SpecialK

I put some info about me on the Introductions thread of the Ohio forum group. I've been reading about the others posting about being in the Mt. Carmel program. I'm hoping we will hear about others in that program too.

Hi. I'm new to the site. I have submitted an application to the Mid Ohio Surgical Associates for Mt. Carmel Bariatric Program in Columbus, Ohio. I'm hoping to get the process of evaluations underway and the 6 months of required nutrition documentation with a doctor completed by May of 2008. I'm single, never married female, 51 years old and 345 lbs for 5' 5" tall. Yes, an atrocious BMI. I have been heavy all my life. I've done Weight Watchers so many times I can't count anymore but I still think they have a good program but I tried working diligently in the past year and barely made a dent in the weight I need to lose. I'm struggling with knee, hip pain from my weight. I have a CPAP machine for sleep apnea which is mild at this point but was considered important that I get treatment. I am fortunate that I don't have any diabetes or high blood pressure at this point. Thank the good Lord! I am a Christian and active in my church. I have multiple brothers and sisters and my oldest sister is approaching my same size in weight. I've got three 'skinny' siblings. They have always been very loving and accepting of me in my fat state of health but they let me know they worry about me all the time. They don't want me leaving this earth any earlier in life than necessary. I do fight some depression but its under control with medicine and that is a very long story but the hard life I had kind of made the eating feed off depression and depression feed off getting more and more overweight. You know the vicious cycle I'm talking about. I went to the Bariatric Center in Groveport Ohio a couple years ago to consider weight loss surgery, the Gastric Bypass, and the more I studied about that, the less convinced I was I wanted to be 'replumbed'. My primary care doctor I've seen for a long time was absolutely appalled and opposed to me considering that surgery. My best friends were also very strong in discouraging me. So I walked away from that idea. I kept investigating options and found the lap band procedure, that it can be done laprascopically and that it is reversible, has far less complications, etc. I've been studying on it for about a year and finally went to the Mt Carmel orientation session in October 2007. I sent in my paperwork to officially say, Yes, I'm ready to seriously be evaluated to do this. Mt. Carmel's surgeons are Dr. Patricia Choban, Dr. Mark Miller, and Dr. Price. I don't know which surgeon I will choose yet. I've seen Dr. Choban's name mentioned on this site but don't know much about the other two doctors yet. My favorite hobbies are quilting and lately scrapbooking, I love gardening but get tired easier than I wish, I love playing golf - have to ride a cart can't walk the 9 or 18 holes, and I love traveling. Of course, I'm a big Ohio State fan but I didn't graduate from there. I have a MBA from Univ of Dayton and work as a project manager on computer systems projects for a big company in downtown Columbus. I have no children but 2 sweet cats named Patches and Pearl. Okay, that's a bunch of stuff but I figure I'm going to be actively corresponding and posting on this site for awhile so I'd like to know about others too. Thanks for the other intro's of yours.

I mailed my completed medical history paperwork into Mt. Carmel Bariatric Center and Mid Ohio Surgical Associates on October 22. Now waiting to find out if I will be accepted to proceed forward. I have kind of an interesting angle that I saved money in my Health Care Flexible Spending Account at work for medical expenses and I now know I can use some of this for my $300 administrative fee and $200 for nutritionist if they can get me in before year end to get the process started. I called Charlene and left her a message to call me. Don't know how long it takes them to go through your application/medical history from the time they receive it.