Lawrence Baxter

Just confirmed that my surgery date in Monday, December 16...I go in this Monday [ 9th] for an EGD to see if I have a hiatal hernia which can be repaired during the lap band procedure. There have been lots of hurdles. I had stopped looking in the mirrors, put off shopping for clothes and was using self-depricating humor before someone else could make a comment: "You know, I only go out at noontime now...yes that's when my shadow is the smallest!" or, as I am holding my stomache, "Someone asked me if this was Lee Press On, but I assured them it's real..." So when my PCP suggested bariatric bypass at my annual physical in July, I knew I had to do something. I first started the long process of determining how my insurance [state of Texas] would help. NOT! They were going to require a 12-month long weight loss program [monitored], a trip to the psychiatrist, $5,000 up front and then they would only cover the remaining 80%. So, I check on how I could self-pay by checking out funding through a withdrawal from my ORP. Again, [state of Texas negoitated contract], the only way I could get the money was if I died, quit or retired. So, I turned to True Results in Houston. Just as I was going to have my first appointment, I was diagnosed with acute bacterial prostatitis which meant 6 long weeks of CIPRO. Once that was completed, I had my bloodwork but then got the news that I would have to have a stress test since I'm 62 and have had 50+ years of asthma. But, because of the affects of the CIPRO [which I had to stop taking due to some of the side effects; didn't want to have a ruptured achilles tendon!], my PCP ordered a stress test via nuclear medicine. My co-pay was close to $650 which is eating away from what I've set aside for the lap band. Needless to say, the stress test proved I was a worthy patient for surgery and am going forward with the current game plan. I was at 354 lbs in July for my annual physical and have already dropped down to 342 with Protein shakes for the last 2 1/2 months. My goal will is to get to 190 lbs. Yes, it's going to be a merry Christmas and the beginning of a NEW YEAR!!