4 Weeks out today!

Yes I know...it's been 4 weeks since surgery BUT my official one month is the 24th

So far I'm down 32 lbs and I have lots more energy!

Here are my 1 month pics VS beginning:

Wow...I can tell a difference already!  Wooo hooo!! I can tell you this: my bra is already huge on me now lol *of course the first place I lose weight is my boobs* lol

WARNING (Female post)

Not sure how many males read this blog...but just incase....

**WARNING**** Female type issues will be discussed further*******************




Yeah, so this past week I have had the worst time trying to sleep at night...then this morning I found out why....I started my period a week early. Yes I know, with extreme weight loss comes extreme hormone release in the body....which in turn can make a woman start early.
I can honestly say that I am not use to this at all. In fact, due to my PCOS I would sometimes go 3-6 months without a period.  Since I've been on birth control, I rarely have a period that lasts longer than 2 maybe 3 days...very light.
For maybe the past week, I've not taken my birth control due to medication interaction fear I have at the moment. Let's just say that I'm a little on the grumpy side today (my apologies to everyone)

Anyhow, that's enough of that. I'm officially down 30 lbs since the preop diet (yay!)
I'm drinking plenty of fluids and now I'm finally able to eat a little bit of food. :-)
I still drink 100% juice with my crushed meds during the day. I eat low fat/low sugar yogurt. Low fat cheese and low fat turkey. I've had campbell's tomato soup with milk blended. I've had a few goldfish crackers...but my most favorite thing still is milk. Milk just makes my tummy feel better. I know it's got protein in it (which my body needs) and it goes great with the cheerio's I can now have! lol

My energy level is improving everyday, praise God!
I'm keeping a journal of my food/fluids/medication/feelings. It has helped being able to journal and blog...something cleansing and freeing about it.

Well everyone, I'm off to go for a little walk around the house.
Hope you all are well and take care.

Sorry for the hiatus

Wow, so as of today I am 2 weeks postop! Let me tell you..if anyone tries to tell you that surgery is the easy way out...I'd like to set the record straight and say a hearty HECK NO IT ISN'T!!! In all honesty nursing school and gastric bypass are neck and neck in my book.Both require LOTS of time, lots of hard work. I'm serious when I say that eating is officially a chore to me now! I have to crush 3 pills in the a.m. Take them in juice. Throughout the day take 3 calcium citrate vitamins, 2 multivitamins, 1 B-12 and an iron. Honestly I'm doing good getting one of each vitamin.Oh yeah, can't forget the chewable prilosec (yuck). My pouch is still swollen so I'm having a hard time getting in my daily fluids (mainly protein)
Something I find myself battling with is a crazy desire to chug a large glass of water! I use to love doing that! I accidently took too big of a sip of water lastnight and needless to say...it did not stay down.
I went to the surgeon Monday and got my staples/suture and drain out. Oh how thrilled I am not to lug around a drain tube anymore! The cats were getting a little too friendly with it lol
I think the grand total of weight loss so far is 28 lbs (including the 10 day liquid diet)
Anyhow, I can now officially eat puree food. One food in particular I am craving right now is soggy cheerios in skim milk! (And yes I can have it too!)

Well everyone, that's all I've got for now. I will take pics in 2 weeks for a 1 month follow up.

Love you all so much!

Getting along well

So as of today it's been a week since surgery! By the grace of God, I have been healing nicely.
When I first got home I couldn't do much. My wonderful and loving mother helped me with everything! She has: helped me shower, assist me with potty business, changed my drainage dressing, got my medicine, and has been very comforting (the list goes on) Also my dad has helped immensley with helping me get comfy and much more. THANK GOD for my parents!
So as of today I weigh 276 lb
I'm having difficulty getting in my protein plus I need to increase my fluid intake by about 16 oz.
Guidelines are 1 oz in 15 min then 12 oz water in 2 hours etc to equal 64 oz fluid
Also my nutritionist wants me getting in 99 grams of protein a day! (Try doing all of that with a stomach the size of your thumb!)
Anyhow, I'm improving a little each day. I see the surgeon monday to get my staples and drain taken out (yippee!)

Until next time readers! Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers.

Before Pics and Stats

Highest weight: 296
Weight before preop diet: 290
Weight after preop diet: 277
(weight in before pics: 286)

Home and healing

So the surgery went well. I had it 8 am on the 24th and they finished around 10:30am. The hospital had crazy high census so it was around 6 pm  before I ever got put into a room. *i did not mind b/c I had a pain pump and amazing nurses in PACU that loved on me. 
I had a lot of visitors and well wishes on here and facebook, thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers.
I'll go into detail of what all happened later, but for now I must get off of here. I'm starting to get pretty sore in my belly (i've got 6 small incisions and a drainage tube)

Love you all

Tomorrow is the big day!!

So the grand total of weight lost on the preop diet was 9 lbs!! (yippee!)
Around 12 pm today i must start my bowel prep which consists of the following:
-1 bottle Mag citrate
-4 dulcolax with 8 oz water
-1 bottle of Miralax in 32 oz of gatorade
-Another bottle Mag citrate *if poo isn't clear*
**No red/purple/blue jello/gatorade**

Of course it's clear liquids until midnight, then NPO. I'm thinking I'll set my alarm for 3 am so I can hop in the shower (using my dial soap bodywash as instructed by surgery)
Have to check in at 5 am, I think surgery is around 7 or 8 am.
Wow...I still need to pack my bag...lol  I'm trying not to get overwhelmed...b/c let's face it....this is major surgery and nothing I've experienced before. I guess the unknown is always a little scary.
Anyhow, I thank you for all of the support over the past year. This is been a long journey to this point...but now it's time for the next chapter.
Please keep me in your prayers and I will definitely update as soon as I can get to a computer.

Oh yeah, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!!

Preop diet day # 5

So far on this preop diet I've lost a total of 7 lbs! *no doubt due to the very small amount of calories I've been taking in the past 5 days*
On the nights I work, I make a protein shake with skim milk before I go to work. I pack with me 2-snack size low fat cottage cheese, 1-sugar free jello (lime/orange), 1-low fat yogurt, 1-sugar free jello pudding and some type of broth. As far as fluids are concerned, I've been drinking unsweetened tea, water and coffee with skim milk and a splenda.
The first few days were rough, I mean...I had a bad headache, random muscles were twitching all over my body...not to mention fatigue.
As of right now, however, I feel great! I've been researching some different protein shake recipes and have found a bunch of delicious recipes! Over the past few months, I've been stocking up on different sugar free syrups, protein powders and just recently purchased some chewable vitamins specifically for post bariatric surgery. (calcium citrate, B-12, Multi vitamin etc)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Also, I'm going to try a ready made protein shake:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm trying the assorted pack which consists of: Soothing Chai, Italian Cappuccino and Mocha Latte.

 

SURGERY COUNTDOWN: 1-WEEK!!

Day # 2 Preop diet

 God is good (as always) and has blessed me to get to day #2 with this preop diet successfully.

Aside from having limited options and a pretty large headache, I think it's going well!

One thing that has helped me is working (keeping busy)...not having time to think about it.

Only 8 more days of this!

SURGERY COUNTDOWN:  1 Week and 3 days!!

I am now pre-admitted!

This morning I arrived at the hospital for my pre-admission tests around 8-ish. Let's see....first I had to give a urine sample *which was hard after being NPO after midnight* but thank God I still had some in me lol

Then I had ELEVEN vials of blood taken *yes...eleven*and a nasal swab. BTW the girl that took my blood did fabulously! Not even a bruise on my hand!

Next I had an EKG, which was all happy and normal. I then had a chest x-ray.

Last but not least, I saw the pre-admission nurse. We talked about my medical history, the many medicines I take and what to expect the morning of surgery. I also signed a few papers for emergency contact info etc.

I must say that God truly blessed me with some awesome Christian 'kindred spirits' to talk with today at the hospital. I just love how God puts people in your path that share the same love and awe for Him.

Surgery Countdown: 2 WEEKS!!

Excited because.....

surgery in 2 weeks and 1 day!


I can't believe how quickly it's approaching!

I'm NPO after midnight for my tests tomorrow @ 8:30am

*squeals*

Will update more tomorrow

Got my packet in the mail yesterday

So yesterday was a little crazy, thus why I am just now updating.

Anyhow, so I finally received my WLS packet from the surgeon's office. The packet contains the following:

-Prescription for Emend (must take pill 48 hours before surgery) supposedly taking this one pill will keep me from being nauseated for 48 hours.


-Orders for pre-admit which will be next Tuesday, Nov 10th.
EKG & Chest X-ray *to make sure my heart and lungs are okay*


Labs (like around 8 or 9 different labs) *test blood levels for iron/calcium etc*

-Instructions for the 10 day (not 11 day) preop diet (Full liquid diet) **see post below**

-Instructions for the bowel prep the day before surgery
(let's just say that Miralax, Dulcolax and Mag Citrate will be my dearest friends for the whole day.....as well as the toilet)


**SURGERY COUNT DOWN: 2 -Weeks and 5 -Days!!***

Also, I received some crappy news that my awesome primary care doctor has left her group....so now I get to look for another doctor...AGAIN. Sheesh...2 doctors in one year...that's too much. I will miss Dr M so very much.
Although I enjoyed seeing the nurse practitioner *back when I thought I was having gallbladder attack*, the problem is that my insurance does not cover her for a care provider. (prayers please that I find a new and awesome doctor)

Anyhow, I must stay awake for a few more hours...working 4 nights in a row starting this evening.

Update

This is gonna be a quickie update.

Called the surgeon's office today to speak with whoever is in charge of filling out the FMLA paperwork. As it turns out, the surgeon's nurse is the one who fills out the paperwork. The catch is that she only fills them out on Friday's. She offered to fax the paperwork to my H.R. department at work, so I would not have to drive 30 minutes to pick up the paperwork. Well, knowing my bad fortune with paperwork...I think I will risk driving the 30 minutes to pick up the paperwork. (that's just me)

So tomorrow, I will be driving to J.C. to drop off my FMLA paperwork at the surgeon's office.

I don't go back to work until Thursday night. I then work Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights as well.

WOW, only 3 weeks and 1 day until surgery!

Can't sleep (thanks night shift!)

I woke up about 30-ish minutes ago and for some reason cannot go back to sleep. My guess is that it's due to working 4-night shifts at work last week.
Don't get me wrong, i LOVE night shift...it's just that I may have to work days for the next few weeks and I hate getting my sleep schedule off.


Anyhow, I officially have my surgery date which is Tue, Nov 24th...it will either be 5 am or 7 am surgery. The surgery scheduler called and informed me that I will be recieving a packet full of information concerning surgery. There is a lot of pre-op things I must get finished before the 24th (i.e. chest x-ray, blood work, ekg etc)
Starting the 12th of this month, I will be on a mostly liquid diet for 11 days prior to surgery. The reason for the preop diet is to help shrink the liver so the Dr can maneuver with the laparoscope better, as well as deplete glycogen storage to aid in better weight loss. The following are the guidelines for the preop diet:

Pre-op Diet
Here are examples of liquids you can have during this time period. The
nutritional guidelines are as follows:

Consume these liquids in moderation, they contain larger amounts of sugar.
1. 100% Juice, Gatorade®, or Powerade® - limit to 2 cups or less each day. (Try
to choose juices lower in sugar such as apple, orange, or grapefruit)

2. Regular Jello®, popsicles, or no-sugar-added fudgesicles – 3 or less each day.

3. 1 cup of milk (skim, 1%, Lactaid®, or 2%) or 8 oz. Light Yogurt (Dannon
Light®, Yoplait Light®, or Colombo Light®) or _ cup cottage cheese – 3
servings or less each day.

4. High protein supplement that is low-sugar, low-carb, high protein. 1-2 a day.
(See list in Diet Section of the Weight Loss Surgery Booklet provided by your
surgeon’s office). DO NOT BUY: Slim Fast®, Ensure®, Boost® etc.

These liquids can be taken in any amount since they do not contain sugar.
1. Sugar-free beverages such as Crystal Light®, Wyler’s Light®, Sugar-free Kool-
Aid® or Sugar-free Tang®, Diet Snapple®, Fruit2-0®, Propel®, coffee or tea
with sugar substitute or water.

2. Broth soups (all varieties)

3. Sugar-free popsicles and sugar-free Jello®

(They also have special guidelines for diabetics as well)


So yeah...until I get my packet all I can do is wait, pray and stay busy! As of now surgery is in T-minus 3 weeks and 2 days.

Surgeon's office called today...

So the lady that schedules the surgeries called me today to inform me that they received my letter of approval from the insurance company.

She also informed me that there is one spot left in November to schedule the surgery, Nov 24th. She said that no one really wants to have surgery the week of Thanksgiving. I know this might sound silly, but ever since I was a kid I've always wanted a fall birthday. Well, if this date is alright with my family, then I will have my Re-birthday Nov 24th next year.

I've already called HR with my employer and have an appointment to talk about major medical leave, tomorrow morning at 9:00. The surgeon said I will be out at least 4-6 weeks.
I was hoping to schedule the surgery earlier so that I would not put my boss and co-workers in a bad situation at work, due to the holidays and such. I am still technically in orientation and am not counted in staffing yet, although I am scheduled to work 3p-7p on thanksgiving as a scrub.
(I am out of orientation for scrubbing in the O.R.)

My brother Greg and SIL Rosie, will be coming up the week before Thanksgiving for our early Thanksgiving we've had planned for the past few months.

Anyhow, that's all I've got to post for now.

Have a great day everyone!

THANK YOU JESUS!!! I am approved!

I got my approval letter just now!!!
lol I feel like such a baby, I've been crying ever since I read the letter about 10 minutes ago. (crying for joy mind you)
I am in shock...I cannot tell you how much I've wanted this....how long I've worked for this and now it's finally going to happen!

Thank You God for being so faithful to me, for seeing me through the trying times up to this point. And thank You for continuing to be with me and love me each and everyday.




WOOO HOOO!!! Next step: schedule surgery date!

Still waiting...

As suggested by a buddy of mine, I called the insurance company this past Thursday to check on the status of my paperwork.

A very kind lady looked up my information and informed me that my paperwork is currently being reviewed. She also informed me that it would most likely take the full 30 days to finish up the review.

Even though it's still being reviewed, I'm so glad that I'm at this part of the journey. *closer to my hopeful goal of GBS*

Anyhow, that's all of an update I can give at the moment.

*yawns* I must get off of here and get some sleep, I work the next 3 nights at work.

Until next time!

Waiting....

So it's been 2 weeks since my paperwork got sent off to the insurance company...and boy am I getting antsy!!

I know it can take up to 4 weeks...and I need to brace myself for that. Nothing and I mean NOTHING has been easy during this part of the journey. It's mostly playing the constant game of 'run around' with the insurance requirements.

I know this is in God's hands, where it needs to be (and has been the whole time).

I pray for peace while I wait for that wonderful letter that states I am approved for surgery.

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!

As of today, ALL of my insurance requirements for surgery are FINISHED!!!



A lady from the surgeon's office called and said that she will write a letter to insurance and will either mail it today or Monday.

Either way.... PRAISE GOD I'M DONE WITH INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS!!!

Okay...as of RIGHT NOW...

As of RIGHT NOW...I have ALL of my paperwork turned in for the GBS.

I had a one on one consult with the exercise specialist in cahoots with the surgeon's office, today. It was nice to talk w/ someone about the type of exercising I am currently doing and what I will be doing up to surgery and after. I know for a fact that I will be doing a lot of walking and that I would love to try water aerobics.

Anyhow, after the session was finished, the guy wrote me an official letter stating that he had educated me and the specifics. I then went down the road approximately 1 minute to the surgeon's office and dropped it off. Of course, before I dropped of the letter I took a picture of it...(just in case it gets lost somehow). My insurance buddy, Judy was not in the office today, but one of the receptionists put the paper in my chart and put it on Judy's desk.
I'll be calling tomorrow to make sure Judy got my letter.
If this ends my insurance paperwork 'run-around', then I'll be waiting on the approval letter.
(Praying that I do not have ANYMORE requirements to do)

When I hear something back from the surgeon's office I will post more.

Until next time...

YAY

The guy in charge of the exercise class finally called me back today! By the grace of God, I made an appointment for Thursday at 9 am. There is a fee of $65, but this IS my LAST requirement for surgery!! I will see if I can get a signed official paper to bring to the surgeon's office *seeing as it is right across the street from where I will be taking the class*
I am excited for two reasons,
1.) I will be getting more inspiration to exercise regularly and perhaps learn some new exercises
and
2.) This is IT! After this, the surgeon's office can send off my paperwork to the insurance company!

I just have to praise God! If it weren't for His peace and His love...I would never have made it this far. Thank You, Lord for being so awesome to me! And thank You for always taking care of me.

I've grown a sense of humor over the past year...

So yesterday I go to my PCP's office to pick up 'The final paperwork' needed for the surgeon's office to send off to my insurance company. I thought to myself, "Hmmm maybe I could just have them fax my paper work to the surgeon's office...nah...something might happen."

I drove 35 minutes to the neighboring city in which my surgeon's office is located. After a few minutes of waiting, I got to speak with my insurance lady, Judy. Judy informed me that as of that moment I had ALL of the needed requirements to send off my paperwork monday!
Half in disbelief half relieved I said, "Praise Jesus!!"
Even though she told me that I had all of the needed requirements....I still felt uneasy.

Well....on my way home I get a call on my cell phone from the surgeon's office... (enter the 'I knew it was too good to be true' line) Apparently as of last week, yet ANOTHER requirement was added.....yes as of LAST WEEK!!!
It's not a horrible requirement...just annoying. Once a month *starting last Friday* there is a one hour long lecture on the importance of exercise before and after GBS. Although this is a great idea...why couldn't they have added it let's say...next month?!!!

Anyhow, the next class isn't until October 16th from 4p-5p. I was informed that I could call the gentleman teaching the classes and maybe do a one on one class so I can turn in my requirements earlier. Apparently it can take 1-3 weeks for MY insurance to review and accept my paperwork. I've already called the guy teaching the classes and left him a message...but still no word back from him.

I will say this, I HAVE grown a sense of humor during all of this insurance run-around. I'm not angry, like I thought I would be...more annoyed than anything...but I know it will happen in God's time.

Well everyone, I am going to get off of here and go watch a movie on this rainy rainy day.

Take care

Frustrated

So today I called the surgeon's office to check on the status of my paperwork for insurance approval. I was informed that they received the correct physician notes for all the months of my weigh-ins EXCEPT: April, May and June. Apparently all that was written was my weight on the notes and nothing else. The notes are suppose to contain: weight, diet, exercise program and progress made.
I then called my PCP's office, only to find that it closed at 12 pm (b/c it's Friday).

(Amy says...."GRRRR")

I know...I know....it will be okay, but trying to get through this insurance run-around is getting quite frustrating.
I am so thankful for my doctor and the awesome people at her office...they've really gone out of their way to help me with this.
All I can do is call my PCP's office on Monday and pray that they will fax the correct and needed paperwork to the surgeon's office.

Until next time....

Much to update!!

Okay, so I had another appointment with my PCP yesterday. We discussed the following topics:

1.) The error in my medical record concerning my initial weigh-in.
*She looked through my chart and found that it was an error in the dictation, and she corrected it.*
2.) The Lord blessed me to find the UMR requirements for gastric bypass (click here). I printed them up and gave them to my doctor.
*She ended up having copies of the needed paperwork, faxed to the surgeon's office*
3.) Told her about all of the crazy/mad heartburn and vomiting I've had lately
*She ended up diagnosing me with GERD...(shocker lol) She told me to continue taking my Prilosec (which has been helping I might add).
So all in all, it was a great visit. I still need to lose 3 lbs before I see her next month.

Today, I dropped off a rather large stack of papers (my journal) to the surgeon's office. When I mean it was big...I mean...it was BIG. Like from Feb 25th-Sept 10th....yeah....lots of paper.
Judy, the awesome insurance lady, informed me that as soon as they receive my paperwok from the PCP's office as well as the printed dictation of my final consult....THEN they can send off my paperwork to the insurance company.
It's so nice to know that I'm still getting a little closer each day. I'm thankful that this is all in God's hands...Lord knows I could not handle ANY of this on my own.

Anyhow, I shall be bugging the surgeon's office next week to make sure my paperwork was received and no further requirements are needed.
I will update next post with the results!

Getting a little closer everyday!!

So yesterday was my 'final appointment' with the surgeon. I got to sign the consent forms for surgery, as well as take a True/False quiz about the surgery (in which I got a 100).
As I was talking to the surgeon, he informed me casually that I have a hiatal hernia (Amy was like....."HUH?!")
He said, "last October when you had your EGD, I found that you have a hiatal hernia. I will be able to correct it during the surgery though."
Thank God for that!
After all of the paperwork was finished, I went to my buddy Judy 'aka the insurance lady'. She looked through my large file of paperwork and found that I still have a few more things I need to get before she can send off my papers for insurance approval.

1.) She found a 'boo boo' from my weigh in from February. It basically says that I weighed 100 lbs less than I really did. (glad she caught it) So when I see my doctor next week, I will see about her fixing that.

2.) April, June and July are missing the part that says "Amy is on an 1800 ADA diet and exercising 3 days a week"
3.) My food journal (in which I will be dropping off at their office due to the largeness of it)

Once I have these things taken care of, then they will be able to send off everything for insurance approval!!! (YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!)

Even though I still have more requirements to fulfill, I feel much better about the whole thing. I know God will lead and guide me through every bit of this (as He has the whole time so far).

As for other news, my Hida scan came back and it was completely normal! The gallbladder u/s was also normal, however the side note of 'notably enlarged fatty liver' was there.
Most obese individuals have an enlarged/fatty liver, but it makes sense as to why I feel 'tender' in that area when I ate fatty foods.

Well everyone, thank you for all of your support and wonderful comments. I appreciate each and everyone of you!


Take care and I will update after my next Dr's appointment on Thurs the 10th.

Minor set backs...

Let's see, where do I begin?

SET BACK #1

Well, on Thursday I had (what I believe is) a gallbladder attack, while at work.

Had the sharp pain under my rt ribs, got nauseated/pukey, not to mention hot and quite sweaty. And of course, I ate a piece of sausage earlier that morning. I should've known because I've had most of the symptoms...just not at the same time like on Thursday.
So needless to say, I left work around 1:30 (which sucks b/c we were very busy). I don't think I felt so bad that I needed to go to the ER, so I was hoping and praying for an opening at my Dr's office. By the shear grace of God, I got an appointment at 3:30 w/the nurse practitioner.

Okay, I've never had high blood pressure in my life...actually it's been on the low side (anywhere between 90/62 - 110/74) Well on this particular day in which I had some of the worst pain in my life, I shouldn't have been surprised that my BP was 130/98.

Anyhow, upon the NP's assessment she said that I had all of the classic symptoms of gallbladder attack. She ordered some lab work and another gallbladder u/s for friday the 28th. Also she ordered a hida scan (nuclear test in which dye is injected to test for any blockage of the bile ducts).



SET BACK # 2

I get a call from the surgeon's office yesterday asking a few questions before I have my final appointment on Monday. They asked if I had any medical records from a primary care physician from 2004. Ummm I didn't have a primary care physician until 2005. The lady then said that she isn't sure that insurance would cover the surgery because I didn't have 5 years of medical records indicating that I've been trying to lose weight. Ummmm if they want to get that technical, then it will be 5 years in February. Next, she stated that she could not find my psych eval from last year. (i guess it somehow got magically over a years time) Lastly, she needed a copy front and back of my insurance card BEFORE I even step foot in the office.

(Venting time) Okay, it would've been nice if they informed me off all of these things at least on Wed/Thurs so I would have time to get them all of these things. I'm so tired of the stupid insurance-run-around. I know it is necessary, but my gosh this is getting old!


Anyhow, I went to my dad's office and faxed the insurance card (in which they stated that they received) Then I called the doctor I had my psych eval with on Sept 30th of last year (please check back to post Sept 2008) and of course his office is closed on Fridays. So now I cannot have my final appointment until my psych eval gets faxed and received at the surgeon's office.

I am continuing to pray that this will all workout perfectly...I do think I need to work on the whole 'peace' part though.

I was so angry yesterday with the whole insurance requirement stuff that I was seriously thinking of taking out a loan for the surgery after my car is payed off in October. That would be my last resort...if I get denied for surgery...then I will be thinking about taking a loan out. Yes, I am that serious about it!
Any thoughts on this topic??