, and handed it in at that visit. I called his office back today and right away things began to move they called and scheduled 2 of my appointments for me the Cardiac and the Pulmonary clearances both in the next 2 weeks. I still need to schedule my Psychological evaluation which will cost $200.00 and the Nutrition Counseling which will cost $300.00 these of course I'm trying to do last as they are the 2 thing that require cash payment. So somehow I need to save this up ASAP. You hear so many horror stories about the rejections and the fights with the insurance companies, I'm just glad this update is not one of them KEYSTONE HEATLH PLANEAST POS is in my corner and that is a great relief.
12/08/05
Today I got my date...February 24th, 2006. Not so far away. I'm feeling alot of things including joy, fear, overwhelmed, unsure right now my head is a big jumble and all of the sudden I have a million question running through my head.
02/19/06
Well my day is growing near. I'm not quite sure how I feel yet. I have not had any anxoius moments. Maybe the reality of the whole thing has not set in yet. I met with the Nutritionist and had P.A.T done on the 13th of February. I can say that was the most overwhelming part of this whole journey so far. I have been able to change a few of my habits and I'm very proud of that. I still have alot to work to do, I guess they will fall in place now as time is running out. On the 21st I go to meet with Dr Kirkland and sign my consent forms at that time I will find out his goals for me. I will post again after that office visit.
02/21/06
Well today I signed all the consent papers, I also gained 8lbs I was not real happy but I have not been very active lately due to increasing back pain. I made arrangements to have my kids taken care of, you know getting one to school and the other to daycare. I wish this day was over already. I have read all the literature given to me, read all the advice off of the message board & talked to alot of post-ops. I guess you still are never really prepared for it, because everyone is different and will respond differently to the procedure. So on Friday I will find out how it goes. I was told to call the office on Thursday and they will give me my time to report to the hospital on Friday.
02/28/06
Well I'm happy to say I'm happy to say I'm post-op. I must say that so far I have been very lucky and I have had no problems. Procedure was done on Friday February 24th 2006 I was discharged on the 26th how great to be home. I must admit I was in alot of pain I woke up in the recovery room. I felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin. The Morphine did nothing at all they had to put me on Torodol (That may be spelled wrong) but it worked wonders !!!!!!!!! I was unable to sleep the entire weekend some due to pain and some due to not being at home in my own bed. The first night was not very was comfortable hard to turn over at night and sit up in bed. I was and still am very lucky no nausea, vomiting or cramping. I'm still on clears and starting fulls today. So now is trial and error with the different shakes. It does hurt to luagh, cough and blow my nose. I'm going on vacation for a few days I hope it's a little better by the time I leave.
03/13/06
Well today makes me 17 days post-op nice to say everything is back to normal. I had 1 bad episode today vomiting I did feel better after though. I was trying to eat the reccomended amount give to me by the dietician it was just to much at 1/2 cup. There was a time when I could get down a 1/2 cup of anything in a few bites, or gulps I can't believe the difference, now it may take me an hour to eat 1/2 cup of scrambeled egg whites with cheese yesterday's breakfast. I must admit this experience has made me scared to eat. I did get some advice from the message board, I use it alot. As usual it was good advice that I could agree with and follow. I am happy to report that I am down 25lbs so far.
300/275 never thought I would see that number again. I still have a way to go but I'm happy with the start so far.
06/06/06
Long time no post but I'm back went through a few personal issues, now most of them resolved. I am HAPPY to report that since my surgery date 02/24/06 I have lost 51.2 lbs and I feel great!!!!!!!!
It's nice to see people paying attention again and seeing me, not a fat person. There is one thing I am still trying to get over and that is people saying how great I look..... Never thought I would be hurt by those words, somehow I now find those words painful. It makes me feel like I was not good enough before, like I never looked good before. I went through a time where I felt like the surgery failed...... ya know the did it work mind game I reached a 36lbs weight lost and stayed there for a while, I panicked. I have read many postings on the message board about how this surgery can affect you thought process and never thought it would get me but I was wrong. Lesson learned, my next hurdle is smaller clothing and working out my trainer noticed that I was a little insecure at the gym (HE HAD ME WORK OUT IN FRONT OF THE MIRRORS) I still hate to see myself in the mirror, I can't see the changes like others around me can I look in the mirror and see the same body I have had for the last 10 years. So everyday is a struggle to face myself and try to accept the always changing me.
06/19/2006
Wow feeling great got on the scale this morning it read 237 lbs... I was sooooooo happy 17 weeks & 3 days out !!!!!!!!!Who would have thought, 2 days before surgery I weighed in at 300.6 I am down 63 lbs I never thought it would happen but in time. I am still having trouble seeing to new me in my mind I still weigh 300.6lbs. I did buy new work scrubs and I am so self concious co-works keep noticing that I am pulling my shirt down all the time force of habit I guess.. I sometimes think my clothes are too tight but they really are not it's my mind, I'm not use to wearing things that fit properly.. I alway bought thing a size bigger so no one would notice or see the fat rolls I have. Any way keep positive and have faith it will all work out in the end.
07/14/2006
Just dropping a quick note, today is my scale day I only get on once a month so drum roll please............. down 75.2 lbs this is great!!!!! It's just so hard to see it my clothes and my scale say 1 thing but looking at my body is another thing. I went and bought a full legnth mirror hoping that would help me see what others see. Maybe soon????
11/05/2006
It's been a while since I have written anything. The weight is still coming off, but I think I am in a spot where I need to now becareful. I know that you will reach a point where things start to slow down & I think I have reached that point. As of today I now weigh 202.6 exactly 98 lbs from when this journey began. I am very proud of myself but I wanted to have reached the 100lb mark last week, but it's ok I know I will have reached it by the end of the month.
03/24/2009
It's been forever since I have written anything. So to update I still need to drop the last 27-30lbs which seems impossible. Honestly I could and should be doing more to help it along. My boys are getting older and are keeping me on the go. I have met a wonderful man who loves me and thinks I'm perfect the way I am. I have been considering surgery to remove excess skin but have not had the nerve to do so yet maybe next year??? I ended up needing a hernia repair, a year ago in January, that went well and I have had no problems since the repair. I went to buy a dress a few weeks ago I found 1 I really liked, they only had a 12 and an 18 left I knew the 18 would be too big, and figured the 12 would be a joke never the less I tried it on and I must say it looked great so it was well worth what I paid for it. It's nice not having to go to the plus section anymore. I can fit into 14-16 jeans. Can I tell ya I never thought I'd see that day. So be encouraged not discouraged we all have set backs.
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Matt Kirkland, M.D.
Insurer Info:
kHPE, POS
