Hi there! I have been one busy bee!! I had my first appointment with Beaumont Hospital's weight control center which handles every aspect of getting me ready to consult with their surgeon regarding my surgery. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I also had an appointment with Henry Ford Hospital's weight loss surgery program, but I was so impressed with Beaumont's that I decided stick with them.
Since my last time blogging, I have seen a dietician, exercise physiologist and had a complete medical overhaul with the surgeon's nurse practitioner. I had several more tubes of blood drawn and another EKG done as the first one showed a fast heart rate which they felt was probably due to having had an albuterol treatment for my asthma just before having the EKG. My bloodwork did show a vitamin D deficiency (which I was already aware that I had), a protein deficiency...more about that in a minute...and iron deficiency.
I am now taking prescription strength vitamin D and the dietician has given me an eating plan to follow that reduces my calories to around 1600 per day and is high in protein. It is very important to get my protein stores up before surgery as protein is very important to the healing process. The eating plan is quite straight forward and I do not have to count calories just pay attention to serving sizes. I really did learn a lot at my nutrition appointment. Such as how important it is to eat small amounts about every three hours to keep my metabolism going.
I have to admit that I was a little hungry yesterday, but I think a lot of it was head hunger. My mind always plays tricks on me if I start focusing of food and eating healthy; I become hyperfocused to a large degree. Suddenly any and everything edible looks just oh so delicious and I just have to have it....all in my mind. I can really see that this head hunger phenomenon is going to be a struggle. I have been recording what I am eating along with my blood sugar levels in the morning before breakfast and right before I go to bed as my they have been creeping up a bit.
On to the exercise physiology aspect of my journey...I have been given a pedometer to track how many steps I am taking in a day and the goal is to be at least around 10,000 steps. Well, let's just say I am waaaayyyyyy off from that number, LOL. Yesterday I only totaled 1,283 steps!! So, my plan is to walk, walk, walk. Whenever and where ever I can! It is getting cold where I live and so I will have to move indoors soon, but I am determined to get to that 10,000 step mark. I was also given exercises to do in the gym and to workout for 30 minutes at least 3-5 times per week.
Change is not easy but it can be done!! I may not have to do the 6 month supervised diet as I wrote before, but I am still checking into that and I will keep you all posted on the final outcome. In the meantime I have a goal to lose 17 pounds in the next 2 1/2 months as prescribed by my surgery team! My psychological review and stress test are both coming up soon and after that, it is off to see the surgeon!! Wish me luck!!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
First appointment went well!
Well, I had my first appointment with my internist to get the ball rolling in the surgery process. I had an EKG done, lots of blood drawn, and a chest x-ray. I discussed the surgery in depth with my physician and she gave me her recommendation for the either the by-pass surgery or the sleeve gastrectomy. The sleeve is pretty much not an option for me as my insurance does not cover it as a stand alone procedure.
I have been doing a lot of research on the Roux-n-Y vs. the sleeve and the duodenal switch. I am fairly certain that the roux is the best choice for me. I do have a concern about the potential for weight regain that seems to be an issue for some people over the long term. I plan to discuss this at my surgeon consults next week. I have a surgeon consult appointment next Tuesday at Beaumont Weight Control and another surgeon consult with Henry Ford West Bloomfield next Thursday. I will compare both programs and choose which one I feel is best for me. I have other medical conditions (Rheumatoid Arthritis and G6PD)and I want to find out how the surgery will affect those conditions or if they put me at an increased risk for surgery.
My insurance is going to require a six month failure at a supervised diet, which I think is ridiculous. Obviously I have failed plenty of diets as I wouldn't be where I am right now! This pushes my surgery time frame back and it looks like I won't be having surgery until May or June 2012!! The insurance language regarding what "supervised" means is vague and of course I am getting the run around from them when I call to inquire about it. Henry Ford said that I should join Weight Watchers and keep documentation of my weigh in's but I would hate to do that and then Blue Cross doesn't accept it as a professionally supervised program. Beaumont has physician supervised weight control programs, but from what I understand the program is very expensive. I will just have to wait and see what options I have after I meet with both surgeons.
I have been doing well drinking without a straw and staying away from soda! This week I am going to begin practicing eating slowly and chewing my food completely which are things I will have to do after surgery. I will post next week after my surgeon consults!
I have been doing a lot of research on the Roux-n-Y vs. the sleeve and the duodenal switch. I am fairly certain that the roux is the best choice for me. I do have a concern about the potential for weight regain that seems to be an issue for some people over the long term. I plan to discuss this at my surgeon consults next week. I have a surgeon consult appointment next Tuesday at Beaumont Weight Control and another surgeon consult with Henry Ford West Bloomfield next Thursday. I will compare both programs and choose which one I feel is best for me. I have other medical conditions (Rheumatoid Arthritis and G6PD)and I want to find out how the surgery will affect those conditions or if they put me at an increased risk for surgery.
My insurance is going to require a six month failure at a supervised diet, which I think is ridiculous. Obviously I have failed plenty of diets as I wouldn't be where I am right now! This pushes my surgery time frame back and it looks like I won't be having surgery until May or June 2012!! The insurance language regarding what "supervised" means is vague and of course I am getting the run around from them when I call to inquire about it. Henry Ford said that I should join Weight Watchers and keep documentation of my weigh in's but I would hate to do that and then Blue Cross doesn't accept it as a professionally supervised program. Beaumont has physician supervised weight control programs, but from what I understand the program is very expensive. I will just have to wait and see what options I have after I meet with both surgeons.
I have been doing well drinking without a straw and staying away from soda! This week I am going to begin practicing eating slowly and chewing my food completely which are things I will have to do after surgery. I will post next week after my surgeon consults!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Let the insurance games begin!
Well, I kind of knew this wouldn't be a smooth process but I was hoping I was wrong! We just recently switched health insurance carriers and I was sure to contact the new carrier, with the employer group number, BEFORE we switched to make sure that the gastric bypass and the sleeve gastrectomy were covered. I was told yes and I was also told that failure at a 6 month medically supervised diet was not a pre-requisite. I even had the company mail me a copy of the surgery requirements as documentation of what I was being told.
We got our insurance cards and I decided to call the insurance company back just to be sure that I had all of the information regarding pre-requisites for the surgery, only to be told that there is a 6 month medically supervised diet requirement!!! Uhhhggg!!! I asked about the documentation I had stating otherwise and was asked when I received that letter as they (the insurance carrier)had JUST updated their information regarding requirements. Well, of course I panicked and called the surgeon's office and spoke to Kim who handles billing issues. She assured me that the information they were giving me was outdated and to call back and speak to a supervisor. Well, I did that and was told the same thing....Um, now what???
I don't want to go through with all of the preliminary testing and doctor's appointments only to receive a denial letter down the road. I am going to fax my insurance card to Kim as she volunteered to call the insurance company on my behalf to check on the benefits. I'll keep you posted...
We got our insurance cards and I decided to call the insurance company back just to be sure that I had all of the information regarding pre-requisites for the surgery, only to be told that there is a 6 month medically supervised diet requirement!!! Uhhhggg!!! I asked about the documentation I had stating otherwise and was asked when I received that letter as they (the insurance carrier)had JUST updated their information regarding requirements. Well, of course I panicked and called the surgeon's office and spoke to Kim who handles billing issues. She assured me that the information they were giving me was outdated and to call back and speak to a supervisor. Well, I did that and was told the same thing....Um, now what???
I don't want to go through with all of the preliminary testing and doctor's appointments only to receive a denial letter down the road. I am going to fax my insurance card to Kim as she volunteered to call the insurance company on my behalf to check on the benefits. I'll keep you posted...
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
My Story & Starting the Weight Loss Surgery Process
Well, I am finally taking the first steps to having weight loss surgery! I have been dreaming about the day when our insurance would cover the procedure and the day has arrived. I really feel that I should document my journey as being overweight has really affected my life in so many, many ways and I want to document this transformation for myself.
A bit about me...I am 39; soon to be 40 in November :-). I have been married for 17 years and my husband Mario and I have 6 children. I am currently in graduate school studying to become a licensed counselor. Weight has been an ongoing issue in my life. I have been overweight since childhood and have been on weight watchers so many times I can't even count. I have joined Jenny Craig several times as well. I have tried e-diets and countless other diets. I have lost weight dieting only to regain what I initially lost plus more. This yo-yo cycle of losing and regaining became a familiar way of life for me. The guilt I would feel after regaining the weight was a heavy burden. I have suffered a great deal emotionally and physically in relation to carrying 100+ extra pounds on my 5'4" frame. Always being picked last for team sports in gym class in grade school, not being asked on many dates in high school, not being able to play comfortably on the floor with my children are just of the few humiliations I have endured in relation to being overweight. My health is also another reason I am embarking on this journey. I have rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, diabetes and degenerative disc disease of the neck and lower back. Losing weight can't eliminate all of these conditions, but it will certainly help.
As time has gone on I realize that I can diet until the cows come home but my weight problem is a much deeper issue then just a lack of will power. I need assistance with my weight issues and food addiction. This blog will detail the good, the bad, and the ugly of my surgical weight loss journey. I intend to be brutally honest as I am not just doing this for myself, but anyone who is thinking about weight loss surgery or anyone who is struggling with weight issues.
Now on to the "fun" stuff (I am joking here, but trust me, I know how serious the decision I have made is)...I have attended the introductory weight loss surgery seminar at the hospital I chose and purchased what is known by my surgeon's office as the "blue binder". I am sure I will mention it a lot as it has every bit of information that I will need to prepare myself for bypass surgery and information regarding my care afterward. I am scheduled for a physical and preliminary blood work and an EKG next Wednesday with my primary care physician. Once that is complete I will have my initial consultation with the surgeon (woohoooo :-)). I have already begun to make little changes that will be a normal part of life for me after surgery. For example, I have given up diet soda and I am no longer drinking out of a straw and I have actually made it one whole week without either! This sounds little but for me it is HUGE. I love an ice cold soda and call me neurotic but I HATE drinking directly from the glass when eating out, :-). My next change will be to make sure that I am eating a healthy breakfast daily. I will let you know how things are going next week...Let the journey begin!
A bit about me...I am 39; soon to be 40 in November :-). I have been married for 17 years and my husband Mario and I have 6 children. I am currently in graduate school studying to become a licensed counselor. Weight has been an ongoing issue in my life. I have been overweight since childhood and have been on weight watchers so many times I can't even count. I have joined Jenny Craig several times as well. I have tried e-diets and countless other diets. I have lost weight dieting only to regain what I initially lost plus more. This yo-yo cycle of losing and regaining became a familiar way of life for me. The guilt I would feel after regaining the weight was a heavy burden. I have suffered a great deal emotionally and physically in relation to carrying 100+ extra pounds on my 5'4" frame. Always being picked last for team sports in gym class in grade school, not being asked on many dates in high school, not being able to play comfortably on the floor with my children are just of the few humiliations I have endured in relation to being overweight. My health is also another reason I am embarking on this journey. I have rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, diabetes and degenerative disc disease of the neck and lower back. Losing weight can't eliminate all of these conditions, but it will certainly help.
As time has gone on I realize that I can diet until the cows come home but my weight problem is a much deeper issue then just a lack of will power. I need assistance with my weight issues and food addiction. This blog will detail the good, the bad, and the ugly of my surgical weight loss journey. I intend to be brutally honest as I am not just doing this for myself, but anyone who is thinking about weight loss surgery or anyone who is struggling with weight issues.
Now on to the "fun" stuff (I am joking here, but trust me, I know how serious the decision I have made is)...I have attended the introductory weight loss surgery seminar at the hospital I chose and purchased what is known by my surgeon's office as the "blue binder". I am sure I will mention it a lot as it has every bit of information that I will need to prepare myself for bypass surgery and information regarding my care afterward. I am scheduled for a physical and preliminary blood work and an EKG next Wednesday with my primary care physician. Once that is complete I will have my initial consultation with the surgeon (woohoooo :-)). I have already begun to make little changes that will be a normal part of life for me after surgery. For example, I have given up diet soda and I am no longer drinking out of a straw and I have actually made it one whole week without either! This sounds little but for me it is HUGE. I love an ice cold soda and call me neurotic but I HATE drinking directly from the glass when eating out, :-). My next change will be to make sure that I am eating a healthy breakfast daily. I will let you know how things are going next week...Let the journey begin!
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