Oh-oh-oh…
They called to arrange my surgery and she had to call and see if the surgery suite will be open on the 17th. The next week Dr Piltcher is off for Thanksgiving.
I’m dying here. call back, call back, call back. Calm down, calm down, calm down. They called!!
I am scheduled for surgery for November 17th at the Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital at 10 am arrive at 7am . There is a possibility I could get the earlier time of 8am arrive at 5am. I am scheduled for pro-opt testing/cardiogram on the 5th at 9am and a 3pm pre-op meeting with the doctor on the 12th
By the way,
Just got email for pre-surgery appointments on it was this: Estimated surgery deposit amount $ pending (Our insurance department will contact you within a few days). Please pay this amount in full at your doctor visit. In other words just bring us a blank check and all your worldly possessions, not to include your first born child –the upkeep is too much.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
All's well in the end
I am officially a normal ahole.
My colonoscopy said so.
The procedure truly wasn’t bad at all. The substance they put in my IV was not available to go. I asked- It was nice. After that entered my system everything was easy-peasy. Except I got the giggles, this was a ridiculous way to make a living. I bet the doctors and nurses don’t tell people what they really do. Probably tell people they are in cancer research. That sounds nobler. That is really what it is all about though. My step-father died of colon cancer; not a dignified way to die. He fought for his country but he could not fight this and win. Colon cancer survival rates are dependent upon the stage at which the cancer is detected According to research reported in the ANZ Journal of Surgery, in Australia, the five-year survival for stage 1 colon cancer is 93%, but it drops to 59% for stage 3 colon cancer. Have you had a colonoscopy?
My colonoscopy said so.
The procedure truly wasn’t bad at all. The substance they put in my IV was not available to go. I asked- It was nice. After that entered my system everything was easy-peasy. Except I got the giggles, this was a ridiculous way to make a living. I bet the doctors and nurses don’t tell people what they really do. Probably tell people they are in cancer research. That sounds nobler. That is really what it is all about though. My step-father died of colon cancer; not a dignified way to die. He fought for his country but he could not fight this and win. Colon cancer survival rates are dependent upon the stage at which the cancer is detected According to research reported in the ANZ Journal of Surgery, in Australia, the five-year survival for stage 1 colon cancer is 93%, but it drops to 59% for stage 3 colon cancer. Have you had a colonoscopy?
OMG!
My patient advocate just called and I am approved for surgery!
Next comes scheduling for surgery, preop testing and meet with the doctor before surgery.
I am really on the way!
Next comes scheduling for surgery, preop testing and meet with the doctor before surgery.
I am really on the way!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Psychic fears
Many years ago I had a session with a psychic. What can I say? We were all into New Age then. Now not so much. I don’t disbelieve in foretelling future events; I just don’t care to know.
I had lost about 30 pounds then and I asked her if I was going to lose some more and be normal sized. She told me No, which hurt, but that much later I would have a large loss and I would be much smaller. I wondered why she said it that way. I was losing weight at that time; of course I regained the weight plus more.
I don’t need to consult a psychic now. I know that I will be successful with the gastric bypass Yeah, I have some fears.
Here they are:
Surviving surgery I could die!
Gaining back the weight What a waste of time effort and money
Having the procedure not work I want a guarantee
Not doing it right Can someone else accept the responsibility?
Not having enough money It is so expensive
But I think I have conquered or at least made my peace with them
Surviving surgery at this time I will not survive for long without the surgery
Gaining back the weight I will always have the tool
Having the procedure not work and right now is it working for me?
Not doing it right there is a plan to follow
Not having enough money do we ever have enough? We have enough for what we truly want
If I were psychic, I would know the results of the WLS already. I don’t, but I do know that I have made the best decision I can for me at this time and under these circumstances. I am comfortable with that. I am looking forward to a new stage of my consciousness whatever that may be.
Friday, October 23, 2009
The application process
Thursday, July 16, 2009
We went to WLS meeting Saturday on the eleventh of July. DH and DD went with me. I was afraid there would be all skinny people there. Everyone was normal though or really overweight. Of course I was the only one in a wheelchair and I felt like I was the biggest one there.
The presentation passed with my DD approval. One of the doctors presented with the aid of power point and answered questions. My biggest questions was,” would my insurance cover it?” I made an appointment to be evaluated with Dr. Pilcher. He was the doctor recommended by my Dr. and as it turns out this is a center of excellence for weight loss surgery. Later in the week they called to inform me that the procedure would be covered after co pay at 80/20 by Aetna. What a relief! DH is still worried about the 20% but I figure we will work it out somehow.
On the 15th, I went to New Dimensions for an evaluation and to meet with Dr. Pilcher. It was an intense session but well run. It turns out that I have been at that location before. 24 years ago! This was the hospital where Jonathan was born. They don’t have a maternity section any more. The entire second floor is now devoted to New Dimensions. I arrived at 7:00 am and finished up at 1pm. First they looked over my name address insurance information that I had filled out at the seminar, I signed some papers and then they put a hospital bracelet on me. Then they sent me to the waiting room which was two hospital rooms with the adjoining wall knocked out. I waited about two minutes and they came to take me to have my weight, vitals and picture taken and there I signed some more papers. Then I went back to the waiting room and I waited another two minutes and they came to get me and I had an interview with a woman who was training another woman to take over for her during maternity leave. We went over the info that I had given them about weight and medical history and entered all that in the computer. After that the PA came in and went over my medical history in detail and they had me get on a table and measures to see if the laparoscopic tools would fit. They will. I also had a short physical exam. Dr Pilcher came in for that. They poked my belly where my liver was. I guess he wanted to see if I was a good candidate for laparoscopic surgery. Then I got dressed and went to the bathroom. There were plenty of those, one in every room since it had been a hospital ward. More papers to sign. The behavioral therapist came to interview me. That was very much like what you and I talked about why do you want to do this, why now, what do you expect? She inputted all this into my computer file. I waited there and I read an article in an old magazine. Then the doctor came in. He was very nice, not rushed at all. It was different to spend time with a doctor and not be quickly moved out. He reserves two mornings for new patients. He does 3-4 surgeries on the other days. I had still not decided on the procedure that I wanted so we talked about that. Dr Pilcher and I both decided that the gastric bypass would be best for me. It’s the RNY. The risks for both operations are the same the gastric band has the initial operation over with sooner but requires lifetime follow up and may need surgical correction for slipped band or inverted port. The recovery time for the RNY is another day in the hospital. The dumping syndrome is a strong and immediate reminder about the quantity and the quality of the food you consume. Dr Pilcher says you don’t die from the syndrome just wish you would. He recommended that I lose at least 10 pounds prior to surgery, have a colonoscopy and a sleep study done. He wants his patients to have the colonoscopy because one of his earlier patients had the procedure but it wasn’t discovered until later that she had colon cancer. The sleep study is because I fit the profile. After he took me back to the waiting room I had a long wait, enough time for me to use the bathroom and fix half a cup of coffee about 5 minutes. Then the patient advocate came to get me and we went to his office and went over the appointments I had to make and answered any questions I might have. By then I was on overload. I think they expect that because everyone told me to just call anytime if I had any concerns. The doctor gave me his card with his personal email on it and invited me to email him. He said he answered all emails personally. My final meeting was with the dietician. I received the pre-surgical weight loss diet and we decided on 3 goals for this first month 1. Measure starches and limit to 4 servings a day. 2. Limit snacks to 2x a day and evaluate hunger if hungry chose protein if not free foods 3. Avoid fluids at all meals and I hour after. There are also free group sessions twice a week. I have to meet with her again in one month. She took me back to the front and I signed more papers and they snipped off my hospital band and I was free to go. Whew! When I got home the sleep center had already called for me to set up an appointment and your birthday present was in. We went to get that ate at EZ’s went home and I slept like a log
We went to WLS meeting Saturday on the eleventh of July. DH and DD went with me. I was afraid there would be all skinny people there. Everyone was normal though or really overweight. Of course I was the only one in a wheelchair and I felt like I was the biggest one there.
The presentation passed with my DD approval. One of the doctors presented with the aid of power point and answered questions. My biggest questions was,” would my insurance cover it?” I made an appointment to be evaluated with Dr. Pilcher. He was the doctor recommended by my Dr. and as it turns out this is a center of excellence for weight loss surgery. Later in the week they called to inform me that the procedure would be covered after co pay at 80/20 by Aetna. What a relief! DH is still worried about the 20% but I figure we will work it out somehow.
On the 15th, I went to New Dimensions for an evaluation and to meet with Dr. Pilcher. It was an intense session but well run. It turns out that I have been at that location before. 24 years ago! This was the hospital where Jonathan was born. They don’t have a maternity section any more. The entire second floor is now devoted to New Dimensions. I arrived at 7:00 am and finished up at 1pm. First they looked over my name address insurance information that I had filled out at the seminar, I signed some papers and then they put a hospital bracelet on me. Then they sent me to the waiting room which was two hospital rooms with the adjoining wall knocked out. I waited about two minutes and they came to take me to have my weight, vitals and picture taken and there I signed some more papers. Then I went back to the waiting room and I waited another two minutes and they came to get me and I had an interview with a woman who was training another woman to take over for her during maternity leave. We went over the info that I had given them about weight and medical history and entered all that in the computer. After that the PA came in and went over my medical history in detail and they had me get on a table and measures to see if the laparoscopic tools would fit. They will. I also had a short physical exam. Dr Pilcher came in for that. They poked my belly where my liver was. I guess he wanted to see if I was a good candidate for laparoscopic surgery. Then I got dressed and went to the bathroom. There were plenty of those, one in every room since it had been a hospital ward. More papers to sign. The behavioral therapist came to interview me. That was very much like what you and I talked about why do you want to do this, why now, what do you expect? She inputted all this into my computer file. I waited there and I read an article in an old magazine. Then the doctor came in. He was very nice, not rushed at all. It was different to spend time with a doctor and not be quickly moved out. He reserves two mornings for new patients. He does 3-4 surgeries on the other days. I had still not decided on the procedure that I wanted so we talked about that. Dr Pilcher and I both decided that the gastric bypass would be best for me. It’s the RNY. The risks for both operations are the same the gastric band has the initial operation over with sooner but requires lifetime follow up and may need surgical correction for slipped band or inverted port. The recovery time for the RNY is another day in the hospital. The dumping syndrome is a strong and immediate reminder about the quantity and the quality of the food you consume. Dr Pilcher says you don’t die from the syndrome just wish you would. He recommended that I lose at least 10 pounds prior to surgery, have a colonoscopy and a sleep study done. He wants his patients to have the colonoscopy because one of his earlier patients had the procedure but it wasn’t discovered until later that she had colon cancer. The sleep study is because I fit the profile. After he took me back to the waiting room I had a long wait, enough time for me to use the bathroom and fix half a cup of coffee about 5 minutes. Then the patient advocate came to get me and we went to his office and went over the appointments I had to make and answered any questions I might have. By then I was on overload. I think they expect that because everyone told me to just call anytime if I had any concerns. The doctor gave me his card with his personal email on it and invited me to email him. He said he answered all emails personally. My final meeting was with the dietician. I received the pre-surgical weight loss diet and we decided on 3 goals for this first month 1. Measure starches and limit to 4 servings a day. 2. Limit snacks to 2x a day and evaluate hunger if hungry chose protein if not free foods 3. Avoid fluids at all meals and I hour after. There are also free group sessions twice a week. I have to meet with her again in one month. She took me back to the front and I signed more papers and they snipped off my hospital band and I was free to go. Whew! When I got home the sleep center had already called for me to set up an appointment and your birthday present was in. We went to get that ate at EZ’s went home and I slept like a log
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Making it official
Friday, July 03, 2009
I told DH about my decision and he was very supportive. He said we would handle the cost somehow. He didn’t think it would be fair to ask DD to help out. I agree. DD went into her dietician mode and asked me questions about my reasons for opting for the surgery. She was satisfied with my answers but reminded me that I will need to set up an exercise system and start that right away. DD is concerned about loss of muscle mass. She is going with us to the presentation on the 11th. DS came out later and I told him, didn’t want to be accused of keeping things from him. I’ll tell Mom about it when she comes down for her eye appointment on the 22nd? I don’t particularly want to tell Sis because I’ll get tired of hearing about her and she will only increase my anxiety about the procedure.
I’d like to surprise other relatives if they come in Christmas. BIL, I want to see if he notices he is in an all about me stage right now. I’m sure other BIL will notice but we won’t be seeing them for awhile until after his daughter moves in at Trinity University. I don’t plan on telling the neighbors unless they ask. The people at DH’s work- well that’s up to him. Bob will probably think DH got himself another woman. UPDATE: DH talked to Bob, the boss, and he said, “Great, that will be life changing. Of course you should be there for surgery but just not these dates…..” he proceeded to give DH a list of eight dates in November that he needs him at the lab.
I told DH about my decision and he was very supportive. He said we would handle the cost somehow. He didn’t think it would be fair to ask DD to help out. I agree. DD went into her dietician mode and asked me questions about my reasons for opting for the surgery. She was satisfied with my answers but reminded me that I will need to set up an exercise system and start that right away. DD is concerned about loss of muscle mass. She is going with us to the presentation on the 11th. DS came out later and I told him, didn’t want to be accused of keeping things from him. I’ll tell Mom about it when she comes down for her eye appointment on the 22nd? I don’t particularly want to tell Sis because I’ll get tired of hearing about her and she will only increase my anxiety about the procedure.
I’d like to surprise other relatives if they come in Christmas. BIL, I want to see if he notices he is in an all about me stage right now. I’m sure other BIL will notice but we won’t be seeing them for awhile until after his daughter moves in at Trinity University. I don’t plan on telling the neighbors unless they ask. The people at DH’s work- well that’s up to him. Bob will probably think DH got himself another woman. UPDATE: DH talked to Bob, the boss, and he said, “Great, that will be life changing. Of course you should be there for surgery but just not these dates…..” he proceeded to give DH a list of eight dates in November that he needs him at the lab.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Beginning
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Last night I came to a decision I am going to pursue lap band surgery. I bookmarked a site that will help me prepare my arguments. http://www.bariatricedge.com/dtcf/pages/6_HowToWorkWithInsurance.htm I don’t foresee that my primary doctor will have any problem with the idea. My insurance most likely will not cover the procedure. I want to prepare a convincing argument for the procedure. Perhaps I can borrow some of the money.
How my excess weight has affected my life,
Negative Self -concept
Necessitates wheelcconcept hair use
Resultant rotator cuff damage
Standing walking limited beyond MS
Exercise limited to upper body
Hygiene difficulties
Skin fold irritation
Under breast rash
airline and car seats uncomfortable
Sleeping difficulties
Circulation problems in lower legs. ankles and feet
Weight and MS combined contributed to early retirement
Last night I came to a decision I am going to pursue lap band surgery. I bookmarked a site that will help me prepare my arguments. http://www.bariatricedge.com/dtcf/pages/6_HowToWorkWithInsurance.htm I don’t foresee that my primary doctor will have any problem with the idea. My insurance most likely will not cover the procedure. I want to prepare a convincing argument for the procedure. Perhaps I can borrow some of the money.
How my excess weight has affected my life,
Negative Self -concept
Necessitates wheelcconcept hair use
Resultant rotator cuff damage
Standing walking limited beyond MS
Exercise limited to upper body
Hygiene difficulties
Skin fold irritation
Under breast rash
airline and car seats uncomfortable
Sleeping difficulties
Circulation problems in lower legs. ankles and feet
Weight and MS combined contributed to early retirement
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