Re: frustrated with getting contacts...

[Guest guest]

Carol, You are more than welcome to contact me. I had my surgery on 1-7-2000. I

had a leak by calling me you get the good and the not so good. But, don't get me

wrong I feel Greeeeat now. I am going to the support group today, but feel free

to call me tonight or whenever it is convenient for you.

Anything I can do to help just call Good luck and May god Bless

Sharon Atkinson in N.C.

frustrated with getting contacts...

What a day, I only had 2 contacts and I just wiped out my e-mail with

those in it!

I tell you, I have tried everything. I E-mailed 20

people on the contacts list on DR.R web page last week and 16 can't

be delivered b/c their e-mail addresses no longer exist and the other

4 have not replied! I've even sent out a Spam message (I know your

not suppose too) to the whole group and only one angel replied

(thanks ). I know everyone is as busy as I am so it's not

the people on this list I'm frustrated with, believe me!

All these steps, goodness I feel like I'm a contestant in a game

show... write this paper get this person to approve this, jump

through this hoop, jump through that hoop! I understand why the

doctor wants us to do some of these things, like write the patient

letter. He wants us to make sure we fully understand what we are

entering into, but why can't my letter to him coupled with my doctors

letter be enough!

I just don't understand why I need proof of contact with 10 total

strangers before I can have a surgery that I have very seriously

researched and decided to have based on my own personal issues with

obesity! All my questions have been answered by reading all the

excellent e-mails for the past several months and reading and re-

reading DR.R's web page and manual and going on to the chat room. Why

do I have to have 10 people e-mail me answers to more questions!

WELL, I guess I should order some good Stilton to go with this

exceptional whine I have going today! Sorry, It's all just too

much

for me today!

Carol

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[Guest guest]

Janie,

I absolutely love your posts. I am getting excited and yet know that there

may be disappointment if they insurance drags their feet. I am still

claiming 5/10 and will give you a call. I just have to meet you since you

always give me such a boost on a down day. Hope your daughter is there so

she can tell me how it is to have a slim Mom. See you soon. If you read

this within the hour please pray because I will be calling my insurance

company Monday 5/1 at 9 am Mountain time.

Deb in WY

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol! I'd be happy to be one of your contacts. I had the mini bypass

gastric surgery on 25 Mar 99 and to date have lost 155 pounds. My starting

weight was 350 pounds. You learn quickly that the weight comes off so try

not to get too attached to your scales. Some weeks I lose more than others

so to keep from getting frustrated I only weigh once in a while. I was

extremely lucky in that I had no complications. The hardest part about

surgery was the I-Vs. They infiltrated and went under my skin instead of

into my veins. Didn't really hurt but was really uncomfortable. Dr. R. is

doing away with a lot of the meds that have to go in through an IV and

giving them in liquid form instead. That will help alot I'm sure. I was in

the hospital for 2 days. The one thing I do suggest for surgery is do not

be afraid to use the morphine pump. I think now a days though he prescribes

Demerol. It is there for your use. I didn't use it that much except for

the first few hours after surgery. It felt like a MACK truck was sitting on

my chest and it was hard to take a deep breath but after a couple of shots

of morphine, it became easier and easier. Since I live in Fayetteville,

which is only a couple of hours away, Dr. R. let me come home instead of

staying in Durham. The first couple of months I stayed strictly with

liquids, yogurt, popsicles and soupy mashed potatoes. It really helps in

the long run to stay with liquids as long as possible so your new stomach

can heal. It was hard because I really, really wanted food but found out

you don't really need it. Today, I can eat almost anything in very small

quantities. I nibble almost all day long to keep from getting too hungry

therefore eating too fast and too much. I've found I can't eat certain

types of Chinese food cuz it gives me the dumping. I didn't drive until

about a week/week and a 1/2 after surgery. I stayed out of work for two

weeks. I could have gone back to work after one week, but since I had the

time I took an extra week to pamper myself. If asked if I would have this

surgery again, I say a resounding YES. I feel better. My diabetes and high

blood pressure are gone. I have more energy and have so much fun shopping

for new clothes. I have gone from a size 32 or larger from s and

Lane s to a size 16 at Sears, Belks, and a whole lot of other stores.

I haven't had so much fun shopping for clothes in years. My daughter is

getting used to the new me. She's 22 and all her life she's had an obese

mother. She's never had a slim one.

I am off all meds for high blood pressure and diabetes. They're both well

within the normal range. The only thing I take now-a-days is my vitamins, 3

times daily.

I took off from work for two weeks but probably could have gone back after

one but decided since I had the time, to pamper myself and give my body more

time to adjust. To date, I have had no major problems and very few minor

problems.

Before this surgery, I tried every diet and drug available for weight loss.

On phen-fen I lost 80 pounds but gained 120 back when taken off of them.

Nothing worked until this surgery. I don't take any over the counter drugs

unless prescribed by Dr. R. I take benadryl for colds; liquid children's

motrim for headaches and body aches; TUMS for extra calcium and heartburn

(which I seldom have). He doesn't like for you to take very much medicine

afterwards. Some can cause acid on your stomach which in turn can cause an

ulcer.

Dr. Rutledge and his staff are the best. I've never met a more friendlier,

loving, caring and talented Doctor. He has been working with the obese for

over 20 years. He truly understands how we feel and where we're coming

from. He is a 120 pound, whirring diverish. The man is constantly on the

go and always there for his patients, anytime night or day. I've never met

such a person in my life. I have the highest esteem, regard and love for

him as do all his patients.

Would I do again it? YES! YES! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My insurance approved me without any problems. Some are having a really

tough time with their insurance. Some are fighting with appeals, changing

insurance and some are even self-paying. Hopefully, with all of us working

together, we can one day change the insurance policies.

If you need any further help, please just ask away. Feel free to call or

e-mail me anytime. My number is .

Janie

> frustrated with getting contacts...

>

> What a day, I only had 2 contacts and I just wiped out my e-mail with

> those in it!

>

> I tell you, I have tried everything. I E-mailed 20

> people on the contacts list on DR.R web page last week and 16 can't

> be delivered b/c their e-mail addresses no longer exist and the other

> 4 have not replied! I've even sent out a Spam message (I know your

> not suppose too) to the whole group and only one angel replied

> (thanks ). I know everyone is as busy as I am so it's not

> the people on this list I'm frustrated with, believe me!

> All these steps, goodness I feel like I'm a contestant in a game

> show... write this paper get this person to approve this, jump

> through this hoop, jump through that hoop! I understand why the

> doctor wants us to do some of these things, like write the patient

> letter. He wants us to make sure we fully understand what we are

> entering into, but why can't my letter to him coupled with my doctors

> letter be enough!

>

> I just don't understand why I need proof of contact with 10 total

> strangers before I can have a surgery that I have very seriously

> researched and decided to have based on my own personal issues with

> obesity! All my questions have been answered by reading all the

> excellent e-mails for the past several months and reading and re-

> reading DR.R's web page and manual and going on to the chat room. Why

> do I have to have 10 people e-mail me answers to more questions!

>

> WELL, I guess I should order some good Stilton to go with this

> exceptional whine I have going today! Sorry, It's all just too

> much

> for me today!

>

> Carol

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Get your money connected @ OnMoney.com - the first Web site that lets

> you see and manage all of your finances all in one place.

> http://click.egroups.com/1/3012/1/_/453517/_/956958855/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

> Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm

>