It was back to work after the holiday's and the day went fast. I'm counting down to my initial consultation. I'm not sure how long it take to find out if my insurance company will approve the procedure. I am praying it won't take too long. Gee my knees, back, cholesterol can't take much more "pressure". Well not much to write about today. I'm so glad I found this site.:hungry:
Since my last entry I changed from Riverside Hospital to Ohio State University Hospital for a variety of reasons. However, the most pressing was financial. The Riverside program fee was $2500 ($1000 more than I expected even on the high end). Secondly, the OSU doctor has done nearly 9 times the lapband than the Riverside doctor who primarily did gastric bypass surgery until last year. So, I feel pretty confident with all my research, talking to other OSU patients, and reading and reading some more on Lapband Talk.com to find answers to questions I would never think to ask i.e. what should I have in the house before I leave for the hospital? 2. What is the best exercise etc. I've learned a lot from this site. THANKS EVERBODY.
Last Friday 1/9, OSU called and said I should hear something via mail about my appointment with the nutrionist within the next two weeks.
I beginning to actually believe this is the beginning of the rest/best part of my life. My weight issues have been with me for as long as I can remember. Looking back over the last thirty years, I have always thought I was fat when actually I was a normal kid who was a little on the hefty side (5' 5" @ 110 - 115lbs. in jr high....I know isn't that freakin crazy) but then I had a sister who was always less than 100 lbs who made me look like a giant. So, my yo-yo dieting began at all costs. I would lose 20 on diet pills (back then they were called black beautifies) and gain 30; lose 30 and gain 40 lbs. It seemed like I could never gain control of the vicious cycle of eating, self loathing, dieting/exercising with equal amounts of joy and excitement with the short lived weight loss. As late as 2001, I lost 30 lbs on a no/low carb plan only to gain 50 lbs. when I didn't think anyone else was looking. Where were they looking - I was self destructing in their faces. I could see the disgust and dissapointment in my family eyes when I would walked into a room. I had a high school friend (who has always been thin) come up to me on the street and asked "what happend? how did you gain all that weight?" AND THAT WAS BEFORE I GAINED THE LAST 50 LBS!!!! So, when I researched my options, the lap band was the only logical. I know that with the support groups and online support, I'll work through all the other issues tha have plagued me along with the weight. It's not always just about eating. I belive it also means that I will begin to believe that I'm worth being healthy and putting myself first for a change.
Since my last entry I made application to OSU Bariatrics program (12/19). My nutrionist appointment has been confirmed for Thursday 1/31/08!! I am so looking forward to getting this show on the road. I heard a saying the other day that I am taking as my own "get rid of the life you had planned for to made room for the one that is waiting for you." I guess you can take in many different directions, but for me I'll take it as this who phase of my life is new, exiciting, and it's something for me! :redface:
I have "fresh start" meeting with the dr and his team at the heart hospital here in Columbus, Ohio. I'm excited and a tad bid emotional because I believe this will be the beginning of a whole new life for me. From reading other posts I know my life will never be the same. So many things come to mind. It is my prayer that my back and knees will no longer ache; I won't have to look for clothes that aren't going to "hurt" or have elastic waist bands; I will no longer need to be embarassed when the airplane seat belt doesn't fit; I will no longer "pretend" that my weight doesn't bother me; As I begin to lose weight and continue my exercise I will no longer fear of having a stroke or heart attack; I won't have to fear that people are judging me as a just another fat person (especially people who have known me a long time and feel comfortable saying "oh, my god what happened? You have gained so much weight. All the while my heart is aching and the thought is running through my "I really don't want to be this way...I didn't wake up with the thought I will make myself 240 lbs by the time I'm 50. Oh well, I'd better get on with my day. It's so therapuetic just writing on here. I'll be on my way to the dr's office tonight. More tomorrow.
Got a call my from dr's office last Thursday. They're ready to schedule my pre-op appt. but I want to get my finances in order before I go in. The last thing I need is to worry about paying the program fees (approx $2650 at Riverside Hospital). I was very confused because I thought it was going to be $1500 max but the lady threw out several figures that I was under the impression was included in the $1500. I'm going to call back and get it in writing so I'm not confused further. Hopefully, I'll know something next week.
It's 1:10am here and it's there's a major storm going on outside with more wind than anything. Couldn't sleep so I thought I'd check in here. It's always a pleasure to "connect" with others who are experiencing similiar life experieinces.
Today, I ad my M.D appt. today to get all of my blood work that wasn't already done late last year and a EKG. He said that I am an ideal candidate for the LB with my existing co-morbidities and BMI. On Thursday (1/31) I have my appointment with OSU's nutritonist and psychologist. Stay tuned.