tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63636201699653043442024-02-08T12:05:20.334-07:00Julie's JourneyJulie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-51024647427463737772011-11-18T07:31:00.003-07:002011-11-18T07:33:53.028-07:00New blog<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />I <strong><em>finally</em></strong> got my bypass date. I have started a new blog at canigetthattogoplease.blogspot.com Please feel free to check it out and join me for the next part of my weight loss journey.Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-63165029467444595102011-09-03T10:18:00.002-06:002011-09-03T10:27:24.527-06:00Still waiting......<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div>
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<br />This waiting crap is getting annoying. The way I figure, I will not even be getting a call from the insurance company until December, at the earliest.
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<br />My stomach is really bothering me the last couple of days. It's funny... I will few days when I feel just fine, no pain, nausea, gas... nothing. Then all of a sudden it is like I am hit by the proverbial bus. I was feeling fine the other day, then all of a sudden my right arm started hurting (which is unusual, it is usually my left) Then a few hours later my left started (guess I should be careful what I ask for) <em>Then</em> the stomach-ish pain starts (the one that feels like a fist in my chest). Grrrr..... why didn't I just wait the 6 months required by my insurance company and have a bypass in the first place???? <strong>Three frickin wasted years.</strong>
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<br />Ah well. Such is life.
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<br />Later...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-33213225672004625062011-08-22T15:04:00.002-06:002011-08-22T15:09:48.639-06:00Been angry lately<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div>
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<br />I am just pissed off at life right now. My knee hurts and I am STILL waiting for the insurance to come through for my bypass. I know it is going to take at least another 4 months (best case scenario) but it just gets me so angry I have to go through this. I HAD my surgery, I DID the program. I was doing well. I should be having plastic surgery, not be waiting on a seemingly endless waiting list for a bypass. I am so frustrated that that idiot that maimed me is off in another state probably doing the same thing to other people.
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<br />I had a girl write me and ask me my opinion of him. What I really, trully wanted to say was "RUN!!!!!" and tell her not ot let him anywhere near her with a scalpel. Instead I kind of soft soaped it and hinted around that she probably wanted to find a different doctor. I guess I was afraid of getting sued. <em><strong>Stupid</strong></em>. I would not have told her anything that wasn't true. I would have told her I almost died because he didn't take care of me post surgically. I would have told her I was pretty sure he was high when I went for my one week post surgical appointment. I would tell her this is the reason I felt that I needed emergency surgery and came so close to sepsis that I could easily have died. I would tell her that I blame him for my erosion. I know this is a possible complication. But really..... 2 patients of his????? (that I know of) This is such a fairly uncommon complication, and to have 2 patients within a couple of months?? Coincidince? I think not.
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<br />I am still having gastric issues (chest pain and left arm pain and numbness after eating... and we won't EVEN get into the horrific belching from all that rotting food just sitting down there). Not that this is stopping me, of course. I have gained back almost 30 pounds!!!!
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<br />I am so angry. At myself, at fate, at life, at the insurance company, and at that asshole who did the original lapband surgery.
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<br />I could just explode.
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<br />Later...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-48143145271004868572011-08-09T19:23:00.000-06:002011-08-09T19:24:15.830-06:00Today's thought<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div>
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<br />Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realise that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.
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<br />Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-14962117083235323052011-08-03T15:21:00.002-06:002011-08-03T15:45:55.110-06:00Long time no talk...again<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />Hi folks. Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Had my knee replaced 4 weeks ago tomorrow. Still NOT glad I did it!!! They say it takes about three months to be happy you'd done it. Guess I have another 2 months to go!!! It is getting easier and a bit less painful every day. Having said that--- it still hurts, <em><strong>a lot</strong></em>.<br /><br />Had a moment of sweating in pre op when the nurse plugged my weight into the hospital computer thingy, turned to me and said "Um, have you gained weight recently? The computer is showing you up 17%" I thought, "Oh CRAP, there goes my surgery". I guess they didn't say anyhting to the surgeon, cuz the surgery went on as planned.<br /><br />Unfortunetely,I am up in weight. My all time low was 113 pounds lost. I am now at 86 pounds lost. It sucks, but could be worse, I guess. <br /><br />Still waiting for the insurance company to come through, I'm figuring it's gonna be at least another 2-3 months for that ;( <br /><br />My husband might get a job back in Michigan. My biggest fear is that he gets the job and I have to start all over with another insurance (Kaiser is not in MI) and they give me a big hassle/make me do a 6 months diet or <gasp> flat out refuse to pay for the surgery. This job would still be with the same company (AT&T) but the first insurance we had with them when we got here was BCBS of IL, and they are the ones who gave me such a hassle. Why is it that all of my friends can just walk into a surgeons office, say they want to have weight loss surgery and get it???? It's just not fair. Yes, I will take a bit of cheese with that whine ;0<br /><br />Well, that's my update... hope everyone is doing well.Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-73938908419920722932011-06-20T15:44:00.002-06:002011-06-20T16:01:53.301-06:00Hanging in<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />Been awhile since I posted. Sorry. <br /><br />Kayleigh and I went to Michigan for a couple of weeks. The trip was OK, though I gained a LOT of weight. How the HELL can anyone gain 21 pounds in 17 days??? I know a bunch of it was water weight, and my usual, quickly lost, MI weight gain. I actually lost 11 pounds the first 3 days back. But that <em>still</em> leaves an 10 extra pounds!!!<br /><br />I am stressing because I have my pre op appointment for my knee replacement in 3 days. I am concerned that with my recent weight gain (it will be around 20 pounds since I saw the surgeon) that he will refuse to do my surgery at this time. I know that with knee replacements they are very picky about weight/weight gain.<br /><br />Still waiting to hear from the insurance company.... again. The nurse in charge of bariatrics there had told me she would call me "next Tuesday".. when I hadn't heard from her by Friday I started calling and sending emails. I heard from her the <em>next</em> Wednesday. She told me the surgeon (the exact same one who said I should have surgery sooner, and that he would request it) told her that in his opinion I did not need to be expedited, which means I will have to wait my turn. She told me she would get ahold of the gastro doctor and see if her opinion on this differed. She would "call me back" This was almost 2 weeks ago. I did send a email to the gastro doctor letting her know Natalie (the nurse) would be in touch with her. Never heard back from her either. <sigh><br /><br />So, as things stand right now, I am having my knee replaced July 7 (assuming the surgeon does not refuse to do it) and I will probably be up for a bypass sometime early next year!!!<br /><br />Tired of pain and misery.<br /><br />I'll post after my appointment on Thursday.<br /><br />Later...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-56316407527113271462011-05-25T19:12:00.002-06:002011-05-25T19:19:54.937-06:00irritated<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />Well, called the surgeon's office this morning. I was told I need to call the scheduler at Kaiser. So.... I call her, she is in the weight management department. Left a message, she just called back. Turns out I am NOT approved for surgery. I am approved to go see the surgeon. WTF????????? I just saw him 3 weeks ago. Now I have to talk to the head nurse of the weight management department on a phone consult Friday morning.<br /><br />Unbelievable......<br /><br />This was the first line form the letter I recieved:<br /><br />Kaiser Permanente has authorized the service(s) that have been requested by your health care provider. Your authorization has been sent to the provider listed below. Please call this provider to make an appointment.<br /><br />All that jsut for a consult???? Which, by the way, THEY set up for me 3 weeks ago.<br /><br />He TOLD me he was going to suggest I have the surgery soon to help cure this painful medical condition.<br /><br />I HATE insurance. Grrrrrrrrr<br /><br />Later...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-44199222311635934442011-05-24T20:35:00.003-06:002011-05-24T20:40:08.967-06:00Good News....<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />Got a letter from the insurance company today. They have authorized my surgery!!!! I have been waiting and waiting for a call. I did not expect to get a letter. I need to call the surgeons office tomorrow to book my date. I also am going to call the insurance company and make sure they are not going to require the 6 weeks of classes. Really, there is no reason.... one of the things they do in the class is go over the different surgeries available. I don't need that, since I don't have any choice on surgery. Also..... can they really teach me anything that I don't already know after living the life for 2 1/2 years???<br /><br />I am so happy.<br /><br />Will post tomorrow after I talk to the surgeons office.<br /><br />Later...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-56265380822496561942011-05-14T20:02:00.002-06:002011-05-14T20:21:14.771-06:00So far so OK<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />Well.... I went to the surgeon on Wednesday. We talked about the different surgeries available. He told me he doesn't think I should get another band (had no intention on doing that!), He said with the GP a sleeve is out, since the smaller stomach would never empty. A duodenal switch is also out, since that also has a sleeve like stomach. The only surgery that is left as an option is a bypass. Duh.... big surprise, since that's what I went in to talk to him about!!!!<br /><br />He said he can't guarantee that the bypass is even going to help with the stomach emptying issue. In theory it should, since when they re-route your intestines to your stomach they do all the work. They should be what pulls the food out of my poor defective stomach.<br /><br />He was sure to tell me 3-4 times that he could not guarantee it would solve anything. I told <strong>him</strong> the same 3-4 times I am willing to take that chance. After all, it can't make the problem too much worse!!! <br /><br />He told me he is going to go ahead and put a request in to the insurance company for me. He warned me that most likely nothing will happen quickly. He reminded me the insurance company is a big entity and he is just a small cog in the wheel. He also told me they are going to make me take the 6 week pre surgery class. I know if I was having this done for weight loss I would have to take the class, but this is more for medical reasons. Besides, I lived the life for 2 1/2 years. I am pretty sure there is very little to nothing I can learn from a class. Not to mention, I would never deliberately scare someone, but I'm pretty sure they lump all the surgical candidates together, regardless of their chosen procedure. I'm sure hearing of my problems would scare the heck out of anyone contemplating a band.<br /><br />I have a knee replacement surgery scheduled for july 19. Not sure what to do. The surgeon told me not to cancel anything yet. Most likely I will still be waiting for insurance approval at that time and go through with the knee. It's all so confusing.......<br /><br />Guess that's it for now. Later...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-46935755284277142542011-05-08T17:31:00.002-06:002011-05-08T17:54:17.238-06:00Moving (hopefully) in the right direction.<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />Well, had my upper GI and upper endoscopy. No suprises in either of those. The endo doctor told me she would "Call Dr Chae" (the one who removed my band), and call me that week. No call. At the end of the week I sent her this email: <br /><br />****************************************************************<br /><br />I was just wondering if you ever got in touch with Dr Chae and what our next step is. <br /><br />I have been using the Mirilax as you suggested, and it is not making any difference to the pain and discomfort.<br /><br />*****************************************************************<br /><br />These are our next few messages (the next week):<br /><br />To: Julie<br /> Subject: (No subject) <br /><br />I have sent a message to weight management to see if you could get a follow up appointment with Dr. Chae<br />_________<br /><br />To: ELIZABETH SOFIAN-CONLAN, MD<br />Subject: RE:(No subject)<br /><br />Sorry to be a pain, but just wondering if you specifically suggested that I need surgery or have just requested I see Dr Chae again? <br /><br />_______________<br /><br />To:<br />Julie <br />From:<br />ELIZABETH SOFIAN-CONLAN, MD<br /><br />Received:<br />05/02/2011 2:22 PM<br /><br />I am going to try to get an appointment for you to speak with him in the office and talk about surgery at that time<br /><br /><br />*****************************************************************<br /><br />Wish she had been a bit more clear. Did she tell them I needed surgery? Did she just ask for a referral to see him as a follow up to the last surgery???<br /><br /><br />Anyway. Was giving up hope when I did not hear from the insurance company. But, finally they called. I talked to the nurse at weight management. She asked lots of questions. She asked if I had had this pain since the band removal. She was quite taken aback when I told her I had it since November!!!!!<br /><br />I also told her I had not been eating or drinking (it's hard to do that when you know what is coming) She was very insitent that I at least drink enough to be able to urinate 4-5 times a day. She also told me I should get in to see Dr Chae ASAP. I called and have an appointment for this Wednesday at noon. I truly do not know where things are going to go from there. Dr Chae and I had discussed the fact that a bypass is the only thing that "cures" gastroparesis the first time I saw him. He also told me that physically he would be able to do a bypass in 3-4 months. So.... not sure how this is going to go with the insurance company. Hoping Dr Sofian has already advised them this is something I need for medical reasons, and they will OK it.<br /><br />Think good thoughts for me and I will post on Wednesday when things are (hopefully) clearer.<br /><br />Later...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-47933331538664359012011-04-28T19:02:00.002-06:002011-04-28T19:10:00.135-06:00talked to a friend<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />Talked to a friend who had been banded by the same doctor a couple of months before me. Imagine my suprise when she told me she lost her band to an erosion too.<br /><br />Hmmmmm. Just a coincidence?? I think not.<br /><br />I have been saying since my erosion that it was caused by the surgeon who did it. Everyone just told me, "Julie, it is a known complication of band surgery." And yes, it is a possible complication. A very rare one. For 2 people from the same surgeon to erode?? No conincidence there.<br /><br />And to top it off, I looked online and he is still performing surgery in another state. Wonder how many more people he has maimed since he left???Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-4276628695290581632011-04-20T05:33:00.002-06:002011-04-20T05:45:40.105-06:00Update on gastro appointment<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />Well, I saw the doctor today. I really like her!!! We both read my surgical report from my band removal. Turns out the entire band was in the stomach. It was also turning black!!!! (from the stoamch acids)<br /><br />The report also said I have a LOT of large adhesions. She told me she wants me to have a upper GI and an endoscopy to see what is going on with both the inside and outside of my stomach. She is then going to talk to the surgeon who did the removal and get his opinion. She is pretty sure that between the adhesions and the gastroparesis she should be able to get me approved for the bypass in a very short time due to medical issues, as opposed to just as a treatment for obesity. Yayyyyyy<br /><br />I called the departemnt that does the GI's and was told their first open appointment was May 17!!! Are ya freaking kidding me????? I was still at the medical center and went right back to her office and asked to speak to her. She wrote the order as rule out obstruction and the test must be done within a week. She had her office girls make a call and my test is this Friday!!! Then Monday I see her for the upper endoscopy. Oh joy, I just love having to get an IV put in. NOT. I am a really hard stick. The last time she did this test it took 4 people a total of 8 tries to get it started. But I guess ya gotta do what ya gotta do....<br /><br />I am kind of excited and hoping this works out and I can have the bypass much sooner than anticipated.<br /><br />More later....Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-23656234720858551022011-04-16T11:11:00.002-06:002011-04-16T11:29:36.473-06:00Approved<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />I got my approval letter a couple days ago for surgery. Of course, it is probably going to take 9-10 months until I am "up to bat."<br /><br />I am seeing the same gastro doctor who diagnosed my erosion on Tuesday. I am hoping she will call and request I have surgery a LOT sooner due to a medical issue. I am kind of upset I had the band removed. I did not have the symptoms associated with an erosion: loss of restriction (I still had plenty) and port infections (nope, none there, either). If I hadn't seen the pictures of the erosion with my own 4 eyes, I wouldn't believe it. I still have the same original pain, plus the added "fun" of the left shoulder/neck/arm pain.<br /><br />By the way, thank you to everyone who gave me feedback on this pain. I did go to my PCP and she ordered a stress test. It was fine, even the cardiologist administering it agreed with me that it was my stomach, not my heart. I also googled it, and left sided pain is not unheard of with gastroparesis.<br /><br />So.... now I am bandless, waiting for a bypass, fighting my food addiction every day, and still in pain <sigh>. Sorry for the little whine there... maybe I should go get myself some cheese????<br /><br />I'll update after seeing the doctor on Tuesday.<br /><br />Later.....Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-29403384915087089792011-04-03T05:35:00.002-06:002011-04-03T05:51:31.475-06:00Confession time....<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />I have been <em>completely</em> out of control. I was so proud... the first 5 weeks after my surgery I only gained 3 pounds. I am now up 11!!!! I am so unhappy about this. But, I know I only have myself to blame. I really have not been eating too much, it's been what I have been eating. Candy, cupcakes, basically anything bad for me.<br /><br />I did go to my PCP. She agrees with me that my left arm/neck/shoulder pain is probably from my stomach, but she still wants me to have a stress test. I am going this Thursday for one. I also made an appointment with the gastroenterologist. I am seeing her in 2 weeks. I am hoping she will be able to order a test that will confirm my gastroparesis, then <hopefully> she will be willing to go to bat for me and suggest a gastric bypass as a cure fr it. I did manage to get my paperwork request in.... but I have not been OK'd yet. And I am so afraid of how much I will gain by the time I get to the top of the list in 9 or 10 months.<br /><br />Why can't I keep myself under control??????<br /><br />I can't believe what a weak willed person I really am. Jeez. Get over yourself, Julie.Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-78604910072438172802011-03-11T00:27:00.002-07:002011-03-11T00:39:59.429-07:00PAIN<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />Well, the pain I mentioned in my last post (that I thought was from exercise) has gotten MUCH worse. Now it seems that eating is causing it. Up to 6 hours after I eat, especially if I get stuck (which is happening a lot, my restriction seems to be even more than when I had my band) I start getting this pain. It runs across my left shoulder blade and all the way down my left arm to my fingers. Then for a little added "fun" it also hurts down the left side of my neck!!! <br /><br />This pain is excruciating. All I can do is take something for the pain and go in and lay down. I just lay there and whimper like an injured dog.<br /><br />I just don't know what is causing this pain. I don't know if it's pain from the surgery, or the gastroparesis causing it. It does seem to be worse after I eat, so it's possible that this is all being caused by an over filled stomach.<br /><br />I have not been to the doctor for this yet, since I know what they will say. "It could be caused by the surgery, and you have to give your stomach time to heal still" I am going to make an appointment with my PCP soon, since the surgeon told me to go to her in about a month for a blood test to make sure I still don't have any sort of infection.<br /><br />I'm just tired of being miserable...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-59327533048604330162011-03-05T04:43:00.002-07:002011-03-05T04:51:36.079-07:00Challenged<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br /><br />Still feeling rather challenged food wise. I am only able to eat 1 time a day (I might be able to sneak a second small amount in if lucky) I am having quite a bit of pain and restriction. I am so full all the time, I am not getting any where near the water I need. Here in Colorado it is really dry so I should be getting minimmum 4 bottles of water. I rarely have room for 1, let alone 4!!!!<br /><br />So..... <em>why is my weight up?????</em><br /><br />Started exercising more, mainly upper body, due to the bad knee problems. Now, on top of the fact that I feel like I could be sick any moment from the over filled stomach I am in a lot of pain in my back and left arm.<br /><br /><strong>What's a girl gotta do around here to lose a few pounds???????</strong>Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-30551399008688698202011-03-01T02:35:00.002-07:002011-03-01T02:48:43.059-07:00Got rid of the drain<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />... And is that a relief ;)<br /><br />I am still on soups and such, though I have started on a bit more solid foods. Had some pizza on Sunday and a deli sandwich yesterday. I seem to have some restriction, though it is hard to tell completely at his point.<br /><br />I am still not able to lift anything more than 20 pounds. I am very excited about being able to exercise more. I am starting on working my upper body. My left knee is so bad, I am seeing a surgeon in a month to see about a replacement. Not sure if they will be willing to do it or not. I am a bit too young at this point, also not at an optimal size. Kind if in that catch 22 of "Too big for surgery, but not able to lose weight due to pain and mobility issues with this knee" <sigh><br /><br />I am still planning on putting in an application for a bypass. My weight is just a bit too low still. Today my BMI was 39.9. It needs to be at least a 40. I will be weighed again next week. Hopefully......<br /><br />What kind of bizarre crazy world am I in now that I have to <strong><em>gain</em></strong> weight just to apply for a surgery???? Unbelievable.<br /><br />Hanging in and hoping for restriciton.....Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-48964323166700132362011-02-14T20:02:00.003-07:002011-02-15T19:57:53.083-07:00It's done<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />Well, the surgery was last week. It went well. The surgeon said there were no surprises, there was hole in my stomach about the size of a quarter as well as a a lot of scar tissue. He sewed the hole and cleaned up as much scar tissue as he could. They had me on heavy duty pain killers and one of those self administration buttons. I pushed it a lot.<br /><br />They kept me on antibiotics all night and the doctor said I may be abe to go home the next day. I started getting really dizzy and nauseous from the pain meds I backed off on pushing the button. The second day they put me on a bariatric clear diet. That really sucked. How cruel... someone loses their band and you bring them 2 swallows of chicken bouillon and 3 small squares of diet jello????<br /><br />Anyway, the next day they did not let me go because I was not drinking enough. They let me go home the next day, Ron picked me up around 9:30 AM. <br /><br />Got home and went to bed. Within a couple hours I started feeling like I might be running a fever. I had to send Ron out to buy a new thermometer since our dog ate my new $12.00 thermometer. Wouldn't ya know, 102.5. Shit.<br /><br />Called the surgeon and left a message. He didn't call right back. Called Kaiser, and spoke to the answering service, they said someone would call back. They didn't. Called the surgeon again. In the mean time I was talking to one of my friends, knowing it is 8:00 at night and I need to do something with Kayleigh. Called the surgeon again. Decided we were just going to go to the E.R. Then the surgeon called. Asking me about when I took my pain meds. He told me to just take my pain meds and come to the hospital the next day of I was still running a temp. I told him I didn't think I should wait, so he suggested that I go in then. Took Kayleigh to my friends for the night and headed for a <em>different</em> hospital. <br /><br />Had to wait awhile to be seen. They started an I.V. and gave me some nasty contrast to drink so I could go for a CT scan. When for the scanned, of course, I had a seroma )a pocket of fluid) around the drain. I did expect this, though it is usually after 3-4 weeks, not 3 days!!!!<br /><br />They admitted me and put me on I.V. antibiotics. I got to my room around 1:30 AM. A house doctor came in and woke me up around 3:30. I was so dizzy and nauseous. I started getting scared. I started thinking "maybe this is it" it was quite disturbing and scary. I was in there for 3 more days. I was kept "comfortable" on I.V. dilaudid. The surgeon thought I might have a leak, so they sent me down for a swallow test. Luckily I did not. I was so miserable in there, and wanted so to go home. When the staff doctor came in on Sunday and asked if I was ready to go I was like "Hell, yeah!"<br /><br />So.... Now I am on home with a drainage tube, 2 antibiotics and 2 pain killers.<br /><br />The surgeon told me that my stomach may be "deformed" from all the scar tissue and if that is the case he can go in in about 6 months or so and open up the stricture in there. My though was "Heck, if it is acting like a band, why the heck would I want to get it stretched?"<br /><br />I am on liquids for the next 2-3 weeks still, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-27391987288756108202011-02-08T10:29:00.002-07:002011-02-08T10:40:29.493-07:00leaving in an hour<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />.... wouldn't want to be late to the worst thing that has happened to me in a while.<br /><br />It's 10:30 now, leaving about 11:30 to the hospital. My surgery is at 3 PM, but have to be there by 1. We had crappy weather and lots of snow last night so we are leaving early.<br /><br />Really stressing. Even though I know it needs to come out, I so don't want this surgery.<br /><br />I already have a small case of gastroparesis. It can be a debilitating disease. People end up having to get feeding tubes put in for this. I am actually hoping it gets worse for me. I know this sounds terrible, and anyone afflicted with this would think I am incredibly crazy and just plain stupid for saying this.<br /><br />But....<br /><br />Even though it would (probably) make me incredibly miserable (as I know from the fairly small case I already have), it would keep me from eating too much and "finding" my lost weight.<br /><br />The one surgical cure for it is bypass. Perhaps if I could get in sooner than 9 months for a bypass if it was "medically necessary".<br /><br />I may just be suffering with a case of panic right now. No sane person wishes a painful, miserable condition on themself.<br /><br />Just scared...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-74226407794018032562011-01-28T16:22:00.002-07:002011-01-28T16:48:27.185-07:00very sad<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />Well.... the results are in. They are NOT good. I have a bad erosion. I am losing my band and am very stressed about it. I am <em>so</em> afraid I will gain all this weight back <sigh>.<br /><br />I tried to talk the surgeon into converting me to something else while he's taking the band out, but he just <em><strong>insists</strong></em> that it is too dangerous. I spent most of yesterday crying.<br /><br />I talked to the woman from Kaiser today about a bypass. She is going to send me an application. She told me not to send it back right away, because she doesn't want me to be denied due to too low BMI. Imagine.... me?? Too Low BMI???? Never thought I would hear those words. Hmmmmmmm... still too fat to be "normal" but not fat enough for surgery?? What a crappy place to be.<br /><br />She told me their waiting list is about 9 months!!!! I guess that's not too bad since my stomach will mmost likely not be completely healed for 6 months or so (they say between 3-6...but knowing me it will be the full 6)<br /><br />I am really truly hoping that I won't even need the surgery. I have learned some good habits in the past 2 1/2 years. I will just have to be dilligent about practicing them.<br /><br />One of the things I am even <strong>more</strong> upset about is the plastic surgery. I was so planning it. Now I don't know when it will be. I am thinking I will give myself the 6 months, and as long as I have not gained weight (please, oh please let me not gain weight) I will look at going ahead and doing it. After all, I was planning on having it at the size I am now anyway, and I only planned on losing, at most, another 20 pounds or so. So...... as long as I can stay even I should be good to go.<br /><br />The surgery is, as far as I know, going to be Feb 7th. I will be in the hospital for at least 2 days. Evidently most people who have this surgery end up with an abccess, so I will be on I.V. antibiotics for a couple of days. Oh Goody. At least the surgery will be done laproscopically. <br /><br />Don't know if this is going to cure my gastroparesis. My guess is probably not (though I'm not a doctor, I just play one on TV <smile> ) In a weird, rather twisted way I am kinda sorta hoping it does not get better. It hurts to eat. I will not gain weight if it hurts to eat, right? Gee.... the girl will do <em>anything</em> to lose weight.....<br /><br />I'll update after I talk to the surgeon.<br /><br />Later...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-43329900318850505042011-01-27T00:47:00.002-07:002011-01-27T00:51:07.374-07:00STRESSED<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />I finally got into the gastroenterologist, it took me 3 weeks to get an appointment, while I was steadily geting worse each day. I have gotten to the point that I am barely eating/drinking for the pain. Now I am so weak I can barely stand for more that a minute or two at a time.<br /><br />I figured they were going to jerk me around... "Here, try this med and come back in a month" type of thing. But she was like "I can get you in tomorrow for an endoscopy" This would have been at the local hospital but admitting was already closed for the day, so we made an appointment for tomorrow at 11 AM at the Kaiser office downtown.<br /><br />She will be looking for an ulcer or stricture, though she told me she doubts it is either of these things. I told her of my weight gain fears without a band and asked her if I truly have gastroparesis (basically your stomach muscles aren't working to push the food through... it just sits there and rots) if a bypass would fix it (that seems to be one of the few things that works for people). <br /><br />She told me that if she doesnt find anything tomorrow she is going to call Natalie (the head of bariatrics) and suggest she refers me to Dr Metz for exploratory surgery <Yikes> and a bypass. She said she feels that this is being caused by something structural, and I will definetely have to have exploratory surgery, so they "might as well do a bypass while they are in there".<br /><br />I am reallly freaked out about needing X surgery. And if I can't have a band I will take the bypass.<br /><br />Now I'm stressing thinking that Kaiser will not want to pay for the bypass, since they tend to have a lot of hoops to jump through before they will pay for bariatrics. I am hoping that they will not deny this since: <br /><br />1). This would be done to alleviate a very real, dangerous stomach condition. And,<br /><br />2). I have "proven" myself and my commitment already by losing 113 pounds with the band.<br /><br />Of course, now (for the first time in probably 20 years) I am under a 40 BMI. This may come into play also.<br /><br />I didn't elect for bypass in the first place because of the risks and more danger associated with it.... but I guess the risks of ballooning up to over 350 pounds are pretty high too.<br /><br /><br />Figures..... I decided on who I was going to go to for my PS, and to have my boobs done too. Now this is most likely going to be put on the back burner for quite awhile.<br /><br /><br />Best case scenario: She finds an ulcer, and I am all better after 6 weeks of meds. I can get my band refilled and have my lower body lift.<br /><br />Second best case scenario: Kaiser pays for a bypass, I quickly lose even more weight, and look even better after my LBL.<br /><br />The last scenario: Kaiser refuses to authorize the bypass. Dr Metz removes the band and I see how much it would cost for me to pay cash for a sleeve while he's in there. There goes my plastics money..... OR ..... I go to Mexico for a sleeve or the new sleeve plication. Again, bye bye plastic surgery <sigh>. <br /><br />I'll post when I know more.<br /><br />Later...Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-22991260503665733402011-01-22T19:02:00.000-07:002011-01-22T19:03:14.774-07:00Todays thought<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Act as if you were already happy and that will tend to make you happy. -Dale CarnegieJulie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-10109010737852058212011-01-21T14:52:00.002-07:002011-01-21T15:31:19.538-07:00Plastic surgery, still not feeling well, another NSVAs I said before, I have been "interviewing" plastic surgeons. I am done. I have decided on who I want to go with. He is the third guy I saw. I saw one after him who was quite negative and refused to operate on me. He told me I need to get down to a BMI of 30 (I'm at 37) before he would even <strong><em>think</em></strong> about doing surgery on me. He told me that at my "Still very large size" there would be too much chance of healing problems. Getting own to a BMI of 30 would mean about 30 pounds loss. He wasn't too thrilled with my reasoning that if you remove 30 pounds during surgery I will be right there!!!<br /><br />To be honest, even if he was willing I would not have gone with him. The main reason for this is that they <em>strongly</em> recommend either a night or two in a recovery center or a private nurse. The center they use is the one pretty much all the surgeons in the area use. It looks nice, but it is a good 25 miles from his office/surgical center. The recovery center supplies transport, so after being cut and sewn up all the way around they put you in a vehicle and take you to the center. The next day they take you back to the doctor, as well as the day after this, if needed. This is a lot of getting in and out of a vehicle with all these stiches (not to mention a whole lot of pain, I'm sure) in my opinion. I would rather not do this. I feel all this moving is just more chance to pop stitches.<br /><br />The surgeon I have decided on is Dr Murphy. I saw him for the second time a couple days ago. He answered all my questions He seems very knowlegable and confident in my results.<br /><br />He said I am NOT too heavy. Basically what he said is the only areas I am bigger are the ones he will be removing. Also, since I will be staying in the hospital his office is attached to I will be taken by gurney to my room. He will come visit me for follow up (he also comes to his patients at the aforementioned recovery center, as opposed to making them come to him) I like this.<br /><br />I talked to him about doing a boob lift at the same time. I was on the fence about having them done, or doing a upper body lift later on. A upper body lift comprises the breast lift and your arms. I do want to get my arms done (as well as my inner thighs, later on) but decided it would be more adventageous to me at this time to pay the little bit more (it adds about 3K) instead of waiting and paying 10K later on. Maybe when it's time I can work out a deal for my upper thighs and arms!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />Now, of course, I still am not able to schedule it becasue I am still having stomach issues. I ended up going to the ER a week ago for the stomach pain. They called my band surgeon, Dr Metz. Now, we just joined a diferent insurance carrier. We just started with Kaiser Permante. I had made an appointment to see a gastroenterologist, but it is taking me 3 weeks to get in!!! Dr Metz called me a couple days ago and told me he just joined up with Kaiser and I should see if I could get a referral to see him. I am now working on this. Dr Metz says I have something called gastroparesis, which basically just means your stomach is not emptying properly due to lessened muscular contractions. He says my band may be causing this. He says it may be pressing on the vagus nerve. He says we may have to remove my band. I say <strong>NO FRICKIN WAY</strong>. This is not even a consideration..... unless I can get something to replace it. I would be willing to have a vertical gastric sleeve done. But I am not, let me repeat this NOT going to have my band removed and be left out to dry. I know I would gain all this weight back. I <em>need</em> the tool. I can't even stand the thought of all this I've been through the last 3 years or so being a waste.<br /><br />Not to mention, people who have <strong>never</strong> had any sort of abdominal surgery can get this too. There is no guarantee that removing the band would even cure the problem.<br /><br />Guess I'll just have to wait and see how this whole thing plays out.<br /><br />Now... on to another NSV.<br /><br />My friend and I took our daughters to the stock show here in Denver. They had a "super dogs" show. It was in the colisseum. I was sitting in my seat and actually thought the arm rest was up between out seats since I didn't feel it sticking into me. Imagine my suprise when I looked down and ralized the arm rest was, in fact down!!! What a pleasant suprise. I honestly can't remember the last time I had enough room in a seat.Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-12059904823982503682011-01-12T04:01:00.003-07:002011-01-12T04:15:15.837-07:00my latest NSV<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br />For those not "up on the lingo" (and you know who you are, Sheila... ;) NSV means non scale victory.<br /><br />K and I went with my friend and her daughter to a sports complex this past Sunday. There were bumper cars there, and the sign said weight limit 275. I am way under that, so I went on!!!! It was a lot of fun, once I got into the car. I am having major issues with my left knee (guess carrying <strong><em>way</em></strong> too much weight for nearly 40 years will do that to ya). But, I must say it was worth the struggle to get on. It was so much fun, not to mention how good it felt to be able to do something "normal", something someone non obese would not think twice about doing.<br /><br />Still "interviewing" plastic surgeons. I am getting excited about this, though a bit anxious and uneasy when I think about the pain.<br /><br />Made a appointment with a gastroenterologist (earliest I could get in is 2 weeks). I am hoping that if my stomach is not completely better by then that they can figure out what is wrong.<br /><br />I WANT MY FILL BACK!!!!!!Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6363620169965304344.post-6409215161291168412011-01-06T16:39:00.002-07:002011-01-06T17:03:34.730-07:00How to lose 8 sizes in 6 hours<div style="background:url(LINK_OF_PICTURE) no-repeat;"></div><br /><br /><br />I am planning on plastic surgery!!!<br /><br /><br />I have the $$$ for it, just need to working out the logistics of aftercare.<br /><br />I have been looking at my options for a coup;e of months. I have otten 4 quotes so far.<br /><br />1) A surgeon in the area. He wanted to do surgery "in stages" The first stage would be a paniculectomy (for those who do not know what that is, it is just basically removing the apron, or hanging down, stomach skin. His charge for this was over $12,000. (this would be after having someone completely different repair my hernia.) The next stage would be either a tummy tuck ($17,000) or a lower body lift <strong>($32,000+)</strong>. Are ya freakin kidding me?? I was so upset I cried for a couple of days.<br /><br />2) A surgeon in Mexico. A friend of mine here went to this guy, and had great results and nothing but good to say about him. I sent him pictures and he also wanted to do the panniculectomy. His quote was a much more reasonable $5,500. This would require 13 days spent in MX (included in the price) and someone else doing the hernia repair beforehand.<br /><br />3) Another guy here in town. He said he could do a tummy tuck on me, no problem. Then he recommended a lower body lift. This would basically take care off the huge, hanging down skin on my stomach as well as the loose skin <and still some fat> on my backside. He has worked with many band patients, and told me he could get a low profile port for me and oput it in during the surgery. His price was $10,000 for the TT and $17,500 for the LBL. This included repair of any hernias he might find. I asked him if I should lose any more weight first, and he told me I really don't need to. He said I have no extra flesh on my upper abdomen. (and he's right).<br /><br />4) One more guy here in town. He quoted me $19,500 for a lower body lift. This includes 2 nights in the hopital, as well as a piece of mesh for the hernia repair taht he may or may not have to use. When he first came into the room to talk to me I was sitting down. He asked me how much more weight I wanted to lose (about 40-50 pounds) He told me I probably wanted to lose the weight first before surgery. We then walked into an exam room. When we got into the room he told me "You do not have to lose any more weight right now, you are a good candidate and will have great results". This made me feel much better.<br /><br />He is figuring this will bring me down to about a size <strong>10</strong>. I have not been a size ten since I was 8 or so!!!!<br /><br /><br />I may talk to a few more surgeons, then make a decision on who to go with.<br /><br />I am so excited.Julie's Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12911864402862900369noreply@blogger.com0