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Saturday, December 31, 2005

New Blog Renter

Wow!! So many offers and only one can be accepted. If you bid please bid again!!!

I picked a pretty good one and a little close to my heart. Check out "Aspiring Plus Model and Actress Loses Weight" This is one girls journey in Weight loss and very good too.

Stop on by and let her know The Catapillar Sent 'cha!

Posted by The Catapillar :: 1:58 AM :: 0 Comments:

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Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Official Weigh Day - Week One



I went to Dr Naaman’s today to have this stinking drain removed. This has been the most uncomfortable part this last week. Don’t get me wrong, Dr. Naaman uses a drain because he can see leaks (if we drink blue Gatorade) so it is a good thing just uncomfortable. Anyway, we weighed me today and the results are astounding.

Started / Current / Goal
283/263/145

Which makes a grand total of 20 pounds in ONE Week..... I never thought that this would happen!!

I figured a few pounds but I did notice something. My glorious ankles were returning to me. My ankles and calves were no longer swollen and they looked like the ankles I had before. It is so awesome I can’t even describe it.

I am excited to see my long term results. I will post picks on the 21st so you can see the differences.


Posted by The Catapillar :: 10:05 PM :: 0 Comments:

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Monday, December 26, 2005

I'm A looser!!!

Well Surgery was a great success. So far there have been no complications. I was actually out of the hospital the next day.... lots more details to come later.

Posted by The Catapillar :: 11:31 PM :: 1 Comments:

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Monday, December 19, 2005

T - 1day and counting....

Tomorrow is the day.

Posted by The Catapillar :: 9:27 PM :: 0 Comments:

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Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Blog Renter!!!

Click on the thumbnail to the right and you will be in the realm of two sistas and a dude. funny stuff you have to check them out! :)

Thanks TS&D for renting my blog. :)

Posted by The Catapillar :: 6:04 AM :: 1 Comments:

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God's support

Well, Today I go for my second appointment with Dr. Naaman’s office and then to the hospital for the pre-op work and pre-registration. I can’t believe that in 8 days i will undergo surgery. I know it is my choice but it is still kind of surrealistic.

This entire process for me has really gone quite smoothly and with each passing turn it has been made clear that God has played a real part in this and that I am on the right track. I often wondered if this was Gods plan or if I was moving forward with something that he did not support. Well, there are many reasons why I think this is where I need to be.

First, the level of support and encouragement I have received. Most people I have talked to or read their journals describe experiences with people who are against this. They tell of rejection, ridicule and lack of support. I have been truly blessed with the fact I have not experienced this. My whole family and all of my friends have expressed their support. Now if they don’t agree they did not tell me this. Even my acquaintances through work or play that i have talked have been positive. This has to be a God thing.

Second, the whole process of preparing for this surgery has gone so smoothly that it is almost unbelievable. After consulting with a bariatric physician I went to my PCP Dr. Gerard Gudarian. He was quite supportive too and with his support concerned. He ordered many tests and blood work to ensure that I am capable of first undergoing surgery and then recovering well. He never once put me down. It was a God thing.

Third, the insurance approval only taking 2 days!!! This insurance company has been difficult from the very beginning. They seem to use what ever stall tactic they can to not pay the claims that have been submitted. I have talked it out with many people (I might add at least their staff is receptive of all of this frustration with out getting upset themselves). They approved it so quick I couldn’t believe it. I was sure we were in for a battle. God working!

There have been signs all over the place that I am on the right track. It is such a blessing to have God be so supportive of my choice and it's also encouraging. So many signs not enouph time to type or read.

I can’t wait to be a looser.

Posted by The Catapillar :: 4:44 AM :: 0 Comments:

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Friday, December 09, 2005

I was approved!!

Good Googly Moogly! My insurance has actually approved my request for surgery. On the first request at that! Merry Christmas from HAS!

I am totally beside myself! I am so happy that this tool is going to be provided to me. It feels a little surreal.

I am very excited and yet the fear is mounting… I understand that the national average of mortality is 1%. Which is inaccurate because the cause of death is not always sighted (pulmonary embolism is a problem anytime you go under anesthesia and not specific to Gastric Bypass). My Dr’s Average is only .04% which is a lot less then the national average and most of which was in fact embolism. I have complete faith and trust with Dr. Naaman. I have watched his web cast of the RnY surgery (see my links on the sidebar) which was more then gross but I have seen him in action. But you know there is always a chance. I will try not to dwell on that.

Wow the next 13 days are going to be the busiest. With everything that has to be done. I can hardly see when to sleep. Well I spoke to Amanda at Dr. Naaman’s office and I will be having surgery on 12/21 therefore to prepare I have an appointment with Dr. Naaman on the 13th as well as all the pre-op stuff that needs to be completed at the hospital at which time I will need to pay my fee’s. That’s not the half of it. This is the list of things I will be doing in preparation for surgery.

Not that I think I will need these it is only realistic to have the following ready:

  • Last Will and Testament
  • Letters to loved ones to be given only in the event of my death
  • Guardian established for my son
  • A list of phone numbers of friends given to my executor prior to surgery
  • Living Will

Ok the real stuff has been addressed now… On with the planning

I cannot wait until I am a real loser!

Be Blessed and thanks for all of your prayers and support.


Posted by The Catapillar :: 2:13 AM :: 2 Comments:

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Tuesday, December 06, 2005

New Blog Renter


Hey Everyone,

Check out my new Renter!!!! I find it most important to support our troops most especially during the holidays when they are so far from home defending our right to freedom!!!.

Stop in to see his blog and drop him a line!

Thanks Bunches gigotti for renting my Blog!!!

Posted by The Catapillar :: 5:12 AM :: 0 Comments:

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The letter went out today….

December 5 2005

Ok, my tummy has been jumping around! I talked to Amanda at Dr. Naaman’s office today and my letter of medical necessity is ready to go to my insurance (health administration services HAS). The insurance sucks except that there is no exclusion to Bariatric Surgery thanks to my company! So I may just get a surgery date this year!!!! Anyway, I would like to send Many thanks to you for taking a small moment to everyone who says a little prayer to whomever you pray too that I will be approved.

Posted by The Catapillar :: 1:40 AM :: 0 Comments:

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Monday, December 05, 2005

The Consultation

November 22, 2005

What an interesting day this was. I had my nutritional appointment today as well (since they are both on the same side of town) and my consultation was at 1pm the really bad thing about that today was that I had to fast from not only food but any water. So I was up early and could not eat or drink until what wound up being 2:00. Good Lord I was thirsty! Thirsty! Thirsty!

You may or may not be asking yourself now “Why would you fast from everything?” Well I needed to be tested for that wonderful bacterium H-Pylori (Helicobacter pylori). This ugly little guy is the main cause of Peptic ulcers of the stomach and plays a very big part in acid reflux. Which I have suffered for far too long now (about 4 years).

Testing for H-Pylori was quite interesting. When I tested at my PCP’s office they took blood. Well today I was given a little pill that looked to be a capsule of little yellow Styrofoam balls. With it I had to drink a shot glass of warm water. Then 5 minutes later I had to drink another shot glass of warm water and after waiting another 5 minutes I was required to blow up a small balloon through a straw. Very interesting indeed. Anyway, the normal person has around 50 h-pylori’s and me (being abnormal) had over 1100!!!!! 1100!!!!! That SUCKS! So I am taking prevpack to fix the problem. After all, we wouldn’t want to get an ulcer in a 2oz tummy would we?

I have to say that I have been blessed with a wonderful mother! She and my son both wanted to make sure that I was ok and wanted to meet the Dr for themselves so they felt comfortable with him performing surgery on me. My SS would have come and wanted to but she needed to work, Mom and the boy were coming so I was cool. My mother is such a wonderfully supportive woman. She amazes me all the time.

Dr. Naaman was pretty cool. He went over the surgery with me and asked if I had any questions. The only question I had was his mortality rate. I asked it and he answered without skipping a beat or even acting irritated. I know that is what he is supposed to do but you know some Dr.s may get offended. His answer was .04%... I then asked how many patients that equaled. He responded that equaled 6 people had died. The last question was what the cause of their deaths was. The primary cause was embolism. Ok, these were the questions that were not answered (because I didn’t ask them) at the seminar. These were also the questions that my mother had so she was feeling lots better too.

I cant begin to describe how wonderful the staff is there. They are friendly, knowledgeable and just down to earth. It was easy to make jokes and feel right at ease with them. If you live in or around Houston Dr. Naaman is a wonderful surgeon and I think that you should check him out if you are considering this option for weight loss.

By the Way found this wonderful site you must check out Giant Microbes. They ROCK!!!

Posted by The Catapillar :: 11:25 PM :: 0 Comments:

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