Dare I say it...I have...a date!
Hi everyone,
It's been a long time since I posted anything and I've mostly been lurking. Been going through a lot and trying hard to fight back. Like so many other folks, my road to wls has been really bumpy. Frustrating highs, shattering lows...and some hopeful plateaus and middleground. I had my heart set on having DS surgery with Dr. Rabkin in SF, but he doesn't accept Medicare (I had Kaiser coverage at one point, but once I stopped working I lost it) and I was unable to locate anyone else in my area who would do it -- and I definitely don't have the income where I could afford to travel to find a DS surgeon. So, I thought long and hard on my next best choice -- RNY. I made the decision, began searching for surgeons in my area and found the bariatric program at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland. I went through all of the pre-op testing, orientations, meetings and evals. Now I'm waiting to hear if Medicare will give their approval...and I have a tentative surgery date scheduled for 8am on May 4th. Did I really just write that??
I'm doing their pre-op liver shrink diet (I need to lose between 20-25lbs before surgery). I've been struggling with the weight loss since December when the surgeon told me how much I needed to lose. I actually lost 17 lbs towards the end of December, but then (what else?) I began to have "last supper syndrome" fever. By the time this month rolled around I had gained back all 17lbs plus MORE. I still feel so ashamed and down about it, but I'm trying to stay focused and get back on track.
The staff at Alta Bates -- particularly Helen, has been really supportive. She and several other members of the team have actually had wls (she had the RNY). She told me not to freak out and helped me jump-start my weight loss. I'm down 10 lbs today. I'm back to using mydailyplate at livestrong.com and that's helping a lot. It's really hard for me to walk for long periods (and I'm really self-conscious of how I look when I walk in public -- I kind of waddle back-and-forth when I walk) but I made it up to 15 minutes today walking in my neighborhood -- that's longer than I've done in the past few years. Sorry this went so long, but I haven't told many people I'm having surgery -- just a few OH'ers and my close friend who's going to be helping me in my recovery. I'm really hesitant about telling family members because they're exTREEEEEEMELY judgmental and I just don't need that kind of negativity in my life. Thanks for listening ♥♥♥♥
It's been a long time since I posted anything and I've mostly been lurking. Been going through a lot and trying hard to fight back. Like so many other folks, my road to wls has been really bumpy. Frustrating highs, shattering lows...and some hopeful plateaus and middleground. I had my heart set on having DS surgery with Dr. Rabkin in SF, but he doesn't accept Medicare (I had Kaiser coverage at one point, but once I stopped working I lost it) and I was unable to locate anyone else in my area who would do it -- and I definitely don't have the income where I could afford to travel to find a DS surgeon. So, I thought long and hard on my next best choice -- RNY. I made the decision, began searching for surgeons in my area and found the bariatric program at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland. I went through all of the pre-op testing, orientations, meetings and evals. Now I'm waiting to hear if Medicare will give their approval...and I have a tentative surgery date scheduled for 8am on May 4th. Did I really just write that??
I'm doing their pre-op liver shrink diet (I need to lose between 20-25lbs before surgery). I've been struggling with the weight loss since December when the surgeon told me how much I needed to lose. I actually lost 17 lbs towards the end of December, but then (what else?) I began to have "last supper syndrome" fever. By the time this month rolled around I had gained back all 17lbs plus MORE. I still feel so ashamed and down about it, but I'm trying to stay focused and get back on track.
The staff at Alta Bates -- particularly Helen, has been really supportive. She and several other members of the team have actually had wls (she had the RNY). She told me not to freak out and helped me jump-start my weight loss. I'm down 10 lbs today. I'm back to using mydailyplate at livestrong.com and that's helping a lot. It's really hard for me to walk for long periods (and I'm really self-conscious of how I look when I walk in public -- I kind of waddle back-and-forth when I walk) but I made it up to 15 minutes today walking in my neighborhood -- that's longer than I've done in the past few years. Sorry this went so long, but I haven't told many people I'm having surgery -- just a few OH'ers and my close friend who's going to be helping me in my recovery. I'm really hesitant about telling family members because they're exTREEEEEEMELY judgmental and I just don't need that kind of negativity in my life. Thanks for listening ♥♥♥♥
Be safe and well, B.B. 
Hi Kami -- good to see you again!
I realize that I don't know what your situation is entirely, but I just thought I would let you know, in case it might make a difference, that Dr. Keshishian in Delano (about 200 miles from SF on Rte. 99 about 25 miles north of Bakersfield) is an excellent DS surgeon who accepts Medicare.
If you would like more information, please let me know.
In any case, best of luck with whatever you decide to do.
I realize that I don't know what your situation is entirely, but I just thought I would let you know, in case it might make a difference, that Dr. Keshishian in Delano (about 200 miles from SF on Rte. 99 about 25 miles north of Bakersfield) is an excellent DS surgeon who accepts Medicare.
If you would like more information, please let me know.
In any case, best of luck with whatever you decide to do.
Hi Diana, it's good to see you, too. Thanks for responding. I did consider going to him, but I have no way of traveling there. I'm a public transportation user so I take MUNI and BART everywhere in and near SF. I don't drive at all and I don't have anyone who could help and drive me there. I'm living on such a fixed income now, it's hard to budget extra expenses for travel other than what I need to get around town or in the east or south bay. Thanks for the suggestion, though. Settling for the RNY is a bit of bitter pill after having had my heart set on a DS, but it's still a step towards better health and a more active life. You've always been such a great support and an amazing source of priceless wls info, Diana. I'll never be able to thank you for how much you've enlightened me over these years. 
Be safe and well, B.B.
Hi Kami,
Congratulation on your upcoming surgery, we'll be saving you a nice warm spot on the losers bench! You've had a long wait and I am so glad your time has come! Whoo hoo. Let us know if we can be of any help and you'll certainly be in my thoughts and prayers too. Hope to see you at one of our Nor Cal Luncheons in Concord. If you ever want to come, just send me a PM and I would be happy to give you a ride to and from BART, as I know you do public transportation!
Hugs,
Barb
Congratulation on your upcoming surgery, we'll be saving you a nice warm spot on the losers bench! You've had a long wait and I am so glad your time has come! Whoo hoo. Let us know if we can be of any help and you'll certainly be in my thoughts and prayers too. Hope to see you at one of our Nor Cal Luncheons in Concord. If you ever want to come, just send me a PM and I would be happy to give you a ride to and from BART, as I know you do public transportation!
Hugs,
Barb
Hey, Kami--I know what you mean about walking in public. I had some snot-nosed little punks making noises as I walked by one afternoon--I had to really restrain myself to keep from punching them out! Now if I'd known I could get a jury of my peers (all fat ladies!!) I might just have waddled over there and done it! Fortunately, my sanity returned and I didn't do anything that might require a lawyer. I just changed my walking time to early in the morning when the little twits weren't out of bed yet!
Good for you staying focused on yourself.
Please let go of the shame and anger towards yourself; it doesn't do any good and certainly makes you feel worse. You're doing something positive for yourself, and that can only be a good thing.
Please be sure you are doing a lot of protein, get rid of the "white foods" in your cupboards, drink lots of water (often we think we're hungry when we're really thirsty), and be kind to yourself. If this were an easy process then anyone could do it.
I had the RNY because it was the only thing covered by my insurance, and I'm very glad I did it. If I could have gotten the surgery that keeps the pyloric valve I would have, but it wasn't an option. In that case, I took the one I could get that was going to save my life. I started out at about the same BMI as you, and it was vital that I get SOME help. I wasn't going to quarrel about which life-saving device was thrown to me!!
Hang in there!
Good for you staying focused on yourself.
Please let go of the shame and anger towards yourself; it doesn't do any good and certainly makes you feel worse. You're doing something positive for yourself, and that can only be a good thing.
Please be sure you are doing a lot of protein, get rid of the "white foods" in your cupboards, drink lots of water (often we think we're hungry when we're really thirsty), and be kind to yourself. If this were an easy process then anyone could do it.
I had the RNY because it was the only thing covered by my insurance, and I'm very glad I did it. If I could have gotten the surgery that keeps the pyloric valve I would have, but it wasn't an option. In that case, I took the one I could get that was going to save my life. I started out at about the same BMI as you, and it was vital that I get SOME help. I wasn't going to quarrel about which life-saving device was thrown to me!!
Hang in there!
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