Torrey
I've been through two surgeons and three insurance carriers. By the time I get my first rejection letter, I end up switching jobs, or insurance carriers, or both. I give up. I'm looking into just going to Monterrey and paying for the surgery mysefl. The cost of all the tests, the time off for consults and tests adds ups. I think I'll save myself time and a lot of frustration by doing this myself. If I was spiteful, I wouldn't and let the insurance carrier pay for all the side issues that arrise from my weight.
8/21/2005
I got approved for surgery last week. It is hard to beleive after almost three years, and three different attempts. My date is 8/31/05. Must admit I'm nervous. However, I'm more shocked at my family's reaction. They've been very vocal about what a bad idea they think this is. I quickly found out they don't know anything about it, but that doesn't change their opinions. Oh well, they felt the same thing about my husband and I couldn't be happier after three years together.
9/5/2005
My surgery was on the 31st, and went well. I had some breathing trouble the first night, but that was probably because they left the binder tight on me. I also started having high blood pressure. The internist gave me something for it and it's been fine since then. I sometimes get high pressure from stress and it was a bit stressfull. My weight was 280.5 on one scale and 281 on another; I'm going to call it at 281. I'll see about getting my measurements next week from Neweigh.
I'm back at home recoverying. While in the hospital I was surprised by the amount of pain. My IV stand didn't roll properly, so walking was difficult at times. But I did it. It's day five and the pain is only occassionally bothersome. The only problem that is getting to me is sleep. I can't sleep more than an hour, hour and half. Finally last night I made it almost 3 hours so I think that little side effect should go away soon.
I'm tolerating food and liquids. Except for runny grits, which give me pain. I still can't manage to mix up the protien shake without tons of clumps. I have to use the blender which is such a mess for a little 6 oz. drink. My husband is a sweety, I keep sending him back to the store for more odds and ends.
I really thought I'd stocked up before surgery. However, the Boost and Ensure I got have too much sugar. The nutritionist recommends carb solutions, but my daughter keeps drinking all the skim milk. I don't care about the calories, it tastes too awful with just water.
Things I wish I'd gotten before surgery:
Pill crusher
Baby Medicine Measuring Spoon
Hand Blender
9/7/2005
I'm still at home recovering. Getting pretty darn bored. I know I'm not ready to go to work yet, but sort of miss it. Decided I'll start Monday. Haven't had any real problems yet so might as well. Until then, I'll keep questing after the better protien supplement.
After one week, I've lost 9lbs. Not bad at all. 272lbs
9/13/2005
No idea how much I've lost dang it. That silly scale I have, a thinner BTW, gives different info every time I hope on it. It's a good way to stay off the scales and worry about it.
Anyway, yesterday was first day back at work. Only made it for 4 hours. I'd forgotten there was a class going on. I couldn't sit in that uncomfortable chair. I was in more pain than I'd been in, in a week after just three hours. There is so much to do at the office I hated leaving, but I needed some pain meds and a nap. Hopefully today will better.
9/17/2005
First week at work was tough. I ended up going in for half days, about five hours a day. I'd be in pain by the time I got home, not bad but not good. I'd take a touch of my pain meds and sleep. Then I'd get up and walk. It's going to be hard to keep up the walking once I start working full time. I usually work about 10 hours a day. Hopefully I'll figure it out, or make myself walk during lunch at work.
I had my two week dr. visit on Tuesday. I'd lost 10lbs. Some how that seems little, but I know I'm not supposed to compare to others. Hubby says my butt looks smaller.
Everyone raved about this stuff called Nectar, a protien mix. I ordered three cans. OMG, they are huge jars. Their size freaked me out. Worse, the first batch I mixed was so sweet I had trouble drinking it. When I did, it make me sick. Now I have $75 of Nectar and I don't know if I'll use it.
At least I'm eating soft foods now. Yum. I had turkey cheese and low fast crackers. What a treat.
10/21/2005
What a month it's been since I last updated my profile. It hasn't been a good one at all.
Right before Hurricane Rita headed for Houston, I started getting nauseus all the time. Then I started throwing up. My doctors nurse, the support board, everyone kept saying throwing up some times is normal. Because of the hurricane I couldn't get in to see anyone. I couldn't go into the office because I never knew when I was going to yak. Bless them, they let me work from home.
Finally I got through the nurse to my surgeon, who refered me to GI. Three days later I had an EDG. Yep, I had a stricture. The stoma opening was down to 5 mm. The GI dialated it and I was back to work that Monday.
During that time, I got so depressed. I couldn't walk. Was afraid to eat or drink. Plus I wasn't really losing weight.
That was two weeks ago. I've lost around 30 lbs. 30lbs is great, but not worth the pain I went through. Heck, I still throw up about every other day. I'm really regretting having this surgery. Maybe next month it will be better.
12/06/2005
I guess it has been about 2 months since I updated last. The stricture thing really had me down. I finally got into the swing of things however. I use fit day to track my food and weight which really helps. I’m also back to work full time and actually staying at work for the whole day.
I’m still a little down about the WLS however. My friend Jeannie who had her’s several months before me, has never yacked. It seems I yack about twice a week. Hopefully I’m at least yacking with style.
The best news is I’ve lost 50lbs. I’m sort of a size 1x, an 18/20 and I feel better. If only I could get exercising. I run around so much at work, that after 10 hours in the office and all the running around, I exhausted when I get home. I’m hoping the 4 or 5 trips to the server room a day count for something. I know I don’t get as tired making them as I did pre surgery. And my feet don’t hurt. Feet not hurting is a good thing.
As of today, I’m stalled. I sit at 231.4 I’ve been 231.8 and 230.8, but basically stuck. I’m working on getting my protein up and more water. It’s just hard to be enthusiastic. It’s also hard because of the holidays. Chocolate everywhere and my favorite bagels in the AM. Since I yacked up half the bagel I ate this morning, I’m thinking I’m may be able to resist that from now on. Too bad the chocolate still goes down so well. I only have one mini bar or something a couple of times a week, but it’s a shame it doesn’t make me dump.
Here’s hoping I’ll survive the holidays.
Cheers
2/28/2006
OK, it's been forever since I updated. My bad. My weight loss has been so slow compared to others I haven't felt like sharing. I have lost 72 lbs as of this 6 mo. anniversary. I had one stall for two weeks at 214. Now I'm in another week long stall at 209. Here's my latest pic. There is a difference.
10/11/2006
Thought I'd share about my PS Consult. I'm lucky enough to live in Houston where Dr. LoMonaco practices. He is the PS who writes in on the OH PS board. He is extermely expericed with post WLS patients.
In order of "need/want", these are the procedures I asked about; Lower Body Lift, Arm Lift, Breast Lift, and Inner Thigh Lift. The LBL is actually 5 procedures in one; Tummy Tuck, Butt Lift, Lipo and Mons/Pubic Lift. After taking picutres, Dr. L said he was comfortable with going ahead with PS now. I only have about 15lb of extra "fat" and it was all in my thighs. He said could the LBL and either Arm Lipo and/or the Arm Lift in one surgery depending on how well the LBL went.
The worse case quote, meaning no insurance, was a little less than $24K. Even if Insurance did kick in, it would only cover the Tummy Tuck. Dr. L is out of my insurance network, so then it would 70/30% after my deductible. Baiscally, to get the LBL and AL, I need to come up with about $20K in cash. Looks like with my 401K and Bonus next year, I can have the surgery done. The worst case on Phase 2 surgeries (everything not done in Phase one) was $13K.
I'd been hoping to have it done in Decemeber because of work. We're moving buildings, and I know I cannot take time off (4 to 6 weeks) until after the move in April. Nothing like putting in a new server room. Oh well, this will give me a chance to save more money and lose those last 15lbs.
I had really hoped that I could get away with not having PS. However, everything is sagging. I've always had an apron/panni, but now my mons sags several inches as well. All the excess skin is making sex with my DH a bit challenging at times. My butt and thighs look like pizza dough. It makes me sad to still feel ashamed of my body after loosing so much weight. Now I can fit into mid length skirts, shorts, sleveless tops, but won't because of all the skin. I don't want to wear a binkini, but its hard to find long sleve bathing suits.
