Sandy H.
****May/19/2005***
Well I went to the Seminar on May 15th at the Scottsdale Bariatric Center with Dr. Robin Blackstone. After attending this session I was very impressed with the staff there. Dr. Blackstone took the time to answer each and everyone's questions and that impressed me there. Not often do you find a doc that will take the time to do that. All the information she supplied us with and the films, she went into full details as to what she would be doing, the risks, etc. I would up taking like 3 pages of notes to take home that day. I turned my new patient packet in that day. Now just waiting to hear from them. At the moment I am at a whopping 220 lbs, I think, the last I weighed it was. I am in a size 22 pants. I tend to wear my clothes a bit big so don't show the rolls on me so bad. I am mainly doing this process for my health. I don't have the energy to get out and do things with my family. I am out of breathe all the time, and some of that is due to having asthma real bad. I can't go shopping and stay on my feet for very long periods of time without having to stop and sit for a bit. I have to be very selective in the shoes I buy in order to keep them from hurting. My ankles and my knees hurt all time as well as my back. I never had any of these problems till I got so BIG. I had my gall bladder removed in December 1999 and ever since then it's like I couldn't get enough to eat. But now I hardly eat anything, my pitfall is my Mountain Dew (GOTTA HAVE IT) which I know will have to cut it out by time of my surgery. I come from a family of very large women. My mother, her mother, her sisters. They are very large women. So I guess it's kinda hereditary. But I first started noticing gradually weight gaining after I had my tubes tied in 1987, a year after my youngest son was born. In almost 3 months time after that I had put on over 70 lbs. that's alot in that amount of time. and it just kept climbing. I was only at a weight of 105 lbs when that happened. Now look at me, 220 lbs. I want my life and body back. Use to be a very active woman with my children. Now I am lucky if I get to walk outside much with them without gettin out of breath, feet hurting, etc etc. And now I have my very first grandchild, it's hard I can't do them fun things with her due to not being able to walk far and getting out of breath and most importantly cause I DON'T HAVE THE ENERGY !. So feel free to email me if you wish. I like to chat to others.
***5/19/2005***
Hi, It's me again. Well I got a call from the surgeon's office to set up my appointment to get the process rolling. So I have an appointment with the surgeon, dietician, etc (6 hrs) on May 23, 2005. So wish me luck. My insurance will cover the surgeon's office visit but not the dietician, etc so am having to fork that out all at once. But well worth it. Can't wait to get this started and get approved so can get my surgery date. They said after my Psych Eval which is May 31st then will take bout a month to get insurance to approve, so that will be the hardest to me I think is the waiting. Well I was looking thru the members and seen one that was somewhat close to where I live and emailed her asking if she'd like an angel and that we could be each other's angel. Jennifer Marsh was the lady I contacted. Hopefully she will agree to be an angel for me. I told her I will be hers if she like. Talk to you all soon.
***5/20/2005***
Well I just had to call and cancel my appointment for the first consult as they wanted a fee of $383 up front to get this start which I was having problems coming p with all at once. I couldn't come up with it. I realize this is just gonna put me further back in gettin the process going. And here I was all excited bout gettin this started then being shot down like a rock cause of the $$$ issue. I am kinda depressed right now, cause that problem always seems to manage to get in my way more often than none. So now have to sit and wait AGAIN for them to contact me for another appointment. Which I am not good at. Very depressed today.
***5/23/2005***
Well I got another appointment for my consult with Dr. Blackstone so will fall within payday and gives me more time to have the fees. My new consult date is set for June 20, 2005 for the consult, se dietician and the physiology testing. and I go back on June 27 for the results of the physiology testing (evaluation). Woohoo finally gettin it started. Here we go gurlz/guyz, time for this bumpy ride I guess....LOL !
***5/23/2005***
Went to my first support group meeting tonight and I really enjoyed it there. It might have been a bit of a drive, but I don't mind the drive when I feel comfortable and happy around them. These girls were really nice to me and made me feel a part of their family. Seen some amazing pics there tonight and I was really amazed at the differences. Way to go ya'll. Will keep ya posted as to how am doing and what goes on along this bumpy trip as we go. Wish me luck.
***5/27/2005***
Well I finally told my family today I was having this done. Didn't get a big response out of it yet. but I guess I will once it sinks into their heads what is actually gonna take place. So I been sitting here typing up a letter with info and facts for them to show them what is actually gonna get do, so they know better what to expect. Will send out to those who aren't here with me. And will show them my journey as I go along.
***6/06/2005***
Well I was at the point of giving up on this process. I even went thru and put myself on no mail on the groups I was in on yahoo cause was so disgusted. But got a msg from one on one of the groups am in and advised me to seek out other Centers/Surgeons. So I did that today, and called Dr Juarez and Dr. Fang office at St. Luke's. I have a consult with Dr. Fang on June 23rd and a seminar on June 17th. And financially I think it's gonna work out better. They don't require such a lump sum up front. So am back on the road again. So wish me luck. But still kept up my exercise program of walking the treadmill I just got.
*** June 13, 2005***
Well I had all my appointment cancelled today due to gettin a new job. I've decided to go ahead and work awhile before goin on thru this. I need to get the funds saved up and maybe can lose some of this weight in the meantime. I have in fact lost weight this week, how I don't know, but have lost a total of 12 lbs this week. YIPPEE!!!!!!. Doing the happy dance here. Maybe things are starting to change in my body and let me start losing some of it on my own. I know some of you don't think I need the surgery but when my health is goin downhill cause of the weight and can't get it off on my own, just won't budge, then that's why I am seeking the help of the WLS. But cross your fingers, maybe by time I have worked a bit and possibly got some of it off, HOPEFULLY, then maybe won't need the surgery. Well good luck on all of you all's journey and I will still continue to go to the support groups and be on here and keep this updated like always. Talk to you all soon.
Well good news I guess today. I got letter in mail from my PCP referring me to have this done. So I guess that one thing will have out of the way when am ready to go back. Just need to work a bit before can pay the co-pays and fees. Woohoo ! ! !
***July 2, 2005***
Well I have been doing the Weight Watchers Flex Point Plan and am doing pretty good with it so far. Have lost some weight finally and have also learned to leave the mountain dew alone finally, that was my downfall. Am finally on my way I think and am working on it on my own slowly. Will keep ya updated on my progress. I am at a weight of 205 now. WOOHOO!
*** November 16, 2006 ***
Well I know it been a very long time since I last updated my profile, but life been kinda hectic for me. My daughter having a couple kids etc just been busy. Things are a bit different for me now. At first my starting weight was 216 and holding steady, well now I am a whopping 230, went to doc today and weighed in at 230, I was like HOLY COW. But life goes on. My health not been the best in the world but am coping with it.
