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About this blog

This is what I go through, think, feel, and think I know...

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Taking a tiny step

Today I joined lapbandtalk.com. I needed to do something. I have been on this journey for a very long time now. I researched gastric bypass, went to a consultation and decided that this was not the surgery for me. The risks are too great. I have a small child and I think it might be best for me to be around. Of course this is the same reason that I investigated gastric bypass to begin with. At that time (5 years ago) my insurance would not cover lapband. Imagine how happy I was last year to find out that that had changed. I went to two different doctor's seminars last year. I decided on the one that would not charge me an outrageous sum of money on top of what the insurance company was paying. I guess if I lived close to the facility I would consider paying the extra $2500 to use the gym for a year, go to support groups,a nd visit with a trainer nutritionist four times, but I don't think its reasonable to drive an hour to the gym three times a week. There are plenty of gyms near where I live that don't charge nearly that much for a year's membership. Besides, the doctor that I chose actually trained the doctor that charges too much.   I have to wait until Nov. 1, 2007 for my psch eval. I had one done last year, but its outdated. I would have done this last year, but I had some unexpected changes in my life and I just could not add that to my already boiling pot.   I went back to start over and found that the insurance companies decided that in order to qualify for the surgery I had to be on a supervised diet for six months prior to attempting to be approved. What a crock. Anyway, I did that, now I'm waiting for my psch appointment. I hope this guy says I'm sane otherwise I think I may go insane - well as insane as I can and still properly take care of my daughter.   So here I am - waiting. I will start doing arm exercises this weekend. My arms are awful. Really fat and flabby. I realize that this will onl get worse after surgery if I don't exercise and maybe even if I do. I'm also worried about my stomach. It used to be so beautiful. I had a c-section and now it hangs. I hope it doesn't look too horrible post surgery, but noone is looking at it now anyway - so what does it really matter?   Here I go.:clap2: Off and running (happily)
enjoylife

enjoylife

1
 

It takes Patience and Fortitude

My paperwork was submitted on December 5th. It took over a month for them to say, "We need more information." To be specific, they want cardiac and pulmonary clearance. I almost immediately set up an appointment with a cardiologist. I'm glad I went to see him. It was very kind, yet straightforward. Apparently my fist sized heart has been working over time pumping blood through my Mac truck sized body. My left ventricle is slightly enlarged. No need for panic or alarm - just the realization that I do in fact HAVE to lose weight. I mean my knee, hip, and back pain are tiresome and can bring my spirits way down when its bad (and it can get really bad) but the thought of me having heart problems on any level is frightening. I have a five year child. Heart disease runs in my family. I have to do better. I have to start making better food choices right now. Its not fair for me to risk not being here because I like food. I like food, I really do, but I love my child. So I am going to start a food journal. Not here - I'm not on here enough for that to be effective. I would like to start tomorrow, but I think I should start today. If I ate an extra thick peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast - which I did - I ought to own up to it and write it down. So yea, i will start today. Now to get my pulmonolgist clearance. I can't seen to get an appointment before Feb. 22nd. That's not good because I want to have surgery on March 21st which is Good Friday and the first day of Spring Break. So I have taken to phone stalking the pulmonologist's office. I have called three days in a row. Once to make the appointment. Yesterday to get an earlier date (no luck), and today to try to get an earlier date (got the answering service instead). So of course I will be calling back again today - before 12 noon because then they will close for one hour for lunch. Hey they've got to eat too. I hope they don't get disgusted with me. It seems that I have such a long wait because this doctor works with lung cancer patients and for some reason this region gets more than its share of lung cancer patients. SO when I think about it - my case really isn't all that important - somebody else is a battle for their life. I am too, but it just doesn't feel like my case is as urgent. Let's pray that I don't have a heart attack. I'm serious. Well, I guess I need to try to get some work done. I also need to be dialing that pulmonogist's office again. Later.
enjoylife

enjoylife

1
 

Is This a Sign or What?

Maybe I shouldn't be getting the band. I have a surgery date of March 20, 2008. My information was sent to the insurance company on Dec. 5, 2007. After a month :wink: of reviewing they said I need two more clearances - cardiac and pulmonary. Ok, that makes sense. I get those. My last appointment was on Feb 13, 2008. On Feb 22, 2008 I call the surgeon to make sure they have everything, and its a good thing I did because they don't have the pulomonology clearance. I call the pulmonologist - my clearance letter has not been typed yet:cursing: - nobody knows why:angry: :thumbup:. "Don't worry," they say, "we'll take care of it today". They do. The Surgery scheduler, Natasha, sends those off to the insurance company. Today, March 6, 2008 I call the insurance company to find out what is holding up my approval. I have been online checking everyday. I know that another woman's surgery was approved and our stuff was sent on the same day. What did they say:confused2:? "We are still waiting for your pulmonogy and cardiac clearance"!!!!!!!:cool2: So of course I call Natasha - she is out for the day:scared2:. The person I spoke with cannot find either of my clearance letters!!!!! I'm sitting at my desk, but I am screaming. I'M SCREAMING ON THE INSIDE. I AM SOOOOOOOOOO ssssccccrrrreeeeaaaaming!!!!!!!!!
enjoylife

enjoylife

1
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