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6/16/03-- Well, my sister ended up having her surgery, but was
a self-pay and we travelled all the way to mexico to have it done. That was an adventure!! I have decided that gastric bypass
is my only option. I'm having problems scheduling appointments due to my work schedule. Everything will happen in time. I'm
also slightly concerned about getting insurance approval because I carry Carefirst BlueChoice HMO on an individual plan. We'll
see how tough the battle is. I watched my sister go through four insurance denials and I hope that doesn't happen to me. I
am unable to self pay, of course there is always a way.
6/22/03-- Well, I have my initial consultation w/ Dr. Anez
on July 18th, I can hardly wait. I have to schedule a blood test tommorow, the only thing I'm really nervous about. I'm sure
there will be other more important things to worry about later. Till then....
7/17/03-- Tommorow is my consultation,
I can hardly wait. I have spoken with the insurance company and they seem to think that my approval will go smoothly. We'll
see. I have all of my paper work ready to go. I realized that over the past 5 yrs, I've only been to the doctor 3 times. I
usually don't go to the doctor unless i think it is something that will kill me. I guess that's why I went in about my weight.
Anyway, I'll update you tommorow and let you know how my meeting with Dr. Anez went. I can't wait!
7/25/03--Yesterday
was my birthday and I was hoping to get my approval by then. Unfortunately, it's been a week and my Dr's office hasn't even
submitted my paper work. I'm slightly annoyed. The waiting is killing me!!!!!!!!!
7/31/03--I spoke with my doctors
office today and they finally sent my stuff to the insurance company. There was some small mix up about my referral. I gave
it to them, they gave it back, then called and said "we don't have it". Well of course you don't you gave it back to me. Anyway,
Tina (she handles the insurance) is confident that I should hear from BCBS within a couple days. Till then.....
8/05/03-- Well I called my insurance company today because i had not heard anything reguarding my submittal.
I wasn't able to speak with Terry Whitney (she handles all approvals) but the girl I talked to said.... You're approved!!!
I couldn't believe it. So i called Dr. Anez's office to double check if it was true, they said they hadn't recieved the approval
letter yet but was confident that since the insurance girl said I was approved that it was in the mail. So they went and set
my surgery date!!! I'm scheduled for Dec. 3!!! Yeah!!! That was so simple I didn't have any issues with my insurance company.
I wish it was that easy for everyone. Anyway I went ahead and scheduled my next 2 appt. for when I will be seeing Dr. Anez
again. Only 4 months to go, it will seem like forever. I'll keep you posted on all of my pre-op testing. Til then!!!
10/15/03-- Well things up until now have been going very slowly.
I went to the first nutrition class. and had my first pre-op tests last week ( chest x-ray, abdominal sonogram). It turns
out that i have gallstones. That's ok, just another thing for Dr. Anez to take out. Tommorow I have my visit with the pulmonologist
for a breathing test and for the dreaded blood gases. Then on Friday I have a visit with the EDG doc, for my initial
consult. I'll set up my EDG and I have a walk in appt. for my blood test, then i'm all set to go. I would really like to see
if i can get my surgery date moved up. Fingers crossed, even if I don't it's only 6 weeks til surgery. I'll keep you updated
on how the rest of my tests went, til then....
10/16/03-- Well I went to see the pulmonologist today,
I was sent to Shady Grove hopital. The guy that did the tests was great and made me feel very comfortable. The first
thing he did was my blood gases test-- I couldn't look. and you know it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought, and I'm scared
to death of needles. After that I did my breathing test, that was all a piece of cake, I tested perfectly. I'm glad I'm done
with that test, now just two more then I'm done. I'll let you know how the EDG went til then...
10/26/03--I had my EGD on Friday and I must say that it was definately
one of the more pleasurable experiences I've had.I went to Dr. Musselman near Shady Grove Hospital. I couldn't have asked
for a kinder doctor or staff. I arrived early and got into my gown (top only, i left my pants on) and they started an IV.
they wheeled me into the place where they did the procedure then I drifted off into one of the most pleasant naps I've had
in years. I was very cozy when i woke up. It was like nothing had even happened. My thoat was a little sore later, but that
passed quickly. One more blood test then I'm finished. This whole experience so far has been a total breeze. I hope it continues
that way.
11/13/03-- Well I'm officially finished with all of my pre-op
testing, I have my nurses' interview on monday and I see Dr. Anez on Friday. My surgery was three weeks from yesterday. Amazingly
I'm not scared. When I started this whole ordeal, I was most worried about being poked by needles. It turns out all along
I had nothing to fear. I went in to my last blood test today with no anxiety. I'm so glad I was able to overcome my fear.
Now I'm mostly concerned with my recovery, Everything to this point has gone extreamly smooth, I hope that continues. I'm
prepared for the challenges ahead. I thank everyone who has help support me in this. Without them everything I'm going through
would not have been possible. Thanks again, and again, and again.
11/30/03-- Well this is my last entry before
surgery. I have 3 days to go. I'm ready, it still feels like a dream. All that's left to do is pack. I'm keeping a detailed
journal while in the hospital. I'll update you when I get to the other side. I'm taking a week and a half off work. I'll have
my sister update for me. Til then...
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