CarolynK's Surgical

Weight Loss Site

(Web Design by Bill & Carolyn)

This is a current picture of me

and my dear husband Bill.

    Before Dec, 2000

Journal

October 1996 250 lbs. I injured my back at my job. Was off work for approx. 1 week with severe back pain. After a week I returned to work even though my pain was not gone. This was a fairly new job for me and after having only been with this particular hospital for 4 months, I hadn't accrued much sick time. I continued to have back pain kept working an additional 6 months, until I literally could not walk another step.

September 1997 272 lbs.   It was at this time that I began to have medical problems that would be helped by weight loss. I accidentally ran across a wls site and mentioned it to my husband. He was very disapproving so I didn't pursue it.

April 1998 282 lbs.  I was "laid off" from my job by my employer, the said it was because they did not get contracts that they planned on.   The result was the same I had been injured on my regular job this same employer and had to go on light duty. This was the only job left that I could do with my job restrictions based on my injury. So the bottom line was I had been fired. I spent the rest of that year getting an attorney filing for Social Security disability going to various doctors. I was battling weight gain, depression, and chronic increasing back pain.

October 1999 292 lbs.  I began to seriously research WLS. I joined a support group at onelist.com....I learned all I could. Once again, I talked to my husband about the surgery explaining that I really needed to have this surgery. My back pain was so severe that I was having to take a narcotic pain reliever which made me feel as if I was walking in a haze most of the time. I also have degenerative joint disease my knees were extremely painful.

January 2000 290 lbs.  My husband was changing jobs, we decided to try to get WLS before his insurance was cancelled.I did ton of research wrote a 8 page letter to American Health Care detailing my comorbs sleep apnea, hypertension, degenerative joint disease, depression and MORBID OBESITY. I was denied because my husbands employer bought the insurance with the exclusion against any kind of coverage for obesity of any type. I was so angry and upset that I couldn't continue to see everyone on the support groups being approved with not hope for me in the near future. I knew that I had a ace in the hole. I was declared disabled as of April 1998 but had to unemployed for 6 months before SSD kicked in. I knew that I would have Medicare insurance based on my disability in September of 2000.

September 2000 314 lbs.  When I was able to get Medicare I chose Humana Gold Plus because I knew that they did approve WLS if the criteria is met. My first appointment with my Humana PCP was September 11th naturally he wanted me to get on a diet immediately. I told him that I have dieted and dieted and have lost and gained the same 15 lbs for the last 5 years.   Initially he was not in favor of WLS because of some poor results one of his patients had with one of the older surgeries. I showed him my research and all the information that I had amassed for my appeal with American Health Care. I told him that I was determined to have this surgery because I knew I would die within a few years if I didn't get it. He finally said that he would send in for the referral as soon as I chose a doctor. I wanted a doctor in 4 hours away from home. My pcp talked me out of it, stating that for my follow up care it would be better if I chose someone closer. I gave in on this point. Fortunately, someone on the net contacted me with the name of her surgeon who was only 1 hour away.

October 30 2000 314 lbs.  He applied for the referral and I checked with Humana to see if the surgeon was in network.That was when I met my Angel at Humana her name was Sandra. Sandra was the nurse reviewer who would be working on my case.   She helped me to find out if the doctor I had chosen was in network. In addition she suggested that I check out another group of doctors who were also in network about an 1 1/2 from my home. She gave me her direct line number and told me,  if I got bound up in red tape to call her she would help sort things out. I found out that she had a friend who had WLS that had saved her life. I also found out from the PCP's office that they had faxed to her the letter I had written to my PCP requesting the referral for WLS.

November 1 2000 314 lbs.  Support Group meeting at Dr. Tenewitz office. Dr. T was there and a good mix of pre and post op patients. Some of the patients had lost as much as 200 lbs. they all had pre/postop pics. There were 2 patients that were each 4 weeks post op one was complaining that she wasn't able to eat without nausea the other patient said they were doing great no problem with eating.

November 22 2000 314 lbs.  Appointment with Dr. F. Edward Tenewitz went very well the only thing is I wish that he would use the SQ closure instead of staples. I will have an NG Tube for approximately 24 hours. That is the worst thing for me hate NG Tubes. So that is my story to date, the next time I update my journal I will be post op. Wish me luck and please sign my guest book.

December 20, 2000: 322 lbs (Entered for Carolyn by Husband):  It is now 1 day post-op.  I went to Melbourne on Monday, December 18, 2000 and stayed overnight in  a motel.  In the morning, I went to the hospital to check in.  The check in did not go as smooth as it was supposed to.  They did not have several of my tests properly scheduled, and this caused a delay of several hours in my surgery.  I was supposed have my surgery at 9:00 in the morning, but they did not get to me until 12:20 in the afternoon.  The surgery went very well.  The doctor said that everything inside looked very good, nice and healthy. Today is Tuesday.  My husband and mom were up to see me this morning.  I am feeling better, but I still have a lot of pain.  The pain medicine is taking care of that.  If everything continues to go well, I hope to be released from the hospital on Saturday or Sunday of this week.  Keep checking back for updates, and please sign my guest book.

December 21, 2000 (Entered for Carolyn by Husband):  It is now  2 days post op.   Today is Thursday. I am beginning to feel better, however I am still very sore. Today I have been able to sit up, walk a little and my NG tube and urinary cath have been removed.  If things  continue the way they are going, I should feel much better tomorrow. Keep checking back for updates, and please sign my guest book.

December 23, 2000: 309 lbs (Entered for Carolyn by Husband): It is now 4 days post op, and I am feeling much better.  I just got discharged from the hospital this morning around 10:30 a.m.   Before I left the hospital, I took the opportunity to weigh myself.  In the four days since my surgery, I have already lost 13 lbs.  Feeling much stronger today, but still somewhat sore. Keep checking back for updates, and please sign my guest book.

December 27, 2000:   My incision is still sore and pulls when I get up or down, but its is so much better everyday.  I will have to wait til Jan. 5 to get my staples out because of the holiday.  I have had no problem with taking my diet so far (clear liquids) the only difference that I notice is that I sip instead of glulp. I have no sensation of hunger or fullness. I see things that my family is eating and I definately want some so don't think this surgery is going to make you a saint.  I have no idea what I weigh 1 week out but I can feel my clothing getting looser.

December 30, 2000:     I am now 11 days post op and off of all pain medication.  I have not had any nausea or vomiting. Everything is going great except I am still wanting to eat everything I see. I sure hope that stops soon cause its a real uncomfortable feeling.

January 1, 2001: 294 lbs    It is now 13 days post op and I weighed in today at 294 lbs.  I feel  fine.  I do have a little drainage from my incision, but overall I feel very well.  Happy New Year!!

February 16, 2001: 269 lbs  I am 59  days post op I weighed  4  days ago. I am   doing well. Still  finding out what I can eat and how much. Some times that is a real challenge. I have been nauseated a few times but only when I eat too fast. I have found out that I do not dump when I eat sweets but find that I don't crave it like before this surgery for this I am truly thankful. The head hunger went away approximately 2 weeks after surgery. The only regret I have is that I didn't wait to do the surgery lap RNY...cause I really hate my scar.

March 28, 2001:   247 lbs I am doing fine and am able to eat most things without nausea or problems.  I have noticed recently that I am able to eat about 4 oz. of whatever I am eating.  As my weight continues to drop, I feel much better. Despite the constant pain in my back and knees, I am able to move a lot better.  The loss continues.   Check back later for more updates.

July 6, 2001:   210 lbs  Wow!! I can't even believe that I have lost 112 lbs since Dec. 19, 2000 can anyone relate?  I guess, I have to fess up to being just as insecure as everyone else who has had this surgery.  What is the phrase...they operated on my body not my head.....LOL.  Anyway, I felt that if this surgery could be messed up, I would be just the one to do it.  Hehehehe......Even I haven't been able to fail at this.  I have discovered that I can't tolerate Chinese food or lobster.  They were both favorite foods prior to surgery.  I have found that my tastes have changed, things don't seem to taste the same anymore.  I find that I don't eat to just eat.  If it doesn't taste good to me I don't eat it.   Fortunately for me, I am able to tolerate a small amount of sweets, but find that I don't crave them anymore.  Just a spoonful or a bite of a candy bar is enough for me.   I have had no complications except a large ventral hernia that will be repaired July 18, 2001.  My weight loss has slowed down but continues as I wait for the magical day when I will be under 200 lbs for the first time in 30 years.  Only 10 lbs to go.  Stay tuned for future updates.

July 18, 2001:   205 lbs (Entered for Carolyn by Husband)  Carolyn went into the hospital today to have hernia repair surgery.  During the process of the surgery, they are also removing the scar tissue from the original surgery.  She went into surgery this morning at approximately 8:00 am.  The surgery took about 1 hour and 45 minutes.  She spent one hour in the recovery room and was then moved to her private room.  After the surgery, she was in a lot of pain, but was doing well.  She's coming home tomorrow. As you can see, she is now down to 205 and still dropping. Come back again for future updates and thanks for visiting.

July 20, 2001:   205 lbs (Entered for Carolyn by Husband)  Carolyn is home now.  She came home yesterday.  The hernia has been repaired and hopefully the remaining scar will be very light and almost invisible.  She is still in a lot of pain and discomfort from the surgery, but seems to be improving every day.  More updates will follow soon.

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