In case anyone reading this doesn't look at the comments, here is one the Skald left me,
The Skald said...
Hey buddy, figured to drop in and follow your story here. I thought you were getting the weight surgery done first. Losing the weight is good for the back too. I just spent a bit of time in the hospital this past week, and the doctor kind of made that plain... "Lose some weight ya fat viking."
As always, best of results for you my friend!
First, thanks bud. If I know nothing else, I know I can count on my family, and two people that I consider brothers, The Skald and Gravebinder.
To answer your question, after some serious consideration and after having talked to the surgeon, I have decided to have the back surgery now. The reasoning is twofold:
1) I am SOOOO tired of hurting all the time.
2) I need to be able to exercise after the WLS.
This is an important step. Yes, PERHAPS after losing 100 lbs the back pain may subside, but the disc will still be protruding. UNTIL I lose that first hundred pounds though, exercise will be difficult, and I will always be worried of blasting that nerve and having all that pain again. I don't want to be hampered in my efforts to make the WLS successful, because I have back pain and can't exercise. So I decided I am going to have it done, hope to hell I am one of those people that can say afterwards that I have no more back pain, and get on with it.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Weight update and Surgery news
I went today to see the surgeon for my back.
We set a date, July 13th, that is Friday the 13th for those keeping score at home.
Yeah, my daughter flipped out and told me I needed to change it. I think that is a good day for a surgery. So, if all goes well, I will miss only one week of work and be ready to go back by the following week.
After the visit with the surgeon, I went to the bariatric office and weighed in. Turns out just giving up all that sugar in soda is enough to lose weight. I am already half way through the amount I am supposed to lose. Down 11 pounds, to a svelt 424 lbs. I certainly haven't been eating as well as I should, or getting any serious exercise in with my back all screwed up, so I attribute most of it to just not drinking soda anymore. Oh, and Gravebinder was right, Diet Mountain Dew sucks. It is pretty much pointless. If I am going to have a soda, I have decided I like the diet Dr. Pepper, and the flavored versions of it and Pepsi, like the Pepsi Jazz soda. I have pretty much stopped drinking even these though at this point. I am pretty content with the flavored water drinks.
We set a date, July 13th, that is Friday the 13th for those keeping score at home.
Yeah, my daughter flipped out and told me I needed to change it. I think that is a good day for a surgery. So, if all goes well, I will miss only one week of work and be ready to go back by the following week.
After the visit with the surgeon, I went to the bariatric office and weighed in. Turns out just giving up all that sugar in soda is enough to lose weight. I am already half way through the amount I am supposed to lose. Down 11 pounds, to a svelt 424 lbs. I certainly haven't been eating as well as I should, or getting any serious exercise in with my back all screwed up, so I attribute most of it to just not drinking soda anymore. Oh, and Gravebinder was right, Diet Mountain Dew sucks. It is pretty much pointless. If I am going to have a soda, I have decided I like the diet Dr. Pepper, and the flavored versions of it and Pepsi, like the Pepsi Jazz soda. I have pretty much stopped drinking even these though at this point. I am pretty content with the flavored water drinks.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
So what's left?
So here is what I still have to do so I can have the surgery.
1) I have to finish with the psychiatrist. This will be one or two more visits.
2) I have to get the sleep study done at the sleep lab. (If they ever call me.)
3) I have to have a consultation with Dr. Read. (This one I will do as soon as I have the money. The $750.00 program fee is split into three parts, $250.00 when you see Susan for the first consultation with her, $250.00 when you see Dr. Read, and the last $250.00 after everything has been finalized and before you have the surgery.)
4) I need to make a point to attend a few of the support groups.
5) I need to lose the 22lbs.
That is all that is left before I can get the surgery.
Just to throw a monkey wrench into the whole works though, I have a buggered up disc in my back, and will probably be going in to have surgery on it in the next few weeks. I don't think this will have too big an impact though. If all goes well, the recovery time shouldn't be too long on the back surgery, and I still have at least a couple months to get through all the last hurdles I need to for the WLS.
1) I have to finish with the psychiatrist. This will be one or two more visits.
2) I have to get the sleep study done at the sleep lab. (If they ever call me.)
3) I have to have a consultation with Dr. Read. (This one I will do as soon as I have the money. The $750.00 program fee is split into three parts, $250.00 when you see Susan for the first consultation with her, $250.00 when you see Dr. Read, and the last $250.00 after everything has been finalized and before you have the surgery.)
4) I need to make a point to attend a few of the support groups.
5) I need to lose the 22lbs.
That is all that is left before I can get the surgery.
Just to throw a monkey wrench into the whole works though, I have a buggered up disc in my back, and will probably be going in to have surgery on it in the next few weeks. I don't think this will have too big an impact though. If all goes well, the recovery time shouldn't be too long on the back surgery, and I still have at least a couple months to get through all the last hurdles I need to for the WLS.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
So where am I at in all this?
OK, so this post is going to be the one that gets me up to date, then I will post as things progress or as I feel necessary to document my story.
First off, I will list the players in this little real life drama.
First up is me:
I am 41, married for 20 years, have 3 kids (Gavin is 20, Tyler is 17 and my baby, Heidi is 15). I work at the Oregon State Penitentiary and have another blog that talks about my prison life called "Life on the Installment Plan".
Corvallis Samaritan Bariatric Program:
Let me preface this by saying that every one of these people are quality, caring and supportive people. I have enjoyed my interaction with each of them, and feel very comfortable with my choice to have the surgery here.
Dr. Read - He is the one that will do the surgery
Kim - She works the front office and is the one I talk to on the phone all the time.
Denise - Kim left and went to another job so now Denise works at the front office.
Susan - She is the patient coordinator and is also a Certified Medical Assistant.
Bobbie - She is the program manager and is also a Registered Nurse
Barb - She is the dietitian.
The Psychiatrist that I am seeing is Dr. Rushing. She is not strictly a part of the Bariatric Program, but is one of the psychiatrists that they recomend that has worked with many patients of the program. She has her own practice in Corvallis.
So I had been thinking about having WLS for some time. I even sent off for information from this program one time before, then kind of put it aside. I was also considering the program at OSHU in Portland, and wasn't really sure what I wanted to do. I had talked about it with my regular doctor a few times, and he was very supportive and all for it. My regular doc is Dr. T. Hindmarsh, and he is the best. I really like him and appreciate the care he has given me over the last 10 or so years.
The first part of April of 2007, I decided I had put it off long enough and was ready to commit to WLS. I had decided to go through the program in Corvallis. I called Kim and talked with her a while and asked her to send me the information packet again. I got the packet around the middle of April.
On April 24th, 2007 I attended the first informational meeting. This meeting was conducted by Susan, and was mostly an overview of the program, what was expected of us, and what we could expect from them. There was also a lot of information about what was needed to deal with getting all the information together that was going to be needed by the insurance companies.
On May 16th, 2007 I had an appointment to meet with Susan and Barb. First up was Susan. She wieghed me in and checked my BMI. Yup, here is the scary part. I am 6' 4", wieghed in at 435 lbs and have a BMI of 53!! She then detailed the program for me and gave me a notebook with an outline of the program. This is to be my bible, and I am to read it, make notes where needed and take it to all future meetings. She also gave me a book titled "Wieght Loss Surgery - Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You!" by Barbara Thompson. I went home that evening and read the entire book. It was very interesting and I really enjoyed it. I passed it along to my mom to read, and haven't seen it since. Barbara Thompson has a web site dedicated to wieght loss surgery called Wieght Loss Surgery Center. This is a good site with some good information.
So after Susan finished explaining the program to me and answering my questions, Barb came in to talk to me about diet. She outlined what eating would be like after surgery and went over the food that I would be eating after the surgery. I won't go into all the details for now, but I will at a later date and as I am going through the process myself. She also helped me to set up a plan to lose the 22 lbs I would need to lose before I could have the surgery.
Then on May 22nd, 2007 I attended the second informational meeting. This was the one conducted by Dr. Read and was an in depth look at what the surgery actually is and how it is done. This was the first time (and so far only time) I had met or seen Dr. Read. My first impression is that he is a very down to earth man that genuinely cares about his patients. The meeting was very informational and interesting. My mom went to this meeting with me to help support me, and see what it was about, and when we talked later, she had the same good feeling about him as well.
I forget what the actual date was, but some time after this I had to do an overnight oximetry study. I went to the hospital and picked up a machine that had a little probe that I attached to my finger. I then slept that day (I am a night worker, so yes, that day) with it hooked up to me. This machine kept a record of my oxygen levels and heart rate while I slept to check for sleep apnea. I apparently failed this test, as I was told I would need to go to the sleep lab at the hospital for further tests. I was told this a couple weeks ago, but so far I haven't heard from the lab yet. I will call them later this week if I don't hear from them.
On June 4th and June 11th, 2007 I had appointments with Dr. Rushing, the psychologist. The first meeting was a lot of background information and getting to know each other. The second meeting was spent talking about the changes that would happen once I have the surgery. These were good meetings. I like Dr. Rushing and she is very easy to talk to. I will need to go back at least one more time to take a test and discuss life after the surgery some more.
First off, I will list the players in this little real life drama.
First up is me:
I am 41, married for 20 years, have 3 kids (Gavin is 20, Tyler is 17 and my baby, Heidi is 15). I work at the Oregon State Penitentiary and have another blog that talks about my prison life called "Life on the Installment Plan".
Corvallis Samaritan Bariatric Program:
Let me preface this by saying that every one of these people are quality, caring and supportive people. I have enjoyed my interaction with each of them, and feel very comfortable with my choice to have the surgery here.
Dr. Read - He is the one that will do the surgery
Kim - She works the front office and is the one I talk to on the phone all the time.
Denise - Kim left and went to another job so now Denise works at the front office.
Susan - She is the patient coordinator and is also a Certified Medical Assistant.
Bobbie - She is the program manager and is also a Registered Nurse
Barb - She is the dietitian.
The Psychiatrist that I am seeing is Dr. Rushing. She is not strictly a part of the Bariatric Program, but is one of the psychiatrists that they recomend that has worked with many patients of the program. She has her own practice in Corvallis.
So I had been thinking about having WLS for some time. I even sent off for information from this program one time before, then kind of put it aside. I was also considering the program at OSHU in Portland, and wasn't really sure what I wanted to do. I had talked about it with my regular doctor a few times, and he was very supportive and all for it. My regular doc is Dr. T. Hindmarsh, and he is the best. I really like him and appreciate the care he has given me over the last 10 or so years.
The first part of April of 2007, I decided I had put it off long enough and was ready to commit to WLS. I had decided to go through the program in Corvallis. I called Kim and talked with her a while and asked her to send me the information packet again. I got the packet around the middle of April.
On April 24th, 2007 I attended the first informational meeting. This meeting was conducted by Susan, and was mostly an overview of the program, what was expected of us, and what we could expect from them. There was also a lot of information about what was needed to deal with getting all the information together that was going to be needed by the insurance companies.
On May 16th, 2007 I had an appointment to meet with Susan and Barb. First up was Susan. She wieghed me in and checked my BMI. Yup, here is the scary part. I am 6' 4", wieghed in at 435 lbs and have a BMI of 53!! She then detailed the program for me and gave me a notebook with an outline of the program. This is to be my bible, and I am to read it, make notes where needed and take it to all future meetings. She also gave me a book titled "Wieght Loss Surgery - Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You!" by Barbara Thompson. I went home that evening and read the entire book. It was very interesting and I really enjoyed it. I passed it along to my mom to read, and haven't seen it since. Barbara Thompson has a web site dedicated to wieght loss surgery called Wieght Loss Surgery Center. This is a good site with some good information.
So after Susan finished explaining the program to me and answering my questions, Barb came in to talk to me about diet. She outlined what eating would be like after surgery and went over the food that I would be eating after the surgery. I won't go into all the details for now, but I will at a later date and as I am going through the process myself. She also helped me to set up a plan to lose the 22 lbs I would need to lose before I could have the surgery.
Then on May 22nd, 2007 I attended the second informational meeting. This was the one conducted by Dr. Read and was an in depth look at what the surgery actually is and how it is done. This was the first time (and so far only time) I had met or seen Dr. Read. My first impression is that he is a very down to earth man that genuinely cares about his patients. The meeting was very informational and interesting. My mom went to this meeting with me to help support me, and see what it was about, and when we talked later, she had the same good feeling about him as well.
I forget what the actual date was, but some time after this I had to do an overnight oximetry study. I went to the hospital and picked up a machine that had a little probe that I attached to my finger. I then slept that day (I am a night worker, so yes, that day) with it hooked up to me. This machine kept a record of my oxygen levels and heart rate while I slept to check for sleep apnea. I apparently failed this test, as I was told I would need to go to the sleep lab at the hospital for further tests. I was told this a couple weeks ago, but so far I haven't heard from the lab yet. I will call them later this week if I don't hear from them.
On June 4th and June 11th, 2007 I had appointments with Dr. Rushing, the psychologist. The first meeting was a lot of background information and getting to know each other. The second meeting was spent talking about the changes that would happen once I have the surgery. These were good meetings. I like Dr. Rushing and she is very easy to talk to. I will need to go back at least one more time to take a test and discuss life after the surgery some more.
What is the criteria for having gastric bypass?
The criteria for having gastric bypass can be different depending on where you are having it done and what your insurance requires.
Following is the criteria I have to meet for the Samaritan Bariatric Program.
This also happens to be pretty much the same as my insurance requirements.
I am very fortunate in that I work for the state, and have Samaritan Select health insurance. It is very good insurance, and it will pay for the bariatric program. The costs to me will be, Co-pays for labs and doctors visits (usually $10.00), a total of $750.00 for the bariatric program fees (this is not covered by the insurance) and for the surgery itself I pay only $100.00 per day for the hospital stay, which is usually only about 2 days if all goes well and the surgery is done laparoscopic.
taken from handout from Samaritan Bariatric Program in Corvallis, Oregon:
Mandatory patient selection criteria
1) Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeding 40; (greater than 100 lbs over ideal body wieght); or
2) BMI greater than 35 in conjunction with the severe co-morbidities that are likely to reduce life expectancy.
1. Coronary Heart Disease
2. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
3. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
4. Hypertension
5. Hyperlipidemia
6. Hypercholesterolemia
7. Osteoarthritis
8. Gallstones
9. Stress Incontinence
3) Patient must demonstrate a 5% wieght loss after entering our program.
4) Commitment to Samaritan Bariatric Program:
1. Attend two informational classes prior to an office consult with the doctor,
2. Lab work every two months after surgery for the first year.
3. Support groups monthly.
4. Monthly wieght checks for the first year.
5) Health status at level to tolerate surgical procedure.
6) Age 18 - 65 (consenting adult)
7) Not pregnant
8) History of trial medical/dietary therapies:
Provide documentation that you have failed less invasive methods of wieght loss. Less invasive therapies include low-calorie dieting, increased physical activity, behavioral therapy, and pharmacotherapy.
9) Behavioral or psychiatric assessment.
*My insurance also states that this is to be a six month process before the surgery.
I MAY be able to have it before the six months are up, if I have completed all the other requirements. This is strictly up to the person at the insurance company that reviews my request for the surgery.
Following is the criteria I have to meet for the Samaritan Bariatric Program.
This also happens to be pretty much the same as my insurance requirements.
I am very fortunate in that I work for the state, and have Samaritan Select health insurance. It is very good insurance, and it will pay for the bariatric program. The costs to me will be, Co-pays for labs and doctors visits (usually $10.00), a total of $750.00 for the bariatric program fees (this is not covered by the insurance) and for the surgery itself I pay only $100.00 per day for the hospital stay, which is usually only about 2 days if all goes well and the surgery is done laparoscopic.
taken from handout from Samaritan Bariatric Program in Corvallis, Oregon:
Mandatory patient selection criteria
1) Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeding 40; (greater than 100 lbs over ideal body wieght); or
2) BMI greater than 35 in conjunction with the severe co-morbidities that are likely to reduce life expectancy.
1. Coronary Heart Disease
2. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
3. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
4. Hypertension
5. Hyperlipidemia
6. Hypercholesterolemia
7. Osteoarthritis
8. Gallstones
9. Stress Incontinence
3) Patient must demonstrate a 5% wieght loss after entering our program.
4) Commitment to Samaritan Bariatric Program:
1. Attend two informational classes prior to an office consult with the doctor,
2. Lab work every two months after surgery for the first year.
3. Support groups monthly.
4. Monthly wieght checks for the first year.
5) Health status at level to tolerate surgical procedure.
6) Age 18 - 65 (consenting adult)
7) Not pregnant
8) History of trial medical/dietary therapies:
Provide documentation that you have failed less invasive methods of wieght loss. Less invasive therapies include low-calorie dieting, increased physical activity, behavioral therapy, and pharmacotherapy.
9) Behavioral or psychiatric assessment.
*My insurance also states that this is to be a six month process before the surgery.
I MAY be able to have it before the six months are up, if I have completed all the other requirements. This is strictly up to the person at the insurance company that reviews my request for the surgery.
What is WLS?
WLS is a Wieght Loss Surgery.
There are a number of different types out there.
I will at some point try to mention the different ones, but this will mostly be about the one I am having. It is called a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
The following information is taken word for word from the brochure "Samaritan Bariatric Program". This is a brochure I received in my information packet from the bariatric program at Good Samaritan hospital in Corvallis, Oregon.
What will the surgeon do?
How does it work?
During surgery a small stomach pouch is created by dividing the stomach just below the esophagus. This pouch is designed to hold two ounces (or 1/4 cup) of food. This limits the amount of food one can eat while providing a satisfying "full" sensation.
The lower portion of the stomach is permanently closed, but it continues to produce digestive fluids that pass into the duodenum, where bile and pancreatic enzymes are also recieved. Together, these fluids will flow through the first portion of the small intestine and combine with food for normal digestion.
Beyond the stomach, the duodenum and the small bowel are fashioned into a "Y" configuration. One limb of the "Y" drains the active small stomach pouch and the other drains the unused portion of the stomach and duodenum. The stomach pouch is attached to the small intestine by way of a hole approximately one centimeter in diameter. This helps solid food stay longer in the stomach pouch so it provides a longer duration of "fullness".
To learn more, try looking at the American Society for Bariatric Surgery's information on Roux-en-Y, or just do a Google search for Roux-en-Y surgery.
So here it is in laymens (my own words) terms.
Basically they cut your stomach loose, leaving just the very top part to make a small pouch. The rest of the stomach is left in you, and is still alive and well. It continues to make the fluids needed for digestion and mixes with the food you eat in the bowels to digest the little food you eat normally. The weight loss occurs because of two factors, one, you don't (can't) eat much with a stomach the size of a golf ball, and two, a portion of the intestine is bypassed so the food you eat doesn't spend as much time in your body before being passed out.
Well, that about covers what it is.
There are a number of different types out there.
I will at some point try to mention the different ones, but this will mostly be about the one I am having. It is called a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
The following information is taken word for word from the brochure "Samaritan Bariatric Program". This is a brochure I received in my information packet from the bariatric program at Good Samaritan hospital in Corvallis, Oregon.
What will the surgeon do?
How does it work?
During surgery a small stomach pouch is created by dividing the stomach just below the esophagus. This pouch is designed to hold two ounces (or 1/4 cup) of food. This limits the amount of food one can eat while providing a satisfying "full" sensation.
The lower portion of the stomach is permanently closed, but it continues to produce digestive fluids that pass into the duodenum, where bile and pancreatic enzymes are also recieved. Together, these fluids will flow through the first portion of the small intestine and combine with food for normal digestion.
Beyond the stomach, the duodenum and the small bowel are fashioned into a "Y" configuration. One limb of the "Y" drains the active small stomach pouch and the other drains the unused portion of the stomach and duodenum. The stomach pouch is attached to the small intestine by way of a hole approximately one centimeter in diameter. This helps solid food stay longer in the stomach pouch so it provides a longer duration of "fullness".
To learn more, try looking at the American Society for Bariatric Surgery's information on Roux-en-Y, or just do a Google search for Roux-en-Y surgery.
So here it is in laymens (my own words) terms.
Basically they cut your stomach loose, leaving just the very top part to make a small pouch. The rest of the stomach is left in you, and is still alive and well. It continues to make the fluids needed for digestion and mixes with the food you eat in the bowels to digest the little food you eat normally. The weight loss occurs because of two factors, one, you don't (can't) eat much with a stomach the size of a golf ball, and two, a portion of the intestine is bypassed so the food you eat doesn't spend as much time in your body before being passed out.
Well, that about covers what it is.
In the beginning...
I am too fat.
I have always been too fat and as I start into my 40's I am ready to make a change.
Diets don't work. It is time for something a little more drastic.
This is one mans story of taking the bull by the horns and making that change.
If you are reading this, I have probably already had the surgery.
I don't plan on making it public or known to anyone until I have.
The first of this is simply going to be my thoughts as I go along, and the different things I have to do in order to prepare for, and get approved for the surgery.
I will try to keep it fairly interesting and informational.
If you are going through, or thinking of going through a WLS, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help you in any way I can. You can email me at: Wolfgore@gmail.com
Well, let the journey begin....
I have always been too fat and as I start into my 40's I am ready to make a change.
Diets don't work. It is time for something a little more drastic.
This is one mans story of taking the bull by the horns and making that change.
If you are reading this, I have probably already had the surgery.
I don't plan on making it public or known to anyone until I have.
The first of this is simply going to be my thoughts as I go along, and the different things I have to do in order to prepare for, and get approved for the surgery.
I will try to keep it fairly interesting and informational.
If you are going through, or thinking of going through a WLS, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help you in any way I can. You can email me at: Wolfgore@gmail.com
Well, let the journey begin....
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