Regina
01-16-2004, 03:47 PM
I am a 47 years old. I am a stay at home mom of two children. I have a boyfriend. We have been together for 10 years. I like being on the computer. I have had a weight problem just about all my life. I stopped smoking over 2 1/2 yrs ago. It was one of the best things I could have done. The next thing is to lose weight. I have tried all the diets and then some. You name it I have done it. Since I stopped smoking I have gained even more weight. I have trouble breathing and also now have high BP. I have trouble walking and doing simple things around the house. Well things that use to be simple but now take my breath away in doing them. I know two people personally that has had this surgery and have talked to them about it. One person is my nail tech and I have seen her at her worst and now at her best. I see that she is so much healthier then ever. She looks and feels great. She has been very open with me about the whole procedure. I am thankful to her for that. She has helped me make up my mind that this is the best thing that I can do for myself. She has given me information to read about it and was the one who gave me this web addy for obesityhelp.com. My pulmonary Dr has suggested this surgery to me also. Also my gyn has told me that some of the problems I am having now are weight related. Along with hypertension I have asthma, COPD, Sleep Apnea (going in June for test) Chronic Sinusitis. I really want to have this surgery I am 100% ready for it. I have told family members and some close friends that I am planning on having this surgery. They are all behind me 100% of course they all have concerns. I told them that I have been doing research on this. I have my first seminar appointment with the Dr but it is not until September. It is so far away I want it to be today. I just want to get moving on this I need to do this most of all for my health and me.
WOW I found a different Dr that can see me sooner then September. I called the dr that my nail tech used and I am going Tuesday the 13th. I am so nervous. After making the appointment with them I called up my nail tech to ask her if she would go with me. She said she would. I am so glad that she said yes. She has been very supportive. She knows what I am going through. I was told that I would not meet with the Dr that day but I would see the Nurse practitioner. They said that she would explain everything to me. Looking forward to going......
5/14/03 Well I met with the Nurse Practioner yesterday. She was very nice. She also had the surgery done years ago and she showed us the picture of her before the surgery. I went in with two other ladies for our meeting yesterday. I could have gone in by myself but she was running a little behind and we all agreed that it was fine with us to go together. My nail tech Janya went with me and she even came in with all of us. The nurse told us all about the surgery what will be done and how it all works. They gave us a list of all the Dr's we have to see before the surgery. She said that it is about a 5-month waiting period before the surgery is done. That is because of all the other Dr and test you need to get done first. I just want to get it done already. She told us that there was no death with this Dr which heck made me happy. LOL I will meet with him on June 4th my next appointment. I can't wait from what Janya tells me he is a really nice kind Dr. I came home and started to make my phone calls to set up the appointments that are required. I figured the faster I get them made and get seen the faster I can get it done. First phone call for the nutritional consultation put a damper on my day. I was so happy that I made this step to have the surgery and then that call bummed me out. They said that you need to have 4 appointments which is fine with me I can understand that. 2 before the surgery and 2 after. Then they said they don't except any insurance. I was like what.......You don't take ins. Why not? She said they are not set up for that and on the first visit it will be $400.00 paid that day. That will cover all 4 visits. I was like well what if I do this or that and they said no. I said well could I pay 1/2 on first visit and the balance on the 2nd visit. She said NO...... I was like WOW... I said could I go to a different one who takes my insurance She said NO if I do they will not do the surgery at that hospital.....I said WHAT A RACKET YOU HAVE HERE...... I made more phone calls and set up more appointments and put that one on the back burner for now. I know that it might not be a lot for some but it is for me. I just don't understand why I can't go where my insurance covers. Well I am trying not to let it get me totally down I am going to go forward for now and wait until I speak with the DR about it......
5/21/03 Well I had my psych appointment yesterday the 20th. All went great. He asked me questions and I answered them without a problem. He told me that he would send a letter to my Doctor and tell them that he approves his part of my testing. The visit with him went pretty fast he was nice and got right to the point. I was supposed to also go yesterday for my Sleep study consultation but ended up having car troubles and couldn't get there. I have another appointment on the 10th of June for that. I also call to see if there are any openings sooner. I am trying my best to get everything done as fast as I can. I would really like to have the surgery by Aug, Sept the latest. I have my Goddaughters Wedding in Nov want to feel better by then. You know since you need time to recuperate after surgery.
5/28 Well I went yesterday for my sleep study consultation (they called me early to see if I could come in yesterday instead of June 10th) They told me that I have to come in two nights and the worst part of that is it is not until July 9th and 10th. I was like oh don't you have anything before then. She said to keep calling they get ppl that call to cancel. Well I will be calling everyday LOL. Today, Tuesday I am going to my first Nutritionist appointment. My car is still broken and I have my cousin taking me today. Yesterday it was my nail tech Janya who took me. Thank God these two people are there to help me get to these appointments. I like to say THANK YOU MARY AND JANYA. Ok well I will update when there is more to tell.
5/30 I went to my first of four visits with the nutritionist yesterday. I know I complained about the $400.00 out of pocket that I had to pay. Well the truth is that she told me a lot of things about the surgery for before and after. I think that it was worth going to but I hate to say it I don't think it is worth $400.00. I will go because it is required to have the surgery and I will do whatever I have to. I want to start feeling healthier. She did give me a list of things that I need to have in house for after surgery so that is helpful. I will start my shopping so everything is here waiting for me to come home. My next visit will be with her again to go over what she already gave me and told me. The 3rd visit is in the hospital(by a nutritionist that works in hospital not her) she said and then the 4th one is back to her after 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. Now on Monday June 2nd I go for the Endoscopies it is done as an outpatient. Will keep you all posted. Until next time......
6/2/03 Well I went today to have that Endoscopies it went fine. I just kept asking them there if I was going to be knocked out. They said yes. I didn't feel a thing. So lets see all I have left to do now are my 2-night sleep study, Cardiac Dr and 1 more Nutritionist appointment. Then everything can be sent in to Dr and I hope to get a date soon. I just got off the phone with the sleep study to see if they had anything sooner then my appointment in July. They are calling me back. Until later bye for now.......
6/5/03 Well I met my Surgeon yesterday. I had to wait a little over two hours in his office but it was well worth the wait. He is such a nice Dr. He was soft-spoken and very kind. I didn't feel uneasy with him at all, like I do at some Dr's offices. He answered all my questions. He told me all about the surgery and what to expect. The office staff is very nice. Betty who works there and had the surgery herself she looks great. She showed us her before and after pictures. She talked to us and even answered some of our questions. While waiting for him the waiting room was full of other patients waiting too. It was fun talking to them and hearing their stories. I go back to see him July 14th and by then all my testing should be in and who knows maybe it will be on its way by then to the Ins. Company. Well now I am going to call the sleep study again and see if I can get it done sooner They said to keep checking and Boy Am I. LOL Until later.......
6/10/03 Well I went to the cardiologist yesterday and thought that I would be in and out and that would be it. NOT!! Don't know why I thought that LOL...Anyway I have to get a 2-day stress test done and they said that they don't do it in one day because of my weight. They can't put the heart in that much stress. The dates for those are July 8th and 9th.I also had an echocardiogram done yesterday. I guess the 9th will be a busy day for me too that is also the day I start my sleep study which is two days too. I guess I have to do things in two LOL. Well Until later smile :)
To be continued on next page
WOW I found a different Dr that can see me sooner then September. I called the dr that my nail tech used and I am going Tuesday the 13th. I am so nervous. After making the appointment with them I called up my nail tech to ask her if she would go with me. She said she would. I am so glad that she said yes. She has been very supportive. She knows what I am going through. I was told that I would not meet with the Dr that day but I would see the Nurse practitioner. They said that she would explain everything to me. Looking forward to going......
5/14/03 Well I met with the Nurse Practioner yesterday. She was very nice. She also had the surgery done years ago and she showed us the picture of her before the surgery. I went in with two other ladies for our meeting yesterday. I could have gone in by myself but she was running a little behind and we all agreed that it was fine with us to go together. My nail tech Janya went with me and she even came in with all of us. The nurse told us all about the surgery what will be done and how it all works. They gave us a list of all the Dr's we have to see before the surgery. She said that it is about a 5-month waiting period before the surgery is done. That is because of all the other Dr and test you need to get done first. I just want to get it done already. She told us that there was no death with this Dr which heck made me happy. LOL I will meet with him on June 4th my next appointment. I can't wait from what Janya tells me he is a really nice kind Dr. I came home and started to make my phone calls to set up the appointments that are required. I figured the faster I get them made and get seen the faster I can get it done. First phone call for the nutritional consultation put a damper on my day. I was so happy that I made this step to have the surgery and then that call bummed me out. They said that you need to have 4 appointments which is fine with me I can understand that. 2 before the surgery and 2 after. Then they said they don't except any insurance. I was like what.......You don't take ins. Why not? She said they are not set up for that and on the first visit it will be $400.00 paid that day. That will cover all 4 visits. I was like well what if I do this or that and they said no. I said well could I pay 1/2 on first visit and the balance on the 2nd visit. She said NO...... I was like WOW... I said could I go to a different one who takes my insurance She said NO if I do they will not do the surgery at that hospital.....I said WHAT A RACKET YOU HAVE HERE...... I made more phone calls and set up more appointments and put that one on the back burner for now. I know that it might not be a lot for some but it is for me. I just don't understand why I can't go where my insurance covers. Well I am trying not to let it get me totally down I am going to go forward for now and wait until I speak with the DR about it......
5/21/03 Well I had my psych appointment yesterday the 20th. All went great. He asked me questions and I answered them without a problem. He told me that he would send a letter to my Doctor and tell them that he approves his part of my testing. The visit with him went pretty fast he was nice and got right to the point. I was supposed to also go yesterday for my Sleep study consultation but ended up having car troubles and couldn't get there. I have another appointment on the 10th of June for that. I also call to see if there are any openings sooner. I am trying my best to get everything done as fast as I can. I would really like to have the surgery by Aug, Sept the latest. I have my Goddaughters Wedding in Nov want to feel better by then. You know since you need time to recuperate after surgery.
5/28 Well I went yesterday for my sleep study consultation (they called me early to see if I could come in yesterday instead of June 10th) They told me that I have to come in two nights and the worst part of that is it is not until July 9th and 10th. I was like oh don't you have anything before then. She said to keep calling they get ppl that call to cancel. Well I will be calling everyday LOL. Today, Tuesday I am going to my first Nutritionist appointment. My car is still broken and I have my cousin taking me today. Yesterday it was my nail tech Janya who took me. Thank God these two people are there to help me get to these appointments. I like to say THANK YOU MARY AND JANYA. Ok well I will update when there is more to tell.
5/30 I went to my first of four visits with the nutritionist yesterday. I know I complained about the $400.00 out of pocket that I had to pay. Well the truth is that she told me a lot of things about the surgery for before and after. I think that it was worth going to but I hate to say it I don't think it is worth $400.00. I will go because it is required to have the surgery and I will do whatever I have to. I want to start feeling healthier. She did give me a list of things that I need to have in house for after surgery so that is helpful. I will start my shopping so everything is here waiting for me to come home. My next visit will be with her again to go over what she already gave me and told me. The 3rd visit is in the hospital(by a nutritionist that works in hospital not her) she said and then the 4th one is back to her after 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. Now on Monday June 2nd I go for the Endoscopies it is done as an outpatient. Will keep you all posted. Until next time......
6/2/03 Well I went today to have that Endoscopies it went fine. I just kept asking them there if I was going to be knocked out. They said yes. I didn't feel a thing. So lets see all I have left to do now are my 2-night sleep study, Cardiac Dr and 1 more Nutritionist appointment. Then everything can be sent in to Dr and I hope to get a date soon. I just got off the phone with the sleep study to see if they had anything sooner then my appointment in July. They are calling me back. Until later bye for now.......
6/5/03 Well I met my Surgeon yesterday. I had to wait a little over two hours in his office but it was well worth the wait. He is such a nice Dr. He was soft-spoken and very kind. I didn't feel uneasy with him at all, like I do at some Dr's offices. He answered all my questions. He told me all about the surgery and what to expect. The office staff is very nice. Betty who works there and had the surgery herself she looks great. She showed us her before and after pictures. She talked to us and even answered some of our questions. While waiting for him the waiting room was full of other patients waiting too. It was fun talking to them and hearing their stories. I go back to see him July 14th and by then all my testing should be in and who knows maybe it will be on its way by then to the Ins. Company. Well now I am going to call the sleep study again and see if I can get it done sooner They said to keep checking and Boy Am I. LOL Until later.......
6/10/03 Well I went to the cardiologist yesterday and thought that I would be in and out and that would be it. NOT!! Don't know why I thought that LOL...Anyway I have to get a 2-day stress test done and they said that they don't do it in one day because of my weight. They can't put the heart in that much stress. The dates for those are July 8th and 9th.I also had an echocardiogram done yesterday. I guess the 9th will be a busy day for me too that is also the day I start my sleep study which is two days too. I guess I have to do things in two LOL. Well Until later smile :)
To be continued on next page