Newbie from Philly - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

soon2bthin · 03-11-2008, 08:39 AM

Good luck on your doc visit, and many more good days to come in your wls journey.

Cassie

Tonystark04 · 03-13-2008, 07:34 AM

Hello All.....

As promised..... I met with Dr. Williams yesterday for the first time.... My appointment was at 12:30pm did not get called in till 4:30!!!!!!

OMG....I was so upset b/c he was behind for the day....... Spoke with the nurse, nutritionist, and Dr. Williams he was very helpful answering all my questions. I have done my research on the GB so mainly my questions were focused around my previous surgery of having my Gall bladder removed and the possibility of having an OPEN surgery. He saw the incision and was amased b/c it was huge.... but he felt confident we can proceed with the Lapro approach.

Next steps, I have to get some Lab work, sleep study and all the other fun stuff. My insurance only needs me to attend weight management courses monthly for 3 months. I can either go to my Primary MD or go thru the weight managment program at the hospital, Dr. Williams suggested I go thru the hospital program due to the insurance company history of denying based on primary physician inconsistent progress notes. Then everything will get sent in for approval. I"m finally on my way to start this long journey

Toony · 03-13-2008, 07:41 AM

Hi Tony... It's interesting what finally "clicks" causing us to make the big decision. For me it was walking into my mom's care center to visit her --- I found her in the physical therapy room. When I walked in, there was a woman about my age, my size sitting in a plus-sized wheelchair --- and I saw myself! A little voice in the back of my head reminded me of my PCP asking if I'd ever considered WLS... that little voice got louder and louder...

A week or two later I fell in the garage trying to help our son-in-law lower our broken garage door, and I could NOT get up. It was humiliating!

Post-op, I feel great -had no problems with the surgery or since...

Sounds like you're in a good program! I agree with your doctor - go with the weight management pgm at the hosp... you do not want any snags in the paperwork!

Keep posting - from the looks of your tiny avatar - you're a sharp looking young man - with a very bright future ahead!!!

katie

Tonystark04 · 03-14-2008, 11:48 AM

Hi Toony....

Thanks for replying .... What "clicked" for me was when I was sick in the ER...the ER doctor saw me and said why dont I go look into WLS....that was the first thing he said to me....and it stood in my head.. I see all the meds my parents are taking for diabetes, and I really dont want to be poking myself everyday with insulin. I wish I would have took pictures of the bruises and cuts from the hospital trying to draw blood...I said to myself I can't end up here again due to my weight.

Another thing was finding clothes..I'm very picky with clothes, I like the urban type of clothes, and it's pretty expensive but unfortuntely the clothes I like are hardly ever in my size or I just dont look comfortable in it....so I have to settle for something else. I would love to wear a Ralph Lauren Polo shirt and feel comfortable in it.

When I saw Dr. Williams, he was proud that I was concern about my health, and willing to proceed with WLS.

PS: Do you know how to post the avatar pic under your name when you post? I tried using the Help option....but it doesnt do much....

TTYS

Zenomia · 03-14-2008, 12:01 PM

Welcome Jason!!

As you may have noticed, your story is very similar to many others who have found their way here. I hope your journey is short and uneventful!! Though...I would have freaked out if my appointed had gone as yours did. Sheese, it's amazing you didn't get up and walk out! Kuddos for sticking it out!

Toony · 03-14-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonystark04

Hi Toony....
PS: Do you know how to post the avatar pic under your name when you post? I tried using the Help option....but it doesnt do much....

TTYS

Click on "MY ACCOUNT" in the navigation bar... then look down the menu on the left for "UPDATE SIGNATURE" or something like that... You'll be able to add a photo or other image there.

Good luck! I'll be watching for it!

katie

mapearl2 · 03-14-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonystark04

Hi Toony....

Thanks for replying .... What "clicked" for me was when I was sick in the ER...the ER doctor saw me and said why dont I go look into WLS....that was the first thing he said to me....and it stood in my head.. I see all the meds my parents are taking for diabetes, and I really dont want to be poking myself everyday with insulin. I wish I would have took pictures of the bruises and cuts from the hospital trying to draw blood...I said to myself I can't end up here again due to my weight.

Another thing was finding clothes..I'm very picky with clothes, I like the urban type of clothes, and it's pretty expensive but unfortuntely the clothes I like are hardly ever in my size or I just dont look comfortable in it....so I have to settle for something else. I would love to wear a Ralph Lauren Polo shirt and feel comfortable in it.

When I saw Dr. Williams, he was proud that I was concern about my health, and willing to proceed with WLS.

PS: Do you know how to post the avatar pic under your name when you post? I tried using the Help option....but it doesnt do much....

TTYS

I added you to my friend. I just wanted to tell you that I was extremely disappointed with the follow-up care from Dr. Williams. I was him on my initial visit, and to sign the paperwork where they tell you everything that can wrong. Then 2 years ago today, one of his staff doctors came in with the same paperwork to sign. I was livid, because I took time off from work to see Dr. William to sign the papers. I never saw him before the surgery, in the operating room and the next time I saw him was the day after surgery and then the day I left. I never saw him again. When I went for the follow up visit I was seen by a nurse practitioner. I see my family doctor every month for b-12 shots and also he has been my lifeline to discuss my feelings. I saw him today, and he told me that I should tell whoever I see next month when I go for my 2 year visit. Since I have been involved with these groups, and I only wish I knew about these groups before my surgery, I have learned that many other people on here have had much more support after surgery. I got none from Dr. Williams. Perhaps my experience will help you be more of an activate to make sure you get the support you need from them. I will surely discuss my feelings. The dietician was available for some information, but certainly not much was told to me except never take in more than 1000 calories a day. To get to the weight that I was before surgery, I not only had an eating disorder, but had a self control disorder. It was not explained to me that the surgery was only a tool and the work continues after. I never knew that I would regain my appetite and be hungry, that as time when on I would be able to eat more and more. I never knew about grazing. Take everything you learn from here and use it. I never lost as much as I wanted to and now and struggling to maintain and not gain weight. I wanted to lose more weight so that I can go into any store and buy clothes, but that has not happened. The benefits of still losing some of the weight is that I never had to go back on diabetes meds. My A1C is 5.9. And my other chems are good to. I just started walking to tapes in my home, which I should have been doing long ago, but I am feeling better about being able to do 2 or 3 miles. Sorry for going on and on, but I wanted to give you some info. I must go now, take care, and keep the faith.

Marci

LyndasRoom · 03-14-2008, 05:29 PM

Awesome news, welcome!

Tonystark04 · 03-20-2008, 12:40 PM

Hello everyone,

Today I had my appt with my primary to begin the process

...We got some blood work & EKG work already completed, and I scheduled for my Sleep Study & Cardiology appointments this morning. It's going to be a long long process, but I have faith & patience everything will get done

Tonystark04 · 03-25-2008, 08:18 AM

WOW.....Today I have my first Weight Management class that is required by my insurance company. It's only twice a month for 3 months. Everything is happening so fast

. I already received a call to schedule my Psych Eval for next week.