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Personal Comments
AT 48, I WAS THE HEAVIEST I EVER WAS WITH SEVERE PAIN IN MY UPPER BACK. UNABLE TO WALK MORE THAN FIVE FEET WITHOUT HAVING TO REST. ATTEMPTING TO FIND CAUSE OF THE PAIN I WAS TOLD BY EVERY MD IT WAS DUE TO MY WEIGHT. I DECIDED ON WLS BECAUSE I HAD BEEN THROUGH AND ON EVERY DIET AND WL PLAN. I WAS APPROVED FOR SSI DISABILITY. I UNDERWENT SIX MONTHS OF TESTING PRIOR TO THE SURGERY. SAW THE NUTRITIONIST AFFILIATED WITH THE BARIATRIC SURGEON; A THERAPIST TO SEE IF I WAS READY FOR THE PROCEDURE; A PULMONOLOGIST FOR EVAL.,SLEEP APNEA TESTING AND ONGOING USE OF CPAP;CARDIOLOGIST AND FINALLY MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST AND PCP.
I HAD SEVERE SLEEP APNEA; MY TYPE II DIABETES WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND I WAS ON ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF INSULIN THREE TIMES A DAY. MY JOINTS WERE SWOLLEN AND PAINFUL; I COULD BARELY MAKE IT UP THE STAIRS.THE BATHROOM IN MY HOME IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR AND MY BEDROOM IS ON THE FIRST FLOOR. A BEDSIDE COMMODE AND A SHOWER #CHAIR BECAME PART OF MY FURNISHINGS IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE MY ENVIRONMENT SAFE. LUCKILY, MY INSURANCE CARRIER APPROVED ME IMMEDIATELY FOR THE SURGERY. THE SURGEONS WERE VERY THOROUGH IN THEIR SCREENING PROCESS AS WELL AS HONEST IN THEIR DISCUSSIONS WITH ME SO THAT I COULD SIGN AN INFORMED CONSENT. THEY FELT THAT I WAS AT VERY HIGH RISK FOR COMPLICATIONS DURING AND AFTER SURGERY. I WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS WOULD WORK AND THAT I WOULD COME THROUGH WITHOUT ANY COMPLICATIONS. DETERMINATION AND A GREAT DEAL OF PRAYER BOTH FOR MYSELF AND MY SURGEONS WON OUT. ON FEBRUARY 8TH,2001 I HAD A DUODENAL SWITCH PROCEDURE DONE. I HAD MY TRUSTY CPAP MACHINE WITH ME AND DID WELL POST-OP. FIVE DAYS LATER I WAS HOME. DURING THE PROCEDURE THEY DISCOVERED A LARGE,BENIGN OVARIAN CYST WHICH HAD BEEN THE CAUSE OF ALL THE UPPER BACK PAIN AND THE INABILITY TO WALK MORE THAN FIVE FEET WITHOUT PAIN. THE FIRST DAY POST-OP I CALLED ALL THE DOCTORS I HAD SEEN ABOUT THE CAUSEOF MY BACK PAIN TO TELL THEM THAT THE CYST, AND NOT JUST MY WEIGHT, WAS THE PROBLEM. I ENCOURAGED THEM TO SEE THE WHOLE PATIENT AND NOT JUST THE POUNDAGE OF THE PERSON; THAT WHEN A PATIENT COULD NOT FIT IN THE MRI MACHINE IT DID NOT RELIEVE THE MD OF HIS OR HER RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PATIENT. AS OF TODAY, I SLEEP THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT WITH MY TRUSTY CPAP MACHINE (I NAMED IT AND WILL NEED A 12 STEP PROGRAM TO GET OFF OF IT);I HAVE NOT HAD A UNIT OF INSULIN SINCE THE EVENING BEFORE THE SURGERY. MY BLOODWORK IS TEXTBOOK PERFECT IN TERMS OF GLUCOSE,CHOLESTEROL,TRIGLYCERIDES. I JUST GAVE AWAY MY BIG BOY(GIRL)WHEELCHAIR; I TAKE A CANE WITH ME WHEN I LEAVE THE HOUSE BUT I WIND UP CARRYING IT EXCEPT ON THE DAYS WHEN MY RIGHT KNEE REMINDS ME THAT I HAVE ARTHRITIS. I ACTUALLY FIT COMFORTABLY BEHIND THE WHEEL OF MY CAR AND CAN ONCE AGAIN USE THE SEATBELT. EVERYDAY AND EACH PIECE OF FOOD IS A NEW EXPERIENCE AS TO HOW MY STOMACH WILL REACT. VITAMINS BEAT MY STOMACH UP BUT I TRY TO GET THEM AND THE CALCIUM IN AND USUALLY SUCCEED.LIFE IS ALWAYS A SERIES OF TRADEOFFS-NOW I NO LONGER SNORE LOUD ENOUGH TO ANNOY THE NEIGHBORS BUT THE SOUND OF FLATUS CAN, AT TIMES, BE LOUDER THAN THE LOUDEST SNORE. HEAVEN KNOWS MY TEN YEAR OLD NEPHEWS THINK I AM THEIR SOURCE OF ENTERTAINMENT. I FEEL GOOD PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY. I AM WORKING WITH A NUTRITIONIST/MD TO MAXIMIZE MY LIFE CHOICES ABOUT FOOD. I AM WALKING EVERYDAY AND DOING UPPER BODY WEIGHTS. WHEN THE SURGEON FEELS THAT MY WEIGHT IS LEVELING OFF, I WILL GO FOR AN ABDOMINOPLASTY. THE PANNUCULUS I HAVE IS LARGE, MY STOMACH SITS ON MY LAP BUT IT IS SOFT AND NOT WHAT IT WAS 182 POUNDS AGO. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE, THERE WITH ME THROUGH EVERY DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT. ONCE I MADE THE DECISION IT WAS FRUSTRATING THAT I COULDN'T HAVE THE SURGERY DONE IMMEDIATELY. THE DOCTORS WERE THOROUGH, METICULOUS IN THEIR TECHNIQUE AND THEIR FOLLOWUP CARE WAS GREAT. I AM SO VERY HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND THIS SITE, I FEEL THAT I NEED TO DO FOR OTHERS AS PEOPLE HAVE DONE FOR ME ALL THIS TIME. I'VE READ THE MESSAGE BOARD AND SO MANY THINGS ARE SO REMINISCIENT OF MY OWN EXPERIENCES. I WISH US ALL THE HEALTHIEST, HAPPIEST, AND SAFEST OF NEW YEARS. BLESSED BE. LORRAINE
2/8/2002 First Anniversary--update on Surgery Page.
3/15/02 Yesterday, I met with Dr. Armen Kasabian, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Staten Island University Hospital North. I was referred to him by my Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Jerzy Macura. I was very comfortable going there basically because of a remark made by Dr. Thomas Kilkenny, Pulmonologist. He said that Dr. Kasabian was" a man whose life mission is plastic surgery"; this from a man whose life mission is treating his pulmonary patients. I have been very blessed with the physicians I have had. Anyway, I have lost 200 pounds since surgery but I have a huge abdominal pannus that restricts my ability to walk, stair climb, bendover, turn from side to side etc. Therein lurks a hernia or two. The doc says that the abdominoplasty will greatly help the function level but that my stomach will not be a pretty sight and I will have to have a second repair as time goes on. He outlined all of the complications, including the possibility of losing my belly button. I have grown accustomed to it after 49 years; I guess I can deal with it. There must be a 12 step program for the Umbilically Challenged. Now, I must wait for Empire BC/BS to make their decision. If I am denied I think I will show up in person at their offices and PLOP my pannus on the desk of the insurance company advisor and ask them to explain the reasons I cannot have the insurance company approve payment. I believe in one picture being worth a thousand words.
I am praying my little heart out for this approval.
3/18/2002 My new AMOS friend, Russel Roy of Oregon had his WLS on 3/15. His postoperative course is going very poorly; his plan was to call me yesterday. This we set up before he went into the hospital. Unfortunately, Russel is still in the ICU on a respirator. Geri B., an AMOS member who posted that Russel needed some moral support back in early February has been keeping me updated. She and I are getting to know one another through emails. A great bonus out of a miserable situation. People here at AMOS have been great with their response of prayers for Russel.
3/21/02 I had a 13 month post-op appt. with Dr. Macura today. He is not concerned about my weight not moving. His response is that it will. Very reassuring. He states that I do have a hernia and he and Dr. Kasabian will be operating together on the herniorraphy and the abdominoplasty. I am amazed that this is an overnight stay in the hospital( the docs break out the chainsaw, do their thing and then send you home). Glad for it, but amazed nevertheless. Dr. Macura thinks that Empire BC/BS will approve the surgeries as they are needed for me to get back on my feet (or at least to see my feet without leaning forward). Two hundred pounds down and I sometimes feel as if I haven't lost a pound when I look at the size of my pannus.
3/22/02 Lynnmarie from Dr. Kasabian's office called today. I have my pre-op testing on May 15th and the Abdominoplasty and herniorraphy set for May 21st. Still awaiting approval by Empire BC/BS.
3/23/02 Russel Roy lost his struggle today. He just never rebounded from his surgery and was in mutltiple systems failure. The nurse I spoke with last night in the ICU said he was doing a little better--fair, she said. I actually let myself hope for his recovery at that point. Geri emailed me today with the news. It's amazing how attached you can get to people just through daily emails. The response from people on AMOS has been overwhelming. Russel would have been so happy to know that so many virtual strangers took an interest in him. There have been three other members who have also lost their battles this week. How overwhelmingly sad.
3/27/02 I haven't been able to do much on the message board this week. I usually try to post to as many people who are having surgery as possible. So many people have high anxiety levels compounded by the loss of our four members and the continuing battles of four others. I usually try to reassure people that if they have done the best for themselves before the surgery--quit smoking, done all their tests, researched a good, reliable doctor, and focused their energy into their own healing--that the percentages are on their side. Today I feel it's all a coin toss and I don't want to hand that attitude off to anyone.
3/29/02 I was approved by Empire BC/BS, this information from Lynnmarie in an early morning phone call. Empire BC/BS has once again come through without a hitch. The only concern is to get my hemoglobin and hematocrit up. I've been taking my vitamins and B100 complex faithfully--maybe it is time for iron injections. I really would not want to have the surgery postponed because of borderline anemia. I will discuss this with Dr. Koslowe, nutritionist on Tuesday. Maybe she and Dr. Kasabian can come up with a plan.
Russel's burial is on April 1st--I told Geri B. that I had a dream about Russel and he got a big laugh out of being buried on April Fool's Day. Geri said he would have appreciated the humor in it.
Easter Sunday is fast approaching, I hope to enjoy it once again with a feeling of rebirth and renewal and the knowledge that all who leave us do so to go on to a better life. We will some day join them.
5/10/2002 Finally back online after no computer for almost a month. So much has happened to members of AMOS family. I will never catch up. My first stop was at Wanda Smart's profile. I have had her in my prayers every day.
5/13/2002 Tomorrow I go for pre-op testing. Herniorraphy and abdominoplasty scheduled for 5/21/2002. I am so excited at the idea that I will finally be getting rid of Fred(that is the name I have given to my Pannus;It is a huge entity onto itself and I thought it deserved a name.)I was walking up the stairs the other day and I realized that just something that simple seemed like I was doing the Hokey Pokey. Put your right foot forward and my stomach goes to the left. Put your left foot forward and my stomach goes to the right. The nutritionist MD said that post-op I might be finding myself falling to the side--kind of off balance without Fred. I am sure that I can get acclimated to the change in my center of gravity pretty quickly. The plastic surgeon did say I would probably lose my belly button because of lack of blood supply. I thought I would be able to locate a support group for the Umbilically Challenged. No Luck. If it comes to it, I will have to start my own. My 8 year old niece Jessica wants to know if after the surgery could she put her head on my lap so I could read her a story. Honest little remarks like that tear my heart out. Anthony, her 10 year and 11 month old brother--my heartsong--can't wait to get me and my credit card into the mall for his birthday celebration. We all have our priorities. My other two nephews Joseph, 10 and Jimmy (JIMBO) 7y & 10months are still digesting the facts of the surgery. Maybe it was that I described the surgeon using a chainsaw that really caught their attention. Well, I hope the pretesting goes well--I am concerned that the docs may want to hold things up if my anemia continues to increase. We still have some options to choose from in that area. Will let you all know the outcome.Thanks for your prayers and support.
5/15/2002 What a glorious day. Weather was perfect as was the trip to the hospital for the pre-op testing. Update on surgery page.
5/19/2002 I am trying to do a hundred things at once so I won't have to worry about much once I get home from having the abdominoplasty and hernia repair. I have taken to saying that I am getting rid of Fred and Barney. I made a big pot of Chicken Soup today---my comfort food (in the old days, it would have been followed by a chocolate bar chaser--a previous comfort food). I have enough soup in the freezer now to get me through a couple of weeks. I can't wait to have this over and done. My 8 year old niece, Miss Jessica, wants to know what I'll look like and will I need all new clothes. Funny, I have the same questions. Later. Be well, be happy, be blessed.
5/23/02 I had my abdominoplasty and herniorraphy on 5/21. Happy to say that Fred and Barney are out of my life. The plastic surgeon said he removed 23 pounds of skin and fat tissue. Said I wouldn't notice a real change in the scale for a while because everything is swollen. I am down 20 pounds to 260 this am. For the first time in years I can see and feel the tops of my thighs while I am sitting down. What an amazing thing. Will write more when I am not on Vicodin--helps with the pain but the urge to vomit is fairly strong too. Thanks for all your prayers. Be well, be happy, be blessed.
04/04/03 I am alive and well. More than two years post op and still losing weight---now, very slowly. Will be having a revision of my abdominoplasty, hopefully in July. This will all be self pay---I have a little more swelling at the mons pubis than I would like to have for the rest of my life. I call it a Snoodette now----Little Freddy. Dr. Kasabian says that he will also revise my scars and make them look so much better. Will write again soon. Am still reading the Board three or four days a week and all of you are in my prayers. Be well, be happy, be blessed.
Surgeon Info:
Jerzy M. Macura M.D. (Brooklyn, NY)
I KNEW DR. MACURA DURING HIS RESIDENCY. HE WAS THOROUGH,SERIOUS AND PATIENT ORIENTED. MY IMPRESSION HAS ONLY IMPROVED.HIS OFFICE STAFF IS ORGANIZED,FRIENDLY, ENCOURAGING AND KNOWLEDGEABLE. THE COORDINATOR OF THE PROGRAM HAS HAD THE SURGERY HERSELF;SHE IS A PATIENT ADVOCATE.DR. MACURA FOLLOWS THE ESTABLISHED PROTOCOL FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY. HE WANTS HIS PATIENTS TO TOLERATE THE PROCEDURE SAFELY; HIS PRE-OP SCREENING IS INVOLVED AND SOME PATIENTS ARE DISAPPOINTED IN THAT. THE AFTERCARE PROGRAM IS GOOD; FOLLOWUP APPOINTMENTS WITH THE MD ARE FREQUENT; THE NUTRITIONIST IS AVAILABLE BY PHONE, SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS AND AT WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS. THERE ARE PSYCH SUPPORT GROUPS WITH A THERAPIST. PATIENTS ARE REFERRED TO AN MD NUTRITIONIST FOR FOLLOWUP CARE. THESE VISITS USUALLY START IN HOSPITAL.OUR INFORMED CONSENT CONVERSATIONS WERE THOROUGH;NUTRITIONIST SUPPLIES PATIENT WITH A BOOKLET THAT OUTLINES THE SCREENING AND SURGICAL PROCEDURE ON THE FIRST VISIT. THIS INCLUDES MUCH OF WHAT THE PATIENT NEEDS TO KNOW PRE- AND POST-OP. I WAS, AND CONTINUE TO BE, PLEASED WITH THE CARE OFFERED BY DRS. MACURA AND NICASTRO. BEDSIDE MANNER AND SURGICAL COMPETENCE IS A GREAT COMBINATION AND LUCKILY THESE PHYSICIANS HAVE BOTH. BEING THE REALIST, I WOULD TAKE SURGICAL COMPETENCE OVER BEDSIDE MANNER ANY DAY.
Insurer Info:
EMPIRE BC/BS
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