mrsnate

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I'm pleased to announce that I did finally get approved for VSG and had surgery on 4/27/12 with Dr. Podkameni at Banner Gateway Hospital.  I was supposed to do 14 days of the preop diet, but ended up only doing 12 because of my son's birthday.  Anyway, it was enough because I dropped 16 pounds by surgery day!  The morning of surgery my husband took me in at 5:30am.  I was a nervous wreck.  When I arrived they immediately admitted me and started my IV.  I was a chatter box, talking to everybody (I tend to get overly chatty when I'm nervous).  Once I spoke with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, the anesthesiologist said he would give me "something to help me relax"...aka: Versed.  It was amazing!  I remember saying, "Wow, this works quick..."  Next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery!  Initially I woke up having some pain in my stomach.  I was in and out of sleep but everytime I woke up I said it hurt.  Shortly after, the nurse told me they were getting me a pain pump and my pain stopped.  They took me to my room and I was still very out of it.  Everytime I'd wake up I felt okay, but I'd doze off again.  By about 3pm I was able to stay awake long enough to have a conversation. :)  I had a few visitors, including my 4 kids, and had an uneventful night.  The pain pump was amazing.  I felt no pain.  By day 2, I had my leak test and was finally allowed to have clear fluids.  The solution you drink during the leak test was easily the NASTIEST stuff I've ever tasted.  Fortunately, the test was perfect.  I had a really hard time drinking that first day, I think I was partially afraid.  I opted to stay a second night because I was feeling a bit nauseated that night.  One dose of Phenergan and I was good to go.  The next morning, Sunday, my husband and kids came and picked me up.  I was nervous, but felt pretty good.  Now that I'm 2 weeks out, I'm on the pureed food stage (thank goodness!) and I've been enjoying refried beans, cottage cheese, tuna salad, and protein shakes.  I have a few more things I want to try but so far, so good!  I've lost 30 pounds so far.  Even though I do get tired quickly, for the most part, I feel well. 

Well, here I am nearing the end of round 2 of my medically supervised "diet" and doctor weigh ins.  I had my visit yesterday with Dr. Podkameni and he agreed that the VSG was a good option for me (yay!).  Eileen, the insurance lady, gave me a list of a few things I need to do before we submit, ie: Cardiologist approval for surgery and psychological evaluation.  I want to get this show on the road!  Apparently they are scheduling out 4-6 weeks for surgery from date of approval, so I'm guessing it'll be most likely an April surgery date.  I'm okay with that!  My birthday is in October, so that gives me 6 months to make a "dent" in my goal before I'm another year older. :)  Thank heaven things seem to be going well.  Praying for a smooth approval and even more smooth surgery and recovery.

Well, it's been almost exactly a year since my last post.  Boy has this been a rollercoaster ride!  So back in October of last year I was told by the Bridges people that my PCP's notes documenting my 6 month medically supervised diet were not good enough and had to redo them.  I begged my PCP to go back and document but he said he wouldn't because "they should be good enough..it's a game to them."   Whatever!  It's not a game to me and caused me serious stress.  In the very first part of November I decided to go see Dr. Husted (considering DS).  My insurance informed me that I had been cancelled!  Oh my gosh, words do not describe how upset I was.  This long journey was for nothing!  Psych eval, cardiologist, sleep study, pulmonologist, gynecologist, 6 month diet...all for nothing.  I cried a lot that day. 

Fast forward 9 months and I am finally accepted on a pre-existing condition plan (PCIP) through the government.  It covers surgery and will even cover maternity (if I so decide, lol) in a couple years.  What a HUGE relief!  These past months have led me to research and pray regarding what doctor/group I ultimately want to go with for surgery.  I came to the conclusion to go with Dr. Shuster at Banner Gateway.  I'm leaning toward the VSG too. I believe the surgery is a great fit for me.  So my story begins...again. :)  I have done one month of the medically supervised diet with my new PCP (who is awesome!) and attended the information seminar today.  It should be about 2 months until I can get in to see the surgeon, who is very backed up right now.  By then I'll be in month 3 of my diet and can hopefully gather up the rest of the info and requirements and shoot for surgery early spring. 

I get so frustrated sometimes.  Dealing with Mercy Care can be a pain in the butt.  My patient advocate says that my PCP didn't correctly document my 6 month diet history.  So, I'm hoping (and praying) that I'll be able to get him to help me out and add some more info in my documents so that we can submit my paperwork.  I had really hoped to have my surgery this summer and now the school year is already in session.  Fingers crossed that something works out...soon.

Well, I'm still figuring this website out, so hopefully I'm doing this right!  Well, it's May 20, 2010 and I'm almost done with the hoop jumping for the insurance.  I've had my psych eval, seen the cardiologist, did a sleep study, 6 months dr. visits with weigh ins, and Monday is my appt. with the pulmonologist.  I'm pretty sure then I have to see a nutritionist and hopefully Mercy Care will approve me! 

I was watching the news tonight when I passed by a tv station airing an infommercial about Lap Band and who did I see???  Jen from Dr. Schlesingers office.  Too funny!  She told me she'd had lapband but wished she done Gastric bypass.  Got a kick out of that. :)   I'll post again soon.