First visits at BIW

9/9/2004
Well today is the day! I go for the consultation with Dr. Chiang. My nerves are all wrapped up very tightly. I was hoping I could spend the morning in a meeting, but that has been cancelled. Bummer. I keep thinking of things to add to my packet. Aaargh! I am very excited and can only hope that only good things will come out of this. Just contemplating what I will need to give up! Coffee w/cream (h&h), caffeine-free Mountain Dew, any sweet drinks. (I hate all artificial sweeteners.

Later in the day. Well, first the visit with my orthopod didn't go good. My blood pressure has been up the last two visits. 156/102... not good! I've been trying to convince myself it's all because of the stress of today's appointment at the BIW. NOPE! I did put a call into my primary physician, not sure what we will do. Anyway, the PA at the orthopod's office has worked with Dr. Chiang even when he was a resident. She could not speak highly enough of him! I found a co-worker who had RNY done at the same clinic about 2 months ago. Wow! We talked briefly and she gave me some pointers. Well, got to BIW, and who should be there, but one of my first contacts with this group Amy from Madison. We were able to talk a bit and it was just so cool. I had the consult with the nurse, Lynn. She was great! By the time she took my blood pressure it was a wee bit down, but not really good enough. 132/92, however, it is closer to normal. In my mind's eye it is showing me the need for surgery at this time. Well, I didn't like the scale... almost 10 pounds higher than my primary's office... I bet it was the shoes! Hee hee. I met with Dr. Chiang, and he feels I'm a good candidate for either surgery, however, he wants to do the tube up/down both ends... such fun! He will do the tests himself, indicating that he knows what he is looking for. Well, let's see, next thursday is the dietician class, the following will be the colon/endoscopies. I feel pretty good about it now, and almost want to shout out to the world, but I think I need to wait on it just a bit yet.

9/11/2004
I was so hyped on Thursday night that I got no/very little sleep. I really should have updated yesterday since a lot got done, but sleep got in the way. I am now scheduled for my blood work and physical therapy appointments. I couldn't schedule the psych eval because they weren't in yesterday. I will take care of this on Monday. So, the end of the year would not be out of the realm of realistic. I'm almost too scared about the insurance. They are too nice to me when I call on the phone. So far, everything is being covered. There is rumor that in 2005 Humana will have a bariatric exclusion in their policy, but they couldn't confirm/deny it over the phone. Hopefully I won't have to deal with that, except perhaps for the fills.

9/16/2004
Tonight is the dietary class at Elmbrook. Humana claims this class is covered at 100%. I'm looking forward to it, though don't quite know what to expect. For some reason I'm having a migraine-type headache this morning... not debilitating, just irritating.

9/18/2004

I woke up this morning for the first time, questioning the wisdom of doing something so drastic. Do I really want to change my routine/habits so significantly? Will I ever get to eat "real" food again? Will I be able to go out with my friends again? I'm sure this is really normal, and a positive sign. I also don't want to fall back into the eating disordered talk/behaviors. I think I am aware enough of the signs, that I would seek assistance if I were having a problem with it. I am attempting to make some of the changes the dietician suggested the other night, especially the caffeine/sugar transition. I've asked co-workers for baby food coupons. One asked if I had something I wasn't telling? hee hee. I asked another about nutritional supplements/protein drinks. I don't think the baby food will be such an issue, I've had to use it when I had TMJ problems. I found it interesting that at the class there was no mention of tofu/vegetarian products to help with the protein and it's a naturally soft food. Last week I ordered the book on Lap Band as well as a cookbook after WLS. It hasn't arrived yet, and I'm a little anxious about receiving it.

9/23/2004
Today I had an EGD/Colonoscopy, and if I remember correctly was a horrid patient. I kept trying to take the scope out, or screaming for it to come out, but now I don't remember the pain so much. But the results were EXCELLENT! After previously having icky gastric diagnoses, it was the first colonoscopy! Everything looked normal! No polyps, no ulcers, no evidence of reflux... he did take some cultures and I should know in about 10 days. If anything could have put a stop to having the surgery, this was the test that would have done it. I was home by 10:30. AND, unless problems occur, no colonoscopy for another 10 years...

10/3/2004
I should have been updating all weekend! Wednesday was horrid! It was my psych eval, and I got a mental health assessment rather than assessment for bariatric surgery. He wanted me to see him at least 7 more times, the next time for a medication assessment, as I seem to be bipolar to him. He asked very few questions about the surgery and how I felt about it, or what I was doing. I did admit I don't see myself as thin. Not yet anyway. That makes me not a good candidate. I know I have some difficulty with depression (seasonal, especially) and it will be time for me to start medication again soon. I also don't have a problem seeing a therapist for any other issues that may come up. I spent the evening at the Family History Center in Milwaukee and had several people to assist in doing their genealogies... what fun!

On Thursday, I received the results of my colonoscopy. The doc had taken 7 biopsies, and everything was PERFECT. My blood work had also come back. TSH (thyroid) a wee bit low, T4 (another thyroid) normal, Iron normal, B-12 - 131 when normal is between 300-900. I immediately put a call into my primary physician.

On Friday, I called a different bariatric program to see who they recommended for the psych eval, and were very good. I was able to set up a 2nd eval. I also called the insurance for authorization of those 7 visits... the woman was very good, that the psych eval was a medical issue and would not be covered by the mental health program, and that I had been told this when I called previously. I agreed, and I will go with that. My primary called me back and left a message on my voicemail.. "Chris, this is Dr. Sweeney, boy am I shocked about your B-12 level being so low. I need to see you to discuss treatment and further testing." He also indicated that while the thyroid was a bit off, it was still within the norm. My appointment is Wednesday at 4:15 pm.

As far as the weekend, I gave myself permission to simply collapse. I did cover at the Family History Center again, but had trouble staying awake the last 1/2 hour. It was a little slow for a Saturday. I did a wee bit of grocery shopping, what I could for $10. Came home and promptly fell asleep. Today, I had committed to go to breakfast with a friend, of course I had steak and eggs (gotta attempt to get that B-12 in--heehee), came home and slept, watched a movie (Return of Martin Guerre - with Jean-Claud Depardieu) but had to stay awake to read the subtitles, and slept some more.

Oh yes, I do have many of the general symptoms of B-12 deficiency and am beginning some of the neurological problems (balance, nerve pain). I've been reading quite a bit, and got a good food list (however, I AIN'T eating Brains, Liver or Kidneys... ick! But after payday... if recommended by the doc will get crab, salmon and the like.