My WLS Journal
August 1, 1999
I went to see Dr. Rekate, a pediatric neurosurgeon, regarding my condition with PTC. I was desperate for him to do something to take away the headaches that I lived with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In my mind, he was my last resort. I actually was given his name by someone in Pennselvania who is in my PTC support group. He told me about a procedure he was going to send me for callled a "Retrograde Venousgram." They would insert a wire with a cathater up the right side of my groin and it would go up through my body and measure the pressure from the spinal fluid on my heart and brain. He would not be present for this. He said the type of treatment I would receive would depend on the results of the procedure. He then listed the possible types of treatment. They were 1) An LP Shunt, 2)Pharmaceutical Weight Loss, 3) Controlled diet, 4)WLS, and 5) Optic Nerve Sheath Fenstration. The decision would be made after the procedure.
August 9, 1999
I checked into the hospital at 6am this morning. They had to decensetize me because of the dye they had to inject into my veins. I was given a very high dose of steroids plus a shot of benedryl. It must have worked because I never had a problem with itching or breathing. I was awake during the whole procedure but extremely drugged so I wasn't aware of most of the procedure. Just the last few minutes. After it was over, the doctor who did the procedure told me I had a lot of pressure on my heart. This really scared me. because I knew if the pressure was up, I could be in danger of congestive heart failure. I called Dr. Rekates office the next day and got an appointment for August 25 at 2:15 PM. I would have to worry for another week.
August 25, 1999
I saw Dr. Rekate today. We went over my test resutls. He told me the pressure on my heart was five times more than normal. I asked him if I was in danger of congestive heart failure and he told me that the pressure on my eyes was even higher and I would go blind before that ever happened. He said the numbers in my head were way up there. He said we needed to get the pressure off fast. We talked about an LP Shunt and WLS. Dr. Rekate does not do WLS but he said he could refer me to Dr. Newhoff. (I'd already met Dr. Newhoff the saturday before at a "Weight For Life" seminar. I told Dr. Rekate that I didn't want the shunt yet because I know once I get it I will be in and out of the hospital for the rest of my life getting revisions and adjustments. So, he told me to get my PCP to do a referal to Dr. Newhoff and meanwhile he would write the strongest letter possible to help convince my insurance company to approve this insurance.
August 27, 1999
I called my PCP and requested a referal to Dr. Newhoff. I explained to the girl in the referal department all that was happening. She said she would take care of it today. So now begins the waiting game.
September 1, 1999
Well, today I got the letter from my neurosurgeon. It was an awesome letter! He writes in it that if I have the lumboperitoneal shunt it will result in multiple surgical procedures being needed over time. He also writes that my pressure is so high that it may lead to blindness. In his final paragraph he writes that he strongly recommends I have the WLS because it is the definiteve treatment for PTC in patients who are obese and especially those with my problems. He further says he believes my condition will be resolved with the surgery and recurrence would be very low. What a great doctor and what a great letter. So I faxed it over to my PCP and hopefully I will hear something back tomorrow. I will call them every day until they are sick of me if I have to.
September 3, 1999
I heard from my PCP today. The insurance has approved me for a consult with Dr. Alan Newhoff. Woo-hoo! I am doing the happy dance now! I called Dr. Newhoff's office and they are trying to get me in as soon as possible. Dr. Newhoff is in surgery all day today so I probably won't hear anything until next week. I don't know if they are in the office on Monday since it is Labor Day. So I may not hear anything before Tuesday. Now I am wondering, since my insurance approved me for the consult immediately upon receiving the letter from my neurosurgeon, will they approve me for the surgery just as quickly? Or will I be denied and have to appeal? (Oh, I hate it when these thoughts fill my brain.) Well, since I am a true believer in the power of prayer, I am going to just pray that God gives me favor with the insurance company and I will be approved without any problems. YES!
Sept. 7, 1999
I called Dr. Newhoff's office this morning to find out about the appointment. Good news! They had a cancellation and could I come in at 9:30 tomorrow morning? Could I!!! YOU betcha! Woo-hoo!!!
Sept. 8, 1999
I saw Dr. Newhoff today. Originally there was supposed to be other people there with me for the consult, but for whatever reasons, none showed up. So, it was just hubby, me and Dr. Newhoff! He talked to us in his office instead the room he normally used and he was able to sit in his comfy chair. He explained everything to us. He had little cloth stomaches with the staples in them and the selastic ring. He also had a regular stomache before bypass so he could show us the difference. (He even had a cloth intestine!) He had a stapler like the one he would use in surgery too and showed us how it staples across the stomache. Amazing! Anyway, he talked to us for about two hours. When he was finished, he asked me if I had any questions. Since he had answered them all before I had a chance to even ask him, I didn't really have any left, but one. We discussed my question and then, we agreed I needed to get this surgery done as soon as possible because of my vision. We went out to the office manager, who talked with us briefly and then faxed all my stuff to Weight-For-Life in California. I have to call on Monday to see if they submitted the papers to my insurance. I guess the next step is to wait for approval. I just pray for God to work in my behalf with the insurance company and that I get approved in just a matter of days.
Every once in a while I have a thought that I will be denied, and I go into panic attack mode or depression. I have to stop doing this. There is no point in worrying about something tha hasn't happened and may never happen. (Think positive thoughts, Sue.)
September 14, 1999
I called Weight-For-Life in California. They submitted the paperwork to Intergroup. Ginny is hoping to hear back from them by Wednesday. I am so nervous about all of this. What if they deny me. I'll call them back on Thursday if I don't hear from them on Wednesday.
September 16, 1999
I just got a call from Ginny at Weight-For-Life. I HAVE BEEN APPROVED!!! I am doing the happy dance now. I will get a call from David hopefully tomorrow to find out when my surgery will be. I also have an appointment tomorrow morning with a psychologist for my psychological assesment test. I feel like I'm dreaming. But I'm not! This is the real thing and soon I will be on my way to a new and healthier life! Woo-hoo!!!!
September 17, 1999
I can't believe it. My surgery has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 5th. That is just 18 days away! I was hoping and praying for fast, but I never expected it to be this fast. Now I need to do so much to get ready. I will be on pureed food for six weeks. I went to the psychologist today and took the assement test. It was very long. But now it is over. The next step is the pre-op stuff. I'll be doing that the day before surgery. I am just so happy.
September 22, 1999
I got a call from Weight-For-Life today. They had a cancellation and wanted to know if I wanted it. Of course I said yes! So now, my new date for surgery is Thursday, September 30, at 3:30 pm. I go in on Monday, Sept. 27 for my pre-op stuff. I can't believe I am only 8 days away from my new life!!! I am so excited!
September 27, 1999
I had my pre-op testing done today. It wasn't bad at all. First I went to see Dr. Newhoff. His office assistant took my weight, (I gained 3 pounds), measurments, and two pics. One from the front and one from the side. She'll take them again next year to compare. Then Dr. Newhoff came in and did an exam on me. He feels real confident that I will do great with the surgery. Then he sent me off to the lab for some blood work. I got that done and it was no big deal. So, the next step is . . . the surgery. This will most likely be my last post until after I come home from the hospital. I am so excited!
September 30, 1999
I arrived at the hospital at 2PM. I was taken to a room and had to undress and put on the designer hospital gown. I was in there for about an hour...nurses asking questions, filling out paperwork, etc. Then I was rolled down to the room they take you to before surgery...I guess it's called the holding room. There I got those pumps on my legs and my thing to breath into. I watched tv and practiced doing my breathing. Amazingly I was not in the least nervous. The anestesiologist came in and we talked. He told me he would be doing my IV but would wait until I was in the OR. Then Dr. Newhoff came in and talked to me. I was still calm! (It must have been all those prayers!) Finally, the nurses rolled me into the OR room. I had not been given any meds yet so I was wide awake and alert. The first thing I noticed in the OR was the wall. It was decorated with Mickey Mouse stuff. How funny. Then I saw the table under the wall with a million instruments on it. STILL NOT NERVOUS! The anestesiologist came and put in my IV. No pain at all. Went in on the first try. I put my arm out for the blood pressure pump, gave the thumbs up to my doctor and the next thing I felt was this weirdness in my head and then nothing. I woke up that evening in my own room. The nurses were putting my binder on me. They tried to get me up to walk but I was to out of it and couldn't do it. I barely remember seeing my Angel Stacey out of the corner of my eye. My dh was there too. I must have gone right back to sleep because the next thing I remember it was midnight. The nurses got me up to walk. I pushed a wheelchair to keep my balance. They got me up every two hours during the night and then every hour during the day. I have blurred memories of the hospital because I was on Demerol. Turns out I was allergic to it and it was making me think crazy thoughts and have panic attacks. I actually thought I would die if I didn't walk, and I used that breathing thing because I was sure if I didn't I would stop breathing. Also thought the nurses were out to get me.
My first thoughts were "Oh no, I've made a horrible mistake." Those thoughts didn't go away until about the third day home..when the demerol was totally out of my system. I had the NG tube in until my second day. I can't remember it bothering me but my dh said I compained about it hurting my throat. I was on oxygen until the day I left. Don't know why. I was never given pain meds because I am allergic to them. So, my trip home in the van was very painful. HINT: BRING A PILLOW TO HOLD AGAINST YOUR TUMMY ON THE TRIP HOME.
October 4, 1999
I am finally home. I found I couldn't sleep on my recliner, it hurt my back. So I moved to the couch which isn't much better. (Can't wait till I can sleep on my tummy in my own bed!) I started eating the pureed foods and at first it was really hard. (DON't BUY BABY FOODS! GROSS!) I finally talked to a friend Rhonda and she gave me some great advice and ideas. THANKS RHONDA!!! (((HUGS))) She also has sent me some good info in the mail.
October 12, 1999
I could tell I was losing weight but didn't know how much until today! I went in for a checkup and I'd lost 19 1/2 pounds. I am so thrilled. My scar is beautiful...no staples, just a pencil thin line.
November 16, 1999
Well, it's been a few weeks since my last post. I have been so busy with my job and my life that I haven't had time. I have a new picture and will put it up as soon as I get it. But the most exciting thing so far is that I have lost 35 pounds! I am amazed that I have lost 35 pounds in just 6 1/2 weeks! I could never have lost as much on a regular diet. Also, while I haven't measured the inches, I know I have lost a lot. All my clothes are too big on me now. I have gone from a size 22 to a size 16. I am now on real food. But I still only eat small amounts. I went away this past weekend with the ladies from my church to a Women's Retreat. I felt like I pigged out, but the truth is, I hardly ate anything. In fact some of the gals asked me how I could eat so little. I shared with many of them about my surgery. I was not ashamed to have it and no one said anything negative about it. In fact, some were interested in learning more. I also am feeling a lot better now. No more pain, and sleeping almost all night now. The only time I feel bad is if I eat more than I should. Then I feel uncomfortable for a while. So I'm trying to stop when I'm satisfied, not when I'm full. This is a learning process for me. Anyway, I'll put up my picture soon.
November 30, 1999
I DID IT!!! I got on the scale this morning and I weigh 166.5 which means a loss of 40 pounds in two months. I made my goal. I have definately slowed down in the weight loss, but I'm still happy. I lost five pounds in exactly two weeks. I wouldn't mind losing a little more, but I'll take the five pounds. I hope I don't slow down even more though. I figure if I can lose two and a half pounds a week I should weigh around 155 by the New Year. Last weekend my hubby got my boxes of skinny clothes out of the garage. What fun I had trying everything on. Of course some stuff was still too tight, but a lot of stuff FIT!! I was so excited. I have some really cute Christmas outfits that I can now wear. I can wear some size 14's and some size 16's. Right before I went off the Phen-fen I was wearing a size 12. I don't know if I'll get below this, but at least I won't have to buy new clothes until then!!! Well, I should have a new pic up soon. That's all for now.
December 30, 1999
WOW! Time sure flys by when you have energy to do stuff. I can't believe a month has gone by since my last post! Christmas was wonderful. It was the first time I didn't eat like a pig yet I still felt satisfied. I had a tiny bite of each thing and it was delicious! This is the first time I can remember actually losing weight instead of gaining weight during the holidays.
Speaking of which, as of today I now weigh 155.5. This means I have lost 11 pounds this month. That is about what I expected to lose. (Actually, I figured I would lose 10 pounds so I did better than I thought.) I went through my boxes of skinny clothes again. What a surprise! I was able to actually empty one box out and hang them up in my closet. I am now wearing a size 12 blouse and size 14 pants. Some things that are a size Medium fit me great! I went and got my hair cut the day before Christmas and had it colored. It looks great. I will get someone to take a picture soon and then I'll put it up. I didn't put one up last month because I was wearing a top from when I was at my heaviest and the top was so bulky that it made me look heavier than before my surgery. (Vanity, right!) But my girlfriend has a digital camera and I'm going to ask her to bring it to work and snap my pic.
January 4th, 2000
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I got on the scale this morning and I now weigh 152.5. This is a total of 54 pounds in just a little over 3 months. So much has changed since this surgery. I no longer am controlled by food or food cravings. I understand the meaning of "eat to live" instead of "live to eat." I am able to wear a size 12 pair of pants. I was wearing size 22 before. Large is too baggy on me. I have enough energy to come home from work at night and clean around the house. I sleep on my tummy with no problems. I am not out of breath after climbing three flights of stairs. I find my self confidence is much improved. I still got shocked when I see myself in the mirror because I forget how good I look. My bowel movements have improved also. I was constipated for a while but now I seem to be able to go once or twice a week with no problems at all. I can drink water without any problems. I still have a problem if I eat to fast. Pasta seems to be the hardest thing for me. If I don't eat it slowly and chew it real good, it comes back up. I don't like meat as much as I used to. In fact, I pretty much avoid beef all together. Pork, chicken and fish seem to be the easiest to eat. I'm still only able to eat 2 oz per meal but that's not a problem for me! I get lots of compliments and I'm learning to accept them graciously. Sometimes at night I have a hard time falling asleep because I think about this summer and how slim I'll be when I go to the beach! (Vanity again! But I'm worth it!) Anyway, still have to get a pic up but I will soon. I'll also try to update more often than I've been.
January 20, 2000
PLATEAUS! I HATE THEM!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! Ok, I had to get that out! I feel a little better now. ANYWAY, I have hit my first real plateau. I've been stuck at 152.5 for almost three weeks now. It's very frustrating. I'll fluxuate between 151.5 and 153. It doesn't matter how much I eat or drink, (or how little), I just can't seem to get off this plateau. However, thanks to the support group, I know this is all normal, so I'm not going to beat myself up over it. (Well, I have actually yelled at myself a few times, but not too bad.) There was actually a suggestion on the OSSG list to try and eat more. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but since the people who suggested it had their surgery a lot longer than I have, I figure I will give it a try. Can't hurt, can it?
January 24, 2000
WOO-HOO!!! IT WORKED! I did what the group said to do and this morning when I got on my scale I weighed 148 pounds! I am now below the 150 mark. That was my last BIG goal. Now all my goals are little five pound ones. (I never try to reach for something bigger than that.) Now I am hoping I might actually reach the 145 mark by February 1. Of course, I won't be upset if I don't. I know my weight loss is slowing down now. I tried on some more clothes yesterday. I can actually fit into a size 8 blouse! A SIZE 8!!! And, I can wear a size 10 pants if they have an elastic band. If they button, I still have to wear a size 12. They are baggy around the legs, but my tummy still seems to be the biggest part of my body. I really should start exercising, but I'm going to wait until the end of March. I work at the House of Representatives, and right now we are in Session. It is a fast paced, high stress job during the months that they are in Session. I feel like I come to work on Monday morning, blink twice, and it's Friday afternoon! So, right now, when I get home at night I just want to eat dinner, relax for an hour or so and go to bed. I am asleep before 9:30 PM! So much for this night owl! Anyway, I'll be reporting on my weight loss again next Sunday, which will be my four month anniversary.
January 30, 2000
Well, I got on the scale this morning and it said I weigh 145 exactly. So, for the month of January I have lost 10.5 pounds! Considering I was stuck on a plateau, not to shabby! I did get some pictures taken. I just have to fix them so they fit on the web page. I'll be working on them this week and then I'll put them up. I am going to call my doctor and have some blood work done. I want to check my B12 levels and my iron, cholesterol, etc. I have always had high cholesterol, so this will be interesting. I have an appointment with Dr. Newhoff on February 11th, so I'll be reporting back with how things are going after I see him. Hopefully pics will be up sometime today or tomorrow!
March 1, 2000
Today is my five month anniversary. My how time flys! I weighed myself this morning and I weigh 137 pounds. So this month I lost 8 pounds. I'm surprised I lost as much as I did. I thought I would have slowed down more than I have. I will be 44 in two weeks. I remember when I first had this surgery my goal was to weigh 140 by my birthday. Well, looks like I made it and then some! I got my blood work back from the doctor. Everything looks great. My cholesterol was 206. Still higher than it should be, but way lower than it was. It will get better as I continue to lose. I was eating an egg every day for a while and now I am sick of eggs so that may help as well.
I am losing hair now. I had hoped I would be one of the lucky ones and not lose any, but looks like that isn't going to be the case. Since I have such a thick head of hair I'm not too worried. I talked with my doctor and he said it is normal. He said when your body goes through a major stress like surgery the hair folicles stop and the hair quits growing. It starts back up again but the hair that stopped growing falls out about four months later. The good news is, it only lasts for a few months and even though it is falling out, new hair is growing in.
I am finally learning when to quit eating. I had a hard time finding "satisfied" at first. I would eat until I was full and then I would feel uncomfortable for an hour or longer. But now that I can recognize "satisfied" I feel great after eating. I don't ever want to experience the feeling of being full again. I still sometimes eat too fast and then I pay the price for it...but I am getting better. I just need to concentrate more on my eating and less on my surroundings. No TV, etc. And definately don't talk on the phone while eating....BIG MISTAKE! Well, that's it for now...I'll get some pictures up soon.
July 12, 2000
I can't believe how many months have gone by since I last updated this journal. The time just flew by so fast since the last time. I also am only seeing the surgeon once every three months now so I wanted to wait till I got an official weight before posting again. I now weigh 118 pounds. I actually went below my goal! But my surgeon says that is ok because I am only five feet tall and I am also small framed. So according to the weight charts I should weigh between 104 and 116. So, he and I are both very pleased with me.
Well, my hair has finally stopped falling out. I feel great as long as I remember to take my vitamins and protien. Plus, I find I need to increase my potassium but I don't mind that. I love bananas and avacados as well as squash. I also take a suppliment. I eat basically whatever I want only in small portions. A typical day for me is breakfast around 6:30am, a snack around 10:00am, lunch at noon, another snack around 3:00pm, dinner at 6:30pm and sometimes another snack at bedtime. (Not often though.) I have noticed that I can eat things with sugar in them, but only in very small amounts. I still don't like bread, hamburgers and most beef. I love pork, chicken, shrimp, some fish, prime rib and bbq ribs. Give me just about any vegie and I'm happy. I still will puke if I eat fast or take to big a bite. But it is fewer and far between with each episode.
I was asked recently if I would do this again, knowing what I know now, and my answer was "In a heartbeat!" I have no regrets about this surgery. It saved my life as far as I am concerned. In fact, the condition that led me to this surgery (see my PTC page), may be gone. I will have an MRI in August to find out if it is gone. I am excited about that. I will be putting up a new picture very soon. I have to pick my film up from Costco first. Till then, ta-ta!
September 26, 2000
Well, this coming Saturday will be my one year anniversary. So much has changed in my life since last year. I am now at the weight I should be at for my height. I feel wonderful. I look great. (I still get surprised when I look in the mirror!) But the most exciting news is that my PTC is gone. Completely and totally gone. So not only do I have a new body, but my brain is healed. No more headaches, no more mental confusion, visual loss, etc. I am a healthy, happy 44 year old woman. I have a new lease on life and I plan on living it to the best of my ability. I thank God for my two Doctors...Dr. Harold Rekate, the neurologist who referred me to the weight loss surgeon, and Dr. Alan Newhoff, my surgeon. You are both my heros!
So, now, a year later I weight 116 pounds. I wear a size 6. My shoe size is a 5 1/2 to 6. My BMI is 23. I am alive, happy and feeling great. A year ago I felt sick, tired, in constant pain and wishing I could die. It seems like a life time ago!
September 29, 2000
I had my Dr's. appointment with Dr. Newhoff today. They took my measurments. I am going to share them with you. The first number is what I was last year. The second is what I am today.
Arm.....16........11
Breasts.47........35
Waist...44........30 3/4
Hips....51 1/2....39 1/2
Total lost is 44 1/4 inches! A whole person! I figure each inch weighed approximately 2 pounds! If you are seriously considering this surgery, I hope what I have written in this journal helps you. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.