Love the Weather....

I know it has been while since my last post, but nothing major is going on. I called the insurance company on Monday to get the ball rolling about the requirements...if I had to meet Texas or California??? Now just waiting for the confirmation of what I need to do. If it is denied. I can appeal it...with a 50/50 chance of it getting approved. Those are my chances now, we will just have to see.

So today I am spending it at home with Logan. There is lots of ice & cold. Ray had to work...AUGH. But I will be a good wife and have dinner ready for him when he gets home tonight....HA HA HA..

The Reality Just Hit

The reality of it all just hit me this weekend. On Saturday we went to get my peepers checked, it has been almost 2 years, they are not that bad, but the doctor lady said it looked like I might have a swollen optic nerve....the nerve....anyways. So then we went to the Mall to get me some glasses. Sears was having a 2 for 99.00 sale I got some smaller frames, one pair with the little wire thing at the bottom, one with regular frames. I could have gotten sunglasses, but did not find any frames that I liked.
Ray & Logan were at the play area, as I went back down there, I stopped at the Ice Skating Rink and booked Logan's 6TH Birthday party!!!! My baby is going to be 6 in less than a week!!! I can not believe that. So we are going to have an ice skating party for him. Me & Dad are going to take him next week on his actually birthday and try it out. His party is not for 2 weeks. He needed to make the decision of what he wanted, and I had to get it booked! Now that is done, and I also got some software to make the invitations instead of buying them, it was more economical I think.
I have had some luck, but it took some time to get it right. It is lots of fun to create with it. I am hoping that next weekend will not be emotional for me. I am looking forward to him getting big, but I miss my little baby!

What I Found Out

So I went to the appointments today...and I feel like I am not more ahead than I was earlier today!

I got to the doctors office and watched a video, then to the weights & measures! 301 5ft 3 1/2 in BMI 53%. So Holly I am only 4 inches taller than you, not 4 1/2!!! I am not sure why I have put that information on the net for everyone to see, but this is going to be the least of the honesty I will be sharing! Then the nutritionist came in, she was really nice, and very helpful, she feels as though I am sure enough about what I am going to be faced with by having the band.

Next in comes Dr Scott! I love him, he is so funny, and has a great bedside manner! Has asked if I wanted the band or bypass, and why so I told him the band, and because I did not want something as invasive or permanent as the bypass, that I wanted it for a little bit of help with weight loss and maintenance. He did seem impressed with the answers. Then he wanted to look where I 'carried my weight' for anyone who has seen me...knows!!! He feels as though he can do the SIL procedure, single incision. So we are good to go with him.

Then the finance...AUGH THIS WOMAN!!!! Long story short 'Since you do not have the 5yrs & 6 months don't be surprised if it gets rejected' SO even though my insurance does not require it..since it has to be filed through the Texas office they might reject it before it even goes to California...This is a bunch of SHIT!!!!!

Okay gotta run to TKD with Logan, it is Family Night, so we get to watch. I will post more later!

Totday is the day

I am getting ready to go to the doctor. Looking forward to any info I can get...at least I will know I am IN... Even if I have to wait a while to get the procedure, I just want to know that it is APPROVED!!!

Am I being to self centered about this? I feel like some of my friends are keeping their distance from me. Are they sick of hearing about it? If so are they really my friends? I try to not let it consume me, but I am excited about it and I want my friends to be excited too. Do they think I am weak because I am using surgery to assist in weightloss...All I have to say about that is if you think I am weak...go through the process!!! If you dont want to hear about it...tell me - dont avoid me...and if you are sick of it now...what are you going to do afterwards when I have lots of guidelines to live by??? Yes it is my decision to do this...and if you are a true friend then be supportive!!!

Will post later after the appointments!!!

Tomorrow is THE BIG DAY!!!

I will post after all the appointments on Thursday, it will be late and we have TKD, and Ray is really sick!!!

Wish me luck!!

What Will I Miss???

Here are some things I will miss -
Babe's Fried Chicken
Sushi & Hibachi
Home made Chicken Fried Steak
Fried Potatoes
Ray's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mom's Chicken Wings
Marble Slab
Dino's
KFC Tator Bowls

I am sure this list will grow...or I will just start a new one.

The Week Downs & Ups

The Cliffhangers will have to wait until later. Some other things transpired this week that supersede that. Here goes - the DOWNS

Lumps...I found Lumps in my Lovely Lady Bumps!!!

After the doctor appointment, you know the one...THAT one, I was sent to a mammogram Wednesday morning. It was not that bad..although since I don't have 'little girls' they had to take 2 pictures of each one to get them all...(pause for your laughter - your not the first). After 8 pictures the lady leaves, then comes back to take some more. What I found was on the left side...of the next 3 she took 2 were of the right side. What was there?? What are you seeing? For anyone who has ever had a sonogram, mammogram or any other kind of gram that has to do with taking pictures of your insides, the person taking the pictures just does not know what they are looking at.....P-LEASE!!!!! How do you learn to do your job if you don't learn what you are looking at?

She comes back in a 3rd time and says..."One more, but what he is seeing he thinks is benign"...WHAT WHAT IS IT???? Anther picture of the RIGHT BREAST!! Each time she left I room I looked at the computer screen, these are my pictures of my body I want to see them. There it was....a small black spot on the deepest part of my right breast. I went and sat in the chair and continued to read the Star magazine that was in the room. When the tech comes back in AGAIN....This time she is not alone, she has the doctor with her. He introduces himself....Dr. I am going to tell you what is wrong with your breast. I think that was his name. He explained there is an area on the right side that looks to be a mass, but not a cancerous look. It does not take the characteristics of being calcium based, or grayish. He is recommending that I go back in 6-12 months to get a re-check, this is my base-line mammogram. At the next one this is what it will be compared to. I still have not gotten a call from my doctors office with the Official Results, keep your fingers crossed they will not change.

The UPS!!!!

On Friday I received a copy of my Psych Eval to forward to the surgeons office...AND I AM NOT CRAZY!!!! Regardless of what SP, KW, CD, EH, JT...and any one else who thinks I am a nut. I now have the paperwork to support I am not..and those of you who continue to be mean to me...will have to pay for additional counseling!

Big Step

The last piece of the puzzle is going to be laid in place.

I had my psych eval today. It was great. I talked about my past, my family, my decision, and my health. It was great. Dr Scott will have the results by Friday. So when I go in on the 22nd.....THAT SHOULD BE IT.

I should be able to set the date. I am going to try for February, around my birthday. We have a long weekend at work. If that will not work, or is too soon. Then I am going to aim for right before Spring Break, and maybe take off that entire week.

Tidbit of info. If you are going through with the procedure. Check with what kind of evaluation is required. Unless your doctor is requesting something special then a regular psych could be fine, and it may take only an hour or so....just be careful what these guys are trying to get you to pay for. Make sure you check with your surgeon to find out exactly what you need, AND if you are in Arlington, I will give you a great psychologist to go to.

I am starting to get excited and apprehensive at the same time. I am ready for the life style change, but what will I miss???? I will ponder and let you know tomorrow....don't you love cliffhangers?

Some Thoughts

Just some random thoughts that have been going through my head today. I had mentioned to someone about the surgery and in conversation I said...'I want to get my sexy body back'. For anyone who knows me knows that is completely not ME. I do not consider myself a self absorbed, vain or conceded person by any means. The reply back was...Well women do place more emphasis on appearance than men. Ok I will give you that..but I don't think I fall in that category. Then the pondering comment was made...'Sexy is not physical appearance at all'

I totally agree with that...so I have been thinking.

I am very comfortable in my own skin. I do not wear make-up, my hair is in a ponytail most of the time, I love my jeans & t-shirt. I don't like to judge people by their appearance, so don't judge me that way either. I am not saying I am the most beautiful person on the inside, but I do feel close to it. This has NOTHING to do with the way I see myself, yeah sometime I do feel like people look at me and judge, but really I don't judge them, but we all know how shallow that is. This all has to do with how comfortable you are with yourself. How do you act around a good looking guy? The same as the unattractive ones. When other ladies I know see a good looking guy, they oogle & google and can not even talk to him, not me. I know about their wife, kids, and can even make them laugh. Does that make me a bad person? I did learn a long time ago there is a difference between being conceded & self confidence, it is a fine line but I think I stay on the self confidence side. I do not like fake people. Really, if you cant be honest with yourself how can you be honest with me?? I can not be who I am with out all the people around me who I have opened my life to. At home & work. I learn from all of them.

I guess what I want to put out there is don't be misguided for the reasons I want to have the surgery, it is not physical at all. I know who I am, and I LOVE who am. I feel I am a very open person, and easy to get alone with. Something to ponder I guess. DO you really love yourself? Are you happy with who and where you are?? I know I am.

XOXO

Another Week Gone

Okay, so the psych eval did not happen on Wednesday, the Dr had to cancel. So I am set up for Monday at 5:00. Keep your fingers crossed I do it that day. I really want to get that behind me. I am not worried about not passing it, but that is the ONE thing I have to do before the date can be set.

We have not been to the Y since Tuesday, Logan came home sick from school on Wednesday with a fever. He was better on Thursday, and then Friday went to school. Long story short, and the one with out the puke details...he has Strep. So we are not going back until Monday. That way to make sure he is over it and we do not have it. I see a home bound weekend which is good.

I will be posting more later, and I am going to find some links to the surgery so you can see what I am going to go thru.

Psych Eval Today

This is going to be a quickie....since we all love those...

I am suppose to have my psyh eval today, but the doctors husband has to see a specialist, so it all depends if she goes back to the office...completely understandable. This is going to be with a Doctor we are using for some testing with Logan, so we are already established.

I will post more tonight and let you know how I think I did. Also...the workouts at the Y are going great. We are walking a mile then biking and doing some of the machines for upper body stuff! Have a great day!!

The End of the Weekend

On Saturday, we worked out at the Y for more than an hour. Biked, walked, and did the weight machines. All while Logan was at his class. Then we went to Traders Village and walked some more. Then we took a nap, and off to the drive in.

In case you don't know there is a drive in at Garrett TX www.galaxydriveintheater.com they play double features it is awesome. We watched Bedtime Stories. It is great, and part of Bolt, we had already seen it so when Logan fell asleep we were okay leaving.

We decided we will take off on Sundays from working out. See the Y has Kidzone, so it is easier for us to be able to work out together, and Sunday they are closed. I am not sure if I am going to go by myself in the morning or if we will all go together after work & school. I hope we do that...I am really enjoying the time Ray & I are spending together.

Moving On - Come on if you want

It seems to me that Myspace is loosing the Myspaceness we all loved, well I am going through some pretty big things coming up so I have decided to move to Blogspot. I have attached the link to my new blog below. Stop by, read, and even follow me if you want..

http://ajourneytoachange.blogspot.com/

Work Out Today

Today will be the first day we go as a family to work out! There is a class Logan can take, so we will be doing cardio while he is in his class. I am going to take some weight and measurements today, but still toying with the idea of posting them. I will be taking the w&m weekly starting today, and following through with that after the surgery just to see the full progression. What I did on my own and with help!

I will think about it after I do it...so I may post them later, and I will post it weekly. If this is to put my progress in print then I will need to do so! I am sure down the road these Blogs will only get more personal and in depth.

Disclosure

I have been doing some thinking about all the info I am putting out here. Keep in mind this is only about MY experience and the hurtles I have had to cross and deal with. I am by no means an expert on this, I just know what has caused me grief.

I would be more that happy to share more of my experience with you. But I am going to continue to Blog about my experience, and what ever else may pop into my little head.

Just want to put it out there, I know some people believe - If I read it on the Internet I know it HAS to be true!!! Read what I post and try to take that along as you are doing your own research.

The Long Process

If I had completed all the steps I stated I could have been more in to this process than where I am now. After the failed attempt with True Results, I did more research. Now if you are considering using True Results just be sure to realize they are a liaison between John-Q Public & the Surgeons. I do believe this place is only in business to make money that one does not need to spend. My advice, make sure your insurance company will cover this place before you even go there. YOU call the insurance do not trust any of these places to do the work and get it right for you.

This led me to find out what a Center of Excellence is, it boils down to a hospital that follows up for years on their patients. My insurance only covers 6 hospitals in the DFW area, my choice - UT Southwestern Medical Center. I do think I made the right decision. We went to the seminar December 18. It was very informative. We had a surgeon talk to us. He is the one I chose to use. He is really down to earth. It was mentioned at the seminar to contact your insurance company. I did that, now this is the only issue I have had so far with the place.

I have BCBS, but in case you don't know, there are different plans based on what state your insurance is issued from, the BCBS of Texas has different requirements, I am on BCBS of Ca, so I am not required to have as much stuff as the TX plan is. So I had the info and one of the ladies did not want to hear me but that got taken care of.

Now finding a psychologist. Another tidbit of info....it is a regular psych evaluation that my surgeon is requiring. I have been quoted upwards of $500 for this, but then I found another one who is doing the necessary evaluation for $125. My suggestion shop around. You might not find one on your insurance, but then again your insurance may not cover it if your deductible has not been met.

Bringing you current. We as a family went and joined the YMCA today, they have a special Pay the Day, it only cost $2 for us to join today. There are even classes Logan can take. We are going to go tomorrow, Ray & I are excited. We need this.

I am going to take pictures and post them so you can follow my journey in pictures. The only thing is trying to decide what to wear...and SPANDEX is not an option....only your best friend could suggest that and not get their butt kicked!!! Love ya girl!!!

The First Entry

Since this is my first entry, I will give a little back ground for those of you who don't know me or even those who think you do. I am 34, married to a wonderful man, and have the best kid any mom could ask for. We have been married for a little over 8 years, and together for a little over 9; we were married a year to the day we met. We have been blessed to be parents for almost 6 years, he will be 6 in 30 days!!! We have 5 dogs, yeah that is 20 feet, and we love all the individual personalities they have.

I made the decision to pursue the LAP BAND procedure in October 2007. I did lots of research about the procedure as well and what the insurance would cover before I mentioned it to anyone, I wanted to make this decision for ME and ME alone. Is that wrong? But it is not solely for me. See this past fall I have the chance to coach my little boys flag football team. That was an experience...and it helped set me up for this! We only played 1/2 field, but I could barely run that to keep up with the kids, and my son wants me to coach next year, they will be playing full field then. So for the men in my life I knew I needed to do this, as a very dear friend told me one time - A healthy wife/mother makes for a heathly family - Thanks K-Wils

So I talked with my husband and he was behind me totally. Did I mention how wonderful and supportive he is? So he says to go for it. Now the beginning of this process will take more that just one blog to bring you up to speed where I am at now.

I contacted a doctors office, set up the appointment and then they contacted the insurance. The doctors office is not covered. AND of course that is all they tell me, they don't give me any other information...but they would be more than happy to set up some financing for me...HELLO if insurance will cover why am I going to do that...NEXT STEP

I was give the name to one of those ONE STOP SURGERY PLACES. I am not going to totally bad mouth this place (True Results). They did the same thing...the insurance does not cover this...so here are our financing options.

Now I am going to stop there and post some Public Service Advice.
1. Contact your HR Dept at your employer & the Ins Co
2. Find out the requirements from your Ins Co to get the ball rolling
3. Check to see what the Ins Co requirements for the location & Dr are
4. How much to they cover
5. Get the names of everyone you talk to at the Ins Co
6. Write down or print out as much as you can
7. Make a folder to keep all of your info together
*If you do not have all of your ducks in a row and the claim is denied the 1st time it is harder to get approval. I have been told this by my doctors office and the Ins Co