CyndiLee

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I'm a little late writing this.  3 Months was on the 28th...but better late than never.  I still feel great.  I am in a size 16.....OMG...  We went to Jekyll Island this past weekend and I went to the water park and actually rode all of the big slides with my kids.  They loved it.  I am so glad I made this decision.  It has truly saved my life.

I should have done this on the 28th, but I was busy. I haven't updated in a while. My life has already changed. As of my 2 month post op I have lost 60 pounds. WOW. I can't believe it. In addition, my co-morbidities are GONE.

High Blood Pressure - 2 medications NOW: 120/70 no meds
Diabetes - 1 medication NOW: 85-95 all the time no meds
Sleep Apnea - well....I don't use my machine and my husband says I don't snore....so... who knows.

I know that the surgery didn't cure my rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia, but those feel better too. I wonder if it is because I am off of all meds, caffiene and carbs (except for in my veggies/fruits).

I feel so much better and I can't wait for the next 60 pounds. I know it will take a lot longer than 2 months to lose the next 60 pounds, but....it didn't get here over night and it will not be gone overnight.

I have been very luck. I have not had any complications so far. I pray that I continue that way. All I know is this is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. Couldn't be happier with the results so far.

Oh Yea....I was in a size 24 and now I am in a 18. Yippee.

Well, I said I wasn't going to leave another comment until AFTER surgery...well...I lied because here I am.

OMG...my first day of "colon cleansing" has kicked my rear. I am totally dehydrated. I am already cleaned out but I have to drink another one today...they are trying to kill me. (just kidding).

As of this morning, I have lost 15 pounds during my pre-op diet....yippee. I am a little more subdued about my excitement today. The jitters are creeping in. I find myself gravitating towards negative postings on the board, so I think I am going to quit looking today. I need only positive thoughts today. After today....you know the saying "misery loves company" ...I'll be on the negative comments crying with the best of them. hahaha.

I am almost a loser....I can't believe it. I have waited so long.

This is definitely my last post until after surgery. Thank you all for the prayers and best wishes I have been getting. It means a everything to me.

Well, I'm down to the weekend before surgery on Monday. I had my endoscopy on Thursday, and that went smoothly. Dr. Hobson was great. The hospital moved quickly and on time, so it really makes me feel that Monday will be smooth as well. I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning.

I've been on a high protein diet for 2 weeks and have lost 13 pounds...yippee. Today I start my clear liquid diet and have to take phosphosoda (yuck) today and tomorrow. Oh my Gosh that is going to be so gross. But....it must be done.

I am really excited and have met some great people on OH and have so much support here and at home. My friends and family are so excited for me. I am such a blessed person to have the support I do. God is good.

Keep me in your prayers. I won't be updating again until AFTER my surgery. OH WOW.....

Nine days until my surgery. I am really excited. I've been on my pre-op diet for almost a week. It really isn't as bad as others I've read about. I just can't have carbs. I have to drink a protein shake for breakfast and a lean meat and vegetable for lunch and dinner with clear sugar free drinks in between. It has been very easy. I can't believe how full the protein drinks make me after I have one. At first I think..."oh my gosh...this didn't feel me up". Then a little while later I notice that I am just not hungry. It lasts for several hours. It is amazing.

I have my pre-op on Tuesday. I'll update how that went. Just keep me in your prayers. I love everyone on OH....you guys are the best.

April 15th -   Meet with Dr. Hobson for initial Consult
April 22nd - Pre-op appointment all day....can't be late
April 24th -  Out patient endoscopy
April 28th -   SURGERY
May 13th -   First Post Op


I am so glad I'm finished with my surgical coordinator.  She is the most aggrevating person I have ever met.  If it wasn't for me wanting to have these doctor's perform my surgery because of their reputation, I would have been gone because of her.   She has caused me major stress.  But....now I do not have to deal with her anymore.  Thank you GOD!!!!!

I just got my approval letter from Aetna and my date is April 28.......I can't wait.  I've got a date....I've got a date....I've got a date.

Wow.  I haven't updated in a long time.  Since my last update, I finished up all of my requirements.  Thought I would never get finished.  

While doing all of the doctor's visits I have been diagnosed with one problem after another.  When I first started, I had RA, but not really any co-morbidities that I knew of.  Unfortunately they were all there....just undiagnosed.  I have Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and sleep apnea.  I now am on medicine for all and a CPAP machine.  This journey did indeed save my life.  I wouldn't have been tested for all of these things if I hadn't started my quest for WLS.

Anyway back to the topic of approval.  Peachtree Bariatric faxed my packet over to Aetna on March 19.  I was told to wait 5 days to call and make sure they received it.  Of course I didn't wait 5 days.  I called yesterday, March 24.  The girl I spoke with found it in the system, pulled it off and assigned a claim number to it and told me she was going to go ahead and send it to nurse review.  She told me it could take a week or so.  Of course I didn't wait a week....I waited a day....I called today and was told I had an approval.  It was approved YESTERDAY.  The same day it was looked at.  I am so thankful.  God truly did take care of me.

I'm just really excited.  I will call the doctor's office tomorrow and get my pre-op appointment schedule.  Thank you LORD.

August 22, 2007

 Well....I have done several things towards getting approval for Aetna and towards preparing my brain for this surgery.

I started meeting with my PCP in July to discuss the surgery and start having her document my weight and my 6 month pre-op diet.  I also have to do a 3 month multi-disciplinary diet with a dietician and an exercise physiologist in addition to still checking in with my PCP monthly.  I had my first class last night and really enjoyed it.

I have had my psch exam and was cleared for surgery.  I had the blood work my surgeon wanted and now I Have to have a glucose tolerance test.  My glucose serum was 177....soooo that sort of sucks.

Things are moving along.  I still have until the first of January before I can even have the surgeons office submit my paperwork.  So...I'm truly trying to learn everything so that I am prepared (this site is so wonderful for that purpose)  and I'm slowly getting all of my pre-op exams etc. done.

I'm still very excited.

Today I attended a seminar given by Peachtree Surgery and Bariatrics.  The doctors are Dr. Duncan, Dr. Hobson and Dr. Rashid.  I think I am more confused.  I definitely have decided I want the Roux en Y.  I had thought I wanted lapband but I think that would just waste my time.  I want to have this done like yesterday.  Today they said that with Aetna you have to go on a doctors supervised diet for 6 months.  When I read Aetna's criteria, they give 2 choices...The 6 month doctor supervised diet and a 3 month multidisciplinary blah blah blah thing.  I suppose on Monday I will try to figure out if I can do the 3 month thing.  I came home and made an appointment with my PCP to start my clearance letters and my blood work.  I just pray that I can do the 3 month supervised diet.  

I have a different situation here.  My insurance is a PPO.  I have a 300 deductible and a $1500 co-insurance amount.  Well, I just found out that I have to have a hysterectomy this year.  So, it would be wonderful if I could get all this done because the hysterectomy is going to make me hit my $1500 co-insurance, which means the roux en Y wouldn't cost me anymore.  Financially speaking....I need it before the end of the year.  If I can't get everything done, I will probably postpone my hysterectomy to the beginning of next year and by then I should be ready for the roux en y too.  That will not be great...but I can do it.  Raising all these kids makes me think of money issues as well.....Pray for me please.