Robin F.
I'm 37 years old with a BMI of 52. I'm about to get health insurance for the first time in over 5 years!! I've already checked, and they cover this surgery as long as i'm considered "morbidly obese", no worries there!
8/08/06
I have gotten my health insurance at work, now waiting for the insurance cards to come by mail. Can't see the doctor without them unless i want to pay for the visit! I have been reading reading reading profiles on this site, i've found them very informative and interesting. I can't wait till i'm posting my successes!
Here's a list of my current health problems associated with my obesity:
Type 2 Diabetes
Hypertention
High cholesterol
Reflux
Joint pain
PCOS
Hypothyroidism
Neuropathy
I also think i'm beginning to have problems with my bladder. I think my weight is putting to much pressure on it causing me to go more frequently but also feeling like i'm "leaking" a little.
I started gaining weight in high school. More exactly, when I moved out of my dad's house and into my fiance's family's house. I went from a home that had little to no food in it and certainly no junk food, to a home that had 3 cooked meals a day, tons of snacks and junk food. I thought i was in food heaven! Try telling a 17 year old not to eat that stuff LOL
I married very young, at 17...during my senior year of high school. I would not change a single thing about that! Darryl was/always will be my soul mate. Like i said before, i moved into his home with his family before we were married. I saw the weight start to come on very soon after but Darryl never said one word...he loved me unconditionally!
Over the next year, i continued to gain weight at a fairly slow rate but gained nonetheless. Then tragedy struck...my dear husband was taken from me, killed in the line of duty as a volunteer fireman. Talk about depression and anger and pain and everything else that comes along with such a devestating event. Needless to say, i turned to food for comfort therin starting one of the worst habits of my life.
Here i am, 20 years later and approximately 175 pounds heavier than i was then! I'm guessing my weight is about 315 but i don't know for sure. I quit smoking about 6 months ago and have not weighed myself since because i know i've been eating everything in sight! It's still been worth it to have quit after 21 years of that nasty habit! I have not had a single puff the entire 6 months, that's pretty great considering i smoked over 2 packs a day for the past 10 of those 21 years!
My body, my health, and my state of mind are in the worst shape they've ever been. If i dont have this surgery, i know i will be dead within 10 to 15 years. My family health history is pretty bad, my dad had 5 heart attacks before he was 50. My dad's mom died from breast cancer, his dad and my mom's dad died from strokes. I'm doomed!
After 20 years of hiding my depression, i finally asked my doctor to give me something for it. He put me on Wellbutrin XL which helped my moods tremendously, unfortunately, it had some side effects which caused me to stop taking it. He had prescribed this also for it's supposed usefullness in helping to lose weight, well for me, it did the opposite, it made me hungry ALL THE TIME!!! I also started to notice some problems with weak and sore muscles in my neck and jaw which scared me.
Ok enough of my history for now, I hope to begin my WLS journey very soon. I'll be lurking about on this site quite frequently, and popping into the chat room as well. If you see me around, please, say hello, give me any advice you have, tell me all about your journey's! Till i have more info...God Bless everyone!
8-24-06
I've managed to wrangle my member ID and group number out of my insurance company so that I can at least make a doc appt. even though i havent gotten my cards yet. I went to call my PCP the other day to make my appt. and they are out on vacation till this monday (arrgghh). So first thing monday morning, i'm making my first appt. in my WLS journey :)
9/01/06
I had my doc appt today with my PCP. Everything went very well, he gave me my referral without hesitation, in fact, his nurse called ahead to get their fax number and while they had her on the phone, they went ahead and scheduled my first appt! I go sept. 15th for my first official appt with the dietician to start my 6month program. I am very excited!!
My doctor actually spent nearly 2 whole hours talking with me today!!! I was very surprised, but very pleased. I had a whole list of things to discuss with him regarding my general health as well as WLS. He was very patient and let me read over my entire list, while he took notes. When i was done, he told me which area's he could help me with and which ones i needed to see other doctors for. While he had stepped out of the exam room for a moment, i weighed myself...i was mortified...i knew i had gained some weight from quitting smoking...but i was not prepared for that number. GULP...313...i wanted to run out of the office and just cry...but..i know that soon enough that number is going to go DOWN...forever..i just gotta keep the faith and hang in there!! Oh yeah, that puts my BMI at 52 :( My doc scheduled me for all sorts of labs tomorrow, plus from the looks of my swollen ankles, he believes i have sleep apnea as well. He changed my diabetes medicine, he increased my blood pressure meds, and he changed my cholesterol meds. He also finally prescribed a pain med for the severe neuropathy in my hands and feet (mostly feet).
I don't know if anyone is reading my profile or has read it, but if you are or have, please include me in your prayers (if you pray)that i have a safe and educated journey from here on out! Will update again after my appt on the 15th with my dietician...God Bless and best of luck to everyone!
9/15/06
I had my appt in Danville today, what a wonderful experience! The doctor i saw was so nice and friendly. She made me feel at ease the instant she spoke. She made me feel better about myself too, and that is hard to do! We spent almost 2 hours talking about WLS and my co-morbidities. She ordered lab work because she noted in my records i had once been diagnosed with a low thyroid but am not taking any meds for it. Turns out my thyroid is low and she wants me to start a med for it right away. Go figure...I go to see another doctor about a sleep study on Oct 5th. My next monthly meeting is on Oct. 11th in State College, Pa. This is much closer to my home!
My official starting weight was 313.5. My insurance program requires a 10% weight loss(from starting weight) for all patients. My doctor told me since i recently quit smoking (Feb 26th) that i now only have to lose 5%(16 pounds) before my 6 months are up. They gave me all the hand outs on diets and how to read labels and what to look for in the nutrients, etc. I'm on a 1200-1500 calorie program. She also suggested i could try using the Slimfast diet. I guess there's a new one called Slimfast Optima that's supposed to be higher in protien then before. Guess i'll find out soon enough. I am NOT dieting this weekend, i am going to eat whatever i want and not feel guilty. Come Monday though, everything's gotta change...I can and will do this for myself...for a new lease on life!!
9/22/06
One week since starting my diet...and i'm very proud to say i have lost 4 and 1/2 pounds!! I did so good on my food this week. I watched every calorie and fat grams. I wrote everything i ate and drank in my food journal. That really makes you "accountable" for what you eat by journaling it. I have decided that saturdays will be my "free" days, no diet. I will eat whatever i am craving, just in moderation. Then back to the diet on Sunday. Well that's about it for an update, will update again at next week's weigh in. God Bless
9/29/06
Not much to report except that my diet is still going well. I am now down 7.5 pounds in 2 weeks!! I can't complain about that at all. I may not do so well this coming week though, i have company coming from out of state. We shall see :)
11/5/06
Hello again, alot's been going on since my last post. I've been on my diet now for almost 3 months and i had lost as much as 16.5 pounds but i've gained and lost the same 5 pounds a couple times. I'm still losing though, so that's the good thing. I go for my 3rd appt at the weight loss clinic on the 8th of november. I can't believe i'm half way already! I just found out that i have obstructive sleep apnea and have to have my tonsils removed as they are enlarged and partially blocking my airway when i sleep. I am NOT a happy camper about this for sure! I've got alot of doctor appt's coming up this month. Going to see a foot doctor for a diabetic foot exam, have to have a mammogram, eye exam, blood work, 2nd sleep study (this one with cpap machine) and of course, the tonsillectomy appt. Busy busy busy i am. My lowest weight was 297 at the doc's last week. Will get my official weight at the clinic on wed. I weighed in at 310 last month. Hoping to be at or under 300 this month. I have to be under 297 for my 5% loss required by my WLS program by the end of the 6 months. I'm sure i won't have any problems with that as i'm nearly there now. Well, will update again soon, God Bless
11/21/06
Well i've had my 3rd WLS appt and i've had my appt with the "ear, nose & throat" doc about my tonsils. At my WLS appt, I weighed in at 300 on the nose! That's a loss of 13.5 pounds since sept. 15th. My doc was very happy about this. I'm now scheduled for Dec 13th for my 4th appt. I will have my resting metabolism tested at this time. Now for the bad news...not only do i need my tonsils out, i also have to have my uvula(spelling) removed as it's about the size of a thumb according to my doc. He also wanted to perform an "experimental" procedure on my tongue to reduce the thickness at the back. Since my insurance will not cover this 500 dollar procedure, i will pass on that lol. I am scheduled to have the surgery on Dec. 8th (friday) and will spend one night in the hospital. The doc told me he wasnt gonna sugar coat this, that i would be in extreme pain but that they would give me very good narcotics ...gee thanks doc lol He told me i can expect to be off work a minimum of 1 week, with the possibility of 2. If i'm off 2, that will melt right into my christmas break at work, giving me off from Dec. 8th through Jan 1st!
I have my shrink appt set for Dec 18th, i should be healed enough by then to do some talking. I'm a little worried about my appt on the 13th though, that will only be 5 days after my surgery, and i'll still be loopy from the narcotics i'm sure lol. Hopefully i can carpool with my new friend Pam from my group. She and I are planning to carpool to our shrink appt's in Danville, as well as our Jan 8th appts in Danville.
I woke up this morning with my "friend" who hasn't come to visit in many months. I'm not happy about this at all, feeling very irritated, bloated, crampy, just down right UGGHHH. Figures it would come over the holiday. Oh well, such is life i suppose. Until next time...God Bless
12/13/06
Had my 4th of 6 appts for my program today. Things went very well. As a result of having my tonsils out this past friday, i dropped 10 pounds in a week! Officially my weight as of today is 291. That's a loss of 22 pounds since sept. Not to bad, but i'm sure i'll gain a few back once i can eat without so much pain again. And christmas right around the corner, oh yes lol.
The surgery went well i suppose. I didn't have any complications except for extreme pain. The doc said my tonsils looked like meatballs and he supposedly took some pics..hoping to see them tomorrow at my check up lol.
My dietician gave me her "green light" saying i'm very knowledgeable about the surgery and why i want to have it. I know what will be needed to change things in my life and to utilize my new "tool". Now to convince the shrink of the same things on monday. The lady i was to carpool with has decided to put things on hold in her journey, possibly forever. She will have to review her finances closer to see if she's able to proceed. I certainly hope she get's to see her dream come true.
With my weight loss, my BMI has dropped below 50 which should enable me to have Lap instead of open. Keeping my fingers crossed on this.
Well, until next time, God Bless and Happy Holidays!
3-14-07
It's been awhile since my last update and quite a bit has happend. I've just today finished my 7month program!!! I am now waiting to hear from my surgeon's office about when my appt will be to meet him. At that appt i will receive my date!! I am officially approved for surgery as of today as well!
My weight has dropped from 313.5 (starting weight) to 289 as of today! That's 24.5 pounds lost before surgery, just have to maintain that now! I've started experimenting with protein shakes. I've made a good mixture from frozen pinneapple chunks, 1/2 frozen bannana, skim milk, choc flav protein powder and 2 pks splenda. Yummmmmmmmy!! I've also finally started to walk for exercise. I went 1 mile yesterday without stopping, which surprised the heck out of me! Normally i'd have to stop several times for lower back pain. My feet and legs are a bit sore today, but no pain no gain right? I will be walking again on friday then hope to get a more regular routine set up next week, probably mon/wed/fri kinda thing. One of my co-workers who also happens to be getting ready for WLS is walking with me.
Well, i will update more after i get my date! Until then, God Bless and take care!
4/16/07
Hello again! Alot has happend since my last post. I've finished my WLS program and have had my consult with my surgeon. After meeting him, i'm very confident in his skills. I have a date too! May 25th 2007!!!! I go in for my pre-op tests on May 1st, then start my 2 week liquid diet on May 12th. It's been such a long journey for me...and a part of me i guess never quite thought i'd get to this point. My emotions have been on a super dooper looper of a roller coaster since receiving my date. I'm sure that's normal, i'd be worried if i wasnt reacting this way.
I'm struggling to keep the weight off that i have lost pre-op. I'm starting to feel the "last supper" syndrome creeping into the back of my mind. I do ok through the week with work as a nice distraction. But...the weekends are the worst...i have nothing to distract me and i'm such a weakling at times when it comes to food. For the most part, i dont keep anything extremely fattening or sugary in my house so that does help, but still, you eat enough of something it's still going to add up! I'm really trying to work on my behaviors...it's tough for sure. Well...more later!
5/22/07
Well i'm just 3 days away from my new beginning!! It's still hard to believe and i'm not sure i really do believe it. I mean, i KNOW it's on friday...but my mind and body haven't really let it sink in yet...i'm sure it will hit me any time now lol
My liquid diet is going ok. I've cheated a little, but have still managed to lose 7 pounds so far. My sister drove up from Tennessee this past weekend with my 3 year old nephew to be with me after my surgery. I'm so very thankful for her doing this, and she's 4 months pregnant with her 3rd child :) (i'm hoping it's a girl)
I want to send out a sincere thank you to all of you who have talked to me and touched my life through this website. I want to thank OH for creating such a wonderful site for us to meet and share our experiences both good and bad. I know i would not be as sure about my decision and as knowledgeable as i am had i not been a part of this site! Thank You!
Well, that's about all i have for this update. I'll be sure to catch up once i'm on the losing side and feeling up to it. May everyone who's about to have their surgery have a safe, successful, uneventful and painfree (or as little pain as possible) journey! God Bless!
