Okay, so it appears things have been moving along far too smoothly for us. Turns out that my Psyc Dr. has a lot going on in her own life and isn't able to finish my report any time soon. Thus everything is on hold for me. This is very upsetting. Its not like its the end of the world or anything but it is frustrating since I am doing my best to follow all directions and taking steps to get everything done in a timely fashion. I tend to be a bit over-controlling on schedules and such... just the way I am. Like that control, and this most definitely, is out of my hands.
So it should come to no surprise that I have, with everything going on in my life, recently landed myself in the hospital with chest pain. I had to go to the ER because it really felt like it was starting to get serious. This being said, I am fine. Blood work was great, xrays great, God if I wasn't more than 100+ pounds overweight I would be considered perfectly healthy!!! Ha ha. ANYWAY turns out I am going to have to curb my enthusiasm towards taking on new projects and occasionally say no to a project or two. Not really my style, but I guess I can adapt.
So I planned on taking a day off with the Hubby and being the kind guy he is, let me sleep in. WELL, as rain often does... it poured... meaning an hour after he dropped the kids off at school (and almost exactly the moment he got home) the phone rang... school called. One of the little ones was sick and he had to turn around (another hour) and get the kids and bring them back home (another hour). Royally sucked! But he is a good sport about it all and we were able to salvage some quiet time during the day... you know when it rains, it pours.
Speaking of pouring. I went to drop off his paperwork at the center today only to find out I needed to take it to the surgeon's office at the hospital. Ugg. But I also learned his surgeon has not completed his paperwork so it can be submitted to the insurance for approval. Not a problem except that it is almost the 1st of May and his tentative date is May 21st!!!! So the insurance rep in the office doesn't seem overly concerned but it is starting to wear on us both. His date being held = my date being held = more stress in my life if it gets back into the busier time of my job. Yikes. Keep fingers crossed and I will keep you posted!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
What a Pain
So we are only one month out from G's surgery!!! Very exciting. In an effort to get a head start (and under strong recommendations of the Doctor) he is starting to at better and follow a high protein diet. It is hard to follow along because I am about three months out from mine but I am trying hard not to be a bad influence.
So, he has a chest x-ray scheduled and is planning on attending the monthly support meeting this week, which is another highly suggested (almost required) aspect of it all. It should be interesting to meet a variety of people in various stages of pre and post surgery.
SO we decided to start walking and exercising. Holy crap! I am so much further out of shape than I even thought. AMAZING. A year ago I was losing weight on a low fat/high exercise diet and was walking miles a day. I did a 1/2 mile loop around the block and thought my calves would explode. My head was pounding, my legs burned, and I sweat in a way that was totally unlady like... and yet it *kinda* felt good. Haha. Seriously! It was a good hurt. I mean when I came back I sat down and cooled off. But that night I felt less bloated, I ate a little better since I had "worked" for it, and even slept a little better. Have to say the back wasn't a big fan of me walking but that will get better soon too. It is entirely laughable that a year ago I was damn near jogging (though wouldn't suggest it at my weight with knees/joints/etc pain). But I could very easily walk a 12/13 minute mile... now can't do 1/2 a mile in 15 minutes. Small steps!
Wait and see how far I walk in my new thinner body! I will feel like I am floating around the block I imagine. No more lead for legs... just wait. The time is nearing!
So, he has a chest x-ray scheduled and is planning on attending the monthly support meeting this week, which is another highly suggested (almost required) aspect of it all. It should be interesting to meet a variety of people in various stages of pre and post surgery.
SO we decided to start walking and exercising. Holy crap! I am so much further out of shape than I even thought. AMAZING. A year ago I was losing weight on a low fat/high exercise diet and was walking miles a day. I did a 1/2 mile loop around the block and thought my calves would explode. My head was pounding, my legs burned, and I sweat in a way that was totally unlady like... and yet it *kinda* felt good. Haha. Seriously! It was a good hurt. I mean when I came back I sat down and cooled off. But that night I felt less bloated, I ate a little better since I had "worked" for it, and even slept a little better. Have to say the back wasn't a big fan of me walking but that will get better soon too. It is entirely laughable that a year ago I was damn near jogging (though wouldn't suggest it at my weight with knees/joints/etc pain). But I could very easily walk a 12/13 minute mile... now can't do 1/2 a mile in 15 minutes. Small steps!
Wait and see how far I walk in my new thinner body! I will feel like I am floating around the block I imagine. No more lead for legs... just wait. The time is nearing!
Friday, April 20, 2007
He Got a Date
Hi all. The hubby finally got his date. Although it is tentative, based on insurance approval, the date is scheduled for May 21! That puts me about 7-10 weeks behind him so I should be scheduled around July 9, 16, or 23 (he only does this surgery on Mondays). VERY Exciting.
Met with Dr. L (psychotherapist) for the last "pre-surgery" appointment, at least as far as the requirements go. It has been a really good experience working with her. She has a way of making both of us feel comfortable. She is also a solid voice of reason and reality. It is good to hear that she is supportive of our decisions (while not necessarily a big fan of the surgery per say) she talks about the future and the way thins will be different and issues that you may face in the future. I guarantee at some point we will land up back on her couch talking about the changes we encounter. It is hard to even know what we might face as thinner people who have never lived that way before. It will probably be hard sometimes knowing we HAVE to eat a certain way and that we can't rely on our old habits to get us through a tough spot. But that is where she comes in and can help. I totally recommend that even if your plan doesn't require it, you make a decision to have therapy BEFORE and AFTER surgery.
Kudos to Dr. Lisa Mowrey for all her help!
Met with Dr. L (psychotherapist) for the last "pre-surgery" appointment, at least as far as the requirements go. It has been a really good experience working with her. She has a way of making both of us feel comfortable. She is also a solid voice of reason and reality. It is good to hear that she is supportive of our decisions (while not necessarily a big fan of the surgery per say) she talks about the future and the way thins will be different and issues that you may face in the future. I guarantee at some point we will land up back on her couch talking about the changes we encounter. It is hard to even know what we might face as thinner people who have never lived that way before. It will probably be hard sometimes knowing we HAVE to eat a certain way and that we can't rely on our old habits to get us through a tough spot. But that is where she comes in and can help. I totally recommend that even if your plan doesn't require it, you make a decision to have therapy BEFORE and AFTER surgery.
Kudos to Dr. Lisa Mowrey for all her help!
The "Weighting" Game
It is really frustrating to be so close to actually having surgery and then to just be waiting around for insurance to decide if you are qualified candidate or not... I mean seriously. One look at either of us and you just know we are perfect for this surgery.
I had my annual girl visit yesterday and told them all about the surgery. They were very excited and several asked me about the surgery for either them or for someone they know. Its amazing that once you start talking about it, how many people want to know and are just too scared to ask.
I told my co-workers about the surgery. A few mixed reviews. It was refreshing to have their support and for them to understand that I don't have some weird disease or whatever it is that they thought when I leave for all these doctors appointments! Some were actually tremendously supportive and perhaps even a little relieved that I have decided to "do something" about my weight.
I went out this week and bought a pedometer. Over a year ago a friend gave me a gift certificate to Sports Authority (yeah because I am so athletic... umm... no) but it was very thoughtful and at the time I had been trying to lose weight. So this week I decided to go there, and most of the people just stared at me like, you know this isn't a restaurant, right??? Or I am sure they were thinking... the shoes are over there... as if I were interested in nothing else. OKAY, I did try on the shoes too... but I decided with my $20 to buy a really nice pedometer that converts steps into distance walked and tells about calories burned (based on your weight, not an average computer generated weight). Very exciting. Wearing it today. Yesterday I only walked about 1,500 steps. That is majorly pathetic, I know. I mean that's like the distance to the mailbox and back. LOL. Well will work on improving it soon! Before you know it, I will be running!!!!!
I had my annual girl visit yesterday and told them all about the surgery. They were very excited and several asked me about the surgery for either them or for someone they know. Its amazing that once you start talking about it, how many people want to know and are just too scared to ask.
I told my co-workers about the surgery. A few mixed reviews. It was refreshing to have their support and for them to understand that I don't have some weird disease or whatever it is that they thought when I leave for all these doctors appointments! Some were actually tremendously supportive and perhaps even a little relieved that I have decided to "do something" about my weight.
I went out this week and bought a pedometer. Over a year ago a friend gave me a gift certificate to Sports Authority (yeah because I am so athletic... umm... no) but it was very thoughtful and at the time I had been trying to lose weight. So this week I decided to go there, and most of the people just stared at me like, you know this isn't a restaurant, right??? Or I am sure they were thinking... the shoes are over there... as if I were interested in nothing else. OKAY, I did try on the shoes too... but I decided with my $20 to buy a really nice pedometer that converts steps into distance walked and tells about calories burned (based on your weight, not an average computer generated weight). Very exciting. Wearing it today. Yesterday I only walked about 1,500 steps. That is majorly pathetic, I know. I mean that's like the distance to the mailbox and back. LOL. Well will work on improving it soon! Before you know it, I will be running!!!!!
Monday, April 9, 2007
The Process
Anyone who says Gastric is the easy way out has never met someone who has gone through it before! Sure it sounds easy, get your stomach altered and then you eat less, absorb less, and thus lose mass amounts of weight.
Well starting with the actual processing and approval it is quite an ordeal. First things first, if you are thinking about getting either the LAP-Band or having Gastric Bypass you have to find someone who specializes in those surgeries in your area and then attend some form of introduction meeting. Some places also make you attend a support meeting with people in various stages of surgery (pre and post).
Then the fun begins. You must check with your insurance to even see if they cover the surgery, at all. Some people I know who had the surgery have even hanged just so they can be covered. We are fortunate to have an understanding insurance company. Aetna HMO.
After that you see your Primary Care Physician (PCP) and start a documentation process of a supervised diet. You can be doing that before you even do any other step and it will greatly speed up your processing time. Our surgery center (Sarasota Memorial Hospital) http://www.smh.com/sections/services-procedures/weight_loss_surgery/meet-the-team.html asks that you attend a course offered by the hospital called Eating Healthy for Life. I know other places have similar programs. It is run by Dieticians and offers weekly weigh ins, food log evaluation and suggestions, and has guest speakers such as psychologists, nutritionists, physical therapists and other health related topics.
All the while you are still meeting with your PCP. You have blood work done. You meet with a Psychotherapist (PhD) for a minimum of three visits. On that note I would like to say that this is really beneficial, here you can talk to someone about how scared you may be and they can help you understand your “after life”. I now see that there will be things that come up, especially in a marriage, when someone has surgery. I think we are lucky to go through it together, so we have each other as a support group. It also minimizes the potential jealousy issues of only one person having it, etc.
You will at some point meet one-on-one with a certified Dietician who will give you your pre and post surgery diets. The real important thing they seem to be stressing is to keep the binging and gorging to minimum, especially when it gets close to surgery time. Seriously, minimizing the carbs help keep the liver smaller which means the more likely you can have laparoscopic surgery vs. open surgery. No question it is worth the extra effort to contain yourself and your eating habits.
As your surgery date draws closer, you meet with the surgeon, get all the appropriate paperwork filled out and turned in (and there is a lot, especially those – like most – who have extensive medical issues), continue (uninterrupted) visits with your PCP, and schedule appointments with a Cardiologist and a Pulmonologist. In my husband’s case he also had to undergo a Neurologist appointment and have a sleep study as well.
That is pretty much where we are at this point now. From here we await final approval and then get an actual date. Our plans are to have surgery about 8-10 weeks apart (as we have children). This should allow for Grant to heal enough by the time I have mine.
It seems so short on paper, but it is actually months (and for some years) of work to just get approved. Keep your fingers crossed, we are near the finish line!!! From here, we will keep you posted!
-Michelle
Well starting with the actual processing and approval it is quite an ordeal. First things first, if you are thinking about getting either the LAP-Band or having Gastric Bypass you have to find someone who specializes in those surgeries in your area and then attend some form of introduction meeting. Some places also make you attend a support meeting with people in various stages of surgery (pre and post).
Then the fun begins. You must check with your insurance to even see if they cover the surgery, at all. Some people I know who had the surgery have even hanged just so they can be covered. We are fortunate to have an understanding insurance company. Aetna HMO.
After that you see your Primary Care Physician (PCP) and start a documentation process of a supervised diet. You can be doing that before you even do any other step and it will greatly speed up your processing time. Our surgery center (Sarasota Memorial Hospital) http://www.smh.com/sections/services-procedures/weight_loss_surgery/meet-the-team.html asks that you attend a course offered by the hospital called Eating Healthy for Life. I know other places have similar programs. It is run by Dieticians and offers weekly weigh ins, food log evaluation and suggestions, and has guest speakers such as psychologists, nutritionists, physical therapists and other health related topics.
All the while you are still meeting with your PCP. You have blood work done. You meet with a Psychotherapist (PhD) for a minimum of three visits. On that note I would like to say that this is really beneficial, here you can talk to someone about how scared you may be and they can help you understand your “after life”. I now see that there will be things that come up, especially in a marriage, when someone has surgery. I think we are lucky to go through it together, so we have each other as a support group. It also minimizes the potential jealousy issues of only one person having it, etc.
You will at some point meet one-on-one with a certified Dietician who will give you your pre and post surgery diets. The real important thing they seem to be stressing is to keep the binging and gorging to minimum, especially when it gets close to surgery time. Seriously, minimizing the carbs help keep the liver smaller which means the more likely you can have laparoscopic surgery vs. open surgery. No question it is worth the extra effort to contain yourself and your eating habits.
As your surgery date draws closer, you meet with the surgeon, get all the appropriate paperwork filled out and turned in (and there is a lot, especially those – like most – who have extensive medical issues), continue (uninterrupted) visits with your PCP, and schedule appointments with a Cardiologist and a Pulmonologist. In my husband’s case he also had to undergo a Neurologist appointment and have a sleep study as well.
That is pretty much where we are at this point now. From here we await final approval and then get an actual date. Our plans are to have surgery about 8-10 weeks apart (as we have children). This should allow for Grant to heal enough by the time I have mine.
It seems so short on paper, but it is actually months (and for some years) of work to just get approved. Keep your fingers crossed, we are near the finish line!!! From here, we will keep you posted!
-Michelle
Meeting the surgeon
So tomorrow is a big day! G will finally meet his surgeon! We might find out if the insurance is accepted and we might actually find out the EXACT surgery date. Right now it appears it will be mid May! Can't wait. That means my surgery will be late July/early August. Great just in time for our kiddo's big birthday! Oh well, can't wait for every event to pass or we would just sit still!
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