T'was the night before surgery
Dec 03, 2007
Well, I am in the final hours before surgery. I am down to where I said I would be at 390lbs. I am on clear liquids until midnight and then nothing. I did the evil bowel prep routine. Tomorrow morning I will go to the hospital and go to surgery around 10am. Strangely, I am not apprehensive anymore. I was pretty crazy the last few days. My wife accused me of "n esting" because I was putzing around the house working on little projects. My bag is packed and I am ready to go.
Getting Closer
Nov 21, 2007
I have officially finished all the pre-op stuff. Everything is set to go. I see my surgeon one last time before my surgery day. I am at 396.2lbs. My surgeon wanted me below 400 for surgery but I want to keep losing right up to surgery day.
Moving Along
Nov 08, 2007
I have the last minute pre-surgical stuff done or scheduled. I have to tie up a few loose ends and then its table time!
I have a date!!!
Nov 06, 2007
I had my first surgeon appointment today and its a go for December 4 at 10:00am. I am so excited! It has taken three very long years and a couple of false starts to get to this point. I am just thankful I found KC Bariatric when I did. I have a couple of pre-hospital things to do in the next 4 weeks and one more pre-surgical appointment and I am ready to go!
Date to see Surgeon
Oct 30, 2007
Moving along slowly but moving along. I see my surgeon on November 6 and hopefully I will have a surgical date that day. My weight today is right at 400lbs. I want to be around 390 when I go see him. I am exercising hard in addition to eating pretty much straight protein with some low carb veggies. My weight is coming off fast. I've always been a quick loser but always managed to gain it back and then some. That is going to change.
I'm Approved!
Oct 29, 2007
I checked the BCBSKC web site this morning and I have been approved! Next step is once my surgeon's office gets the notification back, I will get my appointment and hopefully, I will get a surgery date. Only a few more hurdles to clear.
Still Waiting
Oct 27, 2007
At least I am a little closer. I checked the insurance company web site and my request for authorization has been received and is "pending". At least they have it. So, I should be hearing one way or another next week. I can't imagine they would turn me down. I was approved twice before for a lap band. The first time, the surgeon quit the practice right before surgery and the 2nd time, I changed my mind and decided to think it through. I ultimately decided on the RNY so that is what I am waiting for. I needed to get down to a decent surgical weight so my goal is be below 400 as much as I can by surgery day. I am at 407 right now so I don't have far to go.
Still Waiting
Oct 23, 2007
I thought that my letter had been sent to the insurance company but I found out today that it has not. Supposedly it is going today. So, If I can get a quick turn around, I can get scheduled with my surgeon and get a date. I am working hard to get my weight down to 400lbs or below for surgery. I am down to 416lbs (from 446) and losing fast. I am soooo ready for this. The wait is the worst part.
Now the wait
Oct 18, 2007
I have all the appointments done, all the approvals done. Only thing I have left is the pre-surgical consults right before surgery. I assume that my request has been sent to the insurance company. I haven't confirmed that yet but I believe it has. Average wait time has been about a week to approval so hopefully I will hear any day now.
I went to my first support group meeting last night. I really like the group so I think I will continue to go to that meeting. Nice people! Some old timers, some recent (6 mo.) and a couple of people waiting on a date. I got some questions answered and some real good practical advice on food, preparaiton etc. the book don't tell you.
I feel positive, excited and ready to go. Now just need a date!
Gene
Where I am at today
Oct 06, 2007
I am not a great blogger but I promise to try to keep this active so it can be useful to others. It is early Sunday morning (I am a morning person). As of today, I weigh 426.2 lbs, down over 16lbs from a week ago. I am working hard to get down to surgery weight. I don't have a date yet but that should be forthcoming in a couple of weeks or so. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City (Preferred Care Blue PPO). I am currently following a high protein, very low carb diet so I can get to a safer surgical weight. I am also currently working on all the pre-surgical stuff with the dietician, psychological counselling etc. I am ok on the cardiac and pulmonary checkoffs. My surgery will be done at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Shawnee, Kansas. I'll keep you posted on the progress....Gene