Another step completed. Most insurance companies and Surgeons require a psychologial evalulation of the patients before they ok the surgery and perform the surgery. I am no different. I had my appointment with they psychologist yesterday.
Well, the view from his office was amazing. It was the bay and Presque Isle. I bet it is spectacular during the summer. The bay is still slightly frozen, but that won't last long. He asked me several questions. Mostly background questions on my health and mental history. We did spend a good 10 minutes discussing my attempted suicide back in 1996. We discussed what I knew of the surgery, what I expected from it. I told him my ultimate goal was 150 lbs, but I would settle for anything under 200 lbs. I like the range between 180 and 150.
We also discussed my plans for exercizing. I am walking about 3 times a week right now for 30 minutes. I will be adding a day to that, I am also looking into purchasing an ellipical machine. He gave me great advice on that. A lot of the appointment was similar to sitting down and talking with my PCP for the first time. He was very relaxed and very nice.
When he was done interviewing me, I had to take a test to determine my Mental Acuity. 165 True or False questions...like "You crossed the Atlantic over 30 times last year" and "I am answering these questions in a way to make me look good."
Well after all 165 questions were done, my appointment was almost over. He explained that his report would be sent to my surgeon in about a week with his recommendation. I don't see there being a problem, I know what to expect from the surgery, have plenty of help and lots of support.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Nutritionist's Group Session
I really should have posted this last week. The appointment was actuall a week ago today. I was just a little under the weather and didn't really feel like it. All better now. My surgeon requires anyone have Bariatric surgery to have two meetings with a nutritionist. One is a group session, and one is one on one. My one on one is in three weeks.
Well there was four of us for this one hour meeting. Heidi, who is the nutritionist, went over several things that we will have to adjust to with our new bellies and our new diets. She advised us on what kinds of vitamins we would need to be taking following the surgery. Where to get them, and what additional supplements would need to be taken. Most of the vitamins taken immediately following surgery, along with all other medications, must either be chewable or ground up.
She suggested the we start a food journal, which I already have. I do, however, need to make a few adjustments to my journal. Which I will do, when I start my new book on March 11. Three months down already. She also suggested that we keep physical activity mentioned in the journal. Any exercise we do. That way we can easily keep track of that.
I have to give up Caffeine!!!!! God No!!!!...Ok, a little exaggeration, because I knew this step was coming. As of Sunday, March 1, I have cut my regular coffee with Decaf. Half and half for the next month. On April 1, I will cut it to 3 parts, 1 part caf, 2 parts non caf. Hopefully by May 1, I will be drinking Decaf. Decaf for the next year.
The only other major change I see happening is the "no drinking while eating" change. Because you can wash away needed nutrients, you should not drink while eating after this kind of surgery. This is something else that is going to take me a couple months to get used to. They call it the 30 rule. No drinking for 30 minutes before the meal, take up to 30 minutes to eat the meal, and no drinking for 30 minutes after the meal. 90 minutes without a drink. I think the only time I do that now is when I am sleeping.
The rest of the information was basically portion control, and common sense stuff. Stay hydrated, exercise, no sugar, test the foods. You may be able to eat stuff you could not eat before and there will be things you love eating now, but will not be able to tolerate afterwards.
I am really looking forward to my one on one with Heidi to see how far I have to go.
Well there was four of us for this one hour meeting. Heidi, who is the nutritionist, went over several things that we will have to adjust to with our new bellies and our new diets. She advised us on what kinds of vitamins we would need to be taking following the surgery. Where to get them, and what additional supplements would need to be taken. Most of the vitamins taken immediately following surgery, along with all other medications, must either be chewable or ground up.
She suggested the we start a food journal, which I already have. I do, however, need to make a few adjustments to my journal. Which I will do, when I start my new book on March 11. Three months down already. She also suggested that we keep physical activity mentioned in the journal. Any exercise we do. That way we can easily keep track of that.
I have to give up Caffeine!!!!! God No!!!!...Ok, a little exaggeration, because I knew this step was coming. As of Sunday, March 1, I have cut my regular coffee with Decaf. Half and half for the next month. On April 1, I will cut it to 3 parts, 1 part caf, 2 parts non caf. Hopefully by May 1, I will be drinking Decaf. Decaf for the next year.
The only other major change I see happening is the "no drinking while eating" change. Because you can wash away needed nutrients, you should not drink while eating after this kind of surgery. This is something else that is going to take me a couple months to get used to. They call it the 30 rule. No drinking for 30 minutes before the meal, take up to 30 minutes to eat the meal, and no drinking for 30 minutes after the meal. 90 minutes without a drink. I think the only time I do that now is when I am sleeping.
The rest of the information was basically portion control, and common sense stuff. Stay hydrated, exercise, no sugar, test the foods. You may be able to eat stuff you could not eat before and there will be things you love eating now, but will not be able to tolerate afterwards.
I am really looking forward to my one on one with Heidi to see how far I have to go.
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Bariatric Surgeon
Well, yesterday was my initial appointment with Dr. Arreola, my Bariatric surgeon. It started as a very windy morning. My straight shot the doctors office, turned into a winding road trip to the dock, where Emily was waiting patiently for me. At one point, sitting at the corner of State and the Bayfront, I thought my car was going to be flipped over by the wind.
Emily and I were the first ones to check in to the doctors office. There were only three of us in the group, so this was a really quick morning. First, there was the weigh-in. 295.5 at the doctors office, with a BMI of 45. They did some measurements, thank God I did not pay attention to that. But I will be taking measurements this weekend. This way I can track everything that is changing.
Well after we were all done with the measurements, we had to wait for the third person to come in. She and her husband got lost. They are from the Oil City area, and had a problem finding the Hamot Medical Center complex, which is where the office is located.
After they arrived, the insurance person came in and gave us our notebooks. There is a ton of information in them, including the post surgery diets. That I am not looking forward to. Most importantly, she went over the fact that we each need to do everything we possibly can to make sure we have all our information for her. She explained that insurance companies will do anything to deny this surgery, so if we cover all our bases, we are certain to get in. I have a food journal, and three of my six required PCP visits out of the way. WooHoo Halfway there.
When she was done, I got to sit and talk to the other two patients for a couple minutes. Dr. Arreola was affected by the wind storm also, and running late. There was one lap-band patient among us, and that was interesting to hear how that was done.
Dr. Arreola finally arrived and went right into explaining to us the procedures. He started with the Lap-Band and then the Gastric By-Pass. Even seeing the drawings on the white board, I think my stomach dropped when he explained the By-Pass procedure. He showed us the little tool that is used to staple and cut the pouch out. I don't know it I can do this after that. Wow I don't want that foreign thing in me. But then he said the magic numbers 60-80%. Most patients who have this surgery and follow the rules loose 60-80% of their excess weight. For me that is 90 - 120 lb. I am shooting for the 80% range. That would put me at a weight of around 175. Not bad for me.
We then had our personal consultations with him. I went first because I signed in first. He checked my heart and lungs. He guessed that used to be a smoker. I told him it had been almost 10 years since I quit and my 10 year anniversary was this year in August. He also asked about my heart murmur, and I told him that my Echo cardiogram came back negative for major defect. One less test for me now. Yeah.
We also talked about my snoring and my sleep study. I had a few questions for him about my blood work and the vitamins I took. Then he examined my belly button. I found that funny, until he told me that was there the major work was done from. When he was all done, he got which surgery I wanted and then order the rest of my tests.
I was finally done. Now I have three months to get all my tests and results to him. I would like to be able to call the office after my vacation in May and tell them I am ready. That would put my surgery in July. As long as I can take my mini-birthday vacation on the 10th, I will be fine.
I am now waiting for my packet from the office with the rest of my testing, so until then, keep warm, and dry and stay happy.
Happy St. Valentine's Day, btw. I forgot that is what today is (I started this on the 13th, but am actually posting on the 14th).
Emily and I were the first ones to check in to the doctors office. There were only three of us in the group, so this was a really quick morning. First, there was the weigh-in. 295.5 at the doctors office, with a BMI of 45. They did some measurements, thank God I did not pay attention to that. But I will be taking measurements this weekend. This way I can track everything that is changing.
Well after we were all done with the measurements, we had to wait for the third person to come in. She and her husband got lost. They are from the Oil City area, and had a problem finding the Hamot Medical Center complex, which is where the office is located.
After they arrived, the insurance person came in and gave us our notebooks. There is a ton of information in them, including the post surgery diets. That I am not looking forward to. Most importantly, she went over the fact that we each need to do everything we possibly can to make sure we have all our information for her. She explained that insurance companies will do anything to deny this surgery, so if we cover all our bases, we are certain to get in. I have a food journal, and three of my six required PCP visits out of the way. WooHoo Halfway there.
When she was done, I got to sit and talk to the other two patients for a couple minutes. Dr. Arreola was affected by the wind storm also, and running late. There was one lap-band patient among us, and that was interesting to hear how that was done.
Dr. Arreola finally arrived and went right into explaining to us the procedures. He started with the Lap-Band and then the Gastric By-Pass. Even seeing the drawings on the white board, I think my stomach dropped when he explained the By-Pass procedure. He showed us the little tool that is used to staple and cut the pouch out. I don't know it I can do this after that. Wow I don't want that foreign thing in me. But then he said the magic numbers 60-80%. Most patients who have this surgery and follow the rules loose 60-80% of their excess weight. For me that is 90 - 120 lb. I am shooting for the 80% range. That would put me at a weight of around 175. Not bad for me.
We then had our personal consultations with him. I went first because I signed in first. He checked my heart and lungs. He guessed that used to be a smoker. I told him it had been almost 10 years since I quit and my 10 year anniversary was this year in August. He also asked about my heart murmur, and I told him that my Echo cardiogram came back negative for major defect. One less test for me now. Yeah.
We also talked about my snoring and my sleep study. I had a few questions for him about my blood work and the vitamins I took. Then he examined my belly button. I found that funny, until he told me that was there the major work was done from. When he was all done, he got which surgery I wanted and then order the rest of my tests.
I was finally done. Now I have three months to get all my tests and results to him. I would like to be able to call the office after my vacation in May and tell them I am ready. That would put my surgery in July. As long as I can take my mini-birthday vacation on the 10th, I will be fine.
I am now waiting for my packet from the office with the rest of my testing, so until then, keep warm, and dry and stay happy.
Happy St. Valentine's Day, btw. I forgot that is what today is (I started this on the 13th, but am actually posting on the 14th).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Third Appointment
OK, I am sitting here on Thursday morning, thinking about today. I have my initial appointment with my surgeon today. I realized that I failed to report on my third required PCP appointment. Well another 2.5 lbs lighter, my blood pressure is back to normal, and she thinks I am going to be very successful at this.
Dr. D told me she was so proud of the fact that I have started a food journal. I am tracking what I eat, not the measurements yet, but just what I eat. I also started to walk. On Saturday, after grocery shopping, it took me 45 minutes to bring the groceries into the apartment. By the time I was done, I felt like I had had a really good workout.
On Sunday, the weather was finally cooperating enough to take the Christmas Decoration back up to storage. That was another work out.
I have today off, so I am going to take a walk sometime this afternoon, probably in our mall, and that will be three days this week. On to next week.
At 8:00 AM, Emily and I will be sitting in the surgeons office getting the initial visit out of the way, and starting the main process. I will be scheduled for all sorts of tests, and will have three more PCP required visits to complete, then, hopefully by mid-May will be putting in for Insurance Company approval.
Wish me luck.
Dr. D told me she was so proud of the fact that I have started a food journal. I am tracking what I eat, not the measurements yet, but just what I eat. I also started to walk. On Saturday, after grocery shopping, it took me 45 minutes to bring the groceries into the apartment. By the time I was done, I felt like I had had a really good workout.
On Sunday, the weather was finally cooperating enough to take the Christmas Decoration back up to storage. That was another work out.
I have today off, so I am going to take a walk sometime this afternoon, probably in our mall, and that will be three days this week. On to next week.
At 8:00 AM, Emily and I will be sitting in the surgeons office getting the initial visit out of the way, and starting the main process. I will be scheduled for all sorts of tests, and will have three more PCP required visits to complete, then, hopefully by mid-May will be putting in for Insurance Company approval.
Wish me luck.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Conversation of Idiots
So last night was my first support group meeting for my Bariatric Surgery. It was not at all what I expected. For starters neither Drs Arreola or Ali were present. So they had one of their office staff cover for them. She did a great job considering she really wasn't expecting to do it.
Emily went with me, we actually had a very lovely dinner before, just the two of us. She was so funny. She warned me about the way some people act at these meetings. She was right. Some of the patients or patients-to-be were extremely rude. They were holding loud conversations while Jen (the staff member) was trying to talk about the surgery.
You know how every group has its know-it-all, well we did. What stunned me was it was not an Angel (someone who had had the surgery). This was a person that had not had the surgery yet. She was answering questions without give Jen a chance to answer. I wonder if she interrupts the doctors like that also. Emily kep getting more and more aggitated. This woman was answering everything.
I will admit there was a time I wanted to ask this woman to let someone else speak, but suprisingly she did answer some of my questions.
Jen did ask some of the Angels present to speak about their experiences. Another woman got up to speak, I think (but don't quote me on that) her name was Joyce. She told a really short story in a really long time. She could not stay of subject. She would mention one of her goals, then go off on a ten minute story about something to do with. I kept thinking "get on with the subject, I have already heard 10 times that you volunteer every where." Finally, Jen and I convinced Em to speak. And would you know it this Joyce interrupted her several times. Finally Emily just very politely said "excuse me," cut her off and went on with her advice.
The meeting ended early. Without the doctors there was almost a free for all. Hopefully one of them will be able to be at the next meeting. I understand that there is a very detailed presentation and a movie that is shown. I know that Dr. Arreola had a surgery, so that is why he was not there. I just hope that next months meeting is run a little smoother.
Emily went with me, we actually had a very lovely dinner before, just the two of us. She was so funny. She warned me about the way some people act at these meetings. She was right. Some of the patients or patients-to-be were extremely rude. They were holding loud conversations while Jen (the staff member) was trying to talk about the surgery.
You know how every group has its know-it-all, well we did. What stunned me was it was not an Angel (someone who had had the surgery). This was a person that had not had the surgery yet. She was answering questions without give Jen a chance to answer. I wonder if she interrupts the doctors like that also. Emily kep getting more and more aggitated. This woman was answering everything.
I will admit there was a time I wanted to ask this woman to let someone else speak, but suprisingly she did answer some of my questions.
Jen did ask some of the Angels present to speak about their experiences. Another woman got up to speak, I think (but don't quote me on that) her name was Joyce. She told a really short story in a really long time. She could not stay of subject. She would mention one of her goals, then go off on a ten minute story about something to do with. I kept thinking "get on with the subject, I have already heard 10 times that you volunteer every where." Finally, Jen and I convinced Em to speak. And would you know it this Joyce interrupted her several times. Finally Emily just very politely said "excuse me," cut her off and went on with her advice.
The meeting ended early. Without the doctors there was almost a free for all. Hopefully one of them will be able to be at the next meeting. I understand that there is a very detailed presentation and a movie that is shown. I know that Dr. Arreola had a surgery, so that is why he was not there. I just hope that next months meeting is run a little smoother.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
6 more weeks of winter
So, tomorrow is my first support group meeting with the Dr's office and others who are going through this process. Emily and I are going to meet for dinner first, then head over. It is kind of scary. I mean up to now it has been the waiting game, but now, I actually have to start doing things. My third Drs appt is next Tuesday, then my initial appointment with the Surgeon to get all my tests set up and my insurance approval started. Wow, things are going to start moving really fast.
I promise to let everyone know how the support group meeting went.
Until then,
Lori Anna
I promise to let everyone know how the support group meeting went.
Until then,
Lori Anna
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Appointment #2
Well today was my second appointment with my PCP for the mandatory 6 months of Physician supervised weight loss program. I dropped 5.5 lbs of just keeping a food journal and watching what I eat. My doctor did answer the most important question of all, yes, the A.H. I used to go to sent over all my records, so the medical history should not be a problem.
I am over relieved with this news. I promised to start walking more and eating better. My BP was still elevated, but my blood sugar level is just perfect. My pulse is good, and everything else seems to be good.
My next major appointment is my sonogram scheduled for January 30th. This will be the second one of these I have had. The first was very uncomfortable. Have you ever drank a liter of water and then had someone press down on your blatter for over a half hour. I could not wait to, well you know. I have to do that again in 2 1/2 weeks.
My food journal is one month old, and I have found that I really do eat junk food. The first week is nothing but junk. I mean I eat a good healthy breakfast, then junk for lunch, and an attempt at a balanced dinner. Candy and chocolate are my down fall. Addiction is a terrible thing, and I am addicted to chocolate. I feel like I have to have some every night.
That is a habit that will change. I will have to give up chocolate. I also have to give up gum, but that is another blog for another day.
Well it is 13 degrees here in Erie, with a wind chill factor of -1, so I am going to bundle up and check the forums, and try to get some sleep.
Good night all, and God bless.
I am over relieved with this news. I promised to start walking more and eating better. My BP was still elevated, but my blood sugar level is just perfect. My pulse is good, and everything else seems to be good.
My next major appointment is my sonogram scheduled for January 30th. This will be the second one of these I have had. The first was very uncomfortable. Have you ever drank a liter of water and then had someone press down on your blatter for over a half hour. I could not wait to, well you know. I have to do that again in 2 1/2 weeks.
My food journal is one month old, and I have found that I really do eat junk food. The first week is nothing but junk. I mean I eat a good healthy breakfast, then junk for lunch, and an attempt at a balanced dinner. Candy and chocolate are my down fall. Addiction is a terrible thing, and I am addicted to chocolate. I feel like I have to have some every night.
That is a habit that will change. I will have to give up chocolate. I also have to give up gum, but that is another blog for another day.
Well it is 13 degrees here in Erie, with a wind chill factor of -1, so I am going to bundle up and check the forums, and try to get some sleep.
Good night all, and God bless.
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